Kickoffs are one of the most exciting parts of a football game. Nothing is more exciting than watching a player run full speed behind his blockers. Until recently, the numbers of kickoffs have been greatly reduced and the numbers of touchbacks have increased dramatically. This is caused by a new rule issued by the NFL. Normally, the ball would be kicked from the 30 yard line but now the ball is kicked from the 35 yard line.
This action has caused frustration among many avid NFL fans because it makes the game less interesting. Instead of watching an entertaining kick return, the majority of kicks end up as touchbacks and the offense now begin at the 20 yard line. For many people, the kickoff return was the most exciting part of the game but now it is rare to see anything but a touchback.
It is not a difficult task for many NFL kickers to kick the ball from the 35 yard line to the opposite end zone. Some powerhouse kickers are able to drive the ball across the field and past the end zone. The Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski has kicked a 63 yard field goal so kicking from the 35 yard line with a running head start is a very simple task.
This new rule also hurts many teams in the league that depend on their special teams to shift the momentum of the game and help put points on the board. Teams like the Chicago Bears and theSan Francisco49ers are affected the most since they have all-star kick returners. The Bears’ Devin Hester held the NFL record for most kicks returned back for a touchdown. He is still a young player and this rule will affect his chances to increase the number of returns in his record. It will definitely damage the future kick returners with great talent but no chance to break this record because of the increased amount of touchbacks. The 49ers also have a kick return “ace” in Ted Ginn Jr. who has already taken back a kickoff despite the rule change.
The NFL’s main concern is safety and eleven huge football players running full speed at another team of eleven players is dangerous. Many injuries occur during kickoffs but football is a collision sport. Injury is inevitable and it is part of the game. Many large fines have been handed out to players for hard hits and helmet-to-helmet collisions. The NFL needs to let the players play the game and let the kickoffs run as well. As they are trying to decrease the amount of injuries in the game they are also creating a dull atmosphere around the game. The NFL may add more restrictions as time progresses, but hopefully they will not be as strict with hits and tackles. Many people want the Kickoff rule to be eliminated but that is not likely to happen in the near future.
