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

RustyBourneHorse

Well-Known Member
Messages
36,527
Reaction score
42,320
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.
 

DallasEast

Cowboys 24/7/365
Staff member
Messages
58,172
Reaction score
55,583
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
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.
 

RustyBourneHorse

Well-Known Member
Messages
36,527
Reaction score
42,320
Maybe the NFL should start playing Sarcastaball.

giphy.webp
 

conner01

Well-Known Member
Messages
27,889
Reaction score
25,808
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.
They better work on their punt returns
 

Pantone282C

Well-Known Member
Messages
9,773
Reaction score
14,697
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Fair enough, I mean, if they are going to do something like that, then have the ball at the 15 for a fair catch.
My preference is to not try to catch it if you're fielding it close to the goal line.
That said, how about 5 yds further than where you fair catch it - with a maximum of the 20 yard line for ball placement.
 

conner01

Well-Known Member
Messages
27,889
Reaction score
25,808
It is for 2023 only….for now….
I’m betting it stays. If concussions do drop even close to the modeling it’s here to stay and though it changes the game, player safety is worth it. It’s not like many kick returns are big returns even now. It also makes some kickers like a couple of older guys, more valuable since they couldn’t kick off well
 
Top