Just in Atlanta Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 (edited) It seemed to me as the year went on there were more returns. I don't have any data to back that up, more of an observation. Chan's stance was that he had numbers to back up that you don't bring it out, but then it appeared other teams started taking more chances bringing it out. I don't know about "as the year went on," but in entirety, touchbacks increased a whopping 250 percent from the 2010 to 2011 season. Touchdowns on kickoffs decreased nearly 150 percent. The rule sucks. I don't think fans are forgetting about this stupid rule change, we just can not do anything about it. Perhaps fans could picket the stadiums and refuse to buy tickets, but fat chance of that. It certainly has taken away an important aspect of the game. Maybe they could make that aspect of the game like touch football. The kick returner would have a little NFL-licensed bandana hanging out of his belt that the opposing kick coverage guys would have to remove to show the returner (punt catcher) has been safely "tackled". We can actually do a lot about it. Complaining on Twitter. Complaining on Facebook. Complaining here. They would listen. I almost don't even want to watch kickoffs anymore. Edited April 10, 2012 by JustinAtlanta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBeck/cuba Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Didn't it reduce concussions on returns like 50% or more? Yeah I sont rember the exact number but I rember Goodell saying how much concussions have been reduced. Concussion per return may not have gone down much tho. Remember these guys especially the ST guys that dont make huge money are trying to live normal lives after their playing days are over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Wow, I had to stop by just to see how people could fill two pages of posts under the [please fix subject] heading. Nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 It may be true across the league that Returns were down but it was more so in Buffalo than anywhere else IMO. Obviously I don't have tape or statistics to show this but I do remember we NEVER took the ball out of the end zone while other teams did against us quite regularly. Not until we found Rogers did we start to really return kicks. Personally it just tells me that Brad Smith sucks and can't even do that right. He was the biggest waste of $16 million I've ever seen. Ralph would have been better off buying every season tix holder a beer each game than signing that @$$hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I don't know about "as the year went on," but in entirety, touchbacks increased a whopping 250 percent from the 2010 to 2011 season. Touchdowns on kickoffs decreased nearly 150 percent. The rule sucks. We can actually do a lot about it. Complaining on Twitter. Complaining on Facebook. Complaining here. They would listen. I almost don't even want to watch kickoffs anymore. Would you like some cheese to go with that whine? Some teams choose to run the kickoffs out from 7-8 yards deep routinely (Jets), and some choose to take a knee almost everytime (Bills). Simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Some teams choose to run the kickoffs out from 7-8 yards deep routinely (Jets), and some choose to take a knee almost everytime (Bills). Simple as that. I was thinking the same teams when I just posted KD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just in Atlanta Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Would you like some cheese to go with that whine? Some teams choose to run the kickoffs out from 7-8 yards deep routinely (Jets), and some choose to take a knee almost everytime (Bills). Simple as that. If you think watching kneel downs increase from 16 percent to 44 percent and touchdowns on kickoffs decrease from 23 to 9 is exciting football, then I'll have some extra sharp cheddar. Look at the stats. Actually, it's as simple as that. Wow, I had to stop by just to see how people could fill two pages of posts under the [please fix subject] heading. Nice work! Was thinking the same thing. Sure sign it's offseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I like your reasoning that backups aren't deserving of being protected from injury. Completely fallacious, considering most of the Bills' starters aren't deserving of such... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 If you think watching kneel downs increase from 16 percent to 44 percent and touchdowns on kickoffs decrease from 23 to 9 is exciting football, then I'll have some extra sharp cheddar. Look at the stats. Actually, it's as simple as that. Yeah, having to suffer through an extra couple kneel downs per game has completely ruined the excitement of the NFL. Give that horse another whack, I don't think he's dead enough yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I have a great deal of trust in Buddy and Chan, in this third year, to finally please fix the subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just in Atlanta Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Yeah, having to suffer through an extra couple kneel downs per game has completely ruined the excitement of the NFL. Give that horse another whack, I don't think he's dead enough yet. One more whack. No one says "it completely" ruins the excitement, just substantially decreases the number of one of the most exciting plays in football. Do you think kneel downs are exciting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayboy54 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 One more whack. No one says "it completely" ruins the excitement, just substantially decreases the number of one of the most exciting plays in football. Do you think kneel downs are exciting? Yeah, but it gives everyone an extra play to get back from the bathroom or refrigerator! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mango Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I think that eventually kickers will start to adapt and it becomes more dangerous. Kickers learn to boot the ball 10 yards higher and 5 yards shorter. Basically rendering the returner a sitting duck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 One more whack. No one says "it completely" ruins the excitement, just substantially decreases the number of one of the most exciting plays in football. Do you think kneel downs are exciting? Yes I do. We often have bets on if it will be a right-knee or left-knee taken so the excitement far exceeds the 95% of the kickoffs where the guy runs into a huge pile of people at the 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 (edited) I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I have a great deal of trust in Buddy and Chan, in this third year, to finally please fix the subject. Don't forget, nobody can [please fix subject] like Dave Wannstedt. Edited April 10, 2012 by eball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Don't forget, nobody can [please fix subject] like Dave Wannstedt. I like my women like I like my coffee. Ground up and [please fix subject]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billykaykay Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 If you really want to reduce injuries but still have exciting kickoff plays, then do the opposite of what the NFL is doing. Move the kickoff to the 40 yard line (like it was in the 60's ) but have touchbacks be placed at the 30 yard line. I think that teams would become creative and pooch kick trying to avoid the opposition receiving the ball at the 30. The running start would be reduced thus causing less full speed collisions. Of course, players are also injured all the time on on-sides kicks. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenty Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2012-02-01/kickoff-returns-concussions/52926056/1 if the rate of injuries drop next year too because of this rule, i am happy for it. as much as i love this sport, i hate seeing injuries. I remember watching kevin everett go down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglukes Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 We forgot because Goodell hypnotized us. Seriously, though--I hate the rule. Also don't know why people aren't complaining. We all complained the first couple games, then we just stopped. Turns out one of the most exciting parts of the game is, in fact, being taken away. According to this ESPN story, the touchback rate jumped from 16 percent to 44 percent from the previous season and the average field position after kickoff was reduced by four-plus yards. I'm with ya--watching guys kneel down in the endzone 44 percent of the time doesn't thrill me. On the other hand it does reduce the risk of Leodis fumbling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Goodell Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 We forgot because Goodell hypnotized us. You are getting very sleepy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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