Could a couple of trendy plays that seem to be all over the NFL landscape this season soon be banned by the league?
Apparently, they’re talking about it.
Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday that one of the topics to come up this week at NFL owners’ meetings in New York is the future of both the “Tush Push,” or “Brotherly Shove” play (Eagles Running The “Brotherly Shove”), most notably ran by the Philadelphia Eagles in short-yardage situations, is definitely under scrutiny by the league, and the so-called “hip drop tackle.”
This story on si.com (Geno Smith (HEATED) Exchange After Hit (+Injury) on Sidelines 😳 Giants vs Seahawks Highlights) notes that Seattle quarterback Geno Smith was injured in week four of this season at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants on the “hip drop tackle,” and that Dallas running back Tony Pollard was injured severely, ending his season, a year ago. The play is described as a tackle where the defender grabs the ball-carrier, then twists him down and falls on him with his entire weight.
“When they do it, the runner becomes defenseless,” said Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL’s competition committee. “They can’t kick their way out from under. And that’s the problem. That’s where the injury occurs. You see the ankle get trapped underneath the weight of the defender.”
For his part, ESPN NFL analyst and former head coach Rex Ryan believes he’s found a way to stop the short-yardage play (HOW TO STOP THE TUSH PUSH with Rex Ryan 🏈 😂).
