First Name: Cam Heyward rips concept of latest NFL defensive penalty; Brian Flores is a finalist for Arizona teaching job
On Monday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward spoke out against a possible NFL rule that could make life even harder for defensive players.
Brian Flores is now a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job. Myles Garrett was injured during Pro Bowl games.
And the NHL is back after the All-Star break.
More for Flo’
Brian Flores, assistant defensive back for the Steelers, gets a second interview for the vacant position as head coach with the Arizona Cardinals.
So says Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
#Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores is expected to have a second interview with the #AZCardinals for their HC job on Wednesday, a source said. He’ll also be interviewing for the #Broncos DC job the day before – and is a top candidate for the #Vikings DC job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2023
In addition to these possible openings, Flores was also a candidate for defensive coordinator positions with the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns. Both of these positions are now filled.
SI.com’s Albert Breer reports that Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are the other two remaining contenders in Arizona. He also says Arizona’s own defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, and Bengal’s offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, have been eliminated from consideration.
go too far
It seems that the NFL is thinking hard about getting rid of the “hip drop” tackle. This method of tackling resulted in a broken leg for the Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard during a playoff game in San Francisco.
After Mahomes yesterday, another textbook mechanism for high ankle sprains for Tony Pollard. This one seems worse, additional concern for fracture. Hip drop tackle again – not always a “dirty” game, but a technique with a high risk of injury for the ball carrier pic.twitter.com/1Tl78OFkPo
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 23, 2023
Last week said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, said the technique could be eliminated. A hip drop is when the defender grabs the ball carrier from behind and then slides down the offensive player, dropping his body weight onto the ball carrier’s legs. This move has been banned by the National Rugby League in Australia.
Through ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL’s Competitions Committee is expected to consider new rules that would prevent this type of play, and Sills and the league’s medical staff would also be involved in those discussions.
Steelers defense attorney Cam Heyward waved the idea on Friday.
That’s so stupid. How the hell are we ever supposed to get boys on the floor. You think too much
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 4, 2023
Not only that, but when hip drop tackles become penalties, the weekly controversy over how many are being called and how inconsistent the calls are will lead to chaos.
More sport
• Tim Benz: We keep hearing about “volatility” in the Penguins’ performance – now it’s time to fix it
• Miles Boykin made a fit for the Steelers during Season 1, but will he be back for 2nd?
• Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Hockey just doesn’t know how to be cool
Garret is gone
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett suffered a dislocated toe while attending Sunday’s Pro Bowl games, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. X-rays came back negative. But Garrett hobbled off the field in Las Vegas.
Probably not what Cleveland wants to see. Myles Garrett hobbles away. pic.twitter.com/3lprj1kOpw
— Darren Carr (@DCarr75) February 5, 2023
Meanwhile, Jalen Ramsey landed on Tyreek Hill during the flag football game while trying to pull a flag on Davante Adams.
Jalen Ramsey decided to beat Stick @cheetah at the Flag Pro-Bowl pic.twitter.com/naC15a3G9m
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 5, 2023
Ramsey ended up getting a personal foul penalty.
Back in progress
When the NHL resumes play after the All-Star break, the Penguins won’t be part of the action. They won’t play again until Tuesday. Then the Colorado Avalanche visits the PPG Paints Arena.
However, some teams within the Metropolitan Division will start again on Monday. Third-placed New York Rangers (62 points) host Calgary at Madison Square Garden. The New Jersey Devils, currently second in the table with 68 points, welcome the Vancouver Canucks. And the New York Islanders (55 points) have to take on the Flyers (51 points) in Philadelphia.
The Penguins have 57 points, good for fifth place in the division and last place in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes lead the league with 76 points. They reached the All-Star break on a seven-game winning streak.
Tim Benz is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.
