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NFL’s competition committee mulls automatic suspensions for illegal hits

By Matt Conner

Football: NFC Playoffs: Closeup of referee Gene Steratore during Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks game at Georgia Dome.Atlanta, GA 1/14/2017CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: SI685 TK1 )
Football: NFC Playoffs: Closeup of referee Gene Steratore during Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks game at Georgia Dome.Atlanta, GA 1/14/2017CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: SI685 TK1 ) /
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The NFL’s competition committee is currently deciding on a number of proposals for the league, including various rule changes and points of emphasis.

The NFL’s competition committee will be meeting next week from March 26-29 when the NFL conducts its annual league meeting. While gathering in Phoenix, Arizona, the committee will discuss a number of proposed rule changes, many of which are leaking through various sources and include overtime clock changes (limiting the extra session to 10 minutes instead of 15).

One interesting rule change reportedly being considered is the idea of automatic suspensions for illegal hits. Currently many players are fined, which doesn’t seem to deter many players from altering the way they play. Take a look at the film of San Diego Chargers defensive back Jahleel Addae to see if he’s changed any aspect of his defensive approach over the years. The answer is definitely “no,” and this is despite being fined twice for hitting Jeremy Maclin on separate occasions and seriously injuring Cecil Shorts along with others.

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Every year, several players are seriously injured due to certain defenders using their bodies in ways the league has taught against all in the name of “football being physical.” Somehow every other defender can alter their games, but every year the same players continue to get a slap on the wrist with a fine here and there. Automatic suspensions would change all of this.

Imagine if a player knew that being flagged twice for unnecessary roughness in a single game would lead to a one-game suspension. That’s significant money for a player who is likely putting himself through significant strain and preparation for that one game. To not get paid for one would be much more than a typical fine, and it would also prepare that player to receive an even larger suspension the next time. That player would then likely starting playing in fear of hitting a player illegally—for the first time in his career, perhaps.

This is what NFL rules are supposed to do. They are supposed to change the way players approach the game in order to maintain order and safety. A player can dislike it all they want, saying it takes away from the game somehow or that the changes are overbearing. In the case of celebration penalties, that much is certainly true. But there’s no price too high (nor a change too drastic) in the name of player safety.

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