Rules changes challenging for special teams

[The Spaz]

The NFL’s competition committee made a convincing case for increased safety in the game and the owners responded swiftly at the league meetings in late March passing three proposals that could change the face of special teams play.

Beginning this fall the wedge formation is prohibited on kickoff returns, the bunching of players for onsides kicks has been outlawed and blind side hits or peel back blocks will also be penalized when a helmet-to-helmet hit occurs on return plays.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/rules-changes-challenging-for-special-teams/c2ac451b-e7f7-42e8-97bd-c8b39a5b0f4e

[billsfanone]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

Another ***** dumb almost unenforceable rule. Guaranteed this will cause a controversy on a TD return at sometime.

[Oaf]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

Another ***** dumb almost unenforceable rule. Guaranteed this will cause a controversy on a TD return at sometime.

Love the sig.

[trapezeus]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

no wedge? is this a joke? what will the madden 2009 special teams options be on kickoffs?

[ServoBillieves]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

So that means no more DE's on Kick offs... that's stupid, the wedge is the freaking start of any major kick off return. Watch our KR average drop now... Safety is an integral part, but this is one of the most violent games in the world.

There is no player in the game who doesn't realize when they put on that helmet they are putting their bodies at risk. If it is a deliberate shot to the head or cause for injury, you suspend the player or fine him out the ass. What Troy Polamalu said, this is turning in to a two-hand touch league.

[OpIv37]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

yeah this is one of those rules that gives too much jurisdiction to the refs and takes away one of our best weapons. I guarantee that over the course of the season, we will be victimized by this far more than we benefit from it.

The problem is that teams will start off in a legal formation, but as the D (and hence the blockers) close in on the returner, it will suddenly become illegal.

[ddaryl]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

dumb rule

and the point of it being removed is what ????

[The Spaz]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

dumb rule

and the point of it being removed is what ????

I don't like it either. My guess is they ar etrying to prevent the "violent" collision of someone like ex-fb Darian Barnes running full steam and destroying the wall and someone possibly getting hurt. Like I said I don't like it but this is the reason IMO.

[billsfanone]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

I can see it now. The commentators on screen drawing a convoluted v wedge on the screen while discussing why a winning kickoff TD is called back.

[psubills62]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

So they watched the film and decided that the wedge caused too many injuries?

Guess what else causes injuries? Tackling....I'd bet that 99% of injuries are caused by tackling or intent to tackle. Possible solutions: 1) flag football, 2) two finger touch (fingers could get jammed if we use full two-hand touch), 3) player is down if an opponent enters his "three feet of personal space."

[superbills]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

So they watched the film and decided that the wedge caused too many injuries?

Guess what else causes injuries? Tackling....I'd bet that 99% of injuries are caused by tackling or intent to tackle. Possible solutions: 1) flag football, 2) two finger touch (fingers could get jammed if we use full two-hand touch), 3) player is down if an opponent enters his "three feet of personal space."

LOL

[OpIv37]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

3) player is down if an opponent enters his "three feet of personal space."

too bad we can't get that rule for opposing QB's- then maybe Chris Kelsay cound get a sack.

[psubills62]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

too bad we can't get that rule for opposing QB's- then maybe Chris Kelsay cound get a sack.

Haha...And even if he couldn't, at least he gave it his best, right?

[billsfanone]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

too bad we can't get that rule for opposing QB's- then maybe Chris Kelsay cound get a sack.

Shoubel wouldn't though.

[trapezeus]

Re: Rules changes challenging for special teams

I can see it now. The commentators on screen drawing a convoluted v wedge on the screen while discussing why a winning kickoff TD is called back.

and the color commentator/former player says, "and that's really why the rule has been created. it's dangerous out there. we didn't ever want to do the wedge.