NFL considering rule changes for overtime games

[TakeOne]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-dolphins012909,0,878379.story

Goodell said that some solutions being considered are kicking off from a deeper spot so that the opposing team's field position won't be as good, or simply place the ball on the 20- or 25-yard line for the team who wins the coin flip and opts to receive.

Goodell said the game is designed for teams to win in regulation, but he seems determined to tweak the rules so that teams don't have an edge simply by winning the coin toss.

 

[DuderinoN703]

If they aren't going give each team a possession then starting off at the 20 is a little better. But say most teams drive the field and kick the FG.

Will you then keep moving the ball backwards until a team starts at the goal line? I don't think everyone will be happy with any conclusion

 

[TakeOne]

They should kickoff like normal with the coin toss, but takeaway the field goals in OT so it either ends in a safety, or TD.

 

[emeraldfin]

If they aren't going give each team a possession then starting off at the 20 is a little better. But say most teams drive the field and kick the FG.

Will you then keep moving the ball backwards until a team starts at the goal line? I don't think everyone will be happy with any conclusion

Thats probably the fairest way. If a teams offense gets the ball and does noting with it then at least they had a shot at it instead of now getting no chance if the opposing team scores on their first possession.

 

[CedarPhin]

Too bad they didn't go with the college rules.

 

[ih8brady]

Anything but college rules. Silly to me that there's suddenly automatic great position on the field (near-guarantee FG in the NFL) and then they go back and forth. I say let sudden death begin as soon as both teams have a possession. That said, I don't think the current rules are as bad as some people make it out to be.

 

[CedarPhin]

Anything but college rules. Silly to me that there's suddenly automatic great position on the field (near-guarantee FG in the NFL) and then they go back and forth. I say let sudden death begin as soon as both teams have a possession. That said, I don't think the current rules are as bad as some people make it out to be.

I really wouldn't mind that one either. By college rules, I meant that each team should have a possession, but not start at the 25 yard line. I probably should have been more specific.

 

[djfresh47]

I think the rules aren't perfect. The College rules aren't horrible. Going around and changing the format of the most popular sport in the US doesn't make sense. It's not fair that often only one team gets the ball in OT. It just is the best way to end the game.

Hockey changed the rules of regular season OT to gain more interest. Still ask any NHL fan and the playoff OT system is awesome. Personally I like sudden death OT. I

 

[SuavePhin]

Give me a break the rules are for OT are just fine, you win the coin toss fine, get a good return, make your drive and try to get the points just like you've tried to do all 4 quarters.

Loss the coin toss, get out there make a special teams play to keep them from good field position, play defense to keep them from driving the ball into scoring position and get the ball back for your offense live you've tried to do all 4 quarters.

Bottom line quit crying about an "unfair advantage" to losing the coin toss and not being able to stop the other team when you've had 60 minutes to win the game already.

 

[chibully]

I watch colin cowherd and mike and mike this morning, where roger goddell was on. Some of the ideas that were discussed were making overtime the first team to score 6 points wins. I think that's a good rule; if you march down the field and score a FG, you don't win. You just need to stop the other team from scoring a TD, march down the field and score another FG.

 

[Bumpus]

I realize that I'm in the minority here, but defensive players earn a paycheck too. Lost the coin toss? Go out and make a stop. Then your "O" will have great field position.