NFL Rule Changes: 5 Reasons Against Moving Kickoffs to the 35-Yard Line

As NFL fans should already know, the league's owners have voted on certain rule changes to come into affect for the upcoming season (assuming we have one, of course).

Of all the changes that have come to fruition, the most talked about one with fans, coaches, players and the media alike has been the change to the kickoff.

In particular, moving kickoffs from the 30 to the 35-yard line.

It appears from a distance that most people discussing the topic have disagreed with the change. Here, we look at the five defining factors why.

Reducing the Chance of an Exciting Play

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears returns a punt 89 years for a touchdown in the 4th quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by

Let's face it, there are not many things more exciting, in any sport, than a kick returner returning the ball for a touchdown.

The sheer anticipation from both sets of fans as the ball is kicked and fielded is at a paramount.

Can he returning it for a score? Can he set up good field position? Can the kicking team keep him pinned back? Can the kicking team force a turnover?

While the rule change will not eliminate returning kick completely, kickers will now be able to reach the end zone with greater ease, thus resulting in a higher number of touchbacks and therefore an anti-climatic whole play.

Fans want to see the excitement of the return, not a knee and an automatic start on the 20-yard line.

The owners have just reduced the opportunity of one of the most exciting plays of the sport.

Inconsistant Effect on Different Teams

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Imag

Some rule changes in the NFL effect each team constantly, some do not.

This is the latter.

If you are the head coach of a team who has a legitimate superstar kick returner, are you happy that he will now be receiving the ball five yards deeper into the end zone and will therefore be taking a knee on a kick that he would otherwise look to return?

Of course not.

Lovie Smith has already publicly criticized the change, which is no real surprise considering how many special teams points the Bears have accumulated in recent years.

On the flip side, if you were a coach of a team that has not done well with kick coverage or who has a kicker that can already reach the end zone consistently with kickoffs, would you not be a little more pleased with this change?

The answer is obvious.

Bill Belichick, a coach whose kick coverage teams have not been the best in recent years and also has a kicker in Stephen Gostkowski that often reaches the end zone with kickoffs, has publicly declared he is fine with the rule change.

Now there's a surprise.

Hurting the Value and Wallet of Players

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball by linebacker Dane Fletcher #52 of the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty

The most obvious players this affects the most are those who excel in kick returns but have not yet shown a consistent talent to be a starter in an offensive position.

Think of a Devin Hester, Josh Cribbs or even free agent Brad Smith. How much is their value affected now that they will have reduced opportunities to do what they do best?

The move also affects kickers too, more specifically, kickoff specialists.

While it is not common practice for most teams, some carry two kickers, an accurate one for field goals and one with a huge leg for kickoffs.

With the kickoff being five yards closer, those kickers who do not have the longest range with their kickoffs will now be able to land their kicks five yards further back without even trying, thus rendering those who survive on having a big kick, somewhat redundant.

Reducing the Risk of Injuries? Really?

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Michael Robinson #26 of the Seattle Seahawks is checked on by a trainer after an injury in the second half against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illino

The owners claim that the chief motivating factor behind this rule change is that it will reduce injuries.

The same NFL owners that want an 18-game season?

Will this help reduce injuries? Probably so.

But so will removing the kick off altogether and just having teams start from the 20-yard line automatically.

So will removing tackling altogether to play two-hand touch.

It doesn't mean that it is the best or right way to reduce the risk of injuries.

If the owners wish to reduce injuries they could amend tackling laws, such as a tackler not leaving their feet, rather than reduce the number of kickoff returns.

This is a contact sport, the players know that when they sign up for it, and injuries will always happen regardless of what rules are changed.

Amending the rules at the point of contact will reduce injuries but not the thrill of contact, rather than reducing the frequency of contact and therefore the excitement of it.

If It Ain't Broke, Dont Fix It.

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: A band performs prior to Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

If there is one thing that is broke right now with the NFL, it is the CBA—not kickoff rules.

There has been no outcry from players or fans that kickoffs are too far back and there are too many injuries. It seems to be a rule change for the sake of a rule change.

The NFL has become by far the most popular sport in the United States, with a record number of people watching this year's Superbowl.

So why change the game to make it slightly less exciting?

It's not a huge or elaborate rule change, but the kickoff returns we saw last season of 102, 103 and even 105 yards would now probably have just been touchbacks, and the fans would have been robbed of the excitement that ultimately unfolded.