Dumb Rule In Punt Return?

[Len B]

Am I the only one who thinks the punt return rule in the NFL is retarded, in the sense where if the team who is returning the punt has a non-return man accidentally touch the ball, the ball is now live and available for the punting team to scoop?

The example you always see is the guy who is blocking for the return man, and the ball takes an awful bounce and hits the blocker in the leg. Now, the team who punted has the right to get the ball.

Doesn't make sense at all to me.

 

[NAHSTE]

I don't think it's a dumb rule at all, the receiving team should not touch the football unless they possess it. If they do touch it, it is a live ball. Don't see what's wrong with this one.

 

[KNUBB]

That is a football rule not just the NFL. That is how it always has and always will be. Nothing wrong with it

 

[RainboUnicorn]

No I don't think its dumb. I do think its dumb that a muffed punt cannot be advanced by the punting team.

 

[Chrispy]

No I don't think its dumb. I do think its dumb that a muffed punt cannot be advanced by the punting team.

Yeah thats a dumb rule

 

[KNUBB]

How often has a muffed punt been even eligible to be advanced? It normally ends in a scrum for the ball 97% of the time. I guess it's dumb for the off chance the D gets possession and is still on his feet.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Am I the only one who thinks the punt return rule in the NFL is retarded, in the sense where if the team who is returning the punt has a non-return man accidentally touch the ball, the ball is now live and available for the punting team to scoop?

The example you always see is the guy who is blocking for the return man, and the ball takes an awful bounce and hits the blocker in the leg. Now, the team who punted has the right to get the ball.

Doesn't make sense at all to me.

What do you propose? A dead ball? That wouldnt make sense. It has to be a live ball, there is no alternative.

 

[Macken]

umm its been like that for a long time.. in college returning punts if i wasnt going to catch it i had to yell "poison" so we knew not to touch it and get the hell outta the way

 

[DSpydr84]

Am I the only one who thinks the punt return rule in the NFL is retarded, in the sense where if the team who is returning the punt has a non-return man accidentally touch the ball, the ball is now live and available for the punting team to scoop?

The example you always see is the guy who is blocking for the return man, and the ball takes an awful bounce and hits the blocker in the leg. Now, the team who punted has the right to get the ball.

Doesn't make sense at all to me.

I think they do that because the "return man" could be objective (although it's pretty obvious now, if there was a rule change coaches would take advantage). I'm sure coaches would have the gunner run up the field and try to catch punts if he wasn't penalized for muffing it. In fact, I would almost guarantee you you'd see two or three guys hovering at around 30 yards down the field waiting for the punt, and the coaches would argue that the guy who caught the punt was not the return man in the event that he fumbles.

I get where you're coming from though. It's shitty luck when that kinda stuff happens.

 

[JTRaines92]

I don't think it's a dumb rule at all, the receiving team should not touch the football unless they possess it. If they do touch it, it is a live ball. Don't see what's wrong with this one.

Exactly, Len I am shocked you made this thread... Did it happen to your team Sunday/Monday or something and caused them to lose?

 

[JeremyHight]

The rule that muffed punts cannot be advanced is important, IMO, because of the fact that there would just be an abundance of muffed punts returned for touch downs. A lot of the time (about 50/50), the punt is muffed and then the guy is clocked by one gunner and the other gunner scoops it up. If he could advance it, it would be an easy TD because no one would be in front of him and all the blockers have their backs turned.

 

[Senser81]

The logic behind the rule is that since there is no actual "change of possession", the kicking team cannot advance their own kick. A muff doesn't constitute possession, technically speaking. Its similar to the kicking team not being allowed to advance an onside kick. It doesn't make perfect sense, but it makes sense from a certain point-of-view.

 

[Len B]

I'm not talking about advancing the ball when it changes possession or the gunner catching the ball. I'm saying when the guys who are blocking for Devin Hester who have the ball hit their leg with their back turned to it, the other team now has the right to pick up the ball and take possession over.

To me, if it hits a blocker's leg and the opposite team picks it up, it should still be the punt return teams ball. The only person who should have the ability to catch the ball and make a change of possession is the actual punt returner, not his blockers.

It's the only rule where the ball can hit your leg to activate possession. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Len B]

Exactly, Len I am shocked you made this thread... Did it happen to your team Sunday/Monday or something and caused them to lose?

LOL... because I have to have my team lose to feel that a rule is unfair for everyone? Sorry, unlike you I'm not an awful sports fan who only cares about his teams outcome.

 

[bringbackjimmy]

Like spydr stated you would have 3 guys back there and when the return man muffed it the coach would be screaming that he wasn't the return man.. It's really not that hard to get out of the way..If the return man can't catch he's supposed to scream "Poison" and everybody is supposed to get out of the way...

 

[bringbackjimmy]

how many times does this actually happen?

 

[Senser81]

I'm not talking about advancing the ball when it changes possession or the gunner catching the ball. I'm saying when the guys who are blocking for Devin Hester who have the ball hit their leg with their back turned to it, the other team now has the right to pick up the ball and take possession over.

To me, if it hits a blocker's leg and the opposite team picks it up, it should still be the punt return teams ball. The only person who should have the ability to catch the ball and make a change of possession is the actual punt returner, not his blockers.

It's the only rule where the ball can hit your leg to activate possession. Doesn't make sense to me.

I think this would make things more difficult to officiate, because the ref would have to judge the intent of the player. To me, the best way to avoid having the ball hit off one of your blockers is for the return man to catch the ball.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

I actually like this rule a lot. Special teamers need to be 100% aware.. these guys are working for starting jobs and theres no excuse to be sleeping on Special Teams. So I enjoy the rule.

 

[SethMode]

I actually like this rule a lot. Special teamers need to be 100% aware.. these guys are working for starting jobs and theres no excuse to be sleeping on Special Teams. So I enjoy the rule.

How is focusing on blocking and getting hit by an arrant ball "sleeping on Special Teams"? These are football players, not young Jedi.

 

[NAHSTE]

How is focusing on blocking and getting hit by an arrant ball "sleeping on Special Teams"? These are football players, not young Jedi.

How to avoid this while still focusing on blocking:

-Punt returner yells "Watch out" or "Clear" or "Danger" or "Poison" or "Short" or "GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY"

-Special teams guys abandon blocking since it is now moot, and focus on finding the ball and getting the hell out of the way of it.

Not very hard for professionals, or even high school players, to do IMO.