[2JBallar01]

Goodell floats novel idea for replacing kickoffs
Posted by Mike Florio on December 6, 2012, 10:01 AM EST

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has landed on the cover of TIME magazine. The accompanying article contains plenty of interesting nuggets.

Here’s the first one that caught our eye.

Sean Gregory of TIME writes that one of the options being considered for replacing kickoffs entails giving the ball to the team that would have been kicking off at its own 30, automatically facing a fourth down and 15 yards to go. The team can then choose to punt or go for it, via fake punt or otherwise.

In other words, the kickoff would be replaced with the punt, and the onside kick would be replaced with a fourth-down conversion roughly half the distance of Ray Rice’s recent catch-and-run.

The idea would be to remove completely the high-speed, open-field collisions between large men who dip their heads instinctively at impact and place extra pressure on the C3-C4 area of the spine. While other injuries would be possible during the punt play that replaces the kickoff, the risk of catastrophic injury would be reduced.

The move also would make punters, long snappers, and gunners more important, along with punt returners. In turn, kickoff specialists would become extinct, and return specialists who are much better returning kicks than punts would be far less valuable to the broader roster.

Goodell says the idea came from Bucs coach Greg Schiano. The fact that Goodell mentioned to Gregory it means that the league is at least considering it — and that the league perhaps wants to see how folks react to the possibility.

[The Reverend]

God I hate him. Ed Reed should tackle him at a press conference.

[2JBallar01]

So basically:

1. Kickoffs would now be Punts

2. Instead of onside kicks, you have 1 chance to convert a 4th and 15


Am i getting this correct?

[HarlemHxC814]

in all honesty this is the absolute worst idea I have ever heard

[Jetsfan115]

HarlemHxC814, on 06 December 2012 - 11:45 AM, said:

in all honesty this is the absolute worst idea I have ever heard

until he turns the NFL into the NFFL (National Flag Football League)

[Smedsthejet]

Stupid idea that will drastically change field position dynamics. A fair catch would replace a touchback, but with the average length of a punt, teams would then start with better field position than they would with a kickoff that isn't returned. And what happens to onside kicks? Surely there's more a chance of converting one of them than a 4th and 15 play?

[Mr_Jet]

If he's so worried about injuries he should just listen to Hines Ward. Take the helmets off the players during kickoffs. They all would run a lot slower and be much more gentle. Or play without face masks just for the kickoffs. Then players wouldn't be able to use their helmets as weapons.

[santana]

when i read this i read it like randy marsh doing a sarcastaball press conference

[reg83ny]

Goodell needs to be run out of the NFL just like Rex. This guy is overdoing it. Its bad enough he moved the kickoffs back now this shit. The game's been aorund for a long and he's changing the rules as he goes. I want Tagliabue back

[SecondHandJets]

If he's so worried about player safety, why do we have Thursday Night football?

[santana]

SecondHandJets, on 06 December 2012 - 05:40 PM, said:

If he's so worried about player safety, why do we have Thursday Night football?

easy
because they cashed a check from lexus to sponsor their half time shows and run commercials during the game

[a1elbow2.0]

Why do teams play on fields that cause more injuries (answer: increases speed, increases scoring)? The league cares about money. They deny knowing anything about player safety to keep the retired players from suing while at the same time punishing players for playing how the highlight videos the NFL puts out celebrate. Hypocrisy and greed I can stand if it is honest and there is a good product. Goodell's NFL is an embarrassment.

[SecondHandJets]

santana, on 06 December 2012 - 06:10 PM, said:

easy
because they cashed a check from lexus to sponsor their half time shows and run commercials during the game

Oh I know that Goodell is a money grubbing fool. I'm just saying, you want players to be safe but you're forcing them to play with 4 days of rest? GTFO