The oft-debated so-called helmet rule that the NFL has implemented this preseason has stirred up no shortage of angst around the league. And according to Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, it’s going to end up costing some people their jobs in the end.
During Saturday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, cornerback A.J. Bouye was hit with a flag on a play in which he appeared to make a clean tackle. Even though it was not on a player from his own team, Zimmer has since sent a clip of that video into the league office to ask for clarification.
“It’s going to cost some people some jobs,” Zimmer said, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “Playoffs, jobs, the whole bit, I guess.
“We haven’t had any called on us so far. It’s just hard to figure out. No one has ever said to me, ‘Hey. Don’t worry about it, we’re going to call it less or we’ll get it straightened out in the regular season. Or we’re going to come up with a revised rule.’ No one has ever said that.”
Interestingly enough, Zimmer does not have any complaint about a call that most of us thought was utterly asinine. But both he, and one of his star players, is confused about what the heck players are supposed to do to avoid being hit with a 15-yard penalty for tackling.