Updated Mar 20, 2013 - 2:00 pm
Give the NFL's new helmet rule time
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch lowers his head during a run against the New York Jets in 2012. (AP)
By 710Sports.com staff
A lot of controversy and upheaval has surrounded the NFL's new rule barring ball carriers from using the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with a defender in the open field, but ESPN 710 Seattle's Brock Huard says to give the rule time.
"I understand a lot of the frustration, because the essence of football is that gladiator mentality, that physicality that we love about our Seahawks, but I would just say slow down just a little bit," Huard said. "Let's see how this is called, let's see how this is played out. To me this is going to have to be a very egregious move (to be a penalty)."
The NFL owners passed the rule Wednesday (along with repealing the similarly controversial tuck rule), deeming that ball carriers who use the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with a defender in the open field will be penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul. And even with the uproar from fans, players and coaches alike about the rule over the last week, the owners vote wasn't even close -- 31-1, with the lone holdout being the Cincinnati Bengals.
A video that showed the differences between what would be legal and illegal for ball carriers under the rule seemed to sway the owners.
"It'll certainly make our runners aware of what we expect relative to use of the helmet," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "One of the questions I ask a lot is who gains from this, offense or defense? And it's a toss-up as to which side of the ball has the advantage on this rule, if any. The main thing is it's pro-health and safety, and that's the big thing."
In the video below, Huard explains the rule further and expounds on what it could mean for the Seahawks and their top running back, Marshawn Lynch.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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RWIII wrote...Marshawn LynchMarch 20, 2013 1:11 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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chevysquid wrote...Sign of the times....March 20, 2013 4:06 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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soo purletiv wrote...31-1?March 20, 2013 4:13 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Hawkman wrote...this is all a bunch of Crap...March 20, 2013 4:14 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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clevesside wrote...Did he or didn't he......March 20, 2013 6:45 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Teahawk wrote...Before you sharpen the pitchforks...March 20, 2013 7:26 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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tlmbrt wrote...TEAHAWKMarch 21, 2013 12:51 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Teahawk wrote...tlmbrtMarch 21, 2013 9:59 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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tlmbrt wrote...We have already seenMarch 21, 2013 12:49 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Country_Dog wrote...I gave it some time...March 21, 2013 5:30 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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kato1967 wrote...FarceMarch 21, 2013 7:17 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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RWIII wrote...Protecting the runnerMarch 21, 2013 8:32 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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RWIII wrote...Flag footballMarch 21, 2013 8:34 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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The Homie wrote...Crown of the helmet ruleMarch 21, 2013 11:08 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Brock Huard has co-hosted the show since 2009. After earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Puyallup High School, Brock went on to a record-setting career at Washington and then spent six years in the NFL, including four with the Seahawks. Brock also works for ESPN as a college football analyst in the booth and the studio. He makes his home on the Eastside with his wife Molly and their three young children.
Danny O'Neil, the new co-host of "Brock and Danny", is the son of a logger, a graduate of the University of Washington and has been a working journalist in Seattle since 1999, first at newspapers and since 2012 at 710 ESPN Seattle. He is married to Sharon Pian Chan, associate opinions editor at The Seattle Times. They live on Capitol Hill with their wrinkled, smelly dog.
Tom Wassell has produced the show since 2011 and also co-hosts "Seattle Sports at Night" with Colin Paisley and Matt Pitman. A native of Connecticut, Tom came to 710 ESPN Seattle after working at ESPN Radio's headquarters in Bristol, Conn. for five years. Tom studied communications at Indiana University, is color-blind and has a weak sense of smell.
