Are proper tackling fundamentals not being emphasized enough in practice?
Dave in Wilmington, N.C. A: Your knowledge and experience are needed in helping the league and players figure out ways to minimize concussions. A friend of mine suggested the face mask is the worst thing that happened to football because it gave players the confidence to use their helmets as a weapon. Better tackling techniques need to start in junior high and continue through high school, college and the pros. Tacklers love to intimidate, but what they don’t realize is they are suffering injuries that could shorten their careers and make their postcareer lives miserable. Jeffri Chadiha identifies some reasons for the poor tackling in our latest Hot Read. Short takes Red in Denver asks whether the true value of the Jay Cutler-for-Kyle Orton trade will be revealed in how much the Bears fall and how high the Broncos’ first-round choice in the 2010 draft becomes. The true value of the trade will be who ends up with the better quarterback. Orton is in the last year of his contract. Cutler
