The NFL is reportedly looking at the XFL to potentially poach some of their rule changes, most notably the kickoff structure, which lines players up five yards apart in order to limit injuries and increase action by cutting down on touchbacks.
Fair catches could also be changed, as the Competition Committee reportedly recommended using college rules, which would put the ball on the 25-yard line anytime a fair catch was called inside the 25, in another effort to increase safety.
Grant and Danny are all for it.
“They should be commended for this,” Grant said. “They are never really content, and I give them credit. They constantly are tweaking things. They aren’t afraid, if you’ve got a thing they like, to implement it in their game.
“I know everyone hates all the changes in baseball…but ultimately, we will be rewarded for it by either more fandom or sustained interest over the course of the game. They’re using the minor leagues and independent leagues…what happens if we put a clock on pitchers and hitters? What happened was, games shrunk by 26 minutes.”
Some may see the fair catch rule as one that will sacrifice action, much like the kickoff changes in the NFL have done, skyrocketing touchback numbers when the kickoff was moved up. So, navigating safety and excitement will be the most pivotal balance.
“What is your goal? Do you want more action and more returns, or do you want safer play?” Grant said. “They found [the kickoff] to be the most dangerous play in football, but now the kickoff has become so boring…they gotta figure something out.”
Regardless if any changes come of the NFL’s examination, the league should be applauded for consistently looking for ways to improve its product.
“They’re not slow to react,” Danny said. “It’s not what golf and Major League Baseball do, which is basically let problems fester for decades and say, ‘Oops! We already lost our market share, let’s implement a pitch clock.’”