When the NFL introduced a new rule to penalize a team 15 yards for leading with the helmet on a tackle attempt, the general opinion was unanimous: This is going to be confusing.
During the Arizona Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night, we got our first taste of the confusion that is sure to come.
In the first half, Cardinals safety A.J. Howard timed a perfect hit on Chargers tight end Sean Culkin. The ball popped loose and the Cardinals recovered, but a flag was thrown.
Hit on a defenseless receiver. Fifteen yards. First down, Chargers.
But the replay showed Culkin turning up field and bracing for impact – raising questions about how “defenseless” the tight end actually was.
So this is now a 15 yard “hit on a defenseless receiver” penalty in the @NFL?
How exactly are DBs supposed to make plays anymore?
Every big hit is followed by a flag.
The de-balling of a once great sport continues.@Cardinals @Chargers pic.twitter.com/u8yUP658SS— Eddie McClintock (@EddieMcClintock) August 12, 2018
It may be just Week One of the NFL preseason, but those watching the game were still quick to share their outrage about the call and the new interpretations. Now, and forever more, the NFL can basically throw a damn flag on any play. This is ridiculous. This is no longer football. You will always be able to throw that flag- because that is football. Or should we say, that was football. Last nights game was a bad mark for the NFL. I hate to say this but, we may have lost our beloved game. These men are Warriors that love to play the game and now the NFL has screwed this game up so bad by changing everything these players have been taught.
Recap: The Chargers looked sloppy all night but had a few good plays. Final Score: Cardinals 21 Chargers 17
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