Concerned about the number of head injuries on kickoffs, the NFL very nearly did away with the play earlier this year, before several of the league’s special-teams coaches, including the Eagles’ Dave Fipp, came up with what they hope will be a safer alternative.
“I just can’t imagine the game without it,” Fipp said. “I mean, how could you say we’re excited for opening day and the kickoff of the season if you don’t have a kickoff? Would you say, ‘We’re excited to put the ball in play?’
“My biggest concern is that we’ve changed the rules enough so that the play becomes significantly safer, not just a little bit.