The NFL and the NBA have both chosen to make rule changes that could impact the way both games are played. One of their decisions was wise and needed while the other was excessive and unnecessary.
The NBA seeks to extinguish ‘emotional reactions’ following calls. or no-calls. Getting players to subdue their emotions has already proven difficult during the preseason. Kevin Garnett was ejected in the 2nd quarter in a game against the Knicks. Lamar Odom was T’d up for throwing his arms in the air following a questionable call, and Grant Hill and Reggie Evans were both ejected after they slapped each others assets (no homo)
Lucky for the NBA, Kendrick Perkins hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in June. Perkins couldn’t make it down the court and back without getting ejected under the new rules. As ridiculous as the new “behavior” rule is, the NBA is known for backtracking on new ideas once enough superstars complain.
Remember the new ball? 
Once Kobe is ejected for throwing a fit (which he is known to do) and is ejected the NBA will pull an about face and abolish the new rules and return to normalcy. I wish Rasheed Wallace was still around.
The NFL is also looking to curb behavior, but more importantly save lives. The NFL is implementing a new rule which will suspend players that head hunt.
The news brought about outrage from many of the NFl’s elite players…on the defensive side. Linebacker James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers was fined $75,000 for two hits he made in last weeks game against the Cleveland Browns. During both hits Harrison acted like a spear, running smack into the head of the offensive player. Both Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi of the Cleveland Browns were concussed on the plays. They didn’t practice on Thursday or all week for the Cleveland Browns, but coach Eric Mangini said both could be medically cleared to return to the field Friday.
The new rule is common sense. It is nearly impossible for an NFL player to fully avoid concussions, but making the act of striking a person in the head illegal, is beyond necessary. The scary part is that it took this long for it to happen. If a NFL player can’t tackle an opponent without given him or himself a concussion then the future of the NFL is questionable. How many brain dead, paralyzed, mentally demented ex-players does it take for NFL fans and players to recognize that.
Rodger Goodell, NFL commisioner has a decision to make. In many ways its a tough decision, should he allow Michael Vick who was convicted on bankrolling a dog-fighting organization, the chance to resume what he is most gifted at doing, playing football. The fact Vick served a 20 month sentence should be enough incentive that he has “learned his lesson”, but Rodger Goodell wants to rid the NFL of any headcases. But lets not forget it is FOOTBALL we are talking about, a sport where concussions and strecthers run rampant. If 20 months in prison isnt enough time to be fully exonerated by the public for dog-fighting, how much time is nessecary. And if reinstated Vick faces protesters that feel it nessecary to berate an ex-con, but sadly where absent when other NFL players had run-ins with law enforcement….example
