Kickoffs and Playoffs

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:59 am

Kickoffs:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano offered a scenario where, instead of kickoffs, teams can punt after a score or attempt to convert a fourth-and-15 to keep the ball.

"Some people would say let's move the kickoff line forward even further," Anderson said. "Another suggestion would be to put weight limitations on the people who can run down on the kickoff play. The theory being that lighter-weight guys colliding will be less detrimental than heavier-weight guys colliding with smaller-weighted guys. So that would be another idea.

Playoffs:

Goodell mentioned one issue that is sure to draw the attention of most fans: Expanding the playoffs.

"Right now we're with 12 teams obviously. We'll look at probably 14 or 16 teams," Goodell said.

No thanks on all these proposals.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:37 pm

Yeah, I think the playoff expansion would be totally lame. 16 teams is totally insane; that's half the league making the post-season. You would get 7-9 or even 6-10 teams making the cut.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:03 am

IMHO - just a case of RG trying to deflect the mounting criticism of how he's handling his job :roll:

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:22 pm

This guy is simply the worst NFL commissioner ever.

While I'm not necessarily hostile to getting rid of kickoffs in one way or another, replacing it with a 4th and 15 is exactly the kind of ad hoc, stats-specialist BS that over time makes the game so ridiculous and arbitrary-rule bound. I hate it, though I like the fact that it gives me an additional reason to think Schiano is a worthless jerk.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:17 pm

I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

I don't care if the on-sides deal is done away with as well - teams have 60 minutes to get enough points to win

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:45 pm

SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:10 pm

Deadskins wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

Link:

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/09 ... educe.html

DarthMonk

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:15 pm

DarthMonk wrote:
Deadskins wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

Link:

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/09 ... educe.html

DarthMonk

But.... but... Roger Goodell said it was so. :lol:

And I already responded in Hogwash.

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:19 pm

Deadskins wrote:
DarthMonk wrote:
Deadskins wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

Link:

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/09 ... educe.html

DarthMonk

But.... but... Roger Goodell said it was so.

And I already responded in Hogwash.

Me too.

ACW · Post by **ACW** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:19 am

DON'T

W/ THE PLAYOFFS OR THE REGULAR SEASON!

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:11 am

I HATE that Goodell's initials are RG...

Redskinsfansince81 · Post by **Redskinsfansince81** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:53 am

If you eliminate kickoffs then you would have to eliminate punts. Punt returning is more dangerous than kickoffs.
I think this is a stupid idea.
Expanding the playoffs is just another way to make more money. Greed Greed Greed

ACW · Post by **ACW** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:41 am

Redskinsfansince81 wrote:If you eliminate kickoffs then you would have to eliminate punts. Punt returning is more dangerous than kickoffs.
I think this is a stupid idea.

Not so. From somewhere else:

Probably because you have two teams of 11 guys each essentially running at one another at full speed, as opposed to having a punt where 8-9 guys on each team are slowed by fighting it out at the line of scrimmage.

Redskinsfansince81 · Post by **Redskinsfansince81** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:08 pm

Good point.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:45 am

We all love the game just the way it is. Why is this stupid Commissioner trying to change the game we love? I didnt like them changing the kickoff and I dont even like the new rules about hitting. A defensive player has to walk on eggshells to not get a flag.

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:04 pm

I have an idea for kickoffs that makes them much safer and more interesting ... I think.

It turns out punts are much safer than kickoffs and the feeling is it's because punts are plays from scrimmage with the usual number of offensive players required at the line. Defenders try to impede gunners and other defenders end up running down field and then turning around to block. Combine all this with fair catches when a returner has someone bearing down on him and you rarely get high-speed collisions. Here's the idea:

Make kickoffs a place kick with a holder and no tee. Require 7 men from the kicking team to be on the line. This ball must be kicked, i.e., no fakes. An onside kick could still be attempted. This kickoff is blockable. Place the ball at the 50 yard line.

Good kickers would put the ball in the endzone and sometimes through it. The latter would mean 67+ yards with a 2-step or 3-step approach. Almost all the stuff that happens on punts should apply with regard to high speed collisions.

I have not heard this anywhere else. I think it would bring a lot of excitement and would have the advantage of tweaking the kickoff without eliminating it.

They could at least try it in pre-season.

Thoughts?

DarthMonk

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:10 pm

DarthMonk wrote:I have an idea for kickoffs that makes them much safer and more interesting ... I think.

It turns out punts are much safer than kickoffs and the feeling is it's because punts are plays from scrimmage with the usual number of offensive players required at the line. Defenders try to impede gunners and other defenders end up running down field and then turning around to block. Combine all this with fair catches when a returner has someone bearing down on him and you rarely get high-speed collisions. Here's the idea:

Make kickoffs a place kick with a holder and no tee. Require 7 men from the kicking team to be on the line. This ball must be kicked, i.e., no fakes. An onside kick could still be attempted. This kickoff is blockable. Place the ball at the 50 yard line.

Good kickers would put the ball in the endzone and sometimes through it. The latter would mean 67+ yards with a 2-step or 3-step approach. Almost all the stuff that happens on punts should apply with regard to high speed collisions.

I have not heard this anywhere else. I think it would bring a lot of excitement and would have the advantage of tweaking the kickoff without eliminating it.

They could at least try it in pre-season.

Thoughts?

DarthMonk

Would you get 3 if you put through the uprights?

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:01 am

Deadskins wrote:
DarthMonk wrote:I have an idea for kickoffs that makes them much safer and more interesting ... I think.

It turns out punts are much safer than kickoffs and the feeling is it's because punts are plays from scrimmage with the usual number of offensive players required at the line. Defenders try to impede gunners and other defenders end up running down field and then turning around to block. Combine all this with fair catches when a returner has someone bearing down on him and you rarely get high-speed collisions. Here's the idea:

Make kickoffs a place kick with a holder and no tee. Require 7 men from the kicking team to be on the line. This ball must be kicked, i.e., no fakes. An onside kick could still be attempted. This kickoff is blockable. Place the ball at the 50 yard line.

Good kickers would put the ball in the endzone and sometimes through it. The latter would mean 67+ yards with a 2-step or 3-step approach. Almost all the stuff that happens on punts should apply with regard to high speed collisions.

I have not heard this anywhere else. I think it would bring a lot of excitement and would have the advantage of tweaking the kickoff without eliminating it.

They could at least try it in pre-season.

Thoughts?

DarthMonk

Would you get 3 if you put through the uprights?

No. It's a kickoff not a FG attempt.

Any other thoughts?