Illegal hits cause confusion among players
Football doesn’t seem to be football when a player cannot tackle another without being worried about a hefty fine imposed on them for an illegal hit.
Almost two months after the league started cracking down on illegal hits, players are still uncertain about how they are allowed to hit.
However, the NFL says that the rules are clear and that players should play accordingly.
Many players who were asked about NFL’s illegal hits rule say that there is no consistency in calls. They say that some players are being put into the spotlight by the NFL as well as game officials. They also said that they don’t understand the process that
defines the fines and that the punishments are extravagant compared to the crime.
Ray Anderson, the senior vice president of NFL operations, says that the process is clear and understandable and that any favouritism “is not something we would tolerate or condone.”
Three dozen players were asked about the NFL’s progression to increase punishments for egregious fouls since October 17, three of which resulted in fines and a chance of suspension. Most of the players believe that the league is close to suspending a player
for a flagrant hit at some time.
But they don’t even know what a flagrant hit would be.
"I think they're inconsistent," said New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith. "You see a guy get punched in the face and get fined $25,000 and not suspended, but then you see a guy mush a guy with a helmet on and get fined the exact same thing. So I
think the NFL will have to clear up the way they're fining because they're not really fair."
2009 Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson, cornerback for the Green Bay Packers, added: "It's hard to just change something overnight, something you've been taught for so long. To me, it seems like ... a guy gets hit and they're going off the outcome
of the play. If a guy ends up hurt or seems a little out of it, woozy or whatever, then all of a sudden it's a personal foul and a $50,000 or $75,000 fine or whatever it is.”
"I know it's not the intent of every player to go out and knock a player out. Your job is to go get the ball and try to get the ball out if you can. I think they're taking that away from guys."
The league has sent a video to all 32 NFL teams about legal and illegal hits, but players say that it did not clear up anything.
"It's not as easy for us to play the game. We don't play the game with a remote in our hand, to be able to rewind and slow down," said Denver Broncos veteran safety Brian Dawkins. "The game has never been played like that. It will never be played like that.
There will always be huge collisions; there will always be things that are going to happen split-second. It's just one of those things, a part of the game. It's a physical, in-your-face sport."
Of course Dawkins would be worried. He is one of the hardest hitters in football.
All that the NFL wants to do is to keep players safe. Hopefully, the league will clarify the difference between fineable and legal hits, but not take away from the spirit of football.
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