New Kickoff Rule

[BigRichard]

Does anyone like the new kickoff rule? It is a bunch of crap. Who the hell thought that crap up? Hey, I know how we can make the game better. Lets make the kickoff a useless part of the game.

[Bane]

It ****ing sucks.

[jAZ]

So what is the new kick off rule?

[Tytanium]

Originally Posted by jAZ

So what is the new kick off rule?

Kickoffs start from the 35 instead of the 30, resulting in a lot more touchbacks. You also don't need an above average leg to get touchbacks anymore.

[DanT]

I definitely like having NFL overtime games be less dependent on the outcome of the coin toss. The new rule helps accomplish that. Ever since the NFL started kicking off from the 30 (in 1994), the coin-toss winner has won about 60% of the games. From 1974 to 1993, when the kickoff was at 35 and the NFL had regular season sudden death OT, the coin-toss winner won only about 50% of the decided games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5022064
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...5/SP140818.DTL

This all has to do with the value of field position. There's an important advantage from starting a drive at your own 25-yard line instead of you own 20-yard line.
http://dynamist.com/articles-speeches/nyt/football.html

Now, one could have fixed the advantage to the overtime coin toss winner by just having the kickoff be from the 35-yard line in OT--leaving it at the 30-yard line for the first four quarters--but that sort of flexibility bothers some fans.

So I like the new rule based on the overtime situation. The fact that it will reduce the risk of injury to the players is an additional advantage, which makes me like the rule even more.

I'm not wildly crazy about the new rule, but it's definitely better in my opinion than kicking off from the 30-yard line, which to me made the game less interesting and less fair. I like balanced games, not ones that are tilted against the defense. I also like players living long lives after they retire from the game.

[bobbymitch]

If the main reason is for "safety", then I fail to see the difference between a kickoff and a punt. There are still big guys with a full head of staem headed to whomever has the ball.

Ity would seem that they should have the kickoff at the 30, but not allow any coverage player movement until the ball has left the tee. That would give at leat a little more time for the return guy to catch and see what options are available.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Guru

funny, I remember when it was always this way and hated the idea of moving it. Now I hate this.

pretty much

**** change

bastards

[Garcia Bronco]

This is actually the old rule.

[chefsos]

Originally Posted by DaFace

One thing I hadn't thought about is that this makes an onside kick (very slightly) less risky. I wonder if any coaches will actually consider that this year and do it more frequently.

I absolutely think so. I also think some kickers with strong legs will try some high floaters to the goal line in order to possibly bust that returner's ass at the 10 or 15.

[Hammock Parties]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-kick-returns/

Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff doesn’t see much use in a touchback, at least in the preseason.

Westhoff’s rule for kick returns on Monday night was simple. He lined up the returner line up seven yards deep in the end zone. If the returner can catch the ball while moving forward, he was instructed to take the ball out. If you have to back up for the kick, then take the touchback.

The Jets’ return units got more practice that way Monday, but it remains to be seen whether the Jets stay that aggressive during the season. If you have a good return man, it’s not such a crazy idea.

Sunday Night Football on NBC producer Fred Gaudelli actually predicted this very concept on PFT Live Monday. He thought teams might be more willing to gamble on taking the ball out of the end zone.

[007]

Originally Posted by bobbymitch

If the main reason is for "safety", then I fail to see the difference between a kickoff and a punt. There are still big guys with a full head of staem headed to whomever has the ball.

Ity would seem that they should have the kickoff at the 30, but not allow any coverage player movement until the ball has left the tee. That would give at leat a little more time for the return guy to catch and see what options are available.

Would be a good way to stop false starts on kickoffs too.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by chefsos

I absolutely think so. I also think some kickers with strong legs will try some high floaters to the goal line in order to possibly bust that returner's ass at the 10 or 15.

Yes this....sounds like something Todd Haley might try.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by chefsos

I absolutely think so. I also think some kickers with strong legs will try some high floaters to the goal line in order to possibly bust that returner's ass at the 10 or 15.

I doubt it. 98% of NFL coaches are conservative. Having the offense take the ball at the 20 is considered a victory for the kicking team. As far as risk/reward, I see there being a much bigger risk than the reward of stopping the guy at the 15 for a 5 yard field position change.