Knee & Thigh Pads to be mandatory starting in 2013

[wickedsolo]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...rting-in-2013/


Good. This is a good step in the right direction for player safety. I never understood why players didn't want to wear them anyway. It's not the best form of knee/thigh protection, but it will sure go a long way in bone bruises & deep muscle bruises.


Now they need to make the Revo helmets & mouthpieces mandatory for all players.

[Ravenswintitle]

A result of the player lawsuits, new Nike contract or true attempt at player safety? I say the former...

[wickedsolo]

A result of the player lawsuits, new Nike contract or true attempt at player safety? I say the former...

I definitely think the player lawsuits have a lot to do with it even though it was the players themselves who wanted the options to not wear the protective gear.

[GOTA]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...rting-in-2013/


Good. This is a good step in the right direction for player safety. I never understood why players didn't want to wear them anyway. It's not the best form of knee/thigh protection, but it will sure go a long way in bone bruises & deep muscle bruises.


Now they need to make the Revo helmets & mouthpieces mandatory for all players.

They don't want to wear them because it slows them down. Watch the receivers and defensive backs scream the loudest over this.

[wickedsolo]

They don't want to wear them because it slows them down. Watch the receivers and defensive backs scream the loudest over this.

They already are and the notion that it "slows" them down is bogus.

It's not like these pads are 5lbs a piece or something haha. It didn't impact their play in college where it was mandatory for them to wear them. It won't in the pro's either.

[BcRaven]

Those of us old enough remember when Major League Baseball transitioned to batting helmets. IIRC it wasn't mandatory for veterans. Rocky Colavito used a cap with a plastic insert. I think any safety measure, that does not inhibit a player's actions, should be explored... Bc

[Irish Raven]

I've read a book Dark side of the Game by Tim Green, former Falcons linebacker
Great book, it's up on the internet as an audiobook.


The players will refuse most any padding if they think it will slow them down

I see from the thread title that this is mandatory, it has to be as players would opt out if given the choice

[GOTA]

They already are and the notion that it "slows" them down is bogus.

It's not like these pads are 5lbs a piece or something haha. It didn't impact their play in college where it was mandatory for them to wear them. It won't in the pro's either.

I don't disagree with you. I'm just waiting for the excuses from certain guys like Mike Wallace.

[Ravenswintitle]

It's not just receivers and skill players that don't wear them now. A lot of offensive linemen forgo the pads and I'm not sure why. I remember Madden going on a tirade about it last year. In fact I don't think Oher wears them

[pslholder96]

They already are and the notion that it "slows" them down is bogus.

It's not like these pads are 5lbs a piece or something haha. It didn't impact their play in college where it was mandatory for them to wear them. It won't in the pro's either.

Why is the notion of "added weight" bogus? Regardless of how much this extra padding weighs, you can't ignore the fact that the players will be dealing with additional resistance. We can't have them looking like the Michelin man.

[HoustonRaven]

If today's premiere athlete can't adapt their game to what amounts to one extra pound of padding, then I question how premiere they really are.

Not to mention their supposed commitment to safety we heard during the lock out.

[Ravenswintitle]

Not so fast... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-leg-pad-rule/