Why the "Devestating Hits" rule is a non-issue

What a week in football headlines.

Not sure if you’ve heard or not, but the NFL will now suspend or eject players who perform helmet-to-helmet hits.

To me, it’s no big deal.

Wait a second…don’t react just yet to my non-reaction. If you’re going to reply to this, don’t use the stupid hyperboles and exaggerations. They sound like this;

“They’re going to start playing flag football next!”

“It’s basically two-hand touch!”

“They’re going to lose fans!”

Now honestly, how many of you believe any of those?! Come on, raise your hand…I didn’t think so.

Fact is; the NFL hasn’t really changed any rules. They’ve basically said, if you lead with the crown of your helmet, launch yourself at another player’s head, or any other illegal hit, they have the right to eject or suspend you.

Guess what NFC East fans; these hits have been illegal for years now. And the game has gotten nothing but more popular yet more deadly. The only significant change is now you can be suspended. This is no different than if the police start cracking down on speeding tickets by suspending your license. You know it’s illegal; you’ve shown you don’t care about the fines, so we increase the penalty.

The rules haven’t changed, the penalties have. Stop crying about how this isn’t real football, the players SHOULD’VE been playing like this for years now!

The truth is the NFL is trying to keep the health of their players in mind. I don’t think any reasonable fan thinks otherwise. I’m not going to touch on how the NFL are hypocrites because they want to extend the season, or how they sell “NFL’s Greatest Hits” DVDs, that’s too much politics and marketing for my taste.

The real danger is that NFL defensive players have a sense of security with their helmets. They put that helmet on and it’s like putting on a weapon, and that’s not what the helmet is designed for. It’s designed for safety, your shoulder pads are your weapons. Mike Ditka put it the best, if you want these players to stop launching head-first? Then take away those facemasks. Those pretty boys won’t hit like that then! (I’m paraphrasing).

The NFL is asking players not to drop their heads when they tackle. As in, tackle with your facemask, not the crown of your helmet. They’re asking for wrap up tackles that lead with their shoulders. Ray Lewis might complain, but he has some of the best wrap-up tackling in the game today. You know who use to lead with his shoulder 95% of the time? The late-great Sean Taylor. You can perform hard hits without them being illegal.

So stop overreacting NFL fans, matter of fact, watch football Sunday, and let’s see how much really changes. I’m confident that if anyone does get suspended, we won’t be arguing why, we all know illegal hits when we see them; it’s just time for them to go away.

Redskins Try To Simulate Vick

Every generation has that player that you just can’t explain.

Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Walter Payton, Deion Sanders, Jerry Rice, and Barry Sanders were all players that were 8-10 steps ahead of the competition (There’s others, but you get the idea).

Michael Vick is one of those players.

Whoa, calm down, I’m not saying he’s the best player in the league, a top ten quarterback, or anything like that. All I’m saying is that it’s almost impossible to gameplan against him.

In the 1980s, it was impossible to gameplan against Walter Payton. You didn’t know how to simulate his speed, his agility, his ball carrying vision, or anything during practice. You couldn’t figure out a sound-proof way of managing him during the game.

For those of you who don’t know, in practice, your scout team simulates what you’re going to see on Sunday. For example, if you’re the Cowboys, you have backup quarterback, Stephen McGee simulate whatever quarterback you’re about to face this week. So with the Titans coming up, McGee would try to act like Vince Young in practice so that the defense knows how they need to play.

Question: who on that Redskins team is going to simulate Michael Vick?!

The skins have used a practice squad wide receiver, Brandon Banks, this past week due to his speed (ran a 4.2 40 yard dash), but that won’t be relevant come gametime. You still can’t simulate his agility, ball carrier vision, or throwing arm. But I guess it’s a start.

Say what you want about Vick off the field, that is your right, but we all can agree that if he truly is back to his old form, then he will be exciting to watch on Sundays.

Week 2 Preview; "Texas Two-Step"

Let me makes this very plain and clear; there is NO MUST WINS IN WEEK 2 FOOTBALL!

You know what it actually is? It’s not that teams must win these games to prevent being 0-2, it’s that nobody wants to deal with their media two weeks in a row after a loss. And the NFC East might just have the worst media in the NFL. Reporters everywhere, who want to pressure the teams into a win, pressure them to make a statement or comment that will fill the newspapers and blogs the next day. You can lose the first two games and still win a Super Bowl, both Dallas and the New York Giants have already proven that.

The Dallas Cowboys have their home opener as the Bears come into town. Dallas didn’t trust their offensive line last week with two subs in, luckily, both Marc Columbo and Kyle Kosier have been practicing this week and are expected to start. This should allow the Cowboys do be more creative in their offensive playcalling. So you Jason Witten fans, no need to worry, he’ll be more active now that he won’t be asked to stay in and block as much. Also, “Beware of D-Ware”. His injury wasn’t as serious as it first looked on the field on Sunday Night, and he was practicing again on Thursday. The Bears’ Jay Cutler is known for making mistakes when under pressure, look for guys like Mike Jenkins and Keith Brooking to have big plays in pass defense if Ware can get to Cutler.

My call: Cowboys 24, Bears 13

The Philadelphia Eagles will start Mike Vick, his first start since 2006. And just like last time when he was in the NFL, there’s no sure-fire way to defend against him. He isn’t as fast or accurate, but still a weapon under center. Fantasy alert: Start him. He can easily give you 300 combined yards on the ground, and in the air. Unfortunately for the Eagles defense though, they will go without Stewart Bradley. Luckily, they’re taking on the Detroit Lions. Need I say more? The bigger upset is if Vick can’t do it against a team that barely belongs in the NFL.

My call: Eagles: 17, Lions 6

On to last week’s winning teams, both teams could’ve easily lost their week one openers. Washington took the game when Dallas turned in sloppy play, and the Panthers were in the Redzone multiple times before turning the ball over to the Giants repeatedly. But don’t get me wrong, a win is a win. We’ve seen times when a team plays sloppy, and yet the other team still can’t capitalize (see Dallas@Buffalo in 2007). You take the win, learn from the mistakes, and move on.

“Texas Two-Step” was a Washington headline this week as they take on their second Texas team in a row when they face the Texans. Houston just came off one of their biggest wins of their short franchise history last week, beating the Colts for just the second time…EVER. Meanwhile, Washington squeaked away a win over arch-rival Dallas. This gets my upset alert of the week. Houston coming off an emotional high, and then goes to play in-state rival, Dallas next week; this is your typical sandwich game. Look for Washington to capitalize on more Texas mistakes, and you Arian Foster fans look out, this isn’t the Indy defense we’re talking about, it won’t be as easy to run against this Jim Haslett team.

My Call: Redskins 17, Texans 13

Ladies and Gentlemen: this is our main event!

Well, not really. The Manning-Bowl is overhyped if you ask me. These guys aren’t hitting each other, their not going toe-to-toe. Now Ronde Barber and Tiki hit each other, gameplanned against each other, that was a competition. Quarterbacks don’t face each other, they face the defenses! So until I see Peyton at middle linebacker, or Eli covering a slot receiver, I won’t call this the “Manning-Bowl”.

If the Washington game got the upset alert, this one gets my Blowout Alert. Peyton runs off of emotion, not like Phillip Rivers emotion, but the “I will not lose!” emotion. Do not for one second think that the Colts won’t let Peyton fling the ball all over the field and run up the score on the G-Men. The Giants will try to do what the Texans did and rush the passer with just their front four. Peyton loves scorching defenses when they blitz, but if guys like Osi and Tuck can get good edge pressure, the Giants have a better chance. But I don’t think so. If you have a Colt receiver on your fantasy team, there’s no reason not to start them. If you have a Colt running back though, put him on your trading block.

My call; Colts 31, Giants 10

The UFL, not the XFL

You know where the XFL failed, when they decided to go all in, put all their eggs in one basket and try to compete with the NFL.

I’m not saying compete as in put their games on Sundays and try to steal ratings from them, but the XFL obviously went after NFL fans and thought that they’d exist in a world where we all know NFL is king.

That’s why I like the UFL; they’re not trying to be a competitor with the NFL, but more of an alternative. They air their games during the week on the Versus and HDNet channels, they allow their players to break contracts to go to the NFL, they understand that NFL is still King.

When the XFL started advertising, they advertised themselves as better than the NFL. They advertised rule changes; there were no fair catches, coin tosses, or extra point kicks. They said their game was more aggressive; they allowed pass interference and made you physically earn the opening possession. And all and all, it failed. Fans weren’t fooled by the product they put on the field. A nice truck made out of shitty parts is still a shitty truck.

And that’s mainly where the UFL and XFL are different. For one, the UFL didn’t put all their eggs in one basket. The XFL tried a big launch with key market teams and air their games on NBC. Suddenly fans realized that the players weren’t at the caliber that they are use to watching, ratings dropped, and NBC backed out.

Secondly, like I stated earlier, the UFL is trying to coexist with the NFL. They haven’t put teams in key NFL markets. They have teams in places like Omaha, Sacramento, and Hartford (plus one coming to VA, Beach in 2011) just to name a few. They haven’t made drastic rule changes to make their game seem better, just subtle ones to make it different (such as how overtime isn’t sudden death, there’s no “tuck rule” and touchdown celebrations are allowed).

As for the product on the field, the names of players and coaches alike will sound familiar to the average football fan. Former AFL head coach, and Jon Gruden’s brother, Jay is one familiar coach you’ll recognize. Add him along with names like Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, and General Manager Rick Mueller, and you know that these players are being coached and managed by experienced veteran coaches. Afterall, sometimes you’re only as good as the gameplan allows.

Then the list of names like Dante Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes and Ahman Green show you that this league has experience under the helmets too.

Will the UFL beat the NFL in ratings, or drafting high profile college athletes? No. But what they will provide you is quality football, entertaining games, and your football fix during the week as you wait for your favorite NFL teams to play on Sunday.

What You Should and Shouldn't Worry About: Dallas

I started this ‘Worry’ series a while back, starting with the Redskins and never followed through with it. I apologize. It’s time to get back on track and finish what I started.

You sit at the bar with your buddies, most of them are just like you, they love the same shows you watch, the same hobbies, and of course, the same football franchise. It’s then when you realize, since you’re all on the same side of the argument, you can candidly speak about the things that you worry about for your team, and also the things that you know are rock solid. I’m going to help you with that conversation.

99% of fans, broadcasters, and reporters alike have Dallas slated as the best team in the NFC East, and that alone should scare Dallas fans. It wasn’t too long ago when Dallas was getting a lot of mainstream media attention and pressure to make it to the Super Bowl. They had the HBO show “Hard Knocks” and were coining the phrase “Super Bowl or bust” throughout the offseason. Which goes to show you one simple rule of thumb; nothing is promised in the NFL. That’s the year Romo broke his pinky finger on his throwing hand, Brad Johnson couldn’t get the job done in the four games he had to start, and Dallas got absolutely manhandled by the Eagles in a game that for all intents and purposes, was a play-in game for the playoffs.

So Dallas fans have reasons to worry, they do not want to go through another season like that. And this preseason thus far has not eased many of them at all. But before you go and hit the panic button on anything, let me help you guys and tell you what to worry and not worry about going into this 2010 season.

No Worries Here

David Beuhler
It’s been heavily covered; Dallas’ placekicker position was horrible last season. Nick Folk and Shawn Suisham were the laughing stocks of the NFC East, and both were Cowboys at one point or another. David Beuhler steps up and Jerry Jones basically crowns him the new kicker without proving himself at the NFL level. Well…looks like Jerry was right afterall. I myself was very skeptical of the decision since Beuhler hadn’t had to make any pressure kicks in his football career since high school, but I was wrong. Dallas brought in former NFL kicker, Chris Boniol to help Beuhler with his mechanics which has obviously helped him out. Beuhler was the same person who couldn’t beat out Nick Folk last season for the placekicking position, and now he’s hit six for seven field goals in the preseason, not to mention that you can count his misses in training camp on one hand. He’s not Morten Anderson, but thankfully, he’s no Nick Folk either.

Hit the Panic Button

Red Zone Offense Struggles

I wrote about this earlier, but for those who didn’t see it, I will repeat the staggering statistic. The Dallas Cowboys last year were ranked number two in offensive yards. So obviously, they can move the ball up and down the field as they pleased. However, they were ranked 13^th in touchdowns. So what does that tell you? It tells you that far too often did Dallas move the ball well into opponents’ territory, yet struggle to get the ball into the end zone. And any football fan will tell you, you’ll rarely win games with just field goals, you win games with touchdowns. According to Mickey Spagnola of dallascowboys.com, the Cowboys have worked for countless hours in the offseason on their red zone offense, they know it’s their weak-point. But nothing has looked better thus far in the preseason. Many point to the fact that Jason Garrett seems to forget how to run when he gets inside the twenty. Case-in-point look at the hall of fame game; when Dallas was inside the five yard-line and decided to throw three straight passes, all of which were incomplete. Fans and reporters are baffled that Dallas has a bruiser in Marion Barber, yet decides to become finesse within the twenty. If Dallas wants to be the best in the east and Super Bowl contenders, they sure won’t do it settling for field goals while they’re opponents score touchdowns.

How Preseason Looks Just like Movie Trailers

There’s exceptions to every rule out there, there just is. Now I believe I speak what most of you know is true, whether it be opinion or statistical fact, 95% of you agree with me. But every now and then “Mr. Exception” will voice his opinion to me.

“Rob, what about this time,” or “Hey, what about this team.”

Listen, don’t be Mr. Exception. Don’t point out the one or two times that I’m going to be wrong. I have a friend whose dad smokes damn-near a pack of cigarettes a day and is currently 65 years old. No signs of cancer or any health issues to speak of. Yet it’s a known fact that smoking isn’t good for you. So like I said, there are exceptions to everything.

Now what I’m about to say is true, don’t follow the exceptions, and just follow what I’m saying.

For those of you who are begging for an 18-game season and to get rid of a couple of these preseason games, this is for you. Like ESPN’s Colin Cowherd calls it, the preseason is like a movie trailer. A good movie trailer will give you glimpses into a movie, just small tidbits here and there to give you an idea of how good the movie truly is.

If you think the preseason doesn’t give you anything, then check this out; the Colts, Packers, and Patriots have all scored at least 60 total points in their three preseason games. Meanwhile, teams like Carolina and Chicago can’t score over 30. Last season’s prolific offenses continue to shine, while the subpar ones continue to struggle, even if it’s just preseason.

Now just like movie trailers, we can be fooled. I’ll give you two examples of good and bad movie trailers. Go and look at the trailer for The Hangover. You knew from the second that trailer ended, that that movie was going to be golden. And guess what, you were right. They gave you a mere glimpse of the comedic genius that was in that movie in a 30 second commercial.

But sometimes, a trailer gives you everything they got, and when you see the movie, you already know the best parts. Go watch the Trailer for Adam Sandler’s Funny People. Those were the only funny parts to the movie. Trust me, I’ve seen it.

Preseason can fool you much like Funny People did. Last year’s Titans were in a QB debate. So Kerry Collins and Vince Young gave you everything they had in the preseason. When it got to week one, you’ve already seen the best parts of the movie.

The Washington Redskins did that to their fans in their preseason opener against the Bills. They came out and looked like a new team. Twitter pages, Facebook statuses, and text messages alike went crazy because for the first time in a while, Skin fans were given a reason to cheer. But just like a movie trailer that gives you too much, the Skins gave too much of their gameplan, and Baltimore saw what was coming. So in the Skins’ second preseason game, the Ravens tested their defense out and it resulted in a hobbling Donavon McNabb.

The Dallas Cowboys are giving us a glimpse of things to come, poor redzone execution. I know I’m being harsh, but this is the same redzone struggles that the ‘Boys had last season. Since numbers don’t lie, listen to this; the Cowboys were #2 in the NFL in total offensive yardage, yet they were 13^th in touchdowns. Fact; the Cowboys have a problem scoring touchdowns. They move the ball fine, but getting it into the end zone has always been an issue and continue to be an issue here in the preseason.

It’s hard to gage where the Giants are, in their first game rookie Victor Cruz shredded the Jets’ second and third team defense, but as for the Giants’ first team, they didn’t show a lot on the field. They came out in very vanilla packages and plays. By the second game Eli was hurt, and they were left with a third string quarterback under center. Tonight’s game against the Ravens will tell us plenty though. We’ll see if the Ravens will pounce on NY like they did on Washington.

Lastly, Philly, much like Washington, showed a great performance in week one, and delivered nothing in week two. Here’s the sequel to Funny People. Not to worry Philly fans, a new quarterback, new starting running back, this was expected. Everyone believes Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in the NFL, myself included. This year will truly be a test of his coaching abilities.

The third game of preseason is where you’ll see the starters play into the third quarter. So let’s see if these NFC Beast teams are showing us small glimpse, or everything they got in the preseason.

18-Game Season = Worst Product On the Field.

I fully believe it is human nature; I like it, so give me more of it.

OK, this may work for money, sex, and Rocky movies, but not so much football. NFL Football doesn’t go into that category. It more-or-less belongs in the category of candy, ice cream, and using your cell phone in public.

I get that players, owners, and television sponsors all like the idea of an extended season. You bring it up in conversation, and a lot of them just have dollar signs in their eyes like an old Warner Brothers cartoon. However, one pro bowl quarterback said differently.

Carson Palmer, quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, was on ESPN’s Mike and Mike radio show this morning and brought up a valid point that he claims the majority of players feel. He stated that with an 18-game season, it takes away the one thing that football has over every other sport; the feeling that every game matters.

Even the most diehard basketball or baseball fan knows that they’ll miss seeing their favorite team on national television. But the vast majority of them won’t mind it nearly as much as your diehard Redskins fan who absolutely NEEDS to see their team on the field every week. Same even in goes for college football. Thanks to their ten-game season, if you drop one game to UVA or Appalachian State, you can kiss your National Title hopes goodbye.

Be prepared NFL fan, your Colts and Saints will be able to tank more games than ever. Your Patriots and Vikings of years to come will be able to play their backups because they’ll be able to clinch their respective playoff spots earlier than ever. And let’s not forget the horrendous teams, the Lions, the Rams, the Browns, and the Buccaneers of the world will be able to throw in their rookie quarterbacks, interim head coaches, and new (usually bad) gameplans in at week eight because they’ve already been lapped by their division rivals.

So what am I saying? If you’re ready for an 18-game season, then get ready to watch more horrible football. We’re not adding two quality games to every team’s schedule; we’re watering the product down.

Adding more games is not the problem with the NFL games, its adding quality to the ones they already play. If somehow you can promise me that Peyton Manning will be playing in week 17, then I’ll watch. If you can promise me that the Browns’ head coach won’t be fire before the season’s end, then maybe the team won’t be on the threat of blacking out their last two home games. That’s the bigger problem with the league, not the fact that we don’t get enough games to watch on television, but that not all of the ones they currently play are at the NFL standard of quality.

And for those who are quick to point out that they’d rather have watered down games than preseason games, I ask you to do one thing for me. Explain to me why this past week’s Minnesota vs San Francisco drew 10.8 million viewers? Was it to watch Bret Farve throw one pass? Fans might say they hate the preseason, but you still watch. Numbers don’t lie.

So obviously I’m against extending the regular season, at least until we fix the quality of the 16 games they currently play. However I welcome anyone to express to me why I should feel differently.