WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. — The NFL is trying to make its games safer, but New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton thinks one of the new rules could have adverse effect.
League owners in March approved a rule that will now bring the ball to the 25-yard line, instead of the 20, after touchbacks. In theory, receiving teams will be less inclined to take the ball out of the end zone because of the improved field position, and fewer returns would result in fewer injuries.
Payton, however, doesn't expect there to be a decrease in kickoff returns in 2016 when the rule is implemented on a one-year trial basis because he thinks teams will work to kick the ball short of the end zone to win the battle for field position.