ALAMEDA — The Raiders are still trying to wrap their brain around an NFL rule which penalizes players 15 yards for lowering of the head to initiate contact.
“I don’t think anybody knows how that’s going to go,” Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson said Tuesday. “That’s going to be a gray area . . . it’s going to be hard, especially for defensive players.”
The Raiders aren’t alone in their confusion. Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer warned the rule would “cost people their jobs” ands some players, including 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, have voiced their concerns on social media.
The rule came as a surprise when it was voted upon in March following a 2017 season in which there were 291 documented concussions as well as a severe spinal injury to Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Each team is visited annually in training camp by an officiating crew which educates players on rule changes and points of emphasis. A video presentation included examples of what constitutes a lowering the head foul.
Midway through the preseason, lowering of the head has been called 51 times league-wide, 43 of those against defensive players. The Raiders host the Green Bay Packers at the Coliseum in their third exhibition game Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden understands the spirit of the rule but at the same time believes it to be difficult to enforce.
“I still think it’s going to be a hard thing to call,” Gruden said. “You’re running full speed. I don’t know which way you’re going. I’m running full speed at you and I’ve got to bring you down. We’re both getting paid to get our jobs done. It’s going to be tough on officials, but I think we can clean up some of the vicious hits that are uncalled for.”
Although the Raiders are attempting to teach tackling without use of the head, a certain amount of contact is inevitable, according to defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
“Guys get in funky positions,” Guenther said. “Sometimes it’s unavoidable . . . we try to teach our players to keep our head out, don’t duck your head, and all you can do is keep going over those things and reassuring these guys to understand what the rules are.”
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said it hasn’t been a big topic of discussion on offense other than trying to get running backs to avoid leading with their head — a common tactic to gain extra yardage.
Olson said further clarification is expected as the regular season approaches.
“They’re saying now they’re going to come back through again with another video trying to explain it,” Olson said. “We’ll look forward to seeing the new explanation and the new tape on how they’re going to call it in the regular season.”
The Raiders have received one lowering the head penalty on safety Karl Joseph in their preseason opener against Detroit. It came on an 8-yard gain by Ameer Abdullah and although Joseph’s head was to the side of the runner — making it a legitmate form tackle — the head was far enough out front to draw the flag.
Joseph, through the media relations department, declined comment for this story. Guenther believes it was a call the official simply got wrong.
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“I actually asked the official right after the play was over,” Guenther said. “I think sometimes when you view the collision, it’s just a natural tendency to throw the flag. When you go back and look at the film, you can clearly see his head was to the side and wasn’t helmet-to-helmet or anything like that . . . I understand you’re trying to make the game safer. We’re all trying to do that, but at some point it is football.”
The rule includes a provision for ejection for a particularly flagrant hit that includes lowering of the head, although that too is subject to interpretation.
Gruden wants no part of involving instant replay.
“I think of you keep challenging everything, pretty soon we’re never going to play football,” Gruden said. “The game is going to last forever.”
Johnson hopes officials apply common sense once the regular season begins. He also fears defensive players overly concerned about the rule may play with less abandon, thereby increasing the possibility rather than reducing it.
“You don’t slow down your play,” Johnson said. “That’s how you get hurt in this league. You go fast and play fast at all times.”
