Read this article on CBS. Basically, the NFL has been pleased with the reduction in injuries from the altered kickoff rules, and are looking for ideas on how to change punting to make it safer, and to reduce penalties. I'm curious if anybody on here has thoughts
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-will-crowdsource-ideas-to-change-the-punt-as-it-aims-to-decrease-injuries-penalties/
I believe the NFL's stance is that fewer returns = safer. As for reducing penalties I don't think this can be affected much. Penalties on the return team are already pretty severe.
The reward for not returning a kickoff changed from a 20 yard touchback, to a 25 yard touchback when fair catching, whether it's in the end zone or not. I don't think this would work for punts, since a team may be punting from the 50 yard line, and the risk of a return isn't great in that situation of short punts with good coverage anyways.
To be clear, I don't think this is a good idea, but my only thoughts are something like a 10 yard advancement for fair catching. Looks like average return yardage is about 9 yards, so this would essentially be saying no big plays but you're not likely to gain advantage by trying to return it either. The is effectively what moving kickoffs touchbacks to the 25 did. I can't think of anything else that would really provide enough incentive for teams to fair catch more often
Interested in thoughts from people on texags
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-will-crowdsource-ideas-to-change-the-punt-as-it-aims-to-decrease-injuries-penalties/
I believe the NFL's stance is that fewer returns = safer. As for reducing penalties I don't think this can be affected much. Penalties on the return team are already pretty severe.
The reward for not returning a kickoff changed from a 20 yard touchback, to a 25 yard touchback when fair catching, whether it's in the end zone or not. I don't think this would work for punts, since a team may be punting from the 50 yard line, and the risk of a return isn't great in that situation of short punts with good coverage anyways.
To be clear, I don't think this is a good idea, but my only thoughts are something like a 10 yard advancement for fair catching. Looks like average return yardage is about 9 yards, so this would essentially be saying no big plays but you're not likely to gain advantage by trying to return it either. The is effectively what moving kickoffs touchbacks to the 25 did. I can't think of anything else that would really provide enough incentive for teams to fair catch more often
Interested in thoughts from people on texags