Monday open thread: Do you support the onside kick alternative proposal?

The NFL owners meetings begin this week, and as always, one major topic of discussion will be rule changes for the 2019 season. You can see all of the proposed changes here, and one of the biggest topics of discussion will be the expansion of replay. Literally half of the rule proposals involve expanding replay to certain aspects of officiating, ranging from pass interference to personal foul penalties.

But today, let’s talk about their proposal regarding the onside kick. As we’ve seen in the AAF, football leagues are playing around with the idea of removing the onside kick for a more safe, more interesting play. The AAF uses the following situation in lieu of onside kicks. Within the last five minutes of play, the team trailing can attempt a fourth-and-12 play from their own 28-yard line after a score to retain possession.

The NFL rule proposal is a little different. Here are the main points.

• Fourth-and-15 from their own 35-yard line
• Can only use this stipulation once per game and only in the fourth quarter
• Onside kicks are still an option

So today’s Question of the Day is:

Do you approve of this rule change?

My answer: It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not exactly what I’m hoping for. I think the AAF has it right. Fourth-and-12 is, in my opinion, the right amount of difficulty for the occasion and by putting it at team offense’s 28-yard line, you are setting up an appropriate amount of risk.

Then there’s the weird limitations the NFL is putting on this onside kick alternative. This, once again, shows just how averse the league is to change. It’s not willing to actually go the whole nine yards here and is seemingly too scared to actually enact the change. I’m sure this is just their way of doing a trial run before they eventually adopt this as a full-time replacement, but I don’t see the harm in just going all-in for a year.

Overall, I’m happy the league is finally viewing this option as a legitimate thing, rather than dismissing it as some kind of gimmick. However, I’d like them to stop it with the half-measures and just do it. Of course, I know I’m asking too much.