Times are a changin for Defensive backs...

[irocdave]

While watching the playoff games this past weekend (and last years the SB) it dawned on me that the NFL has to let D backs hammer receivers off the line, hand check, grab a little, bump etc. My reasoning is this. D backs and safeties used to time a hit on a receiver as the ball arrived with the intention of jarring it lose. As most know, that isn't allowed any longer. If the NFL wants to keep a shred of toughness ( and interest in defense) in the game then letting the defensive backfield toughen up on short routes is the best way. Receivers aren't getting knocked out, helmet to helmet is almost eliminated if the guy covering the receiver is on him like white on rice.

Thoughts?

 

[chris98251]

It's always been the rules, guys like Deon Snaders preferred to run step for step and play the ball, go back to the 70's and you see the bump and run and hand checking as well as hitting.

DB's were usually as big or bigger then receivers, teams started drafting big receivers and the DB's could not match up physically so they tried to be faster at DB. Pete is changing things with bog corners and Safetys such as Kam.

 

[irocdave]

I think Pete was on to this with the way he went after big physical corners when he reentered the NFL. The detractors say they are on Adderall, roids etc. I think Pete was in front of the rule changes and has changed how the NFL approaches PI / holding of revivers. Maybe I am reaching but my eyes havent deceive me. How many teams next year will be going after 6" plus corners with attitude? The deepest reach is that the NFL realizes they have to allow more contact in the first 5 - 10 yards if their going to take away the big ball jarring hits.

I have been thinking about this for a year and thought I would prove it with what Browner got on the open market. That's out the window now, but it will be interesting to see how Pete's formula changes the NFL.