Is the defenseless Receiver rule new?

[Aqua Shadow]

I'd never heard of it until the Dolphins game Monday...

I think its a load of BS. If he wants to go up to catch the ball, then he better realize he is gonna get lit up by the safety.

I'm a defensive player so maybe I have a little bit of a bias but is this another one of those rules that gives the offense a boost so there is more scoring in a game? If the NFL wants to score more points, just adopt some of the Arena League rules. Also, since when is a big hit not as appealing to a crowd as a big catch?

The NFL is ruining defensive football and it worries me because this might not be the only one to come.

 

[nyjunc]

No, it's been around for a LONG time. I remember a specific example from a 1993 Jets at Miami game where Ronnie Lott was called for the same thing.

 

[Vertical Limit]

Been there forever now.

 

[FinsNCanes]

I thought it was because of the "helmet to helmet" that it was called.

 

[CedarPhin]

The one that comes to mind in recent memory was the hit Kenoy Kennedy put on Chris Chambers back in 2002.

It's been around for awhile.

 

[CedarPhin]

I didn't think that was a good call on Wilson though...it didn't look like he lead with his helmet.

 

[nyjunc]

I didn't think that was a good call on Wilson though...it didn't look like he lead with his helmet.

You don't have to lead w/ the helmet in that situation. An intentional helmet to helmet will be called at any time but any type of shot will be called in this situation if the receiver is considered in a defenseless situation.

 

[Bumpus]

I'm still trying to pinpoint the exact moment when the NFL decided to "wussify" the game.

 

[nyjunc]

I'm still trying to pinpoint the exact moment when the NFL decided to "wussify" the game.

If the NFL didn't "wussify" the game we'd be seeing deaths on the field on an annual basis. The players are so much bigger, stronger and faster that they had to adjust rules to protect them.

 

[rainmaker1313]

If the NFL didn't "wussify" the game we'd be seeing deaths on the field on an annual basis. The players are so much bigger, stronger and faster that they had to adjust rules to protect them.

"bigger, stronger and faster"

Can you say STEROIDS???????