As the NFL continues to look for ways to make the game safer, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an interview with TIME Magazine discussed an idea of once again changing the rules for kickoffs, essentially eliminating them all together.
“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.”
Originally this was a rule proposed by Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Greg Schiano. Schiano as we all know was the head coach at Rutgers when tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed while on coverage during a kickoff. ProFootballTalk.com points out that punts would replace kickoffs, and the onside kick would be replaced by that fourth and 15 on the 30 yard line ending the need of kick-off return specialist and putting more importance on punters and long snappers.
Now I can certainly see why the NFL is doing this in this day and age of extra player safety, which without a doubt is important. However doing something to this extent you have to wonder what’s next and where do you draw the line? Football is a rough and at times unforgiving sport that could use some adjusting to make players safer. But players could also do their part in all of this by playing with a little more respect when setting foot on the field.
h/t: TIME Magazine, ProFootballTalk.com