Goodell considers changes to kickoff

[Panths]

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.

http://profootballta...acing-kickoffs/

Forgive the fact that it's PFT as they're referencing a TIME article. I for one think this would be absolutely awesome to watch and change the whole dynamic of the beginning play that used to be so exciting before it was squandered by the go ahead touchbacks they are now.

But would it benefit the panthers? I wonder how we would play that scenario.

Consider for a second we actually WIN the coin toss (stay with me here, i know that's crazy). Do you think Rivera would ever actually go for it? I'll answer for you: No. I'm being lazy and not looking this up to verify, but I feel like we've converted 2 4th downs all season. Hell 3rd and short has me cringing a lot of times. But I like the idea that there's a small chance, for the risky head coach, that you end up with the ball regardless what that damned coin says.

Also, you all would get your wish and we'd probably cut armanti.

What do you guys think of this possible change?

[Mr. Scot]

That quote is one of the silliest ideas I've ever heard.

I want the old kickoffs back, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Rubi]

Sounds stupid

[Panths]

More stupid than a touchback and commercial break?

[rayzor]

wasn't quite understanding it, but then i clicked the link...

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.

this actually sounds more interesting to me than a kickoff at the 30 or even the 20.

the thing that is the headscratcher to me is the reasoning behind it...

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.

i guess i can understand that reasoning, too much torpedoing going on. part of the reason that they eliminated the 3+ man wedge.

i just don't know that punt returns are all that much safer.

but it does give the team scoring the TD some more options and it can be really beneficial to either team.

i'm not hating it.

signed,

a fan who hates kick offs

[Sapper]

I don't mind the idea but don't think it would happen. Some players have a hard time figuring out how to put on their shoulder pads, let alone learning the rules. McNabb didn't know you could tie in the NFL - and he is a pretty smart guy.

[Growl]

I actually like it but it's too far back. Move it to the 35 or 40.

That said, it's waaaay better than the stupid amateur crap idea of just awarding the receiving team the ball at the 20 like they've been pushing to do.

Moving the kickoff back to the original spot would be ideal, but this isn't too bad.

[Inimicus]

If you are going to eliminate the kickoffs then just give it to the team on the 20. 1-10, start the clock. It would solve the problems on penalties assessed on the kickoff and make them actually meaningful. Right now if a player on the defending team deliberately draws and unsportsman like during the point after or on the dead ball it has no meaningful impact on the game.

For example: Defending team knows that the kicker will boom a touch back anyway so after the PAT they take out a lineman's knee. 15 yards assessed on the kickoff. Now the kicking team puts it in the stands as opposed to just through the end zone. Net result is the same for the receiving team and now a starting tackle is out for the game.

If you are going to keep the kick then change the rules to benefit the kicking teams ability to launch a kick that's in the field of play but not returnable while punishing them for a touch back. I haven't worked out the details of what and when but something to make it a strategic play over a brute force play.

[Happy Panther]

I like the idea maybe. The only downside for the kicking team is now there can be a block as its not a free kick.

I wish they would fix all the stop and start in the game before they keep tweaking everything else.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Yeah, just give the team kicking off the option to have it automatically placed at the 20 if they want. But they also still have the option to kickoff if they choose so that teams can still try onside kicks.

I'd do the same thing with point afters also. Score a TD you get 6 points, then you can choose to take the automatic 1 point or go for 2.

[Panths]

I like the idea maybe. The only downside for the kicking team is now there can be a block as its not a free kick.

I wish they would fix all the stop and start in the game before they keep tweaking everything else.

You're telling me, man. Ever since they have every TO and TD reviewable, I'm pretty sure I'm watching more commercial than game time when it's all said and done.

[Doc Holiday]

That quote is one of the silliest ideas I've ever heard.

I want the old kickoffs back, but I'm not holding my breath.

same here, just want the old style back

[Happy Panther]

You're telling me, man. Ever since they have every TO and TD reviewable, I'm pretty sure I'm watching more commercial than game time when it's all said and done.

It's brutal at the game too. At least you have different commercials. We have to wave our AAA cards and dance for diamonds. Actually the dancing is funny sometimes.

The easiest thing to do is get rid of the 2 minute warning at least for the first half. If you are stopping the game for every damn thing at least take out the purely arbitrary stoppage.

This year, maybe it was the Seattle game, a play was reviewed with like 2:15 left in the first half. After the lengthy review we called timeout (WHY?). Then one play and the 2:00 warning. Then a couple more timeouts and finally the end of the half with maybe a FG in there. It took like 15 minutes to get through the last 2:15 it seemed.

I think players would like it more too. How many times have the players lined up for a crucial 3rd down after having stood around staring at the big screen

[Panths]

I'd do the same thing with point afters also. Score a TD you get 6 points, then you can choose to take the automatic 1 point or go for 2.

Maybe that'd be better; in the world of Gano, those 1 pointers aren't gimme's