New Punishment in NFL

[HoustonRaven]

Just read in the Setting Sun the new penalty for helmet-to-helmet contacts.

This weekend, referees are now instructed to EJECT a player who leads with the crown of his helmet and makes helmet-to-helmet contact.

I for one love this hard stance. Goddell is showing he cares not only about the leagues reputation, but that he wants to take a hard-line stance towards player safety as well. After watching Schaub take that wicked hit last week (and that Philly Eagle player lay cheap shot), I think this is long overdue.

[Dont Know]

Personally I think this is too much of a penalty for the team. While I agree that the player should be ejected, with rosters already limited to 45 players without anyone getting injured, evicting someone puts a lot of pressure on the remaining active players.

I would love to see a change where an evicted player can be replaced an inactive. Otherwise I am afraid, referees aren't going to be quite hesitant to pull the trigger.

[HoustonRaven]

It is only for flagrant helmet to helmets....like the one to Schaub

Thats what I said (???) Leading with the crown of your helmet shows intent to the refs.

[purplepoe]

Im glad the NFL is recognizing that these helmet to helmet hits have become way too commonplace and that they are extremely dangerous.

I hope the referees will be able to differentiate between a purposeful vicious hit and one that might be helmet to helmet but not intentional.

This rule could have a huge effect on the league. Losing a top notch defender in the first quarter changes a game completely.

But if a guy leads with his helmet on purpose, Im fine with an ejection. These guys are too big and too fast to be doing stuff like that.

PP

[ladyraven127]

"I hope the referees will be able to differentiate between a purposeful vicious hit and one that might be helmet to helmet but not intentional."

I foresee that as being a HUGE problem. They can't even tell if someone is out of bounds half the time. Still, I think it is a much needed rule.

[HoustonRaven]

"I hope the referees will be able to differentiate between a purposeful vicious hit and one that might be helmet to helmet but not intentional."

I foresee that as being a HUGE problem. They can't even tell if someone is out of bounds half the time. Still, I think it is a much needed rule.

Valid point. I have been a high school referee for about 6 years now. The camera angles you see on TV do not give you a good idea what we can see and, sometimes more importantly, hear. Not only is it pretty visibly obvious, but the sound of helmets colliding is VERY distinctive. If a head snaps back, its either helmet to the head or a forarm, either way Im calling a penalty and then confer with the other refs to see if someone had a clear line of sight on the play.

Granted, you cant penalize on sound. But it will give the refs on the field a good idea on whom to watch. NFL refs "game plan" who they need to watch anyway.

[Dade]

Does this mean Hines Ward will be out of every game.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Oh, my bad, I thought the punishment was watching the Ravens offense.

Then again, if you are into the Keystone Cops thing, it might be pretty entertaining.

[Rochardrik]

Does this mean Hines Ward will be out of every game.

One could only hope!!!!!