NFL to test out two potential rule changes in Pro Bowl

[WizardHawk]

That proposed change is just utterly stupid. I'm not saying I'm in favor of what the XFL has in mind, but I'd rather see that than what the NFL has proposed...

Makes it safer and still has a kickoff play.

 

[steelerssb]

The NFL cares about player safety so much it's pushing for more overseas and regular season games.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Meh.

How many kickoffs are touchbacks nowadays? We're not exactly getting a ton of excitement out of those anymore.

 

[jarntt]

The 21% stat is not outdated and irrelevant, because it was specifically for the old onside kick rules, before the 2018 rules that decreased the rate to 6%.

Right, so now it's 6%

 

[wazzu31]

4th and 15 only has a 16% success rate in the NFL.

Before the 2018 rules changes that made onside kicks harder, onside kicks had a 21% success rate.

4th and 15 is more difficult than historical (pre-2018) onside kicks.

The numbers you provide for 4th and 15 are irrelevant stats to this rule. If this becomes a rule no longer will it become a desperation play as opposed to a designed play. Your essentially equating Hail Mary percentages with percentages of passes completed over 20 yards.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I hate it. Leave it the fuck alone.

I liked one game this year, can't recall who it was, somebody with an Aussie kicker?

He lined up and drilled it straight at one of the other team and hit him. Pretty sure his team recovered it? But there was a penalty....

Think of the Saints with their SB out of nowhere onside kick against the Colts? Is that potential play gone now too??

 

[Myles]

I think the converting % will be too high on these 4th and 15's for some teams. KC would have a designed play for this. I would say they would convert around 40% of the time. Since a defensive holding or pass interference would essentially grant possession to the other team, I bet the defense would play loose making the chance of conversion easier than a typical play. A late hit on the QB would also grant possession to the other team, I would wonder how the rush would be.

I stand by my opinion of it being unfair to many teams. The Titans bread and butter is Henry. But you don't run the ball when you have 1 down to pick up 15 yards.

 

[kcden]

No it wouldn't stop it, it would just make the NFL more unwatchable. We already see a flag every other down, one peep out of a player and another flag. Horrible idea that will never happen. Part of sports and competitiveness is trash talk, that's how it's been for decades. They are trying to change too much, this would be a disaster

You could be right about it making the NFL less watchable (I don't think it would be worse than watching the pussies cry about every call/no-call, but maybe that's just me), but since when is crying to the refs trash talk ?

 

[Myles]

You could be right about it making the NFL less watchable (I don't think it would be worse than watching the pussies cry about every call/no-call, but maybe that's just me), but since when is crying to the refs trash talk ?

Good point.

 

[Debbie Does]

Kickoffs and runbacks can be exciting, though. They want to take the fun out of the game?

Part of the value of onside kicks is the element of surprise. Let that continue.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Stupid ideas.

 

[Myles]

Kickoffs and runbacks can be exciting, though. They want to take the fun out of the game?

Part of the value of onside kicks is the element of surprise. Let that continue.

Yeah, you can't surprise the other team if you take it for a 4th and 15.
This is a dumb idea.

I might be OK with a 1st and 30.

 

[CaptainStubing]

there will come a day when the league eventually just gets rid of kick offs.

 

[Myles]

there will come a day when the league eventually just gets rid of kick offs.

I agree. Bummer. I think they have already taken most of it away. Remember how exciting Hester was. It sure added to the game.

 

[Debbie Does]

Next they will require fair catches and no runbacks on punts. A lot of punts now end up that way with punters who can reliably put a lot of hang time into a punt that drops on the ten.

Let them play the game, dammit.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

What will the running team do when they recover an onside kick and still have to go 50+ yards to score a TD in :30 seconds????

Learn how to pass

 

[Scooby-Doo]

That proposed change is just utterly stupid. I'm not saying I'm in favor of what the XFL has in mind, but I'd rather see that than what the NFL has proposed...

Makes it safer and still has a kickoff play.

This is actually not a crazy, bad idea

 

[WizardHawk]

This is actually not a crazy, bad idea

Blandino has a few interesting rules changes they are testing. I'll reserve final opinion after the XFL gets going and we see them in action.

Not sure I can get behind their PAT format. No kicks, but you can do a single play from the 2y, 5y, or 10y for 1, 2 or 3 points. Kind of goes too far outside of football is my first reaction.

The double forward pass is another interesting one. You can pass more than once in the same play, provided the first pass is behind the line of scrimmage and the ball does not cross the line before the second pass.

I think their OT rules are likely the ones to be the most controversial in terms of fan reaction. It's more or less soccer/hockey style. 5 rounds where both teams get a play from the 5y with a single down to score. They flip flop from one team to the other each round. Again, not really thinking I'll be for it, but I'll be curious to see one.

The rule variants are probably the only reason I may actually tune in for a game or two. I mean the talent isn't going to be there.

 

[wazzu31]

Kickoffs and runbacks can be exciting, though. They want to take the fun out of the game?

Part of the value of onside kicks is the element of surprise. Let that continue.

Let alone the NFLPA is going to be stoked that they will be taking away jobs/dues.

 

[broncosmitty]

I'm fine with as few kickoffs as possible. Or none altogether. Most are touchbacks anyway. And then off to commercial.


Concussions are up again btw.