Another offseason begins, and we continue a yearly ritual of discussing rule changes. The major topics this time are introducing an XFL-style kickoff and prohibiting the hip-drop tackle method. Sheesh… If only the league had taken the latter out of our game before the most recent Philadelphia Eagles home game against the Dallas Cowboys.
You recall the moment. In Week 9, Markquese Bell unleashed a full-fledged ‘Hulk Smash’ on Dallas Goedert, shattering the forearm of Philadelphia’s finest tight end and forcing one of the Birds’ greatest players to miss three regular season games.
Okay, maybe the play wasn’t as bad as we’re making it seem, but since we’re talking about a hypothetical, here’s another idea. Maybe… just maybe… our ‘Dallas’ would have participated in the other three games he missed last season if such play had not occurred.
That most likely would not have resulted in his first 1000-yard receiving season (592 yards in 14 games), but he may have continued to develop chemistry with his teammates and Jalen Hurts. Simply saying…
Another rule change comes a little too late for our Philadelphia Eagles, but at least the league is making the game safer, sort of.
Although the two events are unrelated. Goedert’s injury reminded us of another season-altering injury, which occurred during an Eagles-Cowboys game. Who remembers the horse-collar tackle, and the league’s decision to remove it from the game when Roy Williams pulled Terrell Owens to the ground?
As it turned out, things went well for Philadelphia until the confetti dropped on the wrong team after Super Bowl XXXIX. As it turned out, T.O. was still able to participate in the big game, but imagine if he hadn’t and a rule change had occurred.
Look, nobody wants to witness flag football or the product that we started watching at the Pro Bowl. All we’re saying, selfishly, is that it would be wonderful to see some of these regulations changed before they cost the Birds something important.
Then again, why are we complaining? Unfortunate deeds determine change. It does not truly work the other way around. After all, it is football. Things happen. Perhaps these are the ramblings of a devoted Eagles football fan who writes at 3 a.m. EST… Maybe we’ll try again later in the morning.
At the very least, the Brotherly Shove will continue to exist. Something turned out well for us. At the very least, the rulemakers did Philadelphia a solid!
