Rules Changes for 2009
 

I saw this posted at the Insider and in addition to taking steps to avoid last year's SD/Denver fiasco, the wedge on kickoffs is now limited to two players. It seems to me that this is a huge windfall for the coverage team.

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/-just-finished-meeting-with.html]Redskins Insider - NFL Tweaks Rules for 2009[/url]

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

Should be interesting to see how ST coaches adjust.

Some ex-coach/insider on NFL radio a few weeks ago was talking about what ST coaches were going to do, and he said expect to see a lot of misdirection stuff on kickoffs. We'll see.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

[quote=Mattyk72;573601]Should be interesting to see how ST coaches adjust.

Some ex-coach/insider on NFL radio a few weeks ago was talking about what ST coaches were going to do, [B]and he said expect to see a lot of misdirection stuff on kickoffs.[/B] We'll see.[/quote]

That should be fun to watch.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

[quote=Mattyk72;573601]Should be interesting to see how ST coaches adjust.

Some ex-coach/insider on NFL radio a few weeks ago was talking about what ST coaches were going to do, and he said expect to see a lot of misdirection stuff on kickoffs. We'll see.[/quote]

Yeah, I mean to me this is a hugely underreported story. They've outlawed the standard kick return strategy. Everyone uses the wedge. In addition to more mis-direction I guess you will see an emphasis on more disciplined spacing to create a "virtual wedge" where the blockers are legally spaced a couple of yards apart.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

[quote=70Chip;573674]Yeah, [B] I mean to me this is a hugely underreported story.[/B] They've outlawed the standard kick return strategy. Everyone uses the wedge. In addition to more mis-direction I guess you will see an emphasis on more disciplined spacing to create a "virtual wedge" where the blockers are legally spaced a couple of yards apart.[/quote]

Well given that 99.9% of the sports media is discussing Brett Favre or Michael Vick, it is no surprise important things are not being discussed.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

The leaders in kick return value from last year: Buffalo, Chicago, New England, NY Jets, Cleveland...and Detroit? It will be interesting to see if the outlawing of the wedge undoes those special teams units.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

Since this rule will likely make kickoff returns more difficult and take away yards there, I've heard a couple times that punting and punt returning will be even more important. I think we've got the punter, but don't know if we've got the returner yet.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

[quote=Ruhskins;573677]Well given that 99.9% of the sports media is discussing Brett Favre or Michael Vick, it is no surprise important things are not being discussed.[/quote]

It was reported quite a bit back in March when the new rule came out, and some into April and May

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

[quote=SmootSmack;573702]It was reported quite a bit back in March when the new rule came out, and some into April and May[/quote]

Yeah I mean this is basically old news.

I remember when the news first broke they covered it quite extensively on NFLN.

Re: Rules Changes for 2009
 

What about the Brady rule? Going low on the QB will be outlawed this upcoming year.

What about the no hitting with a shoulder? What is that the defense should be doing out there?