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Kickoffs

All articles tagged with #kickoffs

sports1 month ago•4 min saved

NFL reveals four 2026 rule changes, including onside kicks by declaration and kickoff tweaks

The NFL announced four 2026 rule changes: teams can declare an onside kick at any time; league officials can consult with on-field crews to disqualify players for flagrant acts (even if no foul was called); kickoff alignments are tweaked so the receiving team must have at least five players on the restraining line and may have up to four in the setup zone with spacing rules; and rules clarify kickoff penalties by placing touchbacks at the 20-yard line and moving certain out-of-bounds kicks from the 50-yard line to the 40-yard line, aligning with standard kicks to reduce risk and improve game flow.

via SB Nation|

#football #kickoffs #nfl

sports2 months ago•11 min saved

Storms Shorten Steelers Camp Day 10 Amid Injuries, Roster Moves

Storms shortened Monday’s Steelers practice, forcing an outdoor-to-indoor switch and a focus on shorter drills. Injury notes dominated the day with Logan Lee, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Michael Pittman, DK Metcalf, and Brandin Echols out or limited; Brisker, Iheanachor, and Heidenreich dressed but worked very lightly. The team signed WR Isaiah Winstead and Cornell Powell and waived Colton Dowell and Lorenzo Thompson (injured). Boswell went 7-for-8 on field goals, Lew Nichols continued to see heavy RB reps, and Kaleb Johnson could get kickoff-return opportunities in the preseason. Allar briefly signed for fans as practice moved indoors around noon, with DC Patrick Graham continuing to focus on the front seven. Camp recap notes the running game looked strong while the passing game was less emphasized, pointing to health and depth as key storylines ahead of Thursday’s preseason game.

via Steelers Depot|

#injuries #kickoffs #nfl

sports11 months ago•7 min saved

Week 9 Fantasy Football: Top Waiver Wire Picks and Streaming Defenses

The article provides recommendations for streaming defenses and kickers for Week 9 of fantasy football, emphasizing lesser-owned options like the Rams, Lions, Jaguars, Ravens, and Bears, while also highlighting key kicker choices such as Chris Boswell and Tyler Loop, amidst a challenging schedule with multiple teams on bye.

via Fantasy Points|

#fantasy-football #kickers #kickoffs

sports1 year ago•0 min saved

NFL kickoff rule changes boost returns despite Trump’s criticism

Through two weeks, NFL teams are returning nearly 77% of kickoffs, a significant increase attributed to a rule change that moves the touchback spot, despite some criticism from Trump.

via The Washington Post|

#antonio-gibson #football #kickoffs

sports2 years ago•1 min saved

"NFL Kicker's Innovative Proposal for Kickoff Rule Change Sparks Excitement"

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson proposed a rule change to the NFL that would award four points for kicking the ball through the uprights on kickoffs, with the opposing team starting at the 30-yard line if the attempt is missed. While this idea has been suggested before, it's unlikely to be approved as it could discourage kickoff returns, which the NFL is trying to promote. Additionally, the recent approved kickoff rule change is expected to lead to more tackles for kickers, a prospect that many of them are not looking forward to.

via CBS Sports|

#bengals #evan-mcpherson #kickoffs

sports2 years ago•4 min saved

"NFL Considers Ban on Hip-Drop Tackles and Radical Kickoff Change"

The NFL competition committee is proposing a ban on "hip-drop" tackles and a radical change to kickoffs in an effort to add more returns while maintaining safety. The proposed kickoff rule takes elements from spring leagues like the XFL and aims to reduce high-speed collisions. Additionally, the committee suggested other rule changes, including making certain penalties reviewable by replay and allowing major fouls to carry over following a change of possession. The NFLPA opposes the proposed ban on "hip-drop" tackles, arguing that it would cause confusion for players, coaches, officials, and fans.

via The Associated Press|

#competition-committee #kickoffs #nfl

sports2 years ago•2 min saved

"NFL Mulls Major Onside Kick Overhaul for 2024 Season"

The NFL is reportedly considering significant changes to kickoffs, including adjustments to onside kicks and new rules aimed at making kickoffs more exciting. Special teams coordinators have proposed that teams would only be allowed to attempt an onside kick when trailing in the fourth quarter and would have to declare it in advance. Additionally, the league is looking to make kickoffs more consequential by altering touchback rules. These proposed changes are intended to enhance the excitement of kickoffs while addressing player safety concerns, and they await approval from team owners.

via Yahoo Sports|

#kickoffs #nfl #onside-kicks

sports3 years ago•2 min saved

"The Detroit Lions' Unconventional Strategies and Steady Players Amidst Fan Hysteria"

The Detroit Lions had kicker Riley Patterson handle kickoffs instead of punter Jack Fox in their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a way to give Patterson some live reps and prepare him for potential action. Special-teams coordinator Dave Fipp emphasized that Fox is still the team's top option, but Patterson will likely continue to be mixed in. Running back Craig Reynolds returned to practice, while guard Jonah Jackson is expected to miss a second consecutive game due to a sprained ankle.

via Detroit News|

#detroit-lions #jack-fox #kickoffs

sports3 years ago•2 min saved

NFL Coaches Express Concerns Over Rule Changes and Future of the Game

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed his concern over the NFL's new rule on kickoffs, which allows teams to fair-catch kickoffs and safety kicks and spot them at the 25-yard line. Reid sees this as a pathway toward "flag football" and hopes that the physical nature of the NFL is not eradicated. The league implemented this rule to curb the concussion rate, which is highest during kickoffs. While Reid is all about player safety, he hopes that too many pieces are not taken away from the game.

via Fox News|

#andy-reid #kickoffs #nfl

sports3 years ago•1 min saved

"Controversy Surrounds NFL's Latest Kickoff Rule Change"

NFL owners voted to change the kickoff rule, stating that fair-caught kickoffs behind the 25-yard line will be brought out to the 25. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed his concern about the change, questioning where it will stop and stating that too many changes could lead to playing flag football. The new rule may make kickoffs less exciting and could be a step toward eliminating them altogether.

via Arrowhead Pride|

#andy-reid #fair-catch #kickoffs

sports3 years ago•4 min saved

NFL's new kickoff rule change sparks controversy and safety concerns.

The NFL has adopted the college football fair-catch rule on kickoffs, allowing a returner to call a fair catch at any spot inside the 25-yard line and be rewarded a fair catch at the 25. The league claims it is to lower the number of injuries on kickoffs, but critics argue that eliminating kickoffs entirely would be safer. The NFL's hypocrisy on player safety is evident, as they prioritize the excitement of long returns and onside kicks over the safety of players. Special teams coaches have also warned that the rule change could lead to more dangerous squib kicks.

via TribLIVE|

#hypocrisy #kickoffs #nfl

sports3 years ago•3 min saved

NFL's new fair catch rule threatens the future of kickoffs.

NFL team owners have approved a new rule that will allow teams to spot the ball at the 25-yard line if they fair-catch kickoffs and safety kicks behind the 25-yard line. The rule will be implemented for one season on a trial basis due to the high rate of concussions generated by kickoff plays. The decision will be reassessed after a year to determine whether to continue implementing the 25-yard line spot. The league is also considering modifying kickoff formats to reduce the space between teams and make the play more competitive.

via Yahoo Sports|

#concussions #kickoffs #nfl

sports3 years ago•3 min saved

NFL implements fair catch rule change for kickoffs, sparking mixed reactions.

NFL owners have approved a new rule that incentivizes fair catches on kickoffs, which will be placed at the 25-yard line regardless of where it is fielded. The proposal is designed to counteract a recent increase in "pop-up" kickoffs that some teams use to pin the returning team deep in their own territory. The tweak to the fair catch spot is in effect for one season only, forcing owners to resume the conversation in 2024.

via ESPN|

#concussion #fair-catch #kickoffs

sports3 years ago•2 min saved

NFL Considers Safety Changes to Punt and Kickoff Rules.

The NFL Competition Committee has proposed new safety measures for kickoffs and punts, including starting play at the 25-yard line after fair catches on kickoffs and touchbacks on punts. The proposals aim to reduce injuries, as one in six concussions and a disproportionate number of other injuries occur on special teams. The new rules will be voted on by the league's 32 owners during this weekend's meetings.

via Bleacher Report|

#kickoffs #nfl #punts

sports3 years ago•3 min saved

"NFL Owners Consider Major Rule Changes for 2023 Season"

The NFL competition committee has proposed eight rule changes for the 2023 season, including placing a touchback for a punt at the 25-yard line, making a fair catch on a kickoff result in the ball being placed at the 25-yard line, and allowing the use of the number "0" as a jersey number. Other proposals include changes to replay rules and an alternative to the onside kick. Some of the replay suggestions are for various reasons, including expanding the number of challenges allowed and making failed fourth-down conversions an automatic review.

via Behind The Steel Curtain|

#fair-catch #kickoffs #nfl