The Position The NFL Can’t Get Right

The Kicker is the NFL's most broken position by a long shot which is why the NFL has Nerfed it Time and time again across the history of the game.

[@c.i.demann3069]

the only other position I can think of that's been nerfed to this degree might be defensive backs. They used to be able to smash receivers. Now they can't, and new WR records are being set each year.

[@brubie7584]

The last couple years have had a fairly severe downturn in air yards and offensive yards in general. Most offenses are struggling to have good success compared to past years. First 2 weeks each have had significantly less passing touchdowns than the last few years for example.

[@E_Warford]

THEY CAN TRY TO NERF US BUT THEY WILL NEVER STOP US

[@goodmaro]

You didn't mention another factor that increased FG percentages while still "nerfing" the kicking game in 1974: changing the consequence of *missing* the kick. Used to be that a missed FG attempt was like any other kick, so if you missed, big deal, it was like a punt. Your coverage wasn't so good, but runbacks were rare, usually it'd just be a touchback. After that change, the spot after a missed kick was the previous spot if that was better for the other team than a touchback; later, it was changed from the previous spot to the spot from which the ball was kicked. So a lot of long, speculative, low percentage attempts that might've been tried under the old rules are now tried only at the end of either half of the game, when time is expected to expire during the play. So by cutting out a lot of the low-yield attempts, success percentages must have gone up.

[@corey2232]

Oh I didn't know old missed kicks would end up like that. I thought you always started from where the missed FG took place

[@goodmaro]

@@corey2232 The National Federation of State High School Associations still hasn't adopted a rule like that.

[@alias5084]

They should go back to you have to kick xp from where the ball went into the end zone instead of hashmark. That would spice xp up a lot.

[@jjerg]

That's how it's done in rugby. An xp attempt from close to the sideline would be awesome. I like your idea. 🤘🏼

[@leavemanycredits]

the original hashlines in football were only 5 yards from the sideline!

[@oldbrokenhands]

Funny how the one position that actually puts their foot on the ball is the most scrutinized/punished in American "Football"

[@leavemanycredits]

though it isn't called "football" because you kick the ball, it's called "football" because the ball is moved "on foot" (that is, by running)

[@teo_heel]

Isaac, I'm still waiting on the video about CFL punters.

[@89volvowithlazers]

Line drive kicks on ko's will be a thing and kicks with no tee the ball laying width wise. I seen kickers blasting lazer beams 3 to 5 ft off the ground traveling 45 yards

[@goodmaro]

And not many years before the formation of the NFL, they used to kick off from midfield -- which was the 55 yard line.

[@Malikou31]

What could spice up kicking game is that the player who scores the TD should kick himself for xp. For long distance kicking attempts, specialized kicker stays relevant. However, I don't understand why the Drop Kick is not more used in NFL is it still legal ? The last one I saw was from Doug Flutie ages ago and that was kind of a cool. Punters because they're farther to the line of scrimmage could try such drop kicks from time to time, in my opinion.

[@Mr.MikeBarksdale]

I would like to hear people like Isaac come up with a kickoff that is exciting, safe, and strategic.

[@goodmaro]

Somehow it seems acceptably safe in Canadian rules. No fair catch, nor opportunity to catch the ball, but no interfering with a receiving team player attempting to catch it, other than incidental contact while going for the ball yourself. And no drop kick, must be a placement.

[@PaulGaither]

We should have gotten rid of kickoffs years ago. Make it a punt. 4th and 15 or whatever. Let them fake it. Let it get blocked. Let everything great about punts happen.

[@jjerg]

I've been watching this sport for almost 50 years and the one constant has been the NFL continues to try to take the 'foot' out of football.

[@robertvirnig638]

Is there any sport that fiddles with its rules more each year than the NFL?

[@goodmaro]

Rugby Union comes at least close. Lately maybe even exceeds it.

[@Danielscottrhoades]

Explaining to a European the reasoning as to why we call the sport "Football" in America was a humbling experience.

[@johnnysullivan436]

They really should have eliminated place kicking a long time ago; punting is crucial, place kicking is silly.

[@Trizzer89]

Kickers in general are not OP, but Justin Tucker is

[@teo_heel]

Seeing old NFL footage with the goalposts on the goal line makes me wonder why NFL decided to move them and CFL kept it as it is? PS. I should've watched the video a bit more. In CFL kickers are not that strong and the chance of the return is way higher.

[@leavemanycredits]

A couple things to note are that the NFL actually moved the goal posts UP to the goal line from the end line to make it easier for kickers in the 1930s (because there were too many 0-0 games). College football has never had the goal posts at the goal line. The combination of 20 yard end zones and wider field make moving the goal posts a less attractive proposition in the CFL.

[@teo_heel]

@@leavemanycredits More attractive. CFL is way more attractive that no fun league. I don't understand why Isaac spends time talking about the most boring league in the world.

[@teo_heel]

@@leavemanycredits and I think that originally all gridiron football games were played on Rugby fields and Rugby fields had goalposts on the goal line. Maybe Americans at some point in early 20th century moved them back.

[@sludge8506]

What’s wrong with kicking touchdowns??

[@Trizzer89]

Do the Eagles have the most kick returns of all time??

[@traviswalborn4610]

The NFL is actually making kickers more relevant. Who wants 99% xp vs 96%? Id rather see some variety in the game.

[@wompa70]

OP? Oh yes. On how many teams is the player with the most points NOT the kicker?

[@Zoyx]

I'm fine with getting rid of kicking.

[@Trizzer89]

Kickers are still goin to want to kick high and land on the 7 yard line

[@tcdahn7]

Putting the foot in football.

[@moshecohen127]

Defensive ends haven't been nerfed more? you can't kill people anymore...on the field

[@Sickpisspakh23971]

QB more OP

[@HendrickAdams]

yuh, first comment!

[@Trizzer89]

I still dont understand why people dont go for 2 every time. They have like a 50/50 shot which is better than 90% for 1 point

[@liams.8369]

Because if you score two touchdowns and convert only once on the 2 point conversion then you get the same amount points as just kicking the extra point every time

[@jelliebird37]

I agree. I also think it’s a mistake for a team to punt just to gain thirty yards in a lot of situations where they could go for it on fourth and short near midfield. Statistically they would keep the ball and go on to score more additional points than than they ultimately give up … that said, I *understand* why they don’t: people’s immediate reactions and long term memories are a LOT stronger when things go south. The fear of the knee jerk negatives prey on the minds of coaches.

[@leavemanycredits]

the problem is that you give a knowledge advantage to your opponents. If you go for two and succeed, then your opponent can go for two as well knowing they have to have it, but if you miss, they can just go for 1 and take the lead.

[@jelliebird37]

Obviously all these rule changes have failed to increase the level of skills and completion involved in the kicking game. Boring. Boring. Boring. There is a solution, however, and it is not another rule change. It is a change in the ball itself. I think a special ball should be used for all kicking situations: basically it would be a regular game ball, with a small weight sewn inside of it along one seam. filled with high pressure helium, and dipped in oil. That would make it a very wobbly, bouncy and slippery challenge for everyone involved: long snapper; holder; kicker, return man, coverage guys, defenders. There would be more bad snaps, bad holds, blocked kicks, missed field goals, fumbled returns, crazy bounces, and recovered fumbles. There would be more strategy involved in all aspects as well. There would be more uncertainty in deciding when to kick a field goal, leading to more going for it on fourth down. Longer snap-to-lock times would open up defense strategies. Fake field goals would always be a viable alternative. Kickoffs would require more critical decision making regarding where to kick off; return men would have to carefully assess whether and when and how to safely field the ball; return teams would need to account for more possible return scenarios… and, hell, this would even slow down the collisions AND even possibly save the onside kick, opening up a whole new range of onside strategies and scenarios at any point of the game 😃 (*and before you dismiss the whole idea, think about what a big deal it was that Tom Brady might have been using a slightly under inflated ball. Right?)

[@goodmaro]

So...like lawn bowling? Or Wiffle baseball?

[@jamesstephenbritton9723]

Most kickers are not real football players.

[@sertank735]

Their resume and paycheck say otherwise. 20% of your team’s points makes you a real football player.

[@TransNFLGirl]

@@sertank735 Or if you are Justin Tucker, ALL YOUR TEAMS POINTS.

[@samazon52]

I suspect that most kickers are better football players than you are.