So Many Injuries. Does Something Need To Change

[Montalban]

It seems to me that there are so many more injuries in football now than there was 20-30 years ago. Maybe I'm misremembering but it seemed like teams from the 80s and 90s basically made it through the season intact. Now it seems already this year, every team has at least one player, and several teams have multiple players who are out for the year. Does something need to be done rules-wise to stop this?

 

[Podunkparte]

Yeah, make breaking your leg against the rules.

 

[tlance]

It seems to me that there are so many more injuries in football now than there was 20-30 years ago. Maybe I'm misremembering but it seemed like teams from the 80s and 90s basically made it through the season intact. Now it seems already this year, every team has at least one player, and several teams have multiple players who are out for the year. Does something need to be done rules-wise to stop this?

Yeah.

Once they make the transition to flag football, the injuries will be greatly reduced.

 

[Montalban]

Yeah.

Once they make the transition to flag football, the injuries will be greatly reduced.

Seriously though, are the players too big and too fast? Are they to muscular. So many non contact tendon tears, Maybe the tendons can't keep up with the muscle. Too many seasons ruined by injuries. Once it starts costing the NFL money, they might act.

 

[fastforward]

Yeah.

Once they make the transition to flag football, the injuries will be greatly reduced.

Maybe the NFL will find even more athletic guys with even less endurance.

 

[Breed]

Seriously though, are the players too big and too fast? Are they to muscular. So many non contact tendon tears, Maybe the tendons can't keep up with the muscle. Too many seasons ruined by injuries. Once it starts costing the NFL money, they might act.

Speaking on non-contact injuries. Too muscular and not flexible enough perhaps.

Far as contact injuries go. They keep bigger n faster and the human body was not made to play contact football. Surprises me though every time I hear an ex-playerr say it might due to the rules not allowing contact in OTAs and practice etc. It's gonna take hitting the owners in the wallet for a change and even then who knows if they'll really care. Talk is already in the atmosphere about going to a 20 game season.

 

[Montalban]

Speaking on non-contact injuries. Too muscular and not flexible enough perhaps.

Far as contact injuries go. They keep bigger n faster and the human body was not made to play contact football. Surprises me though every time I hear an ex-playerr say it might due to the rules not allowing contact in OTAs and practice etc. It's gonna take hitting the owners in the wallet for a change and even then who knows if they'll really care. Talk is already in the atmosphere about going to a 20 game season.

It’s getting bad. I agree, it will have to hit the owners financially before they act. So many key players not on the field

 

[Tapey]

I think it has more to do with how much better we are today at identifying injuries

Example back in the 80s you get a concussion and you are playing through that shit. Today not so much.

 

[Debbie Does]

Spring training used to be tough and grueling. Then, the NFLPA started reducing serious practice time and tough workouts. All these light drills without pads mean player come into preseason games and then regular games not really tuned and ready.

 

[Judge Fudge]

Spring training used to be tough and grueling. Then, the NFLPA started reducing serious practice time and tough workouts. All these light drills without pads mean player come into preseason games and then regular games not really tuned and ready.

And lighter Preseasons too............

 

[Judge Fudge]

It seems to me that there are so many more injuries in football now than there was 20-30 years ago. Maybe I'm misremembering but it seemed like teams from the 80s and 90s basically made it through the season intact. Now it seems already this year, every team has at least one player, and several teams have multiple players who are out for the year. Does something need to be done rules-wise to stop this?

Honestly. I think it's a number of things that people have said.

People getting heavier and faster, More Knowledge about injuries' and the NFLPA coming in and screwing with shit

 

[Montalban]

Honestly. I think it's a number of things that people have said.

People getting heavier and faster, More Knowledge about injuries' and the NFLPA coming in and screwing with shit

The non-contact ACL and Achilles injuries are really becoming common place

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Seriously though, are the players too big and too fast? Are they to muscular. So many non contact tendon tears, Maybe the tendons can't keep up with the muscle. Too many seasons ruined by injuries. Once it starts costing the NFL money, they might act.

Add to what others are saying especially for the 80s, a lot in the 99s and now almost everyone has artificial turfs. Unlike natural grass fields it doesn't have give. Thus more lower extremity injuries. It sucks. But fans, owners, players and the NFLPA all wanted a faster surface that isn't affected much by weather.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Are there really more injuries today when compared to the 80's? I think the concussion thing is spot on but I'm thinking the OP was referring to injuries across the board.

I also think it's clear that the league is trying everything. To the detriment of the game. I mean who hasn't been pissed off when their team is penalized for a hit on a "defenseless receiver" (what is the defender supposed to do, allow the catch?) or when a DL is on the ground, tackles the QB by the legs, and gets a 15 yard penalty?

 

[Wazmankg]

There will be more rule changes that emphasize player safety... possibly some weight limit thresholds to try to reign in some of the "bigger stronger bodies via chemistry" tendencies. As @Montalban posted, players are getting bigger/stronger/faster but their bones, tendons and skulls, etc. are not.

Interesting that some of you seem to believe that increased injuries are due to not enough contact. That's just nuts.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

There will be more rule changes that emphasize player safety... possibly some weight limit thresholds to try to reign in some of the "bigger stronger bodies via chemistry" tendencies. As @Montalban posted, players are getting bigger/stronger/faster but their bones, tendons and skulls, etc. are not.

Interesting that some of you seem to believe that increased injuries are due to not enough heavy contact. That's just nuts.

IDK about "not enough heavy contact" but the decrease in conditioning sure could lead to things like hamstring and groin injuries IMO.

 

[Wazmankg]

IDK about "not enough heavy contact" but the decrease in conditioning sure could lead to things like hamstring and groin injuries IMO.

I don't think that football players undergo less conditioning than they did 30-40 years ago. In fact, the opposite is probably true.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yeah, make breaking your leg against the rules.

Fine the player every time they get injured!

 

[Montalban]

Are there really more injuries today when compared to the 80's? I think the concussion thing is spot on but I'm thinking the OP was referring to injuries across the board.

I also think it's clear that the league is trying everything. To the detriment of the game. I mean who hasn't been pissed off when their team is penalized for a hit on a "defenseless receiver" (what is the defender supposed to do, allow the catch?) or when a DL is on the ground, tackles the QB by the legs, and gets a 15 yard penalty?

I hate it but its necessary. The joy players take in laying someone out who isn't prepared is scary. No possible reason to end someone's career, or, for that matter, his life

 

[Montalban]

There will be more rule changes that emphasize player safety... possibly some weight limit thresholds to try to reign in some of the "bigger stronger bodies via chemistry" tendencies. As @Montalban posted, players are getting bigger/stronger/faster but their bones, tendons and skulls, etc. are not.

Interesting that some of you seem to believe that increased injuries are due to not enough contact. That's just nuts.

I have to agree with that. Its designed to decrease injuries