NFL entertaining the thought of removing kickoffs

[JKidd]

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday the NFL's competition committee would consider in the offseason replacing the kickoff. The league previously had moved the kickoff from the 30- to 35-yard line to cut down on violent collisions.

Goodell and Rich McKay, the head of the league's competition committee, discussed an idea brought up by Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano in which a team, instead of kicking off, would get the ball at its own 30-yard line in a fourth-and-15 situation. The team then would punt the ball away or, to replace an onside kick, could go for it and, if it failed to get a first down, the opposing squad would start with great field position.

"The fact is, it's a much different end of the play," Goodell said during the meeting, according to Time magazine.

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[blackngold]

I'm not a fan of this proposal. In fact, bring kickoffs back to the 30. Don't eliminate one of the most exciting aspects of the game.

[straka91]

Next on the chopping block is linebackers and tackling.

[thepolishkid88]

Next to be removed is hitting, throwing, and running.

[CubsJunkie]

Originally Posted by blackngold

I'm not a fan of this proposal. In fact, bring kickoffs back to the 30. Don't eliminate one of the most exciting aspects of the game.

Exactly. Sure, kick return touchdowns rarely happen, but that's what makes them so great. They're unpredictable and exciting. Hell, even a 30-yard return can be exciting. I remember Devin Hester's opening kickoff return TD in the Super Bowl in 2006 and it gave me chills.

[blades29]

This is ridiculous on a pro level. In the Pee wee league I coach in, we removed kick offs so we can focus on teaching other things to the kids. That's fine. They are confused for the first 1/4 of the season anyway.

NFL is ruining this for all the fans...

[shaud19]

Recently for one of of college classes I did a presentation named "The Sissification of the NFL" My main point was how dumb it is to take out collisions out of a collision sport.

I don't like seeing serious injuries like Kevin Everett but taking away one of the best types of plays in the game?!?....HELL NO

[Mr. Pink]

Next to be removed is Devin Hester

[flex_buff_chest]

I think it's a great idea. Great way to eliminate violent collisions.

A few other ideas I think we should float:

1. Passing the ball over the middle, you shouldn't be able to tackle someone if it's a "dangerous" situation.

2. Only allowing players to tackle other players who are the same exact size. It's not fair that linebackers can tackle someone who they outweigh by 5-100 LBS

3. Once the player with the ball is tackled the play should be blown dead, even if the tackle isn't successful.

4. Excessive blocking - Pushing someone to the ground is far too violent and needs to be eliminated

5. Hitting the quarterback at all. Quarterbacks are special players and are needed for the growth of the sport, anything and everything should be done to protect these players.

6. Foam body suits. If players were totally covered in foam it would go a long way to ease the impact of hits.

7. All celebrations should be eliminated as well. It's not nice to celebrate in the vicinity of other people who have failed at their job. Plus it may hurt someones feelings and this is a game of honour and integrity.


The NFL has come a long way in making the game safe for the players but they still have a lot more work ahead of them!

[Wadubbin]

This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.And it coming from Greg Schiano to boot makes it even more ridiculous.So take kickoffs out of the game.What team will ever go for it on 4-15 on they're own 30 unless they were down and needed to late.You lose out on onside kicks at the end of games.and it doesn't protect the punt returners who will potentially be out there more to field punts with guys flying down the field trying to drill them.

How about this proposal.If you kick it into the endzone,and it's not returned.the ball comes out to the twenty.If you kick it through the uprights.The ball comes out to the ten.reward the kicking team for basically kicking it out of the back of the endzone and the uprights can come into play not only for field goals...

[HordiBrusk29]

Let's just play flag football!

Just like hockey, the NFL is ruining their sport by trying to make a dangerous game "safe". I understand the concerns with player safety and the ongoing debacle with former players filing lawsuits but you cannot change the game so drastically and expect it to have the same appeal.

[Treehugger]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Let's just play flag football!

Just like hockey, the NFL is ruining their sport by trying to make a dangerous game "safe". I understand the concerns with player safety and the ongoing debacle with former players filing lawsuits but you cannot change the game so drastically and expect it to have the same appeal.

The NFFL, Bob Costas could be Commissioner.

[Baronking]

Kickoffs are dangerous, but punts are ok?

If a player wants to complain about safety of a contact sport, he has every right to stop making millions of dollars and find something else to do.

[Phila26Flyers]

How are punts any safer than kickoffs?? It wasn't long ago NFL broadcasts timed the hangtime of a punt! Meanwhile, the special teams unit converges on the punt returner...

[thruby]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

How are punts any safer than kickoffs?? It wasn't long ago NFL broadcasts timed the hangtime of a punt! Meanwhile, the special teams unit converges on the punt returner...

it was said in the article, i think, or at least the one i read, that punts are safer than kickoffs for the whole team. the kickoff is dangerous for everyone. the wedge and the wedge busters are blown up harder than anyone on the field.

punts are way safer. especially with the fair catch.