The 32 owners of the National Football League have voted today to keep the infamous “Tush Push” in the game. Despite many reports that the play would be eliminated, especially with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly wanting it gone, the move failed by a count of 22-10. They needed 24 votes to ban it. Owners also voted to alter the onside kick rules for 2025 as well.
The ‘Push’
I’m on record many times stating that I don’t like the Tush Push for myriad reasons. First, I don’t believe it to be a football play. It’s a rugby play and last I checked, football isn’t rugby. Secondly, it heavily favors the offense for obvious reasons. Third, it completely eliminates creativity in short yardage situations. All in all, it’s yet another decision that favors the offense and I haven’t even mentioned the concern over ‘player safety’ which I find to be a laughable term.
The ten teams to vote in favor of keeping the ‘Tush Push’ were Eagles, Ravens, Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Jets, Titans. I suppose you can make all the conclusions you want to about who voted for what but the bottom line in this case is that it remains for the foreseeable future.
Revision to the Onside
Last season with the new “dynamic” kickoff which was about as dynamic as watching paint dry, teams could only attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter. They must also announce their intention AND must be trailing. Twice in Super Bowl history – once by the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX – have we seen the surprise of an onside kick work. That is still a thing of the past. Teams must declare that they are going to attempt the onside kick and the receiving team is now one yard closer. So instead of ten yards apart it’s nine.
Again we come to the player safety nonsense that this league continues to shovel us. Kickoffs were cited as a play that often led to concussions and other head injuries so they completely overhauled the kickoff. By moving the onside attempt closer, the NFL is inviting more problems. Have you watched an onside kick lately? The kicking team will deploy a couple of players to the side where the ball is going to be kicked with one job. Destroy the first wave of “hands guys.”
The receiving team’s players are often in vulnerable positions as they are on many occasions trying to leap up and get the kick at its highest point. Kicking team “gunners” will blow these guys up in the hopes that they cannot recover the ball. Therefore, the longer it is not secured the better chance the kicking team has of recovering it. I just don’t see the overall logic here.
The ‘Good’ News
The Detroit Lions decided to pull their proposal on playoff re-seeding. I think this ultimately came down to owners not wanting to give up home playoff games. Initially the idea was to have wild-card teams with better records than division winners host the postseason game. Then the idea was to re-seed after the first round. I continue to believe as I always have that winning your division matters. It’s not about how you win your division, it’s just that you win it, period and you should get the perk that comes with it.
