On the field, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are a fierce combination. Shutting down one likely leaves an opening for the other.
Woodley and Harrison are teaming up off the field too - hoping to sack stricter NFL rules. Woodley went on NFL Radio to complain about fines and penalties http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/25/woodley-upset-that-football-is-turning-soft/.
“We didn’t get six Lombardis by playing soft football,” Woodley said. “We got them by playing aggressive football, hitting teams hard, and I don’t think that’ll ever change. "
I think he hit the nail on the head. There is too much money on the line to not play fast and hard. The stakes are too high. No matter what the fine, there is too much incentive to play hard.
Listen, I don't want to see players get hurt. They don't deserve it. But the system requires them to do as much damage as they can get away with. Injuries aren't going to become less frequent unless there is less money at stake.
Considering how the labor negotiations are going, that's never going to happen.
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LaMarr Woodley tackles "soft" football
