Slowly Changing Football As We Know It

The kickoff isn't going anywhere...at least not yet.  That "reassurance" was provided to us by Packers President Mark Murphy after they announced rule changes earlier this week designed at making the kickoff safer.  He made no promises about 2019, however.  And it leaves you wondering if it's only a matter of time until the kickoff goes the way of the intentional walk.

It's admirable that they're trying to make kickoffs safer.  Most people consider the kickoff to be the most dangerous play in football, and, according to the NFL's research, there have been 71 concussions on kickoffs over the past three seasons.  Which is why they're so concerned about it.  And I give them credit for making changes instead of just eliminating the play outright.

What they came up with doesn't actually sound that terrible.  They basically want to change the formation to something that resembles a punt.  And it's too early to tell whether we'll actually be able to tell the difference.  But I hope this rule change does achieve its objective.  Because eliminating kickoffs completely would be a terrible idea.

Getting rid of kickoffs would change football as we know it.  Plain and simple.  The kickoff isn't just exciting, it's an integral part of the game.  How do you propose starting the game if there's no kickoff?  The XFL method of two guys running after the ball from opposite sides of the field?  We all saw how well that worked out!

Frankly, I'm not totally surprised that the kickoff is going to become a casualty of "making the game safer."  But, let's be honest.  It's got nothing to do with safety.  It's because people find them boring.  There are so many touchbacks that it leaves you wondering "what's the point?"  (I'm sick of seeing touchbacks on seemingly every kickoff, too, by the way!)

Of course, the reason there are so many touchbacks is because they changed that rule a couple years ago, and the ball now comes out to the 25 instead of the 20 (but it still comes out to the 20 after punts, which is super annoying, make it consistent!).  And they've already gotten rid of kickoffs in the Pro Bowl, where the ball just comes out to the 25 to start each offensive possession.

I've tried not to pay too much attention to that Alliance of American Football (or whatever that stupid league is called), but one of their rules that they're so proud of is that they won't have any kickoffs.  Instead teams will begin each possession at the 25.  And, as further proof that the AAF has absolutely no regard for the kicking game, they won't have extra points, either.  Teams will be required to go for two after every touchdown.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of those teams don't even carry a kicker on the roster.

There's a lot of value in the kickoff, though.  So much that eliminating it from the game would fundamentally change it.  And not necessarily for the better.

Just think of how many Super Bowls have been impacted by kickoffs.  Desmond Howard was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXI mainly because of a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.  The only part of Super Bowl XXXV that was remotely exciting was when there were kickoff return touchdowns on three consecutive plays.  Three years later, the Patriots' winning drive was set up mainly because they got the ball on the 40 after the Panthers' kickoff went out of bounds.  And let's not forget, Peyton Manning trailed his first Super Bowl 7-0 before even touching the ball after Devin Hester took the opening kickoff to the house.

And what about the onside kick?  What do you propose as the alternative to the onside kick?  Do you eliminate that entirely, too, and with it, the ability for teams to come back late in games?  Sure, the success rate is only like 1-in-4 (and even lower when they're expecting it).  But the onside kick is an integral play that's fundamental to the game.  (Speaking of memorable Super Bowl kickoffs, the Saints' surprise onside to start the second half is one of the reasons they won Super Bowl XLIV.)

Again, I'm all for making the game safer.  And I understand that I'm just overreacting to something that may or may not ever actually happen.  But once the idea is thrown out there, you know it's on the radar.  And once something gets on the NFL's radar, it's unlikely to come off.  So, it does seem like the kickoff is on its last legs.  Which is a shame.