Schlereth's thoughts are in response to the NFL now threatening players with suspensions for first-time offenses of "illegal hits". It doesn't seem like the NFL has a truly clear definition of what an "illegal hit" is so this is gonna be up to the refs and the league to determine during the game and after the games, respectively.
Want more evidence that this is a polarizing issue? Watch Steve Young and Matt Millen go back-and-forth about it.
In general, I think that the league should do something to protect players that are defenseless. None of us want to see a player paralyzed or killed because of a devastating hit on the football field. BUT, there's no real way to force defensive players to stop hitting so hard and if defensive players DO start pulling up from hard hits, you are going to see a lot of defensive players get hurt. Aside from that, you will also see lots more yards after the catch as well so expect receivers and quarterback's statistics to improve. It's going potentially to take some of the physicality out of the league but I think it's probably a good idea. At the same time, NFL players know full well that they can potentially take a devastating hit and they go out onto to that field and play. And they're getting paid well for the risks their taking. I'm sure that most players probably won't like it but deep-down if you're a slot receiver like Wes Welker you're sitting back somewhere smiling on the inside and keeping a straight face on the outside. None of these guys want to have a Mike Utley or Darrell Stingley moment no matter how tough they think they are. None of them!
Here's some of the (scary) science behind concussions and also a video on how Tedy Bruschi believes players can change their tackling styles to prevent these head-on collisions that are being outlawed...
In the end, the NFL is a business and this is a smart business decision. The league has to protect it's players, especially the players that make big plays on offense (WRs, QBs, and RBs). You take away the most electrifying and exciting players on offense because of big hits and you take away some of the excitement of the league. Sure, fans care about big hits on defense and we love to see them. But we care more about a 80 yard touchdown pass from Favre to Moss or an 50 yard Barry Sanders-esque run for a TD by Chris Johnson. The NFL is GOING TO protect these guys because they're investments. Well really commodities. Use them up for profit while you can and once they retire, don't pay 'em much because they aren't really helping TV ratings anymore. There are much deeper issues within the NFL and hopefully this issue of illegal hits forces people to think about those larger issues.
This reminds me, I need to go pick up Bill Rhoden's "Forty Million Dollar Slaves"...
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