Not Your Grandpa’s NFL

I’m beginning to wonder why the NFL has chosen to still utilize the kickoff.  Last weekend in Denver, the Bills and the Broncos played an entire game where NO kickoff was returned.  Not one.  It’s not that there was no scoring in the game.  There were plenty of opportunities for the return man on either side to make a play.  That is, if the kick was still on the playing field.  Most of the kicks went OFF the field entirely.  Now I know Denver gets a reputation because the ball can travel further there than in other cities, but NO RETURNS?  It doesn’t take a strong kicker to do this.  Even an average kicker should be able to put the ball in the end zone from the 35 yard line.

If I’m a coach I want to know how I’m supposed to evaluate my kick return and kick coverage teams like this.  I mean, what’s the point of even having a kickoff if the ball isn’t even going to be returned?  Teams like Cleveland and Chicago have great return men that can help their respective teams over the hump for the win.  With this new rule change, it totally neutralizes these players in a way that the rest of the teams were never able to.  This takes their contribution to their teams (and the league) out of play, and as a byproduct, could hinder the chances of any postseason appearance.

The league office has flexed in other ways this preseason too.  It seems the league wants to get across to the players that they mean business when it comes to “illegal” hits.  I think the way the league has looked at this is probably the right thing to do.  The “spirit” of the rule is fine.  The idea that you can be flagged and/or fined for cheap-shots seems logical and obvious.  The problem is not every play is the same.  Not every hit is illegal.  Some big hits are good, solid football plays.  Don’t get “overly technical” about this.  Re-running plays in slow-motion from different angles can make most any play look dirty.  We need to be careful here, as this could lead to penalties and fines that should ONLY be reserved for the worst, most blatant offenders.

The league has a history of doing this already.  Remember the Calvin Johnson “non-catch” in Chicago last season?  For those who don’t, here’s a run-down: the Lions’ Calvin Johnson caught an apparent “game-winning” touchdown in Chicago on opening day last season.  As he was getting up off the ground AFTER THE PLAY, he put his hand down and dropped the ball in the process.  The officials in the game ruled that he did not in fact, “complete” the catch and so he was not awarded the touchdown.

The play was immediately reviewed by the game officials and the call was upheld.  As a result of the play, the Lions lost the game.  Everyone watching knows what happened.  Everyone knows something went very wrong in that case.  The league went back and forth about what they wanted to do with it, but in the end it DIDN’T MATTER.  By that time the game was already over.  The same thing could be on the horizon for the big hits and penalties and fines that could follow.  Too many things can go wrong here and if a team loses a critical game due to this “judgment” call, an apology from the league office won’t soothe fans, players, or owners.

The NFL has done very well over the years and really doesn’t need to have the negative publicity that could be associated with bad rule changes or new interpretations.  I understand the whole “safety” thing, but at some point it has to be understood that the game is violent and big hits and blocks are inherent to the game and are going to happen.  Nobody wants to see players getting injured.  The game is always better when everyone can walk off the field at the end.  I understand that change is going to happen in the NFL – it always has.  I’m not for a free-for-all, but I do think it’s time for everyone in charge to take another look at ways to improve the game that don’t include ruining some of it’s greatest attractions.