Matt Forte calls NFL's proposed rule change 'absurd'

[JonLP24]

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte called the NFL's proposed rule change that would penalize ball carriers who lower their heads to deliver a blow "absurd" in a series of messages he posted on his official Twitter account Sunday morning.

The new rule would penalize a runner 15-yards if he initiates contact with the crown of his helmet outside of the tackle box. Incidental contact with the crown of the helmet would not be a penalty.

"The proposed rule change for running backs might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I've ever heard of," Forte wrote. "In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It's a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles."

Forte believes players would be unable to adjust if the new rule is put into place.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/9062316/matt-forte-calls-nfl-propsosed-rule-change-absurd

[Upton]

1. Emmitt Smith agrees..

It’s an attempt to make the game safer – but the league’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, thinks the NFL should have its own head examined.

“If I’m a running back and I’m running into a linebacker, you’re telling me I have to keep my head up so he can take my chin off?’’ Smith said Thursday in an exclusive interview with Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. “You’ve absolutely lost your mind.’’
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“As a running back, it’s almost impossible (to not lower your head),’’ said the Dallas Cowboys legend. “The first thing you do is get behind your shoulder pads. That means you’re leaning forward and the first part of contact that’s going to take place is your head, regardless.

“I disagree with the rule altogether. It doesn’t make any sense for that position. It sounds like it’s been made up by people who have never played the game of football"

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/14/emmitt-smith-says-new-safety-rule-means-nfl-has-lost-its-mind/

I don't really understand how someone like Frank Gore for instance, is supposed to run without lowering his head.

[MrSlayer]

2. This is just idiotic.

Stop wussifying the goddamn game or end the sport altogether. It's getting to the point where it's unwatchable.

[Jamaal510]

4. It's already near impossible to sit through an entire game,

with the constant commercial breaks. I'm at the point now where I find it more fun to play than to actually watch.

[wilt the stilt]

3. anyone naive enough to think they

care about the players will believe that there were WMD's in Iraq. It's all about the litigation.