Jacked Up!

You just got Jacked Up!

Any football fan remembers this iconic segment from ESPN brought to us by Tom Jackson and Chris Berman. The media has idolized these hard hitting defensive plays and they have become a staple in the NFL. Now, the NFL is changing it up, these hard hits are now being seen as hazardous and harmful to players receiving them. Really? The NFL is just realizing this now? How do you think Ray Lewis and Rodney Harrison became household names? I'm sure it wasn't their kind hearted tackling and nice demeanor.

James Harrison, Sports Illustrated

The NFL has a major issue on their hands now though. The only way these defensive players will learn is suspending them and not only for one game. They tried the fines and obviously that did not work. So now they sit out two or three games. Great, you're trying to clean up the game. But at the same time, you're telling these "hard-hitters" that they have to change the way they play. James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who laid out two vicious hits in Sundays game and received a hefty fine, said he wasn't sure if he could continue playing. Football is a violent game and you're taught to go out and hit somebody. But now, you have to take time to think about your hits and where you are going to deliver them.

Do I think the suspensions will work? Yes, but they will have some repercussions, mainly vicious hits on the legs. If players can't go high with their helmet, they are going to go low. So look out running backs and wide receivers because now you're going to have the likes of James Harrison coming at your legs. Good luck.