Possible new kickoff rules.

[cardpa]

The owners will be voting today on a new kickoff rules. After reading the article, I say just eliminate the kickoff totally especially if they vote to change it as proposed.

https://theathletic.com/5365644/202...senewsletter&campaign=9364949&userId=11995409

For those that can't access the Athletic article here is the proposed change.

The proposal aims to increase kickoff returns and reduce injury by eliminating the running start of the kickoff team and by incentivizing kickers to drop kicks into a landing zone, which extends from the goal line to the 20-yard line. Any kick that drops in the landing zone must be returned. If it bounces into the end zone from the landing zone, it must be returned or downed, and any kick that falls short of the landing zone will be treated like an out-of-bounds kickoff and placed on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Any kick that lands in the end zone or goes out of the back of the end zone is a touchback and placed on the 30-yard line.

 

[Dback Jon]

The owners will be voting today on a new kickoff rules. After reading the article, I say just eliminate the kickoff totally especially if they vote to change it as proposed.

https://theathletic.com/5365644/202...senewsletter&campaign=9364949&userId=11995409

For those that can't access the Athletic article here is the proposed change.

The proposal aims to increase kickoff returns and reduce injury by eliminating the running start of the kickoff team and by incentivizing kickers to drop kicks into a landing zone, which extends from the goal line to the 20-yard line. Any kick that drops in the landing zone must be returned. If it bounces into the end zone from the landing zone, it must be returned or downed, and any kick that falls short of the landing zone will be treated like an out-of-bounds kickoff and placed on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Any kick that lands in the end zone or goes out of the back of the end zone is a touchback and placed on the 30-yard line.

So now they’re trying to make a kicker a golfer.

Horrible rule idea

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Andy Reid supports new kickoff rule, hopes it passes

The radical change being proposed to NFL kickoffs has the support of one of the league's best coaches.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[BullheadCardFan]

For kickoffs that falls short of landing zone, drive will start 25 yards from spot of kick

The tweaked kickoff proposal has been released by the NFL.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[phillycard]

Start them at the 40. Wow. Why don't you just give them 1st and goal?

 

[kerouac9]

Has anybody seen the XFL execution of this? Is it fun?

 

[SpokaneCardfan]

I would rather see them give this a try before getting rid of the kickoff completely.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Has anybody seen the XFL execution of this? Is it fun?

I actually like it. I'd rather see a real option of a return, than just having kickers boot them through the end zone. A legit kick returner is a useful weapon.

 

[kerouac9]

I actually like it. I'd rather see a real option of a return, than just having kickers boot them through the end zone. A legit kick returner is a useful weapon.

Here it is in case anyone wants to complain without knowing what it would look like:



Kinda neat; seems more like a running play than like the battle scene in Braveheart. It'll take some getting used to, but it would be fine.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Here it is in case anyone wants to complain without knowing what it would look like:



Kinda neat; seems more like a running play than like the battle scene in Braveheart. It'll take some getting used to, but it would be fine.

Thanks for posting that. Looks interesting. Would definitely eliminate a bunch of the big hits from reaching full steam.

 

[cardpa]

If these new kickoff rules are enforced for the 2024 season, there is going to be a substantial increase in kickoff returns for TDs. The compressed field will allow for that. Less depth between the defenders and the returner. There will also be more field starting position pass the 30 yard line since the returner is closer to it. As a coach I would rather have my kicker still send it into the end one and just have the opponent start at the 30 yard line instead of giving them a chance to start at a better field position.

 

[unseenaz]

Imagine the Super Bowl kicking off with that...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If these new kickoff rules are enforced for the 2024 season, there is going to be a substantial increase in kickoff returns for TDs. The compressed field will allow for that. Less depth between the defenders and the returner. There will also be more field starting position pass the 30 yard line since the returner is closer to it. As a coach I would rather have my kicker still send it into the end one and just have the opponent start at the 30 yard line instead of giving them a chance to start at a better field position.

I also think a LOT of teams will spend a late day 2 or a 3rd day pick on a special teams returner, since you get to have two returners back there and the kicker can essentially choose to kick away from one of them.

 

[Fitz4Ever]

Its fine, but too complicated with 9 different outcomes depending on where the ball lands. Touchback and everything else at the 25....out of bounds at the 40.

How does this effect onside kicks?

 

[Northern Cardinal]

Its fine, but too complicated with 9 different outcomes depending on where the ball lands. Touchback and everything else at the 25....out of bounds at the 40.

How does this effect onside kicks?

If I am not mistaken... I'm pretty sure I read that this will eliminate the option of a surprise onside kick, teams will have to declare their intention to onside to the officials prior to the play

 

[Phrazbit]

Imagine the Super Bowl kicking off with that...

Is it worse than a guy booting the ball through the back of the endzone... or a fair catch?

 

[Cardiac]

If I am not mistaken... I'm pretty sure I read that this will eliminate the option of a surprise onside kick, teams will have to declare their intention to onside to the officials prior to the play

This plus only in the 4th quarter and they have to be behind in points.

 

[CFLredzoned]

If these new kickoff rules are enforced for the 2024 season, there is going to be a substantial increase in kickoff returns for TDs. The compressed field will allow for that. Less depth between the defenders and the returner. There will also be more field starting position pass the 30 yard line since the returner is closer to it. As a coach I would rather have my kicker still send it into the end one and just have the opponent start at the 30 yard line instead of giving them a chance to start at a better field position.

It seems like there will be alot of TDs. Just one line of defenders. Get through that and you're gone. Yeah I would rather just send it through the end zone and not risk that.

 

[BulldogCard]

It's a painful tackle, the hip drop one but get the flags ready. All about the money over tradition. Flags protect against all the lawsuits so they think. They'll be kicking themselves later because it'll work against them. The fans will leave. Not only do they lose their endzone seats to little doll houses for the rich with a cheezy fake plant in the corner; they also lose the game they love, action

 

[Fitz4Ever]

This plus only in the 4th quarter and they have to be behind in points.

See, now I dont like it at all. Now they are messing with the strategy of the game. The onside kick has always been an option, and even though its very low percentage, its available to a coach that wants to try something.

I hate when they change rules that take away strategic options for how to manage a game. IMO, if you think you can make a surprise onside work, you should be able to bust it out at any moment.

 

[cardncubfan]

If I am not mistaken... I'm pretty sure I read that this will eliminate the option of a surprise onside kick, teams will have to declare their intention to onside to the officials prior to the play

Welcome to the board! I'll have a bacon double cheeseburger, fries, & an unsweetened ice tea please.

 

[oaken1]

If I am not mistaken... I'm pretty sure I read that this will eliminate the option of a surprise onside kick, teams will have to declare their intention to onside to the officials prior to the play

Ribeye, medium rare, garlic mashed potatoes on the side...and an ice cold glass of sweet tea

 

[cardpa]

See, now I dont like it at all. Now they are messing with the strategy of the game. The onside kick has always been an option, and even though its very low percentage, its available to a coach that wants to try something.

I hate when they change rules that take away strategic options for how to manage a game. IMO, if you think you can make a surprise onside work, you should be able to bust it out at any moment.

It's the reason I stop watching baseball. Once they started with the designated hitter and taking out the strategy of pinching hitting for the pitcher and bunting a runner over and other strategic action I felt the great parts of the game were gone. Besides there were some pretty good hitting pitchers in the day. I remember Bob Gibson pinch hitting in a game and he put it over the fence to clear the bases.

 

[GimmedaBall]

Time to revisit cardpa's thread on the new kick-off rules. I'd love to be in the Cards ST room as the coaches go over the planning for both the return game and defending this new set of rules.

I've not been able to find any statement regarding the spacing of the guys along the line (both on O and D). We need the NFL version of these rules and not the XFL version. Is there a required spacing between players or can the players form the old banned wedge formation meant to blow up the D and free the return man? If there is a required spacing, how are the refs going to monitor that? 20 guys all standing on a spot prior to the kick?? Are we going to have a lot of 'illegal formation' penalties when a player is off the mark or moves?

A player has to maintain in position until the ball hits the ground or is touched by the return man. If a guy 'twitches' or passes gas while the ball is in the air, is that an 'illegal' move? What are the penalties on the kick-off for these infractions?

The other interesting aspect is how the new rule will impact the roster and which players to carry for both O and D backups but also to play ST. To me, it looks as if we will need an assortment of CBs, S, and fast LBers to man the kick-off. Do you have some beef along the line to blow up two or three of the opposing line (really mobile OL or DL) OR do you go with the speed guys to avoid the blocks and blow up the returner?

This rule change can dramatically alter the power dynamics and outcome of games. Two or/three ST guys who can stick their nose in the fray and open a hole and a fast 'twitch' elusive returner can become a single-play TD force. Imagine a team methodically moving the ball down the field with their run game and short-passing game (that's how the Cards are being constructed) only to see their TD matched in a few seconds on the ensuing kick-off by either an answering TD or a starting position deep in their side of the field.

It might be wise to figure out kicking to down the ball over letting the team get a return. With that single line of defenders, it is not going to take much to create a crease and have the ball go for a TD.

I see our roster being stocked with DB-types as the Cards answer as to how they will play the returns. Not too many WRs in the mix (Boldin is retired). One of the requirements by the Cards was to ask the potential draft picks as to their thought about playing ST. I believe it was Melton who said he was more than happy to be on ST and considered it 'playing football.' Dortch is the perfect return guy---fearless, sure-handed on kick-offs, elusive, quick twitch to evade tacklers---I look for him to carve out a key role for the Cards and become a star returner in the league.

What Stats Suggest About the NFL’s New Kickoff | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

 

[cardpa]

When you really start looking at this, certain things seems to stand out. The kicking team nor can the receiving team other than the kicker and the two return guys move at all until the ball is touched. At most there will be 40 yards between the returners and the coverage team. It probably won't take a lot of time for the returners and the coverage team to close up that ground.

To me it would beholden teams to have quick, agile returners who can cut on a dime since it probably isn't going to take a lot of moves to break into an open field area. The defense would be wise to have quick sure tacklers since there are probably only going to take down the returner in less space and time. This could affect roster selections at cuts.

And don't forget the guy, that guy who was way back on your your 35 yard line who started the play by kicking off. I suspect pretty early on we are going to see some one on one chances for your kicker to make a TD saving tackle in the open field. A wise GM is going to be keeping a backup kicker on the PS. because I could see a few kickers getting hurt and pulling hammys, or twisting ankles trying to make tackles early on.