NFL News and Rumors: Proposed Kickoff Change Has Met Resistance from Coaches

A rule proposal by the NFL’s competition committee that would move the kickoff up to the 35-yard line, and bring touchbacks out to the 25-yard line is meeting some strong resistance from NFL coaches and general managers around the league.

The competition committee’s reasoning behind the rule is that moving the kickoff up to the 35-yard line will lead to more touchbacks and consequently cut back on player injuries that stem from kickoffs. Kickoffs have shown to be one play in the game where player injuries are particularly prevalent.

Atlanta Falcons president and NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay said he is confident that this rule change will be in the best interests of the players’ safety.

"The injury rate on kickoffs remains a real concern for us and the players and the coaches' subcommittee," said Falcons president Rich McKay, the chairman of the competition committee. "This is a pretty major change."

 Rich McKay may see nothing but positives about the rule, but there are many coaches and front office personnel members who are looking upon the proposed rule change with disdain.

Keep in mind the fact that teams such as Chicago with Devin Hester and Cleveland with Joshua Cribbs rely on kickoffs as an opportunity to let their marquee talents make game breaking plays. For these aforementioned franchises an increase in touchbacks is the last adjustment that they would like to see made to the game.

Even New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently spoke out against the proposed rule change while speaking at the league’s annual meeting.

"I don't like the idea of eliminating the kickoff from the game. I think it's one of the most exciting plays in football. It looks like the competition committee is trying to eliminate that play. I don't know if that's really good for the game."

The ruling on the kickoff change will occur soon and it is uncertain at this point whether the proposed rule will pass through or not. This is an instance where talks of increased safety changes will really be put to the test. You can be assured that not everyone will be harmoniously voting “Yes” on this proposed change when it is ruled on.

Do you think that moving kickoffs up to the 35-yard line is a good decision or will the rule change take away an integral part of the NFL football experience?