On Sunday, Giants running back Cam Skattebo drew a rare helmet flag. On Monday, Giants coach John Harbaugh defended Skattebo’s technique.
“I’m pretty sure (Skattebo is) not trying to use his helmet as a weaponlike a battering ram,” Harbaugh told reporters, via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “It’s not the way he’s thinking. He is leading with his shoulder. That’s what he’s trying to do. . . . So, personally, I didn’t have a problem with the technique, but we haven’t heard from the league. Maybe they’ll be able to shed some light on that in terms of what they want us to learn, and that would be great.”
The language of the regulation is as clear as can be. Under Rule 12, Article 10(a), it is a foul if a player “lowers his head and makes violent contact with his helmet against an opponent.”
The NFL adopted that rule in 2018 as a proposal that was put together, presented to ownership and passed without any discussion or prior media scrutiny. Offenses are almost always fined after the fact. Violation of Skattebo it was a flag.
In Week 6 alone, the NFL issued five fines for illegal helmet use. In week 5, six such penalties were imposed. For the year (including the pre-season), 31 fines were imposed for impermissible use of the helmet.
It’s only a problem for coaches when it results in 15-yard field positions; fines are paid by the players. If the league really wants to get rid of the stunt, flags should be flying. And then coaches will be prompted to come up with a plan other than allowing players to use their helmets as a battering ram.
For now, Skattebo is committed to continuing to do so. If you do, the fines will increase. Finally, he will ask for a suspension. And officials will surely watch him more closely for further violations — and perhaps throw up more flags.
