[With_Two_Flakes]

As I've mostly worked the chains the last couple of years, this new 7 man free kick mechanic seems a little odd to me, but maybe it will work in practice.

A few years ago, things were changed around so that the wingmen (HL and LJ) were near the kick returner and the "judges" were up field. The rationale seemed to be threefold - (1) wingmen were used to trailing plays, (2) the "judges" were used to plays coming toward them, and (3) once the play was dead, most everyone was roughly in the correct position for the next snap.

Now they seem to have decided that having 3 officials with the returner is a waste and 2 is sufficient. OK, I can buy that. But why move the HL? Why not push the LJ up and have the BJ on the other side of the field? Surely HL is the guy that would benefit from remaining back there so that after he takes the forward progress, he can instantly get the chains set for the next snap?

Or am I missing something?