The NFL is planning on having a “very active conversation” this offseason when it comes to banning the hip drop tackle that injured Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in the playoffs.
The very idea of that discussion is not sitting well with players, especially defensive who see it as another obstacle to worry about in doing their jobs.
A brief sampling of their voices from social media:
The NFL tends to be very reactionary when it comes to these things, and anytime there is a high profile injury (or an increase on a specific type of injury) rule changes tend to follow.
But it is also understandable why defensive players would be upset with this one. As several of them pointed out, there are already extensive restrictions on what they can and can not do when it comes to tackling players, and there are increasingly more protections on quarterbacks and wide receivers.
At this point the league has not made any changes, but the fact there is going to be such a discussion about it this offseason certainly puts the possibility of a change on the table for next season.
If that happens players are simply going to have to find new ways to adjust once again.
