The 2016 NFL rule changes are mostly for the better, making changes from chop blocks to permanently moving the extra point. But the recent movement of touchbacks to the 25-yard line continues previous steps to eliminate the kickoff return from the modern game.
Taking cues from earlier rule changes to promote safety, the 2016 NFL rule changes include another adjustment to kickoffs and returns. One of the most dangerous plays in the sport, the NFL hoped to address the play adequately by moving the kickoff up five yards from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line.
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Back in 2011 when the kickoff location was changed, NFL.com ran a story covering the widely held concerns about how it would impact the game. In particular, kick returners like then-Seattle Seahawk Leon Washington said he didn’t like the rule, “It’s part of the game that’s really exciting. I think fans look forward to it because it’s an instant momentum-changer.” and that giving more power to the kicking team eliminates that opportunity for a change in momentum.
Not surprisingly, the NFL got what it wanted and touchbacks skyrocketed and returns were rarer and rarer. This hurt players like Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs, who have made names for themselves as return men. It has always been a valued position in the NFL and it is one that, as Washington noted, can immediately change the momentum in a game.
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As the league has gotten used to the change in where kickoffs take place, the need to increase safety has similarly increased. Which leads to the 2016 NFL rules changes and the adjustment of where a touchback gives the team the ball. In 2016, touchbacks will give the receiving team the ball at the 25-yard line rather than the 20-yard line, providing a bigger incentive to not return the football.
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This is one large step toward eliminating kickoffs almost entirely.
compiled a list of where offensive drives begin for the 2015 season, and even taking punts and turnovers into consideration, seven teams had average starting drives at or behind the 25 yard line.
Now, with a simple touchback, those teams can maintain that low mark with ease. They no longer have to rely on keeping a returner on hand that can move the ball forward and give them better field position off kickoffs. All that matters is the ability to catch the ball in the end zone and take a knee.
Moving the touchback out to the 25 yard line makes the return game irrelevant. Teams that have struggled in field position in recent years won’t have to worry any longer about moving forward. Why gamble on going 100-plus yards for a score (which rarely happens) when you can just take 25 yards?
In 2015 there were just seven kick return touchdowns (numbers from Pro Football Reference) in 2010 there were 23 kickoff returns for touchdowns. The year before than there were 18. Since implementing the kickoff changes in 2011, there has been an average of just 8.4 kickoff returns for TDs per season with a low of six in 2014 and a high of 13 in 2012.
What used to be an exciting play with rare, extraordinary results that could turn the tide became nothing more than a way to change possession. Devin Hester has had just one touchdown return off a kickoff since the changes in 2011.
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Another change that promotes touchbacks is not healthy for the NFL. Yes, it may cut down on injuries. Yes, it may give the offense better position which may result in more scoring opportunities and exciting offensive plays.
But it removes the thrill that special teams can bring. It removes what makes special teams truly special. This change will only make things worse for specialists in the NFL, continuing the trend of removing them from the game.
This is just a one-year experiment right now. Hopefully the league will reconsider after 2016. Here is a list of all rule changes courtesy of NFL.com.