NCAA Must Adjust New Helmet Rule

On opening weekend, Clemson had a fourth and goal on Auburn?s one, up four, with a chance to put the game away. Unfortunately, Tajh Boyd, whose legs they rode down the field, just lost his helmet for the third time of the game. Per NCAA rules, Boyd had to sit out. Clemson had to kick a field goal instead and give the ball back to Auburn with a chance to tie.

Last Saturday, Missouri?s James Franklin lost his helmet twice against Georgia. He and coach Gary Pinkel said that Georgia ripped his chinstrap off on purpose to get him out of the game. You cannot blame Georgia. They saw Auburn take advantage of a new rule and keep themselves in the game. For a player and coach, it?s no different than holding a defensive lineman ? keep playmakers from making plays.

Neither incident appeared to change the game?s outcome, but eventually it will. Coaches will continue to use the misguided rule to their advantage. Offenses have no way to protect their players if a tackler wants to pull off the helmet. They can only hope the officials catch it. The NCAA has just enacted a law that punishes players for not protecting themselves without giving them any way to do so.

Clemson?s staff ?could not secure [Boyd?s] helmet anymore,? according to head coach Dabo Swinney. ?[They] basically had to cut off his circulation trying to keep it on.? What would the NCAA suggest, Boyd reshape his head?

I expect to see every running quarterback face the same problem. His helmet will unexpectedly (not) pop off after a second and long, and the officials will pull to safety on the sideline. Boyd, Franklin, and others better watch out, because until this rule changes, they will be targets. Defensive coaches would be poor strategists not to get players to separate opponents from their helmets. Auburn appeared to target Boyd?s helmet, and rightfully so. Taking advantage of a silly rule is gamesmanship, and it almost helped them beat a superior team.

If the NCAA wants to protect these guys and keep players from exploiting the rule and purposefully endangering other players, protect them before play starts. Make sure they have the appropriate gear, and if not flag them for it. If an official notices someone without his chinstrap on, blow the play dead before it starts and flag his team for five yards. All we can do is tell the guys to wear their gear properly. Anything after that is just a shortcoming of the equipment, not the user.

Copyright ? 2012 Chuck Oliver.Net

Source: http://dev.chuckoliver.net/2012/09/ncaa-must-adjust-new-helmet-rule/

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