On Sunday, Giants running back Cam Skattebo drew a rare flag for impermissible use of the helmet. On Monday, Giants coach John Harbaugh defended Skattebo’s technique.
“I’m quite sure [Skattebo is] not trying to use his helmet as a weapon, as a battering ram,” Harbaugh told reporters, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN. “It’s not the way he’s thinking. He’s leading with his shoulder. That’s what he’s trying to do. . . . So, I didn’t have a problem with the technique personally at all, but we haven’t heard from the league. Maybe they’ll be able to enlighten us a little bit on it in terms of what they want us to teach, and that would be great.”
The language from the rulebook is as clear as it can be. Under Rule 12, Article 10(a), it’s a foul if a player “lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.”
The NFL adopted that rule in 2018, as a proposal that was cobbled together, presented to ownership, and passed without any advance discussion or scrutiny from the media. Infractions are almost always fined after the fact. Skattebo’s violation was flagged.
In Week 6 alone, the NFL imposed five fines for impermissible use of the helmet. In Week 5, six such fines were levied. For the year (including the preseason), 31 fines for impermissible use of the helmet have been imposed.
It’s only an issue for coaches when it results in 15 yards of field position; the fines are paid by the players. If the league wants to truly get rid of the maneuver, flags need to fly. And then coaches will be incentivized to come up with a plan other than allowing players to use their helmets like a battering ram.
For now, Skattebo has vowed to keep doing it. If he does, the fines will increase. Eventually, he’ll be looking at a suspension. And the officials will surely be watching him more closely for further violations — and possibly throwing more flags.