Either way, I've developed the impression that the tackling is generally poor, with a surprising number of missed tackles, broken tackles, etc. Does anyone else think so or am I just imagining it?
I get what you are seeing, but I think it’s more a combination that blocking is better and they don’t call holding on blockers (unless the fix is in. This is the NFL afterall and blocking is the easiest call in the universe to make)
And skill at congratulating each other after making easy tackles is at an all-time high.
Hey JR — I discovered those NFL official recaps on Youtube several weeks back. They’re fabulous! Sure makes clear how much padding there is in a typical broadcast.
Up until 2017, I was a Broncos fan, so I’ve been accustomed to miss tackles for decades.
Remember NFL teams now play 17 games soon to be 18, at one time NFL teams played 12 games and the rosters are only 53 players, a few injuries and current teams are crippled, NFL teams limit hitting in the preseason and regular season to limit injuries, tackling will suffer as a result
Remember NFL teams now play 17 games soon to be 18, at one time NFL teams played 12 games and the rosters are only 53 players, a few injuries and current teams are crippled, NFL teams limit hitting in the preseason and regular season to limit injuries, tackling will suffer as a result
I see players trying to strip the ball instead of tackling the runner.
No, you are not. You will notice for open field tackles, linebackers and cornerbacks/safeties in particular, are now trained to tackle open-field "by collision". Rules obviously don't allow them to use legs/trips, and trying to get one's body in front of a running player is asking for a concussion or torso injury.
When we were kids, we were taught to "wrap them up" - even someone coming at you full-gallop. Tackling now is more done by throwing one's side/shoulder into the runners upper legs, from the side, keeping one's head and arms away. I'm actually impressed at how good at tackling are many small and fast cornerbacks and safeties are - without using their arms or exposing their head and neck.
Tacklers seem unwilling to make the head-on, full speed form tackle these days. You frequently see a linebacker or DB wait for the ball carrier instead of attack him, and not take a head on collision. Whether this is due to concussion concerns or trying to avoid penalties for “targeting”, I don’t know. And I hate that “horse collar” rule.
I believe that in the back of every defensive players mind is that I can not lead with my helmet. IF I do, I will get flagged for PERSONAL FOUL 15 YARDS. Potentially, even fined.
So, the hard hitting, is now more of an exception than the rule.
It has affected their ability to tackle.
Also, defensive players are penalized for hitting too low now.
This is a major problem for Running backs trying to block a blitzing Linebacker. How does a 5’10” running back stop a 6’3” linebacker?
What’s an NFL?
Tackling in the backfield has changed IMO. Corner backs and safeties seem to do a lot more tackling with their feet off the ground. “Flying to the ball” is how they coach it.
As someone who was a professional sports photographer, one of the caveats I tell people is that on TV you do not get a sense of the speed of some of these sports.
At ground level—looking straight on to a game, whether its hockey, football, or basketball—the action gets faster as the level of play rises.
Being able to follow a play is tough enough from the end line—but on the field in the midst of these “giants” the ability to even see a play unfold is amazing.
Now, if you think about the speed—and the ability to “juke” or “hide the ball” the reaction from any defense is one of the most amazing things to behold. Watching a hockey player dance on their skates is like watching brutal ballet. Having basketball players push and shove under the basket is like watching a combination of giraffes and large horses fight. And football is full of 300 pound, 6’5” monsters shoving each other around in a relatively tiny space.
The simple fact that they can follow the ball is amazing. Actually being able to run someone down and tackle them is simply astounding.
As a photographer, working up to those levels—from high schools, to colleges, and then professional levels gets you used to the speed. Watching from a birds eye view gives you a much distorted perspective of the size, speed, and field of view.
Just my two cents.
“Does anyone else think so or am I just imagining it?”
I haven’t watched an NFL game in 3 years. But I may be able to shed another theory on the tackling.
They aren’t really tackling as much as trying to separate the ball. This is being used in many levels of football and is noticeable if you look for it. I saw a really good example of it in an NCAA game this last weekend.
The ball carrier was hit by two defenders, one in the back, one in the front. The man in back had him hooked and was holding him up while the defender in front was making every effort to strip the ball as they were moving him in a forward progress direction and toward the sideline. This effort went on for about 5 yards until a third defender flew in and knocked them all our of bounds as they reached the sidelines. They were either smart enough, or lucky, as they were progressing the ball carrier so the play wouldn’t be killed and there is no penalty there so the official can’t flag the play or blow it dead on progress. The ball carrier can’t go down with the defender holding him up. So, it’s a mugging.
For the defenders coming in lowering their heads and shoulders, watch and you’ll see at least one of them during a play is trying to hit the ball. Many times you see a tackler reach out with one arm and try to swat the ball out of the runners arms.
They aren’t trying to tackle. They are trying to gain possession of the ball. Watch for it and you’ll see it. I officiated NCAA until 2001 and it happens there all the time. The defense is “ball hawking” and the offense is aware of it. This is why changing hands and hiding it with the body has become part of the actions the offense is taking alonmg with using bigger stronger backs for possession purposes rather than the 4.2. And some of the action in piles is intense groping and tugging.
Part of the game the fan doesn’t see as much. Watch for it.
wy69
It is a big fat paycheck for the players so why care and why get injured for the lunkheads that watch them no matter what?
When asked by the sports media as to why he didn’t make tackles, Deion ‘prime-time’ Sanders said, “It’s a business decision.”
What I have seen is that more and more running backs and receivers are simply running out of bounds instead of making someone hit them. I think that it is by design by the coaches so that players remain unhurt.
The game is built on speed and deception and scoring. Defensive players have too be very quick and fast. Those physical types cannot sustain a solid tackle...The teams which make bruising, sustained tackles usually dominate. Da Bears, Raiders, Ravens, older Steeler teams have been dominant when doing that. Game is geared for scoring now. Team that wins, many times, has the ball last.