New Tackling Rule for QBs

[Vanimal46]

Might as well call it the Aaron Rodgers rule since it stemmed from Anthony Barr hitting him and knocking him out for the season.

 

Now defenders need to tackle a QB with a portion of their body weight. Otherwise if they use their body weight to land on a QB it's a 15 yard penalty and potential suspension for the defender.

 

Probably the dumbest rule I've ever heard, and the beginning of the end for the NFL.

[Vanimal46]

Levi, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. How do you teach kids to tackle then "roll" off a player in order to not land on a player?

[SF Twins Fan]

At this point you might as well just start playing flag football.

[terrydactyls]

Isn't there also some rule that if a QB is running outside the pocket, he is then considered a running back? Can he be tackled normally at this point? Or does the defender have to ask the nearest official how much body weight he can use before initiating a tackle? How stupid. I guess Lawrence Taylor should have been suspended for life when he broke Joe Thiessman's leg.

[Vanimal46]

At this point you might as well just start playing flag football.

Honestly though, that's the way it's trending to protect QBs.

 

I remember back when we played backyard football, whoever played QB couldn't cross the line of scrimmage because we didn't have enough people to "rush" the QB. Let's implement this rule!

 

Or, make sure pass rushers count to 5 apple before rushing the QB and call the play dead if they touch him.

[Mike Sixel]

How the hell do you tackle a strong QB under this rule? This is stupid, and I'm all for more safety in the game.....

[Vanimal46]

How the hell do you tackle a strong QB under this rule? This is stupid, and I'm all for more safety in the game.....

Exactly. They're not taking into account Big Ben and Cam Newton are bigger than most linebackers in the NFL. Are they not allowed to use all of their body weight to shake off a blitzing player?

 

What a stupid subjective rule. You know a QB is going to milk it by laying on the turf waiting for a flag.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Exactly. They're not taking into account Big Ben and Cam Newton are bigger than most linebackers in the NFL. Are they not allowed to use all of their body weight to shake off a blitzing player?

What a stupid subjective rule. You know a QB is going to milk it by laying on the turf waiting for a flag.

 

the complaining is going to look like soccer everytime someone falls down....

[Vanimal46]

Isn't there also some rule that if a QB is running outside the pocket, he is then considered a running back? Can he be tackled normally at this point? Or does the defender have to ask the nearest official how much body weight he can use before initiating a tackle? How stupid. I guess Lawrence Taylor should have been suspended for life when he broke Joe Thiessman's leg.

I guess if they stop and try to make a pass they're still considered a QB. The defender will get flagged for hitting him with his body weight.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Levi, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. How do you teach kids to tackle then "roll" off a player in order to not land on a player?

 

You can't.  This rule is stupid.  Seriously stupid.

[TheLeviathan]

Let's just break down the absurdities here:

 

Rodgers was well out of the pocket, making him a runner.  He no longer gets the already cushy rules of being in the pocket.  And why you ask?  Because QBs have abused leniency in the past when defenders hold up and they don't respect the intent.  

 

Second - Barr did not hit with his head.  He did not hit Rodgers in the head.  He did not hit Rodgers in the knees.  He hit him in the waist and followed through with his tackle.  Perfectly clean.  

 

Third - QBs don't get to hold the ball until the last possible second and then complain about being hit after they throw.  You don't want to be hit?  There is a rule that allows you to throw the ball away penalty free.  Use it or don't complain.  

 

I love the game...but rules like this will be the slow bleed that destroys it.