Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Is 35 better than 30?

The kickoff return is an integral part of a football game as is a punt return. The league is now going to move the kickoff forward from the 30 yard line to the 35 and a touchback will remain the same with the ball staying at the 20 yard line. The rational is to make an effort to somewhat curtail the potential of injuries in the league. Makes sense to me. BUT, a kickoff return is a very exciting part of the football game. Also, the non kickers(10 players)can only have a 5 yard head start running down the field to pursue the kickoff returner. What you are going to see is a multitude of touchbacks in the end zone because of the power in the legs of NFL kickers. How about another rule change while it still can be accomplished. Instead of a 5 yard head start, how about no head start for the kicking team. All 10 special teams guys should just stand on their own 34 yard line and cannot move forward until the ball is thumped by the kicker. Now kickoffs driven into the end zone may be returned more because of the lack of a running start. We all know that shortening the kickoff distance may eliminate some injuries, but it also may induce boredom into the kicking game. When a football player puts on his pads and helmet, and laces up his football shoes, he knows there is a chance for injury. It is the same for a race car driver. Once you are traveling 180+ MPH with bumpers almost touching, a driver knows there is an unreal chance for injury or death. Instead of worrying about shortening the kickoff to the 35 yard line, maybe the NFL hierarchy should openly discuss why there are so many penalties on punts and kickoff returns. If you watch an entire NFL game, it seems that one out of two kicking plays results in a holding call or a block in the back call. There should be more focus on the penalties than on the length of the kickoff.

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