NFL To Implement Ban On Tackling In 2009
The National Football League reported that experimental rules that would prohibit tackling at any point during play will be implemented for the entire 2009 season. The new rules are expected to reduce the number of injuries endured by NFL players over the season.
“These new rules are the product of the player safety research we’ve been doing for several years now,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during the league’s weekly press conference. “We’ve been looking for new ways to reduce injuries in our league, and, to be honest, we’re somewhat embarrassed we didn’t reach this obvious conclusion sooner.”
The new rules written by the NFL’s competition committee stipulate that any attempt made by a defender to tackle an opposing ballcarrier will be assessed a 15-yard-penalty, with an automatic first down for the offense.
“I think the new rule is great,” Rams quarterback Trent Green said, neither of whose two career concussions came from actual tackles. “I think it’s really gonna open up things for us on offense. The fans are going to love it.”
The rule poses a serious challenge to most defensive coordinators, who will have only a few months to reinvent their entire defensive philosophies once the 2008 season ends.
“I don’t think [the new rules] will be that big a deal for us,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “We should be just fine with the defense we’re using now.”
October 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Gus Frerotte’s appeal to the league to “do something” about the proliferation of padded walls in NFL stadiums was ignored, however.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Wanting to lay money right now on the KC Wizards to win Super Bowl…
October 30th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Meanwhile, Peter King continues to ferociously lobby for the end of DBs “showing up” quarterbacks by catching errant passes.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
The Bengals have always played two-hand touch
October 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
@UM – usually with underage girls.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Jeez Punte, that’s just………accurate as hell.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid already has a strategy in place to deal with the rule changes. “I found some used syringes in my tool shed, so I’m going to distribute them to our defensive player’s. Hopefully opposing offences will contract AIDS and this will slow them down. Or ideally a bubble in the bloodstream resulting in a heart attack before they reach the end zone. I wish I could figure out where these syringes came from though.”
October 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I can see how this is going to help QBs who have suffered concussions’ from being tackled but how is this going to help quarterbacks who have suffered concussions through other means, say a motorcycle.
*Cut to picture of Ben Roethlisberger with confused a look
October 30th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
The Broncos defense is getting an early jump on this rule change.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Can the linemen still hit/block?
October 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I guess that the Cowgirls backup punter is out of a job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ule_GgyjX4w
October 30th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Deltha O’neill is relieved.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
@dAndy ManCandy
Yes, offensive linemen are still allowed to hit/block. They are also allowed to use brass knuckles in a scrum, but they must provide their own.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I guess this will negate the introduction of the 5 “elephant” rush. Damn it.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
The Lions have just been ahead of the curve the last few years
October 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
So now Brian Russell can fulfill his lifelong dream of being waterboy for the Seahawks.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Is this the sex column?
October 30th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
@futuremrsrickankiel – Yes, in fact the picture above is actually a full contact fuck orgy. Rarely caught on film it’s a fantastic example of love and hate, pleasure and pain in one non-monogamous act.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
So after these rules take effect, is it safe to say we can finally say that American football is the same as European football, minus the homosexual undertones conveyed via nylon shorts and tops?
October 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
After a three touchdown lead, the team will be rewarded an automatic victory due to the newly implemented mercy rule. Oh and orange slices for everyone during half-time.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
upon further review, the ruling on the field is reversed. the defender got two hands on the jersey of the ball-carrier, therefore he is ruled down by contact on the 33. please reset the game clock to 5:34.
welcome to official review hell
October 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
@jackin: I’d venture to guess the exact opposite in fact. The Seagulls might just go ahead and make Russell their defensive coordinator
October 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Despite the change in rules, Fred Taylor has already been placed on the Injured Reserve for 2009.
October 31st, 2008 at 6:49 am
@ Animal Mother: NICE!
November 1st, 2008 at 10:02 pm
@ StuScottBooyahs
i can’t stop laughing. gold.