NFL considers alternatives to the kickoff, including the XFL model

[MarkNelson]

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootba ... -xfl-model

I doubt the NFL will adopt this change in the near future. Maybe after a couple more years of the XFL demonstrating success at the kickoff. In the meanwhile Florio gets to exploit this rumor for clicks.

But the interesting point is this: “The NFL is exploring XFL data regarding the play. The overriding goal is to reduce the potential for concussions.” Recall last year the two leagues announced they would collaborate on innovations and share data. This is it.

https://xflboard.com/news/xfl-to-join-w ... -football/

[GregParks]

They had a segment about this on PTI today. Kornheiser didn’t quite embrace the idea (he felt it looked more like a rugby play than a football play and was concerned that it would be tough to break long kickoffs) though he acknowledged a change was necessary to the NFL kickoff rules.

Pablo Torre was in favor of adopting the XFL kickoff rules and even pushed back on the second TK point saying he had seen clips of long kick returns in the XFL.

[MarkNelson]

They had a segment about this on PTI today. Kornheiser didn’t quite embrace the idea (he felt it looked more like a rugby play than a football play and was concerned that it would be tough to break long kickoffs) though he acknowledged a change was necessary to the NFL kickoff rules.

Pablo Torre was in favor of adopting the XFL kickoff rules and even pushed back on the second TK point saying he had seen clips of long kick returns in the XFL.

Interesting, how anyone could think the XFL kickoff stunted returns. For starters, every kickoff is returned.

The XFL has data. The argument could be made that the data set is only 43 games. Maybe another season of data, showing the average length of kickoff returns?

[GregParks]

Kevin Seifert has a story about this on ESPN.com:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/382 ... anges-2023

He says Goodell and Troy Vincent recently met with XFL officials to discuss the kickoff play. Also mentions how the play has the support from competition committee chair Rich McKay and Vikings ST coach Matt Daniels. Also comments inside from Sam Schwartzstein, who helped create the play back for the 2020 league.

[4th&long]

Kevin Seifert has a story about this on ESPN.com:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/382 ... anges-2023

He says Goodell and Troy Vincent recently met with XFL officials to discuss the kickoff play. Also mentions how the play has the support from competition committee chair Rich McKay and Vikings ST coach Matt Daniels. Also comments inside from Sam Schwartzstein, who helped create the play back for the 2020 league.

I'm not a huge fan of the XFL kickoff but the NFL is constantly looking to screw the game. This quote is from an article that the other article references.

>> According to data released by the league, there were 149 concussions suffered over 271 games this season. That's an 18% jump from 2021 (126) and 14% higher than the three-year average (130) between 2018 and 2020.

NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills on Friday attributed the rise to a number of factors, including a protocol change that he said "broadened and strengthened" the definition of a concussion following a series of injuries suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. <<

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/355 ... ed-18-2022

So a definition change of what is a concussion and QB's running and holding the ball too long necessitates a Kick Off rules change. This is why Roger Goodell is the worst commissioner ever. Since his arrival in 2006 its been a steady eroding of the game.
Never mind lets add another regular season weekly game and 2 month playoff games - For Safety!

[Firecop]

Last night on the local radio broadcast of the Seahawks vs. Cowboys, the great Steve Raible and his co-host discussed the NFL possibly adopting the XFL kickoff and generally seemed to support it. I love seeing the XFL talked about on NFL broadcasts.