2007 Kickoff Changes

[Taosman]

Kicking off from 30 could mean highlights, injuries
Aug. 16, 2007
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS -- NCAA officials expect more excitement -- and perhaps more injuries -- as kickoffs move back to the 30-yard line for this college football season.
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The NCAA rules oversight panel's decision in March to push the kickoff back from the 35-yard line to the NFL's starting point was one of several offseason changes designed to keep the game moving and the energy level high.
Purdue coach Joe Tiller has been among the critics of moving the kickoff. He says it's the most violent play in football, and the few extra returns won't be worth it if injuries, such as concussions, increase.
"So now they're moving back 5 yards so we can create more g-forces as these kids are running into each other," he said. "I'm not in favor of moving it back 5 yards. I think about the health and safety of the players, first and foremost.
"It's probably going to add a few more injuries that we didn't have in the past. And maybe a few more kicks will be returned."
Ron Courson, head trainer at Georgia and a member of the National Athletic Trainers association, said the NCAA will keep track of injuries and make changes in the future if necessary.
"We do know that you do have a tendency to get more injuries on a special teams play where you have more high-impact, open-field running," he said. "However, I think we need to reserve judgment until we have data."
Dave Parry, national coordinator of NCAA football officiating, said he expects the results to be positive.
"It will create a little more excitement, and we'll get a little more movement of the ball," he said. "We do believe it will eliminate some touchbacks. This will be pleasing to the fans."

I have real concerns about the injury aspect of the move.

[scarletngray]

Field position and special teams are such a big part of Coach T's strategy. With guys like Small, Wells, Saine, etc. as our returners, I'm excited to see how we do in the return game. I'm also interested in who is going to be our gunners on punt and kick returns. JAM? Evege? Any other possibilities?

[Oh8ch]

"We do know that you do have a tendency to get more injuries on a special teams play where you have more high-impact, open-field running," he said. "However, I think we need to reserve judgment until we have data."

"We do believe it will eliminate some touchbacks. This will be pleasing to the fans."

I love College football. It is damn near the perfect sport. But we do have players with such body mass obtaining such speeds that it is scary. Particularly when you have schools like OSU going against schools like YSU.

[SanClementeBuck]

Authorities want to reduce t-backs plain and simple. Puts more emphasis on kickoff talent and general ST's speed. I think Tiller has a point, but Bucks should fall on positive side of ledger.

[Muck]

Originally Posted by Joe Tiller

So now they're moving back 5 yards so we can create more g-forces as these kids are running into each other

Psst Joe, "these kids" reach full speed long before they get to the ball carrier. 5 extra yards isn't going to make the impacts any harder.

It'll just increase the number of opportunities for said impacts due to fewer touchbacks.

[Taosman]

I'd like to think this would be a clear advantage for us, but the truth is it's not so clear cut.
If Saine takes a couple to the house maybe then we'll see teams giving us field position rather than risk a run back.

By the way the video of Saine returning kicks is scary good!

Saine is a lot bigger than Ginn and breaks tackles! People just bounce off him!

[Muck]

Originally Posted by Taosman

By the way the video of Saine returning kicks is scary good!

It's like watching Bo Jackson take the pitch in Tecmo Bowl.

[Taosman]

Ha! Nice reference! I hope others have seen that one!