Ravens' John Harbaugh takes unconventional stance on controversial rule change

The NFL's new ban on the hip-drop tackle was greeted with criticism by defensive players and fans who viewed it as just another way to hold back defenses and prop up offenses. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh doesn't see it that way.

Harbaugh said on Tuesday that it's not only a play that needs to be removed from the sport, but it's also a fairly new play, and it shouldn't negatively impact defenses to have to use more traditional football tackling techniques.

"When did you ever hear about the hip-drop tackle until like two years ago, three years ago, right?" Harbaugh said, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. 

"That's because it was discovered, probably, in rugby and started being executed as a standalone technique. It's a three-part movement, and you've got to execute that play. You've got to be close enough to that ball carrier to actually get him around the hips, pull him close to yourself, swing your hips through and drop on the back of his legs. If you're that close, wrap him up, tackle him and take him to the ground, like Ray Lewis used to do and everybody did for 100 years before that."

The NFL claims the tackle was used 230 times during the 2023 season, resulting in 15 players missing time due to injury.

One of the players who missed significant time was Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, so Harbaugh might have an even greater interest in this rule change having seen the impact of the tackle. 

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill were among other prominent players to be injured by the play in recent seasons. 

The new rule for the 2024 season will result in a 15-yard penalty when it is called. The NFLPA opposed the change. 

From a player-safety standpoint, it is probably the right change. From a practical standpoint and when it comes to calling the tackle in real time, there might be a lot of controversy on how it is enforced. There's definitely going to be an adjustment period, and there might be some calls that anger fans and teams as players go through that.