Cut Blocking, and other BAD rules...

[MVKTR2]

Just tuned into NC State v Cincinnati game in time to see a DT get cut block, create an injury. It's illegal in the NFL, no teams do it in practice because of the danger of the block, not sure about HS ball.

Is it time to eliminate this insanity from the game? I say YES! Really blocking from the knee down should be illegal anywhere on the field. The cut block is at least as dangerous as the horse collar, but nobody really pays much attention to DLs vs it's a major story on various sports news outlets if a RB, QB, or WR is hurt.

Fact is the game and how it's played has always evolved. always will. Sometimes the rules don't keep up with the game. Things I'd like to see changed:
1- Stiff-Arm by offensive players to the defensive players facemask should be just as illegal as when def. players touch offensive players facemask. Terrible double standard that's not much less dangerous.
2- I don't know what, but something needs to happen to encourage tackling with the facemask up, with the head up looking at what you're tackling. I don't know what the answer is but it's the chief source of neck/nerve/spinal cord injuries - coming in head down throwing your helmet/sholders into a tackle. The only thing I can see happening is forcing the guys to tackle above the knees with the face mask up or some such... but it's been so long since we've seen that type of technique who knows how it would go. I'm open for suggestions here???

 

[nakinc]

Absolutely hate it. Remember Arkansas lineman deliberately putting his helmet on D.Hightowers knee and costing him 2 years of misery. Everybody said it was a legal hit,but it should not be.You should never play to maim.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Absolutely hate it. Remember Arkansas lineman deliberately putting his helmet on D.Hightowers knee and costing him 2 years of misery. Everybody said it was a legal hit,but it should not be.You should never play to maim.

I don't think rhat wasn't deliberate, even Hightower said so.

But this one was:

 

[GA_Tide]

Pretty sure cut blocking isn't illegal in the NFL. Only illegal if you block someone already engaged with another player.

 

[bamatex82]

One, the assertion that horse collar tackling is dangerous is tenuous at best. Horse collar tackling had been around as long as there have been shoulder pads. Then you have one player in the NFL who happens to injure 2 expensive players in one season with its use and the NFL overreacts by making the horse tackle illegal. Never had been any injures due to this technique before. Typical overreaction by the NFL owners to protect their property & maybe, maybe, they are right. I still do not like the rule, since the evidence is so small.

Cut blocking is legal in certain instances in High School through the pros. The one block mentioned where Hightower got hurt was perfectly legal.

So, should it be made illegal so fewer injures would occur from cut blocking? Not sure is my answer.

I understand the desire to protect the players, but what about the small offensive lineman especially in over matches like Alabama vs. Kent St.? There would be no way that the smaller offensive line could body up on a larger d-linemen. How would the military academies compete? BTW, they have size limitations on who can enroll.

I think if you outlawed it totally that the defenses would have a distinct advantage and the game would not look the same. That still doesn't mean that it should be used, just stating facts. If it were made illegal you may have to allow holding. The nature of the game would be fundamentally different. So, I am not really sure what should be done.

 

[tideronthehooch]

Chop blocking is and should be illegal because the guy being blocked is defenseless as he is already engaged. Cut blocking on the other hand isn't and IMO should not be illegal as it is the only way to negate a size advantage with quickness and technique. Also the player being blocked is not defenseless as he is not being engaged by another player.

 

[CrimsonSEC]

Pretty sure cut blocking isn't illegal in the NFL. Only illegal if you block someone already engaged with another player.

Cut blocking IS legal in the NFL. The rule is about the same as it is in college.

 

[AlexanderFan]

As far as leading with your head down goes, if watching a player being carted off the field paralyzed doesn't detour players, what will?

 

[GA_Tide]

Cut blocking IS legal in the NFL. The rule is about the same as it is in college.

Cut blocking is NOT illegal. I'll find the video of CNS discussing the DH injury to prove it.

Sorry thought you said ILEGAL.

 

[tidefan39817]

A cut block is a qb's best friend at times. Especially when performed by a rb on a defensive end our a blitzing lb. I don't feel that it is a dirty block our should be illegal. Most of the time you see out thrown on quick passes when three oline its trying to get the hands of the dlinemen down. On the two screen ...... that were almost picked off today, jones should have thrown a better cut block.....

As for the horse collar tackle, I adhere it should be illegal. It has the potential to injure everytime it is used.

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Here is some of the new rule...

Running backs/receivers in the backfield and outside the tackle box (the area five yards on either side of the center) or players in motion can block below the waist only on players facing them or toward the nearest sideline.

From here - link

and this...

Linemen on the line of scrimmage, they can cut block. Backs in the backfield who are stationary and between the tackles, they can cut low,”
So, all low blocks are illegal outside of the tackle box and on the line of scrimmage for press defensive backs. This includes special teams (kick and punt return), change of possessions (fumbles and interceptions) and any defensive techniques that may include taking blockers out outside of the tackle box.

From here...LINK

The intent is....

Some low blocks will remain legal, but the committee is attempting to eliminate unsuspecting players from absorbing low blocks.

This would not make the block that took Hightower out with the knee injury illegal. (i don't think) I know that was discussed a lot back when it happened.

This post was pasted from another thread.......http://www.tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146445