Kickoffs will be moved to 35-yard line

The Competition Committee’s proposal to adjust kickoff rules, which seemingly came out of nowhere last week and was roundly criticized by coaches, wound up being approved in modified form on Tuesday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that kickoffs will be moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line next season. Touchbacks will continue to be returned to the 20-yard line.

This appears to be the modified proposal that we reported on this morning. In that proposal, the two-man wedge would still be allowed. The competition committee initially wanted to eliminate the wedge and have touchbacks returned to the 25-yard line.

This rule change will still have a big impact on Sundays. There will be far more touchbacks and possibly less need for kickoff specialists. (Then again, you could argue that a specialist that could guarantee a touchback almost every time would be even more valuable.)

We find the rule change a little odd because it came out of nowhere and the league didn’t present a lot of evidence that it will help player safety.

UPDATE: Tw0-man wedges will be allowed.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/22/kickoffs-will-be-moved-to-35-yard-line/related

:thumbsdown:

With touchbacks more likely to occur, teams would start at the 20 more often and will have a lower starting field position average so if they win it on a FG, it won't be so bad. Defense should be able to stop a team from scoring more often than not from there.

:boring:

I thought it could work as long as the touchback on a kickoff came out to the 25, or even the 30, so teams kicking off weren't rewarded for just kicking the ball out of the stadium, but rather were encouraged to get the kickoff as close to the goal line as possible.

But this way, especially in domes, I doubt you'll ever see a runback again, except maybe for the Saints' "Ambush" play. :-)

is to reduce injuries on kick returns by having more touchbacks. I'm sure when they came up with the rule they thought of exactly that and in that case, why change the rule at all(when thinking of reducing injuries)? I don't personally support it but that is where they're coming from.

:shrug:

A kickoff return is like a Grand Slam in Baseball.

sheesh...

Yeah, they're taking away what can be the most exciting plays in the game, and I don't see how they think this is going to make it safer.