BLeonard
08-27-2011, 02:49 PM
DISCLAIMER: I know the reason the NFL moved the kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 was to reduce the number of kickoff returns. Some have even suggested they would like to eliminate kickoffs altogether (which would also eliminate onside kicks, which would suck).
I, however, have a different, creative suggestion.
1: On a touchback, the receiving team starts on the 30 yard line. This would give teams (and more accurately, kickers) incentive to keep the ball in the field of play. That would cut down on the kickoffs through the back of the endzone, I think.
2: I like to call this the "Tecmo Super Bowl" rule. People who have played the game probably already know where I'm going with this...
In Tecmo Super Bowl, a game for the NES, there were no kneel downs in the endzone for a kickoff that reached the endzone. If you received a kickoff that reached the endzone, you had to bring it out. If you were tackled in the endzone, the kicking team was given a safety.
So, in short:
1: On touchbacks, the receiving team gets the ball on the 30.
2: Kickoffs reaching the endzone must be returned, to avoid a safety and loss of the ball.
I think it would make the kicking and return game much more important (and exciting) then this move to the 35 has made it. again, I know the NFL wants to cut down on kickoff returns, but I think this is a better balance, as I think you will see less returns than before, but more than we're currently getting.
-Bill
I, however, have a different, creative suggestion.
1: On a touchback, the receiving team starts on the 30 yard line. This would give teams (and more accurately, kickers) incentive to keep the ball in the field of play. That would cut down on the kickoffs through the back of the endzone, I think.
2: I like to call this the "Tecmo Super Bowl" rule. People who have played the game probably already know where I'm going with this...
In Tecmo Super Bowl, a game for the NES, there were no kneel downs in the endzone for a kickoff that reached the endzone. If you received a kickoff that reached the endzone, you had to bring it out. If you were tackled in the endzone, the kicking team was given a safety.
So, in short:
1: On touchbacks, the receiving team gets the ball on the 30.
2: Kickoffs reaching the endzone must be returned, to avoid a safety and loss of the ball.
I think it would make the kicking and return game much more important (and exciting) then this move to the 35 has made it. again, I know the NFL wants to cut down on kickoff returns, but I think this is a better balance, as I think you will see less returns than before, but more than we're currently getting.
-Bill