Saint Doug Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I'm fine with this. There has always seemed to be arms (legs?) race in the NFL to get/find a kicker who can boot it out of the end zone consistently, which, as a viewer, is boring. With that action leading to a free quarter of the field now, teams will think twice about doing so. This will lead to more kicks falling around the 5-10 yard line and hence more returns. Good for the viewership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Are they using analytics to test how all these rule changes impact viewership??? Seriously- if returns are bad, just take them out of the game already... This incremental discouragement approach is just a confusing waste of time. Or give teams the choice at coin toss... Reviving start at 20 or take a kickoff ? The only reason that they haven't done this is because they don't want to take the on-side kick out of the game. The kickoff has become the most boring play in football. Even the extra point is more exciting no that they pushed it back. What I would do... Eliminate the kickoff. Team going on offense just gets the ball on 20 or 25 yard line. The only exception...team is allowed to kickoff if attempting onside kick. Then there wouldn't be much surprise would there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I like it.......the 20 is too far back to start. The only thing I like about the kickoff is the opportunity to create a turnover. Otherwise I'd say kill the kickoff altogether. Rather see more offensive and defensive football and less guys that can't kick field goals(Gay) and can't play WR/CB(Thigpen) tying up roster spots. The less "specialists" the better, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Just as you said. Intentionally kicking before the end zone to force returns. I think it will be very difficult for most kickers to consistently place a kickoff (as opposed to a punt, which you can aim easier--especially "up" for hang time) inside the 10 without it rolling into the EZ (comes out to the 25) or out of bounds (to the 40). If the kick it to the 10, a returner is easily going to go more than 15 yards (it's only 5 strides) past the 25 before coverage arrives. So, returns will become even more rare as it makes less sense for both kicking and return teams do much other than watch the refs bring it out to the 25. Returns aren't measured from the goal line so they are probably handing the return team 5 to 7 yards on average to take a knee. Even more reason for receiving team to take a touchback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I was listening to NFLR the other day, and Pat Kirwan is one announcer I really enjoy as he has such insightful comments. He was speculating this change could do the opposite of the desired effect in less kick offs. Instead of booming it beyond the end zone, because the percentage goes up for a score starting with 75 yards vs. 80 yards, that it could increase kick offs. Coaches of they trust their kickers will now be instructed and practice to kick higher and shorter to within the first 7 yards. Those higher kicks will increase collisions. His answer which he even said sounds crazy is convert kick offs to punts from the 35 yard line. The data shows less injuries from punts, but you keep the excitement of a run back to the house. He had me thinking about it. He did mention and I had to go that you could keep 1 kick off each half to maintain the onside kick option. Anyway, think about it and comment. I thought it was an interesting idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-8 Forever? Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Are they using analytics to test how all these rule changes impact viewership??? Seriously- if returns are bad, just take them out of the game already... This incremental discouragement approach is just a confusing waste of time. Or give teams the choice at coin toss... Reviving start at 20 or take a kickoff ? yeah, just shut the play down. kickoffs and extra points are useless and just create more TV commercial opportunities and ruin the flow of the game.... kicking game is boring, even punts are largely dull now with how skilled the punters are at eliminating most returns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I was listening to NFLR the other day, and Pat Kirwan is one announcer I really enjoy as he has such insightful comments. He was speculating this change could do the opposite of the desired effect in less kick offs. Instead of booming it beyond the end zone, because the percentage goes up for a score starting with 75 yards vs. 80 yards, that it could increase kick offs. Coaches of they trust their kickers will now be instructed and practice to kick higher and shorter to within the first 7 yards. Those higher kicks will increase collisions. His answer which he even said sounds crazy is convert kick offs to punts from the 35 yard line. The data shows less injuries from punts, but you keep the excitement of a run back to the house. He had me thinking about it. He did mention and I had to go that you could keep 1 kick off each half to maintain the onside kick option. Anyway, think about it and comment. I thought it was an interesting idea. I heard this last night and while it initially sounds crazy, after I thought about it makes a lot of sense. Kickoffs are more dangerous because of guys running full speed into each other from a distance, where as a punt everyone is lined up at LOS. He also cited there were twice as many punt returns for TD last year compared to kickoffs. The thing I think he missed on was you don't need an onside kick anymore. Now a team on kickoff can just run a fake punt play for 10 yards if they want to. An actual offensive play is a much better way for a team to maintain the ball vs a stupid onside kick which is 99% luck and executed well 1% of the time. Coaches would dream up all kinds of crazy fake punt plays, and teams would be more likely to do it on the 'kickoff' to get the ball back during the course of the game if they are down. I think it would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRQ_BillsFan Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I heard this last night and while it initially sounds crazy, after I thought about it makes a lot of sense. Kickoffs are more dangerous because of guys running full speed into each other from a distance, where as a punt everyone is lined up at LOS. He also cited there were twice as many punt returns for TD last year compared to kickoffs. The thing I think he missed on was you don't need an onside kick anymore. Now a team on kickoff can just run a fake punt play for 10 yards if they want to. An actual offensive play is a much better way for a team to maintain the ball vs a stupid onside kick which is 99% luck and executed well 1% of the time. Coaches would dream up all kinds of crazy fake punt plays, and teams would be more likely to do it on the 'kickoff' to get the ball back during the course of the game if they are down. I think it would be awesome. But the punt doesn't work if you need two scores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Exactly. Kickoffs are fun to watch. But, if the idea if to encourage more touchbacks, I think it will backfire. Team will be more likely to kick short and try to encourage runbacks so they can pin them inside the 20. It's a flawed concept for sure. The receiving team may be less likely to be coaching players to bring the ball out if the TB means the 25 yd line. But yes , the kicking team may now try for shorter kicks. The goal is obviously to get the kickoff out of the game, but the ability to onside kick complicates that play being removed completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I would say that most have that same rationale however it is a very fun part of the game. There is nothing like an amazing return or a killer open field tackle i.e. Steve Tasker etc... Gotta' disagree. Especially when most result in a touchback followed by another commercial break. For new fans that process makes no sense. Punt from a scrimmage setup to start the game or after a score or just spot the ball at the 25. I'm not impressed by the rare KOR TD.......oops, someone ran out of their lane and some guy ran 100 yards in a mostly straight line......not that exciting. You don't see the range of returner ability on KOR's that you do on punts. Half the time it looks like the KOR is just trying to get off the field and the violence/value ratio is not worth it, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloMatt Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 This is great for Carpenter as he has a sh*tty kickoff. We will get better field position when they try to run back from the one. Ha! Who says we are doomed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Gotta' disagree. Especially when most result in a touchback followed by another commercial break. For new fans that process makes no sense. Punt from a scrimmage setup to start the game or after a score or just spot the ball at the 25. I'm not impressed by the rare KOR TD.......oops, someone ran out of their lane and some guy ran 100 yards in a mostly straight line......not that exciting. You don't see the range of returner ability on KOR's that you do on punts. Half the time it looks like the KOR is just trying to get off the field and the violence/value ratio is not worth it, IMO. Just need some kind of replacement for the onside kick. I doubt the league will want to lose it as it keeps people tuned in to the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Just need some kind of replacement for the onside kick. I doubt the league will want to lose it as it keeps people tuned in to the end. Like I said above - if you replace the kickoff with a punt, a fake punt (kickoff) just replaces the onside kick. If the team advances 10 yds on a punt kickoff they keep the ball. That is much more interesting (and better test of skill) than an nside kick IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Like I said above - if you replace the kickoff with a punt, a fake punt (kickoff) just replaces the onside kick. If the team advances 10 yds on a punt kickoff they keep the ball. That is much more interesting (and better test of skill) than an nside kick IMOAh I see you now. That could work. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art in PNS Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 This may very well put an end to our kickoff specialist holding a roster spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I heard this last night and while it initially sounds crazy, after I thought about it makes a lot of sense. Kickoffs are more dangerous because of guys running full speed into each other from a distance, where as a punt everyone is lined up at LOS. He also cited there were twice as many punt returns for TD last year compared to kickoffs. The thing I think he missed on was you don't need an onside kick anymore. Now a team on kickoff can just run a fake punt play for 10 yards if they want to. An actual offensive play is a much better way for a team to maintain the ball vs a stupid onside kick which is 99% luck and executed well 1% of the time. Coaches would dream up all kinds of crazy fake punt plays, and teams would be more likely to do it on the 'kickoff' to get the ball back during the course of the game if they are down. I think it would be awesome. Steve - good pick up on the fake punt replacing the onside kick. We must have been both listening to Moving the Chains. I love Pat Kirwan as he always seems to come up with out of the box, but logical points. I'm in if you can accomplish both goals. More safety to accomplish that goal, but maintain the excitement of the game. I'm sold. Remember guys about a decade ago when Moorman ran to the right on a fake punt, and beat a 4th and 10? It was so exciting, and never realized how fast Moorman was in his prime. This 25 yard line touchback is going to encourage the opposite with more directional kicks inside the 10. The percentages go up quickly by each 5 yards for a potential score so moving from the 20 to the 25 yd line is significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) What about forcing a fumble, muff, etc... They are taking that right out of the game. They are turning football into Caddyshack 2, ala miniature golf w/all the rules that are not consistent w/the basics of the game. Kickoffs are the cornerstone of the game... Edited March 26, 2016 by ExiledInIllinois Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Like I said above - if you replace the kickoff with a punt, a fake punt (kickoff) just replaces the onside kick. If the team advances 10 yds on a punt kickoff they keep the ball. That is much more interesting (and better test of skill) than an nside kick IMO Yes I really like the idea of opening the game with a punt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Yes I really like the idea of opening the game with a punt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts