Players adjust in first week of games since NFL crackdown on illegal hits
National Football Leagues players have been told that they are no longer allowed to aim for the head anymore, and within a week, the new league rule has players thinking twice about delivering the big
hit.
Since the NFL told all 32 teams that they would be cracking down on defenders that lead with their helmet when tackling, defenders around the league are making adjustments, and some have already noticed
a difference in the way players are tackling.
James Harrison, who was recently fined $75,000 for an illegal hit, pointed out how he let up at one point in the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-22 win over the Miami Dolphins.
"I had a chance to put my head in there, and it looked like he was crouching down. I didn't want to get a helmet-to-helmet [tackle]. I didn't put my face in there, and he went down, and luckily he didn't
scamper for another 10 or 15 yards."
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason also admitted to having the new rules on his mind over the weekend after he was asked about it and said, "For sure. I definitely think you'll think about it- $75,000
is crazy."
Atlanta Falcons defensive end, John Abraham, mentioned that he was thinking about the new rule on Sunday as well.
"It was in the back of my mind on a couple of plays," he said. "I had a shot and held off."
NFL officiating chief, Carl Johnson, was also quoted on NBC's "Football Night in America" as saying, "I've seen a change in players' behavior in one week."
But not everybody is suggesting that the new rule is making the game any safer for players as Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita pointed out.
"Now you've got guys whose ankles are going to be taken out and knees are going to get blown up, so it's kind of a Catch 22 if you ask me," said Fujita.
Whether players are letting up, or simply targeting other parts of the body for big hits, the new rule certainly has defences thinking.
"On some plays where I had a clear shot at the quarterback, I kind of slowed down and made sure I hit him in the right spot," said Dolphins defensive end
Tony McDaniels. "I definitely think it slows us down. When you think about a $75,000 fine or a $50,000 fine, for some guys, that's four or five game checks."
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