Schiano/Goodell...WUT?

[Mogriffjr]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/roger-goodell-talks-chiefs-eliminating-kickoffs-player-safety-164839047--nfl.html

Possibly alternative for kicking off (trying to eliminate that)

TIME sat in on meeting between Goodell and Rich McKay, head of the NFL's powerful competition committee. Goodell brought up a proposal promoted by Greg Schiano, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: after a touchdown or field goal, instead of kicking off, a team would get the ball on its own 30-yard line, where it's fourth-and-15. The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession, or punt. If you go for it and fall short, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, punts would replace kickoffs, and punts are less susceptible to violent collisions than kickoffs.

[EmpireWF]

Before too long, something like that may gain traction. Won't surprise me.

[krulmichael]

Before too long, something like that may gain traction. Won't surprise me.

I think it's going to be sooner than later. I miss Tagliabue.

[Fappin Raptor]

Or just turn kickoffs into punts from the 50?

[RyanLeaf16]

Let's just throw flags around their waists on any sort of a return. That should help.

[BigHouseUSA]

How many times has someone actually had a serious injury on a kickoff? Just Eric LeGrand? I'd like to see the stats on this, I don't see how a punt will be any safer.

[1ke]

Men, I don't mind it. I mean, all the kickoffs aren't that exciting anymore these days anyway. What would we actually be missing? Not much for me.

[Chrispy]

Just get rid of kick offs and start @ the 25 yard line. They r boring as shit anyways now.

[Juggernaut]

Just get rid of kick offs and start @ the 25 yard line. They r boring as shit anyways now.

I'd be fine with this.

[Aso]

How many times has someone actually had a serious injury on a kickoff? Just Eric LeGrand? I'd like to see the stats on this, I don't see how a punt will be any safer.

That Bills TE a while ago.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I know some of you guys under 30 hate when some of us complain about the game, but the NFL product is a far cry from what it was only 10 years ago, and with changes like this that are coming (and they are coming) the game is going to be barley recognizable in 10-15 years. Maybe less.

That proposed idea from Schiano is straight up backyard/sandlot/family thankgiving/gimmicky garbage.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Also, they've already greatly reduced kickoff returns to the point that many games feature zero. This punting proposal would increase contact, because it would guarantee collisions following every score. Even on a fair catch, the other 21 players are getting blasted depending how it plays out.

[dave]

I know some of you guys under 30 hate when some of us complain about the game, but the NFL product is a far cry from what it was only 10 years ago, and with changes like this that are coming (and they are coming) the game is going to be barley recognizable in 10-15 years. Maybe less.

That proposed idea from Schiano is straight up backyard/sandlot/family thankgiving/gimmicky garbage.

I'm 50-50 on this W2BTD. I don't like the 5-yard WR/CB contact rule, I think it creates a pussy league where offences can do whatever the hell they want.

That said, while I agree the football of the 70s and 80s was more manly and real, no one can deny the long-term effects of that kind of football. When a guy like Mike Webster is a vegetable at 50, there's something wrong.

There absolutely has to be a happy medium. Frankly, old-school fans and today's kids who got medals for finishing 64th in a 65-person (not man) race, can't figure this one out.

I love the physicality of football, but don't want our football heroes to turn out like Mike Webster. Honestly, what's the answer?

[JimLeavy59]

Is Goodell trying to kill the NFL?

[dave]

Is Goodell trying to kill the NFL?

If the NFL eliminated the kickoff, we'd all still watch the NFL. Don't be so drama.