Replacing the KO

[Meks]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Is it really that hard to see the difference between punts and kickoffs?

No, it isnt, yet i still dont see that big of a gap when it comes down to the hits returners take either scenario ... blocking and people getting cut low is an obvious KO risk along with blind side hits, but punts also carry those type hits ... its a difference, but in my opiniin the gap isnt that big to make such a deal out of kickoffs and assume punts are just fine and dandy

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Meks

No, it isnt, yet i still dont see that big of a gap when it comes down to the hits returners take either scenario ... blocking and people getting cut low is an obvious KO risk along with blind side hits, but punts also carry those type hits ... its a difference, but in my opiniin the gap isnt that big to make such a deal out of kickoffs and assume punts are just fine and dandy

It's not just the returners taking big hits on kickoffs. That's the difference.

[FRPLG]

I can see how some might think KOs aren't any more dangerous..especially since the image of a single gunner getting downfield and leveling the returner is pretty well known. But the difference is on KOs is that EVERYBODY is going full bore like that...it sorta makes everyone not look as fast and diminishes proper perspective.

[Paintrain]

At first glance, this idea seems idiotic because it's so far outside the realm of what we know football to be.

Thinking through this idea though, it's not as crazy as it may seem when you consider the nature of most coaches. For most of the game, a coach would not risk giving up that type of field position by going for it so they would probably punt it away. The percentages of teams retaining the ball is slim, probably at or lower than current onside kick success rates. But this also gives an opportunity for teams to try to get an additional offensive possession at the end of games (like an onside kick) if they need to as opposed to eliminating the kickoff altogether and killing that option.

As for the difference between a kickoff and a punt, on a kickoff, 10 players are spread across the field, with a running start against basically retreating targets. On a punt there is stationary contact at the line and controlled contact all the way down the field. Huge difference.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

Just read in Time Magazine that Goodell got an idea from Schiano for a team starting on their 30 yard at 4th and 15, and either opting to go for it or punting.

I like it, if we're really trying to do away with injuries. Makes for an exciting start on fakes also.

One idea that Goodell predicts will get more consideration: eliminating kickoffs. Fans may object to this rule change, since kickoffs produce thrilling returns. TIME sat in on meeting between Goodell and Rich McKay, head of the NFL’s powerful competition committee. Goodell brought up a proposal promoted by Greg Schiano, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: after a touchdown or field goal, instead of kicking off, a team would get the ball on its own 30-yard line, where it’s fourth and 15. The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession, or punt. If you go for it and fall short, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, punts would replace kickoffs, and punts are less susceptible to violent collisions than kickoffs. “The fact is,” Goodell says. “It’s a much different end of the play…It’s an off-the-wall idea. It’s different and makes you think differently. It did me.”

It's a really stupid idea. It's bad enough that we pretty much don't have kick off returns. I knew it was a matter of time before Goodell would bring this up.

[Chico23231]

Cant get rid of Kickoffs. Goodell thinks this is a good idea for player safety from Schiano but Schiano is the same guy wants to tackle a kneeling QB? Smh at Goodell for the millionith time

[RedskinRat]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Smh at Goodell for the millionith time

SMH = Snort My Hen?

The eff is up with people on this forum?

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

SMH = Snort My Hen?

The eff is up with people on this forum?

[44ever]

This would give Shanny a legitimate out on his (not going so good) Brandon Banks project.

[CrazyCanuck]

What about Schiano's proposed "zero blitz on kneel down plays"?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by CrazyCanuck

What about Schiano's proposed "zero blitz on kneel down plays"?

I hate that crap. Bush league.

[CrazyCanuck]

I think they should go the other route and get rid of the fair catch on punts. Remember this sicko??

Skins vs Rams no "Fair Catch" against the Skins...

[jdlea]

I keep going back and forth on how I feel about this, but I think my main is concern is this: If we're taking kickoffs out of the game because they're the most dangerous play in the game, how long before we remove the next most dangerous play in the game?

I mean, let's say this actually happens and we replace kickoffs with punts. Then, after a while, the league starts to notice that more guys are being carted off from injuries during punts. Are we then going to eliminate punts and arbitrarily place the ball at the 20? If so, why don't we just do that now, if we're getting rid of the kickoff?

Also, what if this change makes team change their punt return formations? What if, a head coach says, "You know what, having all of my guys on the line for a punt doesn't make much sense, why don't we start dropping them back?...I can still keep a bunch of guys within 10-15 yards of the ball in case of a fake, but I'm not going to try to block their kickoff." Now, we're right back in the same position of guys getting a 10-20 yard head start before collisions start to occur.

Basically, my thinking is, if you're getting rid of kickoffs, you should probably be prepared for punts to also go by the way side. So, I don't think this solution is particularly viable since it will just replace "the most dangerous play in the game" with "the most dangerous play in the game."

The only way I really see this working, from a safety standpoint, is if you start to create rules for punt return formations. If you're going to do that, why not just mandate that a return team must have X number of plays within Y yards of the ball on kickoffs and avoid the big collisions that way?

[RedskinRat]

You don't think the Refs would weigh that in any post flag conversation?

Flopping should be a 15 Yard unsportsmanlike, like the roughing the kicker BS we had recently.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

id like to see hard data which shows that kickoffs result in significantly more serious injuries to players than any other play.

I also agree with Jdlea that if you remove the most dangerous play, then another play will become the most dangerous. Then another play. If you keep removing the most dangerous plays from the game, then you're left with 11 guys on the field hugging eachother.

The kicking game is integral to the game of FOOTball. Leave it as is. Just come up with ways to make the game safer through technology and minor rule changes.

The only significant change i'd support is eliminating overtime. by allowing games to go on longer than 4 quarters, you increase the number of plays in the game and the number of opportunities for players to get hurt. You elminate ridiculous and overly complex overtime rules. You make the actual 4 quarters of the game more meaningful. Sure, there would be ALOT more ties, but that would also change the strategy of the game. I think it would be interesting to see.