TUESDAY HOT TOPIC

I brought this up briefly yesterday and during Monday Night Football the NFL released a statement that starting Sunday players will receive suspensions for leading with their helmet. I keep hearing how players use it as a weapon, how it's gotten out of hand and how players will just have to adjust. While it's the correct move in an attempt to slow down what has become a weekly issue, it doesn't make it the best move going forward. Anyone who thinks this is a new phenomenon is mistaken, all that's changed is the exposure concussions receive and players willingness to open up about this injury. Science and medicine have also opened eyes to the extent of damage concussions can cause long term, furthering the case for action to be taken. My point is, is it the players who really need to change? I have yet to hear a player state how they learned to lead with their head at any level. I have yet to hear how it's a trick of the trade to inflict more damage to a player. I'm not talking about defenseless players or quarterbacks here, that's a different story. This is just physics and how two people converging on a target make it nearly impossible to avoid. Why have I not heard a word from the talking heads about the possibility that maybe...it's the HELMET! God forbid it be an equipment issue from the manufacturer which has a lucrative contract with the NFL. A contract which both entities make millions of dollars for each other. No, better to blame the players. Look at the act of catching a ball or running with possession of the ball. You are trying to make the other player miss while that player is leaving or about to leave his feet in an effort to create enough force to stop you. How can the defensive player do anything to avoid the offensive player making a move that creates helmet to helmet contact. Will this rule apply to offensive guys who lower their heads anticipating contact? How about linemen whom bang heads countless numbers of times throughout games. No, they aren't going full speed, but go bang your skull against a wall fifty times and tell me how you feel. News flash, there is no way to tackle without leading with your head...it sits on your shoulders. You have only so much room between a shoulder and your noggin that makes this rule almost laughable. Go for the knees you say? Has anyone seen what a knee to the head produces even with helmets on? How about the number of knees that will be torn ending seasons as a result of low tackles? Kareem Huggins? Carson Palmer? Bottom line, put the blame where it lies, the equipment hasn't grown with the athletes, science, or medical communities. Shame on the NFL pushing it on the players as their fault. Then again, since they would be subject to a host of lawsuits if they admitted it was issued equipment by the teams they have no other choice.