This whole XFL thing is already dead in the water. It's not even being brought to the committee for vote per NFL network. Could be wrong. Just what they said.

This doesn't really thrill me.

In the first place, it looks like there is a lot of potential for confusion and penalties early on. You would think all of the players would have a firm grasp on the rules, but sometimes they don't.

Second, once the returner gets through the first line of defense, which is rather close, it's going to be awfully difficult to catch him--resulting in a cheap score. Maybe if the defenders were lined up ten yards further back it would give them a better chance.

As far as the Packers go, yes, we have Nixon...but it works both ways. You know how it's been with our special teams coordination over the years, and this is going to put a huge amount of pressure on Rich B. and his unit to step it up when it comes to making the correct decisions, filling open lanes, and making the tackle; competency is not optional here.

I actually like the idea of some of it. Reviving the kick off with a deeper kick is something I’d support. The complications seem unnecessary. Some change seems more plausible than copying the XFL rule in full. Let’s see what happens.

I like seeing kickoffs returned unless we are the kicking team and they are running through our unit.

I watched it and it is ok. If they change it I will still watch.

Not a fan of the proposal. If nothing else, it juut seems contrived and gimmicky rather than being straight forward football.

The NFL seems to complicate things, over thinks it all, tries to plan & control details. First they kill the return, and now they over-react with a "twos and one-eyed jacks are wild" game for clowns. Just kick off and play the game.

Just who is this mysterious “someone else” that is “pushing it”?
My question: Are they pushing it real good?

Rex, you pointed out Nixon only had two long returns last year....and on one of them he lost possession of the ball. Fortunately, we recovered but it could have been a big play against us.

If I'm understanding what you said, the kicker kicks it from the 35. The ones with the good legs, under good conditions, can probably put that baby deep in the endzone In which case, the offense would start at 35, which means we're likely to see squib kicks, which I love, but hated when used against me.

You've got to have a "hands" unit in that 30-35 yard area and the potential for a screwup is high.

To recap, teams will try to kick it in the zone and stop the opponent from starting at the 35. That's the logical outcome to this. The returner the returner is standing naked, with his entire team 30 yards away. The instant the returner touches the ball, 10 guys who are about 20-30 yards away start running at you, and if anybody gets through, there's nothing to stop him. I"d be willing to bet you can hold most returns to less than the 35.

NFL wants more exciting kickoffs to keep people from leaving their TV screens during commercials.

How would an onside kick work with the new rules?

I REALLY want the NFL to adopt this kickoff. They’ve got to do something about the most anticlimactic, real time draining play in sports

We will have to wait to see how the new kick off rule plays out. I think the league had to restore the excitement kick returns bring to the game. This new arrangement seems cumbersome. I wonder if they considered requiring the coverage to give the returner five yards space to make the catch and require the returner to attempt a return. It would be simpler; would bring back the return element; and protect the kick returner. If the coverage did not allow five yards they would be assessed a fifteen yard penalty. They should move back where they place the ball when a kick goes out of the end zone too and make the offence work a little bit harder. The rules need to be adjusted so the defense isn't always disadvantaged. The field position strategy would change and it could be an improvement.

… there by eliminating an on side kick option?