NFL considering new targeting rules

beast
Select Member Topic Starter

7 years ago

The NFL will consider a targeting rule similar to college football, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent said today via Judy Battista of NFL Media.

Vincent also said the NFL will discuss a punishment schedule for “non-football acts” such as Rob Gronkowski‘s late hit on Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White.

The NFL’s obvious goal is to make the game safer, with the Competition Committee discussing those rules changes and others in the offseason.

The NCAA implemented a targeting rule 10 seasons ago, though it didn’t make player ejections part of the penalty until 2013. The NFL Competition Committee approved automatic ejections for egregious hits to the head this offseason, but even illegal hits to the head by Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, Gronkowski, Bengals safety George Iloka and Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso didn’t result in an ejection.

The NCAA’s targeting rule includes a 15-yard penalty and an ejection, though it includes an automatic review that allows the replay official to overturn the call.

PFT wrote:

I got mixed feelings about this, while certainly some hits to the head look extremely intended, and those players should be thrown out, college football has gone overboard the other way... I've seen clearly accidently helmet to helmet side swiping get a starting CB thrown out as the much bigger receiver fell into the tackle... the helmets glanced each other but the tackle attempt started while the receiver was up higher and was at his waist and hip area, but instead of trying to run the receiver fell to the ground in mid tackle.

College football reviews are supposed to over turn the ejection on those clearly non-intentional helmets hits, but I've seen that work maybe once, it almost never happens. So I'm nervous how rules like these were be played by the refs. They could be amazing awesome, or could throw a lot of guys out for playing football.

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Nonstopdrivel
Preferred Member

7 years ago

League officials express similar concerns. They say pretty clearly that they want the game to be played on the field and they are worried about the possibility of increased ejections affecting outcomes of games in untoward ways. If this rule does go through, they want it to be strongly limited so that things don't get out of hand.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

7 years ago

The NFL needs to scrap the rule book and start over. Make players watch videos and sign papers signing off what the dangers of playing football. Make it scary. Make former athletes talk to them. Stop trying to add more rules to protect players when all it's doing is saturating the game and ruining the game. I can't remember a punt or kick that wasn't flagged. I don't even get excited for the play anymore because I know there's going to be a flag that ruins it.

PackFanWithTwins
Veteran Member

7 years ago

My idea would be to not make it an in game decision. Look at the hits after and if determined they are bad enough and intentional levy the fines and/or suspensions warranted. Officials cannot see or tell enough during live games and the error on the side of safety has resulted in anything close being flagged and has changed the flow and outcome of many games.

Doing it this way I would also make the suspensions more severe. You make a flagrant hit that would be deemed "targeting" you are gone a minimum of a couple games.

The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!

Cheesey
Preferred Member

7 years ago

The thing that Gronk did was WAY beyond against the rules. To me, he should be kicked out for a year.
He could have killed the guy he hit. Unacceptable. Needs a harsher penalty if you ask me.
It wasn't even part of the play. It was assault. If he did that in the street to someone, he'd end up in jail.

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