Banning kickoffs good idea or bad idea

[J24]

The NFL wants to band kickoffs is this a good Idea or a bad Idea.

[HarleyDog]

I haven't read this or heard of it so thanks for posting. Kickoffs can be momentum changers and would hate to see them go. I think it's an important part of football.

[Sled21]

Think about it.... you go to the game, the opening play is one of the most exciting. Kicking or receiving, "Welcome to the Jungle" (or whatever stadium favorite across the league) comes up cranking on the speakers, the players are lining up like race horses in the gate, the crowd is loud loud loud, and both teams fans are screaming expecting the win. Yeah, let's do away with that, because, it's not like attendance is a problem.....

[guyofthetiger]

The NFL needs to quit turning football into a sissy game. Keep the kickoffs please.

[*Go Cards*]

Would take the wind out of games quicker by noyt having the chance to score and onside kick.

Bad idea, and if kickoffs are banned would punts be next ?

[*Go Cards*]

Maybe they should ban tackling and they could play two hand touch.

[Sled21]

(03-29-2018, 10:40 AM)Go Cards Wrote: Would take the wind out of games quicker by noyt having the chance to score and onside kick.

Bad idea, and if kickoffs are banned would punts be next ?

It's already been suggested to the league office that "onside kicks" be declared... then instead of kicking the team gets the ball on their own 10 4th and 10....

[StrictlyBiz]

(03-29-2018, 07:32 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: I haven't read this or heard of it so thanks for posting. Kickoffs can be momentum changers and would hate to see them go. I think it's an important part of football.

Tis true....

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/03/28/kickoff-rule-eliminate-packers-competition-committee

[StrictlyBiz]

(03-29-2018, 08:42 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Think about it.... you go to the game, the opening play is one of the most exciting. Kicking or receiving, "Welcome to the Jungle" (or whatever stadium favorite across the league) comes up cranking on the speakers, the players are lining up like race horses in the gate, the crowd is loud loud loud, and both teams fans are screaming expecting the win. Yeah, let's do away with that, because, it's not like attendance is a problem.....

Or the iconic moment of EVERY Super Bowl that's featured in every highlight reel....the opening kickoff with the flash bulbs popping all through the stadium. That moment alone is enough to nix such a stupid assed idea. 

[SYLVIA]

This is an important part of the game, so many things can happen to change the game, it is exciting.

[HarleyDog]

(03-29-2018, 08:42 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Think about it.... you go to the game, the opening play is one of the most exciting. Kicking or receiving, "Welcome to the Jungle" (or whatever stadium favorite across the league) comes up cranking on the speakers, the players are lining up like race horses in the gate, the crowd is loud loud loud, and both teams fans are screaming expecting the win. Yeah, let's do away with that, because, it's not like attendance is a problem.....

Just curious who actually came up with this idea?

[J24]

(03-30-2018, 03:28 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Just curious who actually came up with this idea?

Mark Murphy from the Packers.

[HarleyDog]

(03-31-2018, 02:32 AM)Jakeypoo Wrote: Mark Murphy from the Packers.

Their special teams must suck, so let’s throw out a suggestion to the league to get around that problem. Lol...

[Sled21]

They are saying there is the most separation of players on kickoff, hence the most violent collisions between the gunners and the returner and his blockers. Gee, that's what makes it exciting.

[grampahol]

They should eliminate running so every player has to walk slowly and make football as exciting as golf on TV.. Nothing more exciting as the golfer walking up to the tee-off.. Especially with that high fashion golf apparel. 

Yeah, I know..Some people like watching golf on TV . I just don't happen to be one of them.. to me it's like televised paint drying ..maybe almost as exciting as televised waiting for water boiling..  lol

[Domata94]

Will there be less commercial breaks? If so, I may not be 100% against the idea haha.
I'd keep them for now but if the NFL decides to move up the kickoff spot or where touchbacks start again they might as well eliminate them.

[Bengalitis]

keep the kickoffs but BAN the ridiculous lateral marathon at the end of the games/last plays of the half to 3 laterals limit at most.. I am tired of watching ridiculous laterals after lateral and unnecessary hits that get players hurt with this benny hill song endgame. If you agree to this, make a petition with the NFL.

The Titans amazing defeat of the Bills in the playoffs with the lateral was exciting and didnt require 20 laterals, they hardly work too anyways.

[Bilbo Saggins]

Who was the last exciting kickoff returner? They no longer exist.  Punts are far safer and are more likely to be broken for big plays.  The difference between a kickoff and a standardized puntoff would be hardly noticeable.

[Vambo]

The NFL proposal to make kickoffs safer could also make them more exciting

NFL owners will vote later in May on a rule proposal that could actually fix kickoffs.
By Adam Stites May 2, 2018, 5:57pm EDT

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/5/2/17312764/nfl-rule-proposal-kickoff-change



The NFL’s competition committee and others involved in the league are piecing together a plan to change kickoffs that will be presented and voted on by team owners later in May. On Wednesday, the Washington Post revealed the details of the proposal and it actually makes a lot of sense.

Via the Post:

   The proposal being formulated Wednesday bans players on the kicking team from getting a running start on their way downfield. It eliminates all forms of “wedge” blocking by the receiving team. It requires eight of the 11 members of the receiving team to line up within 15 yards of the spot of the kickoff and bars hitting within those 15 yards. It keeps players on the kicking team from going in motion pre-kick.

The proposal reportedly came together with recommendations made by NFL special teams coaches at a meeting Wednesday.

Kickoffs are one of the most dangerous plays in football with two teams of 11 players essentially colliding at full speed on returns. The proposal aims to reduce those collisions without taking out the excitement of a kickoff return.
What is good about the proposal?

Taking away a running start will presumably lower the speed of collisions between players. Especially when all but three players on the receiving team will be close to the spot of the kickoff.

The idea is to remove the distance between the two sides, lowering the speed of the collisions between blockers and would-be tacklers.

The returner and two blockers would still be able to get a running head start, but the majority of the coverage team will get slowed down by blockers who will be running backwards first.

“The problem was that you had guys too far away from the kicking team,” former Buffalo Bills special teamer Steve Tasker told the Post. “And they had a chance to gather themselves and run toward the kicking team, with the kicking team running toward them. Nobody’s trying to avoid the contact.”

Under the current NFL rules, coverage teams can get a five-yard running start and blockers run backwards a bit before turning and turning back with a head of steam toward the coverage team.

“Now [under the proposal], you’ve got guys running with each other down the field. It makes a big difference,” Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub told the Post.
What is bad about the proposal?

It’s kind of hard to guess the consequences of the rule changes without seeing them in action, but it does seem like it would be significantly easier for kick returners to break free.

With coverage teams given less of a running start at returners, the lanes could be easier to find and exploit. Especially given the increased room and running start the proposal would give to kick returners.

Is that a problem?

That’s a matter of personal opinion. There were seven kicks returned for touchdowns in 2017 — the same amount that were returned in 2013, 2015, and 2016. It’s doubtful that many fans would complain about that number getting increased, but it could be frustrating if returning kicks suddenly became significantly easier.

It could also affect onside kicks which are already difficult enough as is. Without the chance to get afive-yard running start or for the kicking team to use motion will likely make it even more difficult to recover a kick.

But neither of those negatives outweigh what really seems like a logical and smart rule proposition. If the NFL owners approve it this month, it should make kickoffs safer and may even make them more exciting too.

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They don't mention anything about punting the hits can be just as bad on the return if not worse.

[SunsetBengal]

(05-04-2018, 05:42 PM)Vambo Wrote: The NFL proposal to make kickoffs safer could also make them more exciting

NFL owners will vote later in May on a rule proposal that could actually fix kickoffs.
By Adam Stites May 2, 2018, 5:57pm EDT

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/5/2/17312764/nfl-rule-proposal-kickoff-change



The NFL’s competition committee and others involved in the league are piecing together a plan to change kickoffs that will be presented and voted on by team owners later in May. On Wednesday, the Washington Post revealed the details of the proposal and it actually makes a lot of sense.

Via the Post:

   The proposal being formulated Wednesday bans players on the kicking team from getting a running start on their way downfield. It eliminates all forms of “wedge” blocking by the receiving team. It requires eight of the 11 members of the receiving team to line up within 15 yards of the spot of the kickoff and bars hitting within those 15 yards. It keeps players on the kicking team from going in motion pre-kick.

The proposal reportedly came together with recommendations made by NFL special teams coaches at a meeting Wednesday.

Kickoffs are one of the most dangerous plays in football with two teams of 11 players essentially colliding at full speed on returns. The proposal aims to reduce those collisions without taking out the excitement of a kickoff return.
What is good about the proposal?

Taking away a running start will presumably lower the speed of collisions between players. Especially when all but three players on the receiving team will be close to the spot of the kickoff.

The idea is to remove the distance between the two sides, lowering the speed of the collisions between blockers and would-be tacklers.

The returner and two blockers would still be able to get a running head start, but the majority of the coverage team will get slowed down by blockers who will be running backwards first.

“The problem was that you had guys too far away from the kicking team,” former Buffalo Bills special teamer Steve Tasker told the Post. “And they had a chance to gather themselves and run toward the kicking team, with the kicking team running toward them. Nobody’s trying to avoid the contact.”

Under the current NFL rules, coverage teams can get a five-yard running start and blockers run backwards a bit before turning and turning back with a head of steam toward the coverage team.

“Now [under the proposal], you’ve got guys running with each other down the field. It makes a big difference,” Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub told the Post.
What is bad about the proposal?

It’s kind of hard to guess the consequences of the rule changes without seeing them in action, but it does seem like it would be significantly easier for kick returners to break free.

With coverage teams given less of a running start at returners, the lanes could be easier to find and exploit. Especially given the increased room and running start the proposal would give to kick returners.

Is that a problem?

That’s a matter of personal opinion. There were seven kicks returned for touchdowns in 2017 — the same amount that were returned in 2013, 2015, and 2016. It’s doubtful that many fans would complain about that number getting increased, but it could be frustrating if returning kicks suddenly became significantly easier.

It could also affect onside kicks which are already difficult enough as is. Without the chance to get afive-yard running start or for the kicking team to use motion will likely make it even more difficult to recover a kick.

But neither of those negatives outweigh what really seems like a logical and smart rule proposition. If the NFL owners approve it this month, it should make kickoffs safer and may even make them more exciting too.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They don't mention anything about punting the hits can be just as bad on the return if not worse.

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