Proposed kickoff changes

[Crazylegs Starks]

We need a separate thread about this:

[Crazylegs Starks]

I don't hate it.

Then again, my brain is stuck in the 1990s. I long for the days of Desmond Howard running one back to destroy the Patriots' will.

[wallyuwl]

If KO team can't move until ball is caught, this will end up with lots of returns to 35 yard line or more. So much for defense mattering.

[Yoop]

I don't hate it.

Then again, my brain is stuck in the 1990s. I long for the days of Desmond Howard running one back to destroy the Patriots' will.

when will I find time to pee, make a snack and cocktails, burn a blunt, that 10 minutes from score, to touch back and time for offenses to get back on the field was valuable dead time needed to fill those requirements, now I suppose I'll have to hit the pause button

Kickoffs again will be important aspects of the game

[CWIMM]

I fully expect that rule to result in a lot more kickoffs being returned this upcoming season. I have no idea if that change will end up being a good one, but it might make watching preseason games a little bit more exciting.

[APB]

I do appreciate the NFL attempting to make ST play relevant again. Pretty clear they recognize they went too far in their "safety" protocols when looking at how minimalized and unimpactful the kickoff play had become. Hell, if memory serves I believe only two players from last year even qualified at the minimum iteration number for kick return All-Pro voting. It had become an extension of the change-of-possession commercial break for all intent and purpose.

[YoHoChecko]

I’m torn on this because I like the result but I generally prefer roles being simplified to being made more elaborate and because I think the “move once touched” will be a tricky thing for players to execute and refs to enforce.

But I think I lean toward favorable

[NCF]

I just hate that the kick-off has become a waste of time play. Much like the XP used to be. They successfully fixed the XP and I hope this is a positive step in fixing the kick-off.

They can always tweak the rules if this is an overcorrection, but for now, I like this better than the formality that the kick-off is currently.

[BF004]

I don’t know what a better fix is, but I don’t like what we currently have, so I’d be up for giving it a try.

[Yoop]

never know till ya give it a try.

so proud that we kept having Nixon push that envelope, showing the NFL the currant situation was intolerable

[wallyuwl]

I do appreciate the NFL attempting to make ST play relevant again. Pretty clear they recognize they went too far in their "safety" protocols when looking at how minimalized and unimpactful the kickoff play had become. Hell, if memory serves I believe only two players from last year even qualified at the minimum iteration number for kick return All-Pro voting. It had become an extension of the change-of-possession commercial break for all intent and purpose.

Make Kickoffs Great Again

[Scott4Pack]

I don't hate that possible change.

Are the kicking team mandated to keep the ball in play then? (like 0 to 20 yard line

[Cdragon]

How do onsides kicks work?

[Crazylegs Starks]

How do onsides kicks work?

Good question. I imagine they'll be looking at the XFL's way:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl- ... -kickoffs/

That being said, if the XFL rule does get implemented, the NFL will have to make a second rule change, and that's because the XFL rule eliminates onside kicks. In the XFL, the kicking team is penalized if they don't kick it past the opponent's 20-yard line, which effectively makes onside kicks impossible. The XFL solved this problem by giving the teams the option of attempting a fourth-and-15 play from their own 25 to keep possession.

The NFL has actually considered implementing a similar rule over the past few years, but owners have yet to approve it.

If the owners aren't willing to approve the fourth-and-15 play, then they'll have to come up with something different because it won't be possible to attempt an onside kick if the NFL decides to utilize the XFL's kickoff rule.

[NCF]

How do onsides kicks work?

You have to declare you are doing it. Has to be 4th quarter and then I think alignment and rules revert to what is current in the NFL.

[go pak go]

How do onsides kicks work?

You have to declare you are doing it. Has to be 4th quarter and then I think alignment and rules revert to what is current in the NFL.

So the onside kick would revert to the impossible onside kick?

[lupedafiasco]

How do onsides kicks work?

You have to declare you are doing it. Has to be 4th quarter and then I think alignment and rules revert to what is current in the NFL.

So the onside kick would revert to the impossible onside kick?

Oh I’m sure we will find a way to make it possible for the other team.

[go pak go]

You have to declare you are doing it. Has to be 4th quarter and then I think alignment and rules revert to what is current in the NFL.

So the onside kick would revert to the impossible onside kick?

Oh I’m sure we will find a way to make it possible for the other team.

Haven't yet.

[CWIMM]

The competition committee made a tweak to the proposed rule with teams making touchbacks that go into the end zone on the fly come out to the 30-yard line, rather than the 35.

Are the kicking team mandated to keep the ball in play then? (like 0 to 20 yard line

They aren't mandated to keep the ball in play but if the kick doesn't hit the landing zone between the receiving team's goal line and their 20-yard line they will start either on their own 30, 35 or 40-yard line.

[musclestang]

i've kind of given up caring too much. Whatever the $%@# rules are, tell me, and I'll decide if I like watching it anymore. or not. I like simple. Old rules were simple, but apparently what worked for the past 100+ years is too dangerous for today's tastes. I think they should just get serious about PEDS, but kickoffs are probably the most dangerous thing on earth for a football player and they must fix it.

as they add more rules, it's only a matter of time until it's just the eye in the sky calling the game. and since we've all known for a long time they can pretty much call a penalty on any given play at any given time. The illusion of fairness is going to be hard to maintain when it's just some man behind a curtain making the calls.