National Football League

Cribbs not in favor of kickoff ban

Published Dec. 7, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Browns return specialist Josh Cribbs doesn't like the possibility that the NFL will replace the kickoff.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said this week that the league's competition committee will consider eliminating the kickoff in the offseason. The league previously moved the kickoff from the 30 to 35-yard line to cut down on violent collisions, hoping to reduce head injuries.

Cribbs, who shares the league record for kickoff return touchdowns with Seattle's Leon Washington, said banning the kickoff would change the league ''drastically'' and that if the move was made the NFL would be ''just like intramurals.''

Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano suggested that instead of kickoffs, teams would have the option of punting from the 30-yard line and going for a first down in a fourth-and-15 situation. Goodell has called Schiano's idea ''interesting.''