Rutgers coach wants no more kickoffs in college football

[cyberdude558]

In October of 2010, Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down covering a kickoff in a game against Army.

Needless to say, that tragic accident had a profound impact on the football program in general and on head coach Greg Schiano specifically.  So profound, in fact, that Schiano wants to change the way the game’s been played for many, many decades.

In a story that appeared in Sunday’s Newark Star-Ledger but we’d somehow missed until today, Schiano revealed a plan that he had shared with his fellow coaches at the recently concluded Big East meetings, which is, in essence, to ban all kickoffs at the collegiate level.

“That whole time was a blur,” the coach said of the time he spent at LeGrand’s bedside. “I just remember thinking, ‘Why do we have to have kickoffs? Just because we’ve always had them?’”

While it may have been a blur, the blur resulted in a very detailed plan by Schiano that would eliminate kickoffs and thus, theoretically, reduce the risk of serious injuries in the sport.  Here’s Schiano’s plan, as written up by the Star-Ledger:

…Replace all kickoffs with a punting situation, including after the opening coin toss and to start the second half. So, as an example, when Team A scores a touchdown, it immediately gets the ball back on a fourth and 15 from its own 30-yard line.

It can punt it back to Team B — the most likely outcome and a safer play since the bigger collisions usually happen on kickoffs.

Or it can line up and go for the first down, essentially replacing an onside kick with an offensive play that would require more skill than luck.

Suffice to say, Schiano’s plan is a radical departure from the past 100 years or so, and will certainly be met with skepticism and criticism from people in the game that it’s too radical and completely changes a significant part of the sport.  As far as Schiano is concerned, however, lessening the risk of serious or significant injuries is more than worth it.

“It would lead to much less impact and fewer collisions, but it would still be a way to get the game started in similar field position,” Schiano said.

“I don’t think we’d lose that much, and we’d gain a bunch for the welfare of the players.”

At the very least, Schiano coming out with the idea of eliminating kickoffs will spark serious discussion both inside and outside of the game, and, when it comes to the safety of players who become bigger/faster/stronger every year, maybe that would be a good thing.  It’s doubtful — but certainly not impossible — that Schiano’s plan would gain national traction, but if it leads to further discussion of player safety that also leads to improved equipment and further stressing proper tackling technique from the very lowest levels of the game we say good job, coach.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/06/rutgers-schiano-wants-to-eliminate-kickoffs/related

[Legend]

What happen to the kid is terrible. But when you lead with your head something bad is likely to happen.

[Fitz66]

The 'make it take it' would certainly make games interesting, especially when behind by more than a few TDs.  But yeah, it would lead to no punts, then no blitzing, then no hitting,...

[Legend]

Some of the most exciting plays happen on Kickoffs. I think when you play a sport you should know the risk. If you aren't willing to take that risk then don't play.

[Fitz66]

I think when you play a sport you should know the risk. If you aren't willing to take that risk then don't play.

Kind of goes hand in hand with whats going on in the pros now, too.

[Runole]

What happen to the kid is terrible. But when you lead with your head something bad is likely to happen.

Exactly!   Football is a violent collision sport trying to change the whole aspect of the game is ridiculous.  Coach kids to tackle properly and injuries like this one don't happen.   Schiano is just not thinking clearly due to the tragedy. Stopping kickoffs won't prevent head to head tackling.

[JC5100]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

[John Galt?]

Kickoffs are too dangerous, get rid of them. Also get rid of blitzes, too dangerous, also they need to eliminate crossing routes, too many fast collisions, and running backs get hurt a lot, so no more running plays. in fact, just get rid of tackling all together. Deep passes are hard on hamstrings, so we need to eliminate those to. Here's the answer, just have one team punt the ball and the other has to fair catch it, then they get 3 shots at a FG before they have to punt.

[Runole]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

Not if you don't lead with your head!

[Legend]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

Its football dude. Its a violent sport, if the players can't handle it then don't play.

[CBWx2]

If this were the NFL, I'd agree with the sentiment that the players know the risk, blah blah blah, but it's not. It's college football. Unless you want to start paying college players and offering some kind of catastrophic insurance for them, I think it's unnecessary to put these kids in danger that way. The Pros get the big checks and the big health plans. College athletes get a "free education." I don't think the reward outweighs the risk there, and you can't expect 18-22 year old kids to know how to make educated decisions about the risk factors that come with football. All you men think they are invincible.

[anterrabae33]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

Its football dude. Its a violent sport, if the players can't handle it then don't play.

I'm going to tell my future son "Hey football is a great sport and I LOVED playing it and its fun and competitive and a great time. Just remember, there's a chance you might lose all control of your body functions, whether it be your fault or not. So have fun!"

[tatmanfish]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

Its football dude. Its a violent sport, if the players can't handle it then don't play.

I'm going to tell my future son "Hey football is a great sport and I LOVED playing it and its fun and competitive and a great time. Just remember, there's a chance you might lose all control of your body functions, whether it be your fault or not. So have fun!"

its is brutal. People also make a choice to play the sport and accept the consequenses. Same with driving an automobile. You could easily get in accident an be injured or killed. Do we change all the laws so people can only drive 10MPH and all roads sould be seperat onle lane roads to reduce the risk of injury? No, they teach you how to drive appropriately and hope you continue to drive like that and obey traffic laws. Just like they teach you how to tackle and hope you do it that way every time.

Are poeple not supposed to have any consequences in life, or is everything supposed to be this perfect picture of prosperity where no one get hurt?

I returned kicks in HS and remember one return, I only had one guy to beat. We were close to the sideline and he had some help behind him. Instead of juking, i figured Id try to go through him. He apparently had no intentions of just tackling me and had the exact same idea of running through me. I got lower and as he was knocked backwards, my face mask got under his and caused his facemasks bottom snaps to break and it flipped up like a motorcycle helmat visor. My facemask completely broke his nose and is was mashed upward and to the side of his face. Was this something directly related to a kickoff return? of course not, it could of happened on any play. Just like any player could lead with their head at anytime resulting in the same thing that happened to this poor kid.

I know most people are told as soon as they strap on a helmet to not lead with your head....to always watch your way into a tackle(keep your head up and watch yourself make contact), or else you could seriously injure your head or neck. Not sure why anyone would think they need to change the game for a freak accident that could of been prevented.

[Legend]

Someone is eventually going to die on a kickoff. Unless you've done it you don't realize how brutal it is. The impact is so violent it gives you white flashes inside your head.

I think the 4th and 15 idea is stupid. Just put the ball at the 25 unless the kicking team wants to attempt an onside kick. But like I said, they're waiting for someone to die.

Its football dude. Its a violent sport, if the players can't handle it then don't play.

I'm going to tell my future son "Hey football is a great sport and I LOVED playing it and its fun and competitive and a great time. Just remember, there's a chance you might lose all control of your body functions, whether it be your fault or not. So have fun!"

Better make him live a sheltered life because everything has its risk out there. You take those risk knowing the possible outcomes. Like Tataman said it like a driving a car your taught the rules and how to drive. But that doesn't mean someone else may not obey them and smash into you. Thats why you should always play defensive.

[Legend]

I don't want Rutgers players catching the ball anymore.