The helmet rule is back. As if it’s ever going to go away.

Thursday night’s game between the Eagles and Patriots featured yet another example of an impractical rule that was sold as a means for ending the decades-long practice of using the helmet as a weapon but that is so broad that it threatens to turn football players more rigid and upright than foosball players.

In the first quarter [url=http://www.billscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-harrison-phillips-jersey]Harrison Phillips Jersey[/url] , New England running back James White broke free down the sideline on a rushing attempt. Philadelphia defensive back Rodney McLeod, who seemed to try to loop around White in an effort to execute a form tackle, went in for the finishing move. McLeod lowered his head to execute the tackle, since his head was/is connected to the rest of his body. White dipped his own head to brace for impact. Helmets collided, and McLeod was penalized.

On one hand, maybe this is an example of how the play will be over-officiated in the preseason. On the other hand, the rule as written (i.e. [url=http://www.brownscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-myles-garrett-jersey]Myles Garrett Jersey[/url] , way too broadly) encompasses McLeod’s maneuver. He lowered the head (which had a helmet on it), and he initiated contact.

But as we’ve said before, and surely will say again, what was McLeod supposed to do? Maybe he could have tried to contort his body, whipping his torso into White’s legs while keeping the helmet from striking White, but good luck pulling that one off in real time and at full speed. (Cowboys safety Jeff Heath seemed to try to do that last week, when tackling 49ers tight end George Kittle.)

McLeod was [url=http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-mike-adams-jersey]Mike Adams Jersey[/url] , by all appearances, trying to tackle a ball carrier who wasn’t standing still. And when pursuing a player who is moving as quickly as he can, a true form tackle is impossible to consistently execute without the risk of helmet contact to the ball carrier. So, please, tell us what McLeod is supposed to do in that situation?

And please don’t say, “Don’t go in head first.” How can a defender reliably make a form tackle in the sport commonly described as tackle football if he doesn’t at some point lower his shoulders — and, in turn [url=http://www.bearscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-dick-butkus-jersey]Dick Butkus Jersey[/url] , lower his head?

The NBA is defending its quest to receive part of the money that states or gambling companies take in as part of legal sports betting.

On Wednesday, New Jersey’s state Senate president called on all 50 states to reject so-called ”integrity fees” as part of any sports betting legislation that might be enacted.

In a statement late Wednesday night, the NBA defended its position, saying its games are the foundation of what will be bet on.

”We will continue to collaborate with states on a regulated framework that ensures the protection of our fans and the integrity of our games,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told The Associated Press. ”As the intellectual property creators for this content, our games serve as the foundation for legalized sports betting, providing casinos the ability to earn revenue off our games [url=http://www.billscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-russell-bodine-jersey]Russell Bodine Jersey[/url] , while we bear all of the risk that accompanies sports betting and will incur additional expenses to expand our existing compliance and enforcement programs.

”As a result, we believe it is reasonable for casinos to compensate the NBA with a small percentage of the total amount bet on our games,” he said.

Many states vehemently oppose such payments, but some have shown a willingness to negotiate with the leagues.

Major League Baseball said in a statement Wednesday it will focus on ”developing meaningful partnerships” with state governments and betting operators. Representatives of the NHL and the NFL did not respond to requests for comment.

The NFL wants Congress to pass federal legislation regulating sports betting, which could include a determination on whether the leagues should get such payments.

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