49ers’ Richard Sherman isn’t happy with the NFL’s new tackling rule

The San Francisco 49ers were bit twice on Saturday night against the Houston Texans by the NFL’s new rule on lowering the head and shoulder while tackling. And cornerback Richard Sherman took exception.

Twice, during the San Francisco 49ers‘ 16-13 preseason loss to the Houston Texans Saturday night, the Niners were bit by the NFL’s new rule against players lowering the head and shoulder to make a tackle.

The first instance, running back and special teams ace Raheem Mostert looked to have made a perfect form tackle against a Texans punt returner, who elected not to call for a fair catch despite the converging pressure.

Mostert was flagged for the hit, which was questionable at best.

A number of plays later, 49ers edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu was flagged on a similar call on a defensive play — also questionable.

On Sunday, veteran cornerback Richard Sherman took to social media to display his frustration with the new controversial ruling, writing:

"To all those ppl including those who made the rule. I want a video of YOU running full speed and being lead by anything but your head while also attempting to bring down a moving target. You will soon realize it’s impossible."

He continued:

Sherman has a point. Without diving too deeply in the physics and anatomy of the human form, all one needs to do is run at full speed in a sprint. Most human beings, during acceleration, will be running with their head and shoulders in front of their core.

Tack on the job of bringing down another human being running at full speed, and it’s not hard to see where Sherman is coming from.

Plenty of other players from around the league too.

The rule specifically states:

"ARTICLE 8. USE OF THE HELMET. It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent.Penalty: Loss of 15 yards. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down. The player may be disqualified."

Arguably the only way to prevent such contact would be for a tackling player to slow up before making a tackle, therefore opening up the chance for the ball carrier to juke or speed by the defender not able to converge quickly enough.

That won’t work. And while offensive players can be called for the same play, it’s almost guaranteed the vast majority of penalties will fall on defensive players this season.

Don’t blame the officials, however. They’re trying to figure it out just like everyone else.

Either way, Sherman being upset with the new rule has plenty of merits. The change in rule is going to have a significant effect on how games are called this season. And one can only anticipate a questionable penalty being called here, which ultimately affects the outcome of a game.

Fans don’t want to see games for the rules or flags. They want to see the players play.

Let them.