Proceed With Precaution

Since the dawn of time, or at least since the good 'ol game of Football has been played, we've seen hard hits in the NFL whether they were put on by bad boys Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott, etc. But never have we seen a handful of devastating hits in one day like we've seen this past Sunday. A number of players including Brandon Mariweather of the Patriots, Dunta Robinson of the Falcons, and James Harrison of the Steelers all received fines on Tuesday for their helmet-to-helmet hits. While Harrison's fine was the largest out of the group ($75,000) for his two hits against the Cleveland Browns, Robinson's hit was by far the most crucial, as Philadelphia's DeShawn Jackson who received the blow, was sent off the field on a stretcher to the hospital where they confirmed he had sustained a concussion. Robinson was also shakin up on the play.

With so many unnecessary hits and injuries taken place in one day, it was only a matter of time before commissioner Goodell put his foot in the door and began to crack down on the helmet-to-helmet hits. Hoping to better the safety of the league and its players, Goodell and his cronies made it clear that fines will be issued for those who tackle with their helmet. As players around the league begin to voice their opinions on the new rule, Harrison who's a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2008), is threatening to retire from the game of football, saying he doesn't know if he can be effective without playing the way he's been taught since his childhood. But just like the repetitive Brett Favre retirement talk we heard about countless times during the offseason, I'm not buying it.

If the NFL plans to change its culture of hard hitting Football, they're going to have to dig a lot deeper into the archives and begin to can footage of the hard hits profited off of and embraced through highlight reels for years now. And just in case that doesn't get the point across, they ought to consider removing the 'hit-stick' button off of the Madden games while they're at it. Despite his distaste for the new rule, Harrison wasn't he only one opposed to the league outlawing the helmet-to-helmet contact. Players around the league were interviewed and a majority said they're going to play the way they've been coached to play since high school. Making their point across to the rest of its players, the league sent out videos to teams containing footage of both legal and illegal hits.

While the league was busy trying to outlaw the illegal hits and throw away all its evidence, the NFL unknowingly had pictures of the Harrison and Mariweather hits up for sale on its website -- NFL.com. That was until they were taken off early Wednesday morning, thanks to a fan who noticed them. Prices of the photos ranged anywhere from $16 to $250. The league has since issued an apology, but the truth is, a number of fans that the hard hitting aspect of the game attracts, will be lost. And unless they begin to play two-hand-touch or start wearing belts with flags hanging around their waists, the hard hits need to be kept in the game of football. Whether or not you agree, the NFL called the first week since adopting the new rule a success, as no helmet-to-helmet fines were issued in 13 games this week. But the question is, will it continue?

Low Tolerance Rule

October 26th marks the start of a new season, as the Los Angeles Lakers hope to recapture NBA supremacy with a third straight championship. But with another NBA season around the corner, comes another set of rules. However, the newest rules also might make the list of the dumbest. Similar to the NFL which has become known by many as the 'No Fun League' for its excessive rules, the NBA is beginning to crack down on its players. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took some heat from his players this past season after putting a touchdown celebration rule into effect and has been touched up as recent as this year. The rules outlaw any sort of excessive celebration that comes after scoring a Touchdown as well as any other play.

Meanwhile in the NBA, commissioner David Stern is doing his best Roger Goodell impersonation by making his stamp on the game and showing his low tolerance for those who complain a foul or any other call for that matter. A new set of rules is understandable, but when something as small as raising your hands or even looking at an official a certain way can get you a technical foul or worse -- ejected, you've gotta believe the league is over doing it. Sure the fans in the stands don't pay to see grown men whining and protesting every other call, but they don't pay to see their marquee players get ejected either. These calls have only been seen in the Preseason thus far, but what everyone wants to know is if they'll make their way to the Regular season, and if so, how long will they last until they take their tole on fans.

Now coming into the equation is the Players Union which is protesting that the new strict technical foul policy is excessive and was made without consulting them. It'll be interesting to see how this thing plays out, but I do know one thing, if I was paying top dollar to watch my favorite team and or player, I'd be pissed if he were to be ejected for something as dumb as raising his arms after a ticky-tack foul. And while we're on the subject of absurd rules in today's sports, who came up with this new NFL rule that bans celebrating a tackle, when one's knee is on the ground? To me, it's starting to sound like they're nitpicking in certain areas and towards specific players. Need an example? See Vikings defensive end Jared Allen for instance who has done his same old calf roping celebration that has become as symbolic as his mullet. Unless he modifies his signature celebration, it looks like those days are dead. Unless he plans to pay a fine and cause his team a few yards every other drive...

NFL Overtime Rules Get A Makeover

It's Official - Plans for a new overtime rule in the NFL have been discussed for years, but never has the topic been on top of the list like it has been this offseason. For months now, the NFL has been on the verge of changing its overtime rules and almost two full months after the Superbowl, some changes will finally be made. Although they'll be adjusted them, the new rules will only apply to playoff games. In a 28 to 4 vote by the NFL team owners committee, 28 teams voted in favor of the new OT rule. One of the most surprising teams that opposed the proposed overtime ruling, is none other than the Minnesota Vikings.

In this past NFC Championship game, the world witnessed Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings lose to the eventual Superbowl champs -- the New Orleans Saints. In an overtime thriller, the home team Saints won the coin toss and kicked a game winning field-goal in the same drive. A field-goal that sent the New Orleans franchise to their first ever trip to the Superbowl where they went on to upset the highly favored Indianapolis Colts. Many thought the game between the Saints and Vikings was unfair and would have liked to see if the Vikings could have responded with a trip down the field of their own. But given the rules at the time, Minnesota never got a chance. The new rule however, will prevent a similar ending like that from happening again.

(Seen in Photo: Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who hit the game winning FG.)


The New Rules:
1. If first team with the ball scores a TD, it wins.
2. If first team with the ball makes a FG, other team will get an opportunity to tie or win.
3. If both teams make a FG, the next team to score wins.
4. Any score by opposing defense or special teams will end the game.

As I mentioned already, the rules will only apply to playoff games, BUT, that could all change in the mere future. The rules are scheduled to be discussed later and possibly passed to make them stand during regular season games as well. Another meeting is scheduled to be held come May in Dallas. As for my two cents, I think it was only a matter of time before a new overtime rule was finally put in place. Especially considering the team that won the coin toss was basically guaranteed to win the game. & Thankfully commissioner Roger Goodell didn't look into duplicating the overtime rule held in College Football. With that being said, we can all take a breather.