Commentary-

New NFL Kickoff Rule. It’s Terrible- But what is the impact on Fantasy Football?

The New NFL kickoff rule is bad for the league and it’s fans.

For those who may have not noticed, the league has moved the placement of kickoffs from the kicking team’s 30 yard-line up to the 35.

It doesn’t seem like a big deal. Five little yards. But the NFL is a game of inches and we all know that. Ask Kevin Dyson or any of his Titans teammates who played in Super Bowl XXXIV.

With virtually every kick off sailing into the end zone this 2011 NFL Preseason, I began thinking about how this new development would affect teams, players and Fantasy Ballers. What is it going to be like when a majority of NFL Kickoffs result in touchbacks?

1) This badly hurts teams with explosive Kickoff returners such as Cleveland, Chicago and Philadelphia.

2) This downgrades the overall importance of Special teams gunners and head hunters on kickoff teams. Skill in this aspect will not serve as such a strong peronnel “tie-breaker” in physical evaluation leading to 53-man cuts.

3) Fans should get ready for more post-touchback commercials and TV timeouts.

4) A Touchback results in the ball being placed on the receiving team’s 20 yard line to begin their offensive series. In 2010, only 12% of drives started at or inside the offensive team’s 20 yard line resulted in touchdowns. 7 out of 8 drives fizzled when faced with starting at this field position.

The NFL has reached all time highs in popularity and interest. This is a trend many expect (and hope) to continue. 2010 was the highest scoring year in NFL Super-Bowl-Era history. Is this a coincidence? No! People love big plays! The NFL is about speed, precision, athleticism and execution. While some of us “purists” don’t necessarily feel that points scored correlate 100% with these charachteristics we love, many casual fans do. Winning more casual fans over has been the recipe for the NFL’s unbelievable growth over the past 5 years.

If you look at the numbers, scoring WILL be down this year. Whether it’s 25%, 50% or 75%, scoring numbers will be down. Special Teams WILL lose a small bit of importance.

We are advising fantasy players in tie-breaker situations between two similar players in their drafts to consider the offense for which the player produces, and whether that scheme has been one that has consistently shown the ability to execute sustained scoring drives.