Cleveland Browns Josh Cribbs says kickoffs ban to change pro football, rejects idea – NFL News
The National Football League (NFL) has received strong objection to an under consideration idea of banning kickoffs, possibly from next season, from Cleveland Browns’ players, and there is a possibility that more players from other teams can join them.
Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano, who while coaching at Rutgers College has witnessed a player being paralyzed because of an injury involving kickoffs has proposed the ban. The league office has called the idea interesting and has asked its competition committee
to review it.
Earlier, the office extended the kickoffs from being taken 30 to 35 yards, but according to the office, banning them completely will significantly reduce concussions and protect players from other injuries.
Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns’ return specialist, has rejected the proposal and there is possibility that more players join him in the opposition of the ban.
Cribbs said:
"I couldn't ever see that. That's like taking the goal post out of the stadium, taking the whole post and uprooting it. Only play offense and defence, just like intramurals. Then play indoors and put flags in our pants."
His colleague Phil Dawson added:
"When the ball is 50 yards down the field, guys are running full speed and you get a lot of cross blocks and guys getting knocked out. I still wouldn't say it's any more dangerous than any other play. Wide receivers get concussions each and every week in
the NFL, yet we're going to pick on kickoffs? That doesn't add up to me."
It is yet another time that the league has come under criticism for a plan for what it says will increase protection for the players. Commissioner Roger Goodell in one of his recent remarks has said that the game of American professional football is evolving,
progressing towards more safety and security for the players.
Some of its actions have also been seen as double standards. The office is under fire over leaving some players unpunished when they are in violation of safety rules on the field. They think the league should come harder on the violators so that the players
avoid committing the same violation again.
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