NFL Rule Changes: 1 That Was Actually Interesting

March 23, 2011   ·   Caleb Garling   ·   Jump to comments

The NFL just voted on and passed a few new rule changes.
Kickoffs are being moved up from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. The change was made as a move for safety; the assumption being that we’ll have significantly less returns and fewer chances for injury. Also, the kicking team is now being given only a five-yard running head start, where they could get 10+ before.
Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs blew up Twitter with their rants about the modification, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. The fact that kicking teams will lose a significant amount of momentum without as long of a running start will largely offset the increased instances of returners catching the ball shallow in the end-zone and needing to take a knee because of closing coverage.
In a second change, all scoring plays are now reviewed by the booth. This, I find slightly irksome.
Hopefully if a guy catches a pass in the middle of the end-zone without a bobbl...

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