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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Sigler

Cameron Jordan criticizes NFL’s rule banning hip-drop tackles

A big change is coming to the NFL. League ownership ignored complaints from the players union and voted to ban the hip-drop tackle on Monday, and big names around the league weren’t happy. New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan took issue with the rule change on social media.

Now, officials will be penalizing defenders for tackling offensive players around the waist and leaving the ground with both feet — resulting in a 15-yard foul and automatic first down for the offense. It’s a change in the name of safety after some high-profile players were injured on routine tackles last season.

But implementing it will be a challenge. Officials already struggle to get many penalties and penalty-worthy plays right, and this is something that can’t be practiced given the limited contact at training camp and summer workouts. It’s an unpopular move with players and a difficult task for officials, but team owners are determined to see it through anyway.

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