Why even have a kick-off anymore?

[JFK]

Nothing wrong with putting it on the 32 or 33

 

[TruthSeeker]

Just to set the record straight, there were 12 scores (6 TDs for GB, 4TDs and 2 FGs for NO) and the kickoffs to start the halves for a total of 14 kickoffs.

I definitely prefer kickoffs from the 30. We'll see if it changes back at some point.

 

[TruthSeeker]

This is the original spot the ball was kicked from before they changed the rules about 15-20 yeas ago, i have no problem with it. I never like it being changed in the first place.

Actually, the original spot was the 40. I must be showing my age.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Somewhat true, as they often have three minutes of commercials before the kickoff and then three more minutes of commercials after the kickoff.

As someone who is almost always watching games a little behind live time (and therefore skips through commercials):

- it's 2 minutes and 20 seconds for action to resume after the "normal" (long) timeout
- it's 2 minutes and 30 seconds for the kickoff after a score
- it's 3 minutes at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters
- it's a real long time at half-time - but not too bad at 300x speed.

 

[Timbo717]

Right now networks are given ten commercial breaks per half; no more and interestingly, no less. One gets used at the 2-minute warning, another at the end of quarter, and then the rest are after a score, change of possession, or injury on the field. My guess is that they could still get their full allotment of commercial breaks even if the kickoff was done away with.

The biggest thing I don't understand is why they don't go to commercial once they hit their quota of ten. I do realize that the networks want very much for the game to fit within a specific time frame, but when there is an injury, replay or score they could easily fit in one more ad in without extending the actual length of time the game is played, giving them that much additional revenue - or promo an upcoming show of their own, which they love to do. It just seems odd that they would pass on the opportunity and leave that money on the table.

Is the quota a stipulation of the contract with the NFL? If so the only reason I can think of is so that the NFL can have some control over how much time away from the games there is. If networks didn't have the quota and starting fitting in commercial breaks whenever they could (even if only a 30 second break here and a 1 minute break there, etc), it would be noticed by the fans how often commercials breaks would come up and in my opinion negatively affect alot of their opinions of the fans in regards to their viewing experience.

I know it would for me, even if the difference was just watching the play replayed 3-4 times and listening to Collinsworth run his mouth about it vs. watching a 30 second car or insurance commercial.

In other words, I think if they didn't have the max # of commercial breaks stipulated then the networks would abuse it and the NFL's product in the eyes of the viewer would be affected. All of this is, of course, assuming that it is indeed a stipulation in the contract between the networks and the NFL (which I have no idea if it is or not).

 

[Deus Irae]

Deus: The 2010 stat is a bit misleading for two reasons. (1) Mason Crosby is one of the worst kickoff kickers in the NFL. (2) The highest ranked kicker that kicked at Lambeau last year was Dan Carpenter of Miami, and his KOs averaged about 66 yards.

That said, KOs tend to get shorter as the year gets later, so I won't be surprised if the TB numbers decline (except, of course, for the indoors teams. . . . ).

There's nothing misleading about it. You should get more than 2 touchbacks by mistake, and the number is the number. However, if you've got the numbers from previous years, I'd be happy to take a look at them.

 

[patsfan-1982]

im ok with it we still seen a 108 yerd kickoff return on opening day so it cant be that bad

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There's nothing misleading about it. You should get more than 2 touchbacks by mistake, and the number is the number. However, if you've got the numbers from previous years, I'd be happy to take a look at them.

I don't have the time to look at the opponents' stats, but Crosby himself had 5 in 2009 and 9 in 2008. (OTOH, his KO average decreased ~3 yards from 2008 to 2010. . . .).

And to be precise, what I meant is that the fact that there were only 2 TBs at Lambeau in 2010 is not conclusive evidence that it is difficult to kick TBs at Lambeau. [After all, if a team's STs suck, then their opponents might return a kick even if it goes deep.]

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't have the time to look at the opponents' stats, but Crosby himself had 5 in 2009 and 9 in 2008. (OTOH, his KO average decreased ~3 yards from 2008 to 2010. . . .).

And to be precise, what I meant is that the fact that there were only 2 TBs at Lambeau in 2010 is not conclusive evidence that it is difficult to kick TBs at Lambeau. [After all, if a team's STs suck, then their opponents might return a kick even if it goes deep.]

I hear you, and reading my post again I see that it came off snarky. Sorry about that. I just meant that I was using that data honestly and without an agenda to it (they used it several times during the broadcast last night). The league expects the rule change to have an impact, which is exactly why they did it. It had an impact when they moved it back, after all.

People are correct in saying that there will still be a return game. It's going to take a pretty big hit though.

 

[neuronet]

One thing it makes penalties during touchdowns mean more. Those typical unsportsmanlike conduct penalties--15 yards back on the kickoff is a big deal as you can no longer bank on the touchback.