Proposed Kickoff Rule Passes

Kickoffs moved to 35, touchbacks stay at 20

      NEW ORLEANS (AP) – NFL owners have voted to move kickoffs to the
35-yard line instead of the 30, but keep touchbacks coming out to
the 20.
      Owners also have decided to allow the number of players in a
blocking wedge to remain at two.
      Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the league's competition committee
proposed placing the ball at the 25 after touchbacks on kickoffs
and banning the wedge altogether.
      Several coaches expressed concern about making too many changes
to kickoffs, saying bringing touchbacks out 5 more yards would
affect field position too much. Coaches also worried about an
increase in touchbacks.
      Owners voted to make all scoring plays reviewable by the replay
official and referee.
      
      (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)