Helmet-to-helmet, 40 seconds … Holding out hope
By Dave Reardon
I spoke with Jim Donovan yesterday while he was at LAX waiting for his flight home, ending a week-and-a-half on the road. The trip included WAC meetings in Phoenix. Items discussed included football rule changes for 2009. Donovan said there will be more emphasis on helmet-to-helmet and shoulder-to-helmet contact, and that more of these kind of hits will be penalized. The UH AD said his understanding is that the only ones that won’t will be plays where the ball carrier puts himself in a vulnerable position while attempting to gain yardage.
This brings to mind the Marcus Riley hit on Colt Brennan last year that knocked the UH quarterback out of the Fresno State game.
There’s also a 40-second play clock now, like the NFL. Also, the gameclock will start on out of bounds plays as soon as the ball is made ready for play (not when snapped, as previously), except in the last two minutes of the half or game.
Donovan and others say this may favor teams with no-huddle offenses.
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Mike Lafaele says he’s “kind of bummed” nothing has shaken out for him yet for at least a tryout with an NFL team. But the all-WAC defensive tackle is liked by at least one team — the Seattle Seahawks. Coaches have viewed a highlight tape put together by a scout, and they like it. Problem is the Seahawks don’t have any room at DT right now, even for a free agent, and something such as an injury has to happen for Lafaele to get an invite. It could happen, though, and Lafaele might get his shot, probably around the time fall camp starts.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
so by the WAC making the rule about contact with the shoulder/helmet to helmet, are they admitting that the play last year was illegal?? jj was playing the always nice coach and not being angry about it. it happened right in front of us (we sit in the first row in orange). they should also make a rule about the behavior of the team on the sidelines. all of their actions and words after colt was out cold deserved to get punished as well.
also, why is the ncaa continually trying to make the game like the nfl. since when were the nfl’s game clock rules so great? watching teams scramble for their life with the seconds continually ticking off the clock. their OT is stupid too.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hi Dave…forgot to thank you for responding to my previous post. Only saw it today. Regarding rule changes on the type of hit Colt took is a good move. While I think the hit was clean, it could have caused damage beyond repair, maybe even life threatening. I still cringed when watching a replay of that hit…vividly remember the silence that followed. Like Chawan-cut I too don’t care much for the 40 second clock. Only “good” I see…fans have less time to consume beer during the game.