Hypothetical. Should the nfl consider banning helmets and pads?

[ACoochy]

I know, it will never happen but think about it for more than 2 seconds...

It would make guys not go in as hard which would make the game safer and minimize/erradicate these gruesome neck/spinal injuries that seem to be happening too much of late (upati today, lockette 2 weeks ago etc)...

Its sickening to see and when it comes to it this is only a game...

Is it really worth it?

[ACoochy]

Sure the rules would have to be altered as well but no reason you couldnt have a game thats 99% of what it is now without the potentially career ending injuries..

[The Giant]

Leather helmets are the answer.

[ACoochy]

Leather helmets are the answer.

Make head contact illegal??

Would like to hear what guys think...

[pavyracer]

Sure lets take the helmets off and let Aqib Talib go for players eyes.

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Rugby is horrible sport.

[GUMMO77]

IF, IF, the NFL ends up getting a lot of heat because of the injuries, I can see them putting weight limits on players/positions. But that would be one to two Congressional hearings away.

[smitch124]

From a safety point of view it might be the right step, but it would change the game too much. Right now the NFL is too popular and bringing in way too much money to risk that.

[d2bets]

Yeah, if they end tackling and make it flag football.

[DwightShrute]

they should also get rid of helmets and goalie pads in hockey

[MoneyLineDawg]

Nah just penalize helmet to helmet harsher and guys will eventually learn

Horrible injuries in every sport.....That's why these guys get paid the big bucks

[TheSchafe]

Targeting rule needs to be adopted by the NFL...otherwise this league won't exist in 15 years

[d2bets]

Targeting rule needs to be adopted by the NFL...otherwise this league won't exist in 15 years

What's a targeting rule?

[DwightShrute]

What's a targeting rule?

Targeting and Crown-of-Helmet Guidelines

TARGETING AND CROWN-OF-HELMET GUIDELINES FOR COACHES, PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS

INTRODUCTION
With the 2013 rule change that makes ejection from the game a part of the penalty for targeting fouls coaches, players and officials need to have a clear understanding of Rules 9-1-3 and 9-1-4. It is very important to understand thatthese fouls have not changed from previous years, and officials should officiate these plays as in the past. The characterization of defenseless players has been expanded (see below), but otherwise these rules for the fouls remain as they have been. It is the penalty that has changed.
These guidelines are intended to assist everyone involved in the game to understand these rules, which are so important in protecting the safety of the student-athlete.

RULES
Targeting and Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet (Rule 9-1-3)
No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.
Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player (Rule 9-1-4)
No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 2-27-14)
Note: Beginning in 2013, ejection from the game is a part of the penalty for violation of both Rule 9-1-3 and Rule 9-1-4.

KEY ELEMENTS
Target—to take aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with an apparent intent that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.
Crown of the Helmet—the top portion of the helmet.
Contact to the head or neck area—not only with the helmet, but also with the forearm, fist, elbow, or shoulder—these can all lead to a foul.
Defenseless player—a player not in position to defend himself.
Examples (Rule 2-27-14):

• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass.
• A receiver attempting to catch a pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.
• A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick.
• A player on the ground.
• A player obviously out of the play.
• A player who receives a blind-side block.
• A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped.
• A quarterback any time after a change of possession.

KEY INDICATORS
Risk of a foul is high with one or more of these:

• Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make contact in the head or neck area
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with contact at the head or neck area—even though one or both feet are still on the ground
• Leading with helmet, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with contact at the head or neck area
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet

These indicate less risk of a foul:

• Heads-up tackle in which the crown of the helmet does not strike above the shoulders
• Wrap-up tackle
• Head is to the side rather than being used to initiate contact
• Incidental helmet contact that is not part of targeting but is due to the players changing position during the course of play

HINTS FOR PLAYERS

• Don’t lead with your head
• Lower your target--don’t go for the head or neck area with anything
• Tackle: Heads-up and wrap-up

[slambam]

I've said this for years. Helmets protect from cuts and bruises, but do very little for concussions. They actually make it worse because guys use their helmet as a weapon. Another option would be to use a soft helmet of some type, instead of the rock hard outside make it a spongy or styrofoam type outside. Wouldn't work as well imo cause people would still lead with their head, but better than what they have now.

[TheSchafe]

Thanks Dwight. It's a good start, for sure. Automatic ejection if targeting is confirmed via replay review. In the NFL's case, the player would be suspended without pay the week after. That would solve these malicious headshots real quick.

[actiondan]

Nerf helmets, your welcome

[spurginobili]

[TheMoneyShot]

25 Yard Penalty for helmet to helmet hit on a defenseless receiver.

That would work.

[frugalgambler]

Virtual reality is your answer, or start promoting beach volley.

[ACoochy]

Maybe some type of small neck brace that could be made to serve its purpose in offering support against spinal compression without feeling intrusive for the player (like in auto racing)?

They better fix this soon before the lawyers start having a field day. Then we'll really see the game watered down...

[MoMoneyMoVaughn]

Seems legit.

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[swordsandtequila]

The NFL has had a rule against targeting for years, they just quit calling it. Back in the day they called it spearing. Now the over officious dumbasses have 20 different penalties and 100 different interpretations for whats already covered by 2 rules (spearing/unnecessary roughness). And who knows what constitutes a fukn' reception anymore. The old fuks that run this game can't die off soon enough.

[ACoochy]

Seems legit.

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DANG...

Using the crown of the helmet as a spear like that is the sought of shit that can end lives...