NFL poised to ban Eagles' kickoff holder loophole
Philadelphia has been using a holder on the ground instead of a tee for kickoffs; the league says it will require a tee going forward.
What to know
- The Eagles used a holder on the ground instead of a tee for kickoffs in Weeks 2–3, exploiting an ambiguity in the NFL rulebook that allows holders but doesn't explicitly require a tee.
- Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Friday the NFL will amend the rule to require holders to use a tee, closing the loophole.
- The Eagles can continue the tactic until the league formally changes the rule; other teams could replicate it in the interim.
- The tactic is legal under current rules because the rulebook permits a 12th-man holder for kickoffs and separately permits either a tee or a holder, but doesn't mandate both together.
The dispute Whether the Eagles' tactic is a legitimate strategic use of existing rules or an unintended loophole that should be closed. · positions read across 14 posts and comments
It's a legitimate tactic; any team can use it, so there's no unfair advantage.
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“Do I hate the eagles? Yes. Do I hate someone exploiting a gap in the rules? Hell no. That is always funny and it is something that every team can do, so you can't get mad a tactic you are freely able to use.”
mlg2433 · Reddit ↗
The rule should be fixed if it's being used in a way the authors didn't intend.
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“If a rule is being misused why is it crazy to fix it?”
Bobsothethird · Reddit ↗
The terminology 'loophole' is misleading; the rule clearly permits this configuration.
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“Loopholes are done according to the rules in a way the writer of the rule didn't expect.”
Fedacking · Reddit ↗
“If Team A is using a designated holder, the designated holder may be the 12th person on the field when the ball is kicked for a kickoff or safety kick.”
NFL rulebook · CBS Sports
Philadelphia Eagles team using the kickoff tacticJake Elliott Eagles kickerBraden Mann Eagles punterRichard Hightower Bears special teams coordinatorNFL league governing body
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlespostscomments
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background
Hightower says NFL will close the loophole — Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower told reporters Friday that the rulebook ambiguity regarding holders and tees will be corrected, requiring holders to place the ball on a tee if used at all.
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CBS Sports reports loophole likely to be shut down
CBS Sports analysis reveals the rulebook's ambiguity: it permits a 12th-man holder on the field during kickoffs but does not explicitly state whether a tee must be used, allowing the Eagles' tactic to remain legal until a formal rule change.
“During a kickoff or safety kick, the kicking team may also use a designated holder to hold the ball.”
— NFL rulebook -
1 outlet first by CBS Sports, 18h ago · read ↗
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In our internal engineering standards we clarify it with: recommended, mandatory, and mandatory retrofit. Recommended is a best practice, you should probably do it unless you have a specific reason not to. There’s no special permissions needed not to do it, but you better be prepared to defend the decision if something goes sideways. Mandatory…
2 more of the top 3 · 14 posts in this stretch
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Interesting considering I asked what you disagree with that I said and your first response is “you talk like a fucking fruitcake” and just proceeded to spaz. I hope you being allowed to verbally bang your head against a wall has been cathartic for you. I did. That’s where I got that definition that I provided you. Do you think so highly of me to…
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No one should want the refs to make more subjective decisions. I can’t think of a kick so far this year that this has really mattered to be honest. It’s not like every kickoff is being muffed. It hasn’t happened once. They can ban it outright for all I care, nothing would have changed.
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background
Eagles continue ground-holder kickoff tactic in Week 3 — The Eagles used the holder-on-ground strategy for all but one of Elliott's kickoffs in the following week, establishing a pattern rather than a one-off experiment.
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background
Eagles use holder without tee in kickoff strategy — In their Week 2 win over the Titans, the Philadelphia Eagles deployed punter Braden Mann as a 12th-man holder to place the ball directly on the ground for kicker Jake Elliott's kickoffs, bypassing the standard tee to facilitate low knuckleball kicks.
What people are saying 11 voices from 1 site · best of 14 · verbatim
- Yesterday
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There is a fun nature to hate on the eagles particularly, but tbf the Steelers didn't exactly go to the super bowl last year with the plays success lol
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Do I hate the eagles? Yes. Do I hate someone exploiting a gap in the rules? Hell no. That is always funny and it is something that every team can do, so you can’t get mad a tactic you are freely able to use. Let them do it as much as they want.
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I mean ya, that's how rules are suppose to be. If a rule is being misused why is it crazy to fix it?
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The wall: 40MillyVanillyGrams Watching you backpedal with every comment has been cathartic thanks
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They make flat tees for fg in high school. Making a tee mandatory won’t change the angle. Kickers will just adjust to a different height. Why not make a tee 1/8th of an inch. Just a flat platform.
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Sirianai does something according to the rules "LOOPHOLE" Loopholes are done according to the rules in a way the writer of the rule didn't expect.
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What I think is funny is that every coach covers their mouth when they call plays. They know they’re being watched. They know this because they are likely watching.
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Why cant one of the other 10 guys hold it for the punter, so they'd just have 11?
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Game changers. Changes to the game such that the game, can never be played the same way again.
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So if you take away the three best qbs in our franchise history we suck? Riveting.
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You’re allowed to have a holder on the field as long as they run off. Not sure how this is a loophole at all.