So, this new kickoff rule... sucks. Now, any fair catch between the goal line and the 25 counts as a touchback.
Why even bother having kickoffs? Just start everyone on the 25 and make the game less interesting for anyone watching.
Well I suppose they're trying to encourage touchbacks, but I don't see how that will actually happen. Your typical kick return specialist is on the field because they're a threat to take one to the house. If a kickoff is caught 1-3 yards deep in the end zone, the returner can usually get to around the 20. If it's caught on the 5, the returner is basically a shoo-in to get to the 25 or better.
So the only time I can see this rule coming into play is:
1) If a team has a weak kick return specialist and they know it, they might instruct him to fair catch every time inside, say, the 5 yard line.
2) If the kicking team is trying to put up one of those high, short kicks near the sideline, and the normal KR specialist isn't in good position to get to it (leaving it for one of the blockers), that player may be instructed to FC no matter where it's kicked because the worst case is getting the ball at the 25.
But I regularly see KR specialists who take the ball out from even 1-3 yards deep even when they rarely make it to the 25, because there is always the chance of a big return. Rarely as well do they get stopped inside the 15.
