LISTEN: Francesa Says NFL 'Headed Very Quickly For The Elimination Of The Kickoff'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mike Francesa believes the NFL is moving toward the elimination of kickoffs.
The league approved Wednesday a one-year trial of placing the ball at the 25-yard line after touchbacks on kickoffs instead of at the 20. The league is seeking ways to reduce injuries on kickoff returns, which it says statistically are the most dangerous plays in the game.
"I mean, let's be honest, they're headed very quickly for the elimination of the kickoff," Francesa said. "If they do that, it doesn't affect the roster or the economics of the game, unless they also do away with the punt return. You may think that's crazy, but you're now going to put together a special teams until that does not cover or return kicks, so now it's just the punt game, that's it?"
Francesa said that we could see a game where there is no longer kick nor punt returns "because to have one doesn't make any sense."
"No purist is going to like the idea of what they're doing to the kicking game and the return game, but they're gonna do it anyway, because they think there's a bunch of injuries there," he said.
Francesa also touched on the aspects of how it will affect the economics and rosters, and the league approving to eject a player from a game for drawing two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Listen to Francesa's show open below.
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