Micah Hyde: Fine QBs for WRs Suffering Helmet-to-Helmet Hits

Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde posited a novel idea to try to cut down on the number of helmet-to-helmet hits pass-catchers withstand over the course of a game.

Hyde proposed a fine for quarterbacks when they leave their receivers susceptible on high throws.

"Those bang-bang plays, it's tough," Hyde said, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. "Start fining the quarterbacks. They're the ones who are throwing the ball right there. It's tough for us [defensive players] to be able to adjust last second to get our head to one side, the other side—up, down. We're trying to make a play like the receiver is. It's the sport of football."

It's doubtful the NFL will seriously consider Hyde's proposal, but his comments highlight how the current rules can sometimes penalize a defensive player for an unavoidable situation.

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church is a perfect example. The league fined Church $24,309 after he concussed New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on a helmet-to-helmet hit in the AFC Championship Game.

Church told reporters after the game he didn't intentionally try to hurt Gronkowski, and San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman thought Church was basically in a no-win situation:

By the letter of the law, a penalty and fine were both justified for Church. At the same time, he couldn't have done much to avert what was going to be a big hit on Gronkowski.

Rodak noted the NFL owners passed a new rule similar to targeting in the NCAA as well, which will make things even more difficult for defenders, though the rule applies to anybody on offense or defense. Players can be assessed a 15-yard penalty and potentially ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Referees don't even need to deem the hit as "flagrant" before deciding to eject a player.

At the very least, Hyde's point could spark a discussion about how the NFL should consider various approaches to legislation for helmet-to-helmet hits.