Goodell considering doing away with kickoffs

[unothadeal]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...ating-kickoffs

When the NFL changed the line of scrimmage for kickoffs to increase touchbacks, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick derisively said that it was only a matter of time before the NFL eliminated kickoffs entirely. He believed that's what the NFL wanted to do.

Belichick might wind up being proven right.

Roger Goodell through the years
Take a look at photos of Roger Goodell through the years.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he's taken it under consideration to remove the kickoff entirely.

"It's an off-the-wall idea. It's different and makes you think differently. It did me," Goodell told TIME in a cover story for the Dec. 17 issue.

Even more intriguing is an alternative concept promoted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano. Goodell met with the NFL competition committee chairman about the concept.

"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," TIME's Sean Gregory writes. "The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession or punt. If you go for it and fall short, of course, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, a punt replaces the kickoffs."

It's an interesting idea. We haven't seen the numbers that punts are that much safer than kickoffs, but the NFL must have the data to support the notion if they were considering it.

The implications for strategy are even more intriguing. If a team is trailing by more than one score very late in the fourth quarter, they likely would to try to go for it on fourth-and-15 instead of punting. That's not an easy situation to convert, but the concept would still make it easier to make a comeback without ever giving the ball back to an opponent.

[KC Tattoo]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Their own 30... 70 yards away.

I'm sure there's a better chance at converting a 4th and 15 than getting an onside kick back... more exciting, but very gimmicky.

Guess I totally missunderstood. They lost me at taking away the kickoff. The kickoff is when the adrenaline rushes in.

[mr. tegu]

This just sounds completely awful.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

This just sounds completely awful.

Yup...

[Graystoke]

Originally Posted by tk13

I wonder sometimes what the game will look like in 25 years. This sounds crazy but Goodell is trying to be forward thinking. I posted an article a week or so ago about new discoveries between football and brain damage. It didn't get any responses, and I didn't expect it to... but you wonder how much the game will change over the next couple decades as they figure out playing football causes head trauma and people start freaking out over it.
Posted via Mobile Device

This is it. NFL is busy laying the groundwork for the future. The FUTURE of massive lawsuits. In the future, I can see not only the kickoff becoming a thing of past, but also the punt.
Oh, and QB's. No one can hit them. OR maybe they will be in a force field.
Oh and one more thing, tackle gently. A kinder gentler tackle please

[scott free]

Next step, replacing the football with a soccer ball and instituting a no hands rule.

[keg in kc]

That's literally one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Kickoffs really dont matter anyway.

Dante Hall, Devin Hester, Joshua Cribbs, Brian Mitchell, Deion Sanders all are saying "What you talking about Willis?"

[bobbything]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I would be one for eliminating FG's or Extra points, stop being pussys go for 2.

Kickoffs really dont matter anyway.

They most definitely do if you're up by two scores. If you're winning by, let's say, 20-10, and the opposing team drives down and scores with :45 seconds left. Now it's 20-17. Instead of sealing the game by fielding the onside kick attempt, the other team immediately has the ball with a chance to win the game.

I don't like it.

[Molitoth]

Goodell is ruining this game.

It's a pussy league enough already.

[|Zach|]

I think something much more compelling that I would love to see an NFL team try (it won't ever happen because NFL coaches mindlessly follow what the leader of the pack is doing) is never punting. The case is very compelling.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/sta.../never-punting

[ForeverChiefs58]

Roger Goodell is a steaming pile of shit

A billion dollar buisness hiring jokes as refs over such a small amount of money should have been the last mistake he ever made.

[Bwana]

**** you Roger.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Slowly but surely it's getting worse.

I think the rules changes in 2004 were HORRIBLE in hindsight.

It gives the teams with really good QBs WAY too much of an advantage.

And it created slapdicks like Matt Cassel, who weaseled his way into $60 million.

15 years ago Matt Cassel would never have gotten paid.

Scott Mitchell.

Yeah. he would've.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

"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," TIME's Sean Gregory writes. "The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession or punt. If you go for it and fall short, of course, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, a punt replaces the kickoffs."


So the team that just scored (ala tommbrady) gets the ball back at their own 30 for a chance to score again? Albiet 4th & 15 if you got Tomm ****ing Brady great. Just kick a field goal and keep kicking fiield goals untill you miss. Damn if you got a hell of a FG kicker your in pretty good shape. Good thing Janitkousky(sp) retired.

...seabass is still playing, dawg. besides, their OWN 30. that would be a 87 yard FG. not happening.

[Buzz_TinBalls]

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