kickoffs

Touchbacks, wedge rule changes likely out of latest kickoff proposal

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 22, 2011, 8:55 AM EDT

AP
We mentioned on Monday that coaches were not happy with the proposed rule changes to kickoffs, and that a “tweaked” proposal would ultimately be presented for voting on Tuesday.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who is a competition committee member, indicated Tuesday what those tweaks would be. Via the official Bengals Twitter account:

1. The proposed change to touchbacks will be taken out of the proposal. So touchbacks will still be returned to the 20-yard line.

2. Eliminating the two-man wedge would be taken out of the proposal. The wedge would still be allowed.

(It’s worth noting that Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes Lewis “hinted” at the changes rather than declaring them outright.)

Essentially, the new proposal will be to move kickoffs to the 35-yard line. In addition, every member of the kickoff team would have to line up between the 30- and 35-yard line before the kick to reduce a running start.

Lewis, who supports the changes, indicated that even this tweaked proposal may struggle to pass.

 

They've been changing it every year since Kevin Everett.

 

JESUS CHRIST