Every game!

[mrydel]

Most of the kickoffs were not traveling to the end zone. You cannot afford to let them hit the ground (you saw what happened on the one that did). I agree if the kick goes more than a yard or 2 deep into the end zone, just take a knee but there were not very many opportunities for that.

What kickoff bounces on the 5 and doesn't go in the end zone? I've seen some backwards "English" put on punts, but never a kick-off...???

Had you already left when Sanders let one bounce and it went straight up and a little backwards and Rutgers recovered the ball? If not for an offsides call we would have been done at that point. End over end kicks can bounce any direction. The ones that will bounce into the end zone are the line drive kicks. The ones being kicked yesterday were like golf chip shots. They were most likely going to bounce backwards.

The reason you do not see it much is because players are taught not to let the ball hit the ground on a kick off.

[SMUer]

That was at the 15...bouncing straight up, you let it go...poor choice to field it. Not many kick offs are that short and very few bounce straight up. My motto still stands..."anywhere at the 5, let it go." I'll add, "if it is way short and bounces funky, don't touch it."

[RGV Pony]

You can't "let it go" on a kickoff that far fr the endzone

[SMUer]

True...my bad, I thought it was a punt when Sanders fielded and fumbled the ball and so when I edited my post I didn't read it fully...If it was a short kick-off he had to get it. Still, typically, if the ball drops on a kickoff at the 5, it would be better statistically not to field it. That was my original contention. Also that most kick-off balls don't bounce backward.

[mrydel]

True...my bad, I thought it was a punt when Sanders fielded and fumbled the ball and so when I edited my post I didn't read it fully...If it was a short kick-off he had to get it. Still, typically, if the ball drops on a kickoff at the 5, it would be better statistically not to field it. That was my original contention. Also that most kick-off balls don't bounce backward.

I am sorry but you could not be more wrong. You never let a kickoff hit the ground short of the goal line unless of course it is onside or squib when you have no option. I would be glad to wager that over 50% of balls kicked end over end from a kicking tee will bounce either straight up or backward when hitting the ground. Punts are obviously different both in ball flight and the fact the ball is not "live".

[ojaipony]

I always thought the rule is if it is landing at the 10 or under you let it go. And if it's going towards the sideline. Otherwise you always catch it. If it lands in the end zone, you kneel it down unless it's right at the goal line and you feel good about your chances (judgment call in the moment/coaches direction).

Regarding punt returns, Taylor made some critical grabs with the crazy wind . . . just to catch a couple of those were huge.

[mrydel]

I always thought the rule is if it is landing at the 10 or under you let it go. And if it's going towards the sideline. Otherwise you always catch it. If it lands in the end zone, you kneel it down unless it's right at the goal line and you feel good about your chances (judgment call in the moment/coaches direction).

Regarding punt returns, Taylor made some critical grabs with the crazy wind . . . just to catch a couple of those were huge.

That 10 yard line "rule" is on punts. The ball is not live and you hope that it will go into the end zone. A kick off is live. If you do not catch it the other team can cover it and it is their ball. In college once the ball hits the ground ACROSS THE GOAL LINE it is dead. If you catch it in the end zone you can either run it out or drop to a knee. In Pro ball the ball is still live after it crosses the goal line. I believe it was the Houston Oilers one year who let a kickoff roll int the end zone and trotted away and the other team covered it for a TD. That would not happen in college.

[mrydel]

Most of the kickoffs were not traveling to the end zone. You cannot afford to let them hit the ground (you saw what happened on the one that did). I agree if the kick goes more than a yard or 2 deep into the end zone, just take a knee but there were not very many opportunities for that.

What kickoff bounces on the 5 and doesn't go in the end zone? I've seen some backwards "English" put on punts, but never a kick-off...???

Name the last time you saw a player let a kickoff hit the ground unless it was a hooking line drive going towards the out of bounds, aside for Sanders yesterday which makes my case. There is a reason they are all caught. If you ever watch the sport you will notice the far majority of punts hitting inside the 10 go into the end zone. You will also notice no return man letting a kickoff hit the ground on a high kick. There are reasons for that. I assure you if they ever changed the rule to make punts "live" when kicked they would be catching all of them inside the 10.