SCREAMIN' FROM THE CHEAP SEATS. So, who am I screamin' at today? The NFL of course. My favorite whipping boy but when The Shield does something right you need to point that out as well. Accentuate the positive when it occurs.

I don't think anyone liked the new kickoff rule that the National Football League basically kidnapped from the United Football League. A few tweaks but basically exactly what the UFL developed.

The powers that be in the professional football hierarchy had two goals in mind when they chose to make this radical change to kickoffs. The first was to cut down on the unacceptable large number of injuries on kickoffs especially concussions. Instead of the kicking team having a full speed sprint from their own 35 yard line now the defenders line up on the opposition 40 yard line. Also the kickoff team cannot move until the ball touches the ground or a player in the end zone or landing zone which is between the goal line and the 20 yard line of the receiving team.

With only at most a 30 yard run and most probably 20 yards the high speed collisions of the past are eliminated. Put a big check in that box as mission accomplished.

The second goal was to put the kickoff return back into the game. This rule encourages that in a couple of ways. The first is that the kicking team is penalized for kicking the pigskin into the end zone by bringing it out to the 30 yard line instead the 20. Plus if the boot lands short of the landing zone the play is immediately blown dead with the football spotted at the 40 yard line. The second is that the receiving team must return any kick that hits in the landing zone.

Another big check for the NFL on this one. In 2023 only 4 kickoff return touchdown. With the implementation of the new Dynamic Kickoff Rule that number increased to 7.

So, congrats to The Shield. They put the kickoff return back on the gridiron while reducing injuries. Have to give an assist to the UFL for paving the way because as we all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Book it Dano!