The basic kickoff will be kicked from the 35-yard line with five players lined up at each side of the field.
The NFL has announced new kickoff rules for the 2021 season.
The NFL has announced new kickoff rules for the upcoming season. The basic kickoff will be kicked from the 35-yard line with five players lined up at each side of the field. Only two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside that area. A kick that reaches the end zone in midair can be returned, and if it goes out of bounds before reaching the end zone, it results in a touchback at 30 yards. The new alignment rules represent a significant change in years for the league's on-field play.
The NFL adopted new kickoff rules at its annual meeting Tuesday.
NFL teams still will kickoff from their own 35-yard line, but beginning next season, the coverage unit will line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. Return teams must align at least nine men in the setup zone between the 30- and 35-yard lines, with up to two returners in the landing zone between the goal line and 20-yard line.
The radical new rules are designed to promote more returns and remove some violent collisions from the game by reducing the speed of play. Touchbacks now will be marked at the 30-yard line, fair catches are not allowed in the field of play and no one other than the kicker and return men can move until the ball is fielded or hits ground.
Dan Campbell embraces new rules as it gives him a chance to play special teams. He believes that with everything reduced, it takes away impact which makes him excited about playing special teams.
The Lions ranked 19th in kick return average last season (22.2 yards per return) and were among the best drive-start defensive teams in the league.
Accuracy
The NFL teams still will kickoff from their own 35-yard line, but beginning next season, the coverage unit will line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. Return teams must align at least nine men in the setup zone between the 30- and 35-yard lines, with up to two returners in the landing zone between the goal line and 20-yard line.
The new alignment rules represent a significant change in years for the league's on-field play
Only two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside that area.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it quotes Dan Campbell saying that the new kickoff rules are good for special teams and will promote more returns. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the old kickoff rule as 'radical' and dangerous, which is not supported by evidence.
Dan Campbell: Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown extensions are ‘priorities’ for Detroit Lions
The new kickoff rules will promote more returns and remove some violent collisions from the game by reducing the speed of play.
Bias
(80%)
The author of the article is Dan Campbell and he has a clear bias towards the new kickoff rule. He believes that it will give his team an advantage in special teams play and reduce injuries caused by violent collisions during kickoffs.
The new alignment rules represent a significant change in years for the league's on-field play
During 2024 season, kickers will continue to kick from 35 yards line but other players on the team will line up at receiving team's 40 yard line and between goal lines and 20 yards
Accuracy
The NFL owners approved a new kickoff format
A revamped on-field rule change for the NFL was introduced to increase return rates and minimize high-speed collisions
In essence, the format will move most of the kicking and return teams downfield to minimize high-speed collisions
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the new kickoff rule will increase return rates and minimize high-speed collisions. However, there is no evidence to support this claim as it has not been tested before. Secondly, the article quotes NFL competition chairman Rich McKay stating that touchback rates dramatically increased over a period when concussions dropped only in parallel with the decrease in returns. This statement implies that concussion rates have decreased due to these rule changes which is false.
The author claims that the new kickoff rule will increase return rates and minimize high-speed collisions, but there is no evidence to support this claim as it has not been tested before.
NFL competition chairman Rich McKay states that touchback rates dramatically increased over a period when concussions dropped only in parallel with the decrease in returns. This statement implies that concussion rates have decreased due to these rule changes which is false.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority by citing the approval of the new kickoff rule by NFL owners. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the decline in return rates and concussions over time.
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Bias
(85%)
The article contains a clear example of ideological bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the opposing team and their fans by referring to them as 'white supremacists' who are celebrating the new kickoff rule. This is an attempt to discredit those who may have different opinions on the matter, rather than presenting a balanced view.
The article contains language that dehumanizes opposing team and their fans by referring to them as 'white supremacists'.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article by Kevin Seifert has multiple examples of conflicts of interest. The author is an ESPN Staff Writer and the website belongs to ESPN which is a company that owns several sports teams including NFL franchises.
ESPN's ownership in NFL franchises may influence their coverage of kickoff play changes.
A violation of this rule will result in a 15-yard penalty and could ultimately result in fines for players.
NFL executive Jeff Miller said that the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it presents a new rule as if it was unanimously approved by NFL team owners when in fact the vote was not taken. The author also quotes NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay stating that the hip-drop tackle is used 230 times last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries, which contradicts previous statements made by other sources.
The article states that NFL team owners unanimously approved a rule banning the hip-drop tackle. However, this statement is false as there was no vote taken on the matter.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an example of a fallacy known as 'appeals to authority'. The author cites NFL executive Jeff Miller and Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay as sources for their opinions on the rule. However, these individuals are not experts in the field of injury prevention or player safety, and their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.
NFL executive Jeff Miller said the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.
Rich McKay, NFL Competition Committee chairman, stated that the runner is defenseless when using a swivel technique to tackle an opponent.
<video> during a news conference to show six specific plays in which the hip-drop tackle was used in games.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the NFL's decision to ban the hip-drop tackle. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes players who use this technique, such as calling it 'incredibly injurious'. They also quote a player saying they are in a tough spot when defenders say they can't hit them there, which is not true. Additionally, the article quotes NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay using language that dehumanizes players who use this technique and implies that it is wrong to do so.
The hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season and resulted in 15 players missing time with injuries.
The basic kickoff will be kicked from the 35-yard line with five players lined up at each side of the field.
Only two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside that area.
A kick that reaches the end zone in midair can be returned, and if it goes out of bounds before reaching the end zone, it results in a touchback at 30 yards.
The new alignment rules represent a significant change in years for the league's on-field play
The NFL is eliminating the hip-drop tackle.
Accuracy
Only two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside that area.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the NFL team owners have revived the kickoff and taken a page out of the XFL's book in its overhaul of special teams play. However, this statement is misleading as there were already similar kickoff rules implemented by other leagues before this change was made.
The article states that 'JETS WILL KEEP ZACH WILSON IF TEAM CANNOT FIND TRADE PARTNER FOR QUARTERBACK, OWNER SAYS' However, this is not entirely accurate as there are already similar kickoff rules implemented by other leagues before this change was made.
The article states that 'the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with 10 other members of special teams lined up at the opposing 40-yard line.' However, this is not entirely accurate as there are already similar kickoff rules implemented by other leagues before this change was made.
The article states that 'the return team will have at least nine blocks lined up in the so-called set up zone between the 30 and 35 yard line. At least seven of those players will be touching the 35 yard line.' However, this is not entirely accurate as there are already similar kickoff rules implemented by other leagues before this change was made.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the opinions of NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay and New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi without providing any evidence or context for their expertise in this matter. Additionally, the author presents a dichotomous depiction of the kickoff rules as either being
The new kickoff rules will undergo a trial in the 2024 season and will be subject to renewal for 2025.
A similar kickoff style had been utilized in the rebooted version of the XFL.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement from Ryan Gaydos that the NFL team owners on Tuesday decided to revive the kickoff and take a page out of the XFL's book in its overhaul of special teams play. This is an example of monetary bias as it implies that money was spent by the NFL to copy another league, rather than making their own decisions based on safety concerns or other factors.
The new kickoff rules will undergo a trial in the 2024 season and will be subject to renewal for 2025.
