‘A physical impossibility’ – John Harbaugh explains why the NFL is wrong about Giants RB Cam Skattebo’s controversial play
The New York Giants want the NFL to reach out and explain what they want out of running back Cam Skattebo. And it’s clear John Harbaugh isn’t happy with the league’s approach.
Running back Cam Skattebo said he would not change his way of running the football after being called for unnecessary roughness during the New York Giants’ win over the Houston Texans.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh doesn’t want him to, either. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Harbaugh not only defended Skattebo but went on to explain why the NFL’s stance on the situation is all wrong.
And it’s tough to disagree with a coach like Harbaugh, who has been coaching in the NFL since 1998.
Harbaugh explains why NFL is wrong
The Giants head coach joked that he expressed his opinion about the play by going off on the officials, which was caught on camera during the broadcast. On a more serious note, Harbaugh defended Skattebo by saying it’s impossible to run the way the rule dictates ball carriers should.
“I understand the idea, but I also understand human physiology and anatomy and the way the body works,” Harbaugh said. “Skattebo runs low. You have to run low. You have to run low to protect the football. You have to run low to protect your body. You can’t give tacklers your chest. When you run low, your head’s down there, too. You can’t move your head off your shoulders. It’s just a physical impossibility.”
Furthermore, Harbaugh pointed out Skattebo wasn’t out to use his helmet as a weapon. Instead, he was running the way he is taught to.
“I’m quite sure Skatt is not trying to use his helmet as a weapon, as a battering ram,” he added. “It’s not the way he’s thinking. He’s leading with his shoulders. That’s what he’s trying to do, and he’s trying to keep his head in a good, strong, upright position. But his pads are down there low. He runs low to the ground. That’s a good thing.”
Giants want to hear from the NFL
The Giants coach added he did not have any complaints about Skattebo’s techniques. In his eyes, he was running the way he’s supposed to to protect himself and the ball. Though he clearly disagrees with the NFL’s way of looking at things, he’s open to hearing them out.
“We haven’t heard from the league,” Harbaugh said. “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.”
Over the years, defenses have shifted to shoulder-first tackling methods to avoid such penalties. As the NFL fines more and more ball carriers for similar plays, it may be time to do a better job of explaining what they want.
The rule is so difficult to apply that flags are rarely thrown for these “fouls.” Heck, even the league’s social media accounts promote plays where a flag could’ve been thrown, as Skattebo inidcated postgame.
