The ‘tush push’ might be safe… for now.
As reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Green Bay Packers‘ proposed ban of the controversial rugby-style quarterback sneak is unlikely to be approved at the ongoing league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.
But that doesn’t mean the issue is off the table. Rather, Schultz understands there is a ‘better chance’ negotiations will be tabled for a future owners meeting.
Part of the issue is the wording of the proposed ban.
‘The current language in the proposal is just not clear enough and can easily be manipulated,’ one source told Schultz.
The future of the tush push should be decided Tuesday following debates about the safety of a play that’s helped the Philadelphia Eagles win one Super Bowl and reach another. To gain approval, the proposed ban would need votes from 24 of 32 teams.
As reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Green Bay Packers ‘ proposed ban of the controversial rugby-style quarterback sneak is unlikely to be approved for now
Head coach Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is on the record stating he expects support on the issue from a number of his former assistants currently working around the league.
‘We’ll see how it goes,’ Sirianni told reporters, as quoted by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. ‘All I will say about it is [Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan] Gannon, [Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane] Steichen and [New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen] Moore better vote for it. They are in the (head coach) position right now because of that play.
‘So all three, I better have those three votes right there and the Eagles’ vote,’ he added. ‘I at least know we have four.’
Tampa Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is also in favor of keeping it.
‘It’s a rugby element, but at the same time, when a team gets something that they’re good at, you gotta learn how to stop,’ Bowles said.
‘I don’t think the first thing you can do is try to take it out of the ball game because that takes away the creativity of everybody trying to do everything else. So you gotta learn how to stop it. Until we learn how to stop it, they’re gonna continue. It it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’
Of course, not everyone feels the same way. Even teams that have used it in the past are voicing safety concerns.
‘I feel, where I’m most concerned, is, even though there’s not significant data out there to this point, my main point and concern is the health and safety of the players first and foremost,’ Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters in Palm Beach.
‘It’s two things,’ he continued. ‘It’s added force, number one, and then the posture of the players.’
The Bills have regularly run a form of the play, McDermott conceded, before saying the team will act with the ‘health and safety’ of the players in mind.
