Ejections Coming For Helmet-to-Helmet Hits

[Atlanta Dan]

The NFL has told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

"Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant," Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams. "Actions that involve flagrant helmet to helmet contact are the likely acts that will include disqualification. Our commissioner and this office remain very focused on the safety of our players."


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3103608

This of course is yet another policy intended to protect QBs. To get someone thrown out of a game it better be real blatant or I see yet another way for the league to assure it gets the Colts-Pats rematch it wants by ejecting opposing teams' defenders in the playoffs.

[Crushzilla]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

The NFL has told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

"Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant," Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams. "Actions that involve flagrant helmet to helmet contact are the likely acts that will include disqualification. Our commissioner and this office remain very focused on the safety of our players."


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3103608

This of course is yet another policy intended to protect QBs. To get someone thrown out of a game it better be real blatant or I see yet another way for the league to assure it gets the Colts-Pats rematch it wants by ejecting opposing teams' defenders in the playoffs.

WOW

This has potential to really influence some games. I hope you're right Dan and that it would take a hell of a hit to give someone the boot for this.

[MasterOfPuppets]

and we have one more step towards flag football....

[The Duke]

This of course is yet another policy intended to protect QBs

or another way for the league to protect pretty boy Brady

[tony hipchest]

"Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant," Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams.

nice stunt to wait for the patriots bye week. maybe the nfl figured they needed the extra week to figure out the correct interpretation of the memo.

this sucks cause in basketball you can "draw a foul" all the time. i think players will learn to "draw a foul" in this instance and take a shot to the head to get a player flagged and ejected.

[Lord Stiller]

Does this include cheap-shots on QB's?????????

I hope so

[HometownGal]

I don't advocate deliberate helmet to helmet hits, but sometimes it is as a result of finishing the tackle and not intended to injure. I can hear Fairy Tom whining to the officials already when a defender even looks at his helmet.

NFL - National Fruitcake League

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Remember last year against the Falcons when Ben received that blow to the head that resulted in another concussion?....A flag wasn't even thrown on that one....

As for this new role.....I agree you need to look out for head hunters....But as others have mentioned sometimes contact to the helmet can't be avoided......So really officials need to see if the contact was accidental before throwing a defensive player out of the game.....

I also agree that Brady will be looking for a way to abuse the rule so he can be the little puss like he always is...The guy is a great QB but he is a puss...lol

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Black@Gold Forever32

Remember last year against the Falcons when Ben received that blow to the head that resulted in another concussion?....A flag wasn't even thrown on that one....

As for this new role.....I agree you need to look out for head hunters....But as others have mentioned sometimes contact to the helmet can't be avoided......So really officials need to see if the contact was accidental before throwing a defensive player out of the game.....

I also agree that Brady will be looking for a way to abuse the rule so he can be the little puss like he always is...The guy is a great QB but he is a puss...lol

I agree... matter of fact, I would like for instant replay to be used for that call... instead of just calling it on the spot.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by Preacher

I agree... matter of fact, I would like for instant replay to be used for that call... instead of just calling it on the spot.

i don't know preach.....it's a " judgement " call, so i'm against it. look at how often there wrong on pass interference, but yet they won't go to the booth for those calls.