NCAA Considering Eliminating the Kickoff

[Clyde]

Player safety cited.

 

Discussions about eliminating kickoffs in college football have begun - CBSSports.com

[John Anthony]

Just a matter of time.

[All State Baseball]

How would this work? Whoever wins coin toss, start at their own 20-25 yard line?

[TheDeuce]

I'll be shocked if it ever happens.

[Voice of Reason]

On the issue of player safety, how do kickoffs compare with punts?

[DragonFire]

The problem remains the elimination of the onside kick when they do that.

[Clyde]

I'll be shocked if it ever happens.

 

I would not be shocked even if it's just to appease those concerned about safety.

 

Removing it will not harm the game.

 

My only question is if they will allow for onsides kicks.

[Clyde]

On the issue of player safety, how do kickoffs compare with punts?

 

Much fewer violent head-to-head collisions on a punt than a kickoff.

[TheDeuce]

If you get rid of kickoffs, you have to get rid of punts. How do you handle that?

[Clyde]

If you get rid of kickoffs, you have to get rid of punts. How do you handle that?

 

I would disagree. I don't see them eliminating punts yet. Kickoffs may just be a first step but they will not do both at the same time.

[All Tell]

So a team that scores with less then a minute to get within 1 score will have no way to get the ball back and potential tie or win the game?

 

That's a huge change.

[rjs4470]

Much fewer violent head-to-head collisions on a punt than a kickoff.

 

Much fewer. A typical punt alignment doesn't give players a 10-20 yard running head starts before they start colliding with each other, and really isn't much different from the mechanics of any other player. The punt returner with his head up in the air tracking the ball is really the only guy in different kind of danger.

[rjs4470]

So a team that scores with less then a minute to get within 1 score will have no way to get the ball back and potential tie or win the game?

 

That's a huge change.

 

As was mentioned, I think you'd have to see the scoring team have the option to run some play to pick up a certain amount of yardage....someone mentioned a 4th and 15 situation.

[BirdBrain]

I understand the thinking, but as I say repeatedly during the football season to Mrs. BB:

 

Kickoff is the best part of the game.....:(

[All Tell]

I wonder how many injuries actually happen on kickoffs? Does anyone have actual statistics rather then anecdotal evidence?