Why Return Kick Offs?

[JeffreyMiller]

The kickoff is the play with the most potential for violent collisions and the league is smartly trying to cut down on those high-level hits by rewarding teams for not running kickoffs back. I have not done a study but it would be a great subject for a 2019 season review to learn how many kickoffs were returned even an inch beyond the 25-yard line. The conservative move, especially late in a close game, would be to avoid returning kickoffs, unless the ball is kicked short of the endzone. A non-return does not start the clock and it guarantees decent field position.

Just my opinion, but I feel the league should abandon overtime periods, except in playoff games. The players don't need the extra hits that come in overtime and the TV networks are unhappy about games running longer (which is due in part to longer television time outs and the constant officiating reviews). This idea, along with the new kickoff rules, would help the players stay healthy and I think we need to look further in that direction.

With respect to all,

Lee Elder

Yeah, not a big fan of regular season overtime.