NFL owners pass rule to place ball at 25 following fair catches on kickoffs

[RustyBourneHorse]

This news doesn't phase me. I've just lost confidence in the owners to implement fair, effective and needed changes to rules anymore.
It's more about protecting an "inve$tment" rather than promoting safety or competition.
Citing the recent owners rules changes "in order to protect the passer and defenseless receivers". I suppose that one saves players from being ambulanced to the ICU. Has it improved the game? Well, at least fans know a whole lot more about the parts of a helmet now.
The NFL could be a co-ed league in 10 years at this rate.

Well, not only that, but it basically reduces the odds of a player making a roster. It's hard enough for players (especially undrafted) to make an NFL team. Now they're putting those players in a spot where they may get even less opportunities to show what they can do to an NFL team. This is why teams need either a minor league team or they should find international team like the Fujitsu Frontiers where they can send players on loan. Then, they can check their progress and see how they're doing. So, to me, that's the biggest detriment of this rule. It's not just the quality of the game. It's the undrafted players who are going to be screwed by this.

 

[lostar2009]

Wonder how many teams will benefit from that extra 5 to 20 yards when a team would've had a team pin up? No more marching 90 something yards for a TD.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Wonder how many teams will benefit from that extra 5 to 20 yards when a team would've had a team pin up? No more marching 90 something yards for a TD.

I mean, there's that, but I mean, there's something to be said for the fact there could well be less opportunities on special teams now.

 

[Rayman70]

Just remove kick offs at this point. This league is garbage

in 5 years it will be flag football essentially.

 

[Rayman70]

It's getting there.

agree. Gets more watered down every year.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

in 5 years it will be flag football essentially.

It will probably resemble what the pro-bowl became before they did away with it.

 

[Rayman70]

It will probably resemble what the pro-bowl became before they did away with it.

100%.

 

[beware_d-ware]

If the kicking team kicks the ball into the endzone, it's a touchback and the ball goes to the 25.

If they kick it short of the end zone, the return man calls fair catch and the ball goes to the 25.

Just eliminate the freaking kickoff and start the ball at the 25. Save us a useless play.

 

[Rayman70]

If the kicking team kicks the ball into the endzone, it's a touchback and the ball goes to the 25.

If they kick it short of the end zone, the return man calls fair catch and the ball goes to the 25.

Just eliminate the freaking kickoff and start the ball at the 25. Save us a useless play.

exactly. There is 0 point in kicking the ball anymore. Actually, this rule will do more harm than good because now we will 100% see more guys taking a risk by trying to return a kick. This is a bad rule. I see more injuries.

 

[sunalsorises]

If the kicking team kicks the ball into the endzone, it's a touchback and the ball goes to the 25.

If they kick it short of the end zone, the return man calls fair catch and the ball goes to the 25.

Just eliminate the freaking kickoff and start the ball at the 25. Save us a useless play.

They still need onside kicks, though, or at least the ability to have them.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Trying to take the foot out of football. lol

 

[Whirlwin]

Personally, I dislike the rule. Firstly, special team is a key part of several people's jobs. For a lot of a roster, they depend on special teams to stay on the squad. This hampers that. Secondly, I'm someone who, as a former kicker, likes the kicking game. But, the return game is fun and it's because it just takes a few missed tackles for a TD to happen. This robs that from happening to an extent. Finally, I think this is, to an extent, an overblowing of player safety. Yes, player safety is important, but this is a bit of an overcorrection imo. Especially when you watch how kickoffs in rugby and Aussie Rules are done. In rugby, there is no fair catch.

You still have the opportunity to takeoff and run if you think you can get better yardage

 

[Whirlwin]

Wonder how kick return specialists feel about the new rule? There will be those with contract incentives to return kicks for x amount of yards and/or points. Obeying the rule explicitly will cut into those incentives.

I still think you have the opportunity to takeoff and run the ball if coverage looks good

 

[Pantone282C]

Why not go with the 20 yard line again if they want this fair catch?

Exactly, why reward them with favorable field position? One of the objects of the KO is to pin the receiving team in toward the goal line or make them run it out.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

You still have the opportunity to takeoff and run if you think you can get better yardage

Yes, but now there's even less incentive to return it

 

[Whirlwin]

Exactly, why reward them with favorable field position? One of the objects of the KO is to pin the receiving team in toward the goal line or make them run it out.

I’m wondering what defensive squads think of this

 

[Whirlwin]

Yes, but now there's even less incentive to return it

I’m just one of those that it is what it is.

 

[Whirlwin]

Yes, but now there's even less incentive to return it

I’m also wondering if they can still muff the football?

 

[Pantone282C]

I'm sorry, what?

It was sarcasm - why try to fair catch a KO close to the goal line.

 

[Whirlwin]

Yes, but now there's even less incentive to return it

If it goes into the end zone, here automatically comes out to the 20 . This really isn’t a big deal. You’re getting an extra 5 yards yes. I personally don’t see an issue with it. Most return guys will let it go if it’s over your head at the 15. How many fair catch inside the ten anyways