Count on one team voting against the proposal to move kickoffs from the 30- to the 35-yard line.
The Chicago Bears aren’t going to be in favor of any proposals that reduce the impact of record-setting return man Devin Hester.
The NFL’s Competition Committee has recommended a series of changes of kickoffs to reduce injuries, including moving the kickoff line up five yards, a change that could result in one-third or more of the kickoffs being touchbacks.
“I don't want to say anything definitively before we have gotten in the meetings,” Bears president Ted Phillips told Dan Pompei. “So I would say that we'll listen to the arguments, but we're a little surprised by the proposal and we'll probably be against it. With our return game being such a big part of our offense, I would tend to think we would vote against it.
“There are some aspects to the proposal, including the elimination of the two-man wedge and having all the players except the kicker no more than 5 yards behind the ball, that would be more acceptable than moving the kickoff to the 35.”
Stay tuned.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune