New NFL Concussion Rules

[Ryan Scott]

Up front I'll state that I'm glad for the new concussion rules in the NFL and how seriously they're taking such head injuries. However, I'm wondering what sort of impact this is going to have on teams this season. I'm in the Philly area so the fact that two starters (including the QB) have now failed concussion tests all week and will mostly likely not play Sunday. We see the same thing with TE Kevin Boss of the NY Giants.

How are teams going to adjust with more and more players out for longer periods of time with concussions? This issue is only going to become more pronounced as the players' association is keeping watch like a hawk over how these injuries are handled.

[Gina Stevenson]

Considering how long-term effects these things can have, have to say it's about time, no?

[Billie Goodson]

Up front I'll state that I'm glad for the new concussion rules in the NFL and how seriously they're taking such head injuries. However, I'm wondering what sort of impact this is going to have on teams this season. I'm in the Philly area so the fact that two starters (including the QB) have now failed concussion tests all week and will mostly likely not play Sunday. We see the same thing with TE Kevin Boss of the NY Giants.

How are teams going to adjust with more and more players out for longer periods of time with concussions? This issue is only going to become more pronounced as the players' association is keeping watch like a hawk over how these injuries are handled.

I wonder if they would increase roster/practice squad sizes, that might be one avenue to alleviate the issues. I am a little disturbed over how easily helmets are flying off. When I played, my coach insured my helmet would not come off. Are the new styles/designs just making them so much easier. One issue is the fastening of chin straps. I think they should institute a rule, your chin strap is unbuckled, you get off the field, if your team can't afford the timeout, play with 10. That is how I remedied players not being properly equipped for soccer matches. It only took a time or two to get the point across.

[Ryan Scott]

Recently I've really worried about how violent the hits have become with so many large men slamming into each other. I've started to contemplate how I can justify watching and cheering something that can debilitate people at an early age (not just concussions, either). It seems to be a tough coin to flip - obviously if they make the game safer it's going to be less entertaining.

I'm just not sure what the solution is at this point. I like the idea of roster sizes - or even limiting the number of snaps each player can be on the field for in a given season.

[Jim Poteet]

Recently I've really worried about how violent the hits have become with so many large men slamming into each other. I've started to contemplate how I can justify watching and cheering something that can debilitate people at an early age (not just concussions, either). It seems to be a tough coin to flip - obviously if they make the game safer it's going to be less entertaining.

I'm just not sure what the solution is at this point. I like the idea of roster sizes - or even limiting the number of snaps each player can be on the field for in a given season.

This is one of the reasons why I spend little time watching pro football. Studies show that an NFL player who spends 5 years in the NFL has a life expectancy of 53 years of age. To give up up 20 years or more of life to play a "stupid" game boggles the mind.

[Shea Zellweger]

This is one of the reasons why I spend little time watching pro football. Studies show that an NFL player who spends 5 years in the NFL has a life expectancy of 53 years of age. To give up up 20 years or more of life to play a "stupid" game boggles the mind.

Are there any studies on the life expectancy of a 4 year college player? I know that to play 5 years in the NFL, a player also has to have played at least 2 (+1 red shirt) in High School, and likely has a high school, Pop Warner, and Pee Wee history as well. Do the kids who come up through the ranks and then walk away when they have their degrees go on to live normal amounts of time, or is there a sort of graduated curve? I know concussions in particular are a problem that is being addressed from Pee Wee all the way to Pro, so I imagine that any time in the game, at any level, could have adverse effects, but I don't know... do you? I'd be very interested.

[Scott Moseley]

This is one of the reasons why I spend little time watching pro football. Studies show that an NFL player who spends 5 years in the NFL has a life expectancy of 53 years of age. To give up up 20 years or more of life to play a "stupid" game boggles the mind.


Thats really shocking coach. seems the NFL keeps getting larger larger . These big guys have a hard time after getting out of the NFL. They have got to shed the weight and quit gorging. Much like lifespan shortened Sumo Wrestlers(aprox -10 +yrs ) who strategize on how to gain weight, today's NFL linemen have to have weight and lots of it.

[David Lyons]

If I understand correctly, having learned all I know about the new rules from ATH and PTI, I am glad that another doctor is involved in the evaluations besides just the team doctor. The answer for teams to accommodate this is expanded rosters. I never have understood why major college programs are allowed more players than NFL teams.

Another possible solution to the concussion problem: flag football?

[Billie Goodson]

Another possible solution to the concussion problem: flag football?

Would the radicals want to burn the flags? I can see the pep rally now...