NFL to introduce new kick off rules: Fair catch inside the 25 is a touch back?

[Rock Strongo]

Troy Vincent: NFL Considering 'Modifying' Kickoffs Ahead of 2018 Season

As college football continues to make the game safer by tweaking kickoff rules, the NFL may follow suit.

Per NFL.com's Judy Battista, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent recently revealed that while the league will not eliminate kickoffs in 2018, it will consider modifying the rules.

Last month, the NCAA approved a new rule that would allow players to signal for fair catches anywhere inside the 25-yard line and have it result in touchbacks. Back in 2012, college football looked to encourage touchbacks by moving kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35 and also place touchbacks at the 25-yard line rather than the 20.

 

[TheDayMan]

That’s the lamest shit I’ve ever heard.

 

[Rock Strongo]

That’s the lamest shit I’ve ever heard.

i hope they dont do this.

 

[TheDayMan]

I didn’t even know the NCAA did it. Sucks.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

lol good thing Seattle drafted the best punting prospect in 5 years since PFF started tracking it. He's known for directional punting. Sounds like punters who are good at directional kicking are going to be valuable since that'd be the only way to pin someone (since all returners will now just fair catch inside the 10 and likely fair catch from the 10-25 pending what they see.

I feel like most of the injuries in punt returning come from a) some guy who crashes into the punter even if he fair catches, or b) the punt returner fields it stupidly and gets smacked upon catching it...

If it's inside the 10-15, they usually always back away from it or let it bounce... so how will this stop injury? It seems like the NFL is just putting rules in place to make it seem like they're helping injury while upping the offensive production.

 

[megalodon30]

If I was a kicker, I'd sue. So a returner calls a fair catch at the 2 and the offense gets it at the 25? Why should that work?

 

[megalodon30]

That’s the lamest shit I’ve ever heard.

Attention! I am currently in full agreement with TheDayMan. Doesn't happen often, but he is completely right here.

 

[TheDayMan]

lol good thing Seattle drafted the best punting prospect in 5 years since PFF started tracking it. He's known for directional punting. Sounds like punters who are good at directional kicking are going to be valuable since that'd be the only way to pin someone (since all returners will now just fair catch inside the 10 and likely fair catch from the 10-25 pending what they see.

I feel like most of the injuries in punt returning come from a) some guy who crashes into the punter even if he fair catches, or b) the punt returner fields it stupidly and gets smacked upon catching it...

If it's inside the 10-15, they usually always back away from it or let it bounce... so how will this stop injury? It seems like the NFL is just putting rules in place to make it seem like they're helping injury while upping the offensive production.

Punt =/= kickoff

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Punt =/= kickoff

Oh woops, I completely misread that. So what the fuck... any team can just auto get the ball on the 25 yard line any time they feel like it.. that's even more stupid, lol.

 

[TheDayMan]

Oh woops, I completely misread that. So what the fuck... any team can just auto get the ball on the 25 yard line any time they feel like it.. that's even more stupid, lol.

Yeah, it’s bullshit.

 

[Rock Strongo]

lol good thing Seattle drafted the best punting prospect in 5 years since PFF started tracking it. He's known for directional punting. Sounds like punters who are good at directional kicking are going to be valuable since that'd be the only way to pin someone (since all returners will now just fair catch inside the 10 and likely fair catch from the 10-25 pending what they see.

I feel like most of the injuries in punt returning come from a) some guy who crashes into the punter even if he fair catches, or b) the punt returner fields it stupidly and gets smacked upon catching it...

If it's inside the 10-15, they usually always back away from it or let it bounce... so how will this stop injury? It seems like the NFL is just putting rules in place to make it seem like they're helping injury while upping the offensive production.

i saw the kicks he mad when they drafted him

jesus, hes awesome. pin point.

 

[YankeeRebel]

That’s the lamest shit I’ve ever heard.

Well you have not been listening to our Government of late.

 

[shopson67]

Oh woops, I completely misread that. So what the fuck... any team can just auto get the ball on the 25 yard line any time they feel like it.. that's even more stupid, lol.

The next step is just eliminating the kickoff and starting at the 20 or 25 automatically. That would eliminate onside kicks, so no dice just yet.

 

[rmilia1]

The easiest way to fix concussions on kickoffs is to just make the kicking team stand still til the ball is kicked

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

The next step is just eliminating the kickoff and starting at the 20 or 25 automatically. That would eliminate onside kicks, so no dice just yet.

Why would onside kicks go away? I don't think there's many injuries on those, is there? Are they saying they are doing away with those as well?

 

[Rock Strongo]

The next step is just eliminating the kickoff and starting at the 20 or 25 automatically. That would eliminate onside kicks, so no dice just yet.

 

[shopson67]

Why would onside kicks go away? I don't think there's many injuries on those, is there? Are they saying they are doing away with those as well?

If there's no kickoff, there's no fake kickoff either.

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Football is dying a slow miserable death

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

If there's no kickoff, there's no fake kickoff either.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

Stupid rule. It's just going to change how kickers contact the ball. More line drive and squib type kicks to make sure the opposing team can't fair catch it