https://mobile.twitter.com/nflprguy/stat...8130139136

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...th-helmet/

So if I’m reading this correctly, a player, like Fournette, can no longer lower his head to deliver the boom stick?

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

https://mobile.twitter.com/nflprguy/stat...8130139136

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...th-helmet/

So if I’m reading this correctly, a player, like Fournette, can no longer lower his head to deliver the boom stick?

I believe it was already illlegal for a RB to do that inside the box.

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'02

They also made one good change and made the catch rule more clear. Well... I guess we will see. You no longer have to maintain possession to the ground but we will see how it's called.

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They'll be like 50 15 yard penalties and ejections a game next season.

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They also made one good change and made the catch rule more clear. Well... I guess we will see. You no longer have to maintain possession to the ground but we will see how it's called.

Thank God! Anything is better than the old catch rule. So many real "catches" were overturned last season it was ridiculous. Hopefully, this settles it once and for all.

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They also made one good change and made the catch rule more clear. Well... I guess we will see. You no longer have to maintain possession to the ground but we will see how it's called.

We’ll see. They added a subjective feature to it like always so it could lead to even more controversy. 

In regards to the OP, i’m curious as to how the league plans on handling situations on the field such as 4th and 1 and we hand the ball to Fournette who lowers his head and ends up getting penalized. Maybe even ejected. And when Bortles goes for the QB sneak and gets ejected because he fought for that extra inch.
.

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

They also made one good change and made the catch rule more clear. Well... I guess we will see. You no longer have to maintain possession to the ground but we will see how it's called.

We’ll see. They added a subjective feature to it like always so it could lead to even more controversy. 

In regards to the OP, i’m curious as to how the league plans on handling situations on the field such as 4th and 1 and we hand the ball to Fournette who lowers his head and ends up getting penalized. Maybe even ejected. And when Bortles goes for the QB sneak and gets ejected because he fought for that extra inch.
.

Perhaps I am over reacting, but it seems to me they have pretty much legislated the three and four point stances and drive blocking out of the game.

What in the world has happened to our game?

Just when we get good again, they make it illegal to be us. 

Shaking my head in dismay.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

They need to call this the Patriot rule. Will its subjective enforcement help the Patriots win a game? Yes!

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They need to call this the Patriot rule. Will its subjective enforcement help the Patriots win a game? Yes!

I can see this rule ending up that way. It sure can't be called all the time, but it'll be used to screw teams that are 'supposed' to lose. What the hell is the NFL thinking?

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The letter of the rule makes this seem bad for Fournette and like players. However, I suspect this is not going to be called on RBs as much unless they hit with the head too.

For instance, Fournette may lower his head, but he hits with his shoulder. Something tells me they'll let those plays go. I believe it's going to be enforced more on blockers and tacklers than the ball carrier.

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IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS

The letter of the rule makes this seem bad for Fournette and like players. However, I suspect this is not going to be called on RBs as much unless they hit with the head too.

For instance,  Fournette may lower his head, but he hits with his shoulder. Something tells me they'll let those plays go. I believe it's going to be enforced more on blockers and tacklers than the ball carrier.

This... 
I think too many calls were going against defenders when a RB/WR/TE would lower their head to meet contact.
This essentially becomes a judgement call of who initiated the lowered helmet and if it made contact with another helmet.

It's a bit of a messy rule change that seems like it could be very subjective. Certainly they won't be calling penalties on a 4th and 1 HB dive............right?

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https://mobile.twitter.com/nflprguy/stat...8130139136

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...th-helmet/

So if I’m reading this correctly, a player, like Fournette, can no longer lower his head to deliver the boom stick?

To initiate contact with the helmet. Its different than just lowering your shoulder. Its basically spearing with your head. And having some personal experience with this (I was injured on a play like this, where I went to tackle as a defender and the guy lowered/speared his head into mine), I actually agree with the rule.

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Yes, it's improvement, but it's Blaine Gabbert 2012 level improvement. - Pirkster

http://youtu.be/ouGM3NWpjxk The Home Hypnotist!

http://youtu.be/XQRFkn0Ly3A Media on the Brain Link!
 

Peyton must store oxygen in that forehead of his. No way I'd still be alive after all that choking.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/nflprguy/stat...8130139136

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...th-helmet/

So if I’m reading this correctly, a player, like Fournette, can no longer lower his head to deliver the boom stick?

To initiate contact with the helmet. Its different than just lowering your shoulder. Its basically spearing with your head. And having some personal experience with this (I was injured on a play like this, where I went to tackle as a defender and the guy lowered/speared his head into mine), I actually agree with the rule.

The issue is how do you determine if the player is lowering his shoulder or lowering his head. The movements are similar in nature and could be interpreted differently by each ref, especially when its a bang - bang type of play, as most plays like these are.

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

This is what started it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v2n3jOEYBY

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf...464275002/

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

I have a theory on what is happening. The NFL doesn't want the rule any more than anyone else. They want the rule changed/revoked/adjusted, but at the request of the players.

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The letter of the rule makes this seem bad for Fournette and like players. However, I suspect this is not going to be called on RBs as much unless they hit with the head too.

For instance,  Fournette may lower his head, but he hits with his shoulder. Something tells me they'll let those plays go. I believe it's going to be enforced more on blockers and tacklers than the ball carrier.

This... 
I think too many calls were going against defenders when a RB/WR/TE would lower their head to meet contact.
This essentially becomes a judgement call of who initiated the lowered helmet and if it made contact with another helmet.

It's a bit of a messy rule change that seems like it could be very subjective. Certainly they won't be calling penalties on a 4th and 1 HB dive............right?

I hope they make it so every flag is automatically reviewed and can be automatically changed if it's the wrong call, because the last thing the NFL needs is more judgement calls by officials.

I see a bunch of terrible calls coming this season because of this rule.

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This is what started it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v2n3jOEYBY

Agree, that is exactly the kind of play we are talking about. Using a helmet to helmet as a weapon.

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Yes, it's improvement, but it's Blaine Gabbert 2012 level improvement. - Pirkster

http://youtu.be/ouGM3NWpjxk The Home Hypnotist!

http://youtu.be/XQRFkn0Ly3A Media on the Brain Link!
 

Peyton must store oxygen in that forehead of his. No way I'd still be alive after all that choking.

 

This is what started it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v2n3jOEYBY

Agree, that is exactly the kind of play we are talking about. Using a helmet to helmet as a weapon.

What about this play?:




Should Church be ejected?

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

Agree, that is exactly the kind of play we are talking about. Using a helmet to helmet as a weapon.

What about this play?:




Should Church be ejected?

No, though this is clearly helmet to helmet, at no point does Church lower his helmet or attack Gronkowski with the crown of his helmet.

The point of this rule is to prevent hits like the one that caused Shazier's injury, when you lead with the crown of your helmet you risk tremendous injury to your spine and neck. That's what the NFL wants to get rid of.

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