Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh explains why he supports the hip-drop tackle ban

Big rule changes are coming to the NFL, including a ban on the hip-drop tackle, and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is in support. 

On Monday's "The Pat McAfee Show," McAfee mentioned bumping into Harbaugh at the NFL Annual Meetings in Orlando. Harbaugh explained to McAfee why he's not a fan of the hip-drop technique and demonstrated why. 

"Jim Harbaugh was showcasing to me why he doesn't like the hip-drop tackle," McAfee said. "He was actually wrapping his massive arms around me and then saying 'this is what we're trying to get out, this is what we're trying to get out.'"

McAfee went on to call Harbaugh a "big dude" and "physical", and it appears his demonstration swayed McAfee's opinion on the rule change. McAfee went on to say he feels that players have used the hip-drop tackling technique as a replacement for the horse-collar tackle, which was banned in 2005. McAfee sees the merits of the ban. 

McAfee noted Harbaugh told him the NFL has "got to get it out of the game". 

Harbaugh's brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, agrees.

"I think taking the hip drop out of the game is the right thing to do," Harbaugh said, per Ravens.com. "I think [NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell and [NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Troy [Vincent] are on the right path with that. The competition committee is on the right path with that."

NFL team owners unanimously approved banning the hip-drop tackle technique, despite the NFLPA objecting to the rule change. A violation will result in a 15-yard penalty and potential fines for players.

Per the Associated Press, the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season with 15 players missing time with injuries. 

“It doesn’t get used very often, but when it is used, it’s incredibly injurious to the runner,” NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said. “The runner is purely defenseless."

Like many changes in the NFL, players and fans will adjust accordingly while league revenue and television ratings will continue to increase. For anyone doubting the rule change, maybe all they need is Harbaugh to show them why the hip-drop tackle doesn't belong in the game. 

It sure seemed to work on McAfee.