I haven't decided if I like them or not, yet. Last season, kicking off from the 30, teams needed an exceptional kicker to kick it out of the endzone consistentlyand deny a return. Now, kicking from the 35, most BCS kickers can kick it deep into the endzone which hurts teams with great kickers. On the other hand, now they get the ball at the 25 which no longer makes it desirable to kick it out of the endzone unless they have an exceptional return man. I don't think I like this. The ball has been brought out to the 20 forever. Last night LSU tried both kicking out of the endzone and kicking to the 5 and teams with good coverage will probably do better kicking high and short. Others are going to get burned. So, will LSU benefit from this because we have good coverage teams or will we suffer because our good kickers won't have the advantage they had last year?
The helmet rule is even dumber. Imagine the s***-storm that will happen if a star QB has to sit out for a crucial 3rd-down conversion because his helmet came off during a 2nd down play. As for the practical effects of the kickoff rule, the jury's still out. The NFL is clearly trying to eliminate this aspect of the game, so I don't know why they simply don't do that outright and have every series start automatically at the 20.
It happened last night during the Clemson v Auburn game. Boyd ended up getting his helmet ripped off on the second down play, had to sit out on third, and they settled for a FG. We had a few RB's lose their helmets in the scrum last night as well. The biggest issue I have, and it's seemingly ignored, is most of the injuries that have happened on kickoffs were due to bad fundamentals exercised on tackles: IE: leading with their helmet.
See some smart teams jerking on some face mask and pulling on helmets during crucial times in the game. Better be strapping em on tight or else.
Lag Bolts, Red! Lag bolts. I can guarantee that those helmets won't separate from any player's head if the coaches (better, the orthopedic surgeon), affix my surgical stainless steel bolts to their noggins. What's the alternative? Helmets crazy-glued to clean-shaven heads? Or, the El Cheapo route: duct tape! LOL! Your point is well-taken. Given the desire to reduce head & neck trauma, we will likely see all sorts of new & politically correct safety gear. Look at the HANS devices for NASCAR drivers. These kids will have more supportive springs than a cheap mattress:
I can't say I like them. They seem to run counter the logic to reduce contact. Penalizing a team to the 25 could encourage short kick offs and more hitting IMO. If they want to reduce returns and hitting move the KO to the 40. Then coverage will be on the return man too soon for a run back. Like Red I like the old way.
Since when did politicians start making up rules for college football, because the new rules are just plain stupid.
Ditto this. I am really afraid we are going to end up with no kick offs at some point. The only way to protect the players completely is not play the the game. This kind of pansy stuff if running amock today. Just MHO.
