Possible idea (based on the CFL) how to improve the kickoff

[RustyBourneHorse]

If the idea is more kick returns, albeit safer ones, keeping the rule the same except if the kick lands in the target zone and the receiving team lets it bounce into the end zone and no return the ball gets placed at the two yard line. If the kicking team kicks it past the target zone the ball comes out to the fifty yard line.

That works too with the 2 yard line, but I kinda prefer the idea of awarding the kicking team a point as punishment to the return team letting it bounce through the endzone. Also, letting it be a live ball when not picked up by the returning team beyond 10 yards does that too.

 

[KJJ]

One big problem with the kick off is there’s a high number of penalties on the return team, which moves them back. If you return the KO chances are there’s going to be a penalty that’s going to put you inside your 20. If you don’t return it you get the ball at the 30. Most of the kick off teams are kicking it deep so they aren’t returned. If you want more returns they need to put the ball at the 35 yard line or even the 40 to keep the KO team from kicking it deep in the endzone.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

One big problem with the kick off is there’s a high number of penalties on the return team, which moves them back. If you return the KO chances are there’s going to be a penalty that’s going to put you inside your 20. If you don’t return it you get the ball at the 30. Most of the kick off teams are kicking it deep so they aren’t returned. If you want more returns they need to put the ball at the 35 yard line or even the 40 to keep the KO team from kicking it deep in the endzone.

Sure, I get that, but I have heard some people talking about moving the ball to the 35 instead of the 30, which prompted me to mention this idea as an alternative.

 

[KJJ]

Sure, I get that, but I have heard some people talking about moving the ball to the 35 instead of the 30, which prompted me to mention this idea as an alternative.

That’s what I’ve been saying. They need to consider it or we’re not going to see many more returns than we did last year.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

That’s what I’ve been saying. They need to consider it or we’re not going to see many more returns than we did last year.

Well, but I think at that point, teams will just kick it out of bounds to put it at the 40 rather than force a return. That's why I'm saying to award a point for a returnable kickoff that's not returned.

 

[KJJ]

Well, but I think at that point, teams will just kick it out of bounds to put it at the 40 rather than force a return. That's why I'm saying to award a point for a returnable kickoff that's not returned.

No way is anyone going to kick it out of bounds if the opposing team is going to start at the 40. That’s good field position to start a drive. Teams will kick away and try to pin them further back.

 

[conner01]

I have a better idea, lets go back to kickoffs at the thirty yard line and only allow two man wedge blocks......all these kickoff change gimmicks are a waste of time.....

The idea of the new rule is too lower the risk of high speed collisions. I don’t hate it but plsyers need to understand the rule. You never return out of the endzone, just take the ball at the 30 and go on. Aubrey had one perfect kick. A kick that lands in the landing zone then bounds into the endzone do ball at 20 if not returned. I don’t granting points like CFL does

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

No way is anyone going to kick it out of bounds if the opposing team is going to start at the 40. That’s good field position to start a drive. Teams will kick away and try to pin them further back.

Yes, but if the alternative is starting at the 35, then kicking it out of bounds isn't quite as bad of a consequence.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The idea of the new rule is too lower the risk of high speed collisions. I don’t hate it but plsyers need to understand the rule. You never return out of the endzone, just take the ball at the 30 and go on. Aubrey had one perfect kick. A kick that lands in the landing zone then bounds into the endzone do ball at 20 if not returned. I don’t granting points like CFL does

Well yeah, like I said, and that perfect kick is kinda what spurred the idea of this thread. It was ridiculous how the Saints just let it roll into the endzone for a touchback. Imo, 1. That ball should have been a live ball allowing the Cowboys to try to recover it and 2. The Cowboys should have received a point for that cowardice from the Saints.

 

[conner01]

If the idea is more kick returns, albeit safer ones, keeping the rule the same except if the kick lands in the target zone and the receiving team lets it bounce into the end zone and no return the ball gets placed at the two yard line. If the kicking team kicks it past the target zone the ball comes out to the fifty yard line.

It’s goes to the 20 now which is a big penalty over the other options. Returns will increase as player, coaches adjust to it

 

[conner01]

Not if there's an opportunity to score a point. And they'd be losing more field position for a touchback. Plus, like I said, if the returner catches it or it bounces anywhere but out of bounds or out of the endzone and isn't returned, it's either a live ball or a rouge. So, it's basically forcing a return.

Returns sure appear to be up this year. We’ve return 6 kicks in 2 games

 

[conner01]

Well yeah, like I said, and that perfect kick is kinda what spurred the idea of this thread. It was ridiculous how the Saints just let it roll into the endzone for a touchback. Imo, 1. That ball should have been a live ball allowing the Cowboys to try to recover it and 2. The Cowboys should have received a point for that cowardice from the Saints.

The saints don’t get the rule. If it lands in landing area and goes into endzone it’s placed at 20. If it’s kicked into the endzone it goes to 30

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Returns sure appear to be up this year. We’ve return 6 kicks in 2 games

Fur sure, but, like I said, especially if it's cowardice like what the Saints did where it hits the landing zone and rolls out the endzone because the receiving team were cowards, the kicking team should earn a point.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The saints don’t get the rule. If it lands in landing area and goes into endzone it’s placed at 20. If it’s kicked into the endzone it goes to 30

Sure, but even if they get the rule, it's still something they may do if they don't want to return it. That's why I'm saying they should also put a point on the line for it.

 

[conner01]

Sure, but even if they get the rule, it's still something they may do if they don't want to return it. That's why I'm saying they should also put a point on the line for it.

Why not return it. The avg return in the league is over 20 yards. We’ve already had a return for td which is ahead of the pace last year when there was 4 all year. It’s hard not to have a return you don’t get to 20 so why settle for the 20. That’s just poor coaching

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Why not return it. The avg return in the league is over 20 yards. We’ve already had a return for td which is ahead of the pace last year when there was 4 all year. It’s hard not to have a return you don’t get to 20 so why settle for the 20. That’s just poor coaching

And it's cowardice. I have seen more courage from Courage the Cowardly Dog than the Saints showed that play.

 

[KJJ]

Yes, but if the alternative is starting at the 35, then kicking it out of bounds isn't quite as bad of a consequence.

I’m not following you at all on this. Starting at the 35 is better than starting at the 40.

 

[The Quest for Six]

The idea of the new rule is too lower the risk of high speed collisions. I don’t hate it but plsyers need to understand the rule. You never return out of the endzone, just take the ball at the 30 and go on. Aubrey had one perfect kick. A kick that lands in the landing zone then bounds into the endzone do ball at 20 if not returned. I don’t granting points like CFL does

yet this league allows punts and doesn't change those rules, just as many high speed collisions on punts....If the league was so concerned about collisons and injuries, but they still want an 18 game season.....it's all BS, the league wants more money, it's not about player safety....

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I’m not following you at all on this. Starting at the 35 is better than starting at the 40.

I agree, but they moved the ball following a touchback from the 25 to the 30, and it's not been much of a deterrent.

 

[KJJ]

I agree, but they moved the ball following a touchback from the 25 to the 30, and it's not been much of a deterrent.

I’m aware of that. Instead of the 30 move it to the 35 or 40. This will deter them from kicking it deep and force a return.