DeHaven defends the kickoff

[Mr. Scot]

Bruce DeHaven: We need to change the perception of kickoffs

DeHaven said on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Zig Fracassi and Bill Polian that his conversations with other coaches lead him to believe that there will be a fair number of attempts to kick balls short in hopes of making tackles short of the 25, which would obviously be the opposite of the league’s intent. That’s why DeHaven said he’s told his fellow coaches that they’ll need to do something to change the way the injury risk on kickoffs is viewed if they are going to remain in the game.

“We’re gonna have to do something on kickoff, kickoff return that changes the perception of how the owners, the press and the fans view it,” DeHaven said. “If we don’t, they’re going to take it away. I just think that would be the worst thing we can do.”

One suggestion DeHaven had was to make changes to the kinds of blocks that are allowed, particularly anything that could be viewed as a wedge featuring players working in concert. That was one of the things discussed on the aforementioned conference call and there will be more to come if this year’s tweak doesn’t fulfill the league’s wishes.

[Growl]

They need to figure out something. Handing the ball over the team and walking it out 25 yards for them reeks of busch league. You'd see a lot of talented players suddenly not have a use either.

[w280sax]

He is right that moving the touchback to the 25 is going to cause more returns.  Not sure what they are trying to do there.

I wish he could make our special teams better.  Lots of room for improvement there.

[L-TownCat]

The biggest problem on KOs is that one team is standing still waiting on the ball while the other gets to use that time to get to full speed.

 

if there is a way to eliminate that part while maintaining a balanced competition for the play then do it.  I haven't given it enough thought for a plan but I'm sure it can be done.

[rodeo]

It really seems bizarre to make kicks shorter to encourage touchbacks, then make touchbacks longer to discourage them. It seems like changing poo just for the sake of changing them. Why don't you just but some dang flags on em and be done with it

[Jangler]

Could do red rover 

[Growl]

There's a legitimate concern over ST for us his year. Weve not been good on ST in like 15 years but our strength has been Graham's ability to just beat the tar out of the ball. Now thats not even a benefit.

[SmokinwithWilly]

Require all kickoffs to be squibs. If it goes out of bounds between the 25 and goalline, spot place the ball at the 20. Before the 25, it goes to the 30.

Players won't be able to get up to speed because they can't track the ball as well on the ground and it could provide for some more crazy kickoffs.

[DamnItJake!]

just make equal football and have girls do the kick off portion.. All girl kick off and return, since they want to pussify it!! :)

[w280sax]

1 hour ago, chris999 said:

I think they should do away with the commecial after the kick return.

It sucks to wait through 5 minutes of commercials and have 10 seconds of action and then another 2 minutes of commercials.

I think if they went straight to first down, it would make the impact of the return seem more important to the outcome of the drive (to the casual fan, not us diehards).

I agree that would be better and it would speed up the game.  BUT...

the nfl wont do that for the same reason they wont get rid of any meaningless preseason games that have unnecessary injuries while they talk about safety.  $$$