Falcons' Arthur Blank & NFL Owners Unanimously Vote to Ban Hip Drop Tackle

Some changes are being made in the NFL, and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is signing off on it.

This week's Annual League Meetings had a full slate of proposed rule changes for Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the other NFL owners to vote on. In a controversial and unanimous decision, the owners voted that the hip-drop tackle is officially illegal.

The rule change adds another potential penalty for defenders. However, ideally it makes the game safer. NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said the technique has a 20-25 times injury rate. The hope is the ban adds more protection for Falcons playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Tyler Allgeier, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts. 

Arthur Blank

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Former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is a prime example. Pollard was injured in the January 2023 NFL playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers because of a hip-drop tackle. He was carted off the field and suffered a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain.

Officially from the NFL, it is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:

(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and

(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg(s) at or below the knee.

Penalty: For a Hip-Drop Tackle: Loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

In total, the NFL's competition committee is presenting six rule changes and NFL franchises are presenting four changes at the meetings, which take place March 24-27.

Currently, Atlanta is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. With a first-round draft selection in their pocket, the Falcons are scouting prospects, with an eye on improving a few key position groups, including edge rusher and cornerback. 

The Falcons defense was solid last season, as they were 11th in yards allowed (321.1) and eighth in passing yards (202.9) allowed per game. There's room for improvement, though, as they were tied for 21st in sacks (42) and 18th in points allowed per game (21.9).

After going all in on improving the offense in free agency, including signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, Atlanta could have a defense-focused draft.