Games without kickoffs – safer but duller?
Kickoffs are one of the most thrilling things about football, with the prospect of big tackles and breakout returns often getting the crowd roaring with excitement.
But on October 16th last year, in a game between Rutgers and Army, tragedy struck on a kickoff. Scarlet Knights’ defensive tackle Eric LeGrand broke two vertebrae making a stop, leaving him paralyzed below the neck.
It is probably this event that has Rutgers’ coach Greg Schiano proposing new alternatives to kickoffs and onside kicks. Basically Schiano’s plan involves a punt from the 30-yard line instead of a kickoff or, if a team wants to maintain possession they can have the opportunity to do so via a fourth-and-15 play from the 30-yard line.
It’s such a radical idea that many will reject it straight away. And why would they not? Kickoffs have been such a pivotal point of football since the early days, creating some of the most memorable plays in the history of the sport.
But give Schiano’s idea a thought. It holds the potential to be even more exciting to the fans and definitely safer for the players, the main reason behind the Rutgers’ coach coming up with such an idea.
“In the last 20 years the size, the speed and the power of players have grown so fast,” Schiano said. “The equipment and the bone structure haven’t changed very much. Something is going to give, right?’
Players are now developed from a younger age to be faster and stronger than they were when the kickoff rules were developed years ago. With the evolution of players but no adaptation of the rules to go along with it, injuries are certainly going to occur.
But Schiano’s idea isn’t all about safety. His idea ensures that football skill is required as opposed to pure physical ability but also makes sure that football will remain exciting.
Since the last kickoff change in the NCAA in 2007 punts have been returned for a touchdown more often than kickoffs. If a kick return is exciting then surely the average fan must want them more often? If so Schiano’s idea makes sense.
Onside kicks, Schiano argues, have become too dangerous a play considering it is a sheer 50/50 chance to come out on top. The first line of players is designed to clear an area of the opposition to leave the second line to grab the ball. A dangerous style of play many will agree. So with the Rutgers’ coach’s alternative, the fourth-and-15 play, Schiano seems to have come up with a viable and more exciting substitute to kickoffs.
Whether the NCAA chooses to act upon his proposal remains to be seen but Schiano has certainly opened a lot of eyes with his new ideas.
Article courtesy of NJ Sharrocks.