The NFL Competition Committee Votes Against Playing Football

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/03/24/brady_rule_steps_taken_to_protect_qbs_knees/

After its meetings this week, the NFL has decided to put up a charade that football is being played, rather than fold entirely.

Yes, the NFL has decided that defenders who are rushing the passer need not exert any effort once blocked. Yes, tackling the quarterback is now illegal if in fact you are being blocked.

The league has decided that yes, in fact one player is not only greater than the team, but greater than the entire league.

No, we must never, ever be forced to suffer through another Tom Brady-less season. Because football without him is hell.

And God forbid they have to find a replacement. I mean, when Trent Green went down in 1999, the Rams only barely won the Super Bowl.

And when Drew Bledsoe went down in 2001, the Patriots had to use the second quarterback on their depth chart to win the AFC championship game. I hear they even had to steal signals to beat those Steelers.

And when...

OK, seriously, there is no actual discernible football reason for this rule to be made. It stifles defenses, and teams should never ever be reliant upon one quarterback. So why protect him so much more than the other players. Last time I checked, the Patriots still had a winning season (though could not win a weak division) and Brady's replacement was Franchised (giving him an 11 or so million dollar salary) before being traded to another team to be the cornerstone of their offense.

Just stop. OK. Just stop, Roger Goodel. You, sir, are killing a national sport. Something that was once revered is now but a laughing stock (as you plan on going international, no less).

-- Knuttel