NFL Owners Move Kickoff to 35-Yard-Line: Is It New 'Devin Hester Rule?'

First the players and owners get into a fight that makes them both look ridiculous. Now the owners pass a rule that tampers with, as Bears Coach Lovie Smith says, "...the most exciting play in the game." He's talking about the kickoff, and the owners just took another giant step toward losing fans.

What is Smith talking about? The owners moved the kickoff line from the 30-yard-line to the 35-yard-line. That way even teams who don't have decent kickoff coverage can just kick touchbacks and we can watch everyone start from the 20.

My reference is an article by Larry Mayer posted at the Chicago Bears' website titled "Toub feels new kickoff rule will be disadvantage for Bears."

Dave Toub is the Chicago Bears' Special Teams Coach and he isn't happy about the rule change. As a Bears fan, I'm livid.

Remember the "Mel Blount Rule?" As a result of Blount effectively shutting receivers down, defensive backs have to leave receivers alone after five yards.

I suggest to you that this new kickoff rule is in essence the "Devin Hester Rule."

If you are a football fan of any degree, you know that Devin Hester leads all kickoff/punt returners with 14 touchdowns and that does not count postseason. He routinely leads the NFL in return yardage and is joined on the Bears' roster for returning duties with two players with like prowess: Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning. Other teams have trouble stopping them as well.

When the Bears receive kickoffs, other teams will kick out of bounds and give them the ball at the 40-yard-line rather than face Hester. They will "putch" kick just over the first group of Bears but not deep enough for the return man and they will engage in other "plays" that say "We cannot cover Hester."

I'm sorry, but it seems to my simple mind that this new placement of the ball at the 35-yard-line after it was moved back twice from the 30-yard-line to encourage "exciting play" is a move to benefit 31 teams and handicap Hester and the Bears.

The ersatz reason given by the owners is they want to minimize concussions.

I wish I could buy that.

References:

Chicago Bears' Website, Larry Mayer, "Toub feels new kickoff rule will be disadvantage for Bears"

OTB Sports Website, James Joyner, "NFL Rules Named After Players"