Comments on: James Harrison Fined For Playing Football

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:39:29 +0000

If the NFL was really serious about stopping these hits, they would put padding on the outside of the helmets to cushion the blow. But they probably won’t because then they couldn’t sell helmet merchandise because “it wouldn’t look as cool as a hard helmet”. When you make them put their money where their mouth is, they won’t follow through and protect the players heads.

By: Steven McCrae

Steven McCrae — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:08:03 +0000

Ah, the mere mentioning of the 70′s brings a black and gold tear to my eye.

By: chris

chris — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:36:49 +0000

It’s funny, Steven, I was rewatching my DVD set of the Steelers first four Super Bowls a couple weeks back. I was struck how in the mid-70s, receivers had to FIGHT to get open because corners and backers were allowed to bump them way down the field.

When all this nonsense over the Massaquoi hit surfaced, my first thought was “Maybe there wouldn’t be as many over-the-middle hits if receivers weren’t allowed to run free all over the field.” So thank you for bringing that up. I wholeheartedly agree.

By: Steven McCrae

Steven McCrae — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:48:10 +0000

I think that the NFL , in its pursuit of the fan loving high scoring game is molding the game into an injury ridden pass first sport. The problem rests with the rules promoting the pass in an attempt to increase scoring to gain fans. Aggression has to motivate a defender in this contact sport. The NFL has to set appropriate rules and live by them. Never fine a player without a flag unless you also fine the referee. If you send a 190lb man across the middle for a pass in the first 15 yards from scrimmage then you are placing him at risk. The answer is not to fine guys for hitting “with excessive aggression.” The NFL should allow more hitting down field if it truly wants to save players from injury. Make it a little harder to pass and the strategies will change. Extend the 5 yard chuck zone to 15 or 20 yards or when the ball is in flight and you will solve the problem as best as it can be solved in this violent sport. If the faster/smaller guys find it harder to get open down field, then the problem will correct itself naturally. Ah, but the NFL does not want that! They want their high scores without the injuries that naturally come with it. They want the semi-contact sport of flag football with just a touch of violence. Good luck policing that one. What comes next, boxing without hits to the head?

By: keith

keith — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:13:04 +0000

There should be a line drawn on a wall ,like DISNEY WORLD .If you are not this high or this big you can not play on offense . If a team chooses to put those wimpy little backs out there it is not the defenses fault ,when there was no helmet to helmet contact.