Rule changes

First of all, the two rule changes implemented last year that most coaches (including Coach Tedford) opposed are being eliminated.

• The clock will once again stop on possession changes
• The clock will no longer start when the ball touches the kicker’s foot, but when the receiving team touches the football on kickoffs

These 2006 changes were shortening games by about 14 plays on average, so this is good news. There’s also some new rules:

• Kickoffs will now be from the 30 yard (instead of the 35 yard line)
• Teams will get 10 seconds less after a TV time out
• The playclock may have less time following a stoppage of the game clock (pending)

This should increase the game-changing potency of kickoff returns. Think much fewer touchbacks and many more exciting returns. Here’s an article with more details about the changes.