I have been watching some of it on YouTube. I think with a close game in 4Q or playoffs, teams should get their starting offensive line out there to block on kick returns. From what I’ve seen, the blockers mostly drop back about 5 yards and anchor — much like a tackle vs. DE.
Anyway, getting back to my question, what’s the average starting field position after a kickoff? How often does the receiving team get pinned inside the 20? If that’s hard to do, these NFL kickers are just going to continue bombing it into the end zone to bring it to the 20 to start.
Everything you need to know regarding the new NFL kickoff rule
www.cbssports.com
The touchback rule
If a kick hits in the end zone and stays inbounds, it can be either returned or downed. If downed then touchback to the 30-yard line. Any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces), results in a touchback to the 30-yard line.
"This is one year only," said
Atlanta Falcons CEO and Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay. "We'll be able to tweak it so maybe the touchback returns to the 35. This will definitely reduce the return number, so something we thought could be as high as 85-90% will be around 50-60%. That's okay with us.
"The extra five yards, if you kick the touchback, is good for offense. That's the starting point. If it works the way we think it will, could it go to 35? Sure."
Maybe CBS has it wrong, but touchbacks go to the thirty.