NFL could be on verge of dramatically altering this exciting play

The New Orleans Saints won their only Super Bowl in 2009 thanks in large part to a gutsy, game-changing call by head coach Sean Payton to go with a surprise onside kick to open the second half of the game. A new proposal from NFL's special teams coaches could eliminate such a play from ever happening again in the NFL. 

The proposal would only allow teams to attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter of games in which they are trailing, and also require them to declare their intention to attempt an onside kick. 

According to the proposal, by declaring their intention to onside kick teams might be allowed to use an unbalanced alignment that would put six players on one side of the field.

The current kickoff rules require teams to have five players on either side of the kicker.

The argument in favor of the rule is that by allowing an unbalanced alignment it could result in more onside kick recoveries, which could then result in more comebacks for teams.

Recovering onside kicks has become almost impossible in recent years due to previous kickoff rule changes, including the balanced line and not allowing a run-up to the line as the ball is being kicked. 

This change would be even more significant, and it is hard to see how the NFL's special teams coaches believe it could result in more recoveries. Yes, the unbalanced alignment might help. But if the other team knows an attempt is coming, that would theoretically take away any advantage.

It would also be the end of any sort of surprise onside kick. 

The Saints' Super Bowl surprise onside kick is probably the most famous example of such plays, but far from the only one.