Player Safety
 

We sure are seeing the Saints being the major recipients of rg's CYA as far as the player safety lawsuits go. Why isn't more being said and done about the protection they're being given to play in? With our level of technology is "state of the art" really that? I'm betting rg's hairdresser, PR corp and legal department are getting more moolah than what's being invested in r&d for stuff that'll keep the players healthy.

With all the concussion talk; yet we're still using the same helmets from way back when. Even the pads are getting smaller and sleeker, why doesn't anyone wear the neck braces and stuff anymore?

Why isn't there better equipment to protect players knees?
There should be new plastics that would by light and do a great job.

The equipment or rules won't ever change concussions, IT'S THE PLAYERS that have to change it. They play with concussions all the time and never say anything about it. When they see stars and don't say anything their at fault not anyone else.

i do not want to hear a freaking thing on this topic till the nfl deals with the oakland raiders and their record for leading the nfl in personal fouls every year.

only way to ensure player safty is to have them all just compete on madden. Only injury you may need to worry about then would be turf thumbs.

They could entertain the fans with Madden to excite the fans before the players go play touch.

Not exactly so..... Concussions are due to speed and impact, ever notice how many knee injuries there are per season?

The requirement for Knee braces would slow the game just a little and provide knee protection. The addition of a requirement for thigh, hip, knee, and butt pads would slow things a little also. When I say requirement, I mean across the board, each and every player that takes the field MUST wear them all or be ejected from the game. Players do not wear them intentionally because it slows them a little.

That's a "Pro-active" approach and regardless of how many fines, suspensions are handed out... Any lawyer has a rock solid case that the NFL is NOT taking a proactive approach.

The other thing to note as that this would not be "changing" the game as everyone is afraid of, it would be bringing the game back to the way it used to be played.

But all of this would cost money, and that is something the league and owners do not want to do. They are taking a minimalist reactionary stand and it is proving more costly in terms of player injuries.

Slow everyone on the field down just a little and watch the rate of concussions drop drastically.

I've thought that for years now. If everyone wears knee braces it apples-to-apples. I doubt anyone would notice the slight decrease in speed and agility.

But as you said, it would have to be required equipment for each and every NFL player, and punters.

Also place kickers. I cant help but assume knee braces would protect both types of kickers if they are accidentally hit on punts and kick offs.

Also since we moved kick offs up, this would compensate for any loss of yardage.

Sorry punters... deal with it.

... good points, and stop all the talk of putting more games on the schedule if they're truly concerned for player safety & well-being ...