NFL changes kickoff rule

Who doesn't want to see more touchback excitement? This rule will have a small but noticeable effect on scoring due to the loss of offensive field position. In response, the owners will vote in a rule requiring defensive backs to play blindfolded.

 

I actually think this might be the case in 3-4 years ...

 

This was funny.

 

I agree with the poster who said the rule change will somehow lead to more violent hits. That's what's happened with pass defense. Limiting the chucks and bumps means the only way to play effective pass defense is to separate the receiver from the ball as close to the moment of the catch as possible -- that is, by hard hits on vulnerable opponents.

 

Exactly. Thank you for saving me the time of looking up when they changed the rule.

 

Bears coach Lovie Smith actually said that today, saying how Hester is such a big part of his team's field position and can break one any time he touches the ball. He said the "fiber" of the game may be being sacrificed in favor of too much safety.

 

So spend the Hester money on an O-lineman or two.

Problem solved.

 

This won't help Jacoby Ford, either.

 

Or Josh Cribbs or Leon Washington (who just got an extension) or kicker Billy Cundiff (who just got an extension) or Brad Smith.

 

Somewhere YGBFM and RickStain are crying because their precious team's best player was just rendered obsolete.

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

 

I'm old school . Let's see it go back to the 40 so they can boot it into the stands like Jan Stenerud used to do.

 

I'm guessing nobody will be happy with this and there will be one of three courses taken:
1) Go back to the 30 again.
2) Eliminate kickoffs.
3) Force returners out with a rule like the CFL's rouge. They might still concede the point early in the game, but not late in a close game.