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NFL May Be Contemplating Major Rule Change That Could Alter the Game Dramatically

Dec. 6, 2012 2:30pm Liz Klimas

Commissioner Roger Goodell Says the NFL Is Considering a Proposal to Eliminate the Kickoff in Time Magazine Interview

Denver Broncos kick off to the San Diego Chargers in an NFL football game in Denver in 2011. (Photo: AP/Jack Dempsey, File)

Could American football games someday never have the crescendoing ”ooooooaaaahhhh” from the fans of the home team as the kicker of the rival runs toward the pigskin in a kickoff play? They might not if the idea mentioned by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to do away with the kickoff comes to fruition.

How you might ask would the ball be returned to the other team? Goodell explained in a Time magazine profile by Sean Gregory:

[...] 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.

“The fact is,” Goodell, told Gregory of the idea first posed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano, “it’s a much different end of the play…It’s an off-the-wall idea. It’s different and makes you think differently. It did me.”

New England Patriots kick off against the New York Giants in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., in 2011. (Photo: AP/Michael Dwyer, File)

ESPN explained that Schiano, who coached at Rutgers University in 2010, witnessed player Eric LeGrand receiving a paralyzing injury a during a kickoff return:

Schiano told ESPN The Magazine in September that he believed kickoffs would eventually be eliminated from pro football. “I believe that day will come. Unfortunately, it will probably take more players being seriously hurt. But I think there’s another way to do this.”

Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, right, and his mother Karen LeGrand pictured in 2011. (Photo: AP/Mel Evans, File)

The NFL has already instituted new kickoff rules to make that portion of the game safer. According to the NFL earlier this year, the new rules have already helped reduce the number of reported concussions in the league. Last season, the NFL moved kickoffs up to the 35-yard line (a five yard adjustment), which has increased the number of touchbacks.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon (85) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dan Skuta (51) on a kickoff during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in 2010. (Photo: AP/Darron Cummings)

Tennessee Titans kick returner Marc Mariani (83) gets set to receive the opening kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of an NFL football preseason game this year. (Photo: AP/Joe Howell)

In addition to reducing the risk of “catastrophic injury,” according to NBC Sports, such a move would also give punters, long snappers and gunners, as well as punt return teams, more time and value on the field. At the same time, though “kickoff specialists would become extinct, and return specialists who are much better returning kicks than punts would be far less valuable to the broader roster,” NBC Sports pointed out.

Just as not all fans were happy with the league moving up the kickoff a few yards, Gregory speculates the idea to eliminate it completely would not be well received either, as it is often an exciting part of the game that can occasionally yield long returns. And if teams start taking advantage of the opportunity, it could alter the game dramatically.

Let us know what you think about this proposal by taking our poll:

Read more of Gregory’s in-depth profile of Goodell in Time magazine here.

Featured image via AP

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Comments (244)

OniKaze
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:36pm
While my heart really does bleed for those who are injured or crippled by injuries (like the Rutgers player imaged above) but just like with everything else in life, there is typically a risk involved. Football is the same… If you play football, you need to realize that there is a risk of PERMANENT injury… If you don’t want that risk, then you need to get out of the game, and find a new path…

There are MANY people who would be willing to make that amount of money by risking their health playing a dangerous game.. These NFL players are adults, who are smart enough to make the decision for themselves.. We don’t need nanny state rules changing things that don’t need to be changed..

Let adults be adults, and drop the whole “Lets Sissify the country” act… These people knew what they were getting into, so ignore their pleas for sympathy why something bad happens because of their CHOICE..

However, as an Old Pitch-player, I never saw the amounts of injury in Rugby as I do in Football… Maybe football should learn from Rugby, and ditch the pads… Sure people get hurt playing rugby, but I don’t know of any that are like the Horror stories you hear coming out of the NFL (things like paralysis and such…) But maybe I don’t hear about it, because Rugby isn’t reported here in the U.S. like the NFL is….

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1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:31pm
Ridiculous. Utterly. It is like “cow tipping”, it is utterly ridiculous.

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vic138
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:31pm
I like the kickoff.

I have a better suggestion: What they should do is tell the players that if they are caught owning guns then they will be kicked out and banned from playing in the nfl.

(except for suicide)

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- Tachy320
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 6:36pm
  And murder also. I blame the stress of trying to spend all the money they get each year. Can you imagine the stress of making millions each year? Bunch of overpaid thugs plain and simple. half of them cant even speak in complete sentences because they didnt have to do anything in college. When they list their credentials on a bio, they should list their college degree also.
  I quit watching pro football altogether. I watch and see these guys taking cheap shots and jawing at the end of each play. There’s no sportsmanship anymore.
  
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Beachmastermax
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:29pm
When I saw them wearing pink cleats, arm bands and thong underwear, I was thinking that the feminization of the NFL may just be around the corner. That is what is called “A CLUE”.

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Personalforrest
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:28pm
I demand to see more women and Phillipino and Phillipino women in the NFL! Equal Rights!

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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:31pm
  Don’t forget Mongolian Coaches. We need more Mongolian coaches to make it fair.
  
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flyingcar28
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:25pm
Next they will ban tackling.

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grayling646
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:25pm
“What is was, was football”

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- grayling646
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:29pm
  Andy Griffith, by the way.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I42JIgfnMYE
  
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Noah Noel
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:25pm
The more I consider this idea the better I like it. An option to throw, run or punt. More fake punt opportunities. No on-side kicks which usually end up being a clusterduck. No more boring touchbacks.

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thom1
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:24pm
You know the yellow and red card thing might be a good idea. Throwing someone out of the game would might be an eye opener on an illegal hit. Especially the helmet to helmet crap. A red card in soccer your out the rest of that game and the next. Have it reviewed to make sure it is a good call. Cheap shots on people without the ball and the stupid trash talk that goes on. I love American football and yes it is a collision sport but I really hate seeing guys get hurt because of the cheap stuff. I won’t watch hockey because of the fighting, I’m sorry but that is stupid. Kick them out of the freakin game if they fight.

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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:36pm
  You need to go back to the soccer field. Or you might try volley ball. Leave the tough games to the tough guys.
  
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evilhatemonger
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:23pm
Wow. If they keep this up, the Lingerie League will be the one with real rough & tumble competition.
You want to fix football injuries? Go back to soft helmets and minimal padding. If it hurts a lot to attack helmet first, without a face shield, they might stop doing it so often. What they have now is essentially armor. Hell, Rugby & Australian Rules Football players get by just fine with little more than a cup.

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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:33pm
  And those are big time industries like the NFL right?
  
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Beachmastermax
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:23pm
So the NFL is admitting guilt? That ought to make it easier for all those former players, that are now broke, with their gaggle of illigitimate children and Baby Momma’s get to the big cash!!!

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:26pm
  Maybe they think the brain damage causes players to shoot their wives and commit suicide and the NFL is afraid they will get blamed for it.
  
  Pathetic.
  
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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:22pm
In other related news, Bunjee jumping will be limited to 10′ above ground level, Mountain Climbing limited to 30′ using a Safety Net and Sky diving will be by “simulation” only.

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Southernsoul
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:21pm
Ever since the NFL decided they needed female viewers they have been wussifing the game. The pink uniforms are bad enough, not to mention the roughing the kicker, offensive pass interferance, no head t head contact, roughing the passer, and all the other ‘girl rules’. Make this change and I, for one, a done with football. It willjust like my home team doesn’t sell 80% of ther games. Which they rarely do. Another b.s. rule.

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ZAP
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:21pm
You can keep the game the way it is….Just make them dress up in the Michelin MAN or the Pillsbury Doe bOY

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Noah Noel
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:17pm
Add your comments

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GuruMeditation
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:14pm
Why don’t we just outlaw full contact tackle and make flag-football the rule?

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rebelwuf
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:14pm
Dafuq?

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:18pm
  hehe.
  
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IWISHIWASINTEXAS
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:11pm
At this rate, I don’t think I’ll be an NFL fan for much longer. Broadcasters are giving political opinions at half time, and every move they make to create a safer sport just makes it less and less interesting.

Football is a violent game and that’s part of the entertainment value! It takes an amazing athelete to be able to compete on that level but when you start changing the game to protect the players, eventually it’s not too impressive anymore and people will lose interest.

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wildcatmo
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:10pm
So instead of an on side kick, they just go for it on 4th and 15, probably better odds.

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Daddy Hawg
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:08pm
Can we protect the players against turf toe too while we’re at it. Football is a very physical contact sport and the players sign on knowing they may get injured. Will we see boxing morph into pillow fights to protect the boxers?

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toiletclogga
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:04pm
Frenchifying football? Huge Siiigggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

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Gregory_Adams
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:01pm
Two hand touch next. This is stupid, trying to remove risk from a game played by grown men.

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:24pm
  Agreed. Life is a game of risk played by both grown men and women and President Hussein and the rest of the Socialist Globalist morons are trying to remove the risk in the Game of Life.
  
  Maybe they are afraid a few too many people with a spine might get lucky?
  
  Risk makes the reward worthy. Without it you can keep the reward!
  
  Report this comment
bumfuzeled
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:00pm
Quit watching the NFL years ago because of this stuff. Seems to me the sport is now played by overpaid, steroid using celebrities that don’t mind wearing pink because it matches their long ****. Can’t tackle anymore because their afraid their helmets might touch. Call me when real men start playing the game again, I’ll be hunting until then.

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shammo
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 2:59pm
Play naked with pink footballs. Fifteen yard penalty for rear end collisions.

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semihardrock
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 2:58pm
NFL and NBA are nothing more than modern day slaves who get auctioned off to the highest bidder once a year (drafts) for their …”talents”

They can’t have them on the street corners creating chaos….just look what they are doing to the Whitehouse and Government.

We are ALL slaves now! Praise the King Pharaoh!

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:18pm
  Pretty much!
  
  Instead of a few shacks and slaves on a 500 acre plantation, we have billions of homes (shacks) on The Global Plantation. It’s just bigger business now and operates incognito.
  
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