Ogletree: Call helmet rule on ‘O’ and ‘D’

Alec Ogletree isn’t against the new rule that penalizes players for leading with their helmets to any part of the body. He understands the purpose behind it and believes it could lessen concussions and head injuries.

But the Giants’ new middle linebacker also thinks it will make his job harder.

“It’s a tough position to put the defense in for sure,” Ogletree said after Wednesday’s training camp practice. “It’s something you just have to deal with. It’s an offensive-driven league. Us defensive guys, we have to try to adjust our way of playing the game.”

On Wednesday, the NFL released a fact sheet about the new rule that was passed in March. League officials have been visiting teams during training camp to educate players about it, and they are scheduled to be at Giants camp on Thursday. With player safety in mind, it is now a 15-yard penalty if a player lowers his head to make contact with an opponent’s helmet or neck area. Likewise, a player cannot lower his head to initiate contact with an opponent’s torso, hips or lower body. It applies anywhere on the field, not just in open-space plays, and it can lead to an ejection if:

1. A player lowers his helmet to establish a linear body posture prior to initiating and making contact with the helmet.

2. There’s an unobstructed path to his opponent.

3. Contact is clearly avoidable and the player delivering the blow had other options

“These new rules will help the offense get open some kind of way,” Ogletree said. “As [defensive players], you have to learn to ad- just and continue to do your job the best way you can.”

Big Blue defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison said he doesn’t expect the new rule to impact the way he plays. He tries not to use his head and does think it will lessen head injuries. But it could lead to more lower-body injuries, because players will try to avoid hitting high.

“I think they’ll have to lower the target, which will cause more injuries,” he said.

As for Ogletree’s concern about the rule impacting defensive players, Harrison can see it. Defensive backs will be challenged the most, he said, as they go for passes in the air.

“I hope they get on these offensive linemen for leading with their helmets, too, but that’s another thing,” Harrison said. “I think it’ll be good if it’ll help limit head injuries.”