Tag: NFL rule

Chiefs DB Justin Reid: New hip-drop tackle ban is ‘horrible’

Kansas City #Chiefs safety Justin Reid took to Twitter to describe the NFL’s new hip-drop tackle rule as “horrible”

This week, the NFL’s annual meeting in Florida has been underway, with coaches and front office personnel addressing many concerns around the league. The assessment of the previous season, mixed with proposals to make specific rule changes, has been highlighted at this year’s meeting.

On Monday, the league shocked many by banning hip-drop tackles on defense. The tackle was considered dangerous and caused multiple injuries. It involved wrapping the runner with both arms, tossing him off the ground, and then falling on the back of the ball carrier’s lower legs.

The tackle will be penalized during games, and it has caused an uproar among fans, players, and spectators. Chiefs safety Justin Reid commented on a video via his X account, sharing his frustration with the new ruling.

Reid has proven himself to be one of the better tackling defensive backs in the league and already sees the problem with this ruling.

The veteran safety will be forced to adjust his tackling, but his mentality to make a play won’t change. The league is in for a new era of changes over the next few years.

Chiefs P Tommy Townsend speaks out against NFL’s latest special teams rule change

#Chiefs All-Pro P Tommy Townsend voiced his concerns about the NFL’s new fair catch rule on kickoffs and the league’s decision to ignore those who oppose it.

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Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend has become the first member of the organization to speak out against the NFL’s latest special teams rule change.

On Tuesday, owners voted to approve a one-year trial run of a rule that effectively lessens the reward of return specialists attempting to return a kickoff on a short kick. Now, players who call for a fair catch within the 25-yard line will see the ball placed at the 25-yard line as if it were a touchback.

Townsend spoke out about the change on Twitter, reacting not just to the rule, but to the fact that the NFL voted in favor of the change despite clear opposition from coaches and players across the board.

“Not good for football for many reasons,” Townsend wrote. “But let’s pass something that players and coaches are so clearly against.”

The NFL has cited concussion rates and player safety as the key behind the change. It’s understandable to see special teams players and coaches upset about this. NFL EVP Jeff Miller told reporters that the league’s modeling says kickoff return rates will drop by 7% with this change, but that will also reduce concussion rates on kickoffs by 15%.

Players and coaches feel there are other ways to make the kickoff safer as opposed to essentially taking the play out of the game. Townsend seems to echo those sentiments and he’s rightfully frustrated that the league isn’t willing to explore other avenues at this juncture. The NFL only appears interested in protecting the shield against future concussion-related litigation, even at the expense of changing a key component of the game.

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Door opens for Chargers to wear throwback uniforms in 2022

The Los Angeles Chargers might be set up to don their classic uniforms.

The Chargers have arguably the best uniforms in the NFL, but the threads that the team wore back in the day still ranked near the top.

It just so happens that Los Angeles might be able to bring them back as early as 2022, thanks to a new rule change.

The NFL sent a memo that said the league will allow teams to wear two different helmets starting in 2022. This changes a rule that previously prevented teams from wearing more than one type of helmet.

Now, with the league allowing two helmets per player, it provides more variety in jersey and helmet options.

Therefore, could we possibly see these in two seasons?