The dumb new NFL Kickoff (1 Viewer)

[offdee]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

I thought I remember the goal with this change was to get approx 70% returns.

 

[the moops]

I kinda like it

 

[offdee]

I kinda like it

You'd like it even more if they actually returned the ball more often no?

 

[Psychopav]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

I was at the Bears game, and the Bears have a very good kick returner in DeAndre Carter. The kickoffs were one of the few highlights of the game for me (the Bears W notwithstanding).

 

[Don Quixote]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

I thought I remember the goal with this change was to get approx 70% returns.

I’ve never seen that stat/goal anywhere.

 

[Psychopav]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

I thought I remember the goal with this change was to get approx 70% returns.

I would have to check the box but I seem to remember only 1 or 2 touchbacks at the game I was at, vs. something like 10 total kickoffs.

 

[offdee]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

I thought I remember the goal with this change was to get approx 70% returns.

I’ve never seen that stat/goal anywhere.

I remember it on the Pat McAfee show when he was interviewing one of the head guys of the committee evaluating the change.

 

[massraider]

I kinda like it

You'd like it even more if they actually returned the ball more often no?

34% is higher than 20%, yes?

 

[offdee]

I kinda like it

You'd like it even more if they actually returned the ball more often no?

34% is higher than 20%, yes?

So 3 times out of every 10 kicks instead of 2 out of 10. Groundbreaking.

 

[Psychopav]

I kinda like it

You'd like it even more if they actually returned the ball more often no?

34% is higher than 20%, yes?

So 3 times out of every 10 kicks instead of 2 out of 10. Groundbreaking.

If it increases returns by 50% and decreases injuries materially, it actually does sound like a pretty significant improvement. Maybe not close enough to the ideal, but still significant.

 

[thecatch]

I kinda like it

You'd like it even more if they actually returned the ball more often no?

34% is higher than 20%, yes?

So 3 times out of every 10 kicks instead of 2 out of 10. Groundbreaking.

If it increases returns by 50% and decreases injuries materially, it actually does sound like a pretty significant improvement. Maybe not close enough to the ideal, but still significant.

If the # of big returns are also going up by a similar percentage, I'll bet you'll see an increase in teams kicking touchbacks every play going forward.

 

[dgreen]

When can we just call it a kickoff and stop calling it a dynamic kickoff? I'm already annoyed by the name.

 

[Rustoleum]

When can we just call it a kickoff and stop calling it a dynamic kickoff? I'm already annoyed by the name.

Nothing says dynamic like not being allowed to move when the ball is kicked.

Maybe they can install that thing from the first round of Squid Game and let the fans yell “Red Light!”

 

[Rustoleum]

We came up alternatives in the stands though:
-instead of kicking, there are 3 big jack-in the-boxes, and the ball just randomly pops out of one and you go from there.
- somebody suggested that one box randomly have a football-shaped hornet nest.
- last proposal was two guys, only they are blindfolded and the special teams coach has to yell directions at them to find the ball.

It’s no wonder you lost to the Patriots.

We could’ve gotten the ball back if we hadn’t had to burn a timeout for our o-line to introduce themselves to each other.

 

[bagger]

If the NFL really hates kick-offs that much -- and they obviously do -- just get rid of them. Each fresh possession starts at the 25. (Punts stay, of course).

Sure, that takes some excitement out of the game, but at least it's honest and it isn't trying to force something stupid on us.

Many are worried that if they get rid of kickoffs then that starts the slippery slope of removing all kicking duties, including punts.

It’s clear the NFL wants the kickoff but they just want it to actually be run out more often and then safer when that happens.

Just moving back the kicker 20 yds easily solves all of these issues. It’s so obvious to me, I don’t understand why it’s not being brought up as a solution by anybody.

The kickoff should just be a punt if they’re going to change it.

Funny though that student athletes can still do the dangerous kickoff.

 

[the moops]

Funny though that student athletes can still do the dangerous kickoff.

They will likely adopt the NFL rule in the next year or two would be my guess.

And college football has undergone changes to kickoffs to increase safety of players

• Kickoff line
  In 2012, the kickoff line was moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line.
  
  
• Touchbacks
  In 2012, touchbacks were moved from the 20-yard line to the 25-yard line.
  
  
• Fair catches
  In 2018, the NCAA allowed return specialists to call for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line.
  
  
• Onside kicks
  For the 2024 season, onside kicks are only allowed in the fourth quarter and in overtime. The kicking team must notify the game officials of their intent to do so.

 

[TheAristocrat]

The best part of the new kickoff rules is the Landing Strip graphic on ESPN last night. I don't remember seeing it on Fox on Sunday.

 

[NutterButter]

I'd like to see them change it to start on the 40 if you kick it in the end zone; just like its done for kicking it out of bounds.

 

[Gally]

I'd like to see them change it to start on the 40 if you kick it in the end zone; just like its done for kicking it out of bounds.

Seems pretty punitive for doing nothing "wrong". Much easier to just move the kick back 10 or 15 yds where not everyone can kick it into the endzone.

 

[NutterButter]

I'd like to see them change it to start on the 40 if you kick it in the end zone; just like its done for kicking it out of bounds.

Seems pretty punitive for doing nothing "wrong". Much easier to just move the kick back 10 or 15 yds where not everyone can kick it into the endzone.

That's an alternative. I like the idea of putting the pressure on the kicker to be more accurate with his kick; too far and you risk putting it in the end zone or too short and you risk giving up a big kickoff. By moving it back, you're still just talking about kicking it as far as you can as long you don't kick it out of bounds.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

Unfortunately, based on those return yards, I bet more are kicked for a touchback going forward.

 

[offdee]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter/X. Stats make it look like an improvement so far.

Some Week 1 stats on the new dynamic kickoff:

34 percent of kickoffs were returned (54 of 159), up from 20.5 percent in Week 1 in 2023 (32 of 156).

1 kickoff was returned for a touchdown in Week 1, after only 4 were returned for touchdowns in all of 2023.

There were 3 kickoff returns of at least 40 yards in Week 1 -- up from an average of 1.3 such returns per week in 2023, totaling 24 for the entire season.

The average drive start is the 29.5 yard line, up from the 25 through Week 1 a year ago.

Scoring averaged 45.5 points per game, the highest through Week 1 since 48 in 2021.

Unfortunately, based on those return yards, I bet more are kicked for a touchback going forward.

This is what I was saying from the start of this thread. There’s no real upside to letting them return it. And then if you just kick to endzone every time it’s one less thing you need to spend time practicing and game planning for.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Having just witnessed this in-person at the Bengals game, the new kickoff weirdly sucked the life out of the whole place. It’s just goes eerily quiet after the ball is kicked and both teams are standing still waiting for it to come down. The one I remember being returned just went to the 30 anyway, so it kinda pointless. I do see where there a TD In another game, so maybe it will be better

Same thing in LA. Weird and Boring. They should blast music or something. That pause while the ball is in the air is awkward.

 

[kupcho1]

We came up alternatives in the stands though:
-instead of kicking, there are 3 big jack-in the-boxes, and the ball just randomly pops out of one and you go from there.
- somebody suggested that one box randomly have a football-shaped hornet nest.
- last proposal was two guys, only they are blindfolded and the special teams coach has to yell directions at them to find the ball.

I'd actually subscribe to Peacock if their games had this feature.

 

[SWC]

they should let you have a giant slingshot and use it to launch a little guy into the air as part of the kickoff take that to the bank brochachos

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I kinda like it

Me too

 

[offdee]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

 

[the moops]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

You still ignoring that the number of returns increased by 50% over last year?

 

[offdee]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

You still ignoring that the number of returns increased by 50% over last year?

lol at cherry picking 50%. It went up from 2 of every 10 kicks to 3 of every 10 kicks. Earth shattering!

 

[the moops]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

You still ignoring that the number of returns increased by 50% over last year?

lol at cherry picking 50%. It went up from 2 of every 10 kicks to 3 of every 10 kicks. Earth shattering!

 

[offdee]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

You still ignoring that the number of returns increased by 50% over last year?

lol at cherry picking 50%. It went up from 2 of every 10 kicks to 3 of every 10 kicks. Earth shattering!

The point is that a return still rarely happens and it will likely go lower as the coming weeks pass when teams realize it’s not worth the risk.

The head of the committee working through the rule change said on the Pat Mcafee Show that the goal was to get 7 of every 10 kicks being returned. That is completely possible by making one small change.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

this is mostly due to the steelers defense, but to date, the Steelers have only returned a kickoff once all season.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I kinda like it

Me too

Fellas that's not what we're discussing here. What's to like about it if they end up never returning it? (which by week 3 will likely be the case)

You still ignoring that the number of returns increased by 50% over last year?

lol at cherry picking 50%. It went up from 2 of every 10 kicks to 3 of every 10 kicks. Earth shattering!

The point is that a return still rarely happens and it will likely go lower as the coming weeks pass when teams realize it’s not worth the risk.

The head of the committee working through the rule change said on the Pat Mcafee Show that the goal was to get 7 of every 10 kicks being returned. That is completely possible by making one small change.

Interesting because 19 kickers have a touchback rate over 70% with 8 more over 60%.

 

[ghostguy123]

Why not just give a guy the ball at the goalie, set the players where they have them now, and blow the whistle to go.
Bam. 100% kickoff return rate

 

[offdee]

Why not just give a guy the ball at the goalie, set the players where they have them now, and blow the whistle to go.
Bam. 100% kickoff return rate

Why not just award a TD as 7 pts since extra points are basically automatic? Kinda the point of the new kickoff rule is to not start tha slippery slope to eliminating the kicker position altogether.

 

[ghostguy123]

Why not just give a guy the ball at the goalie, set the players where they have them now, and blow the whistle to go.
Bam. 100% kickoff return rate

Why not just award a TD as 7 pts since extra points are basically automatic? Kinda the point of the new kickoff rule is to not start tha slippery slope to eliminating the kicker position altogether.

Some of the teams use their punter already.
If the kickoffs are hardly ever in play, it's not much difference than the kicker just getting a practice kick.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

 

[offdee]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

 

[RandyDB]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Give the trailing team a one down 4th and 15 from the 30 or 35

 

[ghostguy123]

No inside kicks.
Give teams 3 extra timeouts that can only be used in the last 2 minutes of a game.

 

[ghostguy123]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Give the trailing team a one down 4th and 15 from the 30 or 35

Hate this

 

[offdee]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Give the trailing team a one down 4th and 15 from the 30 or 35

Wat?

 

[offdee]

No inside kicks.
Give teams 3 extra timeouts that can only be used in the last 2 minutes of a game.

Terrible.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Leave it the way it was?

 

[offdee]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Leave it the way it was?

It’s not possible with how the guys line up now.

 

[mr. furley]

1 kick return in the Packers v Vikings game today

final score 31 - 29

but we did get an announced onside kick at the end. DYNAMIC!

 

[Mr.Pack]

Compared to the onside kick rule the kickoff rule is fantastic.
The new onside kick rule is the absolute worst rule in the history of the game

How do you propose they'd make it better?

Leave it the way it was?

It’s not possible with how the guys line up now.

Right, for onsides kicks let them go back to the way it was. I mean they have to announce it like 4th graders, so stupid, if a team can't figure it out at the time (4th Qtr and losing) that's on them

 

[offdee]

Right, for onsides kicks let them go back to the way it was.

They do. They just need to announce it in advance so they can line up the old way. Only thing that’s different is they can’t sneak an onsides.

 

[SWC]

love throwing three picks isn’t the kicking rules fault man take that to the bank brichacho

 

[kupcho1]

Only thing that’s different is they can’t sneak an onsides.

Flash forward several years ...

Only thing that's different is they grab flags instead of tackling.