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Del.i.cious
Bears running back Matt Forte rips ‘absurd’ proposed rule change
A proposed NFL rule change that would penalize ball carriers for lowering their helmets into tacklers has drawn the ire of Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte.
Forte wrote on Twitter that the rule — which has already been ridiculed by Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, the league’s all-time leading rusher, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio — “might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I’ve ever heard of.”
The former Pro Bowler echoed Smith and Rubio’s criticisms, writing that the rule would eliminate a running back’s primary power move and that a runner cannot lower his shoulders without also lowering his head.
The proposed rule change for running backs might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I've ever heard of.—
Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It's a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles—
Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
U can't change the instinctive nature of running the football.—
Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
The change was proposed by the NFL Competition Committee, which consists of eight members chosen from the league’s head coaches and managers. It is co-chaired by Falcons president Rich McKay and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher.
After meeting for 12 days in March, the committee is considering six rule changes in all, including the elimination of the tuck rule.
I agree with Matt Forte that a RB lowering his head is instinctive and I couldn't picture a RB about to contact a tackler not lowering his head. It seems to be that not lowering his head would leave the RB in a more vulnerable position. I think this has no chance at all of being implemented, and if it somehow was, no chance of lasting very long.
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LikePerhaps Forte will thank the NFL when he doesn't have to wear a diaper 20 years from now due to brain damage
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LikeSomewhere Mike Alstot is very mad
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LikeI can understand this. A defender comes in for a tackle, and if they are in motion and the rusher lowers their hear and there is helmet-to-helmet contact, its currently the defender that gets called. Now if the back can not lower down, any helmet-to-helmet contact would be the responsibility of the defender. Not sure I like it, but can understand it.
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LikeThey should also outlaw fakes because too many defenders run into each other when they lose their jockstraps.
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LikeMaybe they could put dotted lines to the areas that are tackleable...
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LikeWell, it would further reduce the usefulness of the running game. Which seems to be what the NFL wants anyway; passes are more "exciting."
Still I've always wondered why running backs get to use their helmets when the defensive players can't. Linebackers have figured out how to use their shoulders without using their helmets; surely running backs can figure it out too.
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LikeJimZ wheres the "dislike" button when you need one?
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