By Joel A. Erickson | The Advocate
The NFL's new rule on the use of the helmet caused an uproar before a referee ever had a chance to enforce it in a game.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman called the rule "ridiculous" in USA Today. According to ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles left a meeting with referees to outline the new rule with no clarity about what might be called, and the Chicago Tribune reported that rookie Bears linebacker Roquan Smith is holding out in part over a dispute over language in his contract that could cost him guaranteed money if he is suspended for violating the rule.
The mere specter of automatic ejection has been enough to cause controversy.
But Saints coach Sean Payton, a member of the competition committee responsible for the rule, believes the uproar might not be justified. ...
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