The NFL Competition Committee will hold a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the league's new helmet rule, which has drawn plenty of criticism from fans, media, players and even some coaches midway through the preseason schedule.
But Mike Tomlin, who sits on the committee, said Tuesday he feels the league is doing a good job instructing players and game officials on what it wants in terms of the new rule, which makes it illegal for an offensive or defensive player to lower his head and use it at the point of contact.
"I think we are all learning each and every week, every time a game is played," Tomlin said. "Whether or not it is in our game or another person's game, the gathering of information (is taking place). The league is doing a nice job of sending instructional videos out to further educate us. It's a process. I am not ringing the alarm bell. I do not think our players are ringing the alarm bell. We are simply working to play within the rules and gather information as it is given."
That's a far cry different than the tack Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer took. He ripped the new penalty, saying, "It's going to cost some people jobs."
The new penalty has been called 51 times in 33 preseason games, a rate of just over 1.5 times per game. But the Steelers have been called for it just once, that coming on this play from their game last week in Green Bay:
This is a penalty now?! They are going to have to fix this new helmet rule quick pic.twitter.com/gkRdgoaudk
— Kraig Urbik (@kraigurbik) August 17, 2018
That play by Coty Sensabaugh was penalized for what appeared to be a form tackle and was somewhat alarming, as Kraig Urbik, a former Steelers draft pick and longtime NFL player noted. But Sensabaugh would only say the play was a strange one.
“It was a weird call, but I think we are all learning – players and refs included,” Sensabaugh said. “It’s just something we all have to work through and just keep moving forward with.”
Perhaps. Unless the Competition Committee decides to make some adjustments.
Typically, when a new rule is put in place, it will be called a lot in the early stages and then slows down once the regular season begins. That could be because the players do adjust to the new rule or because the officials just aren't as stringent in calling it.
Tomlin doesn't sound as if he would be in favor of dramatically changing the rule.
"I'm not getting into reasonable," he replied when asked what he felt was a reasonable adjustment time for the rule. "This is new and different. We are focused on acclimating ourselves to it and giving information that will help the acclimation process."