r/nfl•
Saveyoself

Change the kickoff to a punt?

I was re-watching the opening 2011 game of Saints vs Packers and the announcers had plenty to talk about the number of touch-backs, they made mention of a possible change of the kickoff to a punt.

I hadn't read anything like this in r/NFL and did a quick search and came up with this story of the Buccaneers new coach (then the Rutgers head coach) wishing to change the game, inspired from Eric Legran's injury.

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.

So what does r/NFL think of this idea? Would it change the game too dramatically?

Posted Jun 24, 2012, 4:43 AM UTC

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