Are NFL Rules and Fines Changing the Game?

Hard hits and violent tackles have always been a big part of football, but the NFL has recently become more cautious of head to head collisions and illegal tackles. Dunta Robinson and DeSean Jackson were both sent off the field at New Meadowlands Stadium last week with concussions after a jaw dropping tackle by Robinson, Atlanta Falcons corner back. Although it's no fun for injured athletes, these hard hits are what the fans come to see.

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The question now is, where should the line be drawn? In many situations it is hard to avoid these hard collisions, with 260 pound athletes running at each other at high speeds. Defensive players will argue that they can't play the way they want with restrictions on how to hit, while quarter backs and running backs will argue that they can't play with the fear of injury due to being hit illegally.

Brandon Meriweather of the New England Patriots was recently fined $50,000 dollars for a hit on Baltimore tight end Todd Heap, but as fines don't mean much to professional athletes making millions of dollars, the NFL is now thinking of imposing strict rules and possibly even suspension for such hits. Different players and coaches all have their own opinions, but it is likely that the NFL will create some rules and restrictions as an effort to minimize concussions and head injuries that affect athletes even after their careers are over.

For more on the article in the NY times, click here.