“NFL rule changes are BS… U not making the game safer u messing a great sport, trynna hide behind safety just to add 2 games…smh,” Cribbs tweeted.

NFL, seriously, you suck

“… This means it will be touchbacks all over the place…,” he continued. “Essentially taking returners out of the game…injuries will still take place, then what move it up again, or eliminate it all together..”

Cribbs continued his critique on ESPN’s “NFL Live” later Tuesday, saying he was “upset” with the changes and that Browns kicker Phil Dawson would have a “field day” with the new rule.

Although he commends the NFL for trying to improve player safety, he said the league is eliminating a big part of the game with the kickoff change, taking away opportunities from himself and other returners.

“You can’t eliminate injuries from football. It’s a gladiator sport,” he said.

The Chicago Bears’ Devin Hester also blasted the rule change in a radio interview with ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

“They’re going too far. They’re changing the whole fun of the game,” Hester said Tuesday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show.” “Fans come out — especially in Chicago — to see returns. That’s one of the key assets to the team. Fans [like] our big returns. You take that out of the game, not only do they kick it out of bounds when it’s time to punt the ball, now you get the disadvantage on kickoffs. We felt we were guaranteed [a chance] on kickoff returns and now you’re taking that away, it’s like you’re taking the whole return game out of the picture.”

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick had strongly opposed the original proposal that would have spotted the ball at the 25 on a touchback and eliminated the two-man wedge. He approved of the proposal that passed, however.

Making kickoffs safer was the objective, and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton believes the owners met it.

Lies lies lies from the coaching world.

(Thanks John Clayton for the info.)