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.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Dave

Probably because the KO return for TD is one of the most exciting plays.

Meh.

[Spott]

I wouldn't mind seeing the rule changed on blocked extra points where the team can run it back for a 2 point conversion. I know that doesn't happen often but that's one of the few college rules I like better than the NFL. I don't see any way they could get rid of kickoffs, though.

[KurtCobain]

I like the 4th and fifteen idea.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Argo

I like the 4th and fifteen idea.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Brock

Other than "it's always been this way", why does anybody care about tackling?

jaz

It's not like they are talking about getting rid of the forward pass. I don't know what the data shows, but I'm assuming this is linked to reducing the likelihood of a head injury.

If it is somehow an outsized contributor to head injuries, and they are giving serious consideration is eliminating it for that reason, then... ok. Fine.

Whatever the data says.

Again, it's largely a pointless play to begin with. You can make up the excitement gap in other ways, I'm certain.

They enthusiasm for the game would be just fine if they do this, I'm sure.

[Frazod]

I hate Goodell almost as much as I hate Pioli.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by jAZ

It's not like they are talking about getting rid of the forward pass. I don't know what the data shows, but I'm assuming this is linked to reducing the likelihood of a head injury.

If it is somehow an outsized contributor to head injuries, and they are giving serious consideration is eliminating it for that reason, then... ok. Fine.

Whatever the data says.

Again, it's largely a pointless play to begin with. You can make up the excitement gap in other ways, I'm certain.

They enthusiasm for the game would be just fine if they do this, I'm sure.

Yeah, sure. A pointless play, except some of the most memorable plays in NFL(and Chiefs) history were kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Jesus Christ, why do you even watch football?

[notorious]

4th and 15 would give the NFL more control of who wins games, if you are into conspiracy theories.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by Brock

Yeah, sure. A pointless play, except some of the most memorable plays in NFL(and Chiefs) history were kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Jesus Christ, why do you even watch football?

It was damn sure a good play for a few seasons with Dante Hall and Tamarick Vanover.

[mcaj22]

i hate greg schiano what a smelly turd

[Chief Roundup]

If this is about head injuries we just need to take away the helmets. No helmets, no one will be leading with thier head and so on.
OR they could just realize that FOOTBALL is a contact sport and that you cannot legislate contact out of the sport.

[Gonzo]

I think they should give the returner the ball at the goal line and make him return it every time. Touchbacks are for pussies.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by listopencil

If you have the "sidelines" in the middle then I think you have to rule out throws across the middle. Too much potential for interference. How about we make the area in the middle circular with a cirumference of 110 yards? The field itself could be 53.5 yards wide.This gives the middle spot a diameter of 35 yards. Eliminate the "sidelines" concept and rent ad space there instead. Allow signage below thirty inches in height. I like your "icing" rule. Say a pass can not circumvent an end zone at any time or it is an illegal "forward pass."

I'm not sure I'd go for a circular field. You need a straightaway for players to reach top speed.

Throwing across the infield might indeed cause interference. However, I don't think we could avoid it near the ends of the straightaways. If you have a guy accelerating around the curve of the end zone, passes are going to cut across the infield unless you actually block it with a net or something. I think you might have to allow passes across the infield for practical reasons, but perhaps they just can't be thrown to a point behind the line of scrimmage. So if you're at midfield, you can throw "deep" to a guy who runs 50 yards, turns the corner, and runs 40 yards back, but you can't throw deep to a guy who runs 50 yards, turns the corner, and runs 60 yards back.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Brock

Yeah, sure. A pointless play, except some of the most memorable plays in NFL(and Chiefs) history were kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Jesus Christ, why do you even watch football?

Yes, thank god for kickoffs, otherwise, I don't know why I'd watch football.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by jAZ

Yes, thank god for kickoffs, otherwise, I don't know why I'd watch football.

"Here is a refutation of what you said:"

*Shows a video that doesn't refute what I said* /jaz