Trying to Solve the NFL's Headhunter Problem

The fallout from the weekend’s spate of brutal hits continues to hit newspapers around the country. The New York Post‘s Steve Serby offers another outraged column, while The New York Times William C. Rhoden suggests a 30-yard penalty for vicious hits.

Good idea, expect it won’t fix anything.

Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison – who delivered big hits that earned him the reputation as a dirty player – spoke with his NBC colleague Peter King about what will actually motivates a player.

“You didn’t get my attention when you fined me five grand, 10 grand, 15 grand,” Harrison said. “You got my attention when I got suspended… You have to suspend these guys. These guys are making millions of dollars. The NFL [has to say], ‘We’re going to really protect our players. We’re going to suspend these guys, not one game, but possibly two or more games.’”

Suspensions speak. Fines, not so much.

Our personal favorite suggestion was offered up by this idea from Reuters correspondent Simon Evans:

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