NFL: Fourth-and-15 alternative draws attention of Patrick Mahomes

[China]

Fourth-and-15 alternative draws attention of Patrick Mahomes

 

A coach confronted with one last-ditch, unlikely avenue to remain in a close game might soon see a second route reveal itself.

 

At least one NFL quarterback is licking his chops at the potential new avenue.

 

The effectiveness of the onside kick has gone by the wayside in recent years thanks to measures implemented to increase player safety, but NFL owners are considering offering teams a second option in the event they so desperately want to retain possession following a score. A rule change proposal of a fourth-and-15 play from a kicking team's 25-yard line in lieu of an onside kick is gaining support, NFL Network's Judy Battista and Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.

 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes indicated he thinks that might be rather attainable for his offense.

 

Mahomes, the author of two memorable, game-changing plays in the last two seasons, has proven his arm and at least one key target are capable of erasing unlikely down-and-distance scenarios. The first came in a regular-season thriller against Baltimore in 2018, in which Mahomes rolled right on fourth-and-9, threw across his body to Tyreek Hill and completed an unlikely pass to set the Chiefs up for the game-tying score. The other, more notable swing of yardage and momentum: Jet Chip Wasp, the play called on third-and-15 in Super Bowl LIV that led to a huge gain for the Chiefs and helped jumpstart their comeback to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

 

Considering these achievements, a fourth-and-15 doesn't seem too great of a task for Mahomes' Chiefs. Then again, the other 31 teams would also like a word (and a chance to keep the ball with a conversion, too).

 

This and other potential rule changes will be voted on by owners during their virtual meeting May 28.

 

The rule change, which would allow a team to do so only twice in a game, would give competing squads a chance to attempt to retain possession without going through the motions of the onside kick, which has become incredibly unlikely in recent years after the elimination of a running start on kickoffs. Since those changes, teams have recovered an onside kick at a rate of just 10.4 percent in the last two seasons, including a rate of 7.7 percent in 2018, the lowest since such data became available in 1992, per NFL Research.

 

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[Malapropismic Depository]

Wish they'd stop changing the rules.

So unnecessary. And feels like the game is losing it's purity and natural flow.

If you're gonna change something, change something that's broken - iike penalties.

[Burgold]

I think a fifteen yard gain is too easily attainable. Onside kicks were supposed to be hard. I could see a lot of piling on with this rule. I'd make it at least fourth and twenty. Make it a distance where 90 percent of NFL teams call a screen or draw because they think it's all but impossible.

[Malapropismic Depository]

On 5/25/2020 at 6:00 AM, Burgold said:

I think a fifteen yard gain is too easily attainable. Onside kicks were supposed to be hard. I could see a lot of piling on with this rule. I'd make it at least fourth and twenty. Make it a distance where 90 percent of NFL teams call a screen or draw because they think it's all but impossible.

 

Yea, the 15 yards has a much higher probability than recovering an onside kick.

That is one of the main reasons I'm against it.

I don't support the rule, but AT LEAST, make it a greater distance than 15 yards if you insist on changing it.

[GhostofSparta]

How will penalties affect this? Will a defensive holding give them the ball 1st and 10 at the 30, offense good to go? Or will it just be a do-over?