stupid f'n rule. I can already see Saban and Meyer instructing his players to try and remove helmets and chin straps at the bottom of piles on opposing players.
A bama player did this last night and was not flagged for it. it was either a defensive end or linebacker, his helmet came off and he still ran around and tried to put a hit on the quarterback.
That is already being coached. I've seen a couple of plays so far where it clearly looked like a player from one team intentionally ripped off the helmet of an opponent. I can understand the intent of the rule, but the application of the rule stinks. What is the purpose of sitting out one play? To get the player checked for a concussion or to have the team ensure that the straps on the helmet are good? If the latter, why not have a ref just inspect the helmet like an umpire checks a baseball to ensure it is still smooth? The remedy to the "problem" (if a 'problem' exists) is illogical. If teams start intentionally ripping off helmets to have key players miss a play, that should be punishable by a personal foul penalty or stopping the clock while the player and helmet gets examined.
The problem with that is that college football already takes too long, particularly if its a TV game. We don't need more reasons to stop the clock. Better. Penalize the team doing the ripping - it would be unsportsmanlike conduct, rather than personal foul, but the result is the same - and it will stop.
Pretty sure if a player intentionally removes the helmet of an opponent the player doesn't have to sit out a play, I think it is only if it pops off for some other reason. In fact I think I saw it happen cause the ref came on and said something like the helmet came off as a result of a penalty so player x doesn't have to sit out. Yep, I'm right.
1. For safety, if the helmet came off the equipment managers are supposed to check out the headgear for problems. 2. To discourage a player from removing his own helmet to get a play whistled dead or an official time out. Removing another players helmet has always been and will remain a personal foul . . . if caught.
Really? You don't say! The point is, if someone rips Hilliards helmet off on 2nd and 7 after he has gained 6 yds so he will have to sit out for 3rd and 1. It... oh nevermind. You will just post some stupid pie chart telling me it is Bush's fault anyway.
Stop whining and pay attention. The point is that they could rip Hillard's helmet off and force him to sit a play but the personal foul would cost them 15. That takes a lot of incentive away. I can see a rule coming where, in a personal foul situation, the player could have his helmet checked during the official time out to step off the penalty and return on the next play. That would remove all incentive to rip an opponents helmet off and leave in place discouragement from removing ones own helmet.
You pay attention amigo. If it is a personal foul the player DOES NOT HAVE TO SIT OUT A PLAY!!! http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/61375/watch-for-these-rule-changes-in-2012
