Thread: Goodell considers idea to eliminate kickoffs

I have a far better idea let eliminate Goodell

Originally Posted by Wolfman

True, but then you have other options/plays you can run to try and counter that...in general I agree, it won't hurt the comeback (probably would help it) and opens up a lot more strategy imo...

Yep, like I said, I'm not in favor of this, but if they are going to get rid of KO's, I hope it follows this idea w/a few minor changes.

Stupid stupid stupid!

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

motown, team still have to field a team of 53, you'd still need a kicker/punter, you'll just continue to lower the injuries on KO returns.

I know but Im just being a smart ass cause the powers that be concentrate way more on st then offense.

so is it just kickoff a concern or punt also? If its just KO then just make the KO from now on a punt

Well, here is the thing. In car racing, they elected to spend money on the research to be able to not only keep the cars going at 200MPH, but also increase speeds. They did not make them go 100MPH because it was dangerous -- they did research on how to protect the human body while going from 200MPH to zero in fractions of a second and still keep a human being safe. Yes, it involves giving up some profits for research, but in the end it is money well invested.

If they can keep the human body safe under those conditions, they should be able to design a helmet that can keep the human brain from concussing at the speed of two 320 pound human beings colliding at 12MPH. Just make it a priority and spend the money. This is well within the scientific boundaries of our time. Yes, equipment would cost more, but if safety is really the priority, then do it.

They just want to squeeze out all they can in current profits rather than re-invest for the long term.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

More and more parents in our area do not want their kids playing football. This area has always been football crazy going back generations. Kids would begin playing organized football when they were 8 years old or so. They still do, but I can see the writing on the wall. Parents are increasingly hesitant to let their kids play, after seeing the dangers involved, and potential long term health problems.

I believe the game will evolve at all levels to be more safe. I don't believe it will ruin the game. We'll all bellyache and complain with each new safety improvement, but the game will still be a great one IMHO. People don't embrace change very well. But it's part of life.

BiH, problem w/that theory is that dr's now believe it's no the major hits that are the real culprit, but the tons and tons that are taken every play. Difference between a racer, and a player is the racer has a car designed to take the impact instead of the driver; plus a helmet and harness, and a headrest that forces the head to stay still. There are essentially 4 layers of protection; not to mention the racer isn't getting into a crash every sunday; multiple times a day, the players are. You also have to convince the players to use the new helmets, for some awful reason the players union keeps it in the rules that the players have the final say in helmets; and the players have been relucant to change.

You would think that someone would be able to come up w/a helmet that reduces the issue, but I'm not sure there would be such a helmet that would be able to remove the problem.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

BiH, problem w/that theory is that dr's now believe it's no the major hits that are the real culprit, but the tons and tons that are taken every play. Difference between a racer, and a player is the racer has a car designed to take the impact instead of the driver; plus a helmet and harness, and a headrest that forces the head to stay still. There are essentially 4 layers of protection; not to mention the racer isn't getting into a crash every sunday; multiple times a day, the players are. You also have to convince the players to use the new helmets, for some awful reason the players union keeps it in the rules that the players have the final say in helmets; and the players have been relucant to change.

You would think that someone would be able to come up w/a helmet that reduces the issue, but I'm not sure there would be such a helmet that would be able to remove the problem.

I still find it hard to believe that a helmet that can protect against major blows as well as many smaller ones can not be designed.

As far as the players union. Simple. We have a helmet that will protect against concussions. If you want any recourse against the NFL for any subsequent concussion claims you must wear the helmet. Sign here or go play somewhere else. That should be in the next agreement (subesequent to a new helmet). If there is protection available and you choose not to use it, that should be at your own risk.