Replacing the KO

[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.”

[FRPLG]

Tweak the current setup to bring the ball out to the 25 on touch backs and I think they've got something good.

[SBXVII]

I'd just make whoever won the coin toss, start on their 20yrd line. Most kicks are gonig through the endzone anyway to eliminate good returns. But if your going to eliminate the KO you might as well eliminate the Punt also cause I don't see much difference... guys running down field full speed looking to hit someone going in the opposite direction (namely the PR). Some are getting blasted when the return team blows someone up sideways.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Tweak the current setup to bring the ball out to the 25 on touch backs and I think they've got something good.

I like this idea but I'd say if the kick is in bounds then the team must run it, if the ball is kicked into the endzone and caught the return team can either run it or touch back and placed on the 20yrd line. If the ball goes through the endzone.... return team starts on the 25 yrd line. That might keep teams from just kicking it through the endzone.

[MTK]

Not sure I'm big on the idea proposed in that article, but I do think it's only a matter of time before kickoffs are phased out.

[Meks]

are punts actually THAT much safer than kick-offs to begin with?

not in my opinion

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I like this idea but I'd say if the kick is in bounds then the team must run it, if the ball is kicked into the endzone and caught the return team can either run it or touch back and placed on the 20yrd line. If the ball goes through the endzone.... return team starts on the 25 yrd line. That might keep teams from just kicking it through the endzone.

Thats why to do it. To eliminate most kickoffs.

Matty's right..they;re going away eventually.

I say just kill now.

[53Fan]

I don't like the idea in the article at all. They can come up with something better than that...FRPLG just did. Placing the ball on the 25 on touchbacks would diminish the number of returns thereby diminish the number of collisions without totally revamping the whole process.

[firstdown]

Kick offs are not going away. The current system still allows for the onside kick, missed kick out of bounds, a return, and a pooch kick (probably not the correct name or spelling).

[BigHairedAristocrat]

i think the idea proposed in the magazine is ridiculously stupid. i also dont understand why punting is ok, but kickoffs are bad. I would think there would be similar risks of collisions with both plays. Instead of eliminating kickoffs, the NFL should just develop better helmets, even if they are ridiculous looking.

[Evilgrin]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

i think the idea proposed in the magazine is ridiculously stupid. i also dont understand why punting is ok, but kickoffs are bad. I would think there would be similar risks of collisions with both plays. Instead of eliminating kickoffs, the NFL should just develop better helmets, even if they are ridiculous looking.

I don't see a difference either....

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Meks

are punts actually THAT much safer than kick-offs to begin with?

not in my opinion

I think the NFL stance is that while there is a possibility of a single violent collision on a punt, there is the possibility for several during a kickoff.

[RedskinRat]

Watch a punt and compare it to the movements during a kick off. That may help.

[53Fan]

On a punt, blocking starts on the line of scrimmage. On a KO guys have a running start before any contact is even made. There are many more violent collisions on KO's.

[RedskinRat]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

On a punt, blocking starts on the line of scrimmage. On a KO guys have a running start before any contact is even made.

Well, now you're ruined the movie for them........