The SEC Mistake on Targeting

When it comes to concussions in college football, I agree with the Southeastern Conference, but I don’t. Let me explain.

Concussions are a very serious issue. For years they have been common place in football while we failed to recognize getting a “bell rung” as a minor traumatic brain injury that could have serious implications to a player’s career long after the clock hits zeros.
The SEC is being proactive, and I like that.

Last year Commissioner Mike Slive pushed forth the new targeting rule in which a player could be suspended for a malicious hit .He continued to push for player safety during this year’s state of the conference address, telling the crowd on hand that he has encouraged the NCAA to look further into the concussion issue, as side effects are still being discovered

Then he announced the targeting rule was being expanded to include immediate dismissal for hits deemed illegal by the officials on hand with a video review on standby if necessary.
Allow me to throw the flag on the SEC.

I agree with the conference’s desire to make the game safer-no qualms with that whatsoever. What bothers me is that sooner or later, a mistake will be made in a game that really matters. And when that happens and apology will be issued.

Unfortunately apologies do not go too far in the BCS computers. In fact an apology doesn’t count at all. In the NFL if you lose a game and miss out on the playoffs because of a bad call, I’ve got no sympathy-you should have won more games. In the college game, the story is a little different; every game counts.

Head of officiating Steve Shaw has said the rule’s intention is to change behavior. He tells us that the conference is not trying to eliminate big hits, dispelling the “flag football” notion. He tells us that they are just trying to get players to lower their target and stay away from the head.

Understandable, but sometimes things happen. Sometimes the emotion of the game can take over. As a college football fan, I do not want to see a game incorrectly decided because a key player was incorrectly ejected.

I am not the only one who disagrees with the SEC’s push to immediately remove a player for an illegal hit. Florida head coach Will Muschamp said Tuesday the rule is fine as is-that decisions for illegal hits should be made on Sunday afternoon, away from the pressures of the game.
I appreciate the SEC’s proactive approach, but in this case, you shouldn’t try to change a rule that isn’t broken.