Putting your helmet into the chest of the opposing player used to be the proper technique for blocking or tackling. But today’s modern technology has rendered this tactic dangerous and obsolete. Helmet have become too hard plus today's players have become too strong and too fast to allow this type of contact. Thus the NFL has promoted its Heads Up program in teaching football to young kids. Heads Up has merit but if the NFL is truly serious about safety they need to directly address the real problems of player safety.
One problem is that the Collective Bargaining agreement between the League and the Players does not allow for contact during practice. Players do not get to practice proper technique but are expected to go out on Sunday and perform in the correct manner. Instead this causes players to lead with the major weapon available to them, the helmet. Technology has created safer head gear for the individual but at the same time made them into launch missiles to be used against the enemy.
One way to stop players from leading with their heads would be to remove the facemasks. But we know this will never happen. So why not develop a softer helmet? One that would be covered by a light weight padding to help absorb impacts. Helmet to helmet would still occur but with a higher degree of safety.
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Another problem is that today’s players have become faster and stronger than their ancient counterparts. Thus defenses can pack the scrimmage line knowing they can still defend the outside. This leads to players rolling up on ankle and knees. It is time for the NFL to widen the playing field. The effect would spread out defenses giving linemen more room to operate and defenseless receivers more time to protect themselves.
The NFL needs to act quickly to protect its competitors or we will soon be watching players running around with little red flags hanging from their hips…
