ThurmasThoman Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Football is the only major spot where an offense possessing the ball willingly gives it up when it is not taken from them by rule, as opposed to actively trying to score. No matter how much analysis is done on the cost/benefit of going for it every fourth down, the trend from high school to college to the pros is to punt it away and play it safe. No matter if the coach is analytical and methodical like Belichick, or freewheeling and cutting edge like Peterson or McVay, this is one trend that no one is willing to buck. Also, football is the only major sport that can't end with a final score of 1-0. Not that this is something to strive for, I just have always found it interesting. So this rule fixes both of those, and please, hammer me (pause) with the drawbacks or the reasons why this is idiotic... because at first I thought it was pure ridiculousness, but now I'm not so sure. As the kids say "change my mind". There are no special circumstances to consider, no contingencies, no need to differentiate across different levels of the game. Just like the title says: all failed fourth down conversions are worth 1 point for the attempting offense. Advantages: 1) Virtually no team would punt outside their 40 yard line, which would eliminate a good chunk of punts from the game entirely. The punt has become a boring play--too many fair catches, too much directional punting, not enough action. The NFL seems to hate special teams plays as it is, and I don't know how much they're concerned about injuries on punts (probably less, because blockers can line up so close to the kicking team) but this would go a long way towards mitigating them. 2) It incentivises a "risky" behavior that we all want to see more of, and allows for more strategizing/second guessing. With the way the game is trending, everyone loves offense. We all hate when the punting team runs out on the field. This could lead to more stalemates at the middle of the field (between the 40s), where defensive teams could trade blows and still have something to show for it. Or imagine a scenario where Buf takes it to midfield against the Pats and has 4th and 2--go for it, fail, get a point. Maybe the Pats kick a field goal, but it reduces their net score to 2. Even if they score a touchdown, it reduces their net score to 6, and if we drove deep into their territory on the next drive, it could be a 5 point game with another failed conversion. 3) The ending of games becomes wild. Let's say a team up 8 possess the ball on their side of the field. They're stopped on 1st through 3rd down, but their opponents are out of timeouts. Go for it and win by securing the extra point? But now your opponent has the ball deep in your zone, they could turn around and kick a field goal and then go for an onside kick? I'll use this space to keep adding advantages I can think of, and addressing any concerns. These are the kind of threads that the offseason inspires, what can I say.
GoBills808 Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 So game is tied w/ 1 min left, team takes 4 straight kneel downs at their own 20 to win the game? 6 20 2
ThurmasThoman Posted March 10, 2019 Author Posted March 10, 2019 11 minutes ago, GoBills808 said: So game is tied w/ 1 min left, team takes 4 straight kneel downs at their own 20 to win the game? Welp, grand opening, grand closing. 4 9 2
whatdrought Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Oh boy. I thought this was a bad idea when I thought the defense got the point. Now I’m really thinking no... the reward for a 4th down conversion is getting the ball longer. The punishment is failure. Let’s not incentivize failure. This sounds like something they would do in Canadian football. 6
NewEra Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Would make the game more interesting. Much more complicated. Basically reinventing the game. Does it need to be more interesting and reinvented? For safety reasons, yes. This doesn’t make the game any more safe
GoBills808 Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 10 minutes ago, JohnnyGold said: Welp, grand opening, grand closing. It needs some work...how about instead having a punt be worth -1 points?
Doc Brown Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) 25 minutes ago, GoBills808 said: So game is tied w/ 1 min left, team takes 4 straight kneel downs at their own 20 to win the game? The QB could snap it on 4th down with two seconds left. Run outside the pocket and then chuck it in the stands for a walkoff victory. Edited March 10, 2019 by Doc Brown 1
Just Joshin' Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Well it is better than trading all 2019 draft picks for equal 2020 draft picks. Interesting idea but does not seem practical.
BillsSB2020 Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 So you award a team a point for failure? I just don't......Nevermind.
RobbRiddick Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Sorry but it drives me mad when people talk about eliminating punts. I know, I'm probably an old bastard but for Christ's sake! The punt is an integral part of the game. Not because it's exciting in terms of getting a return for a TD, but because it's a huge part of the field position, the STRATEGY. I love it when a team is on the edge of FG range in a REALLY tight game and the coach has to make a decision on 4th down, do I attempt a long FG and potentially give the other team excellent field position or do I punt it and try to pin them deep in their own territory? It's ***** beautiful, and that's one of the many reasons why I like the tight defensive games. Strategy, cat and mouse, a game of chess.
K-9 Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 Except that the ball IS taken from the offense legitimately. There are a number of ways for a defense to take the ball away from an offense and forcing a turnover on downs is one of them. Can’t get behind a rule that would reward the offense for failing to get a first down.
1ManRaid Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 1 hour ago, JohnnyGold said: Also, football is the only major sport that can't end with a final score of 1-0. Not that this is something to strive for, I just have always found it interesting. Not true, there is a 1 point safety.
Tuco Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 8 minutes ago, 1ManRaid said: Not true, there is a 1 point safety. The 1 point safety can only occur on a try after a touchdown. Therefore it still can't be 1-0. That said, this whole idea sucks, lol. 1
Foxx Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) in the world of sports you get rewarded for successes, not failures. Edited March 10, 2019 by Foxx
H2o Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, JohnnyGold said: Welp, grand opening, grand closing. God d*mn your man Hov cracked the can open again. Edited March 10, 2019 by H2o
The Firebaugh Kid Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 2 hours ago, GoBills808 said: So game is tied w/ 1 min left, team takes 4 straight kneel downs at their own 20 to win the game? Im sure hes working out the kinks still. This post is by far my favorite, ever. 2
buffaloboyinATL Posted March 10, 2019 Posted March 10, 2019 I’m amazed you didn’t start with “Hear me out...” 2 hours ago, GoBills808 said: So game is tied w/ 1 min left, team takes 4 straight kneel downs at their own 20 to win the game? I’m assuming the thread ends here? ?
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