Kickers and Punters Shouldn’t Exist
3/24/24
Why do goalposts exist in football? What purpose do they serve? What would football look like without goalposts?
What is the NFL had…
-No goalposts
-No kicking or punting
Imagine this:
The Bears defense gets a big sack on 3rd down to bring the sticks to 4th and 39 for the Packers offense.
But the Packers can’t punt, because punting is no longer a thing. They either gain 40 yards or turn it over on downs. The Packers are technically in field goal range, but here’s the thing: there are no goalposts.
Without Goal Posts, field position is now central to success.
Strategy changes for offense and defense. Attaining the first down is now essential. The defense is also now incentivized to be much more aggressive. Ultra-aggressive defense means more big net gain plays (whether sacks on defense or chunk plays on offense).
With no punts, making pivotal stops gives the defense more control over scoring. Defense takes on a new-found importance.
If the D coordinator blitzes everyone on 4th and 9 from your own goal line, the chance of massive 99-yard gains will increase drastically.
Who doesn’t want a football world where there are more 99-yard plays?
Roster Management Perks
Eliminating special teams makes roster management more realistic. If athletes are drafted to play their position, why should they put time and energy into special teams?
Coaches no longer have to send young talent to special teams practice. From Day 1, athletes will be able to solely focus on their position.
If athletes are drafted to play their position, why should they put time and energy into special teams?Coaches no longer have to send young talent to special teams practice. From Day 1, athletes can solely focus on their position.
How about an additional scoring wrinkle?
- There are no extra points, only different distances for conversions: From the 1-yard line for 2 points,
- From the 5-yard line for 3 and from the 10-yard line for 4.
- Safety’s are now worth 8 points.
If you have the opposing team pinned on their goal line, the reward for a safety (given how rare it is) is currently much too low.
A new scoring system would make the game more exciting.If you are stuck on your own 1-yard line, the defense has this crazy incentive to blitz everyone for the possibility of up to 12 points.
Defense takes on a new-found importance.
With no punts, making pivotal stops gives the defense more control over scoring.
There are no outs anymore! Every down is now more important.
Pivotal plays at every turn!
Blowouts will be less common as teams will always be in the game.
The craziest comebacks are now possible.
I don’t see a world where this makes the game worse.
This makes football so much more fun.
There’s no bullshit. Once the goalposts are gone, we will look back on football and wonder why we ever had them.
