The NFL is instituting a few changes this season, including revamped kickoffs and new rules governing onside kicks.
In addition, the hip-drop tackle has been banned after it has caused some serious injuries in recent seasons.
Plenty of people have criticized the league and, in particular, commissioner Roger Goodell for tinkering with the rules and eroding the essence of football too much.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is one of those who doesn’t seem to like the new prohibition of hip-drop tackles. The veteran told reporter Ari Meirov how it will be a disadvantage for defensive players because now they won’t be able to react as quickly as they used to.
“I just feel like it may be a disadvantage for the defense because you want to quickly get the ball carrier down, and now you have to grab the guy and think about how to get him down,” David said.
#Bucs LB Lavonte David on the hip-drop tackle being banned: “I just feel like it may be a disadvantage for the defense because you want to quickly get the ball carrier down, and now you have to grab the guy and think about how to get him down. … When I first heard about it, I… https://t.co/QwszMWbIki pic.twitter.com/U2T2G16IEF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 31, 2024
Last season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle injury as a result of a hip-drop tackle, and his absence likely played a role in the Ravens, who had the best record in the regular season, falling short in the AFC Championship Game.
The previous season, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard also sustained a fractured fibula and ankle injury when he was tackled using the hip-drop method.
According to NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller, the injury rate on hip-drop tackles is roughly 20 to 25 times higher than the injury rate on other types of tackles.
The fear many have is that this latest ban will result in games becoming offensive free-for-alls and it will become next-to-impossible to tackle players before they’re able to turn routine plays into large gains.
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