Shoulder pad size and helmet contact

[MtnWasp]

Could the low shoulder pads be a reason for increased helmet to helmet contact?

As shoulder pads have become more flat, more of the helmet is exposed.

We've seen the trends. Seems like every other solid hit made by a DB results in the player being shaken up.

Now we are seeing defenders take down ball carriers by an arm to the head in a Deacon Jones head slap technique. Technically, it is not a face mask, nor is it a horse collar nor is it hands to the face. But a forearm to the helmet certainly knocks ball carriers off balance and does not require the defender to "get low and square" on a ball carrier.

We can continue to see additional rules about helmet contact but I do wonder how much of all this head trauma stuff is actually due to the puny shoulder pads.

 

[4shotB]

Could the low shoulder pads be a reason for increased helmet to helmet contact?

As shoulder pads have become more flat, more of the helmet is exposed.

We've seen the trends. Seems like every other solid hit made by a DB results in the player being shaken up.

Now we are seeing defenders take down ball carriers by an arm to the head in a Deacon Jones head slap technique. Technically, it is not a face mask, nor is it a horse collar nor is it hands to the face. But a forearm to the helmet certainly knocks ball carriers off balance and does not require the defender to "get low and square" on a ball carrier.

We can continue to see additional rules about helmet contact but I do wonder how much of all this head trauma stuff is actually due to the puny shoulder pads.

This is interesting. I have found myself amazed at the number of times our DB's have genuinely been shaken up requiring play to be stopped and have wondered about root cause. This predates the Uga game btw. I was thinking possibly it was bc they were playing with old nagging injuries that weren't fully healed but not bad enough to require them to sit out. Similar to the injuries to Efford, Haynes and Jamal.