The August 26, 1906 NYT has a lengthy interview with "one of the most prominent men interested in football at West point," who otherwise remains unnamed, concerning the new rules put in place for the 1906 season (set to start in four weeks). Here are a few snippets:

The forward pass, which was advanced as so potent a factor in opening up the play, I do not believe will be very prominent. The pass is too uncertain, requires too much accuracy in handling the ball, something that was extremely difficult under the old rules to make it of great value. Its moral effect, in keeping the opposing side on the qui vive of expectancy watching for its appearance, will be of greater value than the pass itself. I believe you will see few passes and unimportant gains made with them when made....

The change which I regard as most important in opening up the play is the on-side kick. When a ball is free to be secured by either side when kicked it is obvious that it introduces the greatest possibilities for forward passing imaginable. For instance, if a forward pass is desired the pass much be made to certain prescribed men, and must be cleanly handled or lost. The same end is gained by simply kicking the ball a short distance ahead of the scrimmage line and allowing any man on the kicking side to secure it...The consequence of this must be the spreading out of the defense to meet such plays and the consequent weakening of the line of defense...I believe the ten-yard rule would have been ruinous without this one change...

It was the little meannesses, the direct attempt to annoy and inflict distracting pain, that those who understood the game best sought most to avoid. I think the mere separation of the two lines by the length of the ball will almost entirely correct this evil, together with the restraint of another official...

I am not one who believes that you will see the grand game die. I believe that its virility and innate value will pull it through its serious sickness and that the coming season will see it restored to all its old-time popularity and power. As for styles of play, let me say the team that builds up the best defensive system will be the successful team, not the one with the strong offense.