NRL vs NFL

[Frailty]

Bullshit. I'm sure Alex McKinnon 'knew the risks', but do you think that denies his right to sue?

The removal of the shoulder charge was to reduce the liability in the event of an incident. NRL is a business, the shoulder charge is something that can go horribly wrong, and the amount of knowledge we've learnt from concussions impact on someone later in life now is irrefutable. The NRL doesn't have the income that something like the NFL does, a few major incidents could bankrupt the sport. So a softer rugby league is probably better than no rugby league.

The problem with this is a complete misunderstanding of the issues that face the NFL, and the Australian Legal System.

Firstly, the NFL is facing a crisis with the effects of concussion because they had numerous pieces of research about the risks of the game, specifically helmet-to-helmet contact and high contact, and they did not pass on this information or act to change the rules to outlaw direct head contact.

This is also in legal context where duty of care is much more open than the Australian system. Had the NFL informed the players of these risks, and had them accept the risks there would be no such issues. This is why combat sports like Boxing and MMA can still operate without the risk of legal action.

The NRL has already outlawed direct head contact through its original high tackle rules. They went beyond any real reasoning by outlawing the shoulder charge - but the real kicker is the pathetic attempt they have done in defining 'shoulder charge'.

 

[God-King Dean]

Gkd if I can catch you being serious for a moment why the lions. I got into NFL because of my brother in law who supports the lions. I went with the niners because I spent a bit of time in the bay area and already half followed the giants in baseball.

But like I ask him why the lions. He has no affiliation with Detroit and they are such a random team to follow.

I started on them in 09 because of Stafford, after the game he won against Browns, throwing the winning TD with a dislocated shoulder. I liked the name, colours, and that was it really.

And I hate bandwagoners (Heat fans), so going for a team just coming off 0-16 was the perfect fit.

Rumour has it that GKD switched from being a Vikings fan, but we shan't speak of that.....

 

[Firey_Dragon]

The problem with this is a complete misunderstanding of the issues that face the NFL, and the Australian Legal System.

Firstly, the NFL is facing a crisis with the effects of concussion because they had numerous pieces of research about the risks of the game, specifically helmet-to-helmet contact and high contact, and they did not pass on this information or act to change the rules to outlaw direct head contact.

This is also in legal context where duty of care is much more open than the Australian system. Had the NFL informed the players of these risks, and had them accept the risks there would be no such issues. This is why combat sports like Boxing and MMA can still operate without the risk of legal action.

The NRL has already outlawed direct head contact through its original high tackle rules. They went beyond any real reasoning by outlawing the shoulder charge - but the real kicker is the pathetic attempt they have done in defining 'shoulder charge'.

Actually boxing and MMA fighters are independent contractors, hence they cover their own insurance. They carry their own risk.

Also FYI you don't need contact with the head to cause concussion, hence why the shoulder charge, even if it is legal is a liability.

 

[Pete Cash]

Mma and boxing also have extensive medical suspensions. Someone who is knocked out is looking at not being able to train for a month at a minimum never mind compete. I brought it up last time but Ronda rousey won her last fight quite easily in 35 seconds. This was her suspension.


Ronda Rousey: Suspended 30 days, 21 days no contact

 

[betcats]

UFC takes concussion much more serious then we do:

http://www.mmamania.com/2013/1/8/3852326/ufc-president-dana-white-mma-concussions-nfl-mma

Obviously a footy team isn't going to lose a player for months due to a concussion but it just shows how other sports treat it.

 

[Last Week]

NFL is better

But I can see why Australians wouldn't like it - it requires them to think, rather than the bashing and barge simple nature of League.

Probably could have left it at this and would have been enough for the desired response. But well done.

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

Mma and boxing also have extensive medical suspensions. Someone who is knocked out is looking at not being able to train for a month at a minimum never mind compete. I brought it up last time but Ronda rousey won her last fight quite easily in 35 seconds. This was her suspension.


Ronda Rousey: Suspended 30 days, 21 days no contact

Mike Tyson back in his early years had 2 fights 8 days apart. He use to fight atleast once every 25 days. But only the baddest man on the planet can do that.

 

[MrAnonymous]

Mike Tyson back in his early years had 2 fights 8 days apart. He use to fight atleast once every 25 days. But only the baddest man on the planet can do that.

That was in the 80s its 2015, Fighters did that all the time back then. That's why they are all f**ked these days or dead.

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

That was in the 80s its 2015, Fighters did that all the time back then. That's why they are all f**ked these days or dead.

Was actually in the 90's. Fighters do that nowadays too when they're up and coming, just look through the record of Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua if you need any reassuance. I don't think he's fought 8 days apart but definitely monthly. Mike only did that once anyway.

 

[MrAnonymous]

Was actually in the 90's. Fighters do that nowadays too when they're up and coming, just look through the record of Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua if you need any reassuance. I don't think he's fought 8 days apart but definitely monthly. Mike only did that once anyway.

No it was in the 80s 1985.

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

No it was in the 80s 1985.

Actually you're right, but ok Lennox Lewis had 2 fights 11 days apart in 1990.

 

[Tenacious Titans]

+Crowds
+Atmosphere
+Big hits

-Too many stoppages / ad after ad after ad
-Too many games / teams (at least for me) to keep up with from week to week

If I'm home and it's on TV I'll usually have it on in the background though.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Jack Gibson described the difference between Gridiron and Rugby League best,
"Same game, different rules".

 

[betcats]

+Crowds
+Atmosphere
+Big hits

-Too many stoppages / ad after ad after ad
-Too many games / teams (at least for me) to keep up with from week to week

If I'm home and it's on TV I'll usually have it on in the background though.

Sums up my thoughts basically, I will watch it when it is on but never a full game.

Though I have seen big hits while watching its not like every play someone gets belted, from my own experience watching big hits on the ball carrier are not that common but some of blocks you see on defenders are huge, definitely the biggest I have seen while actually watching a game have been blocks. Defenders watching/chasing the and one of the other offensive players will line them up with a shoulder and hit them unsighted with everything they have, its pretty insane when that happens.

 

[mozza91]

NFL is like watching a 40 minute porn video with 38 minutes of back story and 2 minutes of vag.

 

[babyg]

NFL is like watching a 40 minute porn video with 38 minutes of back story and 2 minutes of vag.

Haha Gold

 

[babyg]

Jack Gibson described the difference between Gridiron and Rugby League best,
"Same game, different rules".

This is the way I see it too. America takes the sport of rugby and say "f**k this, why can't we forward pass", and "f**k that, why can't I shepherd".

Typical cheating mentality making there own rules up to suit themselves.

 

[God-King Dean]

This is the way I see it too. America takes the sport of rugby and say "f**k this, why can't we forward pass", and "f**k that, why can't I shepherd".

Typical cheating mentality making there own rules up to suit themselves.

Just say it: you think 9/11 is an inside job

 

[DURRRHURRR]

All well and good to talk up big hits in the NFL, but it is going down the same path as NRL in softening up the game, though not neccessarily for the sake of safety. All the new 'Helmet to Helmet' and 'Defenceless Reciever' rules are making the passing game much easier and leading to higher scores not hard to be cynical about the changes. Not to mention all the rules protecting the QB.

That being said there is some genuine concern for safety in the 'Horsecollar' and some rules that take out cheapshots to the knees when blocking. Sadly also the 'Jacked Up' segment on the MNF coverage showing the biggest hits of the week is no more and the game seeks not to promote itself on violent collisons.

NFL is still the tougher game, collisions are less controlled than in the NRL, players can be hit from pretty much any direction and with no thought of wrestling them into a slow play the ball position

 

[Lambretta]

Not really... At best in a season you'd have 5-10 awesome shoulder charges. Is it worth the risk of killing someone, giving them a concussion (which can lead to depression, suicide, memory loss and a whole range of mental issues), or giving them neck injuries? That's dependent on the person.

Personally, good shoulder charges are few and far between, and usually just a method of a smaller guy trying flatten someone bigger than them... Concussion is a serious matter, and we've learnt a lot about it in the last decade. The administration of decisions around the shoulder charge needs work, no doubt about it... But I have no issue with it being gone from the sport.

I don't have a problem with the huge "charging" tackles being taken from the game. The ones when a player rushes out of the line and blindsides someone who doesn't see them coming.

I will miss them because they were spectacular, but I recognise there is a very small level of risk and if something goes wrong it could end up with someone really being hurt.

However, there is a mile of difference between a full on shoulder charge and the types of tackles being charged as "dangerous" or "shoulder charges" by the NRL. Shoulder charges require two main components. A shoulder being used as the point of contact and a player "charging" at his opponent. They're charging people who are standing still ffs.

Most of the tackles they are penalising have no potential to hurt anything except the game itself when they're highlighted as "dangerous".

The definition of shoulder charge needs to simplified and 90% of the tackles being penalised should be allowed and the game should carry on.