I've been thinking about this for a couple weeks now:
The league has a concussion protocol. If someone is hit in the head, they have to leave the field until the blue hats test and clear them. A lot of the time a QB or skill player is the one on the sideline fielding questions for a couple series, or a quarter, until they are cleared to come back. Now comes the unintended result of concussion protocol. When a defender intentionally hits a skill player in the head, they now have to come out of the game. At worst, a 15yd penalty is assessed to the defender for the hit with no chance of ejection. Now, in the playoffs, QBs are key. Ben has been targeted in the last 2 Cincy games, as well as our skill players Bell and Brown. Reckless and illegal plays knocked them all out of action, and only one 15yd penalty was assessed.
Moving forward, what is to stop a team from game planning to take a shot at a QB's head. Imagine if KC sends a guy to late hit Brady in the head, early in the game. Brady has to come out for protocol, and the game goes on. At the end of a game, in close games, this tactic actually holds a strategic advantage to a team that is willing to take shots at the other offense's skill players, and especially a QB. You knock Brady or Manning out of a game in the 4th QTR, that game is over. Their backups will not be ready to run the show at playoff speed.
This tactic has already shown it can be effective (by the Bengals). In the future, stricter rules have to be enacted to prevent defenders from using these tactics. New rules such as ejections for intentionally and illegally targeting players, or ejections for illegally or intentionally going for a QB's knees or ankles. Without balance or the fear of ejection to reckless play, this system put in place with the intent to keep players safe, will end up costing that team wins.
The league has a concussion protocol. If someone is hit in the head, they have to leave the field until the blue hats test and clear them. A lot of the time a QB or skill player is the one on the sideline fielding questions for a couple series, or a quarter, until they are cleared to come back. Now comes the unintended result of concussion protocol. When a defender intentionally hits a skill player in the head, they now have to come out of the game. At worst, a 15yd penalty is assessed to the defender for the hit with no chance of ejection. Now, in the playoffs, QBs are key. Ben has been targeted in the last 2 Cincy games, as well as our skill players Bell and Brown. Reckless and illegal plays knocked them all out of action, and only one 15yd penalty was assessed.
Moving forward, what is to stop a team from game planning to take a shot at a QB's head. Imagine if KC sends a guy to late hit Brady in the head, early in the game. Brady has to come out for protocol, and the game goes on. At the end of a game, in close games, this tactic actually holds a strategic advantage to a team that is willing to take shots at the other offense's skill players, and especially a QB. You knock Brady or Manning out of a game in the 4th QTR, that game is over. Their backups will not be ready to run the show at playoff speed.
This tactic has already shown it can be effective (by the Bengals). In the future, stricter rules have to be enacted to prevent defenders from using these tactics. New rules such as ejections for intentionally and illegally targeting players, or ejections for illegally or intentionally going for a QB's knees or ankles. Without balance or the fear of ejection to reckless play, this system put in place with the intent to keep players safe, will end up costing that team wins.
