Roger Goodell mulls idea of eliminating NFL kickoffs

I sure don't think that is a legit reason to keep kickoffs that result in 90% touchbacks and I hope you don't either.

Whichever sort of play leads off a game, there will be cameras taking photos. In a well lit stadium, I don't think a good digital camera taking a photo of the distance from the stands to the field is going to benefit from a flash anyway. Actually I've never really paid much attention to that highly significant aspect of the Super Bowl, now that I think about it.

I find the comments puzzling about not needing STs if this rule change were to take place. Who plays on punt teams and punt return teams? IMO, the scoring team then taking the ball from their own 30 with a 4th and 15 and the option of punting or trying to pick up a 1st down, sounds like a lot better scenario than kicking off from the 40 and watching the vast majority of kicks sale out the back of the end zone. On the occasions when there is a decent KO return, it seems like half of them, at least, get moved back due to a block in the back penalty.

 

Being dramatic much? If eliminating kickoffs means protecting from a large % from getting concussions or season/ending injuries I'm all for it.

 

There's something inherently wrong about an offense potentially not having a chance to see the field b/c the opposing offense gets a shot to keep them off it.

 

In 2008, Advance Stats listed 20% of 3rd and 15 were converted into first downs. The kicking team recovers onside kicks about 25% time, with the percentage greatly dropping when a receiving team knows an onside kick is coming. Also, this is just a preliminary suggestion. If the rules committee decided this favored the scoring team too much, they could make a 4th and 20 play for example. After a team scores, they either line up in punt formation from their own 30 and punt the ball or go for the 1st down and try to convert the 4th and 15 or 20, etc.
Even though I am considered an old fashioned fool by some here for my staunch stand on uniform changes, I progressively think this would be a far better option than the current kickoff from the 40 so we can watch the vast majority sail through the end zone. This change doesn't make the game any less physical. There will still be a chance for a return by the punt returner. Most punts will by fielded between the receiving team's 20 and 30 yard line. Teams are going to punt most of the time rather than risk the opponent getting the ball on their 30, unless they are trailing late in the game, just as it is now. If you doubt that, consider during the course of a game even a guy like Belichick will decide to punt rather than try to convert a 4th and 1 from inside his own territory, unless he is trailing. Or like in the rare case a few years ago, when he tried to convert like a 4th and 3 from inside their own territory, rather than give the ball back to Peyton Manning, and didn't convert it. If a team does decide to convert the 4th and 15 and throw an incomplete pass, the other team is in FG range right away.

 

As the rules are now, kickoffs are already eliminated the vast majority of the time, what with the high number of touchbacks.

 

Uhh I'd love to see a team continually convert 4th and 15. Its a bunch of professionals out there stop them.

Makes the transition easier IMO.

 

Yeah this would definitely create an unfair advantage for teams better equipped personnel-wise to convert a 4th & 15. Obviously a team like the Lions with Stafford and Calvin would have a better chance at converting than half the league. Goodell should be shot for just thinking this up.

 

But it's not as exciting when the ball is in the air marking the beginning of the game!

I don't really think it's a reason, though. Just something to be missed. It really is a cool scene.

I don't like the idea because teams like New England and Green Bay would dominate. I think if they really want to change it, just remove the kick off all together and start a team at the 20.

 

It was actually Greg Schianno's idea. The head coach for Tampa Bay.

 

You missed the point. If an offense's time on the field is up [after a score], then they shouldn't be the ones determining whether or not they stay on the field. For example, If Peyton Manning's drive is over after a TD, then his drive should be over, period. As such, he should NOT be the one who determines whether or not his offense gets to stay on the field.... especially if it's after a long 4th quarter drive to where the defense is gasses and unable to take a play off.

 

I don't really want to see the game change that much from the game I started watching decades ago but these player lawsuits are forcing the league's hand. They are going to be implementing new rules and some will be drastic in order to make it look like they are looking out for the players safety. If they had settled these lawsuits and taken care of a lot of the older players decades ago they wouldn't be in this position where they need dramatic changes in their rules to fend off future lawsuits.

 

Then Goodell should still be shot for even mulling it over. Plenty of ways to make kickoffs safer without destroying tradition & pussifying the sport.

 

But the thing is its 4th and 15 and if a team goes for it and fails then the opposing team gets fantastic field position. You're thinking that a team will have a high conversion rate. Sure its probably going to be higher than an onside kick but not by much.

Classy. Because kickoffs are so manly and wanting to protect players future after football is "pussifying".

The idea can be improved but I like the way they are thinking.

 

It is called FOOTball after all. I guess they should just rename the sport Throwball and eliminate running plays as well.. I mean running backs take the worst beating by anyone afterall.... < sarcasm>

 

What is sad is him feeling the need to do it. In sue happy America it is what we do. We really do need to make it loser pays all costs, court, lawyer, lost work etc.

 

Slowly but surely those in charge are ruining the game I have watched and loved for the last forty years. Kickoffs (and all special teams plays for that matter) play an important and entertaining part of the game of football. To those that control the direction of the game, I beg of you...please leave it alone.

 

There is a very good chance that the NFL gets crushed in court. Anything they do to make the game safer is to preserve the game's existence.

 

Are punts and punt returns, or attempting to convert a 4th and 15 more pussified plays than a kickoff that sails out the back of the end zone as 22 players watch and don't even need to make contact with one another, which what happens on the vast majority of kickoff plays?

 

Why don't they just cut to the chase and eliminate football activities during games and just play commercials for 3 hours straight.

 

Tackles are the real problem.... pesky touchdown preventers, injury inducers...... do away with tackling. Even better, lets just castrate all newborns from here on out.

 

...Really?

 

Tackling is hazardous, why not get rid of that.


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