Broncos star LB Miller is OK with new QB tackle rule
Six-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Von Miller of the Denver Broncos said he’s unaffected by the new NFL rule prohibiting defenders from landing on top of quarterbacks, requiring them instead to shift his weight to the side to avoid a flag.
“None of the rule changes affect my game. I don’t really tackle quarterbacks with all my weight anyway,” said Miller. “I like going for the ball. If you’ve seen me play over the years, I’m not really (going to) lower the head or try to injure a quarterback.”
Miller has no issue with the league’s new helmet rule that’s causing so much consternation at training camps this summer as teams wonder what all will constitute a foul.
“I’ve been good when it comes to all of those rules. I respect the game,” he said. “I know we need to keep our quarterbacks healthy. Those guys make football what it is, so we’ve got to take care of those guys.
“They’ve put in rules to take care of all the players, as well. So, I’m good with all the rule changes.”
The rule now requires defenders to “strive to wrap up the passer with the defensive player’s arms and not land on the passer with all or most of his body weight.”
Line judge Julian Mapp was among the officials who visited the Broncos this weekend to discuss the rule changes. Asked how difficult it would be to determine whether a pass rusher has put more than half his body weight on a quarterback, Mapp said, “I’m a line judge but talking to some of our referees, what we’re looking at is that I’m not a University of Florida fan or anything but we’re looking for what we call a `Gator Roll.’ We want you to take your weight off of the quarterback.”
NEW AND IMPROVED BECKHAM JOINS GIANTS >> Breaking his left ankle and having his career put in jeopardy has given New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. a new perspective on life and football.
Speaking to reporters at Giants camp for the first time since getting hurt in a game in early October, Beckham was thankful to be back on the field and seemingly more relaxed and more mature.
The 25-year-old said he was not worrying about upcoming contract talks, even though he admits he is taking a calculated risk being in training camp coming off an injury and in the final year of his rookie contract.
“I literally watched my world turn upside down,” said Beckham, whose ankle snapped in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 8. “I watched relationships close to me devour and things go wrong, and things go sideways. It was a lot of pain that I went through the last 10 months.
“So, just kind of taking it day by day and trying my best to just make my mindset every day that I wake up I am going to be happy,” the three-time Pro Bowler said. “I am going to do this right. I am going to do the very best that I can in whatever it is, whatever it is I am doing. I changed my mindset and it has helped me a lot in everything.”
The 10-month rehabilitation was not only tough, Beckham also had to deal with reports that the Giants were considering trading him and the never-ending social media tweets and video about his life off the field.
CARDINALS’ SHIPLEY INJURED AT CAMP >> Arizona Cardinals starting center A.Q. Shipley was carted to the locker room after injuring his leg during practice.
Shipley was able to walk off the field on his own but after a brief time in an examination tent was taken to the locker room on a cart, a towel draped over his head. Rookie Mason Cole, a thirdround draft pick out of Michigan, replaced Shipley with the first unit following the injury.
The six-year NFL veteran started all 16 games in each of the past two seasons.
The extent of the injury might not be publicly known until the team resumes training camp Monday.
TITANS ADD PAIR OF SAFETIES, BUT NOT REID >> The Tennessee Titans added a pair of safeties — Kenny Vaccaro and Jason Thompson — to replace injured Johnathan Cyprien.
But not ex-Pro Bowler Eric Reid, who, according to a source, was coming to Nashville for a workout.
Reid has been unsigned since his rookie contract expired in March with the 49ers. He filed a claim this spring after visiting with Cincinnati, arguing he was unsigned as a result of collusion by NFL owners over his protests of police brutality and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem.