NFL Unlikely To Ban Low Blocks Next Season

Although the NFL’s competition committee will take a close look at the controversial plays that ended the seasons of San Francisco nose tackle Ian Williams and Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller, that doesn’t mean proposed rules changes are on the horizon in 2014, Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com reports.

Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said Wednesday his group decided earlier this year against advocating NFL team owners to ban the kind of low block that Seattle Seahawks guard J.R. Sweezy placed on Williams in last Sunday’s game.

Sweezy dove directly at the legs of an unsuspecting Williams from the side while both were moving along the line of scrimmage, Williams suffered a broken ankle, prompting 49ers teammate Patrick Willis to lobby the NFL to force blockers to “hit like rams.â€

“I feel like that's something the league should look into more,†Willis told CSNBayArea.com after the game. "You see some of that stuff and it's uncalled for. … Hit the man up high. It should be a good collision.â€

Offensive coaches have expressed concern that banning most or all blocks below the knees at the line of scrimmage would severely damage the ability to mount a successful running game. McKay also pointed to the NFL prohibiting certain types of chop-blocks and peel-back blocks in recent years to better protect defenders and improve player safety.

“We brought in offensive line coaches, defensive line coaches, defensive linemen and linebacker coaches this year to the competition committee to talk about cut blocking, that very play (involving Williams) and those types of plays,†McKay said while attending a Wednesday safety meeting at NFL Headquarters in New York City. “We really came out recommending no change.

“Do I think you’ll go back and talk about it again? You will. We’ve talked about it numerous times and made a lot of changes in close-line play over the years … It doesn’t mean there won’t be more.â€

“Every year or so, we end up with a low hit that doesn’t look good with a really bad result for the player,†McKay said. “We’ll go back and look at it again. But you do have to give the defender a place to hit. That’s why we’ve left it alone.â€

Source:The Redzone

 

No successful running game... oh no! You mean the league will be a passing league....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Not surprising...

 

Player Safety. #1 priority!!

 

why don't they just make all the players wear sumo outfits and helmets and just beat the hell out of one another? better yet,why not just turn it into a flag football pro league?

 

I Think making money is a higher priority than safety is!

 

Merton Hanks is one of the leading salespeople for Goodell. His profit margin is HUGE

 

that chicken head looking sack of crap!

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHZZdSaSPc]Merton Hanks TD Dance - YouTube[/ame]

I couldn't wait for this to happen every game:icon_cheesygrin:

 

soon there gonna be playing two hand touch out there

 

So, no aiming for the head risking a concussion BUT they can risk someones ability to be able to walk?

 

didn't he finish his career in Carolina?

 

That's the day I stop watching football. I can't see these low blocks being legal forever.

 

Nope, the Seahawks:icon_frown:

 

I couldn't stand him!

 

Not as much as I HATE Michael Irvin, freaking low life!!!

 

That dance that Hanks did was SO stupid!

 

Well he did it for his daughters because he'd watch Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street with them and he copied their dance and added his "Funky Chicken" neck movements...maybe stupid to you but his daughters knew he was thinking about them when he did that dance..I LOVED IT!!!!