HOF LB v. Football is being wussified

[infantrycak]

The great Packers coach Vince Lombardi is often used as the embodiment of a time when men were men, football players were tough, and no one complained about too much helmet-to-helmet contact. But one of Lombardi’s players says that in reality, Lombardi was concerned about players’ well-being and coached players to avoid hits to the head.

Dave Robinson, a linebacker who was voted into the Hall of Fame this year, played 12 years in the NFL, including five seasons on Lombardi’s Packers in the 1960s. And Robinson told USA Today that Lombardi would stand behind NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in his efforts to make the game safer.

“He was very strict about dirty play,” Robinson said. “He would never have stood for helmet-to-helmet contact, he just wouldn’t have.”

Robinson said he thinks that old-school coaches, who grew up playing football in the days of leather helmets and no facemasks, came up at a time when players hit with their shoulders and therefore coached that way.

Link

Interesting observation and a good point - one could argue the equipment changes made the game different than intended (in a more dangerous way), resulted in the loss of form tackling, etc. I think the thing which cannot be argued is the QBs are protected more. Of course people who complain about that need to consider this - what would JJ Watt do if he could head slap like Deacon Jones?

 

[Double Barrel]

Good article, and pretty much goes hand-in-hand with what I have noticed, as well. Better fundamental football will come out of these safety rule changes. People might want more "Jacked Up!" hits, but it's bad for the sport, both in injuries and long term effects on players.

People whine about putting flags on them but they need to go watch some games from the 1950's. You do not see players launching themselves back then and using the crown of their heads as spears. It would have been stupid football back then because they knew they could break their necks. Defenders would wrap up ball carriers for solid tackles back then, not cross their arms and bounce off the runner (*cough*D.Rob*cough*).

So those hand-wringing over current safety concerns need to study NFL history for some perspective. Football is evolving, but it's still football.

 

[HoustonFrog]

Good article, and pretty much goes hand-in-hand with what I have noticed, as well. Better fundamental football will come out of these safety rule changes. People might want more "Jacked Up!" hits, but it's bad for the sport, both in injuries and long term effects on players.

People whine about putting flags on them but they need to go watch some games from the 1950's. You do not see players launching themselves back then and using the crown of their heads as spears. It would have been stupid football back then because they knew they could break their necks. Defenders would wrap up ball carriers for solid tackles back then, not cross their arms and bounce off the runner (*cough*D.Rob*cough*).

So those hand-wringing over current safety concerns need to study NFL history for some perspective. Football is evolving, but it's still football.

Agree. Also you can still have a nice, hard hit while having your head across the chest and wrapping up. Even at the high school level in the 80s we were taught don't lower the helmet and come across the chest. Somewhere along the way...guessing glorification of the big hit...the art was lost.

 

[Blake]

Another HUGE difference. In 1970 only one player was over 300 pounds. 2010, 532. The players these days are monsters on PEDs. They can run faster, hit harder, and yes, also have a weapon on their head.

Its kinda life golf technology. It keeps getting better. So the courses will have to adjust.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/sports/football/29weight.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0