Post by Purple Pain on Sept 12, 2023 10:08:34 GMT -6
Seifert: Rules result in historically low kick returns
NFL rule-makers got their wish in Week 1 of the 2023 season. The league recorded a historically low 20.5% kickoff return rate, the desired result of a new rule that encourages teams to kick unreturnable balls.
The return rate was the lowest in a single week of games since at least 2000, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Although there is no data prior to that, it was likely the lowest in league history as well based on the relative frequency of returns in earlier eras. The Week 1 touchback rate of 77.6% was the highest since 2000 and likely a league record.
In May, owners approved a one-year experimental rule that would spot the ball at the 25-yard line even if kickoff returners called for a fair catch inside the 25. The rule all but eliminated the advantage of using "pop-up" kicks short of the goal line, which had grown in popularity as a strategy for pinning teams close to their goal line. That approach had increased the total number of returns during the past two seasons, causing a corresponding rise in concussions on the play.
Noting that concussions occur at a higher rate on kickoffs than any other play, the NFL's competition committee decided to further incentivize teams to avoid returns, at least for this season.
In Week 1, there were a total of 32 returns and one fair catch on kickoffs. The average starting position for a team's possession after a kickoff return was the 25-yard line, so in the aggregate, teams didn't benefit from choosing to return over a fair catch or touchback.
The return rate was the lowest in a single week of games since at least 2000, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Although there is no data prior to that, it was likely the lowest in league history as well based on the relative frequency of returns in earlier eras. The Week 1 touchback rate of 77.6% was the highest since 2000 and likely a league record.
In May, owners approved a one-year experimental rule that would spot the ball at the 25-yard line even if kickoff returners called for a fair catch inside the 25. The rule all but eliminated the advantage of using "pop-up" kicks short of the goal line, which had grown in popularity as a strategy for pinning teams close to their goal line. That approach had increased the total number of returns during the past two seasons, causing a corresponding rise in concussions on the play.
Noting that concussions occur at a higher rate on kickoffs than any other play, the NFL's competition committee decided to further incentivize teams to avoid returns, at least for this season.
In Week 1, there were a total of 32 returns and one fair catch on kickoffs. The average starting position for a team's possession after a kickoff return was the 25-yard line, so in the aggregate, teams didn't benefit from choosing to return over a fair catch or touchback.
... and neither is this Chris guy.