Beason's take on the new kickoff rule (via twitter)

[CatMan72]

In my opinion, moving the kickoff up to the 35yd line is more dangerous. As fb players were taught at a young age to run the 40....

Just like baseball players are taught to run the 60yd dash. Football players will reach their top speed at 40yds. Versus slowing down after

That point. Contact is typically made at 50yds, when players are slowing down. Now they will be speeding up along with kickers utilizing

Their ability to hang the ball up because their now closer. Just my opinion.

So he's basically saying that by making the return distance shorter, the coverage team will have just hit peak acceleration by the time they reach the returner... interesting point.

[TarPanther9180]

Makes sense

[PackPanther]

its a good point but the number of kicks actually returned will drastically reduced so I guess the NFL decided that the fewer number of returns is more important than the shorter field for the players to run.

[CatMan72]

its a good point but the number of kicks actually returned will drastically reduced so I guess the NFL decided that the fewer number of returns is more important than the shorter field for the players to run.

Yup, they're playing the percentages knowing that the increased # of touchbacks alone will reduce the opportunity for injury.

[Zcustom]

unless kickers start aiming for the 5 yard line in an attempt to down the ball carrier inside the 20.

[PackPanther]

unless kickers start aiming for the 5 yard line in an attempt to down the ball carrier inside the 20.

They moved the line back from the 35 to the 30 back in the 90's. before that it wasnt really a problem of players trying to keep them inside the 20. they seemed pretty content to just have the touchbacks. not saying that couldnt change, but history doesnt match it.

[Planiversal]

F=ma

acceleration = /= velocity

[Mr. Scot]

I expect this rule to last maybe a year or two.

Once overall scoring is down (because teams will have to drive farther) fans will start complaining about that and about how few exciting kickoff returns there are.

If that happens, then I think the league will cite a lack of data showing that it helped (regardless of whether the data exists or not) and reverse itself.

[Sheldon Wolowizard]

It will be interesting to see how many more concussions happen and how many young WRs will be willing to be primarily return guys.