Goodell floats idea to end kickoffs
Roger Goodell says the NFL Competition Committee will consider a proposal to eliminate kickoffs.
Goodell mentioned the idea during an interview with Time magazine.
Under the plan, which Goodell said will be considered by the NFL Competition Committee, kickoffs would be eliminated. Instead, the team that would normally be kicking off would get the ball at its own 30-yard line. But instead of starting at first and 10, the down and distance would be fourth and 15. At that point, the team could elect to either go for the first down or punt the ball away. If the team chose to go for it and failed, the other team would get the ball at that spot.
The idea was first proposed by Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano, who was the coach at Rutgers in 2010 when defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed during a kickoff return.
Goodell talked about the proposal before Thursday night’s Raiders-Broncos game in Oakland. “I thought it was an interesting idea,” he said. “The committee will look at it.”
The NFL has already taken steps to minimize kickoff returns. Last year the league moved kickoffs from the 30 to 35 to encourage more touchbacks and required all players on the kicking team to be within five yards of the ball.
The rule change has led to far more touchbacks. ESPN, citing the Elias Sports Bureau, said 16.4 percent of kickoffs led to touchbacks in 2010; last year it was 43.5 percent.
A similar rule change was implemented in college, but under the new rule the ball is brought out to the 25-yard line on touchbacks — previously it came out to the 20 — causing many teams to intentionally kick the ball shorter to force a return.
Some have suggested a less radical option than the Schiano plan: spotting the ball at the 15 after a touchback (and possibly kicking off from the 40), which would induce more teams to kick the ball through the end zone and virtually eliminate kickoff returns while preserving the onside kick option.
What do you think — is Goodell right to look at alternatives or are kickoffs a necessary risk of the game? What other plans can you come up with?
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153 comments Add your comment
Jay Dawg
December 8th, 2012
11:08 am
There HAS to be a way to make the equipment safer so that there are fewer injuries instead of resorting to something this gimmicky. NASCAR figured out how to keep guys safer in their cars and walk away from a 200 MPH crash in to a wall. Surely we can figure out a way to keep guys running in to each other safer. Connect the helmet to the shoulder pads (similar to HANS device) and find a way to make it flexible enough for them to rotate their heads without allowing them to move far enough to be injured.
Carlton Davis
December 10th, 2012
2:34 am
It is an insane idea. Kickoffs have always been a part of football. There are any number of ways for serious injuries to occur. Kickoff returns can have profound effect on a game’s outcome. I agree with RG. Lets require the use of the safest available equipment.
BravesDawg
December 11th, 2012
7:52 am
Maybe its time we all just throw our hands up and forget it. Its sure is tempting sometimes. From govt and taxes, to sports. Oh well my son and his family are screwed. Lib”s have won. We have lost it all. My vote is virtually powerless, but I still have the remote And yea I”m a sucker and may go down with the ship. But not a big enough sucker to pay for a seat that cost thousands. They can”t sell commercials if we can”t watch the game cause its blacked out.