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

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/2...sed-nfl-summit

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by Von Kinger

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

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.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

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.

Originally Posted by SmilinAssasSin27

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

Only if they're eliminating punting too.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Only if they're eliminating punting too.

Which will probably shortly follow if they lose kickoffs.

Originally Posted by SmilinAssasSin27

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?

Originally Posted by Davii

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.

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

Originally Posted by Davii

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.

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/2...fs-2018-season