NFL Plans Aggressive Hits on Players Who 'Cheap Shot' Others in 2011

While some pretty vicious "hits" are going on, or not going on, in the negotiations, or "not negotiations," between the owners and players, it makes sense to report on the news about the NFL's more aggressive stance for next season, or not next season, against, well, aggression.

The fact of the matter, as with any "batch" of anything, whether it is players, drivers or apples, it only takes a few rotten ones to spoil the entire grouping. So it is with illegal hits in the NFL. Yes there are times when it is hard to hold up in a play. Yes there are times when it is difficult to effectively measure what is going on.

However, most of the time it is the same tired jerks who are just trying to "get even" or "take someone out" or prove their "manhood" who try to hurt people. And the problem is sometimes due to their jerkiness, careers are ended and things like concussions and ultimately Alzheimer's can occur. All of their weak "I'm sorry buts..." do nothing and frankly mean nothing.

The Associated Press has posted an article at the Chicago Bears website titled "Illegal hits draw more scrutiny; Replays, kickoffs under review," which I am using as reference.

Basically what they are saying is that the players have now had enough warning about the NFL's change in policy. The league will now begin to suspend players in addition to heavy fining; I'm all for it. I would go even further and kick them out.

The basic differences will be that those scenarios protected will be thoroughly enhanced. They include, among other things, as our reference article reports, "A receiver trying to catch a pass," "A runner already in the grasp of tacklers" and essentially "stopped," "A kicker or punter during a kick" and "A player already on the ground." In other words, people like Albert Haynesworth who stomp on peoples' faces with their cleats can expect more than a four-game suspension.

The fact is this is long, long overdue. This extraordinary violence doesn't enhance the game and players who engage in it aren't necessarily "tough." In fact, many times they are the exact opposite.

Now if the NFL would just get rid of taunting we might begin to get some dignity that once was the game.

Reference:

Chicago Bears Website, Associated Press, "Illegal hits draw more scrutiny; Replays, kickoffs under review"