So today the NCAA voted and approved to move kickoffs to the 35 yard line, which will take effect next season. This was in an effort to keep players safer, in other words, more touchbacks. Ok why don’t we just cut out the BS and eliminate the kickoff and start the game on the 20 yard line. Seems like they want every kickoff to be a touchback. So just save those few seconds of the game for some actual plays.
Not only that but in another effort to keep the players safe, the kicking team will be limited to a 5 yard head start. So let’s think about this for a second shall we? So you want to kick the ball closer to the other team’s goal line and only give the kicking team a 5 yard head start. Wouldn’t that give the receiving team a few seconds more to think about returning the ball? Doesn’t that go against moving the kickoff up five yards to cause more touchbacks? How is that making it safer? Oh and since they only have 5 yards now, don’t you think the gunners are going to try to get to the returner even faster now? Think we are going to see any hamstring injuries? What about when the receiving team does decide to return the ball, think there will be some kids getting their bell rung? Nice job keeping them “safer” NCAA.
And if that’s not enough, there is also a new rule going into effect that will require a player who loses his helmet to leave the game for one play. Are you serious? So you mean to tell me that there are four seconds left on the clock, the team with the ball is down by four and in the red zone but the starting QB lost his helmet the play before so he has to sit out a play? Or the ball is on the goal line and the star running back lost his helmet with 1 second left on the clock and he is going to have to sit out a play. I think some coaches are going to crap a goose on that one. Not only that but on the keeping them safer thing, don’t you think some linebackers are going to try to knock a QB’s helmet off now? I’m not a pessimist and I understand keeping the kids safe but I’m not sure this is the best way to go about it.
Additionally, there are new rules regarding blocking below the waist and blocking on punt returns. So you can’t lead with the head on a tackle, you can’t block in the back and now there is a restriction on blocking below the waist? Why don’t we just have the areas where it is safe to tackle/block someone painted bright yellow or something? Come on, this is ridiculous.
Get this, players will also be prohibited from leaping over blockers when trying to block punts. Seriously? What’s next? Are they going to have to say, “Excuse me” or ask for permission to try to block a punt next? Why not make them hold hands and sing Kum By Ya when they play? Why don’t you just put them in a suit of armor or those big sumo suits?
NCAA, please stop messing around with the game. The officials are having a hard enough time enforcing the rules that have been in place for decades. Throwing this new stuff in is going to really screw with their heads. And look what all of the rule changes did to hockey in the 90’s. You took one of the best and most exciting games to watch and dulled it down big time.
