New helmet rule a head-scratcher
Through two preseason games, the NFL’s new rule prohibiting players from lowering their helmet to initiate contact has dominated conversation.
Everyone wants to see how it will be implemented. And, so far, instances of the rule’s enforcement have drawn criticism from players and coaches as well as confusion over what is and isn’t a penalty. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was asked Monday if he has a full grasp on the latter issue.
“I have a pretty good idea,” Gruden said. “I think they’re trying to eliminate the crown of the helmet from football. They’re trying to eliminate the unnecessary blind hits, where I get a run at you, you don’t see me, and I lower my helmet. We’re trying to take those hits out of football. But we’ve been trying to take those hits out of football since I’ve been in the league.
“They don’t want the runner lowering his helmet, they don’t want the tackler lowering his helmet. That’s been in football forever. Forever. And it’s been a bad thing. But we’re trying to emphasize it.
“I still think it’s going to be a hard thing to call. You’re running full speed, I don’t know which way you’re going, I’m running full speed at you and I’ve got to run you down. And we’re both getting paid to get our jobs done. So it’s going to be tough on the officials. But I think we can clean up some of the vicious hits that are uncalled for.”
Gruden did make it clear he is not a fan of reviewing those calls with instant replay.
“If we do any more replays, we’re going to be out there all night,” he said.
Safety Karl Joseph was the first Oakland player to be penalized under the rule, for a hit on Detroit running back Ameer Abdullah in the preseason opener. Joseph was flagged for 15 yards and a first down but not ejected, which is a possibility under the rule.
“It’s hard,” Joseph said after the Aug. 10 game. “The guy’s going down and I’m trying to make the tackle. So I don’t know how to avoid it.”
Though the rule applies to all players on the field, it was expected to protect mainly players on offense from defenseless hits. Receiver Jordy Nelson said he doesn’t think the rule will affect his play but acknowledged the seemingly high rate at which the penalty has been called.
“You’ve seen reactions over the last two weeks,” Nelson said Monday. “I don’t know if it’s just players confused or possibly officials as well. It’s one of those things that hopefully they’re over the top these four preseason games and it’ll dial down.
“We understand that it’s for player safety. But there’s a fine line we’ve got to walk, I guess.” Briefly: Safety Marcus Gilchrist and receiver Seth Roberts returned to practice Monday. Gilchrist missed the past two weeks with a foot injury. Roberts has not played in the first two preseason games with an undisclosed injury.
Kicker Eddy Piñeiro did not practice after injuring his groin last week. Safety Obi Melifonwu remains out; Gruden said: “He’s still being evaluated.”