Reacting to NFL owners approving a ban on the swivel hip-drop tackle | First Take
Summary
TLDRThe transcript discusses concerns about the safety and evolution of tackling techniques in American football, particularly the hip drop tackle. Players and analysts debate the balance between safety and maintaining the physicality of the game. There's concern that new rules may disadvantage defenders and lead to more penalties and fines, while the NFL continues to prioritize player safety but also considers expanding the season. The conversation highlights the inherent risks of the sport and the challenges in reducing injuries without compromising the nature of football.
Takeaways
- 🤼♂️ Concerns about player safety in football, particularly regarding tackles and the potential for injury.
- 🚫 Discussion on the challenges faced by lighter defenders when tackling heavier offensive players.
- 📉 Desire for the game to remain safe but also maintain its traditional physicality without excessive penalties or fines.
- 🛑 Criticism of rule changes that may disadvantage defenders, such as the prohibition of certain tackling techniques.
- 🎥 Mention of specific plays like the 'hip drop' tackle that have been deemed dangerous and subsequently banned.
- 🏈 Recognition that football is inherently a contact sport with an acceptance of a certain level of injury risk.
- 📊 Statistics highlighting that certain tackling techniques have a higher injury rate compared to others.
- 💭 Debate on whether the emphasis on safety is consistent with the addition of more games to the NFL schedule.
- 🤷♂️ Questions about the future of tackling in football and which techniques might be banned next.
- 🧐 Acknowledgment that the fan experience may be affected by changes in the way the game is played, with potential shifts towards a less physical style.
- 🗣️ Importance of considering player input when implementing new rules and regulations to ensure the game remains balanced and fair.
Q & A
What is the main concern regarding the tackling techniques discussed in the script?
-The main concern is the safety of players, particularly how certain tackling techniques, such as the hip drop tackle, can lead to higher injury rates and the challenges defenders face when tackling players significantly larger than themselves.
What is the potential impact of banning certain tackles on the game of football?
-Banning certain tackles could lead to an increase in penalties, flags, and fines, potentially making the game less enjoyable for spectators. It also raises questions about the balance between safety and maintaining the traditional physicality of the sport.
How does the speaker feel about the evolution of the game in terms of safety measures?
-The speaker acknowledges the importance of safety but expresses concern that some measures may disadvantage defenders and alter the fundamental nature of football. They also question the consistency of the NFL's safety-focused messaging when considering the potential addition of more games to the season.
What is the 'hip drop tackle' and why is it controversial?
-The hip drop tackle is a technique where a defender tackles a ball carrier by dropping onto their hip, often resulting in a high injury rate. It's controversial because, despite its effectiveness, it's seen as unnecessarily dangerous and has been banned due to its potential to cause serious injuries.
What is the speaker's view on the NFL's approach to player safety and game expansion?
-The speaker is skeptical about the NFL's claims of prioritizing player safety when it simultaneously considers expanding the season, which could expose players to more risks. They imply that the NFL's actions may not align with their stated safety goals.
How has the history of football tackling techniques evolved over time?
-Over time, many tackling techniques considered dangerous, such as clotheslining and head slapping, have been banned. The speaker notes that the hip drop tackle, which was rare in the past, has become more common and has now been outlawed due to its high injury rate.
What is the speaker's stance on the current state of quarterback protections in the NFL?
-The speaker, being a quarterback, appreciates the protections in place for QBs, noting that hits high, low, and to the middle are restricted until the receiver has made a football move, indicating a complex set of rules designed to minimize injuries.
What concerns do the speakers have about the future of tackling in the NFL?
-The speakers are concerned that continued restrictions on tackling could lead to football becoming too safe and potentially resemble flag football. They worry that essential elements of the game's physicality and strategy may be lost.
What is the speakers' perspective on the injury rate in the NFL?
-While acknowledging that football is inherently dangerous and injuries are part of the game, the speakers express concern that the focus on specific tackling techniques may overlook other contributing factors to injuries, such as playing surfaces, and that the NFL needs to consider the overall risk to players' long-term health.
What is the role of Troy Vincent in the discussion about tackling techniques?
-Troy Vincent, the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL, is mentioned as someone who has spoken out about the high injury rate associated with the hip drop tackle. His stance is that such plays, due to their injury risk, should be removed from the game to protect player health and availability.
How do the speakers address the balance between safety and the traditional aspects of football?
-The speakers recognize the importance of safety but argue for a balance that respects the traditional physicality of the game. They suggest that while certain dangerous techniques can and should be banned, the NFL must also consider the impact on gameplay and the ability of defenders to effectively and safely do their job.
Outlines
🤼♂️ Football Safety and the Evolution of Tackling
The first paragraph discusses the challenges faced by defensive players in football, particularly how they tackle offensive players who are significantly heavier. It highlights the desire for a safer game, the personal experience of the speaker with a hip drop tackle, and the concern that new rules may add more penalties, flags, and fines, potentially affecting the essence of the game. The speaker also addresses the inherent danger of football and the paradox of adding more games to the season while claiming to prioritize safety. The discussion touches on the high injury rate associated with certain tackles and the gradual removal of such dangerous plays from the game.
🏈 The Impact of Rule Changes on Defenders and the Game
The second paragraph continues the conversation about rule changes in football, focusing on how they affect scoring and the defensive players' ability to perform their roles effectively. It points out the increased protections for quarterbacks and the potential for football to become too safe, resembling flag football. The speaker expresses concern about the future of tackling in the game, questioning which plays might be banned next. Additionally, the paragraph addresses the issue of injuries related to playing surfaces, such as turf and grass, and the need to balance safety with the nature of the sport.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡tackle
💡injury rate
💡player safety
💡hip drop tackle
💡defensive players
💡NFL
💡game evolution
💡inherently dangerous
💡physicality
💡game schedule
💡job description
Highlights
The challenge of lighter defenders tackling heavier offensive players using body weight as leverage.
The desire for safer gameplay while maintaining the essence of football.
The personal experience of a player who suffered a hip drop and spin during his NFL career.
The concern that new rules will add more penalties, flags, and fines to the game, potentially detracting from the fan experience.
The evolution of tackling techniques over the decades and the rarity of the hip drop tackle in the past.
The higher injury rate associated with the hip drop tackle and the NFL's decision to ban it.
The paradox of claiming to make the game safer while considering adding more games to the season.
The impact of lower extremity injuries and the prevalence of the hip drop tackle as a leading cause.
The importance of durability and availability for NFL athletes as stated by Troy Vincent, the EVP of the NFL.
The historical context of dangerous tackles that have been banned from the game, like the horse collar tackle.
The potential future of NFL football, with concerns about it becoming too safe and resembling flag football.
The need for a balanced approach to safety measures that doesn't disproportionately affect defenders.
The argument that playing surfaces, such as turf and grass, might contribute more to injuries than certain tackling techniques.
Transcripts
uh when you think of this like how is a
guy supposed to tackle an offensive guy
from behind now uh you got Defenders
that linebackers DB safeties that are
going to be going up against guys that
are 30 40 50 lbs heavier than they are
and the only way for them to get them
down to the ground is to try to use
their own body weight as leverage to get
them there I I want the game to be safer
I I have a guy that was hip drop
mollywop and spun on my top in my NFL
career so I understand how trying to
take unnecessary injuries and
unnecessary plays out of the game but at
the same time I still want the guys to
be able to go out there and play the
game of football and right now this is
only going to add more penalties to the
game it's only going to add more flags
and more fines and I don't think that's
what people want to see we want the game
to be safe but it's got to be a even
playing field for both sides of the ball
it's called Evolution RG3 I understand
that you know this makes it a lot more
difficult for Defenders to get the guy
on the ground but you got to think about
think about the first 50 60 years I
really never saw this tackle when I
played I can't recall someone getting in
I I think I I think maybe once I saw
this tackle but now we see it with
regularity just like the horse caller we
saw that and then they outlaw that now
the problem that I do have with the NFL
guys is that say we're trying to make
the game safer but all the while you're
at a 17th game and now you're here
you're looking to add a 18th game so I I
don't don't give me this this is about
the safety of the game but this is an
inherently dangerous play and I read uh
uh uh who was it someone said it has a
20 to 25% higher injury rate than any
other play any other tackle in the
league well when you start getting two
times three times but when you talk
about 20 25 times where you have to do
something with it I knew it was just
going to be a matter of time I thought
they would do it last year because if
you remember I think Jacksonville did a
hip drop tackle on Patrick Mahomes was
in the playoffs and it had him hobble
throughout the entirety of the playoffs
and so but I knew this was coming just
like uh that hit to the quarterback's
knee in the pocket with Tom Brady you
knew it was just going to be a matter of
time so I totally agree I understand but
guess what guys they want scoring to go
back up it's about to go back up now
because it's going to make it a lot more
difficult for guys to
tackle I'm with RG3 I I don't get what
we're doing here this is football and
like him I'm a 57 wide receiver trust me
I can put a highlight tape that Rivals
anybody in NFL history on the wrong side
of Big Time hits but the reality is you
were putting the defense at an increased
disadvantage in the game of football
because if they run by you you might as
well stop trying because now you're
starting to think about how you need to
get them down and to RG3's point it does
create indecision and that indecision is
inherently more dangerous if everybody
else is operating at a full speed
juncture Shannon the reason why you
probably didn't see this in your day is
because because they were clotheslining
people they were hitting them for real
and it wasn't going to be on top of
those highlights they was they was doing
the real tackles right but this is just
a fundamental tackle you have to use
your body weight to get people down my
question becomes what's next is it now
you can't tackle at the knees now you
can't tackle at all from behind now you
can't cut block and yes these are things
that create injury we have to at some
point come to grips with the NFL being a
100% injury rate for players you're
going to get hurt anything head related
anything that will affect your your life
mentally going forward we understand but
we as all players understand there is an
opportunity to go out there and there is
a chance you will be injured last season
lower extremity injuries were at a
four-year low so my question is who
asked for this let me ask you a question
it was at a four-year low but when we
look at the injury rate what caused the
majority of the injuries even though it
was at a low I guarantee you look at the
hip drop tackle the number one cause of
the injury a lower extremity injury was
the hip drop tackle and it was Troy
Vincent that said this he said the
greatest asset for our athlete is
durability and availability when you
have a play that's 20 to 25 times the
injury rate it doesn't allow you to
fulfill your dreams so this is Troy
vincon who's the EV of of the NFL he's
saying the in the injury rate of this
play is so great we have to remove it
you're right there used to be time you
could Clos line a guy I before my even
before my time the head slap was legal
but they they are doing away with a lot
of these plays to try to make the game
safer but you can't say we're going to
make the game safer so we can add more
games to the to the play on the back end
so we gonna make it safer on the front
end but we GNA add games to the schedule
on the back end that's where I push back
on the NFL but I'm glad they removed
this play because I knew it was just
going to be a matter of time sh you
brought up Troy vinent there and I got a
lot of respect for Troy vinon and what
he's been able to do and he called like
he talks about being the gatekeeper of
the NFL and as these plays continue to
get removed from the game I think what
Hawk is is getting at is the fact that
we're not seeing these plays getting
focused on for the defense yes scoring
is at a you know it's been down for the
past four seasons so they want that to
come back up but they shouldn't put it
on the Defenders to make that happen
right now as a quarterback right I love
the protections for the QBs you can't
hit them high you can't hit them low you
basically can't hit anybody across the
middle until they catch the football
blink twice get both feet down make a
football move and then tell you hey yeah
you can come hit me now right the fan at
home is arguably saying to themselves
it's only a matter of time before NFL
football becomes physical flag football
because as we continue to go through
this they're going to ban the hip they
they ban the hip hip drop tackle they
already banned the horse collar yeah
what's going to be the next one what's
going to be the next thing that they
take out of the game that is talking
about making the game unsafe football is
an unsafe game in itself we have to make
sure we keep the parameters of the game
the same as we take some of these plays
out and I don't know if we're doing
enough to protect Defenders right now no
you're not but here's the go ahead Hulk
I'll let you go go ahead I was gonna say
I mean I'm all for health and safety
trust me I I am agreeing with everything
Troy Vincent is talking about but you
are making it almost impossible for
these Defenders to do their job the way
that the job description says so so
until you change the job description you
can't be changing their abilities to go
about it at a successful rate you know
without their input and on top of that
yes I get the statistics that you gave
for the hip drop tackle but if you ask
any current players what do you think
the the the biggest impetus around these
lower extremity injuries are they're
going to say the fact that you're
playing on Turf and grass on any given
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week
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oh
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