The NFL Actually Has a Good Idea With Possible Rule Change
By Erik Lambert
The NFL tries to be a league that shakes things up every year. Try new things and see if they make the game more exciting for an altering fan base.
Sometimes it works, as with the 1978 rule changes that helped open up offensive football. This made quarterbacks more important than ever and made games more exciting because of it. Then there are times the changes can be puzzling and a little severe. A good example being the hammer they drop on players for creative end zone celebrations. Such things never harmed anybody (unlike the actual play) and were entertaining to watch.
Just goes to show that not all changes are good. Still, one must admire the the league for at least not wanted to grow stale or stagnant in an entertainment industry that features constantly altering tastes. In fact they may have a good idea on the way, depending on how the votes fall according to ESPN.
It seems they are considering a small but profound change to kickoffs.
"“Stephen Gostkowski’s powerful right leg could become more valuable to the Patriots if an unconventional rule is passed at this week’s NFL annual meeting. The rule would reward kickers who boot kickoffs through the uprights by spotting the football at the 20-yard line for a touchback instead of the 25.”"
Things can always be improved with a little incentive. Everybody knows how important five yards can be in a game. It’s the difference between a 55-yard field goal and a 60-yard field. Games can be decided by that seemingly insignificant distance. Besides, this would make kickoffs a little more entertaining to watch.
That may not be the only considered change either.
"Moving the touchback from the 20 to the 25-yard line permanently: “I kind of like the rule. As a coach, there is a little more strategy involved: ‘We’re playing this team, so let’s kick it short and see if we can cover it [and pin them deep]’ or ‘This team, they have a great returner, so we better try to hit it out of the end zone.’ Again, you’re rewarding a skill set that is being devalued by the NFL by having a great returner.”"
Football is always a game based around a sort of chess match. Coaches acting and counteracting against each other in a sort of mental dance. It takes place across all three phases from offense, defense to special teams. It’s the ultimate situational sport. Making the undervalued third phase more interesting, especially since the neutering of kick returns, can only be a good thing. Much depends on how reception owners will be to it. Here’s hoping they see the value.