Schiano/Goodell...WUT?

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'm 50-50 on this W2BTD. I don't like the 5-yard WR/CB contact rule, I think it creates a pussy league where offences can do whatever the hell they want.

That said, while I agree the football of the 70s and 80s was more manly and real, no one can deny the long-term effects of that kind of football. When a guy like Mike Webster is a vegetable at 50, there's something wrong.

There absolutely has to be a happy medium. Frankly, old-school fans and today's kids who got medals for finishing 64th in a 65-person (not man) race, can't figure this one out.

I love the physicality of football, but don't want our football heroes to turn out like Mike Webster. Honestly, what's the answer?

I've never been a RAWR MANS GAME guy. I understand the changes to the game and I understand why they've been made. With that said, that doesn't mean that these changes have not hurt the quality of the product. Because they have.

Kickoffs are going to be eliminated. It's just a matter of when.

Tackling is going to eventually be restricted to thigh or waist to rib. Bank on it. The league wants to prevent head shots, and the players are starting to grumble about their legs being targeted and increased lower body injury.

I've also heard that there are people in the league talking about eliminating the three point stance, to eliminate the violent firing off the ball. At some point, I expect that to be banned as well.

This is why I say, eventually we will be watching a completely different game. It already isnt the same. But it won't matter. The next generation will grow up without kickoffs or three point stances and it wont matter to them. The only question that has yet to be answered, is will an inherently less violent NFL sustain popularity? Is the appeal as rooted in the violence as we think? I don't know.

[EmpireWF]

There will be a future generation (50 years?) where the NFL ceases operating unless they dramatically alter the style of play like W2B touches on.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Also, does anybody understand what constitutes a legal block these days?

I used to be a rules nerd, and would scream at my TV at clueless announcers who would botch the rules (only Al Michaels stays on top of these things, and it's part of the reason he's the best).

But now, I have no fucking idea what a legal block is. I have no idea how to ever interpret the always confusing catch/fumble/incomplete mess. Nobody knows what truly constitutes a "football move".

This is why my interest has declined and i've spent more time watching other sports. When a guy swings and misses, it's a strike. It's been that way since 1870. A basket equals two points, and unless we are talking star players, a travel is still a travel.

The NFL has to protect the players, but its a tricky balance. The constant tweaking of the rules doesn't help.

[Chrispy]

I have that feeling about a lot of "rules"
Side note: Soccer's ultimate plan to take over Amurica is coming together nicely

[BigBucs]

Da Faq Greg?

[Houston]

Can't wait to see people abuse this in Madden.

[EmpireWF]

Side note: Soccer's ultimate plan to take over Amurica is coming together nicely

Anyone else picture this?

 

[Cornelius]

Jesus H Christ.

[ralaw]

If the NFL eliminated the kickoff, we'd all still watch the NFL. Don't be so drama.

My interest in the NFL game is already waning, so if they changed the game so drastically I highly doubt I would watch. I know football is king, but lawyers are really ruining the league.

[Rayman]

We'll just have to accept it as inevitable. This is Goodell's crusade, and he'll do anything he can to see it through. That being said, the game has seen "outlandish" changes throughout its history that have upset many a purist. It happens.

The worst part about it really is that it basically forces a ton of fringe roster guys out of the league, so the NFLPA will likely fight it tooth and nail. Hell, didn't Josh Cribbs just blast this proposal? He's the perfect example of a guy who's more or less useless outside of kick returning. To say nothing of guys who man the "gunner" positions and such.