NFL's new kickoff proposal includes no running start for kicking team
NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent indicated Tuesday that the league will first try and modify kickoffs before considering eliminating the play altogether, and now details of the proposed changes have been revealed.
According to Jenny Vrentas of MMQB.com, the rule alterations in the proposal - which was collaborated on by special teams coaches - would include stopping kicking teams from having a running start, no wedges, and only three players allowed deep.
Language of the proposed rule change is still being finalized before vote at May meetings but changes would include no running start for kicking team, no wedge & only three players deep.
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) May 2, 2018
The NFL's competition committee has threatened to eliminate the play if it doesn't become safer.
Green Bay Packers president and committee member Mark Murphy called it "by far the most dangerous play in the game" and revealed that concussion rates are five times higher on kickoffs than on any other play.