Eagles defenders criticize new rules on hitting
The Eagles defenders don't like the new rules on hitting, but acknowledge that they have no choice but to live with the decision.
Eagles defenders criticize new rules on hitting
Jonathan Tamari
If you ask most Eagles defenders what they think about the NFL's crack down on helmet-to-helmet hitting -- instituted in part because of a vicious shot on teammate DeSean Jackson -- the response is near universal: they think the league is putting another limit on defenses.
And they don't like it.
Linebacker Ernie Sims called the new rules "crazy" and was among several defenders who said they don't intend to change their styles of play. He said he can't go out thinking about exactly how to hit a ball carrier.
"I can’t play like that. The moment I play like that, an offensive player is going to take my head off," he said. "I believe every other football player in this league is going to do the same thing."
Sims said he believes the hit on Jackson was a clean one.
Tight end Brent Celek said he understands the league's intention, but as a pass catcher, often left vulnerable to a big hit as he reaches and watches a pass, "I knew what I was getting into," since second grade, when he began playing football.
Linebacker Omar Gaither was one of the few players who said he expects defenders to change their style, out of necessity.
"If you want to play this game, you have to adapt," he said, citing the possibility of suspensions and heavy fines. Gaither added that he doesn't have $75,000 to give away.
On the field, head coach Andy Reid said Kevin Kolb will start this week, with Michael Vick playing an unspecified back up role (it's not clear if he will be the second or third quarterback). DeSean Jackson will not play.
It sounded like a long shot for either Brodrick Bunkley or Jason Peters to play this week, though Reid did not formally rule them out.
Comments (30)
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Imallaboutdatruth - you are a moron. record income for NFL last year. richest sport on earth. shut up. save the rest of us the trouble... would a mod. please just delete this guy, stupidity of that level is contagious.— sasquatches- ernie - you can still tackle, you just can't lead with your head.... and these are the same players who in 20 years will be complaining about bad pension/health benefits.... what morons— main liner
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- If anything this HELPS the Eagles. Our best players are offensive skill guys, this protects them. Ernie "Shark in the Water" Sims only hits other Eagles. And does anyone see Asante Samuels ever getting a suspension for a hit?— dragoon6
- would somebody please get this right? These are not "new rules!" The rules about spearing, leading with helmet, etc... are already on the books. The thing is that they are finally going to get enforced, as they should! Sims is *supposed* to be thinking about how to hit the player because that's the rule and if he doesn't, then he's going to cause both players permanent injury. Tell the family of the paralyzed college football player that you can't be bothered to play according to the rules and actually use good football technique. idiot.— reb
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put a tutu on the NFL and call it lingerie football from now on. What a Joke. Is you don't want to play football, retire. See glen coffee and ricky williams.— azguz- At odds with these rules is the fact that violence sells tickets and wins viewers. Same as hockey. That said, I approve of what the league is doing.— rad205
- At odds with these rules is the fact that violence sells tickets and wins viewers. Same as hockey. That said, I approve of what the league is doing.— rad205
OMG whats gonna happen to ernie sims's career if he cant hit like that inpreseason anymore ... he might just disappear in the reagular season .. oh wait> that already happened— daveH- hey allaboutnothing, it's might as well not "mine as well". you are an idiot.— TheCaptain18
- Time to start wearing flags. In reality, there are no more concussions this year then in the past, just more REPORTED concussions.— suf
- Sims is an idiot! He has to learn to harness his aggression and apply it properly or bye-bye Ernie. The way he's playing , we need an upgrade at OLB. Swing and a miss Eagles... Back to the rule enforcement. The players have to be TAUGHT and teh coaches taht are teaching them(former players)need to be TAUGHT the RULES and proper technique. I played ball in high school and college, I was a defensive player and loved to hit. I wrapped around player and hit with my shouder,with head up and drive thru with legs churning...GET BACK TO PROPER TECHNIQUES and we will see a better game with less concussions and head injuries.
A major part of the problem is , i'm pretty sure, most players don't even know the rules. Someone has to teach them.
Look to the coaching and then we'll see what happens. Go Eagles !Phils!— mikedi08 - ricky williams is currently playing well for the dolphins? Who cares, this wont change anything, we'll all still watch, and the nfl will still be as popular as ever. Nobody needs to see players get paralyzed. They just want to reduce that possibility. That said, the fines were way over the top without any warnings that these types of fines would be levied. Goodell did not handle this well at all.— peteike
- "He said he can't go out thinking about exactly how to hit a ball carrier." Really? Every other position relentlessly practices technique, which, when it comes down to it, is going over exactly how they're supposed to do their jobs. Sims should be exempt why?— Hellion42
- nfl is too dangerous - shut it down. and stop exploiting for zillions all those college kids that suffer career ending injuries in the name of A FREE FREE KING EDUCATION AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA— daveH
- First off, this is the NFL, not Saturday fat-guys-who-still-think-they-can-play football league. These guys are paid millions of dollars (many lifetimes worth of money) to run around and hit each other. Don't understand how you can tell them, in the heat of the moment to hit here but not here? huh? when at 3rd & 15 and avant, who has good hands, has a ball thrown his way and your only play to keep your job is to separarte him from the ball, you want to regulate this? I disagree. These guys are self-described 'warriors' (which I find a joke having understood war, but whatever) therefore, act what you believe you are. Cannot wait for the b***hin' to start after a touchdown is given up because 'it looked like he let up'...cannot wait, all u will be doin it... 'DAww uhh, Bradley stinks cause he looked like he just tapped him when he could have cleaned his clock'...'aww...the eagles don't hit hard or get turnovers...'...hypocrites.
-not bob levy— remyy 
As reb said, these are EXISTING rules, I knew this asw a fan. The players who delivered these hits knew of them as well, they tested the league and they lost. I saw an interesting exchange between R. Lott and T. Dungy on TV the other night where they put themselves in the places of a current defensive player and coache and explained how they would react. Lott admitted that he was out to deliver a painful deterrent to receivers he played against and would have to alter his technique if told the rules against helmet hits were going to be more agressively enforced. Dungy admitted that he would have had to tell his defensive players to disregard his previous instructions to them and avoid using their helmets, they were candid about the violent intent of the players on the field, not to injure, but to deliver a message to the opposition. It just so happens in this case the helmet hits are a little too dangerous. Yes, they all know what they got into, but it doesn't make them any less manly to not want be paralized or paralyze someone else. If this is all sissified, then I guess we should throw away the helmets and pads altogether right?
Oh, and Imallaboutdatruth, you have NO IDEA how to form a thought let alone a sentence, so maybe you should ride the bench here for awhile and just read til you learn how.- Comment removed.
- From Chuck Bednarik thru Andre Watters and Brian Dawkins, I've always enjoyed watching the Eagles play hard-nosed D. Some of my best memories of the NFL are the bone-crunching hits. But honestly, the day I'm watching and someone DIES from an on-field hit, I wonder if I'll still be interested in football at all. I think the reality of it will drain my enthusiasm, and rightly so. I love watching it, but something's gotta be done. The players have become too fast and too powerful.— vegetine
- Maybe Ernie Sims needs be personally shown what a helmet hit to the chin and facemask can do. After he gets fit for his wheelchair, he can drink through his straw, perhaps clear his throat and then again explain his reasons for supporting a criminal act.— Bob1
- folks don't overreact. football will still be fast and violent despite the precaution against concussion. Someone mentioned
Andre Waters. Look where he ended up.— retzlaff - Sims and Hobbs are IDIOTS. They have the gall to say these things when their own teammate is out for a month because of a vicious hit. What the heck? Way to back your own wide receiver.— everydayguy
- If any group can relearn technique, its professional players. I don't buy Sims lines at all. Face it, since the players are now bigger and much faster, what didn't exist then exists now - on every Sunday, someone could get killed. Glad the NFL isn't looking the other way, money move or not.
- Ernie is a funny guy. Wont be too funny when he writes the check.— chollie
- I really do not know what all the hooplah is... It is just enforcing current rules with stricter penalties. Simple fact... It has never been legal to hit another player with the crown of your helmet anywhere, much less the other player's head. I think it is a good rule. Maybe if the Eagle's D kept their heads up and used proper technique, they would not miss so many tackles. They are not banning hard hits, they can still put their helmets on the ball, they can not just launch themselves at the other player like a torpedo. No one sad that they can not hit hard with their shoulder pads like they should. Jackson had some success against them early, and the Atlanta player wanted to make him think twice about going in the middle. Fine, he can still do that, just not with the crown of his helmet.— chrisrr
- The NFL is between a rock and a hard place. Insiders know that the issue of concussions is much greater than anyone imagined. There are no simple solutions. Mikedi08 makes a good point. Players are taught by ex-players who don't know technique and continue to promote unsafe tackling. In the end, no one wants to see a guy scarred for life or injured. The NFL is partly to blame for promoting big hits. But hey, now that they are realizing their mistake, we need to encourage them to protect players and still produce a good product. Otherwise, we should all just watch Ultimate Fighting where the goal is to injure the other guy. A $50,000 fine is a first step in getting player and coaches attention. Next step has to be suspensions.— PFCzar
- Exactly. But , based on the players' comments defending these practices, it will take time and a lot of practice to properly get it right. Once the coaches teaching these guys understand it , then we'll see it implemented on the field. The players can still impress their coaches and peers, but by following the proper technique....that's what they need to understand.
Go Eagles! And get it together Phils!— mikedi08 - Comment removed.
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