NFL, still a man's game?

By Dan Rodgers

The NFL owners just approved a rule change...that's never a good thing.

The rule moves kickoffs from 30 yard-line to the 35. If you're not a huge football fan then you have no idea the kind of impact this will have on the game. Not to mention, a touchback is still only put at the 20 yard-line. So the kicking team just gained a huge advantage.

I know they are trying to protect player safety, but the owners want an 18 game schedule and that isn't safe. Basically, teams with good return teams (i.e. Bears, Browns, Jets, Seahawks) will be at a huge disadvantage. Not to mention, return specialists like Brad Smith, Devin Hester and Leon Washington become much less valuable.

Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff tied the record for the most touchbacks in a single season this past season. This coming season, whether it's this year or whenever, he and possibly other kickers will shatter that record. Every kickoff that was at the goal line or a yard or two deep in the endzone will now be five to seven yards deep and most likely be touchbacks.

This will also help the defense because there will be more touchbacks and more drives starting from the 20 yard-line.

There isn't much to debate because the rule change has already been implemented. It's just interesting because teams will be changing how they spend their money.

Rodgers That