What is Stewart talking about on twitter?

[rayzor]

OUTSIDE OF THE TACKLE BOX. Let me say this again so everyone understands this. OUTSIDE OF THE TACKLE BOX. It will not affect cam on the one yard line because he will still be in that area. The only time it will affect an rb or a runner is when they break a run for about more then five yards. They'll just have to lead with the shoulder instead. It probably won't pass but the nfl is trying to not get sued out of existence so they have to change the game. Not saying I agree with the changes but that's why they are doing it.

well, that's probably more of the reason for this, but the two leading factors in rule changes is ratings and law suit prevention.

[CarolinaCoolin]

well, that's probably more of the reason for this, but the two leading factors in rule changes is ratings and law suit prevention.

I wouldn't say ratings cause many fans complain of the many rule changes and how they are changing the game to much but yes lawsuit prevention and keeping the most money possible is the reason for all this

[nosuchthingasapanther]

it's a stupid rule.

a defender leading with his head to tackle a ball carrier is not the same as a ball carrier lowering his head to shed contact.

[iamcline]

I just don't think this will pass.

[carolina-chuck]

NFL=arena football on steroids.

that's what they are working towards. that's what they want because its more exciting to the casual fan. it brings in more viewers. it keeps viewers from wandering off. it draws in more advertising revenue.

most people want scoring. they don't want to watch two ground and pound teams play ball trudging through the trenches. they want air raids. they want fireworks. not teams keeping it on the ground unless it's a super-exciting dual threat QB.

they want college ball. that's what the league is leaning towards because that's where the hype is. that's where the money is. networks love high scoring games so that's what the NFL is going to give them. we'll see more rules protecting the passing game making it more attractive, and we'll see more stipulations trying to make the run game less attractive.

we can complain, but it won't change things. the best thing is for the team to go ahead and ride that wave instead of fighting against it.

They don't know that a lot of people like me watches for the Defense. Football isn't fun without defense. I don't care how much points you put up

[tiger7_88]

Because a running back can get seriously injured by not lowering his shoulder pads. This rule would give the running backs less protection. I don't think defenders are claiming they are less protected since they can't hit offensive players in the head.

That doesn't even make any sense. The same principle holds for both... BOTH are lowering their head to initiate contact.

Why are running backs privy to that "protection" in your mind and not linebackers and safeties?

[tiger7_88]

I'll probably stop watching the NFL five years from now. It's heading down a bad path.

Goodell is taking balls away. Literally..

Yeah, its all Goodell's fault, not the hundreds of players suing the league for hundreds of millions of dollars. :lol:

You nailed it!

[CRA]

No, it's their fault too but Goodell has no convictions. I mean, this is the commish who wants to get rid of kickoffs.

Owners vote this stuff...it isn't like Goodell just says it shall be this way

[CRA]

Right... the owners...

I'm sure every owner was down with the idea of having a Superbowl in New York during the winter.

Well the rule changes are owner driven....Goodell can't change the rules. Owners do.

and the Superbowl IMO should be open to all elements. They impact who gets to the Superbowl.....unfair to take the elements out for one game. Might as well make all games played in a dome

[CRA]

There's a reason why the Superbowl has been played in humid conditions for years now. Perhaps a blizzard or below-freezing temperatures will change your mind. Millions of dollars could potentially be lost with such a move.

Again, blizzards and freezing temperatures factor in to who makes the Superbowl....why remove elements only from the last game?

And why would that change my mind? I love postseason and regular games in the elements...that is the NFL. Why don't we have all 32 teams play in domes then...you that worried about corporate douchebags who go to the Superbowl getting cold? Do people boycott postseason games in GB, NY or Chi n of cold weather?

[Miaoww]

OUTSIDE OF THE TACKLE BOX. Let me say this again so everyone understands this. OUTSIDE OF THE TACKLE BOX. It will not affect cam on the one yard line because he will still be in that area. The only time it will affect an rb or a runner is when they break a run for about more then five yards. They'll just have to lead with the shoulder instead. It probably won't pass but the nfl is trying to not get sued out of existence so they have to change the game. Not saying I agree with the changes but that's why they are doing it.

So what does the RB do when a 240lb LB is cutting off his angle and about to light him up. Step out of bounds? Fall to the ground?

[tiger7_88]

So what does the RB do when a 240lb LB is cutting off his angle and about to light him up. Step out of bounds? Fall to the ground?

How about the same thing the LB does since the LB isn't allowed to lead with his head either?

[GRWatcher]

So what does the RB do when a 240lb LB is cutting off his angle and about to light him up. Step out of bounds? Fall to the ground?

Lower his shoulder and push with his legs, turning slightly sideways? Stiff arm? Jonathon Stewart does it all the time; that's how he pops out of the pile.

It's going to take a change of technique for sure. But it's totally possible. Why should RB's be the only players allowed to lead with their helmets?

Those that can't adjust will fall by the wayside the same way some CB's couldn't adjust to rule changes, Ricky Manning as an example.

[Harris Aballah]

Soccer is going up. NBC has agreed to start airing the Barclay Preimer League this year or next.

I guess Goodell's plan is working? Football and its refs get a little worse each year and in the meantime they sell boring ass soccer to the public. It'll be funny when soccer ratings lose out to nfl classic games!