The Jaguars were a poor tackling team last season. So were the Gators.
In fact, most teams at all levels tackle poorly. Whatever happened to “stick ’em between the numbers” and “knock their heads off”? The fundamentals of tackling?
The rules happened. I’ve gotten over getting frustrated about missed tackles. “Stick ’em between the numbers” and “knocked their heads off” are now illegal, 15-yard penalties. I sympathize with, not criticize, today’s defensive players. They’ve been handcuffed.
A play in the Jaguars-Cowboys exhibition last Saturday epitomizes what I’m talking about. Jags safety Andrew Wingard was flagged when his helmet collided with a Dallas receiver’s head. Wingard’s lowered his shoulder and was going for the chest of the receiver. But at the last second, the receiver instinctively lowed his head, and out came the yellow flags.
Sure, defenders — primarily cornerbacks mocking the great Deion Sanders — should wrap up better on outside runs, but they might be flagged for hitting too high or too low.