birdz4i Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 My linkBecause the NFL is all concerned about "player safety," a little thing like "running helmet-less with the ball toward the end zone while 250-pound linebackers chase you down and try to tackle you by force" is now "illegal."Oh, come on. That doesn't sound dangerous at all!Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phillip Tanner(notes) would agree. The Dallas native, who used to work at a Texas Stadium concession stand as a youngster, had his helmet ripped off his head during a play in Sunday night's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. He somehow broke free from the tacklers and scampered, sans helmet, 23 yards into the end zone for what would have been a touchdown in any game up until this year.The new rule brought the play back to the point where Tanner lost his helmet. For good measure, the Cowboys were called for an illegal shift penalty that would have wiped out the touchdown anyway. Still, it's one heck of a play:We're unabashed fans of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" coverage and that clip shows you why. Al Michaels immediately knew the play was dead and still managed to capture the excitement of the play anyway, Cris Collinsworth offered an interesting take on Tanner's run, and the truck was immediately ready with a clip of the Jason Witten(notes) play they referenced.The season opener on Sept. 8 can't come soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tandy Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 That rule took place in the 2010 season. The play was dead as soon as the helmet was lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Falcons lost a first down last year when Weem's helmet was ripped off his head just outside the first down marker- his momentum carried him to a first down, but play was marked dead where his helmet came off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConradBlack Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 If he's going to wear his helmet loose, then he deserves it. Rules are rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdz4i Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 My linkHe somehow broke free from the tacklers and scampered, sans helmet, 23 yards into the end zone for what would have been a touchdown in any game up until this year.i guess just crappy reporting at yahoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pencilpusher. just because Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 i guess just crappy reporting at yahoo.Pretty crappy reporting by the ref that announced the play, too I guess. As he explained the penalty, he said " as of this year" the play stops dead. But seriously, if it stops the play, there has to be a penalty for ripping the helmet off in order to balance the rule book.That play on Tanner would have wiped out even a first down had Dallas not committed a penalty anyway, as he was stripped of his helmet at the LOS on 3rd and 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passepartout Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 As much as the rules we don't like. Rules are rules. Not to be broken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pencilpusher. just because Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 If he's going to wear his helmet loose, then he deserves it. Rules are rules. I would imagine many wear their helmet loose just for the reason that if it's grabbed and twisted off by some 3oo lb Mongoloid, at least it will come off without your head still in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pencilpusher. just because Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 As much as the rules we don't like. Rules are rules. Not to be broken.Tanner did not "break " any rule by running. It was simply nullified. Had he broke a rule, there would have been a yardage penalty or loss of down. To me, it's safer to keep running untouched than to go down in a pile without your helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.