First Call: Chase Claypool, Damar Hamlin starting to pop in camps; replay rule change; Guardian Caps in games?

A former Pittsburgh Steeler is starting to emerge in his new city. We are going to see an NFL replay rules change. We might see an expansion of the NFL Guardian Caps into game day. And Damar Hamlin is starting to shine in Bills’ practices.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Worth noting

Here’s one NFL rules tweak that could come into play in a crucial situation in 2023.

ProFootballTalk.com says that an additional type of play has been added to the list of automatic replay reviews for the booth.

Via PFT, anytime a team goes for it on fourth down and fails to convert, the result of that play is subject to review. That doesn’t mean the play has to be halted — just like a scoring play or a turnover. But a review will be occurring as the teams switch units and the action changes direction.

However, no such automatic review will take place if the offense converts on fourth down, unless the play is under some other type of umbrella that calls for it (under two minutes remaining, scoring play, etc.).

The Houston Texans proposed the rule change.

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Just the beginning?

Mike Florio of PFT also advanced a debate if the puffy Guardian Caps you see on players’ helmets during practice should be considered for use in games. He claims “the NFL hasn’t ruled it out,” citing a 52% dip in concussions during the time they were used, in comparison to the previous three-year average.

OK, but if we are talking about teams reporting their own concussions from practices and scrimmages as opposed to games that are league-monitored now, how reliable is that data really?

But, I digress, because Florio’s other point is a good one. The only reasons why the league wouldn’t go to using the caps right now are simply style and branding. To whatever degree the caps are working — whether that’s really at a 52% clip rate or not — they seem to be reducing concussions. So why not implement them in game play?

And the answers are that they look goofy on television, and they obscure the logos on the helmets.

Simple. Period.

So is the constantly concussion-sensitive NFL really willing to admit (or able to concoct a spin so as not to admit) that they’d sacrifice any level of player safety for fashion?

I doubt it. And what if any individual player wanted to wear the cap as his own personal option? Would the league actually deny that player such a request? Florio pointed to Steelers receiver George Pickens as an example of a player who already takes the option to use the cap in practices when they aren’t mandated.

It’s a valid point to consider. I assume the NFL could fall back to a position that the caps aren’t game tested. That the effectiveness of them may not be as obvious in a game situation when players are actually being tackled to the ground on every play and hitting at full speed as opposed to practice. Or there may be issues with them coming loose, or getting damaged more often with 22 guys flying into each other at full speed as opposed to a practice.

But as soon as the caps were introduced in practice, this debate was always destined to present itself.

Damar getting it done

After his near fatal cardiac event on “Monday Night Football” late last season, former Pitt defensive back Damar Hamlin is continuing to make great strides in his recovery.

Back to full padded practices, the Pittsburgh Central Catholic product scored on a pick-6 in practice this week for the Bills.

Love to see it! ???? #BillsCamp @HamlinIsland | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/8UnOSmxNCF

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 1, 2023

Was he actually touched while down before getting up to run? Eh, maybe let that one slide given the circumstances, right?

Hamlin and the Bills open Week 1 on “Monday Night Football” (Sept. 11) on the road against the New York Jets. His home return game will be the next week against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Finding his flow

For as much of a disappointment as Chase Claypool ended up being in Pittsburgh, his first tour through Chicago wasn’t much better. Claypool made a minuscule impact with the Bears after a midseason trade from Pittsburgh.

The offseason analysis of him was rough in the Windy City as well. Now it sounds like Claypool is having a solid training camp.

Camp Takeaway: ???? ????

Chase Claypool is the star of camp so far. ???? ⭐️

Making plays in 1 on 1s, 7 on 7s, and 11 on 11s. He's battling like he has a chip on his shoulder.

And he's playing through things. Got banged up to end Fridays practice. Was right back out there…

— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) August 1, 2023

Via Bears Wire, “There’s also been a ‘growing’ connection between (quarterback Justin) Fields and Claypool over the last few practices, which has been evident in how often Fields is targeting him.”

The outlet quoted coach Matt Eberflus as saying, “It’s good. It’s been the last couple days, I can see it growing and growing. He’s starting to learn him. Because again, he wasn’t here in the spring. And we think it’s a real positive thing.”

Claypool ended up with just 14 catches and 140 yards in seven games for Chicago last year.