I didn't think things could get worse for the NFL. But they have.
Yesterday they ruined tackling. Today they ruined the most iconic part of the game. The kickoff.
Tell me this isn't the gayest thing you've ever seen.
The point of the rule is to slow down the full-speed blocking and tackling you get from the huge running head starts because those are some of the most dangerous collisions in football.
But THIS isn't football.
During the 2024 season, kickers will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team will line up in a "setup zone" between the 35- and 30-yard lines. Up to two returners can line up in a "landing zone" between the goal line and the 20-yard line.
No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or hits a player inside the landing zone. Touchbacks will be marked at the 30-yard line, and no fair catches will be allowed. In the event a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it will have to inform officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. No surprise onside kicks will be allowed.
This rule was first used in XFL as seen above, with just a slight variation of where players line up.
You have to stand still on the line until the ball lands or is it caught. And you can only have one man back to catch, I guess. No fun misdirection returns or blocking schemes.
Oh, and no "surprise" onside kicks. One of the most dynamic plays in the sport is off the table.
While the rule is meant to stop concussions it is meant to increase the number of returns. Currently, only about 1 in 5 kickoffs are returned, the rest are touchbacks. The new move will, hopefully, mean a reversal to about 4 out of 5 kicks being caught and returned.
The touchbacks, created by moving the kicker five yards closer, were also meant to lower injury and concussion rate, but the NFL has been frustrated that there are very few kickoff returns.
Speaking before the vote, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he was in favor.
"You felt like that took a significant amount of plays out of the game, and those were from special teams. And you don't make it up really anywhere else. And so, we put an emphasis on it. So, I believe in it."
I don't know, this just looks and feels so different from classic football.
If there are more returns, that could be a good thing. But it just looks so dumb.
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