Home » Sports » American Football
Players confused by NFL crackdown on hard hits
Source: Agencies |
October 22, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RAY Lewis, the Baltimore linebacker who epitomizes hard hits in the NFL, fears that the league is stripping away the inherent violence and "the game will be diluted very quickly."
"My opinion is play the game like that game is supposed to be played, and whatever happens happens," Lewis said about the NFL's decision to crack down on dangerous and flagrant hits.
The NFL imposed huge fines on three players - Pittsburgh's James Harrison, Atlanta's Dunta Robinson and New England's Brandon Meriweather - for illegal hits last weekend, although none of those plays drew penalties on the field. It warned that violent conduct will be cause for suspension.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was clearly perplexed by the decision.
"There's no more hitting hard. That's what our game is about. It's a gladiator sport," Porter said. "I mean, the whole excitement of people getting hit hard, big plays happening, stuff like that. Just watch, the game is going to change."
Violence has always been a part of the NFL, bringing soaring TV ratings and strong attendance.
"Physical, tough football is what people are attracted to," said Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations. "Violent, unnecessary hits that put people at risk, not just for the careers but lives ... we're not subscribing to the notion fans want that."
Commissioner Roger Goodell told the teams that "further action is required to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques and of playing within the rules."
But some players think the league is asking for something much more difficult: complete changes in playing style - changes that fans don't want to see.
"What they're trying to say - 'We're protecting the integrity' - no, you're not," Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "It's ruining the integrity. It's not even football anymore. We should just go out there and play two-hand touch on Sunday if we can't make contact."
Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said the only way of preventing helmet-to-helmet hits is to eliminate the helmet. "If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."
"My opinion is play the game like that game is supposed to be played, and whatever happens happens," Lewis said about the NFL's decision to crack down on dangerous and flagrant hits.
The NFL imposed huge fines on three players - Pittsburgh's James Harrison, Atlanta's Dunta Robinson and New England's Brandon Meriweather - for illegal hits last weekend, although none of those plays drew penalties on the field. It warned that violent conduct will be cause for suspension.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was clearly perplexed by the decision.
"There's no more hitting hard. That's what our game is about. It's a gladiator sport," Porter said. "I mean, the whole excitement of people getting hit hard, big plays happening, stuff like that. Just watch, the game is going to change."
Violence has always been a part of the NFL, bringing soaring TV ratings and strong attendance.
"Physical, tough football is what people are attracted to," said Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations. "Violent, unnecessary hits that put people at risk, not just for the careers but lives ... we're not subscribing to the notion fans want that."
Commissioner Roger Goodell told the teams that "further action is required to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques and of playing within the rules."
But some players think the league is asking for something much more difficult: complete changes in playing style - changes that fans don't want to see.
"What they're trying to say - 'We're protecting the integrity' - no, you're not," Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "It's ruining the integrity. It's not even football anymore. We should just go out there and play two-hand touch on Sunday if we can't make contact."
Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said the only way of preventing helmet-to-helmet hits is to eliminate the helmet. "If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
