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New kickoff rule hurts hester/chicago
does the NFL's proposed kickoff rule hurt the game?
Injuries should be a concern, but at what expense? Matt Bowen
One thing we have to understand with the NFL’s competition committee is the angle towards player safety (mainly head injuries) in today’s game. Wednesday, I talked about flagrant, or violent, hits leading to suspensions.
Today, let's discuss the possible rule change of kicking the ball off from the 35-yard line. A major phase of the game that teams rely on for field position that could be minimized. The simple question: is it worth it?
Here are the new “proposed rules” to kickoffs on Sundays:
-Ball is kicked off from the 35-yard line (30-yard line last season)
-Touchbacks are brought out to the 25-yard line (20-yard line last season)
-Coverage players cannot line up more than 5-yards behind kicker (trying to reduce the top end speed)
-No wedge blocking (2-man wedge least season)
Let’s break this down and take a deeper look at how this rule would impact the game…
ICONWill the NFL's proposed kickoff rule impact elite returners such as Devin Hester?
Hope of limiting injuries: I get this, because I have experienced concussions covering kicks during my career—and they aren’t something to joke around with. During last season, I detailed my own post-career symptoms with concussions at the Chicago Tribune, but that doesn’t mean we should alter the game. I want players to get through Sundays without feeling the impact of a helmet-to-helmet collision, however that is part of the job when playing special teams. You line up for a kickoff in this league, you will experience a high-speed violent collision—and they hurt. It is possible we will see more touchbacks, but 5-yards isn’t going to solve the problem on contact.
Impact of elite returners: Think of Devin Hester in Chicago or Leon Washington in Seattle. Game changers, top tier talent. This is why they are so valuable in the kick return game. Yes, man-blocking schemes will give them an advantage early in the season, but why take away what I view as one of the most important (and exciting) plays in the game? I would pay good money to see Hester return kicks. And special teams are essential to Sunday.
No wedge blocking: During my career, there were a couple of teams that didn’t use the 3-man wedge, instead going with a man-blocking scheme. It was tough to prepare for—and also tough to find the ball. We are talking about special teams coaches having to teach an entirely new scheme across the league. Who does that benefit? The return unit in my opinion. Hitting the wedge impacts both blocker and coverage man on initial contact and I worry that we will see coverage teams playing on the passive side—while they try to find the football.
Field position: No doubt this will impact field position, and for a team such as Chicago, this hurts. I expect to see an increased number of touchbacks if this new rule gets passed and this will impact offenses. No longer can you depend on a big return to set you up with a short field to work with or a quick score. Now, you may have to drive almost the length of the field to get points on the board.
Again, I applaud the league for trying to limit the amount of injuries we see, but don’t make a rule change that impacts the overall quality of the game. You know what you signed up for as a player when you line up on kickoff coverage. It isn’t pretty, but it is part of the game.
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If they're going to keep implementing all these retarded rules they can stay locked out permanently for all I care.
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This is just insane.... the OT bullcrap... now this?... NFL = No Fun League for real....
it was kinda funny years ago when people first started saying it... now it's becoming a reality. FTBS.
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Well at least with new rules like this Hester's record will be safe forever.
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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NFL teams should start looking for kickers with a big leg to insure more touchbacks. If it isn't deep in the endzone there will still be returns by players like Devin Hester. Typically Hester gets the ball around the 5 yard line so all this does is push him back to the goaline. That should make little difference if the return is well blocked.
I think what he may lose from a deeper kick will be more than made up for by new man on man blocking schemes. It should open up the field big time and one on one Hester can make anyone miss. Dave Toub is the best ST coach in the league and Hester is his primary offensive weapon. He'll find a way to make it work.
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Originally Posted by
soulman 
NFL teams should start looking for kickers with a big leg to insure more touchbacks. If it isn't deep in the endzone there will still be returns by players like Devin Hester. Typically Hester gets the ball around the 5 yard line so all this does is push him back to the goaline. That should make little difference if the return is well blocked.
I think what he may lose from a deeper kick will be more than made up for by new man on man blocking schemes. It should open up the field big time and one on one Hester can make anyone miss. Dave Toub is the best ST coach in the league and Hester is his primary offensive weapon. He'll find a way to make it work.
Actually despite moving th kick off's to the 30, touchbacks were on rise last few years, so moving it forward should be even more, heck robbie's gone from 3 to 8 to 9 to 16 touchbacks the last few years
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Originally Posted by
dabears54 Actually despite moving th kick off's to the 30, touchbacks were on rise last few years, so moving it forward should be even more, heck robbie's gone from 3 to 8 to 9 to 16 touchbacks the last few years
Some of Gould's improvement in that regard came from his building up his leg strength. He seems to be getting better at the 50 yd FG's too. But as for the rule change, I'm certainly not in favor of it because it will definitely cut down on the number of returns.
What's ridiculous about it is that the reason they moved it back to the 30 yard line was to assure more kick off returns, "one of football's most exciting plays" as they described it then. Now it seems like they want to limit game changing plays that provide a lot of excitement. Teams like the Bears who went out and drafted great return men lose out on that players effectiveness and the fans lose out on seeing great performers like Hester at their best.
I still believe that Hester will still find a way to bust returns even he has to do it from the goaline or the endzone.
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I would like to see the horse collar rules removed. I like seeing punk ass bitch loud mouth wrs get hurt. I would also like to see a rule that does not show any more Favre or Eli Manning commercials during games.
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[QUOTE=4th and 26;798612]I would like to see the horse collar rules removed. I like seeing punk ass bitch loud mouth wrs get hurt. I would also like to see a rule that does not show any more Favre or Eli Manning commercials during games.[/QUOTE]
We can file that with all of the other great ideas in the "If Only Drawer".
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Originally Posted by
soulman Some of Gould's improvement in that regard came from his building up his leg strength. He seems to be getting better at the 50 yd FG's too. But as for the rule change, I'm certainly not in favor of it because it will definitely cut down on the number of returns.
What's ridiculous about it is that the reason they moved it back to the 30 yard line was to assure more kick off returns, "one of football's most exciting plays" as they described it then. Now it seems like they want to limit game changing plays that provide a lot of excitement. Teams like the Bears who went out and drafted great return men lose out on that players effectiveness and the fans lose out on seeing great performers like Hester at their best.
I still believe that Hester will still find a way to bust returns even he has to do it from the goaline or the endzone.
yep its going against what they said just a few years back about wanting exciting plays, but now that's 'trumped" by collisions and concussions and not wanting the kick off concussions, but like you think its lame and wrong. typical over-reaction and knee jerk responses
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