NFL to discuss future of kickoff at planned May 1-2 summit

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The NFL is finalizing plans for a summit to continue an unprecedented offseason discussion about player safety, a league spokesman confirmed. The meeting, planned for May 1-2 at NFL headquarters in New York, will include a focus on the future of the kickoff.

There is no indication that the kickoff could be eliminated for this season. But the league has moved with uncommon speed in recent months to address a league-record 291 diagnosed concussions in 2017, as well as the serious spine injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier.

Owners have approved a rule that would penalize and potentially eject players for lowering their heads to initiate contact. For the first time, the league joined the NFL Players Association to ban the use of 10 helmet models. The NFL office is also preparing a team-by-team memorandum to address a spike in training camp concussions.

rest - http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23289179/future-kickoff-discussed-nfl-summit

[BroncoWave]

Seems inevitable the kickoff is going away. They might as well just go ahead and rip the band-aid off.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Agreed. I hate that it may cost some folks who specialize a job...but if the data shows that most major injuries come from kickoffs, than it's probably for the best.

[Poet]

If it costs people some jobs, maybe rosters will open up a bit more? Maybe that's the silver lining?

[Davii]

If it costs people some jobs, maybe rosters will open up a bit more? Maybe that's the silver lining?

That's what I was thinking, the number of players on a team will remain unchanged, maybe they drop a couple return guys (WR, CB) and carry more LBs or something. Who knows.

[MOtorboat]

Agreed. I hate that it may cost some folks who specialize a job...but if the data shows that most major injuries come from kickoffs, than it's probably for the best.

Disclaimer: I don't like this. It's dumb. It's false that there are any more concussions on kick offs than other plays. It's simply just false. It's window dressing for "safety."

But, it won't cost jobs. The extra linebacker or wide receiver who specializes in special teams still has a job. I can't believe they'd eliminate punts, so they can be used there and there's no way the NFLPA collectively bargains a smaller roster. They'd be stupid to do so, because it might encourage the owners to lessen their pot of the money. Maybe a few lineman (either side) get a job over a linebacker or a receiver/running back, but the margin for those on the edge of a roster spot are already thin.

[Dapper Dan]

Disclaimer: I don't like this. It's dumb. It's false that there are any more concussions on kick offs than other plays. It's simply just false. It's window dressing for "safety."

But, it won't cost jobs. The extra linebacker or wide receiver who specializes in special teams still has a job. I can't believe they'd eliminate punts, so they can be used there and there's no way the NFLPA collectively bargains a smaller roster. They'd be stupid to do so, because it might encourage the owners to lessen their pot of the money. Maybe a few lineman (either side) get a job over a linebacker or a receiver/running back, but the margin for those on the edge of a roster spot are already thin.

Good point. We should keep kickoffs and get rid of the forward pass.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Disclaimer: I don't like this. It's dumb. It's false that there are any more concussions on kick offs than other plays. It's simply just false. It's window dressing for "safety."

But, it won't cost jobs. The extra linebacker or wide receiver who specializes in special teams still has a job. I can't believe they'd eliminate punts, so they can be used there and there's no way the NFLPA collectively bargains a smaller roster. They'd be stupid to do so, because it might encourage the owners to lessen their pot of the money. Maybe a few lineman (either side) get a job over a linebacker or a receiver/running back, but the margin for those on the edge of a roster spot are already thin.

Return specialists who couldn't make it at WR and coaches.

[MOtorboat]

Return specialists who couldn't make it at WR and coaches.

Only if they're eliminating punting too.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Only if they're eliminating punting too.

Which will probably shortly follow if they lose kickoffs.

[Davii]

Which will probably shortly follow if they lose kickoffs.

I have a hard time envisioning football without punts. I mean, what, you get four downs and if you fail your opponent starts on their 20, or 40 yards away from where you ended, or what?

[SmilinAssasSin27]

I have a hard time envisioning football without punts. I mean, what, you get four downs and if you fail your opponent starts on their 20, or 40 yards away from where you ended, or what?

I once had a hard time envisioning football without kickoffs.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

One of those new leagues won't have special teams. It'll be interesting to see how it works out

[Dapper Dan]

I have a hard time envisioning football without punts. I mean, what, you get four downs and if you fail your opponent starts on their 20, or 40 yards away from where you ended, or what?

My guess is a punt without a return. Always a fair catch.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

NEW YORK -- The NFL is not considering the elimination of the kickoff for the 2018 season, league executive vice president Troy Vincent said Tuesday at the start of a two-day player-safety summit. Instead, Vincent said, the league hopes to make substantive adjustments to alignment and formation requirements in hopes of repairing what is by far the most dangerous play of the game.

"There's no question that this is not about getting [the kickoff] out of the game," Vincent said. "It's about enhancing it."

rest - http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23373088/nfl-not-considering-eliminating-kickoffs-2018-season

[Rick]

There are a lot of guys, ie TD, that got their break BECAUSE of special teams.

I don't want to see it go. Quite exciting to see runbacks.

[BroncoJoe]

There are a lot of guys, ie TD, that got their break BECAUSE of special teams.

I don't want to see it go. Quite exciting to see runbacks.

Arguably one of the most exciting aspects of the game.

[Poet]

Joe, I'm torn on this the more I think on it.

[BroncoJoe]

Joe, I'm torn on this the more I think on it.

That's because you hate special teams.

[Poet]

That's because you hate special teams.

You could argue that me being conflicted might be an indicator how of radical, and arguably wrong, this is.

[aberdien]

Kickoffs are usually boring.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

The “Safety” reason is complete bullshit. When was the last time you saw a guy hurt on a kick return? Honestly. I haven’t seen a real major kick return injury since what, Kevin Everett vs us like 10 years ago? I don’t think I saw a single concussion during a kickoff last year. I won’t give a shit if they get rid of it, but then the whole idea of being down 2 scores with 2 minutes left and the onside kick excitement would be gone. Might as well just end the game if one team leads by 2 or more scores inside of 2 minutes.

[BroncoWave]

Kickoffs are usually boring.

Think of how much quicker games will go if we get rid of commercial-kickoff-commercial!

[MOtorboat]

Think of how much quicker games will go if we get rid of commercial-kickoff-commercial!

Got rid of that last year. Barely affected game time.

[Davii]

Think of how much quicker games will go if we get rid of commercial-kickoff-commercial!

I know, right? Then they could go commercial- highlight- commercial!

NFL isn't giving up their commercial time

[VonDoom]

This is what they’re looking at:

https://twitter.com/judybattista/status/991726740824354816?s=21

[MOtorboat]

So their solution for safety is less blocking protection for the deep back? That makes sense.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

No running start for the coverage team means the kickoffs will be returned even farther. It essentially negates the kickoff from the 35. Why not take it out of the end zone if you won’t see your first real contact until the 30 or so?

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Punt returns are a bit of a chess match and can be quite entertaining, but kickoffs don’t do much for me, other than piss me off when Denver is returning it to the 12 yard line, time after freakin time.

[Nomad]

I know, right? Then they could go commercial- highlight- commercial!

NFL isn't giving up their commercial time

You are correct. Now..... they have the double box so when there is a flag, or a 30 second timeout, you see the screen with the game and another with a commercial.

I'm a fan of the kickoff, and don't like the changes.