Joining the likes of Mel Blount, Roy Williams, and Tom Brady, Hines Ward became the latest player to get a rule unofficially named in his honor, as the NFL announced they are outlawing blind-side blocks to the head of a defender using his helmet, forearm or shoulder. This comes as a knee-jerk reaction to Ward's hit on the Bengals' Keith Rivers in October last season.
As per Ed Bouchette, the league also approved two other rule changes:The NFL is also becoming more proactive in defending receivers. From now on, any hit to the head now warrants a 15-yard penalty. If you'd like to give that a name as well, Ryan Clark would probably spring to mind for the hit he delivered on Wes Welker last year.
-Teams kicking off must have four players on each side of the kicker with three lined up outside each inbounds line. The rule was passed to prevent "bunching" on onsides kicks.
-No more than two players on the kickoff receiving drill can form a wedge to block for the runner.
Clearly, these rules were all put in place as safety measures. But I think we're getting perilously close to the point of football not looking like football anymore. No one, myself included, wants to see anyone get hurt. But I think everyone involved knows what they're getting into when they sign a contract to play in the NFL. This is not a knitting club - although it might be headed in that direction.
Hines Ward Influences NFL Rule Change [The Pittsburgh Channel]
NFL approves 'Hines Ward rule' [PG]
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6 comments:
I think he got his own rule at some of the local bars. It involves blind-siding young women who don't know he's married.
I think it is funny that two of these rules outlaw plays made by the Steelers and protect the Saintly Patriots and their precious QB.
Are they going to change to flag football next?
What happened to this site? I can't see anything anymore.
Molly, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you were just blind-sided.
New onside kick:
line 5 players up on one side of the kicker and 5 on the other side, all bunched next to the kicker. The kicker pops the ball up in the middle of the field with all 10 teammates running up the middle.
Is that any safer than kicking towards the sidelines?
As usual, the NFL rule changes suck and make the game worse and less enjoyable to watch.
And as usual, the rule changes make the game less and less like football, or at least a brand of football fans like to watch.
The NFL should stop fixing what isn't broken.
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