Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Eagles proposed a new rule that would give NFL teams an alternative to an onside kick. Instead of recovering an onside kick, teams would be able to attempt a fourth-and-15 play from their own 25-yard line. If the team got a first down, they'd keep possession and the drive would continue. If they failed, the other team would get the ball from wherever that play ended.
During Friday's installment of "Nothing Personal with David Samson," Samson dove into the intriguing topic and said that the NFL needs to strongly consider making this change.
"You make sure that the game changes with the times," Samson said. "NFL does rule changes all the time along with the NBA and NHL. And they don't go through a moral conversation where you have older people fighting with younger people in a board room about why it is that you have to keep something the same."
24 of the NFL's 32 owners will have the opportunity to approve or oppose the new rule change at the league's next meeting on May 28.
Samson also adds that this could be a direct impact on the gambling front. There could be more backdoor covers with teams converting their 4th-and-15 plays and scoring more points that they probably wouldn't score if the onside kick rule stays the way it is now.
