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harbo · Senior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 1460

On the Giants message board:

http://boards.giants.com/forums/thread/2539641.aspx

there is a mention of the possibility of eliminating kickoffs as a safety matter. One poster mentions using a punt.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:17 pm Post subject:

Awful. Just awful.
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ShotPutNC · Junior Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 633 Location: Amherst

I'm all for player safety, but I don't think that taking away a part of the game is the way to accomplish that. I was recently in a group Skype call with Mike Liut, former NHL goalie and current head of Octagon's Hockey Department, and he mentioned how much the culture has changed in Hockey in terms of wanting to hurt other players. In the 90s, it wasn't so much about making a big hit as it was about stopping the play. I think this applies just the same to the NFL. On one hand you have Ray Lewis and James Harrison getting huge contracts rewarding this sort of play and on the other you have the league publicly say that is not what you want in the game. You will see no measurable change in safety until you have a unified message and incentive structure.

Refuse2Lose83 · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

This would be a huge blow to football, in my eyes it would completely change the sport. Like most people I assume, I'm all for safety but the line needs to be drawn somewhere. It's part of the job to take on the risk of getting hurt, also one of the few reasons to support paying these guys huge amounts of money.
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Jackman · Senior Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1974

This is all a ploy so that they can say, "see, we tried to make the game safer, but the fans rejected it." They're not going to get rid of kickoffs, if for no other reason than it takes away their ability to pull their touchdown-commercial-kickoff-commercial crap.

Kosty · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject:

What, are they going to have the opposing QBs throw it up like we all did in our backyard football games back in the day????

ktabz16 · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:36 am Post subject:

how about eliminating the running start for the defending team?

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:35 am Post subject:

How about they eliminate Roger Goodell? He is doing everything in his power to ruin this league, yet it continues to thrive inspite of him.
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Chris20 · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:36 am Post subject:

I couldn't disagree more. Goodell is navigating lots of tricky waters, and i think he does a good job.

ShotPutNC · Junior Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 633 Location: Amherst

Owners handle the rules changes. Not Goodell. I commend the work Goodell has done. I think he has been consistent with punishment and has only been trying to accomplish goals set before him to protect the league.

From 2-3 weeks ago, a list of some of the changes they were talking about:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/28/nfl-rule-changes-for-2012/

Be ready for a slower game with #7. Automatic Review of turnovers, just the same as they do for scoring plays.

SJGMoney · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:40 am Post subject:

harbo · Senior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 1460

Three rule changes that I would like to see.

Make overtime a set time, say ten minutes. If a team can hold on to a drive for ten minutes and score, good for them.

Give a head coach one flag to throw for a replay review. As long as their challenges are successful, they get to keep the flag. One they lose a challenge, that's it.

All challenges handled in "the booth", preferably some comfortable central location where a team of 3-5 well-versed football fans/ex-officials watch the games and judge on challenges. There is enough high-def, reverse-angle, slow-motion, stop-action, zoom-in coverage to for them to work with.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think that baseball would benefit from some sort of replay set up at a centralized location. I'd sign up for that job in a heartbeat.

Chris20 · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:55 am Post subject:

I think those are fine suggestions, especially overtime. But I don't think i'd have "well-versed fans" involved in replay decision!

harbo · Senior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 1460

Yeah, well-versed fans doesn't sound right. The idea is to find a panel of people that have a passion for the game and understand the rules of the game that would be willing to sit in a studio and watch all the games each weekend and judge on replay challenges as they come in. Any perception of favoritism is grounds for dismissal (or not even getting hired in the first place).