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Well, I guess it was in an effort to reduce head injuries, but the NFL all but eliminated/greatly reduced kickoff returns today by changing the rule moving KO's from the 30 up to the 35 yard line. If anything they should've left it alone or even moved it the other way - to the 25. Then again, with so many injuries & penalties on kicks it could end up being an OK thing.

bluehenbillk wrote:Well, I guess it was in an effort to reduce head injuries, but the NFL all but eliminated/greatly reduced kickoff returns today by changing the rule moving KO's from the 30 up to the 35 yard line. If anything they should've left it alone or even moved it the other way - to the 25. Then again, with so many injuries & penalties on kicks it could end up being an OK thing.

It wasn't that long ago that kickoffs were from the 35 yard line. I think they moved it back because there were a lot of FG's!?

From a competition stand point I don't think the 5 yards is that big of a deal. I think this move was intended to reduce injuries, if it works then I think it's a good move.

Rumor has it, they discussed getting rid of kickoffs completely.

BlueHen86 wrote:Rumor has it, they discussed getting rid of kickoffs completely.

Well, at least they didn't play the Vince McMahon card and replace KOs with steal-the-bacon. The injury rate was MUCH higher with that.

BlueHen86 wrote:It wasn't that long ago that kickoffs were from the 35 yard line.

It's amazing how many people have forgotten that.

The ghost of Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is rolling over in his grave.

Sorry for the mixed metaphor, Billy, and even sorrier if you're not dead yet!

Yea you're correct it's only been at the 30's for a few years, they moved it back b/c the % of touchbacks they said was getting too high.

Ivytalk wrote:The ghost of Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is rolling over in his grave.

And yet, he never played with anything but the 35 for kickoffs.

89Hen wrote:

Ivytalk wrote:The ghost of Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is rolling over in his grave.

And yet, he never played with anything but the 35 for kickoffs.