The early reviews on the NFL’s new kickoff rule are coming in and . . . uh . . . they don’t seem to be too great.
This weekend’s slate of preseason action gave players, coaches and fans a look at the new norm. But after a failed first impression, as well as a ton of confusion, Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro wonders if it’ll be the norm for much longer.
“Is it even gonna stay?” Piñeiro questioned as he spoke to reporters following Sunday’s practice. “I’ve been looking at some preseason games and a lot of flags been thrown, guys aren’t getting into the landing zone. It’s happened to me in practice—getting the ball into the landing zone to try to hit a driver and different things.
“But yeah, the question’s there. I’m very curious if they’re gonna keep it or if they’re gonna go back to the old rules. Yeah, I don’t know.”
Well, neither do the folks who also watched over the past few days . . .
After further review….. kickoff rule is stupid. No wonder UFL got rid of it.
— Jay Gruden (@Coach_JayGruden) August 9, 2024
I would kill this new dynamic kickoff return rule…
— Chris Rowland (@crowland30) August 11, 2024
Hey, NFL, you can take your new kickoff rules and stick 'em right where you found them. A rule that neither the officials nor the players understand is NOT a good rule.
— DoodahBlueDot (@DoodahBoy) August 11, 2024
But does Eddy at least like the new rule?
“Uh, sure. I mean, I’ve been forced to like it,” he said with a laugh.
