NFL News and Rumors: New Criteria for a Defenseless Player Is a Joke

If you haven’t heard the latest news, the NFL kind of has a lot on its plate right now. The league is dealing with a lockout situation and seemingly has made almost zero progress in the debate between the owners and players.

I’m not sure if its trying to divert our attention from the situation, but for some reason the NFL feels that it is a good time to change around the definition of a defenseless player. In my opinion, it is a joke.

Most of the new criteria takes away from the natural flow of football, and some of the proposed new rules are almost laughable.

Let’s take a look at what is being proposed:

QB or Player Throwing the Ball—in the Act of Throwing or Just After

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears in the helmet as Peppers was called for a personal foul in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field

Isn’t it part of a defender's strategy to try to knock around the quarterback as he’s throwing the ball to try to alter the course of the pass?

Defenders are taught from a young age that if they can’t get the sack, at least try to hit the guy. If you can’t get a hit than stop, jump up and try to bat the ball. This is literally a fundamental part of the game.

I understand that protecting the quarterbacks is a huge concern, but with this new standard, you might as well throw the red jersey on them during the games as well.

Receiver: Catching Pass or Hasn't Had a Chance to Protect Himself

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Again, here is another instance of a rule messing with the natural flow of football.

Scenario: Ray Lewis is patrolling the field, and the ball is thrown to a receiver cutting into the middle of the field. Under these rules he would literally have to stop and watch the receiver to make sure that he catches the ball, has protected himself, and then he is allowed to knock his head off.

Talk about ruining the flow of the game.

Runner: In the Grasp and His Forward Progress Has Stopped

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball as Tyson Jackson #94 of the Kansas City Chiefs defends during the game on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

This rule change makes a tad bit more sense, because forward progress is something that is already an accepted part of the game, and personally I have seen some dirty shenanigans go on when a player is being stood up by half of the opposing team.

Basically, the NFL is trying to avoid having some crazy linebacker go all billy goat on a running back and ram the whole pile backwards and onto the poor guys back.

Kick Returner or Punt Returner: Fielding the Kick in the Air

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Sergio Brown #38 and Dane Fletcher #52 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by J

Apparently the fair catch sign means nothing anymore, because the returner wouldn’t be allowed to be hit either way, I guess.

This rule makes very little sense, but I see the premise behind it.

How many times a year do we see a stupid returner not realize that the coverage is literally two yards in front of them, and they get plastered the second they touch the ball.

To be honest though, it leads to very exciting special teams football, and I’ve never seen a returner get hit in the head in under this scenario. They usually get hammered right in the chest, and the ball goes squirting out.

It’s good stuff! I’m not sure what the NFL is thinking here.

Player on the Ground After the End of the Play

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys lays on thew field injured against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cowboys defeated the Colts 38-35 in overtime (Photo by Sc

No arguments here.  There is always that one player who decides to jump on the ball carrier 30 seconds after the whistle was blown while the poor guy is still trying to catch his breath.

This just eliminates the possibility of dirty plays going unpunished.

Kicker or Punter: During a Kick or During a Return

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 26: Jason Hanson #4 of the Detroit Lions kicks during the game against the Washington Redskins on October 26, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images)

I don’t think that anybody objects to the fact that a kicker should not get hit while kicking. The risk of serious injury to a kickers leg is way too high when they are hit during the act, and I believe that part of the ruling is a very accepted part of the game.

From how I am interpreting this though, it seems that the kicker or punter cannot even be hit during a return.

Now, that is absolutely crazy. They wear pads and a helmet for a reason! They are football players!

How many times has a kicker come up with the last resort tackle on a speedy returner, or how many times has a kicker been rocked when they aren’t paying attention?

It’s a beautiful part of the game!

The other player shouldn’t be punished because the kicker was dumb enough to not realize that he is jogging around on an NFL football field!

You might as well take away their pads and helmet and give them a soccer jersey to wear instead.

QB: Anytime After Change of Possession

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after Urlacher runs an interception 39-yards in the third quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Fi

I hate this rule. I figured I’d just come out and say it right from the get go.

The NFL protects its quarterbacks; we all know that. However, this is going way over the top.

So, if the quarterback throws an interception, he is not allowed to be hit by the defenders trying to pave way for their player to take it back?

What about if the quarterback is trying to make a tackle on the player? Is he supposed to stop dead in his tracks and fall to the ground because he isn’t allowed to make contact with the quarterback?

They might as well just take it one step further. Every time a quarterback throws a pick, they should have a designated official run out with a margarita and a lawn chair and give him some time to relax and think about his mistake.

This is absolutely ridiculous.

Player Receives Blindside Block

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 06: Jimmy Smith #82 of the Jacksonville Jaquars picks up a big block of cornerback Phillip Buchanon #31 of the Houston Texans freeing Greg Jones #33 to run free for a touchdown in the fourth quarter on November 6, 2005 at Allt

The good ol' crack back block apparently has to go.

Offenses have used this as a strategy to block the edge for years, but it appears to be too dangerous to let it continue.

In short, this generally happens when a corner is being blocked on the end by the receiver and the ball is run towards their side. The tight end, meanwhile, has the responsibility of waiting for the corner to realize that the ball is coming his way, turn around, and boom. Crack back block.

It can happen in a variety of ways, and it is generally an effective way to clear some space.

I guess it’s a no-no from now on though.

Conclusion

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on as the Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Overall, I understand some of these new changes. The protection of the players is important.

That being said, I think they took it too far by making some players actually off limits in certain situations, and in fact they would be ruining the integrity of the game.

We will see how this progresses and if the NFL actually allows these proposed rule changes.

Personally, I hope that they will keep things the same and get back to playing football.