Ryan Clark on how safety rules to protect offensive players can cause injury to defensive players

I caught part of a recent interview with Ryan Clark on Mike and Mike this morning in which Clark made the point that all of the rules that defensive players are having to follow to protect offensive players are actually making it more likely for the defensive players to be injured. He pointed out that he didn't have his first concussion until he had to start adjusting his game play to keep from getting fined, and that now he has to hit low enough that he has to worry about taking a knee to the head.

I thought that this was in interesting point and one that I think has been overlooked by the league and by the media.

I tried to find a link to the interview somewhere online, but I have not yet been able to find one so far.

 

The shame is, I doubt the league will respond with anything other than "you get concussions because you play wrong."

I think Hines had it right all along when he said that if the league was really concerned about safety, they would make them play without helmets.

 

only makes sense. everyone knows it hurts less to be the hitter than to get hit. definitely an advantage to the defense.

 

I do love Clark's style of play, but his argument is bollocks.

As if hits that go h2h (like the - legal - one aganist McGahee in the 08 AFC-CG) wouldn't cause concussions. The only "safe" area when he leads with his head (which he shouldn't to begin with ...) probably is between the thigh and chest

 

chest isn't safe either. i remember a concussion after putting a face mask in someones chest.

 

NFL needs to bring back the durable the flexible split grain leather helmets..drop the pads, add the knee highs lose the mouth pc, drop the contact rules and play smash mouth football. The great traditions is fading but rather the league is getting closer to flag or more so touch. Dam i miss the broken noses the snaggled smiles and the blood stained uniforms. Hell Yeah!

Seriously the rules are too inconsistent (head vs knee) theres no B/P/Technique on hits @ mach 1 in a full contact sport..yes their given the fundamental rules but getting into that mode in a spit sec. really? its a human factor. This on going saftey issue is becoming a joke won't be long if a player doesn't address excuse me or pardon me on a hit he will be flagged.

 

the league needs to change the pads inside the helmet. there are materials designed to absorb impact without transmitting to what its touching while remaining soft and pliable. similarly there's technology to eliminate felt recoil in rifle stocks

 

Yea I think you're right. What I think is weird, is that a lot of the players have went out on there own to make their helmets safer. James Harrison and Ryan Clark both have used a Kevlar lining inside their helmets to absorb some of the blows to help prevent concussions. Just weird to me that the players are doing this on their own, rather than the NFL doing it.

 

I agree.

 

i think they ought to wear those big blowup helmets.