Owners vote to move up kickoff.

[MikeO]

first step towards and 18 game season. If the NFL wants to add 2 more games, the players are saying make the game safer. Less "contact" plays now on kickoffs as most will be touchbacks, its amo for the owners when they go to 18 games.

[Brian Fein]

When do they vote to play two-hand-touch just so they can get 2 more friggin games?

You will make less money if you water down the game, regardless of how many times the stadium is open. 

[Dave Gray]

When do they vote to play two-hand-touch just so they can get 2 more friggin games?

You will make less money if you water down the game, regardless of how many times the stadium is open. 

Unfortunately, I don't think this is true, especially in the short term, when the current owners can make all their money.

Honestly, will rule changes like these (that are unpopular, but at least reasonable), are you going to stop watching the NFL?  I doubt it.  I won't, even if I'm unhappy.  I'm going to probably watch all 16 (or 18) Dolphins games no matter what.

[Dolphin-UK]

I *think* the theory was to reduce contact speeds, and the risk of the touchbacks increasing is being limited because it now presents an oppurtunity for better placement to pin back inside the 20. In reality the kickers will still just go deep and force the touchback. (woe betide the coach/kicker who decided to pin back, only to have a return for a TD and the fans ask "why not just get the touchback")

I think it's just reduced the value of kick off and kick return units, it's now a play that happens because it's always happened, they might as well start every offensive drive at the 20 and do away with the kick off.

As someone else pointed out, players are still going to be at full speed when they meet wedge second level blockers aligned fairly close but not closer than one yard to each other.

[MikeO]

Considering the Dolphins special teams stink, this is great news for us!!

[Jim Gray]

Considering the Dolphins special teams stink, this is great news for us!!

I've been thinking something similar since the change was announced.  Our special teams improved as the season progressed, but our kickoff coverage and kickoff return teams have been a weak link.  I wouldn't expect too much complaining to come from the Dolphins.

[Brian Fein]

What if this is the first step?  If the onus is being placed on player safety, when is it going to become a penalty to tackle the QB?  When is it going to be against the rules to double-team block?  When will they decide that, instead of kicking off after a score, we just give them the ball on the 20 and go?

How far can they go before they affect the game to a point where people stop watching?

[Pappy13]

What if this is the first step?  If the onus is being placed on player safety, when is it going to become a penalty to tackle the QB? 

It already is, at least how you do it is. Can't hit above the shoulders. Can't hit helmet to helmet. Can't hit below the knees, etc.

When is it going to be against the rules to double-team block? 

It already is in some cases. You can't hit someone below the waist when they are engaged with another player for example.

How far can they go before they affect the game to a point where people stop watching?

I'd say they've already made a TON of rules to try to protect players from injuries and this is just the latest. Everytime they do someone claims it's gonna ruin the game and make 2 hand touch football out of the game and yet the NFL has NEVER been more popular.

What you're failing to take into account is that players are bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic than ever before. That makes the games exciting, not watching someone get carted off on a stretcher.

[bsfins]

It just gives me more time to get back to the game during a commercial break, more touch backs,less chance of actually missing something....

[Brian Fein]

^^ I mean completely.  Like NO tackling of the QB.  At all.  They blow the whistle when someone gets within 1 yard of him.

If the trend continues, it will eventually become much less hard hitting.  And I don't particularly care for it.  What bugs me the most is that its all an effort to make billionaires more money.  I'm all for player safety, but stop effing with my favorite sport just to pad your bank account.

[masterfins]

The majority of players on the kick-off squards are 2nd and 3rd stringers so who cares if they get some extra hits.  It would be interesting to know how many injuries actually occur during kick-offs versus plays from the line of scrimmage.

[Dave Gray]

As a Dolphin fan, I was happy about this.  Our kick coverage blows.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

As a fan in general I think this blows. I find kickoffs and returns for TD's to be some of the more exciting plays!!!!!

[Frimp]

It's 5 yards people!!!! Would any of you even notice the change if it had not been announced?

5 yards is one false-start call. Minor impact on the play of the game here.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Besides, I've seen many kickers still not get the touchback even with a 10 yard penalty.

[masterfins]

As a Dolphin fan, I was happy about this.  Our kick coverage blows.

Now all we need them to do is outlaw passing.  Umm wait a minute we don't have a running game either.