The league has reviewed game tape to assess fines on players for extreme illegal hits for a long time, like decades. It’s good for the game because it keeps dirty play from going unpunished just because the ref missed it.
I haven’t seen anybody refuse to tackle or pulling up. Well Deion Sanders but he just never liked to hit people, made him a better cover guy.
Actually “rough touch” is exactly what they’re trying to get out of the game. A lot of defensive backs have lost the art of the actual tackle, instead turning themselves into missiles under the theory of if you hit a guy really hard he’ll fall. Not only does it cause injuries, it’s a bad way to play the game as guys can dodge you more easily and then you’re laying on the ground and they’re running free. Tackling involves wrapping your arms around a guy and bringing him down, it needs to get back in the game.
You obviously weren't watching the Philadelphia Eagles last year. They didn't have a corner on the team that wanted to tackle. Safety play was even worse. It was so bad that teams were just running the ball more because once they popped through, the play was going for a big gainer.
Now maybe that wasn't leage-wide, I'll admit. But ever since the league liberalized the passing & pass-blocking rules, receivers have gotten taller/rangier and corners have gotten lighter and less physical. Consequently it's more like a track meet than a football game.
As far as reviewing the hits... I'd be OK with it if a penalty were also called, triggering the league review. I'm just sick of reading that this guy or that got suspended/fined for a play that wasn't even worthy of a penalty during the game.
Thanks for the good points.