In theory, the NFL's was intended to make the game safer. Everyone agrees that's a good thing. In implementation, however, . Earlier this week, players were to get some clarity on
Anthony Averett Jersey what amounts to a version of 's targeting rule, one that also includes ejections. "We were trying to ask questions to get a better understanding, and yet they couldn't really give us an answer," Eagles linebacker said. "They couldn't give us what we were looking for." That's not good. More on the NFL cornerback when asked about the rule that was instituted this offseason. "It's ridiculous," Sherman told USAToday.com's Jarrett Bell. "They'll see how ridiculous it is, once they make the refs call it. It's going to be worse than holding, worse than the catch rule. On a good form tackle, guys will lead with their shoulder pads, but you bring your head. It's going to be a disaster." And
Earl Thomas III Jersey safety D.J. Swearinger thinks the rule will have that could also lead to injuries. "They want us to, I gue s, hit with our shoulder," he said, via ESPN.com. "I gue s not hit a guy when he ducks. So I gue s we just gotta aim for the knees. That's the only way I know how.
Joe Flacco Jersey If you don't want me to hit you, then I gue s it's the only way, the only way." If this sounds familiar, it should; four years ago, Swearinger, then with the , was involved in a controversial-but-legal low tackle during a against the . Tight end Dustin Keller suffered a serious knee injury on a hit that ended his career. "With the rules in this era you've got to hit low," . "If I would have hit him high, I would have gotten a fine. So I think I made the smartest play. I'm sorry it happened and I pray he has a speedy recovery. ... Right now it's just instinct. You see somebody come acro s the middle, you gotta go low. You're going to cost your team 15 yards. You've got to play within the rules." At the time, the was trying to reduce head injuries by making above-the-shoulder hits a personal-foul penalty. The new targeting rule adds another layer
Ed Reed Jersey of punishment, in the form of an ejection -- and, it looks like, confusion. Which brings us back to the Eagles' recent meeting with referees. According to ESPN.com's Tim McManus, players showed a clip of safety ' hit on wide receiver during Super Bowl LII that knocked Cooks out of the game. At the time, it was a legal play. When asked if that constituted a violation under the new rules, the . " The refs were kind of like, 'Hey, we didn't make the rules.'
Justin Bethel Jersey Because I think guys were kind of frustrated," Eagles running back said. "Most of the defense was like, 'Man, how are we supposed to tackle?' They were frustrated." Unle s there's further clarification in the coming weeks, things will get worse before they get better. Silver lining: Hey, at least we're not talking about the anthem i sues.