Rule changes for kickoffs considered; other potential rule changes

**Beerracuda** · 03-16-2011, 03:09 PM

Among those:

Kicking off from the 35-yard line instead of the 30.

Touchbacks will result in ball placement at 25-yard line instead of 20.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/sp...html?src=twrhp

**Dont Know** · 03-16-2011, 03:23 PM

Why not just do away with kickoffs altogether?

**Mr.Boh** · 03-16-2011, 05:37 PM

Not broke don't fix it.

**Jeremiah W** · 03-16-2011, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dont Know

Why not just do away with kickoffs altogether?

The risk seems higher for serious injury than on all other type of plays.

**Beerracuda** · 03-16-2011, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Dont Know

Why not just do away with kickoffs altogether?

Hell, might as well. In fact, might as well just save a roster spot by getting rid of your KO return man, since 90%+ of kickoffs will be touchbacks anyway.

**TLaMana** · 03-16-2011, 08:50 PM

I'd rather them change the rules so a QB can not kneel in the final seconds of the 2nd and 4th quarters and can not spike the ball to kill the clock at any time.

**TL24x7** · 03-17-2011, 09:23 AM

Competition Committee Chair Rich McKay said that when the Competition Committee met recently, “Much of the focus was on the safety rules.” In particular, the Committee is recommending that the owners vote next week on an expansion of the defenseless player rule to protect quarterbacks in the process of passing, receivers in the process of catching, runners who are already in the grasp of a tackler, returners fielding a kick, players on the ground at the end of a play, kickers and punters, quarterbacks at any time after a change of possession, and players who get hit by blindside blocks.

LINK

How about they just play flag football instead?

**trailhiker85** · 03-17-2011, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by TL24x7

How about they just play flag football instead?

Was just thinking this.

Not in favor of the proposed change to kickoffs. I don't want to sound insensitive to the seriousness of football injuries, and some changes may be for the best, but where is the right place to draw the line?

**Corey** · 03-17-2011, 11:17 AM

This would ruin the game. I think kickoffs have some of the most exciting plays of a game. Some of the biggest hits happen on kickoffs and the returns are some of the most exciting plays in football.

When Webb returned the opening kickoff of the 2nd half vs. the Bronco's year before last that fired up the entire team.

**psuasskicker** · 03-17-2011, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by TL24x7

How about they just play flag football instead?

Tony, you know I respect you deeply.

However, to say I vehemently disagree with this concept would be an understatement. I don't think it would ruin the game or even damage it a little bit. People would grumble in the short term about it, and then eventually no one would care and the change itself would help enhance the game.

Has making the head slap illegal ruined the game? I would bet many said the same thing back when they were considering that rule...

- C -

**Greg** · 03-17-2011, 06:29 PM

Has making the head slap illegal ruined the game?

It has hurt it. While I have no issue with getting rid of the head slap I certainly take issue with the helmet brush when trying to knock down a pass attempt for 15 yards. Terrible rule. It needs to be more of a judgment call where the ref only calls it when it appears the player meant to slap the head and not knock down a pass.