NFL might turn to XFL for rule change

The NFL adjusted its kickoff rule this offseason. On a one-year trial basis, a fair catch by returners will bring the ball out to the 25-yard line. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported coaches were "unanimously" against the rule change.

Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone confirmed that report and went even further. "All coordinators were against it, the players are against it, but supposedly there's data," he said.

The league has used player safety as an excuse to slowly take kickoffs out of the game. Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater called the NFL's motives for the rule change into question.

"I just don't believe this is truly in the name of player health and safety," Slater said. 

San Francisco's special teams coach, Brian Schneider, shared that sentiment, saying the rule could have the opposite effect in terms of injuries. "I think there could be more returns, there could be shorter kicks, there could be more collisions."

With the play under scrutiny, some think it's only a matter of time before the league gets rid of kickoffs entirely. That would have a devastating impact on several players, including Slater.

He noted, "For a player like myself, I wouldn't have had a career most likely [without] this play... I [also] understand the players that came before me ... the [Steve] Taskers, the [Bill] Bateses ... who were able to have long careers ... because of the kicking game."

While its temporary change looks destined to be a failure, the NFL may have better luck graduating the XFL's rule, even if it means admitting the struggling league came up with a better kickoff alternative than its brightest minds could concoct.

Kickoffs will probably look a lot different in the near future. But that's better than not having them at all.