The NFL is hell-bent on passing a new rules proposal that would penalize a runner for lowering his head and leading with the helmet at the point of contact with a defender.
Pro Football Talk is reporting that Browns running back Trent Richardson and specifically the blow he lowered onto Eagles safety Kurt Coleman will be the standard that the rule will be based off.
As the NFL considers a rule change this week that would penalize runners for lowering their helmets into tacklers, Browns running backTrent Richardson is being presented as the poster boy for the proposal.
Specifically, a play in the September Eagles-Browns game, when Richardson was making his rookie debut, has been used as the example by the Competition Committee of the kind of play that needs to be banned, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. On the play in question, Richardson lowered his helmet into Kurt Coleman of the Eagles, sending Coleman’s helmet flying.
Mortensen said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants the rule passed and added, categorically, “It’s passing.”
For his part, Coleman says he had no problem with the hit, suffered no concussion, and truly feels football is a mans game.
“I didn’t have a concussion,” Coleman said. “My head was fine. . . . I was fine. It got a little bloody. It’s a man’s game and I love it. I thank God for being able to play this game.”
Here is the play in question where Richardson took Coleman’s soul.