You asked for it, NFL Commissioner is doing it...

[GP]

NFL refs are going to EJECT players who give out helmet-to-helmet hits upon "defenseless" players. According to the article, the Florence-Schaub incident and two more recent incidents provoked the NFL head office to say "Enough is enough."

Here's an excerpt from the story, featuring Texans Man of the Decade Mr. Rick Smith...proving that he can make things happen on AND off the field:

Two weeks ago, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Houston quarterback Matt Schaub a concussion.

"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."

In the memo fining Landry and Ramsey, NFL director of football operations Gene Washington said emphasis would be on hits against players in defenseless positions.

After Florence was fined, the Texans complained that the punishment wasn't severe enough.

"We are disappointed in the sense that we have lost our starting quarterback for at least one game after the player took the crown of his helmet and delivered an illegal blow to Matt's jaw and the fine levied is only a small fraction of the player's weekly pay," general manager Rick Smith said.

"Is that equitable? The punishment doesn't appear to fit the crime when all factors are considered."

Smith Goes on the Offensive vs. NFL Head Office (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3103608)

[Specnatz]

It is about time, boy sometimes it makes you wonder what the league office is watching.

[GP]

The NFL is an organization deeply rooted in glacial change.

Change occurs at about the same rate as a dissolving glacier.

Having said that, I think Goodell is a lot faster on the trigger than Tagliabue ever was. I think THIS commissioner is the fasting acting one we've had.

The thing I don't like is how protected the referees are. Seems they are completely above reproach. The debacle vs. Jaguars should have cost the jobs of all the officials working the game...they should be out FOREVER. The no-call on the playclock should have been the last nail in their coffin.

And yet you hear almost nothing about it from the office. These guys are the best of the best. They are from thousands of applicants, have worked years of games at all levels, know the game inside and out, and are groomed during training that is very intense and focused upon excellence. So...for there to be THAT level of incompetency, there are more than enough guys who are on the waiting list who can fill the role.

That's MY gripe right now.

[The1ApplePie]

In 5 years, QBs will be wearing flags that you have to rip off, and any other tackle on them will be a penalty.

They sould call this the "Save Tom Brady" rule, because towards the end of the season, a few D players are going to be head hunting.

[Ckw]

Way to go Smith! Man I love having a GM that doesn't take crap and just lie down. The hit was a joke and he should have been suspended. Hopefully this will make sure it doesn't happen again. Or fine the player based on how much money per game the Texans lost in paying Matt for not being on the field. That might get them to stop. Just take Matt's yearly salary, divide it by 16, and figure out what he makes per game. Then if he misses 1 game, fine the player that took him out that amount of money. Hell and make him give the money to the Texans. Why should the league office see the cash when our team is the one suffering?

[ChrisG]

i forget what hit cause the most news...i believe it was the dallas/philly game when the one player was pretty much tackled and was in a sitting position when a player came in and laid a huge helmet to helmet hit on him. Spuring a fight. The announcers of that game sttd that is was already in the rule books for refs to eject players who take that kind of cheap shot.