Another offseason begins, and we continue a yearly custom of talking about rule modifications. This time, the XFL-style kickoff and the outlawing of the hip-drop tackling method are hot subjects. Gosh… Before the most recent Philadelphia Eagles home game against the Dallas Cowboys, if only the league felt it was appropriate to remove the latter from our lineup.
You can still picture the scene. One of the top tight ends for the Philadelphia Eagles, Markquese Bell, gave Dallas Goedert a full-fledged “Hulk Smash” in Week 9, breaking his forearm and forcing him to miss three games during the regular season.
Alright, so perhaps the play wasn’t as horrible as we’re making it out to be, but since we’re talking about theories, allow me to offer you another hypothesis. Our “Dallas” has stated that play did not occur in the three games he missed last season, but maybe, just maybe, he would have played.
He concluded with 592 yards receiving in 14 games, so it certainly wouldn’t have led to his first 1000-yard receiving season, but he could have kept developing relationships with Jalen Hurts and his other teammates. Just stating…
For our Philadelphia Eagles, this rule adjustment comes a little too late, but at least the league is sort of making the game safer.
But there is no connection between the two moments. The setback to Goedert brings to mind another season-ending injury that happened during an Eagles vs. Cowboys game. Who can forget that horse-collar tackle and the way the league decided to remove it from the contest AFTER Terrell Owens was hauled to the ground by Roy Williams?
Ultimately, Philly’s situation turned out to be favorable, even if the confetti ended up falling on the wrong side during Super Bowl XXXIX. In the end, T.O. was able to participate in the major game despite the rule change, but can you image if he hadn’t?
Look, nobody wants to see the product we started watching at the Pro Bowl, or flag football. Our only selfish argument is that, once in a while, it would be good to see some of these restrictions changed before it seriously jeopardizes the Birds’ future.
But why are we moaning, anyway? The bad deeds are what bring about the shift. The opposite isn’t actually true either. It’s football, after all. Events take place. Perhaps these are the ramblings of a devoted Eagles football fan that result from writing at three in the morning EST. Perhaps we could give it another go later this morning.
At least the Brotherly Shove will not be going away. Something transpired that was advantageous to us. Well, the lawmakers at least gave Philadelphia a break there!
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