CHICAGO, IL – Earlier today during the Big Ten Media Day we got a chance to speak with Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez and the topic of the new NCAA rule on "targeting" was forefront of the discussion. In fact, just about every player and coach has faced a question about it.
One thing is clear, Alvarez and others are not the biggest fans of how this rule is being implemented, but does see it as sending a strong message to players about safety.
"I think you have to send the message some way," said Alvarez. "I don't know if this is the right way, but it sure does send a strong message."
Even if it is a strong message, the question remains if it's a good thing for the game of football and where the line of playing hard ends and protecting the kids begins.
"I don't know where you stop it," Alvarez stated. "You want to protect the kids, but where do you draw the line?"
For Alvarez there should be a clear line in the sand in regards to this rule change.
"Anytime there's intent, anytime you launch with your helmet, you hit with the top of your helmet, anytime that the kid is unprotected and you go to the head, those are the things that you have to protect from."
Even offensive players are seeing issues with the new rule and how it will be enforced on the field.
"You want to make sure players are safe, but it goes back and forth because it is the game of football," wide receiver Jared Abbrederis said. "You have to protect the players, but it is football and we signed up for it."
Abbrederis also sees that concussions are a much bigger topic now than when he began his career at Wisconsin, but he also sees that if you are conscious of what you are doing out there a lot of the head to head hits will stop. For him it's all about teaching proper technique, wrapping up and making the tackle versus just trying to hit someone.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
