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PHOENIX — The NFL owners are changing the rules that they claim will make the game safer. However, today's rule change doesn't sit well with many running backs.
At the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix, the owners passed a safety rule on Wednesday barring ball carriers from using the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with a defender in the open field. The new rule passed by a 31-1 vote, with the Bengals the only team voting nay.
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Pressure will now clearly be on the officials as they will, in a split second, need to determine if the ball carrier lowers his head to initiate a blow to the defender or is just protecting himself. Several coaches and team executives expressed concern about officiating the new rule, but commissioner Roger Goodell championed the move, which helped it to pass. The penalty will be 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
Hall of fame running back Marshall Faulk reacted to this rule by saying "This is a joke!"
Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher doesn't like the new rule saying: "Once your head gets in contact with another persons head it's just a natural part of the process of getting tackled. I think the rule itself is a little ridiculous. I don't think the person that's actually evaluating it appropriately is really thinking about the running back in terms of the other areas that he is going to expose himself to."
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte tweeted that he thinks the new rule "absurd".
The proposed rule change for running backs might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I've ever heard of. — Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
> In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It's a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles > > — Matt Forte (@MattForte22) [March 17, 2013](https://twitter.com/MattForte22/status/313323794435538950)
> U can't change the instinctive nature of running the football. > > — Matt Forte (@MattForte22) [March 17, 2013](https://twitter.com/MattForte22/status/313324150510981123)
> Wow so they really passed that rule...last time I checked football was a contact sport. Calling bank now to set up my lowering the boom fund > > — Matt Forte (@MattForte22) [March 20, 2013](https://twitter.com/MattForte22/status/314441836494209027)
The NFL owners also eliminated the tuck rule, one of the most criticized rules in pro football. Now, if a quarterback loses control of the ball before he has fully protected it after opting not to throw, it is a fumble.
What do you think? Do you like the new rule making it a penalty for running backs if they use the crown of their helmet to initiate a blow?
