Move to eliminate kickoffs should be a nonstarter
College football wouldn't be the same game without the chance for Brandon Boykin to take it all the way. (Associated Press)
College football without kickoffs. If you have trouble wrapping your mind around that concept, Mark Richt doesn’t.
Richt said Tuesday at the Peach State Pigskin Preview held at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon that he would support a proposal by Rutgers coach Greg Schiano that the kickoff be eliminated. Schiano’s idea is that kickoffs, considered the most dangerous play in football, would be replaced by a team punting from their own 30-yard line after scores and at the start of each half. If they chose to, they could opt to go for it in a fourth-and-15 play that would serve the same purpose as an onside kick.
As quoted in the Athens Banner-Herald, Richt noted that kickoff plays are violent. “You’ve got a bunch of guys that can run fast and are strong and they are not afraid, it’s kind of a manhood thing. No one’s going to back down.”
It’s easy to see where these coaches are coming from. Rutgers player Eric LeGrand ended up paralyzed from the neck down while covering a kickoff last season. At Georgia, Decory Bryant suffered a broken neck that ended his playing career and just last year freshman T.J. Stripling had a season-ending injury while covering a kickoff.
So it’s not surprising that Richt said, “if it went to a vote, I would vote for no kickoff also. I would just place the ball at the 23-yard line or whatever the average has been. I’m sure the defensive coaches would want it on the 18. Offensive coaches would want it on the 30.”
It’s also not surprising that while coaches might support getting rid of kickoffs, players likely wouldn’t, even if the move is aimed at their safety. As the Dogs’ Christian Robinson said Tuesday, “You don’t just want to line up and play. That first kickoff when the crowd is going wild, that’s part of the game. If you eliminate that, you eliminate part of the game.”
As the Bulldogs Blog reported, even Richt admitted, “It is an exciting play. It’s probably gonna be a bigger story than it should be. I don’t think it’s gonna happen anytime soon, I don’t. It’d be a major, major rule change, no doubt.”
On the surface, you’d think this idea would go about as far as a squib kick. But Rogers Redding, the infamous former Southeastern Conference coordinator of officials and current national coordinator for officiating, told the Birmingham News recently the proposal will be discussed next year by the NCAA Football Rules Committee. “I think it certainly makes sense to explore it,” Redding said. “Player safety is first and foremost on the agenda of the rules committee. I have no doubt this will come to the committee and will get some serious consideration, if for no other reason than it’s intriguing.”
OK, most fans are in favor of emphasizing player safety, but at what point do you start compromising the game beyond repair? And can you really imagine Georgia football without the likes of Gene Washington, Scott Woerner and Lindsay Scott racing down the field returning kickoffs?
Not forgetting, of course, the Dogs’ current kickoff return threat, Brandon Boykin, who is tied for the SEC record, having raced back four kicks for touchdowns in his career. And three of those returns covered the entire 100 yards of the field, the most recent last year at Kentucky.
Do we really want to eliminate that kind of thrill from college football?
That’s not intriguing. That’s crazy.
QUOTABLE DAWG
Christian Robinson at the Macon Pigskin Preview on Georgia’s offseason workouts this year: “We’re working more efficiently right now and we have a mindset. We’re not just lifting weights. We’re lifting weights to win a game on Saturday.” I know we hear that sort of quote every offseason, but I’m hoping this time it more accurately reflects what we’ll actually see on the field come fall.
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195 comments Add your comment
NC Dawg
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
First!
SBC Pastor
June 15th, 2011
10:47 am
I understand the argument for taking the kickoff out, but I would hate to see it go as it would remove something fundamental from the game. Having a kickoff allows one team to really set the tone for the rest of the game.
DawgInDFW
June 15th, 2011
10:49 am
Disagree. This would not compromise the game. Kickoffs are thrilling, yes, and can make for big swings in the game when one team executes and the other does not. But really, the glory of the game is in the trench battle, the long bomb, the broken-tackle run for 30 yards to keep a drive alive. Kickoffs comprise so little of the actual game, and they expose players to too many injuries, life-altering, season-ending and even just the regular run-of-the-mill game-missing type. In five or ten years, none of us will miss it because the core of the game will still be just as exciting.
TGT
June 15th, 2011
10:53 am
I think eliminating kickoffs would be akin to not allowing baseball players to steal or slide. Is it really more likely for a player to get injured during a kickoff? Football is a dangerous sport no doubt, but this idea seems farfetched.
Newman
June 15th, 2011
10:54 am
More wussification of America.
lanier
June 15th, 2011
10:56 am
a punt would work just as well as a ko provided the punt rules remained the same. i can see this happening
pirtdawg
June 15th, 2011
10:57 am
This is a tough one for me cause I am all for player safety. However it’s hard to imagine not hearing the entire crowd yell GO DAWGS at the kickoff.
Frank Lane
June 15th, 2011
10:58 am
NO WAY. Kickoffs are part of game. Always have been. Cannot support elimination. Might as well outlaw crossing patterns for receivers.
hornblowermg
June 15th, 2011
10:59 am
the kickoff return is the most exciting play in football. enough said.
schmeckdawg
June 15th, 2011
11:01 am
Getting rid of kickoffs, give me a break. I was the wedge breaker when I played in college and have 5 bulging discs in my neck because of it and I wouldn’t change a thing! Why don’t college football and the NFL just play flag football!!
Jasper Fraaaanks
June 15th, 2011
11:01 am
80 more days!
dan
June 15th, 2011
11:01 am
I think they already have football leagues that don’t feature kickoffs..or blocking…or tackling. It’s called FLAG FOOTBALL! Getting rid of kickoffs?? Jeez …gimme a break… bunch of freakin cry babies! And the wussification of the american male continues.
kevin
June 15th, 2011
11:02 am
Horrible idea. While I fully understand wanting to keep players safe, kickoffs are a key component to the game. Football is not football without them. In the end, football is a dangerous sport and injuries happen–not just on kickoffs. Players assume the risk when they suit up. It’s one of the reasons they love to play and and one of the reasons we admire their skill in doing so.
Sam
June 15th, 2011
11:04 am
Where’s the statistical significance that kickoffs are more dangerous than blind-side QB sacks, receivers being hit over the middle, and countless other football actions. What’s wrong with this country? Progressives are just killing it.
JBD
June 15th, 2011
11:05 am
This is nonsense! No kickoffs?! I understand the concern. Really, I do. But aren’t most of the injuries the result of poor form during the tackles. It makes more sense to implement a required training/class for people involved in special teams.
It’s going to be hard to refer to this sport as “football” if the rules keep changing. Also think of the transition from college to the NFL if kickoffs were removed from CFB. Most rookies start their careers on the special team units.
kevin
June 15th, 2011
11:06 am
Sam,
I agree with your points regarding QB sacks, receivers going over the middle, etc. Though, your bit about country and progressives?
W. Mark Whitlock
June 15th, 2011
11:08 am
There’s a compelling human interest story at the kick off of this argument, but it feels to me like the same arguments that are driving us to remove classic playground equipment and games from our children’s lives. I’m tired of mediocrity and the destruction of tradition for the sake of so-called safety. Our children can’t play outside anymore unless supervised by six adults in an organized activity for which parents pay $45 per month.
I read an article about how US raised baseball pitchers are far more prone to their foreign counterparts (and those of past generations) because casual stickball and sandlot games are gone from our neighborhoods.
Why don’t we put all our players in inflatable Sumo wrestler suits and slow the game down too?
Each decision made in a vacuum will be proven reasonable and logical. Let’s move back a distance and make some more seminal decisions.
Rex
June 15th, 2011
11:09 am
I would hate to see it go, but I see the point.It would make the game safer which is always the objective.
W. Mark Whitlock
June 15th, 2011
11:09 am
The word “injuries” is missing from my comment. “US raised pitchers are far more prone to injuries than…”
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
11:10 am
Can’t agree with coach on this one.
Kickoffs are a great part of the game.
DawgFan
June 15th, 2011
11:10 am
“Player safety is first and foremost on the agenda of the rules committee.”
____
We’re not far from having the collegiate flag-football. That, or start wrapping the players in pillopws and bubble-wrap and playing on a field of mattresses.
fss
June 15th, 2011
11:12 am
i think it’s a good idea.
for those on the other side, i submit that if you think eliminating kick-offs is “wussifying” the game, you need to argue for players to remove their pads (especially those pesky helmets). the equipment can’t protect 200-350 lbs human beings running into each other at top speed, but they make them think they can.
teddy roosevelt eliminated the flying wedge play, and football was better for it, even though your great grand dads whined just like you.
staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
11:13 am
It is a game. Not an obligation. Every time you suit up you implicitly agree to take on a significant level of risk. Without the kickoff it is not football. Anyone who says otherwise does not truly appreciate the game.
staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
11:15 am
fss. were you alive at the turn of the 20th century. give me a break. you have obviously never played ball.
Field Goal Jesus
June 15th, 2011
11:17 am
This just proves Richt must go. Last year he shelved two a days. The year before he whined for not having an indoor practice facility because of the weather. Richt is a softee and rather take his players swimming or cosmic bowling. He will never win the big prize at UGA.
Move to eliminate kickoffs should be a nonstarter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | USA Baseball America
June 15th, 2011
11:21 am
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staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
11:23 am
Mark Richt presided over the best initial decade of any georgia coach. Dont take you anger out on the dawgs notre dumb fan.
Dirty Dawg
June 15th, 2011
11:27 am
I’m sorry, but my memories of Washington, Woerner and Scott have nothing whatsoever to do with kickoff returns. Fact is college football has ‘evolved’ over the past hundred or so years for the most part to ensure that we weren’t injuring and killing our kids all in the name of fan excitement…I mean didn’t we learn anything from the Christian’s and the Lions, or gladiators fighting to the death? The NCAA was formed originally to ’save’ college football from itself and has been making rules changes ever since when it seemed called for…this is exactly one of those times. Whether or not they do it, who knows, but if we have enough top players going down, or in wheel-chairs, I suspect they’ll make the change. Seems to me we lost Boss Bailey on kickoff coverage in an opening game with Georgia Southern a few years back…how exciting was that?
macrotech
June 15th, 2011
11:30 am
Why not just go to a flag football concept…but, THEN you’re going to have to eliminate acute cuts…THEY could lead to rolled ankles! In fact….let’s just turn to playing these games out on xbox…but, THEN you could get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! OR…we could just except the fact that football is a violent game played by really fast big guys…get rid of the BCS and create a playoff…THAT’S where their attention needs to be.
RabidDawgFan
June 15th, 2011
11:31 am
Christian Robinson sure is doing a lot of talking. If he isn’t our leading tackler this season then he’s not doing his job. I like him, but he’s not an impact player in my mind. He’s good, don’t get me wrong; but how many interceptions did he have last season? How many forced fumbles? How many sacks? He’s a great leader but let’s see some more play making Christian.
As far as kickoffs, keep them. These boys knew what they were in for when they signed up to play football. Stop being wussies and go out there and smash somebody in the face. Boykin will return about 3 kickoffs for touchdowns this season. I betcha.
GOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! SIC’EM!!!! WOOF WOOF! WOOF!
Wimp Dawg
June 15th, 2011
11:31 am
I guess Richt would advocate limited contact in college football in opting for college flag football. I suspect later on he would agree for college football be done away altogether as many playgrounds have done away with dodgeball.
GTBob
June 15th, 2011
11:33 am
I have to agree with Richt and Schiano. A kickoff is basically two groups of testosterone filled heat seeking missles aimed directly at each other. I can’t believe some are comparing it to a QB getting sacked. It should at the very least be modified in some way.
staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
11:33 am
so . . . let me get this straight. potential pro athletes play 3-4 years at a sport that is not truly football. the you expect them to just pick back up the tenacity necessary for going head down all out on a kick off in the nfl. You people are missing the point. Injury comes with accepted risk. I assure you that any player will tell you that they don’t mind.
staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
11:36 am
rabiddawg, do you need a hug? he played pretty well last season. i can only assume he will be even better this year.
SSIgator
June 15th, 2011
11:37 am
“Richt noted that kickoff plays are violent”
Really coach? I am in awe. This is truly insightful. UGA is really getting their $3,000,000 worth with observations like that. You must have discovered that when you started studying “cutting edge football” in January. If you keep reading further in your book you will discover that a football is not round.
Lincolnton Dawg
June 15th, 2011
11:38 am
Can we get a ratio over the last 50 years or so of kickoffs verses kickoffs containing a season or career ending injury??
Yeah.
Keep the kickoffs. Dumb argument.
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
11:39 am
Christian Robinson,Aaron Murray, Orson charles and Ray Drew are the new leaders on this team. They all have a great work ethic and lead by example. Robinson will fill Houston’s shoes quite nicely and also won’t throw his teammates under the bus or take plays off.
It is a breath of fresh air compared to Mettenberger, Ealey, Houston and Gray- the all about me, why don’t I play more choir boys.
frannie mae
June 15th, 2011
11:41 am
This just shows that UGA is in BIG BIG trouble with Mark Richt.
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
11:41 am
ssigator,
You really need to get a hobby, job, girlfriend or something.
Man you obsess about UGA 24/7.
Did Richt steal your girlfriend? Was Kathryn your childhood sweetheart?
EW
June 15th, 2011
11:41 am
Give them flags and eliminate tackling too. That’s way too dangerous.
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
11:42 am
frannie mae
June 15th, 2011
11:41 am
This just shows that UGA is in BIG BIG trouble with Mark Richt.
*******************************************************
Really? How? Enlighten us oh GREAT TROLL.
Rugby is a NCAA sport
June 15th, 2011
11:43 am
Have you seen Rugby? Football with NO pads. They may not have a kickoff but damn they are hitting each other with no pads or helmets! We are talking about kickoffs? I agree, this is just more wussification of America. All the know-it-all liberals! Open up Cuba for gods sake if you want somehting to do so I can have some legal Cuban Cigars and Rum!
No King
June 15th, 2011
11:43 am
Some want to eliminate running into the catcher at home plate … and now eliminate kickoffs in football. Where do you think the name of the damn sport came from? In another generation, we won’t have tackling. Flag football here we come.
Phildo
June 15th, 2011
11:43 am
What’s next? Flagball? I agree with Newman: Wussification, pure and simple. If anybody in Australia, where warfare is legal in both Australian Rules Football and Rugby, both of which use no equipment, except maybe a few non-face masked headgear, is reading this blog they’ve got to be LAO about this sissification.
beamer ball
June 15th, 2011
11:44 am
You win the big games with defense and special teams. Mark Rcht is a big oaf on this idea.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
11:50 am
Yea, not going to change that fundamental part of the game. But the idea of a punting it off would have its own legacy of return runs. If that’s how it had always been done, everyone would say that kicking it off would be boring or crazy.
And from a safety standpoint, obviously the idea of going TO a kickoff would never even be proposed.
The idea of a 4th and 15 opportunity is very intriguing. You talk about changing the dynamics of getting back into the game in the final minutes. I’m guessing the success rate of that conversion is far greater than an onside kick. That would lead to a lot more exciting finishes.
Dr. Don
June 15th, 2011
11:50 am
What will they think of next? Eliminate the center jump from basketball? Wait, they did that a century or two back. Changed the game and for the better.
Changed baseball from throwing a ball to hit the runner to get him out to throwing to a base. Baseball turned out all right.
People will adapt to whatever changes are made, whether they like them or not. 30 years from now college football will still be a big deal – even if there are no kick-offs. Besides, I like a good punt return as much as the next guy.
Seeer
June 15th, 2011
11:52 am
While we are at it let’s just go back to leather helmets and smaller pads. This will make kickoffs safer and prevent players from using their headgear as a weapon. Oh yea and lets do away with the 2 point conversion also…just another play where a player can be injured! Yea, and lets do away with….
sprouse27
June 15th, 2011
11:52 am
No surprise that’s CMR’s opinion. He really should be preaching somewhere, and not a head coach at what used to be a major football school.
waitnsee
June 15th, 2011
11:54 am
The game will go on w/o KO’s.
1eyedJack
June 15th, 2011
11:59 am
NO, NO, NO!!!
EVERYTHING in life contains a partical of risk.
Joey
June 15th, 2011
12:01 pm
I can think of at least 3 initerior linemen in the NFL that got paralyzed while only blocking, and/or tripping over another lineman. A couple more were WRs.
Bad things can happen anywhere on the field.
The Fallen Roman Empire
June 15th, 2011
12:02 pm
We loved our gladiator sports with lots of blood and injuiries as well. I see lots of parallels between us and America today.
iTiSi
June 15th, 2011
12:02 pm
So does MR think the punt is not just as dangerous? The returner standing back there ALONE with no protection with 2 or 3 guys coming at him full speed. How many times have we seen them creamed and injured even after signaling for a fair catch? Mr. Richt (the wussy) has some convoluted thinking going on here. Bet a week’s paycheck he is a liberal in his politics or a Progressive(brainless liberal) !!!!!! Improve the uniform maybe, but eliminate the kickoffs, is he crazy or been drinking DLo juice?
Father Flanagan Boys Home
June 15th, 2011
12:03 pm
Please Mark Richt come home! College football is for the Sabans, Bear Bryants and the Danny Fords of the world.
Joey
June 15th, 2011
12:04 pm
Did Rome ever have a socialist emperor?
Chuck
June 15th, 2011
12:10 pm
Rogers needs to find out if the rule change will prevent anybody from eating somebody else’s lunch before he weighs in.
Ryan
June 15th, 2011
12:12 pm
This is idiotic, why don’t we just get rid of football and all become die-hard fans of our favorite school’s soccer team?
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
12:13 pm
Just another installment of:
Some OTHER coach bring up something, reporters rush over to get Mark Richt’s office to ask him for a quote on his very limited take on it, and everyone falls over each other to offer up their psychoanalysis of what’s wrong with him.
OldFan
June 15th, 2011
12:13 pm
The whole “wussification” reaction is nonsense. If you want to show how manly you are, then play without helmets and pads. We used to do that in sandlot tackle football years ago. Guess we were just tougher in those days. Fact is these kids are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever. Give them 40 yards to build up steam, and it becomes more a gladiatorial contest than a sporting event. Maybe one solution is to place the two lines out well ahead of the kicker and returners. At least some of the force of the collisions would be reduced, but the opportunity to make the big play is still there.
NWGA Dawg
June 15th, 2011
12:13 pm
This is absurd. It’s FOOTBALL!!! The only thing I would be OK with is on the kickoff NOT letting the kickoff coverage team get a 10-15 yard running start. Eliminate that, and I think we can keep the kick off.
Bless Her Sacred Name
June 15th, 2011
12:26 pm
God bless Saint Jan Kemp, the courageous lady who exposed the sickness and deceit of the UGA athletic department. It started with the evil sleazemeister Vince Dooley and continues unabated with Mark Richt, the biggest phony in college athletics today.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 15th, 2011
12:27 pm
Wow, this sounds like a bad idea to me. I mean, what do you do to open the game. 100,000 fans on the sideline and you place the ball on the ground to start the game. I don’t think so. A returned kick can mean a victory for some teams, and a boost for every team.
It also may be the only way some of the kids get to play in a game and it is there moment to shine.
I am not sure either, if it is anymore dangerous to the athlete than say an interception, being run back, and someone having a clean shot on the guy with the ball. Might be a little revenge involved, for the guy doing the tackling. Football is a violent sport anyway, when you consider the size of a lot of these players today. Perhaps they could increase some of the rules, to prevent cheap shots, or unnecessary hits. Up the penalties on the rules violations already in place.
I sure hope they do not eliminate the kick off.
ARdawg
June 15th, 2011
12:28 pm
Tissues for the Mamby Pamby Jack Wagons and Tech fans. It’s football for crying out loud. If Richt is so concerned for player safety why is he coaching it? Kick offs are part of the game and often a game changers. Shut up Richt and errr umm get back to the business of coaching?
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 15th, 2011
12:30 pm
Anybody want to let “Bless her sacred Name”, be the tackling dummy in fall practices. Same guy, 100 differnet nicks to say the same thing every time. Isn’t there a mental condition for that sort of thing?
solja
June 15th, 2011
12:30 pm
Yet another example of THuga’s wussification. The next big idea from Athens and Saint Mark will be to move to flag football. No wonder all you hear from Thuga fans is crying and whining about getting hit!!!
Sebastian
June 15th, 2011
12:31 pm
Why should Richt worry so much about a play that Georgia will only run once per game.
Athens= God's Country
June 15th, 2011
12:33 pm
Kickoffs at Sanford are about the only time the older fans will make any noise. GATA.
It’s up to the players to protect themselves. It’s part of the game. Do you go for the ball or protect yourself?
And yes Kevin, progressives ARE ruining the country.
staffordinfection
June 15th, 2011
12:36 pm
uh. is it just me or were we talking about FOOTBALL NOT POLITICS! Get over it!
schmeckdawg
June 15th, 2011
12:43 pm
It Ain’t Rocket Science
June 15th, 2011
12:30 pm
Anybody want to let “Bless her sacred Name”, be the tackling dummy in fall practices. Same guy, 100 differnet nicks to say the same thing every time. Isn’t there a mental condition for that sort of thing?
GREAT CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Top Dawg
June 15th, 2011
12:48 pm
How are punts more “safe” than kick-offs?
Still@theBAR
June 15th, 2011
12:51 pm
Football is all about CONTACT. Let us just make it FLAG football and the guys can play forever in never get hurt.
For UGA fans “Flag Football” isn’t what UGA plays. “FLAG FOOTBALL” at UGA means the refs throwing Flags on every play for the Dawg players committing Personal Fouls>
GTBob
June 15th, 2011
12:55 pm
If we aren’t going to make changes for player safety then I say we go back to the old days with no pads. Plus eliminate all of the player safety rules like late hits. It’s football. If he doesn’t want to get hit then give him a skirt and tell him to sit on the sidelines. Head to head contact should also be allowed.
jay
June 15th, 2011
1:01 pm
I could see it if kickoffs were the only element of the game where serious injuries occur. However, every snap could be a career ending injury possibility. Where do you draw the line?
JB
June 15th, 2011
1:01 pm
Let see what else we can come with…..Every team goes to a bowl. Everyone gets a trophy. When do we take it to flag football? When do the QB’s start wearing green no contact jerseys in games? Geez.
No games over 85 degrees or under 32. How about 2 half’s for rest.
I'm Just Saying
June 15th, 2011
1:04 pm
My goodness if that isn’t a reason to fire the imbecile I don’t know what is. Good for you ugump….Saint Richt has turned sissy on you…two years ago he was more concerned with the fashion of uniforms…last year we went limp noodle on you and canceled two-a-days and your team struggled…now he wants to end one of the most exciting portions of a football game…you losers get the coach you deserve…limp noodle Richt…go Dawgs…er i mean go pomerainians…lol…LOSERS
savannahdawg
June 15th, 2011
1:06 pm
I didn’t even finish the article. Someone get real please! Kickoffs are no ore dangerous than a receiver running across the middle, or a punt return. Come on coach……….enough of this. Let’s ban pass rushing too. You can only stand on the line with your arms up in the air, no rushing! Why don’t we just say the hell with it and turn everything into flag football! IT’S FOOTBALL!!! SOMETIMES PEOPLE DO GET HURT! IT’S FOOTBALL!!!
slapajacket
June 15th, 2011
1:07 pm
Sombody has been watching to much lingerie league football. Besides, let’s just all go ask the wizard of tide roll oz what is best for college football. He knows everything about everything.
kevin
June 15th, 2011
1:07 pm
Rugby is a NCAA sport
June 15th, 2011
11:43 am
Have you seen Rugby? Football with NO pads. They may not have a kickoff but damn they are hitting each other with no pads or helmets! We are talking about kickoffs? I agree, this is just more wussification of America. All the know-it-all liberals! Open up Cuba for gods sake if you want somehting to do so I can have some legal Cuban Cigars and Rum!
Yeah, because all us liberals are anti-kickoff. Idiot.
kevin
June 15th, 2011
1:10 pm
GTBob
June 15th, 2011
12:55 pm
Your slippery slope arguments for removing kickoffs from college football are silly. No one is for exposing players to more danger than they need to be exposed to. However, parts of the game are crucial to it being the game it is and some parts of the game are dangerous.
Rugby is a NCAA sport
June 15th, 2011
1:22 pm
Kevin,
Go get my cigars and rum then!
Chris S
June 15th, 2011
1:28 pm
Given the Dawgs historic inability to cover kickoffs, I understand why Richt would be in favor of this move.
Coach Grohbo
June 15th, 2011
1:29 pm
Big advantage for Georgia as they are way ahead of the NCAA on this one.
They have already reduced their number of kickoffs;
They have already reduced their number of kickoffs landing in bounds;
They have already eliminated the fielding other teams’ kickoffs (beginning in the Auburn game); and
They have already eliminated blocking and tackling and other vestiges of physical football.
…and yet they sustain more injuries than any other team in college football.
Go figure.
Travis
June 15th, 2011
1:32 pm
Great…..and while we are at it- lets do away with 4th down….only three downs. Also, instead of 4 qtrs, lets play 3 qtrs with each being 2 minutes. One more thing, no tackling- this way we can do our best to make sure no one gets hurt. WHAT A JOKE…you have to be kidding me….football has been played for 100 years. Yes sometimes gets hurt and yes, sometimes it is a terrible injury. Football is a rough sport….duh……it happens in ANY sport…look at baseball (UGA this year)……
kevin
June 15th, 2011
1:33 pm
Rugby,
Being funny requires context and timing and your comments have neither.
Rugby is a NCAA sport
June 15th, 2011
1:38 pm
O but it struck such a cord with you it made you have to respond… thats the beauty of it…
Druid City
June 15th, 2011
1:39 pm
Reading this article makes me even more grateful we no longer have a pacifist running our football program in Tuscaloosa.
Ogeechee Dawg
June 15th, 2011
1:42 pm
Kick-offs are a part of the game – here is a solution:
1. Kick-off at the 40 yard – line – meaning pretty much a guarantee for fewer returns – yet allows an onside kick when a team needs a possesion change or wants to try to shift momentum.
2. If we eliminate kick-offs – better look at eliminating punt returns as well.
Remember the Hawaill player that ran through Mikey Henderson in the Sugar Bowl? He did this with intentions to hurt a UGA player. All punts are to be fair catched. Still can recover a fumble off a mis-played punt – or pin an opponent with a great place punt.
The above two are not bad ideas – but where do you draw the line?
Here is what could be considered next:
- College football needs to look at eliminating crossing routes – even a clean hit on an unsuspecting WR is way too dangerous and football has seen devastating injuries due to crossing routes.
- College football needs to look at eliminating TE drags – this route.
- College football should eliminate the holder on point after attempts and field goals in lieu for drop kicking the ball through uprights. The holder is in a dangerous – unprotected position.
kevin
June 15th, 2011
1:45 pm
Rugby,
If by strikes a chord you mean I can’t help but notice how asinine injecting political jabs into a discussion about kickoffs is–seems forced at best and idiotic at worst.
Never ever again
June 15th, 2011
1:45 pm
kick-off from the 40 … they have created this situation with kick-offs from the 35 … it all happened with the rules changing … OR Maybe we all have envolved beyond this primitive sport … just do away with the game … that way no one will ever get hurt again.
This (mindset) is why UGA will be 6 and 6 again … somethings are happening in Athens and I don’t think it is all for the good.
TallaDawg
June 15th, 2011
1:46 pm
A lot of you fellows have self-esteem and/or masculinity issues, if kick-offs are so important to prove the toughness or lack of “wussification” of “your” team that it is worth the much higher likelihood of severe injury or paralysis to a very young man.
Rugby is a NCAA sport
June 15th, 2011
1:48 pm
O Kevin, O Kevin,
I was far from the 1st to make the assurtion, but I appreciate highlighting mypost to respond to. I am truly flattered and humbled by it. I accept this award on behalf of all the people whom have ever rubbed you the wrong way. Please, O Kevin, O Kevin find it somewhere in your hart to forgive me….and bring me my damn Cigars and Rum!
Mark (another one)
June 15th, 2011
1:52 pm
The stats quoted in other articles show that kickoffs have more and more serious injuries per play than any other play in football. That inlcudes punts, interceptions, pass players, etc.
But I enjoy the kickoffs so I have mixed feelings. I also loved the crack-back, the chop block, the clothesline, and certainly the horse collar. I even enjoy it when a lineman holds up a runner to let his teammates take shots at the ball.
I also enjoyed the leather helmets (like President Ford used to wear) and leather flaps for pads. Think about the big offensive linemen of the glory Packer days (180-220 lbs.) and the hit they could deliver. Don’t let things change. These guys are fully aware of the dangers of their sport and willingly sign away the liability for brain and spinal damage. Glory to college football (or is it Gory?).
bjohndawg
June 15th, 2011
1:52 pm
You should eliminate coaches on the sidelines…they are exposed to hard out of bounds hits and they have no protection except their sweater vests.
Waiting also the waterboy must not be on the sidelines, cause you remember those crazy hits he took from players coming out of bounds. I think you should eliminate the punt to…the punt returner is totally exposed.
And you should eliminate the shotgun formation…the center is totally exposed what with having to look between his legs….Also recievers can not catch a pass that would cause them to leave the ground, totally exposed. The pass can go no higher then their forearm extended or it is incomplete.
We must also eliminate the team coming out of the lockeroom and onto the field and busting through a team banner. How many players have we seen trip and fall over a banner and end their careers. Mascots are out….they are just to rough with each other.
I think that all players should be just bubble boys. Playing in a 360 degree bubble. What with all the staph infections and mrsa infections in college football. Any touching between players must be eliminated. They could try to tackle each others bubble.
NC Dawg
June 15th, 2011
1:56 pm
Bad idea..how is punting the ball from the 30 different that a kickoff?
Ted M
June 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
“they could opt to go for it in a fourth-and-15 play that would serve the same purpose as an onside kick.”
I think coaches would try that a lot more than onside kicks are tried now.
Larry
June 15th, 2011
2:09 pm
After reading his coach’s preference, I wonder how motivated Brandon Boykin feels today?
I would think it would be nice to believe that your coach believes in what you’re doing!
DFWdawg
June 15th, 2011
2:12 pm
You have got to be kidding me. Let’s just give up. Call all the other countries out there and tell ‘em “make an offer. America is dead.” The Libs, Oprah and Dr. Phil have won. Let’s get rid of tackling also, two hand touch is just fine. And that forward pass…nonono. TOO dangerous. And score boards are so caveman. WE’RE ALL WINNERS!!! Take off your jock and pull up yer panties boys, the ship is going down. Out!
UGA Insider
June 15th, 2011
2:12 pm
T J Stripling is going to play and play often this fall. We have depth and immense talent currently at LB. No excuses for Grantham this year.
ps. Please Dawg fans don’t chime in about the secondary… they have talent and depth as well so I don’t want to hear it.
Stinkin' dog
June 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
I’d be embarrased were I a fan of the football program presently being fielded by UG-Athens. As a member of a fellow SEC institution, I’m embarrased for you fans of this once proud football program.
Leadership starts at the top – when your coach is a lap dog and no longer has the intestinal fortitude for kick-offs, you may as well kiss this season good-bye. Maybe you can convince Urban Meyer to come to Athens for 2012?
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
2:24 pm
OH what fun it would be to see some of you chest thumpers tell Greg Schiano what a wuss he is. I would really enjoy watching that.
UGA Insider
June 15th, 2011
2:25 pm
You may be right Stinky Dog but Urban is headed to The OSU. The next UGA coach will be Chris Peterson of Boise State or Dan Mullen of Miss St. And no I don’t care if he just signed an extension with Miss St. It means nothing to UGA because they can afford any buyout for anyone in the country. We are loaded with money.
Dean
June 15th, 2011
2:27 pm
I would support this move. Player safety first and foremost.
German Shepherd Dawg
June 15th, 2011
2:31 pm
Eliminate the onside kick? If that’s such a problem, move the ball up to the the 35 or 40 so there are more touch backs.They just moved the kickers back a few years ago because there were too many touch backs. As big a Dawg fan as I am, the AU/UGA game changed (for the worse) on the 2nd half onside kick brilliantly executed by the Tigers. It hurt for us to lose (and I really thought he touched the ball at first) but replays showed it was a helluva play. Until the NCAA strips them of all their wins from last season, I’ll still remember that play as helping Auburn win the NC.
Stinkin' dog
June 15th, 2011
2:32 pm
UGA Insider – I’ve always thought Chris Peterson would be good to have in the SEC. Perhaps the game this fall is an in-person audition?
jerry
June 15th, 2011
2:46 pm
Your opponent has just scored. You are down 6 with 55 seconds left in the game. You need a long kickoff return. Your opponent punts from their 30. Your only option is to fair catch the high hanger at your 20. That sucks.
Delbert D.
June 15th, 2011
2:56 pm
Bring back limited substitution. That should bring down scoring. It would also get rid of the 350 pound ball of blubber offensive linemen. Reinstate the rule that prohibited these OL guys from extending their arms while blocking. That would make passing less attractive to coaches. Take the game back to 1960.
jerry
June 15th, 2011
2:57 pm
@UGA Insider…………..they have always been loaded with money and they have never in their history hired a head football coach that had been successful AS a head coach at a major college. They are more likely to turn to nepotism, e.g., Griffith, Goff.
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
3:08 pm
If Greg McGarity is meeting with Chris Peterson at anytime during the week of the opener, then all the integrity UGA has been working so hard to get has been sent down the crapper.
I for one don’t believe it.
How do McGarity and Richt continue as AD and head coach if Richt turns things around in 2011? The answer is they can’t. The relationship would be permanently trashed. How would they have a meeting the week after the SC game in McGarity’s office if Richt is sitting at 2-0 and have a conversation?
They can’t.
We might as well have Danny ford running the show if this crap is true.
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
3:11 pm
Insider, they just named Fickell the head coach at OSU. They removed the interim tag didn’t they? Meyer isn’t going up there.
AthensDawg
June 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
They shouldn’t get rid of kickoffs because it would take the excitement away from football. Those of you who think this is a good move are idiots.
Mike T.
June 15th, 2011
3:14 pm
A kickoff return for a TD is one of the most exciting plays in football.
do away with it, that stupid.
rabundog
June 15th, 2011
3:17 pm
Oh well – nothing stays the same forever
CMR will kill "Go Dawgs Sic'em Woof Woof Woof"
June 15th, 2011
3:17 pm
Im done with Mark Richt. Like someone mentioned earlier he ditched two a days last year and we sure found out in the second qtr last year against SC that our guys were boys against men. BIG Mistake!
Dawg in Malta
June 15th, 2011
3:18 pm
I cannot believe this subject is even being discussed?
The kick-off is one of the most exciting plays of football.
All athletes playing different sports know about getting hurt.
I have 3 sons playing different sports and tell them you cannot play scared.
When you play scared that’s when you get hurt!
Unfortunately kids like Jonathon Taylor get hurt playing the game that they love.
Jonathon my thought and prayers go out to you and your family!
From articles I read…I can see from your courage and determination you will prevail.
Eliminating the kick-off(s) in football would be a disgrace to the game.
I cannot believe CMR is supporting this….and I support him!!!!
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 15th, 2011
3:20 pm
I think the Dan Mullen stuff is getting way out of hand…he’s been 1-4 in the SEC West two years straight now…whoopee do
dentaldawg
June 15th, 2011
3:26 pm
players have evolved..so should the game. get rid of the kick off.
UGA Insider
June 15th, 2011
3:33 pm
Like it or not McGarity and Chris Peterson are having an “informal” meeting the week of Chick-Filet Game. It happens all the time in CFB. How do we know CMR hasn’t informed McGarity that he wants to retire in a few years?? A good AD must keep his options open at all times…that’s how the game is played.
UGA Insider
June 15th, 2011
3:38 pm
Mullen and McGarity have worked together for years and Mullen was the brain who brought UF 2 titles in 3 years. Mullen will be a strong contender for the UGA in the next 3 or 4 years.
I personally think CMR will survive in 2011 and have a really good 2012 then retire or go to an ACC school where the pressure is lessened. I’m sure he is about burned-out on the SEC. I could see Peterson or Mullen staying put until 2013 or 2014 as well which would make sense.
truedawg
June 15th, 2011
3:40 pm
No punter in football? no GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Dawgs! Sic em! woof woof woof..just wouldn’t be the same. No quick return for 7 with very little time. Never happen. Bad idea.
CP at Boise, not a good fit at UGA, if its true the GM is talking to him, it isn’t much. CMR will bounce the team back this year and win some big games. CP is a good coach, but not ready for SEC football. In 10 years when CMR RETIRES…then look for a coach. maybe Van Gorder? Smart?
GO DAWGS!!!!
Gillislee
June 15th, 2011
3:42 pm
Mark “2-8″ Richt is the softest coach in the country
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
3:43 pm
So Richt works for someone who thinks it is OK to be having informal meetings with other head coaches who are potential candidates for the Georgia job?
And if Richt has a successful year, McGarity will explain it away by saying “it was an informal meeting”, “I had to keep my options open”???
The Georgia job is a great job. I don’t think McGarity will have any problem getting candidates. Plus, how does Boise’s AD feel? Abandoning ship because of NCAA sanctions instead of riding it out? They just changed conferences to get a better look from the BCS and then he is going to leave?
I would tell Peterson to hit the road.
If I were Richt and I have a turnaround season, I would tell GM to shove it.
FanSince59
June 15th, 2011
3:54 pm
Why don’t they just do away with the damn sport period. It figures that Richt would support a proposal like this. Another example why he will never win a national championship.
ga gator
June 15th, 2011
4:00 pm
Does not surprise me that some coaches would favor abandoning kick-offs, but I don’t believe it will ever happen. Here is one Gator who hopes Richt survives and I predict he will. If he doesn’t I would go after Mullen as my #1 and Petersen as #2. Trust me Dawg buddies, you do not want egotistical drama queen Urban in your job. Besides it wouldn’t go over to well with his oldest playing volleyball for GT.
GTBob
June 15th, 2011
4:02 pm
kick-off from the 40 …
After thinking about it, I think this is the best solution for now. It would add to touchbacks a little but would also lessen the speed some. The NFL has already voted to do the same thing for player safety, college football should probably follow.
beebee
June 15th, 2011
4:02 pm
You tell ‘em FanSince59.
If Richt had his way with college football, the game would be mandatory Pool Splashes and Dive with the players; Daily prayer meetings instead of practices; not that any of that is wrong. They seem to be his focus, not championship football.
What kind of head coach has his little wifey-mate prepare cookies and tea for the boys behind the team bench DURING FREAKIN’ GAMES?
Georgia will not only NEVER win the BCS Natl. Championship under Richt, they won’t win another SEC title either.
beebee
Alabama Jack
June 15th, 2011
4:16 pm
What Richt thought they asked was he in favor of being kicked off the job.
oledawg
June 15th, 2011
4:16 pm
Bill, you’re the one who is crazy. Since when does a ball kicked from a tee become more exciting than a punt? That’s teleological thinking. The players on the punt return team can still make the blocks and the runners don’t lose any speed. Those players who you named for running back kickoffs can still be utilized for punt returns. Schiano is not one of my favorite people, but that shouldn’t stop you from being objective no matter how long you have to think before you type. You never did well in science subjects, did you?
DawginLex
June 15th, 2011
4:18 pm
beebee
Got the Powerball numbers ???
Since you know for a fact Richt will never win the BCS or win another SEC title, I thought I could get rich from your Nostradamus like skills.
Rabid Dawg'84
June 15th, 2011
4:18 pm
Does anyone know how many scholarships we can fill in FEB 2012?
I say get rid of the soccer players altogether. No FG or PAT.
If you want 1 point after a TD, run a play from the 2, if you want 2 points after a TD, run a play from the 5. If you need 3 points to win, cross the other teams’ 20 yd line. Games should be won or loss by offense and defense, not a soccer player who doesn’t practice with the team.
Go Dawgs.!
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
4:21 pm
I would love to see that 4th and 15 option put in though. (and I assume a punt would be in play) THAT would add some excitement. Nobody in the stadium knows what is going to happen.
Line up, take a shot, or surrender field position. Eithere by failing or just punting from behind the line. Still gives you a better chance than an extrememely rare onside kick recovery. That’s more of a roll of the dice. Luck. This would be an actual football play.
I can see that whole sequence throttling back the freight trains running into each other too.
Richt`s Hammer
June 15th, 2011
4:28 pm
I think it is a great idea. Hey I thought of that.
buzzn
June 15th, 2011
4:32 pm
Sounds like a lazy coach who doesn’t want to coach special teams.
MCDAVIDDAWG
June 15th, 2011
4:47 pm
Not surprising Richt is for it. He’d also like to play only high schools.
Direction Kicking
June 15th, 2011
4:51 pm
My skills will no longer be needed. Richt has never coached a team that defended kickoffs well. Maybe that’s why he wants to get rid of them.
Bobby Cox
June 15th, 2011
4:51 pm
And I thought I couldnt possibly dislike Richt any more that I do. He has gotta go.
Direction Kicking
June 15th, 2011
4:55 pm
So the first play of a huge conference game or even national championship game would possibly be a fair catch? What a bummer.
Man Up
June 15th, 2011
4:58 pm
I cant be live some of you pansies defending Richt on this topic. I guess Richt gives all of you a tingling sensation running up the leg.
Direction Kicking
June 15th, 2011
5:01 pm
Let’s start playing two hand touch football. That should be much safer.
Buckeye
June 15th, 2011
5:09 pm
OMG! When would the dogs utter woof woof woof?
Buckeye
June 15th, 2011
5:10 pm
The way things have been going for us lately they’ll probably vacate Tedd Ginn Jr’s TD return against Time Out Time Out Time Out.
Buckeye
June 15th, 2011
5:18 pm
And what, pre tell, do we do about the on-side kick – one of the most intersting and desparate plays in football? As long as there’s a chance to recover the on-side kick, there’s a chance.
Buckeye
June 15th, 2011
5:19 pm
While we’re at it, eliminate the hail mary too. jeez.
Been there
June 15th, 2011
5:24 pm
Having played wide receiver in college and returned kickoffs, nothing was more dangerous to me than catching a punt. People coming full speed at you, all the while you are focusing on a ball that never drops in a vertical plane. You will take maximum hits and never see them coming. Maybe more people are injured on a kickoff, but show me a kickoff return man that has to worry about being hit before the ball gets there. RUGBY…loved that game …played 14 years against some of the best teams in the country and a few of the top international teams. It is a sport that demands incredible conditioning and perseverance. I would not trade a moment of my rugby career for anything, including my 4 years starting in college football, but a hit in rugby is not the same as football. Football helmets and pads combined with stoppage between plays mandates the most violent collisions this side of an asteroid hitting earth. Rugby is about possession and the best teams and players do not sacrifice themselves for one big hit. A rugger must stay involved in every movement and last the entire game, therefore a one play, full out body assault is not smart. A football helmet is a weapon and is used as such. Long gone are the days it was designed as player protection. It tears our ribs, shoulders, knees and the like. I am not for changing the rules in football or rugby, but there is a difference in how the injuries occur and what can be done to minimize them without changing the game.
What the Huck!
June 15th, 2011
5:36 pm
I was in the stadium when Lindsey Scott quieted the Tiger Stadium crowd by taking the second half kick-off to the house…and I was also in the house when Gene Washington suffered a broken leg against Alabama on a kick-off return…..Yes, it’s a violent play–but I agree with Christian Robinson–it’s a part of the game…I would rather get rid of calling kids “student athletes” who can’t pass a high school graduation test.
SuperB
June 15th, 2011
5:40 pm
Why don’t they just eliminate tackling and play flag football. All this safey mumbo jumbo from coaches, whose teams now play 12 games instead of 10– creating more opportunities for injuries– and reinjuries.
RedPantsDawg
June 15th, 2011
5:40 pm
Richt’s comments shed some light on why his team finished 6-7 with a gutless performance in a bowl game.
SuperB
June 15th, 2011
5:45 pm
One idea might be to kick off from either the 30 or 35, but have the coverage team lineup on the 40 or 45 yard line. That would assure a return but slow down the speed and velocity of the impact of hits on the returner.
hind tit
June 15th, 2011
7:26 pm
Just turn it over to the girls.
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
7:47 pm
Really, he has never had a good KO coverage team? He didn’t lead the league in that category just this past season? His squads were also not in the top half of the SEC almost every year he has been here, with rare exception, most noticable the year he was breaking in a freshman kicker, the first year of the 30 yr line rule and playing shorthanded of reserve LB s? That stuff never happened, huh?
AltamahaDawg
June 15th, 2011
7:59 pm
But thank goodness we finally figured out that whole 6-7 thing. This is clearly is his weakness. Agreeing with another coach that paralyzed players are not real cool.
The guy didn’t bring it up, he didn’t suggest this, he isn’t promoting it. Somebody else brought it up, Richt was asked, and like 50 other things that most coachs would “vote” for knowing damn well nobody would ever bring it to one, he said he could see the point.
Gawdalmighy, relax. I’ve never a man who could give a casual quick answer to a question that has no actual relevance and set so many people scurrying around, as Coach Richt.
Delbert D.
June 15th, 2011
8:24 pm
The idea of eliminating placement kicks has some merit (and I was a placekicker, along with being a 2nd-team end several decades ago.) Make FGs and PATs drop-kick only. Punt (or drop-kick for onside kicks) on kickoffs. Get more rugby players into the game and fewer soccer players.
ugab
June 15th, 2011
9:13 pm
A player can get hurt playing any position in football. It is a contact sport!!!!pssys
get rid of the pads
June 15th, 2011
9:27 pm
and the facemasks.
that’ll slow em down real quick like.
Toe meets leather-not
June 15th, 2011
9:34 pm
I’m out of here!
get rid of the pads
June 15th, 2011
9:38 pm
bruinz up 2-0!
Score Check
June 15th, 2011
10:02 pm
Keep the kickoffs. But start kicking the cheap-shot players out of the league.
You know like that THUG from the BARN that took cheap shot after cheap shot after cheap-shot ALL season long last year.
HOUDAWG
June 15th, 2011
10:29 pm
Won’t happen ……. period. Understand the points , they’re valid, but kickoffs are too ingrained in the game & have been for decades. A kickoff after an opposing team’s TD / FG is or can be a game-changer & the excitement is unmatched. If it changes anytime soon , we may as well talk about eliminating the forward pass. ‘ Cause as we all know, 2 outta 3 things on a forward pass are BAD …….
JDawg
June 15th, 2011
10:46 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/06/15/mark-richt-on-the-hot-seat/
Stupid
June 15th, 2011
10:57 pm
Stupid idea period.
Pitbull
June 15th, 2011
10:59 pm
Working on tall building is dangerous. Driving over 50 is dangerous. Crossing the street is dangerous. Living in a ROUGH area is really dangerous. Throwing a baseball 100mph at someone is also. Get real, Coach Richt. This ain’t Sunday School! That is why your team is soooo wussie! That is why Bama spanked your ASS on national TV.
Mr. Phelps
June 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
Football is not a contact sport, it is a collision sport played by BIG men. Kickoffs are just part of the game.
GO DAWGS
June 16th, 2011
12:03 am
Field Goal Jesus,
You’re an idiot. How is this a legitimate reason for why Mark Richt needs to go? First off, he is saying this because a former player of his, Decory Bryant, ended his playing career on a kickoff and the Stripling guy had an injury. So, it’s not like Richt can just say “Oh there’s no problem here, deal with the injury.” Not th kind of guy Richt is. He didnt do two a days becasue we were losing players left and right and in the middle of the season admitted it was a mistake. You are a complete fool. Please go sulk somewhere else
big d dawg
June 16th, 2011
1:12 am
You think the injuries would be lower because of a change?? don’t count on it…doesn’t matter whether it’s a kick off or a punt… the players are still going down the field full tilt. someone is going to get hit. good grief wussies it’s football.
Thomas Brown
June 16th, 2011
6:22 am
We are not any good at kick-offs. Neither kicking nor receiving them. Decory Bryant had to sue UGA to get his $600,000.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 16th, 2011
8:01 am
Clean up some of the cheap shots and enforce the rules and there will not be anymore injuries in this segment of the game, than any other. I respect CMR’s feelings for the kids that play for him, but there must be a better way to cut down on devastating injuries than this. If we start modifying the rules to make it safer, because the kids are bigger, faster and hit with more intensity, you will fundamentally destroy the game. It is a contact sport, and injuries are going to occur. I think every player understands the risk involved. Just enforce the rules in place and if necessary, put some more in place, if they can reduce any risk, but don’t alter the rules to this extent.
AltamahaDawg
June 16th, 2011
8:15 am
The blocking and coverage teams are set up completely different on punts, and the speed is not comparable. Folks get hurt on punts just as much as any play from scrimmage, but KO as they exsist now are “full tilt” in a completely different way. The answer is more realistically going to come from in modifying the KO formations/placement which will happen sooner rather than later. All Richt did was answer a question the way the majority of coaches would in saying something needs to change, and it will.
Big Uglies.
June 16th, 2011
8:39 am
OMG!!! Why dont we just bring out the flags! Good grief!!!
Whiskey Breath
June 16th, 2011
8:45 am
If there has ever been a question about Ga playing soft, CMR sure answered it. We watch the game for the violence. The players play because they like to hit. You don’t play the game if you are concerned about getting hurt. Keep the Ga tradition going CMR. Yea, they are going to win the NC and beat Florida too!
Ben
June 16th, 2011
8:51 am
Let’s eliminate the forward pass while we’re at it.
This idea is a joke.
You know why the Philadelphia Eagles use DeSean Jackson on the return team? BECAUSE HE CAN SCORE FROM ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD AT ANY TIME. It’s one of their best weapons.
You take away an entire aspect of some teams approach.
Some of the most incredible plays I’ve ever witnessed were kickoff returns.
LEAVE THE GAME ALONE.
GameDayDawg
June 16th, 2011
8:52 am
We already have rules to overprotect many of the skilled positions. Starting the game with a punt, or worse–just putting the ball in play at a specified yardline will put the game down a path that turns it in to something akin to soccer. The kickoff is the release gate for all the anticipation that accrues on and off the field before a game. A kickoff return can change the tide of a game as can a bad kickoff. It is part of the game—leave it be!
Whiskey Breath
June 16th, 2011
9:00 am
Ga can’t beat anybody, but they think they change the rules to suit them. My favorite rule change was when Vince imposed the 15 yard touchdown celebration. I am still laughing about the LSU game.Talking about backfiring,…For you that don’t know, back in the 90’s Vince was at home watching the Hurricanes play. It made him so mad that they were jumping up and down in the end zone, that he came up with his own rule change.
Dawg Fud
June 16th, 2011
9:10 am
Football is a violent game? Wow, who knew…
Les Miles = winner; CMR = not so much
June 16th, 2011
9:15 am
great post, whiskey…ole’ st. vince sure showed those show-boaters…it’s great to come on thses UGAG blogs and read about the past (1980-1983); you have to respect the past when the UGAG crowd knows they have no future…UGAG = CLEMSON WEST…
Living in the past
June 16th, 2011
10:08 am
Almost every time 1980 is brought up on these blogs is from those obviously jealous/envious of UGA. And outside of Florida, name one SEC school with a winning record against Mark Richt.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 16th, 2011
10:32 am
I believe one of America great leaders said, “If we do not learn from the past, we are doomed in the future”. One only needs to look at the economic situation in America today, to see that this is true.
UGA and the coaching staff know what it takes to field a better team, and my guess is none of you, will influence anything they do on the field. All your snide comments and put downs will not mean a hill of beans, or influence one thing the DAWGS do on the field this year. Negative comments do keep these blogs in business though, so keep them coming. Start picking out new nick names for these blogs now though, since you will not want to use the same name after UGA makes you eat your words this year.
Otto
June 16th, 2011
11:25 am
Terrible idea
Contact is part of the game. Kick offs set the tone and start the field position battle.
I’m ashamed to hear this come from a UGA coach.
Bulldog Joe
June 16th, 2011
1:42 pm
Eliminating kickoffs would make the regular season about as exciting as G-Day.
Les Miles = winner; CMR = not so much
June 16th, 2011
2:59 pm
@living in the past….come back when you win something other than the Fulmer Cup…1980 was a long time ago…
Never ever again
June 16th, 2011
3:23 pm
I played the sport (football) … many of you played the sport … my sons played the sport … never ever would I have played “thinking” that I was going to get hurt … (Nope, not hurt but yes, got a little banged up) … finally … just like driving a car … never ever would I drive a car “thinking” I was going to get hurt … UGA is in trouble … the “inbreads” have a new mindset …
Mean Machine
June 16th, 2011
3:29 pm
Embarrassing! It’s bad enough that players are as soft as cotton balls, and now their coach wants to play 2 hand touch. No wonder the UGA program has sunken to the bowels of the SEC. Nothing to be proud of here.
SOUTHGADAWG88
June 16th, 2011
4:25 pm
At the end of the day football is a physical semi-dangerous sport…injuries will occur….it’s part of the game.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 16th, 2011
6:51 pm
CMR is thinking with the severe injury one of his players had on a kickoff, on his mind. He does care for his kids a lot, and maybe sometimes that clouds his judgment. If I were a parent, I think I would respect a man that had my kids best interest in mind. This also was a spur of the moment question and not a canned rehearsed interview so I am sure he probably would have gone into detail more about what he means or why he said it, had there been more time to think and also to reply.
I am sure no player goes into a game expecting to be hurt, but it does happen. No military guy goes into combat expecting the worse but doo doo happens there as well. If he thought maybe, the players could be better protected by a change of a rule give him credit for at least thinking a little outside the box.
I may not agree with him on this point but I am not going to vilify him either for expressing his opinion. You can disagree with someone without having to resort to name calling and petty remarks that more closely reflect badly on you, the sender, than the person you are talking about.
Les Miles = winner; CMR = not so much
June 16th, 2011
7:39 pm
@living in the past…since 1980 National Championships of local note: 1x: Auburn, Tennessee, Ga Tech 2x: Bama, LSU, 3x: Florida…yall work on beating UCF for the time being…can’t wait for that Boise Beatdown; hope CMR has some kind of special stunt to fire up the team…blackout; end zone dance (gotten your behinds kicked ever since); red panties…..
RED DOG 77
June 17th, 2011
12:02 am
I love the kick-off, but in reality, the pure thrill of the game comes in the stratagy, the blood and guts in the trenches, a perfectly designed out and up pattern for a touchdown, a back breaking tackle after tackle on his way to a 40yd touchdown……….Yup, I must admit I would miss the kick-off, but at the end of the game, I bet you wouldn’t remember not having one………kind of like a game without a punt………and that does happen from time to time………just my opinion………..RED
Thomas Brown
June 17th, 2011
4:23 am
0-1 Mark Richt vs Central Florida
1-1 Mark Richt vs Colorado (combined 7-17 teams)
1-1 Mark Richt vs Okie State (combined 16-10 teams)
0-1 Mark Richt vs Boston College (8-4 team)
0-1 Mark Richt vs West Virginia (behind 28 nothing before sat down)
3-3 Mark Richt vs LSU
2-8 Mark Richt vs Florida
23 Losses vs SEC teams 2001-2010 Florida
25 Losses vs SEC teams 2001-2010 LSU
26 Losses vs SEC teams 2001-2010 Auburn
28 Losses vs SEC teams 2001-2010 Mark Richt coaching staff
Win Percentage 2001-2010 (Top 10)
.821 Texas
.807 Oklahoma
.778 LSU
.753 Florida
.876 Boise State
.828 Ohio State
.813 Southern Cal
.784 Texas Christian
.741 Utah
.744 Virginia Tech, don’t see Mark Richt in Top 10.
How, again, is Mark Richt the 4th best coach in America ? (Not 4th best in his own conference.)
This what you want,
LIVING IN THE PAST ?
Name a team who has done better than Mark Richt -
LIVING IN THE PAST
Thomas Brown
June 17th, 2011
4:55 am
It Ain’t Rocket Science
Negative comments ?
Would you prefer (obviously you do) to come running in here bragging how everyone should wait until this year when we do well, you state very clearly. So, the players don’t have to GATA. The coach can say how the game of football is just too violent – change the rules. Our recruiting which Mark Richt has averaged ranking # 7 all 11 years averaging all Scout.com and Rivals rankings starting 2001, is now all of a sudden (not in Top 5 of Scout.com rankings 2011 and 2 of those have Failed to Qualify already, and he signed 25 because he ran half a dozen off the team or could have signed only 19 and they averaged 3.52 out of 5 which also is worse than 4 more schools ranked worse than Mark Richt’s recruiting class 2011) our recruiting class this 1 season is going to just be told by you that all they have to do is so up and – well, we will win, you state straight-up.
We play a soft weak easy schedule, not facing ANY of the Top 3 SEC West teams of Alabama, Arkansas nor LSU, and even in this way down SEC East figure to not beat South Carolina nor Florida according to Las Vegas, who also has us losing to Boise State, and who else do we play ? No one. So, what is that 9-3, then a bowl game against some hapless opponent in some meaningless bowl game – which is all Mark Richt has beat in any bloody bowl game since coming here to UGA; and, then we play according to you against Alabama, LSU or Arkansas to make us 9-4 before that worthless meaningless bowl game.
And, this is great according to you. Yell it from the mountain top, all the recruits have to do is so up. 10 better running backs than we have coming into 2011 just in The SEC according to ESPN today.
No Fullback.
No Secondary.
No OL outside the starting 5.
No receivers.
No one at any position who has done a bloody thing at that position.
You know how we get ourselves INTO this situation ? Posters like YOU telling them they ALREADY ARE GREAT THIS 2011 SEASON, playing NO ONE all year long. Nobody. Softest schedule I EVER saw.
QB who had 19 TD passes vs 8 teams combined record of 37-62
QB who had 05 TD passes vs 5 teams combined record of 53-15 – all Losses
QB # 62 in the nation at being Sacked
QB # 56 in the nation at converting 3rd Down Conversions
QB # 72 in the nation at even making a 1st Down
QB # 55 in the nation in Total Offense for UGA vs soft schedule
QB who stole 8 carries a game from TB averaging LESS than 2 yds carry
QB who had 05 TD passes vs 5 teams finishing Top 25 AP Poll – all Losses
QB who had 19 TD passes vs 8 teams finishing not Top 25 AP Poll – Lost 2
I tend to think we need the complete OTHER STRATEGY – GATA, tell players they are NOT GREAT, tell recruits they haven’t blocked anyone yet, tell Defense they are lousy – especially the no-name no nothing Secondary, tell everyone on team look at their results these last 5 years of # 23 in the nation for the # 11 all-time football program. In other words, THEY ARE NOT GREAT and not satisfactory. Then, sir, there is you.
Name me some football program who has done better than Mark Richt. Good Lord.
Wait until THIS YEAR -
It Ain’t Rocket Science
Thomas Brown
June 17th, 2011
5:05 am
Pre-season DISNEYdawgs.com posters run into the AJ-C and BRAG about how we are BETTER than lesser teams – look at the Mark Richt recruiting rankings of Scout.com and Rivals averaged together over the 11 classes starting 2001 at then the average ranking of # 7 all 11 years – we, then, are BETTER than Boise State, better than South Carolina, better than Florida; and, oh we are BETTER than all the other CUPCAKES on our schedule, too.
Only problem with that, is that we have LOST Ten (10) Games in the Mark Richt 10-Year-Era so-far against teams (Lesser teams than we were all 10 Losses) 10 Losses in 10 years to teams NOT finishing be ranked in the Top 25 AP Poll.
So, brag away. Tell them they are great. Tell them all they have to do is to show up. And, we will then WIN according to you DISNEYdawgs.com posters.
Don’t bother coming back during the season. Or, after the season, except to say : Wait until Next Year.
BEAT THE RUSH :
Join up with fellow RICHT-O-FILE and beg today for Two (2) More years for Mark Richt like
BRANDON PLEDGER.
Thomas Brown
June 17th, 2011
5:17 am
7 SEC undisputed Consensus National Championships in BCS National Championship Games in a Row 7-0 SEC and Mark Richt ? Oh, he was BETTER than LSU who in 2007 beat the same 3 Top 25 teams Mark Richt beat and 2 more Top 10 teams Mark Richt did not beat, nor did LSU lose to hapless South Carolina a 6-loss team even with their win over Mark Richt 2007 who did not even play in a bowl game, but Mark Richt got the Shaft by ESPN and the BCS. Yeah, right. Or, 2002, when David Greene threw wounded ducks all game long against Florida who did not even end up finishing in the Top 25 Coaches’ Poll 2002 and so we went 0-11 on 3rd Down Conversions and poor good guy Christian Mark Richt Lost to this hapless sorry Florida team 2002 – so Mark Richt got the Shaft – never mind yet again Mark Richt beat NO team finishing in the Top 10 of the AP Poll. In fact in 2002, only # 15 Auburn is the only other SEC team ranked at ALL finishing in the Top 25 Coaches’ Poll 2002. Is it Mark Richt’s fault The SEC sucked in 2002 ? Is it Mark Richt got the Shaft 2002 when there were several other undefeated teams who beat other teams finishing in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 2002, while Mark Richt again beat NONE and LOST to a hapless Florida team.
Shafted poor little guy Mark Richt 2002 and 2007 by ESPN and the BCS.
B.S.
What we need around here is a change in attitude by the DISNEYdawgs.com fans. Then, only, maybe we might actually do something. Instead of saying how great we are beating NO ONE, losing to nobodies, and not motivating our players off and on the field. I return you to your feel sorry for Mark Richt group – JUST PLEASE I BEG YOU, GIVE MARK RICHT TWO (2) MORE YEARS JUNE 16, 2011 ACCORDING TO BRANDON PLEDGER.
RMikel58
June 17th, 2011
6:56 am
Yeah kickoffs go then whats next? Punt returns? Field goals? Is this football or is it soccer? With every season that goes by mommies and daddies dont want to see Johnny hurt and so they rant and rave when they get a boo boo.
Incidents where an athlete (though its awful) gets paralyzed are very rare and i can understand why those parents would lobby to get somethings removed from the game of football.
But the more and more we start removing this or that fromn football , the more it takes away from what football is meant to be.
It would be like basketball….. say that we eliminate a team from having to start at their end of the court why not just half the court size and let them play like that this way none of them could fall or get hurt taking the ball so far down the court.
Or just let 3 players play instead of 5 that way there wouldnt be so many people on the court that could foul or twist an ankle or get injured.
How bout hockey…..same half court thing, less people and the puck should have blow bags around it when it hits or the sticks have rubber tips on the blade and maybe use roller blades so that a player cant get a cut.
Friends no ,matter what we do to prevent mishaps in any sport they will continue on but then again whats becoming of the sport? Why even have pads on…….maybe we should incorporate touch football instead of wearing pads anymore and play “around the world” in basketball and set a tee ball in baseball .
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 17th, 2011
7:19 am
Thomas Brown’
So now you know all about UGA and what they have to put on the field already this year. You have spent a whole page of web space stating things about what happened in the past and putting down folks that actually support UGA. You really need to get out from behind the computer and confront life in the real world. I am sure you value only your opinion and I am sure there are more than a few haters on here that back you up. But I would suggest, until you actually play the game at the college level and play a team like UGA, that you are blowing hot air out of your lower back extremity exit area.
Never ever again
June 17th, 2011
7:37 am
It Ain’t Rocket Science … So now you are saying that if you haven’t “played the game at the college level” you can’t comment … and you have I’m guessing?
How coy …
No Longer Ford Tough
June 17th, 2011
8:18 am
Just get it over with and become a preacher and not a football coach.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 17th, 2011
10:33 am
Never say atgain,
I am saying that to just state CMR can’t coach and this or that player can’t play, require a certain amount of knowledge besides the fact you don’t like UGA and CMR. The guy has had success whether you want to acknowledge it or not.
Thomas Brown
June 18th, 2011
12:47 am
I also take exception to that, too, It Ain’t Rocket Science, sir.
You say that I am a hater and not a fan of Georgia football, and that you are. Really ? You think it is better to fill their heads with how great they are; and, I sir, say that they earn their credibility on the football field and off the football field before I come running in here “supporting” them as great, as you sir.
Not that you are going to understand the difference any better than when Never ever again just told you. I find no reason in that post, either of them by you, to tell you about myself and you wouldn’t believe me if I did or if I did not. We have a fundamental difference in how we think (1) we have been doing at # 23 in Win Percentage over these last entire five years and (2) how you blatantly disregard all that and state now all of a sudden overnight, we are in fact great right now, today.
I want us to be great. I would settle for not being a total embarrassment as a fans trying to pass off this 2010 version as 1 bit difference from what we have seen over these last 5 years. About 4 losses on the season when it is said and done and no win over any great team, yet again. Oh, and a loss as every other season too, to a really sorry football team.
So, let’s all as fans just tell anyone who sees all that plain as day that he isn’t a fan and you are; therefore let’s not allow his opinion to be stated. Not at all. Discredit the person. Discredit him as a fan and raise you up, instead.
You.
You, you see, believe that to support the team and to be a fan of the team, you have to lie to hype and disregard the truth. You also think being a fan of the team requires you to say how great we today are. Today, we aren’t very good. This season, we will not be very good. Sure, we have a soft schedule with only really just 3 games of any significance : South Carolina, Boise State and Florida. Of the 3 really good teams in The SEC (all in the West), we play none of them. If we did, we would have our hats handed to us. I just hope we can win all the games we are supposed to win for a change. I have no expectations that without fullbacks without wide receivers without an offensive coordinator dedicated to the run in this run conference without a single back-up across the entire offensive line, without any semblance of a secondary and no player who has shown any impact at his position, that this talk of national championships, Heisman Trophies and the like is total abject B.S. posted by persons such as yourself son : DISNEYdawgs.com