NFL considering making changes to punt plays

[Prime Time]

The most annoying penalties on kickoff and punt returns are "holding" and "blocks to the back" which occur seemingly on half of all punts and kickoffs when the ball is returned. It will be interesting to hear what Johnny Hekker has to say about this.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-considering-changes-punt-plays-222615205.html

NFL considering changes to punt plays
Charean Williams

The NFL is considering changes to punt plays for 2019, with the competition committee using crowdsourced suggestions in its deliberations.

The league, of course, modified its kickoff rules this past offseason in a last-ditch effort to save the play from elimination based on the high rate of concussions.

Now, it is considering changes to the punt for both player safety and competitive purposes, with McKay citing the high rate of penalties on punts.

The NFL will use crowdsourced ideas as part of its data analytics competition in its “1st and Future” program tied to the Super Bowl in February in Atlanta. The competition committee also is expected to consult with special teams coaches as it did this past offseason before owners agreed to the kickoff rules changes.

 

[Psycho_X]

View: https://twitter.com/jhekker/status/1070084782053179392?s=21

 

[RamFan503]

The most annoying penalties on kickoff and punt returns are "holding" and "blocks to the back" which occur seemingly on half of all punts and kickoffs when the ball is returned. It will be interesting to hear what Johnny Hekker has to say about this.
*******************************************************
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-considering-changes-punt-plays-222615205.html

NFL considering changes to punt plays
Charean Williams

The NFL is considering changes to punt plays for 2019, with the competition committee using crowdsourced suggestions in its deliberations.

The league, of course, modified its kickoff rules this past offseason in a last-ditch effort to save the play from elimination based on the high rate of concussions.

Now, it is considering changes to the punt for both player safety and competitive purposes, with McKay citing the high rate of penalties on punts.

The NFL will use crowdsourced ideas as part of its data analytics competition in its “1st and Future” program tied to the Super Bowl in February in Atlanta. The competition committee also is expected to consult with special teams coaches as it did this past offseason before owners agreed to the kickoff rules changes.

Sigh

 

[Loyal]

We like fukkin' with shyte that ain't broke ~competition committee

 

[LesBaker]

Just make it a melee play, anything goes.

Blocking, grabbing, holding..........bring some excitement to it.

 

[EastRam]

Why dont they just change the ball to a round white one with black hexagons and call it a day.

Dumb and dumber.

 

[RamBall]

I think this is an effort to take away the advantage the Rams have with Hekker as punter. Any changes could eliminate the possibility of fake punts or the chance to flip the field with a 70 yrd punt.

 

[Psycho_X]

It is damn annoying seeing all of the flags for block in backs and holding. I don't want to get rid of the punt though. It's a great risk factor and a key strategy in the overall game play that is grossly underrated. Block in back and holding calls never used to be as prevalent as they are now though. Or maybe I'm just looking back with rose colored glasses. Like football in the 90s I don't remember it being this bad. Not sure what changed?

Only suggestion I can come up with that doesn't involve changing the play itself, which I think would be a mistake, is to allow a better roster to be on the field for them. ie- raise the damn game day roster so that teams can have more active special teams players who are trained better at their jobs?

Overall, I just want them to raise the game day roster regardless. I don't understand the harm in it. The players are on the team... why can't they dress and be used? It makes no sense to me why the NFL has such a weird rule that forces teams to decide what positions will have little to no depth during the game.

 

[fearsomefour]

If this lands on the Commish' desk it provides another opportunity for him to mame a bad decision.....thenworst, he is just the worst.

 

[LesBaker]

It'll end up being a non returnable kick. The other team will get the ball where it comes down and hits the ground.

Eliminating the return portion essentially gets rid of the possibility of injury.

Same with kickoffs..........they wanted to reduce returns and they altered the ruled and they accomplished it. Though kickers and ST units are adjusting and kicking short of the end zone to try to get a team pinned deep on a bad return.

Only half of these plays carries a high percentage of risk. So that's what will get taken away. You can't eliminate the punt altogether.

 

[MTRamsFan]

What is happening to the game I love????

 

[bubbaramfan]

Next on the list: Rushing. No more RB's trying to get 5yds on 1st down. Too many injuries due to blocking and tackling.

Just skip the rule changes and get to where you (NFL) want it to go. Put the flags on "em. Flag football is where they're headed.

This essentially takes the "foot" out of football.

 

[iamme33]

I think the nfl should have a new rule that being if they add a new rule they most remove 2 old ones. the game has to many rules al ready.

 

[Ellard80]

While I understand many of the angst about this - The NFL is worried about getting sued by hundreds of players with CTE and going bankrupt.

So while I hate all this fudging with the rules shit

I still would rather have the NFL still in existence..

 

[RhodyRams]

New rule... each player must remain 3 yards from opposing players until the ball is caught.

Once the ball is caught players must tag each other... not in the head tho, eliminating the players until there are none left. Then they share milk and cookies at the 50


SMDH

 

[Loyal]

While I understand many of the angst about this - The NFL is worried about getting sued by hundreds of players with CTE and going bankrupt.

So while I hate all this fudging with the rules crap

I still would rather have the NFL still in existence..

If in the end, it's still football, I agree. But they are in danger of killing the golden goose.

 

[Classic Rams]

Just make it a melee play, anything goes.

Blocking, grabbing, holding..........bring some excitement to it.

Funny... those were my exact thoughts after seeing the story... then I scroll down and there you are!

Yeah anything goes, that way we eliminate those dumb penalties forevah!!!!

 

[Mojo Ram]

I'm a bit confused. What's the official reason from the NFL to making changes?

 

[Ellard80]

I'm a bit confused. What's the official reason from the NFL to making changes?

People getting rocked on punt returns was my assumption.

On both kickoffs and punts players have the opportunity to run for long enough to gain max speed ect. On regular scrimmage plays it's much hard to do, lots of changing directions, other players impeding ect ect.

 

[den-the-coach]

Just roll the die, when a team decides to punt:

1. = Blocked Punt, you get the ball at the line of scrimmage.
2. = 20 yard punt (shank)
3. = 30 yard punt
4. = 40 yard punt
5. = 50 yard punt
6. = 60 yard punt. (A Hekker)