New Hines Ward Rule??

[Ravenswarrior19]

The NFL changed a rule more than 30 years ago that became known as the Mel Blount Rule, and now Hines Ward might have one to call his own as well.

A rule to eliminate a blindside block to the head of a defender will be proposed at the league meetings, which begin Sunday in Dana Point, Calif.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09078/956738-66.stm

Interesting ...

Such a rule would be difficult to regulate, but no more so than the defenseless player helmet to helmet rule already is.

Strike up the "head on a swivel" crowd.

[Jeremiah W]

It is a BS cheap shot. He has almost as much ability to control the contact as the FS on a defensless WR. The crackback is fine, but the spearing of the helmet is obviously way beyond neccecary to make the block and very dangerous, and because it involves possible brain and life trauma, it is worse than the "horsecollar" tackle.

You should not have to hold still like a pick in hoops or anything though. I think you can still make the block making contact with your hands to your shoulder like a normal block at waist level. On a defender that does not see you coming, it will still knock the crap out of them.

[psuasskicker]

This isn't Pop Warner ball...

- C -

[italianjoker]

my main problem with a rule like this is the fact that WRs are killed all the time across the middle of the field. (see Ray leveling Coles a few years ago and many other examples of course). it is a contact sport and if WRs can lay a hit on a defender in the same way they get hammered i am not sure i see where the problem is.

i would say if they want to pass the rule and it says if the block is away from the play by a certain amount, like when Warren Sapp killed the dude many years ago and they were behind the play by like 50 yards, that i can see.

[Sua Sponte]

I think the circumstances are different when a WR crosses the middle he knows there are tacklers waiting to take his head off. When your a Defensive player you are a tackler and are attempting to tackle the opposing team not expecting to get blind sided by some cheap shot artist.

Keep the hard block legal, but if you are blind siding a player that is not expecting the hit you can pretty much wipe him off is ass with your hands or shoulder/body block.

I like big hits and good blocks.
Prime example: Ray Lewis block when CMac was returning that attempted field goal a few years back. Ray laid the guy out with merely a shoulder and hand shove.

[Ravcolt]

A brain is a terrible thing to waste--except Ward's.

[Rochardrik]

A brain is a terrible thing to waste--except Ward's.

I hope he is the first to get called for it! AND it wipes that shit eating grin off his ugly face!!!

[italianjoker]

I think the circumstances are different when a WR crosses the middle he knows there are tacklers waiting to take his head off. When your a Defensive player you are a tackler and are attempting to tackle the opposing team not expecting to get blind sided by some cheap shot artist.

Keep the hard block legal, but if you are blind siding a player that is not expecting the hit you can pretty much wipe him off is ass with your hands or shoulder/body block.

I like big hits and good blocks.
Prime example: Ray Lewis block when CMac was returning that attempted field goal a few years back. Ray laid the guy out with merely a shoulder and hand shove.

funny you bring up that block by Ray. the guy had no play on CMac at all and was blindsided by Ray. as a fan of the Ravens, you love that hit. but condemn Ward when he does the same.

i am not saying Ward is good every time he does it, but boohoo for the defenders in my opinion when it is a block thrown close to the play. have you ever heard the term "playing with your head on a swivel?" i do not want to hear that the poor, poor defenders are not expecting to be blocked and it is so unfair when they are blocked.

your response was one of the whiniest defenses i have ever heard. they are playing football. it is a contact sport. grow some balls and join the game. or feel free to play soccer. what's next? no sacks allowed if the pass rusher is coming from the QB's blindside? what a joke.

like i said, if they want to enforce it when the block is thrown away from the play it is one thing. but when the play is close by and the defender had a legit shot of making the tackle, too bad for him.

[Ravenswarrior19]

Here is some more on the prospective rule change (along with some other potential rule changes).

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-nflownerssafety032309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


Quote from Bart Scott:
“Look at the rules,” said Scott, now a member of the New York Jets. “It’s garbage. You can’t touch this offensive player after five yards [beyond the line of scrimmage]. You can’t hit any of them in the head. You can’t hit this one below the knee. You can’t hit this one if he’s supposedly defenseless. You can’t hit them away from the ball. Everything is designed to protect [the] offense. The [NFL] could care less about defensive players. Was anyone out there saying ‘Oh boy, we need to protect [Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers] when he got his jaw broke and never saw [the hit] coming?’ No. People were all like ‘Oh, that’s tough play.’ Maybe if you are going to protect supposedly defenseless offensive guys, you should protect defenseless defensive players, too.”

If the NFL is truly concerned about limiting concussions, then this would probably be a good rule change. I don't want to see crackback or peelback blocks go away, but I wouldn't mind a limitation on blocking to the head.

IMO, when you're lining up a defender for a crackback, you have more time to make sure you're going shoulder-to-shoulder or shoulder-to-chest.

Its definately less of a bang bang play then hitting a reciever over the middle. If you're the safety bringing a big hit, you're trying to time up the ball, reciever, take a good angle (separate ball from reciever), don't go helmet to helmet, and protect yourself. If the NFL is going to put restrictions on a safety with all these variables, I don't think its too far to regulate the offense on a play with less variables.

[HoustonRaven]

Polamalu was right ....

This league is becoming more and more like a pansy league every day.

Keep your head on a swivel or pay the price -- that's the smash mouth football I love to see.

[purplepoe]

Great, just another subjective rule that the referees will screw up in the heat of the moment.

PP

[italianjoker]

Here is some more on the prospective rule change (along with some other potential rule changes).

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-nflownerssafety032309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns



If the NFL is truly concerned about limiting concussions, then this would probably be a good rule change. I don't want to see crackback or peelback blocks go away, but I wouldn't mind a limitation on blocking to the head.

IMO, when you're lining up a defender for a crackback, you have more time to make sure you're going shoulder-to-shoulder or shoulder-to-chest.

Its definately less of a bang bang play then hitting a reciever over the middle. If you're the safety bringing a big hit, you're trying to time up the ball, reciever, take a good angle (separate ball from reciever), don't go helmet to helmet, and protect yourself. If the NFL is going to put restrictions on a safety with all these variables, I don't think its too far to regulate the offense on a play with less variables.

i can agree with what you wrote and i bolded. but it is a contact sport and Bart needs to check his mangina at the door. he got his clock cleaned a few times for talking as much crap as he does. he should know he has a target on him and pay attention. he would kill a person the same way if things lined up for him.

[ravensnhokies]

IJoker, unless you are a current or ex NFL player, I dont think you can make a comment on whether Bart is a pussy or not. I dont think that its an issue of whether he isnt tough enough to take a massive hit... 95% of all NFL players are tough enough. Bart is scared that one of these blindside Hines Ward specials will unneccessarily injury him. We all saw Heinz hunting down Bart last year, and if he connected, Bart might have been severely injured. Do you think he would have been offered the 6yr $48M contract, if he was on the IR b/c of a stupid Ward blindside last season? Sure if it is within the relative area of the play...fair game...but many of Ward's antics are outside that acceptable area. If you want that syle of 'tough' football... fine.... I dont.

[Dade]

IJoker, unless you are a current or ex NFL player, I dont think you can make a comment on whether Bart is a pussy or not. I dont think that its an issue of whether he isnt tough enough to take a massive hit... 95% of all NFL players are tough enough. Bart is scared that one of these blindside Hines Ward specials will unneccessarily injury him. We all saw Heinz hunting down Bart last year, and if he connected, Bart might have been severely injured. Do you think he would have been offered the 6yr $48M contract, if he was on the IR b/c of a stupid Ward blindside last season? Sure if it is within the relative area of the play...fair game...but many of Ward's antics are outside that acceptable area. If you want that syle of 'tough' football... fine.... I dont.

:iagree: :iagree:

[Jeremiah W]

IJoker, unless you are a current or ex NFL player, I dont think you can make a comment on whether Bart is a pussy or not. I dont think that its an issue of whether he isnt tough enough to take a massive hit... 95% of all NFL players are tough enough. Bart is scared that one of these blindside Hines Ward specials will unneccessarily injury him. We all saw Heinz hunting down Bart last year, and if he connected, Bart might have been severely injured. Do you think he would have been offered the 6yr $48M contract, if he was on the IR b/c of a stupid Ward blindside last season? Sure if it is within the relative area of the play...fair game...but many of Ward's antics are outside that acceptable area. If you want that syle of 'tough' football... fine.... I dont.

Well said. You can block without cracking a guy in the ear with the crown of your helmet.

[Ravenswarrior19]

This conversation is no longer hypothetical. The Hines Ward Rule and 3 others were passed at the owner meetings today.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4012307 from John Clayton

In summary
1. Another effort to stop player-bunching on onside kicks.

2. Limiting the wedge on kickoffs to 2 players. 3 or more players withing 2 yards of each other will be a 15 penalty "from the spot of wedge" (lol - this beer commercial is writing itself).

3. Hines Ward Rule - "A 15-yard penalty will be enforced if a player delivers a blindside block to the head of a defender using his helmet, forearm or shoulder. The penalty will be enforced if a helmet, shoulder or forearm strikes the head or neck of the defender."

4. Protecting defenseless recievers - "Starting this fall, the penalty will also apply if the defender hits the defenseless receiver in the head or neck with his forearm or shoulder."
(I thought this was already a rule. What was the PF Adrian Wilson was called for 2 years ago defending Heap? Forearm blow to the head, I thought.)

[italianjoker]

IJoker, unless you are a current or ex NFL player, I dont think you can make a comment on whether Bart is a pussy or not. I dont think that its an issue of whether he isnt tough enough to take a massive hit... 95% of all NFL players are tough enough. Bart is scared that one of these blindside Hines Ward specials will unneccessarily injury him. We all saw Heinz hunting down Bart last year, and if he connected, Bart might have been severely injured. Do you think he would have been offered the 6yr $48M contract, if he was on the IR b/c of a stupid Ward blindside last season? Sure if it is within the relative area of the play...fair game...but many of Ward's antics are outside that acceptable area. If you want that syle of 'tough' football... fine.... I dont.

1) never said Bart was a pussy, you did. feel free to read the words i actually write and not put your own words in my mouth. in saying Bart needs to "check his mangina" i am not saying he is too much of a pussy to take a hit. i am saying that he is whining about the same type of thing he would do if given the chance.

2) the bolded area looks as if you agree with me. i have said it over and over that as long as it is in the close proximity to the play it is fair game.

the rule as it is passed is about hitting in the head. i do not disagree with protecting from helmet to helmet and such. it is already protected in other forms. but do not think this rule changes anything. guys will still be blocked in the same fashion. when you are a small dude there is only so much you can do against a larger LB or DLineman.

you can bring up how Ward went "hunting" for Bart, but on that play Bart was near the play and ducked under Ward's hit. it is not like they were nowhere close to the ball carrier. good for Bart that he saw it coming.

[Khaine]

I hope he is the first to get called for it! AND it wipes that shit eating grin off his ugly face!!!

Amen brotha...


Give a clean hit, take a clean hit... but no need to take blindside cheap asshat shots, not does anyone (Looking at you Ward) need to make said cheap shots during the faint echo of the whistle.

[psuasskicker]

Next year's rule proposal:

Tackling no longer legal. Players will wear two flags attached to their belts. Ball carrier is considered down when one flag is pulled from the belt.

- C -

[Khaine]

Yeah, because not allowing a player to blindside another player nowhere near the play, looking in the oppisite direction, possibly after the whistle ends is just like flag football... :187734: :insane: apparently you have never played football, probably live in a padded bubble somewhere and have never taken a hit...

[italianjoker]

Yeah, because not allowing a player to blindside another player nowhere near the play, looking in the oppisite direction, possibly after the whistle ends is just like flag football... :187734: :insane: apparently you have never played football, probably live in a padded bubble somewhere and have never taken a hit...

it is impossible to hold a discussion with people that refuse to read. "possibly after the whistle is blown." do you even think about what you write or do you just type? after the whistle has blown has always been illegal. whether the hit is head on or a blind side. and as far as your "nowhere near the play" part, feel free to check every freakin post.

Trap, the rule that was put in place is protecting against blows to the head. that is it. hell, everyone that is against this block feel free to listen up. the rule is against a blow to the head. this in no way takes the block out of the game. guys are still going to get blown up. for people to actually say, with a straight face no less, that a defender is not expecting to get hit is just pure lunacy.

[sailorsam]

saw this discussed on the NFL network.
every replay was of the Stoolers laying people out.
the final vote was 31-1 in favor. the lone oppose? Stoolers.
the receiver, like the qb, is focused on the ball, and that limits his awareness.

[italianjoker]

saw this discussed on the NFL network.
every replay was of the Stoolers laying people out.
the final vote was 31-1 in favor. the lone oppose? Stoolers.
the receiver, like the qb, is focused on the ball, and that limits his awareness.

good reason for the receiver and the qb to be protected. the defender is focused on a tackle and should already be expecting blockers to come.

i am not saying all of the Steelers hits were good and should stay. but i am saying that not all of their hits were things that should be ruled illegal. the bulk of this board loves the rule because Hines Ward is a center of attention. yet when Ray Lewis did the same thing against the Broncos during CMacs return of a FG people here foamed at the mouth and wanted to see it over and over. (and i am not saying i did not like Ray's hit, just throwing it out there as an example.)

[sailorsam]

anyone remember the Sev Rocca hit? Eagles punter in preseason. classic. he's a tough guy & shook it off.

[ravenwoman]

I think "cheap hits" cannot be legislated. There are way too many rules in football regarding eliminating injury, and yet, there are plenty of injuries. I think we need to eliminate many of the football rules and go back to the original rules of football, whatever they were. Football was never meant to be a non contact sport. Fans love big hits. Unfortunately, some injuries go with that, but, that is what the players get the big money for. It's called risk vs. reward.

[italianjoker]

Of course guys are still goning to get blown up by cheap hits from Hiney. The rule wont stop that but you gotta have something on the book.

Do you guys know how football was played before the rule book back in the 20s.

It was a circus people laughed at until they regulated the game.

rules need to be in place, i will not argue with that. hell, MMA would not be a sport unless they adopted proper rules and weight classes.

however there is a point where the rules become a bit overwhelming. the QBs will be wearing flags within the next decade, i have no doubt.

[52decleetzu]

rules need to be in place, i will not argue with that. hell, MMA would not be a sport unless they adopted proper rules and weight classes.

however there is a point where the rules become a bit overwhelming. the QBs will be wearing flags within the next decade, i have no doubt.

The new rule about how if a defender is on the ground going for the QB is a disaster waiting to happen.

I guess he needs to stop,stand up and resume the pash rush on his feet to be in the play.

Yeah,that will work.