November 7, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL has made some changes to its rules regarding low blocks in recent years, but Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons doesn’t think the league has done enough.
New York Giants first-round pick Kyvon Thibodeau suffered a knee injury when an offensive lineman blocked him during a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. Former Oregon star felt severe pain. Paramedics wheeled a gurney onto the field, but luckily Thibodeau was able to walk off on his own. After the game, he said he got “all good news“, and it was good.
Parsons thought Thaddeus Moss’ block on Thibodeau was a prime example of why cut blocks shouldn’t be allowed. Current NFL defensive player shared an obscene message about the play on Twitter.
“I don’t understand why snapping is still allowed in the NFL!! We are grown men! Let’s play ball bro! I hate to see that man!” Written by Parsons (edited by LBS for profanity).
Blocks were outlawed by the NFL a few years ago. The difference is that a block-block is when a defender blocks an offensive player below the belt when the next player has already been engaged above the belt by an individual defender. Blocks below the waist are also not allowed after a change of possession or during kicks.
Last year, NFL owners approved another change to the low block rule which makes a below-the-belt block illegal if the contact occurs farther than five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage and more than two yards beyond the offensive tackle.
Parsons wants the low blocks to be eliminated entirely. He’s certainly not the only defensive player who feels this way.
