No More Kickoffs - A Proposal

[Tiger Wench]

What do you guys think?  Could be a good safety move.  Don't think it changes too much of the game - statistically speaking, those 99 yard end zone to end zone returns for touchdowns don't happen often enough to say that potentially taking that away would change the flavor of the game significantly.

I kind of like the 4th and 15 option - could make for some exciting moments itself...

From CBS Blogger Chip Patterson

As Eric LeGrand continues to make his miraculous recovery from the hit that paralyzed him against Army in October, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has been inspired to try and limit the possibilities of this happening to any player ever again. Steve Politi, of the Star-Ledger, profiled some of the rule changes that Schiano has been suggesting this offseason regarding kickoffs.


This is Schiano’s plan: Replace all kickoffs with a punting situation, including after the opening coin toss and to start the second half. So, as an example, when Team A scores a touchdown, it immediately gets the ball back on a fourth and 15 from its own 30-yard line.

It can punt it back to Team B — the most likely outcome and a safer play since the bigger collisions usually happen on kickoffs. Or it can line up and go for the first down, essentially replacing an onside kick with an offensive play that would require more skill than luck.

Onside kicks work about a quarter of the time in the NFL, according to the website advancednflstats.com, a deceptive figure because the play is far more successful when the other team isn’t expecting it. Schiano isn’t sure if going for it on fourth and 15 is a higher percentage play — according to the same website, it’s about 18 percent or 19 percent — but success would be less dependent on a favorable bounce.
Any coach will agree that kickoffs are the most dangerous play in football, but getting a drastic change like this put in place will not happen overnight. One "first step" that college football could take would be to move kickoffs to the 35, something the NFL did to increase touchbacks and thus limit the injuries.

“I think we’re wrong in college football,” Schiano said. “We should at the least do what the NFL is doing — at the least. For us not to follow the league with the most research on anything? I don’t think we’re being as responsible as we should be."

Personally, I'd welcome the change. While big hits can fire up a stadium and a sideline, good defense can provide enough of those without the danger of full speed collisions following a 70-yard dash. Plus as an avid NCAA College Football video gamer who never (ever) punts, I will get to attempt 4th and 15 instead of kicking off to my opponent. Which I would plan on doing every. single. time.

[GH2001]

Funny that Schiano didn't give a shit about abolishing kickoffs until one of his players got hurt in a freak accident.

Fuck this. The FB coach at Rutgers doesn't get a say so about in-game rules and traditions.

[Buzz Killington]

My thoughts?

Schiano needs to stick to chopping wood.

They might as well make the game two-hand touch if they do away with the kickoffs.  Better not give them Gatorade either on the sidelines, because they might cramp up if they drink it too fast.

[JR4AU]

Funny that Schiano didn't give a shit about abolishing kickoffs until one of his players got hurt in a freak accident.

Fuck this. The FB coach at Rutgers doesn't get a say so about in-game rules and traditions.

It was not a freak accident.  The kid made a mistake youre coached not to make from pee wee ball, or should be.  People yap about poor coaching when they see missed tackles, or DBs not looking for the ball, but call lack of a most base fundamental of tackling a freak accident?  This is Schiano trying to shirk and deflect blame.

[djsimp]

I love the kickoffs and punt returns. These are great opportunities to see someones helmet be lifted with force.

[Snaggletiger]

They should do away with all punt returns at Auburn.

[Buzz Killington]

They should do away with all punt returns at Auburn.

Now, this is a proposal we can all believe in.

[AWK]

Now, this is a proposal we can all believe in.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgree.

[Townhallsavoy]

What do you guys think?  Could be a good safety move.  Don't think it changes too much of the game - statistically speaking, those 99 yard end zone to end zone returns for touchdowns don't happen often enough to say that potentially taking that away would change the flavor of the game significantly.

I kind of like the 4th and 15 option - could make for some exciting moments itself...

From CBS Blogger Chip Patterson

Is this sarcasm? 

We should also eliminate run plays as well.  I mean, those running backs are plowing full speed into a line of 300+ pound bad guys.  Maybe we can just make it 1st and 25 every time a team gets a first down and force them to pass or punt. 

I like it.  What do you all think?

[Aubie16]

Too extreme of a rule change.  4th and 15 rather than an on-side kick? Too much of an XFL-feel to me.

Here is a MUCH easier fix, and for the NCAA to say so much about how they care for the players health, it is  JOKE that they are ignoring an easy way to cut down on violent kick-off collisions.

Move the kick-off line back to the 35. The NFL and the NCAA moved kick-offs back from the 35 to the 30 about 6 or so years ago. In the name of "excitement" because touchbacks are boring. Well the rate of returns went way up, as well as the rate of injuries. The NFL realized it was a dumb move and moved kickoffs back to the 35 and they have a nice ratio of touchbacks to returns.

For some reason the NCAA is still at the 30...causing the ratio of touchbacks to returns to be skewed and injuries to remain high. Move the kickoff line back to the 35 like the NFL and a lot of your problem is solved.

[Saniflush]

They should do away with all punt returns at Auburn.

I thought we already had?

[Tiger Wench]

Too extreme of a rule change.  4th and 15 rather than an on-side kick? Too much of an XFL-feel to me.

Here is a MUCH easier fix, and for the NCAA to say so much about how they care for the players health, it is  JOKE that they are ignoring an easy way to cut down on violent kick-off collisions.

Move the kick-off line back to the 35.

The article covered that...

One "first step" that college football could take would be to move kickoffs to the 35, something the NFL did to increase touchbacks and thus limit the injuries.

“I think we’re wrong in college football,” Schiano said. “We should at the least do what the NFL is doing — at the least. For us not to follow the league with the most research on anything? I don’t think we’re being as responsible as we should be."

Is this sarcasm? 

We should also eliminate run plays as well.  I mean, those running backs are plowing full speed into a line of 300+ pound bad guys.  Maybe we can just make it 1st and 25 every time a team gets a first down and force them to pass or punt. 

I like it.  What do you all think?

Not being sarcastic at all.  I like the massive hits too, but is it worth a broken neck?

A RB does not have 30-40 yards to build up a head of steam before plowing into those 300+ lb linemen - unless he breaks out into the open field, he is not running full power with momentum behind him.  The guys covering the kick have half a football field to build up a head of steam before knocking the shit out of someone.  THAT is where the injuries occur.  Moving the kickoff to the 35 works and the NCAA should do it.  I just liked the idea of 4th and 15 - something to add a new twist to the game.

[Aubie16]

The article covered that...

Yeah I saw that. I was just reiterating that it is absurd that the NCAA has not acted on it already.

[Snaggletiger]

Yeah I saw that. I was just reiterating that it is absurd that the NCAA has not acted on it already.

Don't back down.  It was your idea and they stole it.  Stick to your guns kid.

[JR4AU]

..
 

Not being sarcastic at all.  I like the massive hits too, but is it worth a broken neck?

A RB does not have 30-40 yards to build up a head of steam before plowing into those 300+ lb linemen - unless he breaks out into the open field, he is not running full power with momentum behind him.  The guys covering the kick have half a football field to build up a head of steam before knocking the shit out of someone.  THAT is where the injuries occur.  Moving the kickoff to the 35 works and the NCAA should do it.  I just liked the idea of 4th and 15 - something to add a new twist to the game.

No, injuries like this one occur when the tackler uses poor form, and instead of breaking down in a low hitting position, and driving up through the ball carrier, he runs full speed, and at the last moment lowers his head and hits the ball carrier with the crown of his helmet. 

I say this again.  This is supposed to be a basic skill learned from pee wee ball up.  They do, or should do fit tackling and form tackling where this fundamental is hammered home daily, and this is all the way up to the NFL level.  Kids on my Middle School and 11/12 year old team are taught tackling first thing.  This is the cardinal sin to hit with the top of your helmet.  They are taught that from day one.  If they do it in a full speed drill, they are coached up on the spot.  If they do it a second time, they are not allowed to participate in full contact drills again that day, and will not until they are given remedial tackling training at a walk through pace until they get it.  Bottom line, Schiano is where the buck stops in this case and he's trying to deflect blame with this.   

[War Eagle!!!]

No, injuries like this one occur when the tackler uses poor form, and instead of breaking down in a low hitting position, and driving up through the ball carrier, he runs full speed, and at the last moment lowers his head and hits the ball carrier with the crown of his helmet. 

I say this again.  This is supposed to be a basic skill learned from pee wee ball up.  They do, or should do fit tackling and form tackling where this fundamental is hammered home daily, and this is all the way up to the NFL level.  Kids on my Middle School and 11/12 year old team are taught tackling first thing.  This is the cardinal sin to hit with the top of your helmet.  They are taught that from day one.  If they do it in a full speed drill, they are coached up on the spot.  If they do it a second time, they are not allowed to participate in full contact drills again that day, and will not until they are given remedial tackling training at a walk through pace until they get it.  Bottom line, Schiano is where the buck stops in this case and he's trying to deflect blame with this.

That is a way to prevent some injuries. You can't stop them all. And to blame it on the coach is fucking ridiculous. Do you really believe this? Or are you trying to impress us again with how you would do it with your pee-wee football coaching abilities.

[JR4AU]

That is a way to prevent some injuries. You can't stop them all. And to blame it on the coach is fucking ridiculous. Do you really believe this? Or are you trying to impress us again with how you would do it with your pee-wee football coaching abilities.

No more so than people who pop off about coaching when they see players miss tackles, try to make arm tackles, see DBs not look for the ball, see DBs that can't shed a block, OL that jump off sides, get caught holding, etc, etc.  This IS a fundamental skill.  The kid lowered his head and hit with the crown of his helmet.  Do I know how to coach tackling?  Damn right I do.  It's a fundamental skill whether it's Pee Wee, Middle School, HS, College, or NFL.  Is the coach to blame for arm tackling?  Do kids get proper coaching and still not do it right?  Who do fans always blame?  The kid, or the coach?

Why don't you wow us with some of your college football exploits. 

[Snaggletiger]

I played volleyball

[dallaswareagle]

I played volleyball

I was monster in competitive badminton.   

[Snaggletiger]

I was monster in competitive badminton.   

The way you manipulated your shuttlecock was legendary