NFL considers kickoffs at 35-yard line, touchbacks to 25-yard line

CoachingMatters · 2011-03-21T13:12:33-07:00

Significant changes on kickoffs are coming to the NFL in 2011 if the NFL’s Competition Committee gets its way. Falcons President and Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay revealed on a conference call with the media today that the Competition Committee is proposing a major modification of kickoffs, moving the kickoff back to the 35-yard line instead of the 30, and giving the receiving team the ball at the 25-yard line, instead of the 20, if there’s a touchback. In other words, it will be easier for the kicker to boot the ball into the end zone, and there will be greater incentive for the return man to stay in the end zone instead of running it out. The Competition Committee is also proposing the elimination of all forms of the wedge block, including the two-man wedge, and requiring players on the kickoff team to line up between the 30-yard line and the 35-yard line. All of these changes, the Competition Committee believes, will cut down on injuries on kickoffs. “The injury rate on kickoffs remains a concern for us,” McKay said. One thing that will not change is what happens after a kickoff goes out of bounds: The Competition Committee’s proposal is still for the receiving team to get the ball on the 40-yard line. All Competition Committee proposals will be voted on by the owners at next week’s NFL Annual Meeting. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/16/nfl-considers-kickoffs-at-35-yard-line-touchbacks-to-25-yard-line/ I dont like it...... [ Edited by CoachingMatters on Mar 21, 2011 at 13:13:00 ]

Mar 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM

HessianDud
Veteran
Posts: 22,995

there's another thread about potential rule changes, but, yeah, this is absolutely terrible, IMO.

Mar 21, 2011 at 2:31 PM

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

WTF? Lets go ahead and give the ball carrier an extra 5 yards if he slides instead of taking a hit.

Mar 21, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Janitor
HOF Food Reviews
Posts: 48,973

Originally posted by HessianDud:
there's another thread about potential rule changes, but, yeah, this is absolutely terrible, IMO.

I'm going to let this one go since it's barely been discussed in the other thread, which is almost entirely centered around the new two hand touch rules.

Mar 21, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Amir
RIP Amir, Hall of Fame
Posts: 28,036

WHY???? What is the point of that? Makes no damn sense.

Why even have kickoffs then if they're so worried about injuries?

[ Edited by Amir_Mamu on Mar 21, 2011 at 18:51:52 ]

Mar 21, 2011 at 6:58 PM

chico49erfan
Veteran
Posts: 13,961

I'm just disappointed. What is happening to this game?

Mar 21, 2011 at 7:34 PM

LundyLove
Veteran
Posts: 3,036

I have no problem with this rule.............

Mar 21, 2011 at 7:51 PM

CoachingMatters
Member
Posts: 364

Originally posted by LundyLove:
I have no problem with this rule.............

It only helps Joe Nedney who usually only kicks the ball to about the 10 yd line. Other than that the rule stinks.

Mar 21, 2011 at 8:39 PM

TenderLoinTimmy
Veteran
Posts: 2,866

Kick off specialists are now measured in hangtime and pinning them inside their 20. Unlike their punting counterparts, if it goes out of bounds, it's all bad. Wow, new game within the game. We're gonna see the ball propped up on the tee a whole bunch of weird ways lol!

Mar 21, 2011 at 8:51 PM

DaDivaRecieva15
Veteran
Posts: 37,964

This is stupid as f**k. Just keep it the way it is...

[ Edited by DaDivaRecieva15 on Mar 21, 2011 at 20:51:43 ]

Mar 21, 2011 at 8:56 PM

#10

ea_thegreat
Veteran
Posts: 7,376

the NFL wants more money. More points= more excitement for fans , more rating for the NFL.

Mar 21, 2011 at 8:56 PM

#11

Gore_21
Veteran
Posts: 12,685

Originally posted by TenderLoinTimmy:
Kick off specialists are now measured in hangtime and pinning them inside their 20. Unlike their punting counterparts, if it goes out of bounds, it's all bad. Wow, new game within the game. We're gonna see the ball propped up on the tee a whole bunch of weird ways lol!

Good point, obviously a lot of guys could just kick it out of the back of the end zone if they start at the 35 but this wouldn't stop guys for just pooching it and putting it inside the 10. This way they have to run it out and the other team doesn't automatically start at the 25. Might come in handy against the better kick returners but if they expect everyone to just kick it out of the back of the end zone that is wrecking the game. Wait until they tell the players you can't be within 15 yards of a player catching a punt.

Mar 21, 2011 at 8:57 PM

#12

SanDiego49er
Veteran
Posts: 52,219

Leave it like it is.

Mar 21, 2011 at 9:20 PM

#13

RDB4216
Veteran
Posts: 2,385

Originally posted by ea_thegreat:
the NFL wants more money. More points= more excitement for fans , more rating for the NFL.

There is a lot of excitement in a kickoff returned for a TD. Much more so than a rushing TD from the 1. Kickoffs supply excitement in the possibility of breaking a big one, and in the possibility of a big game-changing turnover too.

We'd be going from the crowd on it's feet for the opening kickoff, to that same crowd yawning at the opening kneeldown in the endzone, and snoring while they spotted the ball at the 25.

Mar 21, 2011 at 9:27 PM

#14

AXEGRINDER
Veteran
Posts: 25,679

why do they feel like they gotta f**k with everything? Jesus Christ, if it ain't broke don't fix it you f**king idiots.