New Helmet to Helmet Rule

[gmartin]

So what does everyone think about the new helmet to helmet rule.

If you are not aware, the rule is, if you engage in a helmet to helmet contact and draw a penalty, not only is the penalty enforced, but that player is ejected from the game, PLUS, ejected from the first half of the next game.

Now its also said their will be a replay official to look at the call and can overturn the ruling but still,as bad as the refs have been at times do we really want a ref to control this. Imagine if Boo Boo Gates made a hit on a receiver and the receiver lowered his head and Boo Boo didn't react quick enough. He would been tossed from the game. BG played next week against UT and was forced to sit out.

I think refs should concentrate more on making sure players snap and secure their helmets in place. How many times do helmets come off when they only secure with one snap. Their are 4 snaps to secure the helmet. One of each side. Jahvid Best, of the Detroit Lions, football career is over due to three concussions. One of those concussions was in college. It's been determined that on that play he did not have his helmet properly secured.

So what's your thought on this new helmet to helmet rule.

[MarkL]

I think the rule needs to be enforced on the second hit, not the first. Such a hit can genuinely be accidental even if the ref calls targetting. If the player has that first nasty hit, he gives up fifteen yards, gets a warning from the officials, and a yelling from his coaches. On hit number two comes the ejection. Just my $.02.

[Cap City 7]

I agree the penalty is too severe for what may well be an unavoidable situation. It is too easy for a player to misjudge the contact point when approaching another player, especially at game speed. The other problem is it often becomes a judgment call and is the official in a position to make the correct call. The one plus could be that maybe now defensive players will keep their heads up when attempting a tackle. It might improve what has been some pretty poor tackling when the defensive player goes for the big hit rather than the sure tackle.

[MarkL]

I can't wait to hear the national media and the SEC crowd outcry when Jadeveon Clowney gets ejected from a game and half of the next this season. Suddenly the rule will be oh so not fair and clearly an attempt to bring down the biggest stars of the sport. Or maybe it will be a conspiracy theory to keep only offensive players in the Heisman voting. Or of course if it comes against Clemson it is a plot by the ACC commissioner to get a win over a rival SEC school.

[musicman2343]

I also think this rule is too harsh. I agree with MarkL - second time it happens, then eject him.

[Falconfreak90]

I with Mark and musicman....there's gotta be some room for judgement.