Quote:
Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule
I was listening to Pat Kirwan walk through the changes and he shredded them. I doubt I can do his explanations justice.
The first thing I don't like is that the ball is dead in the end zone. The kickoff being a live ball even in the endzone adds a good drama to catching the ball falling short of the goal line or just into the end zone.
2nd, the kickoff team gets to start running at the kick off, the receiving team can't block until the ball is touched or touches the ground, that means the receiving team who should be lining up blocks will be running backwards full speed and have to be aware of where the ball is and if it's been caught while the kicking team is setting to blow the blockers off their feet.
Most special teams players run a 40 in under five seconds, kick off hang times are about 4-5 seconds. That means that the kicking team players will cover about 40 yards (or to the 25 yard line) before a receiving team player can legally block them. How is that going to even work?
Finally the 5 on each side rule basically will negate onside attempts which again are one of the fun elements of the kickoff.
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I have no idea where this "no blocking before the ball is touched" rule comes from... this is absolutely not what the new rule is.
PFT summed it up pretty well.
-No blocking from the restraining line to 15 yards from that (so from the kicking team's 45 to the receiving team's 40, where 8 of the 11 receiving team's players must line up) before the ball is touched. IMO the point is to reduce high speed blocks.
-I don't see what's wrong with suppressing the 5 yards running start for the kick off team... doesn't change much, just reduces speed a bit.
-No wedge is smart.
-I'm pretty sure I read the rules for onside kicks would remain unchanged.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ed-collisions/
Vinatieri likes the new rules:
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...or-the-better/