I have been reading more and more that the NFL might ban kickoffs. This year they are even moving touchbacks to the 25. Anyone think they have an idea to keep the KO?


I was thinking that players, not the kicker, line up further upfield and cannot run until the kick travels over their head. This could slow the pace at which collisions take place. Any other ideas?

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“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.”
― Albert Camus

Play it as it has been and reverse the last change. Keep the game of football actual football. Don't want to risk injury? Don't freaking play.

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Looking to troll? Don't bother, we supply our own.

 

 

There's really no way to avoid those violent collisions, it is football after all. These guys get to full speed pretty quickly so not sure if allowing them to line up closer would be effective. Also, what about onside kicks? There still needs to be that chance for the kicking team to get the ball back.

 

I'm old school and used to love kickoffs as that was an exciting part of the game but now it seems more like a chore (and a reason for another commercial). I understand the safety side of it though.

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Play it as it has been and reverse the last change. Keep the game of football actual football. Don't want to risk injury? Don't freaking play.

 

I agree that it should go back to the way it was, but the move seems inevitable unless there is some change with the format.  Is there any way to change it without "changing it" to a point that makes its unrecognizable?

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“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.”
― Albert Camus

Also, what about onside kicks? There still needs to be that chance for the kicking team to get the ball back.

This is my main issue with the kickoff ban proposal.


If your team is behind by 2 scores (9 to 14 points or so),, the game is essentially over in the last couple minutes, even if they have the ball and get that first score needed. No chance on getting the ball back?


Terrible.

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This is my main issue with the kickoff ban proposal.


If your team is behind by 2 scores (9 to 14 points or so),, the game is essentially over in the last couple minutes, even if they have the ball and get that first score needed. No chance on getting the ball back?


Terrible.

 

Here's an idea (that I dont like but can easily see the NFL adapting). Kicking team gets the option of kicking it off (gives them a chance for on onside kick) or just having the ball placed on the 25.

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It would be simple to eliminate kickoffs and still get the same dynamics and strategy of the game.

Whenever a kickoff is called for, instead give the kicking team the ball at their own 35 at mark it as a 4th and 15 play.

That team could then (1) "go for it" making it like an onside kick situation, or they could (2) opt to place-kick it, which would likely land in the end zone resulting in a touch back, or (3) drop-kick it, which would probably land inside the 20 yard line as a fair catch. 

Options 2 and 3 both set up the possibility that the receiving team will be able to return the ball, but with fewer players colliding with each other at high speed, because in both cases any "gunners" the kicking team sends down can be pushed the whole way.

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My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

I don't understand why they are moving touchbacks to the 25.  This does more to encourage the kicking team to try to kick it high and short, setting up a return and a tackle inside the 25.  Before, most kickoffs ended in touchbacks and no players collided.  But if you discourage the kicking team from giving a touchback, inevitably that means more collisions, right?

What am I missing?

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My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

I don't understand why they are moving touchbacks to the 25.  This does more to encourage the kicking team to try to kick it high and short, setting up a return and a tackle inside the 25.  Before, most kickoffs ended in touchbacks and no players collided.  But if you discourage the kicking team from giving a touchback, inevitably that means more collisions, right?

What am I missing?

I forget who it was, but one coach already came out and said that is what he anticipated happening. No way would a team kick it in the end zone when they can kick it short and stop them at the 20. Unless they coach the players to let it hit the ground and bounce into the enzone. But that can backfire on them as well.

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Why not just change to a punt formation at the 45. Punts are not as dangerous.

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Why not just change the uniforms to tutus and have them perform Swan Lake each week?

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Why not just change the uniforms to tutus and have them perform Swan Lake each week?

Might be more entertaining, but in 5 years Goodell will be issuing new rules limiting turning while jumping because of injury risk.

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They should just do away with it already. No more kick-offs. Just start at the 20 for now on. The NFL is strange. They wan't less collision. Yet, they make the PAT harder to nail to entice teams to go for 2 PTs more often which just leads to more possible injuries in the grand scheme of things. 

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

They should just do away with it already. No more kick-offs. Just start at the 20 for now on. The NFL is strange. They wan't less collision. Yet, they make the PAT harder to nail to entice teams to go for 2 PTs more often which just leads to more possible injuries in the grand scheme of things. 

No one is getting injured at the same rate on a 2 point conversion play as they were on kickoffs. Come on man, use your head.

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The special teams coaches union will never let it happen.

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Why not just change to a punt formation at the 45. Punts are not as dangerous.

 

In that scenario, would the kicking team have the ability to get the ball, as they do now in an onside kick?  My idea was to call it a 4th and 15 play and let the kicking team figure out if they want to punt or try to keep the ball.

Today, if a kicking team recovers the onside kick, they start at their own 40-45 yard line.  If they fail, the opponent gets the ball at about the same spot. 

My idea, using the kicking team's 35 yard line, sets them up with the ball beyond the 50 yard line if they make it.  Your idea would put them even closer, at the opponent's 40 yard line or closer.

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My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.

Make the kickoff with a different amount of personnel. 4 v 2 lol Kicker and 3 tacklers v returner and one blocker lol

 

 

GO JAGS!!

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Let's Get Em!!!! Go Jags!

Put all players in those knocker ball things?

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No one is getting injured at the same rate on a 2 point conversion play as they were on kickoffs. Come on man, use your head.

 

I was being sarcastic. 

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

In that scenario, would the kicking team have the ability to get the ball, as they do now in an onside kick? My idea was to call it a 4th and 15 play and let the kicking team figure out if they want to punt or try to keep the ball.

Today, if a kicking team recovers the onside kick, they start at their own 40-45 yard line. If they fail, the opponent gets the ball at about the same spot.

My idea, using the kicking team's 35 yard line, sets them up with the ball beyond the 50 yard line if they make it. Your idea would put them even closer, at the opponent's 40 yard line or closer.

Mine was more of just a thought.


I like your idea better.

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