I have a theory about the reason why so many offenses has such a great week 1 in the NFL this year.

It has to do with the new focus on knock out hits.

One of my biggest examples is the Steelers vs the Ravens.

The Steelers have had the reputation as a punishing, hard hitting D. Now, the NFL has told the players than punishing hits will no longer be tolerated. Nobody knows that better than James Harrison's financial adviser.

It illustrates an endemic problem with technically sound tackling in the NFL. ESPNs highlight reel hits have inspired players to go for the big hit instead of tackling. Technically sound tackling has gone by the wayside. Now the repeated and escalating fines on the worst offenders seems to have made an impact.

The Steelers played the Ravens and seemed almost unable to tackle. I think they are now unable to cover up their lack of solid technique with punishing and intimidating hits. Now they are trying to go for punishing hits that won't get them fined and it isn't working. Because it is the punishing hits that is the problem.

I think the teams that are technically sound at tackling will take over dominance in the NFL. The hard hitting teams will be dominated by the teams with good tacklers.

While the Ravens have also have a hard hitting D, I think they are also more technically sound.

Personally I think it is long over due. I have always preferred watching talented and technically sound defenses over the ones that are most willing to put someone's lights out. It shouldn't be the team with the lowest ethical standards is the best.

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Great Post Dexter.

You hit the nail on the head.

The only thing I can add as to why there were so many great offensive performances is the lack of time (Due to the lock out.) defensive Coordinators had to implement their new and revised schemes. I may be wrong, and often am, but it seems to me there are more changes to defensive schemes year to year, then there are to offensive schemes.

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I don't think fines are stopping the players from playing... you brought up James Harrison.... he got fined and what did he do? Went out and did more of the same and just took the fine and didn't change his game up. Players hate the fines but not enough they're changing their game style for them... the Ravens blocking and defense beat the Steelers...


I think the defenses simple got beat... other than maybe Newton's game where I think the Cards focused on stopping the run and forcing the ball to Newton to test him.... which with a little help from miscommunication from the Cards DB lead to a huge day for Newton and Steve Smith.

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Agreed. Great post, Dexter.

Of course, if true, this semi-sucks for the Packers, since the Bears have been one of the few teams who are fundamentally sound in tackling. (The bastards.)

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I thought about adding that, but it was long enough already.

I agree, it did contribute.

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Dirty finks, going out and having a good D. 😠

Fortunately they are clueless on how to build an offense.\:d/

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