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Mikey · 08-17-2022, 03:58 PM

(08-17-2022, 12:57 PM)NewJagsCity Wrote: The NFL is known for constantly looking to improve their product and brand. Well, here's a needed tweak...the kickoff. Although it seems like there are more short kickoffs so far in the preseason, probably due to wanting thorough special teams evaluations, we all know that this won't be the case in the regular season. Kicking in the end zone is boring for the fans and takes away from the excitement of the game. So, here's a proposal:

- Any kick out of the end zone will be initially placed at the 35. Only one kickoff out of the end zone allowed per half. Any violation of this after using up the one touchback will result in cumulative penalties of 5 yards. I.E., the 1st violation will result in the ball placed at the 40, the second at the 45 and so on.

- Kicking out of bounds, intentionally or not, will result in the ball being placed automatically either at midfield, or 5 yards beyond the current penalty point for touchbacks, whichever is greater.

I expect to get hammered for this, so flail away

The shield is trying to kill the return play, so I doubt this gets any legs.

I do like the idea of a touchback penalizing the kicking team, maybe leave the yardage in place, but the receiving team gets a point. Returners could then risk letting a ball bounce and carom out of the end zone, or bounce back toward the kicking team, or somewhere in between, all while the ball is live.

I think if you want to make a progressive penalty, you start with initial touchback closer to the receiving goal, say the 25 or 30, and then slowly work your way upfield.

If I were to suggest any tweak to the kickoff, it would be that receiving and kicking team players would line up at the ball, as we see with punt returns. Only the returners would be back deep. When the kicker begins his approach, the receiving team could then choose to drop back into blocking/onside coverage or block the gunners at the point. You'd see a lot less high-speed impacts like you tend to see when guys have 20-30 yards to get heads of steam going in opposing directions before laying their initial blocks.