Sack rule silences NFL buzz
You know what’s dumber than the NFL’s new helmet rule and the NFL’s new catch rule?
The NFL’s new “penalize players who sack the quarterback” rule, that’s what.
That’s not what it’s called. But that’s the result. And there it was, on display in a league opener that combined bad with stupid.
The NFL wants to sell tackle football, but it won’t let players actually tackle one specific position because the NFL now penalizes players for form tackles of a quarterback. No lie. True fact. Just ask Grady Jarrett.
The Falcons defensive tackle bore down on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who released the ball a nanosecond before Jarrett wrapped him up and took him to the ground. Just like every player learns. Just like every coach teaches. Just like every fan expects.
No. Sorry. That’s a penalty now. When a player wraps up a quarterback and takes him to the ground under the tackler’s body, the flag comes out. Jarrett got 15 yards for roughing the quarterback for making a perfect form tackle because of an NFL rule written so embarrassingly that pass rushers have to choose between getting penalized for tackling or getting benched for doing otherwise.
The new rule exists because Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone on a similar tackle last year. This isn’t a safety issue. This is a money issue. The biggest money position received further protections, no matter how ridiculous officials and players look — no matter how ridiculous the game becomes.
The Bears traded for Khalil Mack, they finally got an all-world pass rusher, they finally have someone paid to take down quarterbacks and take them down hard, and now this kind of NFL idiocy becomes virulent.
Here’s an idea: Block better for the quarterback.
Here’s another idea: Teach quarterbacks better footwork.
So, hey, at least the Bears will come out of this weekend no worse than tied with the Super Bowl-favorite Falcons. Mitch Trubisky said his mom, who was in town last weekend, woke him up to tell him the Bears had traded for Mack. He texted general manager Ryan Pace because he didn’t believe his mom. His mom, do you hear me? I’m guessing that cost Trubisky dessert. It hardly seems like a Bears injury report if it doesn’t list Kevin White and Leonard Floyd, which means this is either a new era or just early.
Had to happen: Instead of Colin Kaepernick, there’s Smokin’ Jay Cutler, helmet off, staring into space, as the face of a mock Nike ad that reads: “Don’t care. Even if it means not caring about anything.’’ Next to the swoosh at the bottom, it reads: “Just do it. Or don’t. I don’t care.’’
CBS said it won’t mention gambling spreads on its broadcasts because the NFL doesn’t want them mentioned. This seems like a good time to mention that gambling is the biggest reason for the NFL’s popularity.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said playing two more regular-season games instead of the third and fourth preseason games would be healthier for players. Clearly, Jones was prematurely let out of idiot protocol.
Tweet from former Falcons and Eagles wide receiver Brian Finneran: WR screen is my favorite play ever! Said no one ever in the NFL. David Bote might hit for the cycle in the ninth inning or later against the Nationals.
Luol Deng said he would talk to the Timberwolves next week, and I’m thinking, Tom Thibodeau is still trying to win that 2011 title.
Continuing to lead the way in individual expression, the NBA will allow players to wear whatever color shoe they want, ESPN reported, and the NFL has already fined Steph Curry.
Urban Meyer needs a friend to tell him to shut up and stop the stupid.
Something called the Calgary Skip Squad wants rope-skipping to become an Olympic sport. Yeah. Sure. Right after hopscotch and Build-A-Bear.
Tweet from Olympic figure skating medalist Adam Rippon: When I was in first grade, I almost won the spelling bee because I correctly spelled “pink” and then about 2 minutes later, I misspelled the winning word, “ink” and it haunts me to this day.
What’s up, Edgar Bennett?