NFL to test alternative to onside kicks at Pro Bowl

[CGI_Ram]

NFL to test alternative to onside kicks at Pro Bowl

The NFL will test an alternative to the onside kick during the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

nationalpost.com

NFL to test alternative to onside kicks at Pro Bowl

The NFL will test an alternative to the onside kick during the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

While kickoffs no longer are used in the exhibition game, the teams will have two options at their disposal after scoring on the previous drive.

The first is to have the opponent start its drive at its own 25-yard line. The second option requires the scoring team to gain 15 yards on one play from its own 25-yard line, essentially making it a fourth-and-15 situation. Should the team gain 15 or more yards, it would retain possession. Should it fail, a turnover on downs occurs and the opposition gains possession at the spot of the dead ball.

The rule adjustment is the latest attempt to minimize injuries on kickoffs, which are considered one of the most dangerous plays in football.

Sunday’s game also will use a different standard for false start penalties on receivers who are flexed from the line of scrimmage. Should a receiver flinch or move, he can avoid a penalty if he resets for one second prior to the snap and/or keeps one foot on the ground.

The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Orlando, Fla.

 

[LARams_1963]

Not totally adverse to the idea, but I think it should be 2 options in regular and post season games...

1. Kick off like normal, and in this scenario they can still onside kick
2. Let them try the 4th and 15 scenario from their own 25

 

[Mojo Ram]

I think major league baseball should allow the hitting team, after their 3rd out, to send up one more hitter and give him a chance to hit a homerun...but if he strikes out award a point to the outfield instead.

Ridiculous.

Where are these statistics for higher risk of injury on kickoffs and the overall decrease in injuries since the NFL began nerfing defenses with all the rule changes?

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

The end is nigh.

.

 

[fearsomefour]

The NFL is run by freaking morons.

 

[Jacobarch]

Lol.

 

[EastRam]

I think the think tank is thunk out.

 

[KJD_Ram]

really....does anyone even watch this POS?

 

[Reddog99]

Completing a 4th and 15 seems more likely than the kicking team recovering an onside kick. This is going to keep good teams offense on the field majority of the game. Games like Patriots vs Jets would be unbearable not that I watch them anyway. Jmo.

 

[Ram65]

Go back the way kickoffs where done before at the 5-minute mark of each half.

I don't like this artificial rule change.

 

[Merlin]

Haven't watched the pro bowl in years. This league might as well introduce flag football now and get it over with. Spare us the pain of the transition.

 

[Stump23]

I mean, giving the ball back to the defense on the opponent's 25 yard line is stupid should the offense fail to convert. Maybe give them the shot, but it they don't make it, put the ball back on the kicking teams 45 yard line (10 yard from kickoff spot) since that seems to be where the receiving team tends to catch the ball. I don't know.....tough one to crack.

 

[Selassie I]

Pro Bowl... Hahahahahahaaaaa

I remember way back when it was still played in Honolulu, if you were losing the game into the 4th quarter... if you scored... the other team kicked the ball off back to YOU. My memory sometimes fails me... but I'm almost positive that this is what used to happen.


@Ramrasta is taking his girlfriend to the Pro Bowl this weekend. The weather prediction says it's gonna be nice and there will be no rain for the 1st time here in Orlando. Hopefully those clowns are correct. It's rained during every Pro Bowl played here in O-Town so far... we may finally get a dry day this year.

 

[EastRam]

The NFL will survive just like the WWE.

That will be the time I start getting more honey do lists completed.

 

[oldnotdead]

It needs to be at least a 4th and 25. With the passing offenses now, 15 yards is too easy. Nowadays, 15 yard passes are common and are considered mid-range passes. It's better odds than recovering an onside kick.

 

[RamFan503]

So a team is leading by 20 with 5 seconds left in the half... What do they have to lose by them from just doing a hail Mary to run up the score? Maybe make it so only the trailing team can do it? Or go back to the way it was and quit tinkering with it you bunch of pseudo politicians

 

[RhodyRams]

so if it works in the Pro Bowl, it will be used during the regular season?
isn't tackling an option in the ProBowl?

 

[yrba1]

I don't mind making the Pro Bowl an exhibition match to experiment on new rules; at least that'll be more useful in providing a sample size on how these new rules can work out.

Better than implementing these new rules blindly.

 

[bubbaramfan]

They're taking the 'foot' out of football.