September 19, 2017 09:01AM
Rampage, the "reasoning" for this 2016 rule change was the following:

Effect: Eliminates multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.
Reason: Simplifies penalty enforcement.​


Ostensibly, the rule change was put into place to make things simpler.

My take: the NFL has clearly stated their intention to give teams the incentive to accept touchbacks and start at the 25. The kickoff return is considered to be the most violent play in the game, with large men running at each other at full speed. The chance for life-threatening injuries are highest during kickoff returns. The NFL is (supposedly) interested in player safety, and they do not want the bad publicity of a major injury happening during a kick return.

THEREFORE-- the NFL passed this rule knowing that it had the potential to disproportionately punish the receiving team. The NFL adjusted the rules to make it even more clear that returning a kickoff is a big risk for field position.

I think there are many ways this new rule could be tweaked so that it does not punish the receiving team so disproportionately. It will be interesting to see how other fans and teams react when this rule is applied in the future.
SubjectAuthorViewsPosted

  So the call on the Kickoff??

Headslap751033September 17, 2017 05:00PM

  Re: So the call on the Kickoff??

NorCalRamFan401September 17, 2017 05:12PM

  the penalties offset and nullified the return

Atlantic Ram402September 17, 2017 06:10PM

  Re: the penalties offset and nullified the return

Headslap75375September 17, 2017 06:16PM

  Sounds right

Atlantic Ram347September 17, 2017 07:44PM

  Re: the penalties offset and nullified the return

XXXIVwin354September 17, 2017 09:19PM

  Re: the penalties offset and nullified the return

XXXIVwin314September 17, 2017 10:46PM

  Here's what you are missing

RFIP301September 18, 2017 12:38AM

  kind of like the Tuck Rule........

21Dog266September 18, 2017 04:11AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

Headslap75262September 18, 2017 08:03AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

Headslap75290September 18, 2017 08:06AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

XXXIVwin272September 18, 2017 08:34AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

RFIP268September 18, 2017 08:59AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

Rampage2K-238September 18, 2017 09:09AM

  Touch back..nm

RFIP251September 18, 2017 09:22AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

XXXIVwin242September 18, 2017 09:17AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

Rampage2K-266September 18, 2017 09:22AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

XXXIVwin273September 18, 2017 09:24AM

  Why?

RFIP253September 18, 2017 09:28AM

  Re: Why?

XXXIVwin276September 18, 2017 09:58AM

  Re: Why?

RFIP247September 18, 2017 10:02AM

  Re: Why?

XXXIVwin251September 18, 2017 10:07AM

  Re: Why?

Rampage2K-254September 18, 2017 10:27AM

  Re: Why?

XXXIVwin240September 18, 2017 10:39AM

  Bad rule correctly enforced

XXXIVwin254September 18, 2017 09:21PM

  Re: Bad rule correctly enforced

Rampage2K-230September 19, 2017 07:39AM

  Re: Bad rule correctly enforced

XXXIVwin242September 19, 2017 09:01AM

  and he did explain it...nm

RFIP212September 18, 2017 10:53AM

  Re: You're wrong....

Rampage2K-240September 18, 2017 11:07AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

RFIP227September 18, 2017 09:27AM

  Re: Here's what you are missing

Rampage2K-243September 18, 2017 09:31AM

  A truly bizarre rule

sacram385September 17, 2017 06:18PM

  Do the Rams seem to get a lot of holding penalties

Atlantic Ram324September 17, 2017 07:49PM

  Re: Do the Rams seem to get a lot of holding penalties

DESERT RAM319September 17, 2017 08:48PM

  Re: Do the Rams seem to get a lot of holding penalties

sacram249September 18, 2017 07:43AM

  why bother returning a KO

ferragamo79256September 18, 2017 09:29AM

  My thoughts exactly BUT

RFIP250September 18, 2017 09:43AM