Replacing the KO

It amazes me that every week we see a QB or two or three throw to a WR over the middle and throws it slightly too high and a little late, exposing the WR to life changing injury.
- On 9/9/12 Devery Henderson was knocked unconscious in the game against us this year.
- Two weeks later Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey still has no recollection of the devastating hit by Pittsburgh safety Ryan Mundy.
- Jags WR Laurent Robinson has sustained three concussions this season -- one in the preseason, one in Week 3 vs. Cincinnati and one in Week 4 vs. Chicago. Sat out the month of October, but played the last two weeks after a Week 9 return vs. Detroit.
- Giants WR D. Hixson sustained a concussion in week 2.
- Giants WR Ramses Barden sustained a concusion in week 4.
- Redskins Snatana Moss was concussed on Nov 4th.

I am willing bet more WR's get more head injuries and other potential career threatening injuries then injuries on kickoffs.
But do to ratings, since the mid 80's the NFL changed rules to promote more passing because that is what sells. Now we see Qb's throw twice as much as they used to. We are also seeing more these Wr head injuries. Where is the same concern? They want to eliminate the KO but they want more passing. Kind of funny how that works.

I totally agree. The best thing the NFL can do to reduce injuries is a tougher stance on helmet to helmet hits. I would support a yellow card/red card type of approach for helmet to helmet hits. Two yellows or one red = out for a game, or something like that.

I also want to point out that Schiano's proposal heavily favors passing teams. It's almost impossible to pick up a first down rushing it on 4th and 15.

That goes into effect next year.

NFL says players must wear thigh, knee pads in 2013 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7959313/nfl-says-players-wear-thigh-knee-pads-2013)

I'm surprised the NFL allowed players not to wear the pads in the first place. Seems like there USED to be an official who would take inventory of every player before the game, to make sure his uniform was tucked in, all pads were on, etc...whatever happened to that?

The KO has been apart of the game for too long. I don't like the idea of it being replaced. Keep it the way it's always been. Injuries are apart of the game.

So, according to Schiano, blowing out the opponents knees at the end of the game is fine, but high speed collisions to start the game is bad? Okay.

I dislike the current rules but would hate eliminating kickoffs.

The easiest change to me is starting the ball at the 25 on a touchback, it would really make those guys that are taking it 6 or 7 yards deep think twice about bringing it out, unless their name is Brandon Banks. He brings everything out that doesn't hit the crossbar on the KO.

I totally agree. The best thing the NFL can do to reduce injuries is a tougher stance on helmet to helmet hits. I would support a yellow card/red card type of approach for helmet to helmet hits. Two yellows or one red = out for a game, or something like that.

I also want to point out that Schiano's proposal heavily favors passing teams. It's almost impossible to pick up a first down rushing it on 4th and 15.

The rule changes have led to a massive increase in passing and as a result is exposing WR's and DB's to more violent collisions. Much more in quantity than kickoffs.
The rule changes to promote passing has also led to an almost doubling in 300 and 400 yard passing games. In the decade 1990 to 1999 there were just over 500 games that had 300 and 400 yard passing games. In following decade 2000 to 2010 that number almost doubled to 843 games that had 300 and 400 yards passing.
I don't think when people realize the numbers how it directly leads to more exposure and chances that a very fast WR and fast Safety are going to have a running start just like on kick offs and hit each other.

The easiest change to me is starting the ball at the 25 on a touchback, it would really make those guys that are taking it 6 or 7 yards deep think twice about bringing it out, unless their name is Brandon Banks. He brings everything out that doesn't hit the crossbar on the KO.

Was it the Dallas game that he fielded the punt on like the six yard line when he should of let that go too?

I totally agree. The best thing the NFL can do to reduce injuries is a tougher stance on helmet to helmet hits. I would support a yellow card/red card type of approach for helmet to helmet hits. Two yellows or one red = out for a game, or something like that.

I also want to point out that Schiano's proposal heavily favors passing teams. It's almost impossible to pick up a first down rushing it on 4th and 15.

I actually have a bit of an issue with the helmet-to-helmet hits you're suggesting. Especially with the way rules are enforced now. You NEVER see an offensive player hit with that penalty. I've seen many a RB/FB drop their head to create helmet to helmet contact with the defender, but I've never seen a flag go up because of it. Additionally, I've seen flags on the defender when the offensive player ducks their head at the last second.

These plays happen so quickly and there are so many variables that could cause it, that penalties being too high could be detrimental to the game. There are some hits that are quite obviously helmet-to-helmet, premeditated, lined up, and executed. But they are the minority when you look at penalties.

I want to see offensive players held as accountable as defensive players are, and if you get more strict when it comes to in-game penalties, they need to become reviewable. A couple fingers grazing the QBs helmet shouldn't be considered a penalty. We've gone a bit too far to limit these plays.

id like to see hard data which shows that kickoffs result in significantly more serious injuries to players than any other play.


Totally agree! Of course it seems KO is a situation where you can see a lot of big hits, but is it statistically the play where players get hurt the most?

I see a lot of injuries happening on other plays than KO, someone talked about WR being in danger when the ball is thrown too high too late, that's a good point.

I think the "place the ball on the 25 yard line on touchbacks" idea is my pick.

Totally agree! Of course it seems KO is a situation where you can see a lot of big hits, but is it statistically the play where players get hurt the most?

I see a lot of injuries happening on other plays than KO, someone talked about WR being in danger when the ball is thrown too high too late, that's a good point.

I think the "place the ball on the 25 yard line on touchbacks" idea is my pick.

I agree too but, i think its more a case where kickoffs are easier to eliminate or fix. Theres really nothing they can tweak in game besides stiffer penalties which are already too stiff imo. I dont want to see anybody get hurt, but i wish they would just leave the game alone.