I am of the opinion a lot of us have been around the game for longer than 5 years or so, most of us played when clipping was the big penality, and maybe a face mask was not around. Rodgers said we were at a cross roads over safety, tighten it up or we will all be out of a part time job.
The defenseless player deal needs to be reworded somehow, if someone is defenseless, leave him the heck alone. I know coaches want to know just how close they can get to the edge without going over, but if player safety is our goal then safety is the only goal. The quarter back is only defenseless if you hit him in the head? The cheap shot at the knees is legal? You ever notice the smallest guy on the field is usually the one that is on the receiving end of a shady "block" or fore arm to the back of the helmet?
And one more rant from an old guy who enjoys this game. We need to be a lot less forgiving about this. If it was close to a foul then flag the guy and let him sit a game. When the stud safety is on the bench, the coach and player might refine their idea's. Fewer penalties, fewer ejections, fewer injuries, more player's avoiding the concussions and knee injuries.
The coaches on the rules committee won't ever let it happen but maybe Rodgers is smart enough to hit a happy middle ground.
Just an old guy thinking out loud.