NFL to add pads to player uniforms

According to a story by the AP earlier, the NFL has made thigh and knee pads mandatory for the 2013 season. Not so surprisingly, the NFLPA is against the idea, saying that action needs to be worked out between the NFL and the Players Association before becoming a rule.


The NFL is saying that it is a playing rule, and can be applied without negotiation  with the NFLPA.

Thigh and knee pads are mandatory at both the high school and college level of football, and in most cases, NBA players wear more padding from the hips down that NFL players, according to a Nike executive.

Players feel they are faster without the padding, and don't want to be slowed down. Thing is, this rule would apply to all players, so the effect would be the same for both offensive and defensive players.

Starting in 2013, a player can be sent off the field if he does not have the proper padding on, much like not wearing a helmet.

Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL has been trying to do this for years:
"We have raised the issue of mandatory pads for at least three years now," he said. "I believe the technology has improved, the pads are far better than a decade ago, they allow better performance and are more protective. Every other level of football uses the pads."




In news that is slightly related, Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson is the lead plaintiff among 15 men named in the suit filed Monday in federal court in Houston against the NFL over head injuries.

More than 1,000 former NFL players are now suing the league, saying not enough was done to inform them about concussion dangers and not enough is done to take care of them today. Thing is, the NFLPA does not want any money to care for these players to come from the cut the current players are getting now.

Sure, disagree with thigh and knee pads.

I think the NFL has been moving in the right direction, from the Saints 'bounty quicker picker upper' case to this, but they are being fought tooth and nail by the NFLPA. I wonder how that makes these players now suing the NFL feel.

The trade deadline has also been moved from week 6 to week eight, adding two weeks.