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

[Redux]

And Special Teams fades a bit more into obscurity...

[Enhance]

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]

10 hours ago, Redux said:

And Special Teams fades a bit more into obscurity...

 

Bruce Read is becoming a better ST Coach every day. 

[Redux]

2 minutes ago, Cdog923 said:

 

Bruce Read is becoming a better ST Coach every day. 

 

Until they make special teams a version of blindfolded freeze tag, he will always suck.

[Cdog923]

1 minute ago, Redux said:

 

Until they make special teams a version of blindfolded freeze tag, he will always suck.

 

That's kind of the point. 

[Redux]

8 minutes ago, Cdog923 said:

That's kind of the point. 

 

[Cdog923]

11 minutes ago, Redux said:

 

 

That looks like every Broncos game to me. 

[junior4949]

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.

[MichiganDad3]

32 minutes ago, 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.

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.

[desertshox]

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.

[Enhance]

1 hour ago, 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.

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.

[Swiv3D]

Delete

Edited March 5, 2018 by Swiv3D

[desertshox]

1 hour ago, 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.

 

lame.

[TGHusker]

On 3/4/2018 at 3:51 PM, TonyStalloni said:

Kelly Phelps approves of this new rule.

What a terrible call by the refs by saying he was down before fumbling - I guess his forward progress was stopped - very quickly.

[TGHusker]

This would be like taking the home run out of baseball.  The kick off return is potentially the most exciting play in all of football.   Unfortunately too many never make it out of the end zone.

Our punt return game disappeared under MR playing it too safe.  The great teams and players take risks (appropriate) and don't just play it safe.