Football and the laws of physics

[oldmanfan]

I’m watching the replay of Sunday’s game and just saw the TD to Shakir.  They called roughing the passer on that play, and it was a perfect example of how I think the league has gone so overboard on roughing, late hits, and such that the rules are contrary to fundamental laws of physics.  Specifically F= ma.

 

F= ma.  Force equals mass times acceleration.  So you have guys of significant mass, running and accelerating  to try and sack a QB or break up a pass, so there will be force.  There will be force because physics are physics.  And pretty high amounts of force given the degree of mass and degree of acceleration. 
 

The league seems to want guys  to immediately stop accelerating.  Like when they’re within a step or two of a guy. You can’t just do that.  Plus as acceleration in this case is straight line, you also can’t reasonably expect a guy to be accelerating in a straight line, tackle, then somehow twist themselves into a pretzel to avoid landing on top of a guy.

 

I am not saying we go back to the Jack Tatum paralyzing Daryl Stingley days, or the days of watching QBs get destroyed every week.  But can we at least have football that acknowledges basic physical laws?

Edited 17 hours ago by oldmanfan

[oldmanfan]

Just now, QB Bills said:

This thread title has made me pgysically ill

How do you change it?  Can’t figure it out.

1 minute ago, QB Bills said:

This thread title has made me pgysically ill

Got it.

[GoBills808]

Little rusty on my physics but I'm pretty sure slowing down is just accelerating in the opposite direction and a fairly common phenomenon

[Johnnycage46]

The first law of physics is that you do not talk about physics.

[Strethor]

The league does not care about laws of physics they care about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Old Coot]

I once read that a blitzing linebacker hits with as much force as a car going 5 mph.

 

Is this true?

[Low Positive]

3 hours ago, Strethor said:

The league does not care about laws of physics they care about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Phynance > Physics

[US Egg]

41 minutes ago, Old Coot said:

I once read that a blitzing linebacker hits with as much force as a car going 5 mph.

 

Is this true?

Condensed from AI: Players hit with force impacts averaging about 40 G's, severe blows can exceed 100-120 G's, 85-90 G's is often cited as the threshold for concussion force. Force in pounds can reach 1,700 pounds in major collisions, comparable to a car hitting a wall at 18-20 mph. 
 

 

…..I just Grok’d it. Said higher m.p.h.

Edited 13 hours ago by US Egg

[WotAGuy]

If I have to obey the laws my wife sets down, NFL players can certainly obey the laws of physics. Get out of here with that stuff! 

1 minute ago, US Egg said:

Force in pounds can reach 1,700 pounds in major collisions, comparable to a car hitting a wall at 18-20 mph. 
 

 

 
I need to see the math on this one. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

20 minutes ago, US Egg said:

Condensed from AI: Players hit with force impacts averaging about 40 G's, severe blows can exceed 100-120 G's, 85-90 G's is often cited as the threshold for concussion force. Force in pounds can reach 1,700 pounds in major collisions, comparable to a car hitting a wall at 18-20 mph. 
 

 

…..I just Grok’d it. Said higher m.p.h.

Now, look at that happening 65+ times a game for a player over a three hour span. 

 

And we sit on the couch eating chips complaining that guys can't stay healthy. 

[Buffalo Boy]

Speed is where it’s at.

Force exerted goes up Squared in relation to speed.

1 times speed = 1 times force

2 times speed = 4 times force

3 times speed = 9 times force

 

 To the OP point, Newton’s 1st law of inertia

A body in motion stays in motion. Dudes can’t stop at the last second. 

[DaVinci]

[Buffalo716]

You think most football players understand physics? 

 

Rashee rice learned what physics were after he smashed his car into people

[Augie]

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 

 

 

And if it winds up in a tart, the Ryan Bros will fight each other for it. 

[HOUSE]

QBs will be wearing a flag within 5 years, absolutely no contact.

Book it

 

 

[US Egg]

3 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Now, look at that happening 65+ times a game for a player over a three hour span. 

 

And we sit on the couch eating chips complaining that guys can't stay healthy. 

Friend did remodeling for some players back some time ago. One a starting O-lineman. Couldn’t do work sometimes at his home for a few days after games because the players head wrung so bad couldn’t tolerate noise or bright light. Said there were times he couldn’t remember chunks of games. 
 

Boo effin’ hoo! Fat bastard had no business missing his blocks!                                                                        Jk.

Edited 9 hours ago by US Egg

[EmotionallyUnstable]

I think the late hit stuff it obvious and should be flagged when a QB is unprotected in the pocket. There should be less protections while they are scrambling, extending plays or become a runner. 
 

If Josh Allen is in the pocket, released the ball and gets hit well after the play or in a dangerous way, there should be a penalty. If he’s escaping the pocket extending a play, looking to chuck it down field, I think those protections should be significantly reduced. 
 

In fact, I’ve repeatedly said I believe they should remove the slide as a protected play. I think it is such an ambiguous call and it seems like every week it’s a new QB getting whomped. 
 

When you slide, your head and momentum begin to swing backwards towards the turf so any additional force added just compounds that into the ground and we see guys getting concussed because they tried to protect themselves. 

Edited 12 hours ago by EmotionallyUnstable

[MJS]

Defenders also have eyes. They are watching the QBs wind up and release the football. They see this happening as they are rushing them. Those are visual keys that allow them to know if they will get there on time or late. They have time to alter their momentum and slide away from them. If their view is blocked or they don't see, oh well, they should have been watching for it.

[US Egg]

3 hours ago, HOUSE said:

QBs will be wearing a flag within 5 years, absolutely no contact.

Book it

 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Doug Whaley was  right, after all!