Some hits, like this one on Cam Newton, might lead to automatic ejections if there's a NFL targeting rule. DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers is hit by defensive end Derek Wolfe #95 and defensive end Jared Crick #93 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 8, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Are you a college football fan that screams and yells each fall Saturday as another player is ejected for a questionable targeting penalty?

Well, you soon might be able to get that angry on Sundays too. While the NFL world convenes in Indianapolis for the NFL combine, the competition committee is talking about possible automatic suspensions/ejections for certain hits, similar to the NCAA’s targeting approach.

Right now, this is at its early stages and would need to be ratified by 24 of the league’s 32 teams. This move is being considered in part because some question whether the league’s current punishment for hard/illegal hits is actually working.

“One of the things we talked about is: Should certain plays, should certain hits, lead to immediate ejections or automatic suspensions?” said New York Giants co-owner John Mara, a member of the competition committee. “There were three [plays] that we saw. There was that one hit on Darren Sproles by that Redskins player [Deshazor Everett] when he was fielding a punt. One was in our game against Pittsburgh where one of our players on the kickoff return hit the Pittsburgh player up in the head area. The guy never played the rest of the season. There was another one in, I think it was Miami against Buffalo, where there was a pretty tough hit [by] the receiver against the safety.

“We just have to figure out [if] fines aren’t doing it and do we need automatic suspensions or an ejection? There’s a big discussion about which is better. . . . I think you’re looking at the play that looks like it’s a deliberate attempt to injure someone.”

Thus far, the details are pretty vague on what this rule would look like. But right now, I’m not a big fan. While college football’s targeting rule has made us much more aware of these hits where players lead with the helmet, enforcing the rule has been just short of a disaster. The rule oftentimes gets taken too literally and certain players will be ejected for hits that barely cause a stir.

If the NFL is smart, they will be more clear about this and make sure the hits being punished are the ones causing significant damage. They also need to figure out how this new rule possibility won’t slow down games significantly, like it can in the college game.

[Washington Post]

About Ryan Williamson

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and has recently returned to his Minnesota roots. He previously has worked for the Columbia Missourian, KFAN radio in Minneapolis and BringMeTheNews.com. Feel free to email me at rwilliamson29 AT Gmail dot com.