Sean Gregory of TIME writes that one of the options being considered for replacing kickoffs entails giving the ball to the team that would have been kicking off at its own 30, automatically facing a fourth down and 15 yards to go. The team can then choose to punt or go for it, via fake punt or otherwise.
The idea would be to remove completely the high-speed, open-field collisions between large men who dip their heads instinctively at impact and place extra pressure on the C3-C4 area of the spine. While other injuries would be possible during the punt play that replaces the kickoff, the risk of catastrophic injury would be reduced.
What's your opinion? From an injury standpoint? From a gameplay standpoint?
Personally, I don't see a huge necessity from an injury standpoint. How often do you see one of these catastrophic injuries on kickoff returns?
From a gameplay perspective, I think it's a little more interesting. I prefer the possibilities of a 4th and 15 play to an onside kick. Still, is it worth making such a big alteration to the game? That's where I'm on the fence. I am, however, in agreement with the anti-PAT critics.
