Kickoffs tweaked further

[erod]

Attention Tavon Austin, and all Cowboys headed for the kickoff teams.

The kickoff continues to be tweaked. New this year:

1. Kickoff coverage guys can no longer get a running start. They now have to line up within one yard of the 35-yard line. (This helps the return game.)

2. Kickoffs will be ruled touchbacks the second they hit the end zone on the ground. (Makes sense to avoid unnecessary hits on blocks upfield.)

3. No more 2 or 3 man blocking wedges to double-team guys. (This helps coverage units.)

It seems like they're trying to save the kickoff somehow instead of eliminating it altogether. Not sure it will work. There is a lot of potential strategy to the kickoff, not the least of which is the onsides kick. Especially the surprise variety you see sometimes early in games. The kickoff needs to stay.

Meanwhile, perhaps this could be good for Austin if the coverage guys are a little slower getting downfield.

 

[DBOY3141]

They need to just go ahead and kill it. It's what they want anyway.

 

[Denim Chicken]

2. Kickoffs will be ruled touchbacks the second they hit the end zone on the ground. (Makes sense to avoid unnecessary hits on blocks upfield.)

Does that mean if it bounces in the end zone, but the returner catches it on the bounce he can't return?

 

[NorthTexan95]

Does that mean if it bounces in the end zone, but the returner catches it on the bounce he can't return?

Good question.

 

[erod]

Does that mean if it bounces in the end zone, but the returner catches it on the bounce he can't return?

Not sure. I would imagine the kick returner would have to make some sort of signal in that regard, like not attempting to field it at all.

 

[CPanther95]

They should just go back to the old rules and have all the players wear those big inflatable Sumo wrestler suits.

 

[glimmerman]

Won’t keep Austin from fumbling. Lol

 

[CPanther95]

Does that mean if it bounces in the end zone, but the returner catches it on the bounce he can't return?

Yes.

If you want to return it, don't let it hit the ground in the end zone.

 

[NorthTexan95]

1. Kickoff coverage guys can no longer get a running start. They now have to line up within one yard of the 35-yard line. (This helps the return game.)

This would seem to have the opposite effect. It may increase the number of returns. It also could encourage teams to carry a kicker that can definitely kick the ball through the endzone ... so maybe it will help.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Yes.

If you want to return it, don't let it hit the ground in the end zone.

So if it hits in open field fist but rolls in the EZ?

 

[CPanther95]

So if it hit in open field fist but rolls in the EZ?

I read it as whistle blows the second it touches any end zone "paint".

Probably looking strictly at eliminating as much unnecessary contact as possible. When you look at how much contact is made by various players from the time the ball touches the end zone until it is ultimately downed in the end zone vs the number of times a ball is fielded in the end zone and ends up being run back - it probably is a huge saving in kickoff hits compared to relatively little impact on the number of run backs eliminated.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Attention Tavon Austin, and all Cowboys headed for the kickoff teams.

The kickoff continues to be tweaked. New this year:

1. Kickoff coverage guys can no longer get a running start. They now have to line up within one yard of the 35-yard line. (This helps the return game.)

2. Kickoffs will be ruled touchbacks the second they hit the end zone on the ground. (Makes sense to avoid unnecessary hits on blocks upfield.)

3. No more 2 or 3 man blocking wedges to double-team guys. (This helps coverage units.)

It seems like they're trying to save the kickoff somehow instead of eliminating it altogether. Not sure it will work. There is a lot of potential strategy to the kickoff, not the least of which is the onsides kick. Especially the surprise variety you see sometimes early in games. The kickoff needs to stay.

Meanwhile, perhaps this could be good for Austin if the coverage guys are a little slower getting downfield.

It will create a lot more flags being thrown until everyone gets accustomed to it.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

They need to just go ahead and kill it. It's what they want anyway.

If they do that, can we just call this sport handegg at that point? I mean, there's barely any kicking as it is.

 

[erod]

They need to just go ahead and kill it. It's what they want anyway.

I don't think they really want that.

What about onside kicks? What about those critical holding calls that back teams up inside the 10, or muffed catches that result in bad field position? What about that high kickoff in Philly a few years ago in the wind that led to a Cowboys recovery? What about exciting returns for touchdowns? What about those costly kicks out of bounds that take the ball out to the 40?

Too much of the game is lost by just putting it at the 25-yard line, even though so many are kicked off for touchbacks. When the elements kick in, things get unpredictable. That shouldn't be lost.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Another stupid rule.

 

[links18]

Just quit screwing with the game.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Another stupid rule.

Yup, welcome to the NHEL (National Hand-Egg League) where the points are made up and the rules are stupid.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

They need to just go ahead and kill it. It's what they want anyway.

Yeah, first the kickoff, then the game. Like you said, it's what they want anyway.

 

[Plumfool]

I don't think they really want that

What about onside kicks? What about those critical holding calls that back teams up inside the 10, or muffed catches that result in bad field position? What about that high kickoff in Philly a few years ago in the wind that led to a Cowboys recovery? What about exciting returns for touchdowns? What about those costly kicks out of bounds that take the ball out to the 40?

Too much of the game is lost by just putting it at the 25-yard line, even though so many are kicked off for touchbacks. When the elements kick in, things get unpredictable. That shouldn't be lost.

Your perfect argument reminded me of this scene.

 

[The Natural]

elite returners are going to have a field day with this