NFL defenses take a hit

Three big, illegal hits on Sunday forced the hand of the NFL to implement an irrational rule, effective immediately. Any head-to-head collisions or hits deemed "devastating" will bring both a fine and possibly a suspension.

Normally, these things must be dealt with during the offseason, with the league's rules committee sounding off. That, however, was not the case.

The rule has caused quite a stir, especially with players, this week. Channing Crowder of the Dolphins, Ray Lewis of the Ravens and James Harrison of the Steelers - who delivered one of those vicious blows - are just a few of the plethora of players to voice their opinions. Harrison went so far to say he's contemplating retirement.

The common theme among those opinions is that defensive players will have to change teh way they were taught to tackle. Since when are players taught to lead with their heads? Now I don't sit in on NFL meetings, nor am I out there coaching the players, but helmet hits have been illegal for as long as I can remember, dating back to the playing days of Cardinals safety Chuck Cecil.

I understand that football is a violent sport, called a "gladiator sport" by most players. And nobody is forcing anyone to put on a uniform. But there is a right way to do things and a wrong way, and the NFL made the right decision to keep all of its employees safe.

Fans generally are attracted to the game because of the big hits, and I'm no different. But will enough be enough? There have been players paralyzed on the field, and I'm under the belief that, with players stronger and faster than they've ever been, something worse could be on the horizon.

The definition of a "devastating hit" brings a certain degree of uncertainty, but helmet to helmet is pretty self explanitory. When Brandon Meriweather drove his head into the helmet of Todd Heap, that was such a blatant disregard for the rules and hits like that should come with a suspension.

While I'm behind the NFL in principle, I just hope it uses great discretion moving forward as far as administering suspensions.