Bears ignored new rule, kicked off from 30

Apparently, the new kickoff rules didn't apply to the Chicago Bears early in their preseason opener.

The Bears and K Robbie Gould booted their first two kickoffs from the 30-yard line instead of the 35, defying a rule change the owners voted for in March.

NFL vice president of officiating Carl Johnson then called in and told officials at Soldier Field to "put a stop to it," according to FOXSports' Mike Pereira.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said he wanted to get a feel for his new kick coverage unit.

''Robbie Gould … we can put it on the 35 and he can kick it out each time,'' Smith told the Chicago Sun-Times. ''We're not really getting a good evaluation of what we can do coverage-wise on some of our players. That's what we were trying to do with it."

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NFL.com reports that the Bears were one of six teams to vote against the rule, aimed at limiting the number of kickoff returns, often the most dangerous plays in football. So far, the five-yard difference has dramatically decreased the number of kicks returned.