So - let me say that I agree with a lot of the things you have said.

I also agree with Criddle in the quote above - it's extremely difficult to tackle someone who is diving. Actually - maybe I'd edit that to say is that it is extremely difficult to tackle someone who is diving forward if your intent is to stop them from crossing a certain line - whether that's for a TD or a first down. I get it.

But the reality is that if a player leads with the crown of the helmet while making a tackle - they risk penalty. You say "he didn't punch him in the head" - well, he didn't HAVE to hit him in the head to tackle him at all. He could've tackled him in the body. Sure - he is unlikely to stop him from scoring if he does. But I'll get to that in a minute...

I just think you have to draw a line somewhere and make a rule with the intent of keeping folks safe. And I don't think a person diving into no one is a dangerous play. I do think diving headfirst into another person IS dangerous. You act like it isn't fair - but as long as all offensive players are allowed to dive into empty space - it's fair because both teams can do it. Maybe it helps offenses, but it helps EVERYONE's offense the same.

When it comes to facemask - the rule is if the defensive player gets ahold of it for any amount of time - regardless of whether they pull, twist, or immediately let go - it's a 15 yard penalty. Fine. You say that they call facemask on the offense too - but you have to admit that it is called very very differently.

Anyway - I just think you have to decide what is legal and what is not legal as far as potentially causing injury. You'll notice - Criddle says it's difficult to make that tackle. He doesn't say the person diving is creating dangerous head contact. Just that they make it difficult for someone to tackle them and stop them from gaining that last yard. And it's true. That is a challenge and it is difficult and the defensive player has to weigh between risking a penalty or risking the TD being scored.

When you ask "what is the defense supposed to do" - reality is that they can't stop every runner from gaining every yard. Sometimes they have to give up a yard or risk the penalty. That's just an evaluation they have to make. If the defense really wants to stop that guy from scoring - then tackle him at the 2-3 yard line instead of the goal line. If defenses are out of position - then they are out of position and the offense scores. They shouldn't get to change the rules as to what is dangerous because they were out of position. What's next - they can grab the facemask if that is the only way to stop someone from scoring? Too bad, so sad. Want to stop the defense from scoring? Be in better position and play better defense.

Similar to a pass interference call - if the defender is out of position they can give up the TD or they can risk getting a penalty by interfering. Sometimes the penalty is called and sometimes it isn't called - like it wasn't on Sorenson.

Sometimes you're too late to stop the offense from getting the one yard they need. Bummer - but that's just how it goes sometimes. Just because the defense is out of position to make a good play doesn't mean the offense should be penalized for being in good position to make one.