I think the issue of the running back lowering the helmet basically will come down to how to call it. The "defenseless receiver" rule has been a nightmare. Not because it isn't a good thing to try to protect receivers but because imo the calls are very capricious. I think the same would be true of this rule. Against NO in the playoffs a few years ago, Whitner and the NO back (Thomas?) both lowered their heads for a huge collision that ended up taking Thomas out of the game. Would they have both been flagged? As I recall from the replays, both we lowering their heads but not with the intent to spear. It was, however, a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit that went Whitner's way. So how would that be called? I don't know. John Harbaugh has a problem with the rule for that reason. Basically, is the running back trying to spear someone or lowering his head to absorb the shock of the oncoming hit? That will be a really difficult call for the refs, and as a 15-yard penalty, a really potential game changer.

I love the Dawson signing. He's a heckuva kicker.

Last Edited By: stewartjack 03/20/13 12:56 AM. Edited 1 times.