Just for the record, my question (concern) was NOT as much about when we declare the ball RFP, rather Why are we NOW being secretive about it? For GENERATIONS we've clearly defined exactly when the RFP is declared, by the combination of a signal (either a wind, or snap) accompanied by a designating audible whistle.
The 40 second rule revision does seem effective in reducing "wasted" time, and the recommended mechanic of dropping a bean bag to mark the spot for the chains, when there's a delay in resetting the chains, seems a simple, practical way to avoid unnecessary delay.
Visibly and audibly consistently declaring an exact moment each time an RFP is established, has long proven to be a convenient, practical, way to alert ALL 22 players scattered across the playing field, 4,5,6 or 7 Game Officials and the entire Coaching staffs and Bench areas of both teams of the precise instant, that the status of the ball (becoming RFP) had changed, regardless of where anyone's attention may have wandered.
Bad mechanics habits are not going to be corrected by rule, any rule. That requires habit correction, whether we're considering a 25 second, 40 second, or open ended clock procedure, and are best dealt with by specific, appropriate mechanics review, and where necessary remedial training.