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.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

So has the extra point. It is pointless as well.

I agree with you they should move it back but if they aren't going to do that might as well try something else.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Brock

So make it harder.

Or get rid of it and make the PAT an automatic 2-point try.

[Dave]

No reason to get rid of the PAT because it's a safe play. Minimal risk for injury.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Dave

No reason to get rid of the PAT because it's a safe play. Minimal risk for injury.

That's a good point. We don't want anybody getting a skinned knee or anything.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Dave

No reason to get rid of the PAT because it's a safe play. Minimal risk for injury.

True.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Brock

So make it harder.

Eliminate it make every TD require a 2-point play or I guess you could have them try the EP from 30-35 yds

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's certainly a viable alternative.

I just don't get the outrage over KICKOFFS.

People bitch about kickers all the time. FG suck. Touchbacks suck.

But when they propose replacing the kickoff, people go all "bah, what are they doing? next thing you know they'll get rid of leather helmets."

It's silly.

As a completely ironic aside, I think if they went back to having no helmets we might see the concussion problem go down. I think the awesome helmets lead players to hit with their heads more often.

[Dave]

I'd be in favor of scraping the PAT for the 2-pointer.

[Dave]

I also think there should be different scoring for varying lengths of FGs.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

As a completely ironic aside, I think if they went back to having no helmets we might see the concussion problem go down. I think the awesome helmets lead players to hit with their heads more often.

Actually, I agree with that 100%.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

"Golf. Golf is like watching flies ****"-George Carlin.

That's where we're headed.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Honestly, the NFL has already eliminated defenses. It makes sense that they would now eliminate special teams. The league today is nothing but quarterbacks playing catch with receivers, and the best quarterbacks win the championship, dragging the other 52 players along with them.

I really, really wish they would roll back some of the rules that are ruining the game.

This. But I think some lawyers might have had a little say in scaring them into some of their decisions... But they still suck!

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Brock

That's a good point. We don't want anybody getting a skinned knee or anything.

Yep!

[Setsuna]

Leather helmets.

[Prison Bitch]

Goodell doesn't really have much of an option here. The lawsuits are already coming in, and public opinion isn't going to improve when we see guys committing suicide left and right. He might be forced to change by the legal community.