New NFL Kickoff Rule

AsylumGuido · 06-07-2023, 01:34 PM

I'm hearing that teams are planning on letting their kick returners return the ball anyway and rarely use the fair catch. One of the primary reasons is if the fair catch is called for and the kick is not fielded cleanly on the fly (ie. muffed), it cannot be advanced, doesn't go to out to the 25, and is down at the point it was touched. That can be a field position killer.

subguy · 06-08-2023, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I'm hearing that teams are planning on letting their kick returners return the ball anyway and rarely use the fair catch. One of the primary reasons is if the fair catch is called for and the kick is not fielded cleanly on the fly (ie. muffed), it cannot be advanced, doesn't go to out to the 25, and is down at the point it was touched. That can be a field position killer.

Man I wish I was a connected to the league leadership as you! I am envious. Are there any other league plans you can divulge to us?

AsylumGuido · 06-08-2023, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by subguy

Man I wish I was a connected to the league leadership as you! I am envious. Are there any other league plans you can divulge to us?

No need to feel envious. It's called paying attention to all of the interviews and articles by special teams coaches, and others connected to the game, surrounding this issue since this rule change was announced. The information is all out there for anyone ambitious enough to seek it out. For the others here, and elsewhere, I graciously share what I find. Being retired and loving the NFL (and especially the Saints) as I do I understand I have more time on my hands than those of you slaving away at the old 9 to 5. You are most welcome!

Rugby Saint II · 06-08-2023, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

It appears someone has no clue what they are posting about. Under the new rule you can only call a fair catch if the ball is in flight inside the 25 yard line. You cannot call a fair catch if the ball touches the ground as in an onside or a squib kick. Those balls remain in play. It will not have any affect on the onside kick at all.

Good kickoff returners will still see the value in returning the ball. This will in no way eliminate all kickoff returns.

Fortunately, we have a good returner.

AsylumGuido · 06-08-2023, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Fortunately, we have a good returner.

And this is why our special team's coordinator, Darren Rizzi, has been quoted as saying that the Saints are not planning on using the fair catch option much at all. I heard another coach say that you may get stuck inside the 25 sometimes, but with a good returner you can get possession at the 40, 50, or even better enough times that it make up for it.

AsylumGuido · 08-13-2023, 05:35 PM

Well, having watched several games through the first week of preseason with this new rule I haven't seen a single instance of the fair catch on the kickoff as defined by this new rule.

It appears to be much ado about nothing.

AsylumGuido · 08-16-2023, 11:25 AM

Well, it looks like I didn't miss anything in week one. There were no uses of the new rule in any of the games.

vpheughan · 08-16-2023, 02:31 PM

A crafty coach could take advantage of the new rule.

In fact it sort of happened last season in the Ravens vs Lions game: The Ravens got the ball back at their own 25-yard line with no timeouts. After failing on their first three plays, the Ravens converted a dramatic 4th-and-19 when Lamar Jackson hit Sammy Watkins for a 36-yard gain. The long play set the Ravens up at Detroit's 48-yard line, which set the stage for Justin Tucker's record setting, game winning 66 yard field goal.

mapcow · 08-17-2023, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Well, having watched several games through the first week of preseason with this new rule I haven't seen a single instance of the fair catch on the kickoff as defined by this new rule.

It appears to be much ado about nothing.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :beatnk:

Rugby Saint II · 08-17-2023, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by mapcow

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :beatnk:

When you wake up from your nap come watch a Saints game with us.

06-07-2023, 01:34 PM	#11
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,395	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule I'm hearing that teams are planning on letting their kick returners return the ball anyway and rarely use the fair catch. One of the primary reasons is if the fair catch is called for and the kick is not fielded cleanly on the fly (ie. muffed), it cannot be advanced, doesn't go to out to the 25, and is down at the point it was touched. That can be a field position killer.

06-08-2023, 05:17 AM	#12
subguy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: FL Posts: 2,058	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I'm hearing that teams are planning on letting their kick returners return the ball anyway and rarely use the fair catch. One of the primary reasons is if the fair catch is called for and the kick is not fielded cleanly on the fly (ie. muffed), it cannot be advanced, doesn't go to out to the 25, and is down at the point it was touched. That can be a field position killer. Man I wish I was a connected to the league leadership as you! I am envious. Are there any other league plans you can divulge to us?

06-08-2023, 08:39 AM	#13
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,395	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by subguy Man I wish I was a connected to the league leadership as you! I am envious. Are there any other league plans you can divulge to us? No need to feel envious. It's called paying attention to all of the interviews and articles by special teams coaches, and others connected to the game, surrounding this issue since this rule change was announced. The information is all out there for anyone ambitious enough to seek it out. For the others here, and elsewhere, I graciously share what I find. Being retired and loving the NFL (and especially the Saints) as I do I understand I have more time on my hands than those of you slaving away at the old 9 to 5. You are most welcome! Rugby Saint II likes this.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

06-08-2023, 02:37 PM	#14
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,762	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by AsylumGuido It appears someone has no clue what they are posting about. Under the new rule you can only call a fair catch if the ball is in flight inside the 25 yard line. You cannot call a fair catch if the ball touches the ground as in an onside or a squib kick. Those balls remain in play. It will not have any affect on the onside kick at all. Good kickoff returners will still see the value in returning the ball. This will in no way eliminate all kickoff returns. Fortunately, we have a good returner. AsylumGuido likes this.

06-08-2023, 03:30 PM	#15
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,395	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Fortunately, we have a good returner. And this is why our special team's coordinator, Darren Rizzi, has been quoted as saying that the Saints are not planning on using the fair catch option much at all. I heard another coach say that you may get stuck inside the 25 sometimes, but with a good returner you can get possession at the 40, 50, or even better enough times that it make up for it.

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08-13-2023, 05:35 PM	#16
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,395	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Well, having watched several games through the first week of preseason with this new rule I haven't seen a single instance of the fair catch on the kickoff as defined by this new rule. It appears to be much ado about nothing.

08-16-2023, 11:25 AM	#17
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,395	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Well, it looks like I didn't miss anything in week one. There were no uses of the new rule in any of the games. Twitter

08-16-2023, 02:31 PM	#18
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,499	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule A crafty coach could take advantage of the new rule. In fact it sort of happened last season in the Ravens vs Lions game: The Ravens got the ball back at their own 25-yard line with no timeouts. After failing on their first three plays, the Ravens converted a dramatic 4th-and-19 when Lamar Jackson hit Sammy Watkins for a 36-yard gain. The long play set the Ravens up at Detroit's 48-yard line, which set the stage for Justin Tucker's record setting, game winning 66 yard field goal.
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,499

08-17-2023, 08:18 AM	#19
mapcow Just a Fan Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,335	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by AsylumGuido Well, having watched several games through the first week of preseason with this new rule I haven't seen a single instance of the fair catch on the kickoff as defined by this new rule. It appears to be much ado about nothing. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :beatnk:
mapcow Just a Fan Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,335

08-17-2023, 12:22 PM	#20
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,762	Re: New NFL Kickoff Rule Originally Posted by mapcow ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :beatnk: When you wake up from your nap come watch a Saints game with us.