Proposed New Rule: Fair Catch on Kickoffs - Ball at the 25

If I were a kicker I'd be entirely against this.

If you spend years and years practicing to have the ball have as much hang time and land as close to the one yard line, that is a money making skill the NFL looks for.

The rule making committee sure tries to bend over backwards to make it seem like they are all for player safety. What they are doing is chipping away at the game until there is no more game left.

 
Teams with good special teams will still opt for the risk/reward of a kickoff return. This could play a bigger role when there's a large talent gap between the two teams or if one team is trying to prevent a turnover.

 
Cdog923 said:
That's kind of the point. 
Click to expand...


-sarcastaball-21364.png


 
I understand rule changes in order for better player safety, but it appears they are starting in the wrong place.  With most kickoff returns, the ball carrier should be near full speed before being contacted.  Punt returns on the other hand are completely different.  In many cases, the defender is going full speed making contact with the ball carrier that hasn't even really had a chance to get any momentum.  I'd guess there's more injuries on punt returns than kickoff returns because of muffed fair catches and such.

 
junior4949 said:
I understand rule changes in order for better player safety, but it appears they are starting in the wrong place.  With most kickoff returns, the ball carrier should be near full speed before being contacted.  Punt returns on the other hand are completely different.  In many cases, the defender is going full speed making contact with the ball carrier that hasn't even really had a chance to get any momentum.  I'd guess there's more injuries on punt returns than kickoff returns because of muffed fair catches and such.
Click to expand...
You are correct. Lets return to the 2 yard halo rule for catching punts. This rule has two benefits: 1) the returner doesn't get killed, and 2) there are less fair catches.

 
so, if this rule goes into effect will calling a for a fair catch at the 45 result in the ball being placed on the 25? cause if so, kickers will be learning an entirely new skill set, either kick the ball through the end zone or as high and short as possible.

 
desertshox said:
so, if this rule goes into effect will calling a for a fair catch at the 45 result in the ball being placed on the 25? cause if so, kickers will be learning an entirely new skill set, either kick the ball through the end zone or as high and short as possible.
Click to expand...
No. Per the tweet in the OP, the rule would only apply if the ball was caught behind the 25-yard line. For example, a kneel in the end zone, a fair catch at the 5-yard line or a fair catch at the 20-yard line would all share the same net result - the ball would be placed at the 25. A fair catch called beyond the 25-yard line would place the ball at the spot of the fair catch.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Enhance said:
No. Per the tweet in the OP, the rule would only apply if the ball was caught behind the 25-yard line. For example, a kneel in the end zone, a fair catch at the 5-yard line or a fair catch at the 20-yard line would all share the same net result - the ball would be placed at the 25. A fair catch called beyond the 25-yard line would place the ball at the spot of the fair catch.
Click to expand...


lame.

 
Back
Top