New rules / commissioner's statements

wpg#1 · December 04, 2025, 01:41:35 PM

I don't understand how touchdowns will increase. If you're on the 40 yard line or even the 30 yard line, and it's 3rd and 10 ... now you would try a field goal. In 2027 you're not going to try a field goal or go for a touchdown. Scoring will decrease then.
Am I missing something ?

Sir Blue and Gold · December 04, 2025, 01:53:06 PM

Quote from: wpg#1 on December 04, 2025, 01:41:35 PMI don't understand how touchdowns will increase. If you're on the 40 yard line or even the 30 yard line, and it's 3rd and 10 ... now you would try a field goal. In 2027 you're not going to try a field goal or go for a touchdown. Scoring will decrease then.
Am I missing something ?

What they are trying to do is force offenses and defenses to play more aggressively. A shorter field means overall, defenses will have less yards to prevent touchdowns. From the perspective of an entire season this means less two and three high shell coverages that stifle big, long passing plays because the clsoer to the end zone the less effective that type of defense is.

On offense, by shrinking the effective field goal range, you ensure they keep pushing the ball down the field for longer. Right now, 3 first downs (if you start on the 40 or so) gets you in long field goal range. Offensives (again from a entire season perspective) get more conservative as they get into field goal range because points on drive is a big thing from a coaching perspective.

This is why the league is talking about it in terms of "entertainment" value and is not promising a % increase in scoring (we could very well see more TDs, less field goals and a slight decline in overall scoring). To me, no brainer. It should work (again on the totality of a season, year over year).

Waffler · December 04, 2025, 02:38:39 PM

One thing that has been true since the sport has been played. Defenses adjust. Once the dust settles I think all these changes will add nothing.

wpg#1 · December 04, 2025, 02:39:20 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 04, 2025, 01:53:06 PMWhat they are trying to do is force offenses and defenses to play more aggressively. A shorter field means overall, defenses will have less yards to prevent touchdowns. From the perspective of an entire season this means less two and three high shell coverages that stifle big, long passing plays because the clsoer to the end zone the less effective that type of defense is.

On offense, by shrinking the effective field goal range, you ensure they keep pushing the ball down the field for longer. Right now, 3 first downs (if you start on the 40 or so) gets you in long field goal range. Offensives (again from a entire season perspective) get more conservative as they get into field goal range because points on drive is a big thing from a coaching perspective.

This is why the league is talking about it in terms of "entertainment" value and is not promising a % increase in scoring (we could very well see more TDs, less field goals and a slight decline in overall scoring). To me, no brainer. It should work (again on the totality of a season, year over year).

Well, 3rd and 10 is still 3rd and 10 regardless how short the field is. I see less field goals, and no better chance at scoring touchdowns. I don't see these changes as making the game more exciting. So I will be out if they go ahead.

bomber beetle · December 04, 2025, 06:06:18 PM

It will be interesting to see if there will be any associated rule changes.
Will kickoff placement and points of scrimmage change to suit a shorter field? Possibly.
Any new rules regarding the above may impact the number of field goals as well. Technically, getting to field goal range is only five yards longer than it is now when a team is driving from its own end of the field.

Additionally, without the concern of a return on a missed field goal, will that increase attempts of longer field goals?

wpg#1 · December 04, 2025, 06:36:26 PM

Quote from: bomber beetle on December 04, 2025, 06:06:18 PMTechnically, getting to field goal range is only five yards longer than it is now when a team is driving from its own end of the field.

Additionally, without the concern of a return on a missed field goal, will that increase attempts of longer field goals?

You're forgetting the goal posts at the back of the endzone. field goal range would change by 20 yards, since the endzones are changed to 20 yards and goalposts at the back of the endzone.

Sir Blue and Gold · December 04, 2025, 06:45:54 PM

End zones will be 15 yards and the hold length adds 7. So it's the LOS +22 yards to calculate field goal length in the CFL in 2027 (the NFL is +17).

wpg#1 · December 04, 2025, 07:55:28 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 04, 2025, 06:45:54 PMEnd zones will be 15 yards and the hold length adds 7. So it's the LOS +22 yards to calculate field goal length in the CFL in 2027 (the NFL is +17).

Regardless what the endzone depth is, there's less chance you're going for a field goal because the goalpost is at the back of the endzone, and it in no way makes it easier to score a touchdown. So, no greater amounts of touchdowns, and less field goals means less scoring altogether. It's not like a shorter field, and shorter endzone will promote more scoring or make the game more exciting.

bomb squad · December 04, 2025, 07:57:03 PM

Quote from: bomber beetle on December 04, 2025, 06:06:18 PMIt will be interesting to see if there will be any associated rule changes.
Will kickoff placement and points of scrimmage change to suit a shorter field? Possibly.
Any new rules regarding the above may impact the number of field goals as well. Technically, getting to field goal range is only five yards longer than it is now when a team is driving from its own end of the field.

Additionally, without the concern of a return on a missed field goal, will that increase attempts of longer field goals?

5 yards. Interesting. I believe that was the one of the reasons given for shortening the field. Ie;so that the difference in how far you needed to move the ball to get into field goal range wasn't so pronounced.

bomb squad · December 04, 2025, 07:59:48 PM

Quote from: wpg#1 on December 04, 2025, 06:36:26 PMYou're forgetting the goal posts at the back of the endzone. field goal range would change by 20 yards, since the endzones are changed to 20 yards and goalposts at the back of the endzone.

He didn't forget.

bomber beetle · December 04, 2025, 08:49:38 PM

Quote from: wpg#1 on December 04, 2025, 06:36:26 PMYou're forgetting the goal posts at the back of the endzone. field goal range would change by 20 yards, since the endzones are changed to 20 yards and goalposts at the back of the endzone.

The new end zones will be 15 yards deep.

With a 100 yard field, a drive for a field goal, starting in a team's own side of the field will be 10 yards closer to the opponent's goaline.
So that team will need to drive the ball 10 yards less to kick a field goal that is 15 yards further away.
That equates to 5 more yards to move the ball to get into range.
If my calculation is wrong...someone please correct me!

theaardvark · Reply #206 - Re: New rules / commissioner's statements

Quote from: bomb squad on December 03, 2025, 08:48:05 PMWhat we do know is that the missed field goal return will be virtually eliminated. One of, if not the, most exciting aspects of the CFL game. That's a lot of ground (no pun intended) to make up. The proposed changes are huge. If this all goes through, this will be the most significant period of time we have seen in the CFL in a long time, if not ever. However... I do not think it's make or break. I'm nervous about it for sure. But I would be lying if I said wasn't intrigued about seeing it play out.

All the talk about "missed field goal returns" assumes that there will no longer be kick returns.

The whole kicking game has changed. No rouge, punting for the corner becomes more important, punting to stop before the goal line is going to be a thing. Both of these mean more returns. Exciting returns, just like missed FG's.

So, really, are we losing the return game?

bomb squad · Reply #207 - Re: New rules / commissioner's statements

Quote from: theaardvark on Today at 12:29:56 AMAll the talk about "missed field goal returns" assumes that there will no longer be kick returns.

The whole kicking game has changed. No rouge, punting for the corner becomes more important, punting to stop before the goal line is going to be a thing. Both of these mean more returns. Exciting returns, just like missed FG's.

So, really, are we losing the return game?

No. But I don't know where your getting the idea that anybody thought we were losing the entire return game. It's missed field goal returns we're talking about. Those will essentially disappear. I don't agree that much will change with the punting game as you describe.