They are killing this sport.
I do agree that players need some protection, and these new rules by themselves arent that bad.
However, combined with all the other no-contact type rules they are horrible.
I am fine with the "Blind-side Block" rule. Sticking your hat/shoulder/forearm to someones head and neck is cheap. There is no reason they can't block below the neck, in fact, blind side or not, I have a hard time thinking of a reason to block or tackle anyone above the neck.
The second rule, hitting the head of a defenseless reciever may be more problematic. While I'm sure most would agree, a cheap shot to the head is trash, it may be hard to make these calls. Who is to say the defender wasnt making a play on the ball (which often times is caught near the head), and comes down on a receiver's helmet? When exactly is a receiver defenseless? Too many questions and subjective determinations here.
The kicking rules are a joke. No more than 2 men to form a blocking wedge? What are the other 8 guys supposed to do on the play? Stand around with their thumbs up their *****? What if a player inadvertently runs close to the 2-man formation? Is that a penalty?
I understand special teams is the fastest and most dangerous part of the game. I think there does need to be more protection for ST players, but I am not sure how this one is going to play out.
The 5 man limit on onside kicks seems ok to me, as long as the other team can't stack more than 5 opposite them. (Problem is the second part of my statement is missing from the rule)
I could tolerate the "Tom Brady" rule if they would ease up on the late hit calls and tighten up on the offensive holding calls. The highest risk of injury to a QB is the head and below and including the knees.
Unfortunately, as we saw last year, close or bad calls can have a big impact on a game (15 yard penalties are a backbreaker). It makes pass rushers more cautious, slowing them down and in effect, giving the QB more time in the pocket.
As a side note, other than Joe Namath, has there been another QB that has had more rules created by the league than Tom Brady?
At the rate we are going NFL scores are going to look like NBA scores in 10 years.
