Interesting thread. Hopefully allowed to put my two cents (maybe a dollars worth) in.
The game has changed for all of us that have played and watched football for any length of time. That can go back 50 or so years or a couple of years, or yearly.
As much as I hate to say this . . . . must. We now have instant video like never before. Sports being high dollar even with the economy failing for many. The games can be looked at very, very close, and bad or questionable calls could be decided through the lense.
Some years back the NBA had to change the number of referees on the floor . . . . reason being as many know, they are only human and humans miss calls. However, take that a step further, one NBA referee at the top of the league and calling some of the most important games, we all know what happened. His ass is in prison and in my opinion should stay there. Video was one of the reasons that a conviction in his case would not let him or his lawyers get away with the CRIMES. Not one many.
In the case of football, as we all either know or have been told, a penalty can be called on almost every play. Almost impossible to pass or run block and not put those hands or feet where they should not be. According to the rules.
Helmet to Helmet is and always will be in my mind a cheap shot. These young men are aggressive and I think I can say this, the aggression is only heightened as they step up the ladder. High school, college, professional. Many times if not most, after reviewing film, you can get a true picture of what the intentions were. That can be done clip by clip if necessary.
Personally, I don't want video to take over the game of football, but I also don't want to see young men that are naturally aggressive at their ages TAKING CHEAP SHOTS. When all of us were at the age of two (terrible twos) we were usually taught a lesson that remained with us for the rest of our lives. If we did not learn that lesson, some ended up in places that serve peanut butter and jelly with kool-aid regularly.
If I were agreeing with one person, and there are many in this thread that I respect, it would be the point that wlayton is putting across. It is a rough sport, much rougher than 10, 20, 30 50 years ago. These young men have the advantages of machines, diets and coaches/teachers and lessons learned by their mentors from years on those same fields. Let the good, hard hitting continue, this is not a place for everyone. That is why every school RECRUITS.
I realize I used more than 10 dollars worth, just felt I had to say something. Let the young fellows play, call the games fairly, respect the sport. Keep excessive video out, but only if the game is fair for both sides.
One last comment on the OSU game. We were outsmarted by our opposing coaches. Have said on this site many times before . . . . patience, patience, patience. Calls did not beat us, we beat ourselves, with a lot of help from OSU. Go Dawgs, protect our stadium from one SS.
