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
Ed Lorenz
December 7th, 2012
7:22 am
The expression rolls through my head as if my Mother is right here; “Have you lost your mind?”
NFL players don’t have to actually be in the end zone to score; many act like six-year-olds in celebrating doing the jobs they are VERY well paid to perform; and coaches whine at an incessant rate.
The kickoff and the punt return can be two of the most exciting plays in the game.
Really? Well, don’t get anything caught in your skirt, girls …
adawgfan
December 7th, 2012
7:23 am
Looks like a game could get out of hand quick. Score, other team gets the ball 4th and 15 at their 30 decides to punt. Score again, other team gets the ball and decides to go for it and fails. The team leading 14 -0 gets the ball in field goal range again? How about letting the team start 3rd and 20 at the thirty. At least give em two downs. 4th and 15 seems a bit of a steep hill to climb, just after the other team has scored.
c u later
December 7th, 2012
7:23 am
First?? Seems to me the idea of starting with a 4th and 15 at the 30 just reverses the strategy of kicking vs receiving. Who would elect to go for it at that stage of the game and risk a huge momentum issue from the very start. The on side kick strategy is important to retain on kickoffs so I would say leave it as it is.
BullFrog
December 7th, 2012
7:24 am
Terrible.
BusterT123
December 7th, 2012
7:24 am
Am I reading this wrong. The team gets the ball on their own 30 and it’s 4th and 15 instead of a kickoff? So the team whoo just scored or was kicking off at the beginning of the game or after halftime would start onn defense with the other team having 4th and 15 and if they hold them, they get the ball right there??? Please clarify…
Badell
December 7th, 2012
7:25 am
4th and 15 definitely won’t fly. Why not have them play a board game version of football. They all line up at the 50 yard line and simulate the action. Or better yet, let the computers do simulated games and post the results. That way no one gets hurt. Oh, I forgot about carpel tunnel syndrome!
WinderDawg
December 7th, 2012
7:26 am
Why don’t they just flip a coin and see who wins? The games would go by fast.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
December 7th, 2012
7:27 am
Nick Saban and ALABAMA ended the pups season.
Jerry
December 7th, 2012
7:29 am
Do it! I would rather see a game with less injuries, longer careers and more strategic play calling. Preserving the on side kick has merit.
slobberknocker
December 7th, 2012
7:29 am
LOL, why not just put the teams in different rooms with big screen tv’s and play stations and let em duke it out and while they are at it give em some HOHOs and Twinkies.
Browncoat
December 7th, 2012
7:32 am
Just have one person from each team play the game on Madden.
msouther
December 7th, 2012
7:33 am
another example of the liberalization of football. lets make sure they all get trophies for participating after the season. sad.
Ima Jokin
December 7th, 2012
7:34 am
I think this is a great idea. I also think sliding and diving should be eliminated from baseball. Take away all fences so players don’t crash into them OR any fly ball to the outfield is a home run. But back to football. Eliminating kickoffs is a great way to reduce injuries. Lets go further and say that any run longer than 10 yards is an automatic touchdown. How many snapped ankles will be eliminate with that rule?
Let’s just go the whole way and turn it into FLAG FOOTBALL and be done with it.
chris
December 7th, 2012
7:36 am
terrible idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denny
December 7th, 2012
7:36 am
The biggest waste of time in football is the time between a score and the next play from scrimmage. {Score – long commercial break – kickoff – another long commercial – teams slowly move onto the field for the 1st down play]. Just give the offensive team the ball somewhere [the 15 yard line, the 18, 20, 22, 25] just somewhere and let the game move on. Maybe then we could play a 60 minute game in 3 hours.
Dontavius Supremo
December 7th, 2012
7:38 am
Coin toss, the winner gets to choose offense or defense. Play begins at the twenty, first and ten. Main problem: this eliminates the on-side kick. Solution: Ideas?
NFL rules!
December 7th, 2012
7:44 am
Bad idea, Goodell. All kickoffs can be fair caught and downed, so the better plan is to teach your return guys when to go for it and when to signal a fair catch.
Dave in Marietta
December 7th, 2012
7:45 am
Seems like an improvement to me. The 4th and 15 try retains the excitement of the on-side kick, or if they punt at least we get a return. The current system of endless touchbacks is pretty weak. Plus less injuries, win-win-win.
NO WAY
December 7th, 2012
7:49 am
Goodell will ruin football.
Michlle
December 7th, 2012
7:52 am
First of all for the idiot Bama fan your comment has nothing to do with this. But thank you for showing your ignorance!
As for the actual subject here. I was a cheerleader growing up who cheered because they wouldn’t let girls play football. So i actually love the game. To take away the kickoff is crazy stupid! As for safety be firm on consequences for those who put a dangerous hit on someone and let them play. This game began without all the helmets and pads that we have today! And i bet those guys are rolling in there graves at the thought of this sissy idea!
kman
December 7th, 2012
7:55 am
Football should be renamed softball. Let’s go back to the original hash marks, no ground causing fumbles. no silly flag on the end zone….and do away with ALL celebrations! You play, you risk getting hurt….it’s a mans game (or was)……..George Halas must be flipping in his grave.
Jock Sniffer
December 7th, 2012
7:55 am
Ain’t it great to waste our time discussing sports instead of how our country is going down the toilet.
Relationship Expert
December 7th, 2012
8:02 am
Kick off and Return Teams could be reduced to fewer players, say seven, from the current eleven players per Team spread over the field. Fewer players on the field means fewer blocks and likely fewer tackles and more points scored. The on side kick is preserved.
A Weiss
December 7th, 2012
8:02 am
Use shoes that slow down the speed of the game on Kickoffs. It is the speed and size of these players causing the injuries.
charles from Litonia
December 7th, 2012
8:05 am
Is Goodell on CRACK?….This man is ruinning football……Its a dangerous game true enough…but the people who play it know that…..Now he wants to get rid of the kickoff…Whats next….putting flags on the quarterback so he doesnt have to get hit? Or telling cornerbacks to two handtouch recievers on there back…instead of delivering a bone crushing tackle? Goodell is absolutely killing the game we love…
Independent
December 7th, 2012
8:07 am
Sounds like professional football is trying to take lessons from the hags in PTA and the school systems. Dodgeball…way too dangerous. Scissors…dangerous weapon. Tag…lowers self esteem.
The wussification of America continues. While it is tragic that a few players have suffered irreversible injury, there are occupations that people do for a lot less money where they have suffered the same unfortunate results. I suppose there’ll soon be proponents for moving to nerf balls and bats in baseball since a few pitchers and batters have been struck in the head.
Fan of Old Football
December 7th, 2012
8:08 am
It seems rather idiotic to start 4th and 15. That’s probably the same reason the other team decided to punt! Then you want to place the ball on the 30. I can see it now, final score; N.O. Saints 73 Atlanta Falcons 128.
Ghost
December 7th, 2012
8:14 am
Goodell is an idiot! I can’t believe he’s going to be around for another 10 years!
The Truth
December 7th, 2012
8:15 am
Sunday afternoon I was watching (catching) a commercial and an nfl game broke out. Pretty funny.
Atomic Dawg
December 7th, 2012
8:24 am
This guy is an idiot. We must get him out of the chair. At this rate the game will be played like a bunch of wussies!!!!!!! In the next 15 years it will be flag football league and you cant touch the other team with your hands. You will have to shield block with your hands behind your back.
ctfalconsfan
December 7th, 2012
8:30 am
When is Goodell going to be replaced?
- Why doesn’t he skip all these baby steps and just make this a flag football league..
psycho
December 7th, 2012
8:31 am
why not spot the ball on the 25 and just go from there. 1st and 10.
MT
December 7th, 2012
8:33 am
It would be the death of football as we know it. Terrible idea, a kickoff return for a TD is one of the most exciting plays in football. It will ruin football just as sure as elimnating Home Runs in baseball.
Esquire
December 7th, 2012
8:36 am
Dave in Marietta
December 7th, 2012
7:45 am
Seems like an improvement to me. The 4th and 15 try retains the excitement of the on-side kick, or if they punt at least we get a return. The current system of endless touchbacks is pretty weak. Plus less injuries, win-win-win.
**************************************************
Lucy, you got some splainin’ to do.
There would be no chance for an onside kick. You have to punt or go for it.
Esquire
December 7th, 2012
8:37 am
Let’s remove the facemask off of the helmets.
Spike
December 7th, 2012
8:37 am
WinderDawg,,,great idea!! Flip a coin to see who wins. That way, the teams don’t even have to ’suit up’ or better yet just send the captains to the stadium to do the deed.
Also, this way we can all get back to doing REAL work and get our butts off the couch, our mouths off the brewskies, and our hands out of the chip bowl. Just think of all the work around the house/car maintenance or shopping at the mall that would occur. Talk about a big boost to the economy! What do all think?
MT
December 7th, 2012
8:42 am
America’s favorite game is quickly eroding. I mean I know some things need to change for safety, but common on, take something out of the game that’s been since its inception, something that adds the excitment level that it does, to eliminate it. Get real. No wonder rugby questions our game. Though
rugby don’t allow blocking and you have to shoulder tackle, its still played without pads in shorts.
Mark the Shark
December 7th, 2012
8:49 am
4th and 15, to start a drive after a kickoff, is ludicrous. This is football, not tiddly winks. Like any job in any profession, you enter into it and take the risks. This is real life NFL, not a fantasy.
MT
December 7th, 2012
8:53 am
kman
How about,clothes line tackles, horse collars. crackback blocks, head slaps, forearms,bring back helmet to helmet hits and any other thing that was legal in 1970.
Dolly Parton's Package
December 7th, 2012
8:55 am
LOL… Why don’t they just put Cheerleading uniforms on all the Professional Players? Like someone said on here earlier, the players are getting ridiciously high incomes to play a kid’s sport, and there are several individuals who have jobs that are far more dangerous (life threatening) than Professional Ball Players and getting paid a whole lot less….. As my old coach would say, take a salt pill and go to work!!!!
My Two Cents
December 7th, 2012
8:55 am
I am sorry that players get hurt. However, when they sign up for the job they know there are risks and are handsomely paid for those risks. The post play hits and the team members celebrating by bumping each other is also risky but those actions are the players’ choices. I wonder if the bean counters and the insurance companies are ultimately behind this proposal. Too, we as a society have to be politically correct so we don’t hurt anyone or their feelings.
What next?
December 7th, 2012
8:58 am
Why even have teams? Just televise the games played out on a game consol. No injuries, low cost, no fans!
Rock Gaines
December 7th, 2012
9:03 am
I don’t like Schiano’s idea at all (many of you are shooting the messenger, Roger Goodell). I’m not for eliminating kickoffs. If the NFL wants to reduce the amount of kickoffs further, then allow kickoffs at the beginning of the game, start of the second half, and start of overtime. Since the fourth quarter is when many games are decided, allow kickoffs in the fourth quarter and overtime. At other times, after scores of field goals and touchdowns, it’s an automatic touchback, first and 10 from the 20 yard line.
One other thing, the NFL will never be a “flag football” league. Understand that the NFL is under huge pressure to make the game safer because of all of the lawsuits from retired players in regards to concussions and cumulative brain injuries.
Norman Cochran
December 7th, 2012
9:04 am
That idea just totally stinks!! Football has been and will continue to be a violent game. No one forces someone to play football, everyone who plays understands the issues that could happen. To limit the action of the game changes the who facet of the game. There are fumbles, tackled prior to 20 yard line, and the all elusive score from a kickoff. So put that idea back in the pack and look for safety elsewhere.
BubblesB
December 7th, 2012
9:05 am
Oh, don’t stop there. Get rid of tackles, too. Better yet – let’s just become Flag Football teams and get it over with.
'Rammer Jammer' Al A. Bammer
December 7th, 2012
9:07 am
Sick and tired of NFL shenanigans as well as all other pro sports. Think I’ll go watch some paint dry.
Seriously...
December 7th, 2012
9:09 am
I cannot believe what football has come to – total “wussification”. I am all for trying to minimize injuries, but this is getting crazier by the day. It is turning into a powder puff game. NHL – PLEASE get the hockey situation straightened out so we can watch a real physical game!
Susan
December 7th, 2012
9:10 am
Will the name be changed to wussball?
Rock Gaines
December 7th, 2012
9:11 am
I’m also for the players wearing all of the pads available to them. Starting next year, all NFL players will be required to wear knee and thigh pads. Let’s go further and make them wear hip pads and mouthpieces. Also make sure the best, safest helmets are being used. Technology has progressed to the point where pads can be very light, and can absorb a lot of shock. Mouthpieces can help the jaw stay in place when you’re hit.
Braves #17 Fan
December 7th, 2012
9:11 am
Everyone knows you punt on 4th and 15 inside your own territory. I don’t see any teams going for it. If you’re going to do away with kickoffs, just put it on the 20-yard line.
BubblesB
December 7th, 2012
9:12 am
Maybe more effort should be put into creating helmets that protect against concussions and less into making football a wimpy sport.
The Reverend Baby Doctor Bedpan
December 7th, 2012
9:13 am
Just goes to show soccer is the superior sport.
Humbug
December 7th, 2012
9:14 am
If the idea is to delete the kickoffs the best solution is to simply place the ball on the receiving teams 20 yard line, first and ten.
Mick
December 7th, 2012
9:16 am
FIRE Goodell
Who Cares?
December 7th, 2012
9:16 am
How do these stupid people always float to the top? I can’t believe that they would let this one slip out. As many have posted, bad idea. Very bad idea!
Rhett Butler
December 7th, 2012
9:18 am
I think the players should all wear ballerina slippers and tiptoe downfield.
Roger Goodell
December 7th, 2012
9:18 am
Football is just TOO DANGEROUS!!!
Roger Goodell Must Go
December 7th, 2012
9:19 am
America’s favorite game is quickly sissy ball
Jimmy Football
December 7th, 2012
9:20 am
Instead of kickoffs, place the ball on the 1-yard line.
GetREAL
December 7th, 2012
9:23 am
Simple: Go back to leather helmets and no facemasks. But you can’t take away the onside kick option.
Braves #17 Fan
December 7th, 2012
9:25 am
Wow… all the haters. It’s just an “idea”. Theismann wasn’t hurt on a kickoff, folks, so the pads are staying.
DJ
December 7th, 2012
9:26 am
Definitely need to keep the kickoffs. It is the unknown factor (the kick, the catch, the run) that makes the return so exciting. The fix now has made the game boring except for the few times the team gets to return…
The idea is to reduce injuries but they are going about this the wrong way. The injuries they are worrying about happen from high speed hits not tackles (rugby doesn’t have these type of injuries). As the equipment has gotten better and safer the hits (and injuries) have gotten worse. Reduce the padding and lets get back to basics with tackling not hitting. Heavily penalize the hitters (yes “Do nothing Robinson” I am talking to you). Lets get back to real football!
A Conservative Voice
December 7th, 2012
9:26 am
In the twenty years after adopted, this proposal will keep evolving and would take us back to touch football, played by wussies and girls…….wait, wait……that’s an idea worth touching on
DJ
December 7th, 2012
9:32 am
More padding, are you kidding? The excess padding is what is causing the problem of high speed injury hits. REDUCE the padding and bring the game back to its roots with tackling.
dc
December 7th, 2012
9:34 am
The NFL owners need to get rid of this guy before they start losing real money. Get rid of kickoffs? Clearly, the issue is that today’s players are faster and stronger, thereby making their collisions on the field more likely to cause injuries. How about prohibiting anyone who runs too fast from playing? Or maybe prohibiting anyone over 250 lbs from playing? Or maybe not letting anyone over 6 ft play? Smaller players would not be as strong and capable of hurting each other. Maybe we can ban running on the field. Make them walk so nobody gets hurt. Hey, why don’t we give them all blindfolds? That way, they wouldn’t be running as fast, and no one would get hurt at all! And we could still pay them millions of dollars to run around the field and bump into each other.
Troy
December 7th, 2012
9:42 am
This is the craziest thing that I’ve ever heard. How are you going to remove the most exciting play in football from football? The reason why Goodell have this hair-brained ideas is because of the high number of law suits that the NFL are currently facing. The NFL is just like any other major corporation…they don’t care about their employees they just want to give the appearance of caring. This is how wild ideas such as this one comes about.
Sarcastaball
December 7th, 2012
9:47 am
wow Obama’s economy can now add layoffs for special team, kickers, punters to its record….next to twinkies
Chris
December 7th, 2012
9:50 am
Why don’t they just make it flag football. Wusses.
Brown
December 7th, 2012
9:52 am
I have an idea for how to improve the NFL: Get rid of Goodell
Bill in Kennesaw
December 7th, 2012
9:52 am
How is a punt any less dangerous than a kick off to the receiving players? Punts do not travel as far as kick off’s. The kicking team can be on the receiver at the time of the catch and apply the hit to dislodge the ball. I see more injuries as a resilt of this plan.
kreedham
December 7th, 2012
9:56 am
Ball starts on 25 except last 6 minutes of game…then scoring team has option to kick allowing for on side kick if they want it!
EJ Moosa
December 7th, 2012
10:04 am
A modified version of make it, take it.
The game gets more arbitrary by the day….
daniel reid
December 7th, 2012
10:08 am
What garbage! Why not just circle up at midfield and have a jump ball, or do the Aussie spike thing? Or maybe have head coaches go head-to-head in a Madden kickoff that’s projected on the big screen? I’m all for making the game safer for athletes who are bigger and faster than Walter Camp ever imagined, but this idea is idiotic. Which seems about right for Goodell.
Tabatha
December 7th, 2012
10:13 am
Goodell is an idiot!
Don't Tread
December 7th, 2012
10:15 am
…..seriously!?!?
Mark
December 7th, 2012
10:15 am
Man that is stupid, just put the ball at the 20 yard line and be done with it.
daniel reid
December 7th, 2012
10:19 am
I was thinking this was a misplaced April Fools joke, but then remembered that Goodell is a fool every day of the year.
Percy
December 7th, 2012
10:20 am
Stupid!!!!!
itpdude
December 7th, 2012
10:21 am
I think kicking from the 40 and spotting at the 15 for touchbacks is better than that convoluted first option.
The NFL has a real problem on its hands and wants to window-dress as much as possible to avoid getting sued big-time or even shut down. The era of seeing guys get jacked up every game is coming to an end.
My idea is to bring back the single-bar helmet for everyone. The cages some of these guys wear encourages using their heads as battering rams or weapons. Or maybe even bring back leather helmets.
It’s this high-velocity collision stuff from the neck up that is hurting the brains of players. And that stuff from the neck up often happens because guys feel invincible behind their helmets and cage facemasks. Guys go for that big hit and not the tie-up tackle with those things.
Vince Doodley
December 7th, 2012
10:22 am
Stupid idea is stupid.
Vince Doodley
December 7th, 2012
10:23 am
I think they should make everybody play without shoes. That way nobody runs so fast and people would avoid having their feet stepped on. Or maybe without pants. Same idea.
Jason
December 7th, 2012
10:24 am
New NFL rules state that all physical activities of the game known as “football” will be replaced with oppposing teams engaging in a dance competition where no points are given and hugs are exchanged at the close of the contest.
Falcon James
December 7th, 2012
10:25 am
I can’t believe how many fan are overwhelmingly supporting the idea…..NOT
Hershel Forever
December 7th, 2012
10:26 am
How about we float this idea? How about the owners fire this nutcase?
J
December 7th, 2012
10:27 am
If your mom signed your permission slip to play tackle football, then play tackle football. What’s next, a change to flag football?
steve
December 7th, 2012
10:28 am
A few people have hit the nail on the head; the problems are the speed and size of modern athletes combined with equipment that encourages high velocity hits. A tackle and a hit are not one and the same.
Unfortunately, spectators want to see the big hits.
Georgia Coondog
December 7th, 2012
10:29 am
That is the dumbest idea I ever heard of … it’s football! It would end a lot of careers built on special teams. If we do that, we should make the quarterback wear a formal gown and all offensive players wear makeup.
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 7th, 2012
10:32 am
Players get paid MILLIONS of DOLLARS to risk their health.
Looks like the Lingerie League and the NFL are one in the same.
Tim D.
December 7th, 2012
10:40 am
Yeah, I like that idea! Maybe give it to the team at the 35 yd. line, just like with the mighty mites in little league football. There are a lot of great ideas to avoid injuries in this thread. I really like the 10 yd runs = a touchdown, idea.
Or perhaps have two players meet at the 50 yd. line, flip a coin and then let them play on X-Box or PlayStation. You could have a whole season without anyone ever getting hurt!
Great ideas! Just keep ‘em coming. I’m sure one of them will stick!
Goodell is a real IDIOT!!!!
jack
December 7th, 2012
10:41 am
So I am two TD’s down….Score to close within 7 points with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Now I get the ball on my own 30, 4th and 15. I go for it as opposed to punting. One shot to keep the ball and drive down to score.
Arlito
December 7th, 2012
10:43 am
It’s just a tad ironic that the coach who suggested this is the same coach who ordered his defensive front to attack the Giants’ offensive front on a game-ending kneel down by Eli Manning. And he’s concerned about limiting injuries?!
mambo
December 7th, 2012
10:51 am
Don’t forget about blocking … oooh … that hurts! And, don’t forget about tackling … oooh … that hurts too! And, what about pink tutus with ruffles? They would go with the Susan G. Komen pinkness that we’ve seen on the field lately. We need to say “goodby” to Rodger Goodell. I think he would be a wonderful commissioner for cake icing or synchronized swimming.
Craig
December 7th, 2012
10:53 am
adawgfan………………………You have read the whole thing wrong……………………..When you score ………..you get the ball on your own 30 with 4th adn 15………………..Creating a punting situation everytime, unless its late in the game and you want to go for the 4th and 15 to get the ball back ( AKA on-SIDE Kick)
older1
December 7th, 2012
10:54 am
Let’s just go to flag football and be done with it. Then we can spend Sunday afternoon taking a nap.
Matt Towery
December 7th, 2012
10:55 am
Probably not the most popular idea ever floated!
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 7th, 2012
10:57 am
If you get it with 4th 15 and can PUNT then how is that safer then a kickoff? A KICK is a KICK is a KICK.
P Rose
December 7th, 2012
10:58 am
Will the kickers be allowed to vote on this idea?
P Rose
December 7th, 2012
11:00 am
Go back to leather helmets with no facemask, as they used back in the day, and the helmet-to-head hits will stop.
Kyle
December 7th, 2012
11:06 am
If only they got WAY overpaid to compensate for the RISK of injury….
(I understand this is a business move, and “player safety” is just the facade its placed under)
Madmax
December 7th, 2012
11:09 am
Just go to flag football. There is no contact and no one may get injured other than a twisted ankle.
GRAPHITE
December 7th, 2012
11:15 am
Let the Ga. Dawgs do all the kicking off.That way no one will get tackled.Then let them receive and no one will get blocked.No contact,no injuries…problem solved…..RollOn…
kimmer
December 7th, 2012
11:20 am
Uhhhhh…no. Kudos for having the courage to think outside the box like that but that is not a good idea. If you want more touchbacks just go back to the old rules. Kickoffs were steadily moved back to REDUCE touchbacks. Now they want to encourage them. Move the KO back to the 40. Problem solved.
Michael
December 7th, 2012
11:28 am
Vince Lombardi and George Halas are turning over in their graves.
SPS
December 7th, 2012
11:31 am
Good Grief: half the readers here don’t understand what they read. They are just swapping a punt for a kickoff. Apparently the league thinks fewer players get hurt on punts. And with the onside kick eliminated, desperate teams needing another score in the final minutes could still go for the long first down attempt instead of punting. But I still don’t like it. Kickoff returns were a big part of the pageantry of the sport.
Doggoneit
December 7th, 2012
11:35 am
Football (like the Army) is a vollunteer Job. Getting hurt is part of the JOB!!!!! If you don’t like it DON’T PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THATS THE END OF THIS DISCUSSION!!!
Thomas Burke
December 7th, 2012
11:37 am
If the not very bright commissioner is really serious about minimizing injuries in football as we know it today, simply remove the shoulder pads and headgear (both are weapons not protection) from every player. Watch how the game will change in terms of hitting, tackling and stopping injuries both on offense and defense- answer it would change dramatically for the safety of the players.
twistedmuser
December 7th, 2012
11:49 am
I think pitchers should be eliminated from baseball, since sometimes batters get hurt. Just tee up the ball, or let the batter toss it in the air and hit it, like in fielding practice.
GwinnettDad
December 7th, 2012
11:53 am
Good idea. Eliminate kickoffs. Also, eliminate punts. Same problem with danger, actually. Just move the ball 50 yards away from the would be punter’s line of scrimmage, or half the distance to the goal. That way, a NFL football squad will only require maybe 30 players rather than 53. Cost savings. Owners will go with that. Next, eliiminate tackling, and use flags instead. After that, eliminate helmets, since people might hurt other people. That way, women can play the game too, and we can stop all this blatant sex discrimination. Next, cut the price of alcohol. Because, after all, the game will be so boring nobody will want to watch it anyway. But, at least, nobody will be hurt, and the nannies of the world will be happy once more to cause a once interesting sport to become boring as hell, just the nanny liberals are trying to do with everything else.
Jimmy Swaggert
December 7th, 2012
11:57 am
It’s Progressive football. You’ve reaped what you’ve sown by allowing the political leadership to corrupt the country with authoritarian control. You’re all a bunch of sinners. Repent for what you’ve done – killed the country, and killing football.
frs
December 7th, 2012
12:17 pm
Would it not be better to just spot the ball at the 35, if fair catch is called, and place it at the 20 on a touchback?
frs
December 7th, 2012
12:22 pm
@GwinnetDad, you forgot trophies, every single player should get a trophy, every game.
The Legend
December 7th, 2012
12:34 pm
I may be reading it wrong, too.On 4th and 15 every team punts. Than – same situation with punt return, as with kick off return. Is it not??
Mateo
December 7th, 2012
12:35 pm
It seems that a lot of people have no problem sacrificing more lives of healthy young men rather than be put through an annoying rule change that may have a nominal effect on a game for the sake of the players playing it. Just put the ball on the 20, problem solved, commercial break preserved. Everyone’s happy.
One thing is certain, if you play football for the majority of your life, your life will be shorter.
I love football but I’m not going to let my son play it as long as I live.
Garth
December 7th, 2012
12:35 pm
Look, with all the changes that have already been made and in light of proposed changes, let’s just be done with it and make it flag football.
Joe
December 7th, 2012
12:41 pm
Why not just give them pink tights and have them hold hands and skip down the field. NFL football is over!
NCDawg
December 7th, 2012
12:48 pm
I have advocated doing away with the kicking game altogether. Flip the coin and the winner gets the ball at the 20. No punting… everybody goes for it on 4th down. It would seriously open up the game. No more settling for FG’s. O-Coordinators would have to re-think their strategies in the red zone. This would NOT be wussifying the game at all. It would make it far more intense.
Won’t ever happen but I think it would be a better game.
Mateo
December 7th, 2012
12:49 pm
Man I like Herring. Do you like Herring? My favorite kind is Red Herring. This appears to be the place to find it.
DB
December 7th, 2012
1:11 pm
Why don’t they just improve the pads and helmets – the technology is there to reduce a lot of injuries – don’t change the game !!!!!!!
GwinnettDad
December 7th, 2012
1:29 pm
Without risk, there is no reward. If food was to be treated like Mateo wants football to be treated, all food for others would become bland, tasteless pablum. Safe. Nutritious, but oh so boring! But Mateo would have the ultimate self-satisfaction of providing what was good for us! Mateo knows better! But, as is the case for the phenomena of today’s nanny do-gooders, Mateo would be eating a rich diet filled with the ego-feeding choices of those smarter than the rest of us. Pablum is for others. You see, Mateo knows better, deserves better, because Mateo IS better. Just ask Mateo. After all, liberals are experts at any subject that has no immediate impact on themselves. However, if the subject impacts them directly, there are no more selfish, self-serving people on the planet.
DCR
December 7th, 2012
1:29 pm
Next thing: have all the players wear those inflatable plastic “Sumo” suits!
Greg
December 7th, 2012
1:41 pm
I dont really see how this is wussifying football. With the team punting there is no more touchbacks, plus now instead of an onside kick you can see a team go for it on 4th and 15(which i find much more exciting than the onside kick) Though an issue that I can see popping up, is if the team playing defense on the 4th and 15, ends up getting these questionable pass interference calls, the game would really start favoring the elite qbs and offensive teams
Roger Goodell Must Go
December 7th, 2012
1:58 pm
David Stern NBA Commissioner vs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on my statement dumber than yours
RunninWithTheDawgs
December 7th, 2012
2:03 pm
When you do this change the name from football to flip a coin ball.
P B Orr
December 7th, 2012
2:08 pm
Without a doubt, the most idiotic thing since the designated hitter.
Why don’t the opposing teams just line up on their own 45s and talk sh_t to each other? Who talks the best sh_t will get the ball. If they really do it up, they can have 3 free points.
cdog
December 7th, 2012
2:08 pm
LEAVE THE GAME OF FOOTBALL ALONE.THEY ALREADY MADE IT A CISSY SPORTS WITH ALL OF THE STUPID PENALTIES FOR UNNECCESSRY ROUGHNESS CALLS, AND REVIEWING FOR EVERYTHING.PRETTY SOON THEY WILL MAKE THE NFL A TWO-HAND TOUCH LEAGUE.LEAVE THE GAME AND KICKOFFS ALONE DUMMIES
P B Orr
December 7th, 2012
2:09 pm
Mateo, go watch soccer. Take a dive.
DawgsForever
December 7th, 2012
2:11 pm
For safety’s sake, let’s do away with tackling altogether as well!!! Yay!
The Ean
December 7th, 2012
2:14 pm
Maybe we could get them to wear party dresses and hold parasols . . . .
Dum-Bass
December 7th, 2012
2:17 pm
If they start this krap they will have to make a lot of other changes also. Do they think this is the only play where someone gets injured badly? Goodell can’t “see the forest for the trees”. Besides he has already proven he is a wimp. He is only assisting in the “wussification of the American male”. !!!
Sad Sack
December 7th, 2012
2:27 pm
How about shadow blocking? That’s safer…
Richard Pettys, Jr
December 7th, 2012
2:32 pm
And while we are at it, does the Cmmish intend to recommend that they use flags or play two-handedf tag instead of tackling? Wouldn’t that be safer yet?
Rock_Eagle
December 7th, 2012
2:35 pm
The destruction of the greatest game on the planet continues. This is trickling down to the colleges and high schools also. Now we also have Bob Costas offering political commentary at halftime. What a joke.
Gunluvr
December 7th, 2012
2:41 pm
Terrible idea that just shows how weak, coddled and subordinated to lawyers this country has become. One day things will revert back to the way they were when the Alphas dominated, i hope I live to see it.
Ackshun
December 7th, 2012
2:41 pm
This is REALLY dumb. If you don’t want to get hurt playing football… play chess.
bullrusher1
December 7th, 2012
2:49 pm
Are you even serious? I am all for player safety. I get the illegel helmet-to-helmet, all the QB precautions, and the former moving the kickoff point to the 35 yard line. But what the heck are these guys even thinking up there? No. 1- Kickoffs are perhaps one of the best parts of the game, the energy is built up and everybody’s psyched, that never happens on a punt. No. 2- Punt returners are just as prone to injury as kickoff returners, so it probably increases the risk b/c the punts won’t go into the endzone like a kickoff will. No. 3- Of course Tampa Bay proposed it, they pay one of the best punters multi-millions to kick the ball. Supid idea, don’t bring it up again.
GregKennesaw
December 7th, 2012
2:53 pm
Trying to ruin NFL, just like the NBA is ruined
Crow
December 7th, 2012
2:55 pm
Sarcasta-ball is upon us…
So – according to this rule… the Falcons just scored a TD and immediately get the ball back on the 30 and its 4th and 15. They can go for it or punt the ball. If our offense is completely out matching the Carolina defense – for the entire game… there could be 60 minutes of football without the opposing offense ever stepping foot on the field. Good God – it’s like my brother and I are playing Super Mario Brothers all over again. He beats the game in one life and i just have to watch it all happen… This rule is beyond absurd.
Rock_Eagle
December 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
Maybe they need to add a points system to reward pre-game introduction dances, TD celebration styling, routine tackle posing and profiling, and such. Do away with some of this hard hitting and not near as much time needs to be spent conditioning and weight lifting and stuff. It will free up more time for clubbing with the entourage and showing off the bling. Word.
geno
December 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
STOP MESSING WITH THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything you do, screws up FOOTBALL. We want FOOTBALL, a man’s game. We don’t want sissy sport, which you seem determined to turn FOOTBALL into. STOP MESSING WITH THE GAME, DUMB@%#&’s!!!!!!!!!!!
christy
December 7th, 2012
3:27 pm
The whole darn game is dangerous. Why don’t we dress the football players up like the kid in “A Christmas Story” and send them out to play. Oh and make sure we have foam pits so when they fall they don’t skin their knees are arms too. Do you want to lose fans?
ubah
December 7th, 2012
3:29 pm
For the love of all things sweet and holy — why not just play touch? Make the D line count 5 mississippi’s before they can rush the QB and all pass interference calls result in 2 points being added to the offensive teams score. I mean really — what’s next, wrapping them all in the bubble wrap?
Doodaddy
December 7th, 2012
3:30 pm
Just have both teams line up nude, facing each other, and the first team that stops laughing wins.
nancy
December 7th, 2012
3:37 pm
Seriously Mateo do you worry about our troops as much as these guys making more money than most of us will see in our lifetimes??
stopthemorons
December 7th, 2012
7:59 pm
It’s time for Goodell to get a tin cup and start panhandling for change on Broadway because he’s done. He is on something or has lost his mind sooner than anticipated. Roger leave the game alone.
Eileen
December 7th, 2012
8:17 pm
AGREE!
tim
December 7th, 2012
8:40 pm
this is very stupid—some dumbass came up with this
Dawn
December 7th, 2012
10:06 pm
Goodell is a TOTAL IDIOT.
Steveo
December 7th, 2012
10:09 pm
Emperor Goodell is trying to ruin professional football….and it’s not because he is concerned about the players, it’s all about money. He is afraid of lawsuits brought by players due to injuries……if these guys want to play for the money they are getting paid, then write into their contracts that they enter into these jobs knowing the possiblity of injury and accept that risks involved without recourse in lawsuits because of injuries. Stop trying to impose your POWER and ruining the game for the fans.
David Burdoin
December 7th, 2012
10:20 pm
I played football in high school and university in the 50’s and early 60’s. It has always been a rough game and we accepted that; in fact I think we even enjoyed that. And after the game was over we forgot all about it.
But in recent years the game has become much more serious, and along with that it has also become violent. The recent revelations concerning the New Orleans “Saints”, some of the players, coaching staff, and management promoting the intentional causing of injuries to opposing players are appalling.
Fortunately, players today are wearing more equipment and more protective equipment than in earlier years, and I think that development is helping to reduce the number and severity of injuries. Also, in watching some NFL games recently on TV, it seemed to me that the officials were calling infractions more closely than heretofore. I do not know if that is generally true nowadays, but to the extent that it is, and it concerns infractions that may cause injuries, I am all for it.
The idea of eliminating kickoffs, though, seems to me to be going a bit too far. Kickoffs are too much a part of the game. Just play the game fairly, decently, and honestly. That together with watchful officials calling a tight game, should be enough to keep injuries reduced to a low level.
Cheers!
The Truth
December 7th, 2012
10:22 pm
Somebody told us the nba/nfl already pretty boring. However, the Super Bowl sometimes has pretty neat commercials.
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.