Maybe Goodell should just ban tackling too. Someone could get hurt.
NFL to Eliminate Kickoffs?
Apr 16th, 2012 at 12:31 pm by Brad AndrewsAround The League
Big hits like this one are part of the reason the owners want kickoffs eliminated. (Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE)
The ongoing crusade to improve player safety in the NFL could soon lead to a radical change in NFL rules: the elimination of the kickoff.
According to Giants owner (and NFL Compe ion Committee member) John Mara, there has been a lot of talk within high-level NFL circles about eliminating the kickoff. “We had a lot of discussions about whether we should eliminate it and if we did what we could do in its place,” Mara told Giants.com. “There’s no consensus on it right now, but I could see the day in the future where that play could be taken out of the game. You see it evolving toward that.”
The league drastically reduced the importance of kickoffs last season by moving them up from the 30-yard-line to the 35. This led to a ton of touchbacks and a record-low 53.1% of kickoffs being returned. (Frankly, I’m surprised that figure was that high. It seemed like every kick was a touchback last year.)
The idea behind reducing the number of returns was to reduce the number of player injuries, especially concussions. There isn’t a more dangerous play in football than the kickoff, so logic dictates that this rule should have reduced injuries. And it totally worked: there was a whopping 40% reduction in concussions in the NFL in 2011.
The owners, absolutely desperate to get out ahead of the sea of concussion lawsuits they are going to be hit with, have to be pretty excited about that. Anything and everything they can do to avoid concussions is going to happen.
And that’s why the elimination of kickoffs is a very real possibility. The NFL doesn’t need some lawyer showing how dangerous kickoffs during a billion-dollar class action lawsuit someday, claiming the NFL was negligent toward player safety by keeping the kickoff in the game.
But how would the league replace kickoffs? There’s really not a terribly good option I’ve seen.
You could just put the ball on the 20-yard-line following scores, but that’s 1) boring and 2) takes the onside kick out of the game. I suppose you could give teams the option of onside kicking instead of giving the other team the ball at the 20, but opens up a whole other can of worms. What’s to say you couldn’t line up for an “onside” kick and then blast it deep anyway?
This article outlines some interesting ideas, such as allowing teams to forego extra points to place the ball further back on the opposing team’s next possession. Another one that could be sort of fun is having kickers still kick after scores, but aim for targets instead an actual kick. (“Hit the bulls-eye and the other team starts on their own 5-yard-line!”)
Another possibility would be to have teams use their punters to “kick off,” sort of like after a safety. The high hang time and shorter distance on punts would lead to a lot of fair catches and shorter returns.
Unfortunately, there’s simply not an option I’ve seen that’s as exciting as kickoffs. But believe me when I say the owners really don’t care.
Enjoy watching kickoffs in 2012: there’s a very real possibility that’s the last time you will see them in NFL football.
Last edited by Darth_Pelican; 04-16-2012 at 06:45 PM.
They need to go back to tackling instead of launching into players at full speed.
That is the problem. Tackling is not used as much as it was in the past, instead leveling someone with a body shot is used. There should be suspensions and penalties for anyone not tackling and launching themselves into the air to slam into a player.
ing dumb.
That punt kick off after a safety is weird
So after they eliminate kicks and punts, are they still going to call it football?
The anticipation of what can happen on a kickoff return would be missed. Taking that "potenially" exciting play away...???
I'd be cool with no field goals unless a team is inside the 20. I think that would add to the excitement.
I do prefer the one foot inbounds on a reception like the college game.
No more throwing the ball in the ground to kill the clock. Looks dumb.
Forget the kicked extra point. Boringggggggggg. You have to go for 2.
A QB calling his own plays...? Now sure if that would be cool or backfire....hmmm?
Have an official in the booth, his job is to check every play. If a challenge is made he already knows what happened. The onfield official just checks with him. That should take a matter of seconds.
Cool the double road trip/home stand, make it home/road, home/road. can the Thursday night games. They do hurt/help teams. Monday night games not a problem. Dump the bye weeks.
I don't like the NFC playing the AFC in the reg season. I want the conferences totally seperate. Just like it was back in the old AFL/NFL days. That must have been cool.
When it comes to the draft, each round has a pay rate. We are no longer dealing with an indivdual. If he was taken in the first round he will make this, second a little less, third a little less...etc. There will be two year contracts. After those two years now it's agent time and just what is so & so worth. If a player isn't cool with that.....CFL, Arena football, working with dad.........
Players can no longer be traded to division rivals.
Two preseason games, free admission!!!
Last edited by RaZon; 04-16-2012 at 09:19 PM.
tbh if the serious injury rate is say, double, for kickoffs and the NFL is being bombarded with lawsuits from former players I don't think they have much of a choice but to consider it. ESP if players are having trouble getting insured because of risk. I have no idea if any of these are true, but something is making them consider it and it may have to do with injury surveys and studies.
Good call. Special teams is not important and in no way impacts the game other than high speed collisions resulting in head injuries. In fact we should eliminate punting and kicking altogether and just give coaches two flags like the challenges that basically equate to a "get out of 4th down free" pass.
acting like the game was safer a few decades ago
This is a terrible idea, imo.
Safer, imo
Flag football will be more entertaining then the NFL at this rate.
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