DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Rules Question

If it's legal to go for the head of a running back, or anyone running the ball - think Ridley last night - why don't all defenders on every play go straight for the head?

If you can knock a player out cold with your shoulder to their head, or at least send them into la-la-land for a second or two, and cause a fumble - why doesn't everyone do it?

It's never made any sense to me that you can't go high on a QB and you can't go high on a defensless receiver, but you can pretty much do what you want to someone just running with the ball... now it doesn't make any sense to me why every defensive player in the league doesn't do it all the time if it's legal.

You'd think in this time of the league supposedly doing all it can to prevent concussions it would be brought up.

Because running backs use their heads too.

Once the player is running, all bets are off on the head, that includes a QB or WR...

There used to be two rules against hitting the runner with your helmet. Both were 15 yard penalties, and one of them could lead to ejection from the game. For some reason, the NFL stopped calling them, and the last time they released the rulebook online they were removed. I don't know why.

http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/penaltysummaries

Summary of Penalties

15 Yards

A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent. [gone]
Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily. [gone]

15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)

Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area.
Malicious unnecessary roughness.



http://www.nfl.com/rulebook

The new rules still show this:

Loss of 15 yards
Flagrant striking, kicking, or kneeing an opponent or striking him
on head or neck with heel, back or side of hand wrist, elbow, or
forearm………..………….....................................................12-2-11

And this vague note (same section):
Player using a helmet as a weapon……………..................12-2-15