Quantcast

(NFL) Elite Kick Returners now Obselete:

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
Since basically all kickers can now at least kick the ball into the endzone, we'll be subjected to touchbacks from here on out any time Devin Hester, Josh Cribbs or Leon Washington are back to return a kick...

NEW ORLEANS -- NFL owners voted to alter rules for kickoffs and instant replay next season but tabled a proposal that would have expanded language changes in the rule involving penalties against defenseless players.

With changes suggested by 32 head coaches attending the NFL owners meetings, kickoffs will move from the 30 to the 35-yard line but adjustments were made in the proposal by the NFL competition committee.


Although the vote wasn't immediately revealed, the NFL owners voted for the kickoff change. With the input of coaches, though, the committee decided to allow return teams to have a two-man wedge. The committee proposal suggested the elimination of the two-man wedge, but coaches argued that would make it harder to have quality returns.


The other tradeoff by the committee to get the vote passed was not changing the spotting of a touchback. Touchbacks will still be spotted at the 20-yard line. The committee had suggested moving touchbacks to the 25.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6247029&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

How stupid is this rule change? Has to be a function of the many teams without great returners punishing the few teams with that going for them.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,134
Portland, OR
I think you will still have a few guys who don't want to touch back, or you will have kickers who get real good at dropping the ball on the 5.
 

I Are Baboon

The Full Dopey
Aug 6, 2001
32,383
9,289
MTB New England
I think you will still have a few guys who don't want to touch back, or you will have kickers who get real good at dropping the ball on the 5.
Yeah, higher kicks with longer hangtimes will give defenders more time to close on the return man.

At least I'm glad to see touchbacks weren't changed to the 25 yard line.
 

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
Didn't they just move the kickoff point back 2-3 yrs ago? Specifically because every NFL kicker was putting it out the back of the endzone?
From an injury standpoint, it does seem reasonable. We are already at a place were many starters aren't on special teams.
Move the kickoffs to the 50, but make the kicker punt aussie style. Same result, but the players will have less speed on impact.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,134
Portland, OR
Yeah, higher kicks with longer hangtimes will give defenders more time to close on the return man.
I got pretty good at punt placement, but kick offs were a lot harder to put as much touch on it as I would like. I personally think the rule sucks, but who knows.

Wonder how the UFL will do overall now.
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,031
7,550
Maybe we'll see super skilled kickers such as in "Infinite Jest"
 

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,232
20,015
Sleazattle
I surprised they didn't make a rule preventing the defense from crossing the line of scrimmage before counting to 4 Mississippi.
 

Brian HCM#1

MMMMMMMMM BEER!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 7, 2001
32,119
378
Bay Area, California
Since basically all kickers can now at least kick the ball into the endzone, we'll be subjected to touchbacks from here on out any time Devin Hester, Josh Cribbs or Leon Washington are back to return a kick...



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6247029&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

How stupid is this rule change? Has to be a function of the many teams without great returners punishing the few teams with that going for them.
You're just miffed cause that's the only way the Bears can score semi offensive points;)
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
You're just miffed cause that's the only way the Bears can score semi offensive points;)
Still have punt returns!

No seriously, it does suck for teams like the Bears. If you invest heavily in a player (2nd round draft pick, $25ml contract) for this purpose, and then the league turns around and renders the player useless, or at least less-effective, you pretty much got screwed.
 

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,519
7,068
Colorado
Still have punt returns!

No seriously, it does suck for teams like the Bears. If you invest heavily in a player (2nd round draft pick, $25ml contract) for this purpose, and then the league turns around and renders the player useless, or at least less-effective, you pretty much got screwed.
It's a conspiricy. They league knows that the world will shift it's axis due to celebrating Chicagoan's if the Bears win anything. They have to prevent it for the safety of all of us.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,134
Portland, OR
Still have punt returns!

No seriously, it does suck for teams like the Bears. If you invest heavily in a player (2nd round draft pick, $25ml contract) for this purpose, and then the league turns around and renders the player useless, or at least less-effective, you pretty much got screwed.
How do you think the Raiders felt after what the league did to Russell? Oh wait...
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
I think they should be able to fight like in Hockey. And let the players go into the stands and pummel hecklers and Steeler Fans. Also for the price of a NFL ticket I should get a free sandwich. Half time should always include some sort of Satanic ritual. Confirmation of the rituals effectiveness should be made by a Military fly over and a ritual strafing of the opposing teams fan section. Blood pressure booths also so you can check your health during the game. Get rid of those baby changing stations and put in benches so that the cheerleaders can give out lapdances....
 

Secret Squirrel

There is no Justice!
Dec 21, 2004
8,150
1
Up sh*t creek, without a paddle
I think they should be able to fight like in Hockey. And let the players go into the stands and pummel hecklers and Steeler Fans. Also for the price of a NFL ticket I should get a free sandwich. Half time should always include some sort of Satanic ritual. Confirmation of the rituals effectiveness should be made by a Military fly over and a ritual strafing of the opposing teams fan section. Blood pressure booths also so you can check your health during the game. Get rid of those baby changing stations and put in benches so that the cheerleaders can give out lapdances....
jdcamb for commish!!
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
Pay per view half time porn shows. Taylor Swift strapon lesbian scene with Christina Aguilera. Come on we all don't want them singing anymore.. I got plenty of winning ideas....