Many fans are sick of seeing their kicker blow a game. But they can’t blame him if he’s not on the roster.
If you’re sick and tired of watching kickers shank chip shots, botch extra points, and missed heartbreaking game-ending field goals, then please raise your hand!
Courtesy: Twitter
I thought so!
First of all, the greatest game on earth’s title doesn’t make sense. Soccer should be called (futbol or football). just like it is in every other country on the planet.
Call our football ‘Fieldball’ or something … I don’t know what. But that’s not the point. The point is that kicking doesn’t belong in the game!
As I see it, kickers are unnecessary. It’s a ridiculous position. And I have a way of eliminating kickers from the 53-man roster.
In football, you have 11 men on the field working in unity to be successful (hopefully) driving the ball down the field to score. Defensively, all 11 players are scheming to stop the offense from putting the ball in the end zone. It means that offense and defense battle physically and mentally for 60 minutes and, sometimes, even longer.
These professional players practice almost every day, learning the game plan and planning how to implement that plan on game day. They work tirelessly in film study and in meetings way before the season starts. They go through OTA’s, training camp, and personal training. They learn the playbook, the signal calls, audibles, where to line up, and how to execute their jobs. In short, these guys go all out to win games.
Do you know what the kickers are doing? They kick the ball through and around, over and over again, in between bathroom breaks and snack time.
Look, I mean no offense to kickers, but they don’t need to gameplan the way the rest of the team does (save for the occasional onside kick or trick play). For 60 minutes you have incredible athletes pounding their bodies into one another. Then a 165-pound kicker comes outs and decides the game?!
No! No! No! I’m sorry! I don’t like that and haven’t liked it for a long time.
It makes no sense. It’s completely unreasonable that a guy who’s only job is to kick a ball they’ve kicked a million times to be able to decide a game. Yes, I know–misses are very prominent this season because kickers are missing at an alarming rate. That’s not the norm, but that outcome doesn’t solve the problem I see.
I understand that teams won’t score touchdowns every time they possess the ball. But so what? As far as I’m concerned, they can eliminate field goals altogether. Make the game about touchdowns. That’s it.
Tucker’s missed PAT at game’s end cost Ravens the game v. Saints (photo, Baltimore Sun)
Teams will adjust, as they always do, by evolution. And if you HAVE to keep field goals in the game, then let quarterbacks throw the ball through the uprights or hit some other target. That makes more sense to me because the quarterback is the focal point of the team. If a team needs to punt, let the quarterback throw that ‘bad boy’ as far as he can. Keep punt blocking and returns as they are currently.
Just a few years ago, the NFL changed the extra point from 19 yards to 33 yards. It has had an effect, too. Teams began going for the two-point conversion more often.
Wow! What a concept! Why not for two points after every TD?
In everything I’ve said, the motivation is to take kicking out of the game. I hate the fact that kickers have such an important role to play. And I think many fans are sick of seeing their kicker blow a game. But they can’t blame the kicker if there isn’t a kicker on the roster.
I’m talking about kickoffs, too. Let’s face it: kickoffs are rarely run back for touchdowns and there’s also the issue of player safety. Running back kickoffs and punts are two of the most dangerous part of the game.
If you want to keep the ‘kickoff,’ then throw it instead or start each new possession at the 20- or 25-yard line. That way, you don’t need to get rid of Special Teams, you can just modify them without a kicker.
I think the NFL ought to consider ways of getting kicking out of the game.
I know, this sounds crazy at first glance. But if you really think about it, I believe it makes perfect sense. The least involved player on the roster shouldn’t have such a big impact on the game.
It’s time to take the ‘foot’ out of football!
I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please get kicking out of the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I realize how difficult it may be but there’s always a solution. These clowns in the front office can figure it out. Kicking field goals is like a gimmick play even though it’s been around forever. Gotta change it somehow. Kicking sucks!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad you agree. I’m seeing a 50/50 split on this. I think it will make the game more interesting in addition to what I said. I appreciate you leaving a comment and reading the article. Sports evolve and that’s what I’m proposing to the NFL for a very legit reason. At least I think so haha!