Another Potential Set of Rules Which May Impact the Texans

[CloakNNNdagger]

After Clauson's hit on Cushing and Bill's Johnson of Chiefs Berry, the NFL may be considering additional restrictive rules on the use of the cut block.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Slauson’s hit on Cushing, coupled with last year’s low block by Bills receiver Stevie Johnson on Chiefs safety Eric Berry, will result in the NFL taking a closer look at placing further limits on offensive players blocking defensive players below the waist.

The cut block has been part of football for as long as football has been around. It started as a matter of basic physics; little players had no effective way to block big players other than to hit the big players in the legs, knocking them down.

Roughly 40 years ago, the NFL applied the first restriction on cut blocks to special teams, preventing blockers on return units from hitting coverage players low. Since then, further refinements have been made from chop blocks to the “peel back” block for which Slauson was fined, but not penalized.

The prohibition on “peel back” blocks came, we’re told, in response to offensive linemen running down the field on a screen pass and then “peeling back” to hit an unsuspecting defender low. While it appears that Slauson hit Cushing on the front of his leg, which would make the cut block not a “peel back” block, the fact that the NFL pounced on the situation confirms the league’s interest in expanding protections for defensive players against possible knee-imploding hits.

College football already has taken steps to make additional cut blocks illegal, via a confusing distinction that applies to players moving toward the sideline (legal) and players moving toward the middle of the field (illegal). Look for the NFL to seriously consider doing something more clear, especially as it relates to cut blocks applied in the open field.

link

May depend on what is considered "open field"........at the 2nd level????

[DaTruthExplodes]

tackling/hits & blocks above the shoulder and below/around the knee should be outlawed.

The modern nfl helmet has been weaponized and players are just much bigger and faster now than players of the past.

The nfl must adopt/evolve the rules in order to keep up with athletic evolution.

I dont agree with a lot of stuff goddell has done, but this is one rule that needs to be implemented.

The game will be better for it.

[Thorn]

How will this new rule affect the Texans zone blocking??

[hradhak]

The NFL has to be careful with any new rules it creates in this regard. I think the low block needs to be looked at carefully, but I don't think it should be changed with regard to a 1 on 1 block where players are facing each other. Blocks from the side need to be looked at though.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by DaTruthExplodes

tackling/hits & blocks above the shoulder and below/around the knee should be outlawed.

The modern nfl helmet has been weaponized and players are just much bigger and faster now than players of the past.

The nfl must adopt/evolve the rules in order to keep up with athletic evolution.

I dont agree with a lot of stuff goddell has done, but this is one rule that needs to be implemented.

The game will be better for it.

I almost agree. I think that you should be allowed to tackle below the knee, but not block.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Thorn

How will this new rule affect the Texans zone blocking??

From the kinds of things which have been discussed it should not.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

From the kinds of things which have been discussed it should not.

What about cut blocking at the "second level?"

[Wolf]

Not too much on the video

The nfl spent the first day talking about this (Cushing play was main attraction)

The Ninja was one of the players brought in to talk to the committee

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-networ...ks-be-outlawed

[handswarmer]

Originally Posted by DaTruthExplodes

tackling/hits & blocks above the shoulder and below/around the knee should be outlawed.

The modern nfl helmet has been weaponized and players are just much bigger and faster now than players of the past.

The nfl must adopt/evolve the rules in order to keep up with athletic evolution.

I dont agree with a lot of stuff goddell has done, but this is one rule that needs to be implemented.

The game will be better for it.

Blocks below the knee= yes
Tackles below the knee= no

Go back to the one bar face mask- if guys get their faces broken using their helmets as a weapon, they might just use a form tackle...