Any football fans here?

[just Warren]

Would getting rid of punting improve the game or make it worse?

I'm thinking it could only make it better.

I find the punt game to be the worst part of the football. Make the teams run plays from scrimmage on 4th down. Sure on failed attempts that would leave the opposing team in a good position but that works both ways.

Scoring would likely be higher and the fans would like that.

Also maybe make it that teams can't try field goals if the ball is spotted on the 10 or closer. Run a damn play! Go for the TD!

[230RN]

That's the game where they raquet a ball back and forth over a net until someone gets it into the par eighteenth hole?

[RoadKingLarry]

[bedlamite]

[Hawkmoon]

I don't understand why people keep wanting to change the rules. How long has punting been part of the game? Over 100 years?

Leave it be. Or change it. Who cares? We should all be boycotting football anyway, at least until the idiots decide to show respect for the flag and the national anthem.

[Scout26]

Haven''t watched since 2010, haven't cared since 2015 when a spoiled multi=millionaire athlete, who was adopted by white family, decided to spit upon veterans, police, firefighters, and the military (not to mention regular patriotic Americans) and kneel during the National Anthem to protest Racism or Police or America, or *Spins Wheel*...Trump.

The fact that the player pictured above was the QB for my hometown team is fitting.  I care as much as he did.

[RoadKingLarry]

I honestly don't think I have ever sat and watched an entire pro or even college football game, ever.

[K Frame]

College football only.

And only Penn State.

*expletive deleted*ck the NFL, it's highly paid whiners, and it's ahole commissioner.

[charby]

I watch college ball, hardly any NFL. The only rule I would add would be any kneeling of the football in the last 2 minutes of play would result in the automatic loss of 7 points for the offensive team. Play it out to the last seconds.

[MechAg94]

College football only also.  I can do without the NFL.  I heard ratings were down in the preseason even over last season.  Maybe they will eventually figure it out.

Keep punting.  Keep special teams in general and leave it alone.  IMO, if you get rid of punting, you will be putting a premium on defense as the teams that can hold the opponent without a first down more often will get the advantage.  Offenses will take fewer risks since they can't punt it away.  Scoring might increase but would be more lopsided.  Also, I think you take away a source of unpredictability from the game that makes it more interesting.  

It occurs to me that it would be like eliminating serving in Tennis.  Just have a machine shoot the ball over the net and the players start volleying back and forth.  Maybe switch to using a batting tee in baseball (for safety of course).  

[Kingcreek]

I haven't watched any American football except for local high school in 20 years. Actually haven't followed any "professional" sports. Totally turned off by the pro athletes.

[dogmush]

meh, I think any rule changes by the NFL to try and "Make the game better" are too little too late at this point.

As a side note, I'm amused by the number of folks (not just here) that are done with the NFL over player antics and/or kneeling, but will still support college football.

[TommyGunn]

I might ---might --- find football interesting .... if they'd make the players stop wearing all that protective gear.

[MechAg94]

meh, I think any rule changes by the NFL to try and "Make the game better" are too little too late at this point.

As a side note, I'm amused by the number of folks (not just here) that are done with the NFL over player antics and/or kneeling, but will still support college football.

Why?  Seen any college players kneeling during the National Anthem?  The NFL has been dipping their feet in the pond of activism for a while but it was mostly minor stuff.  The kneeling issue and the NFL's refusal to do anything about it sort of ticks people off.  The further it goes, the more people will find other things to do with their time and money. 

[K Frame]

I might ---might --- find football interesting .... if they'd make the players stop wearing all that protective gear.

That's called Aussie Rules Football.

Hard to find a channel that carries games, but when you do, it's awesome!

[Jamisjockey]

So one question about football rules and 13 posts virtue signaling about not watching football?
 

[Scout26]

The question asked in the thread title was "Any football fans here?"

[Jamisjockey]

The question asked in the thread title was "Any football fans here?"

🙄 then open the *expletive deleted*ing thread back up.  Op presented a scenario and got nothing but bullshit answers.  *expletive deleted*ed if I care if don’t agree then open it.
Jesus *expletive deleted*ing Christ on a flaming pogo stick.

[230RN]

I guess some people here have too much steam spirit.

By the tone and tenor of the responses, I guess the answer to the actual OP question is:  "Not that many any more."

Andy Griffith thereon:

https://youtu.be/oNxLxTZHKM8 (5:40)

I'm not signing this one so nobody can get steamed at me

[freakazoid]

I thought thread drift was par for the course? Not to mention that some actually did address the question about punting...

Also, I am not a football fan. Rugby seems more interesting, but I don't watch that either.

 

[HankB]

What little (and I DO mean little) interest I had in watching football faded several decades ago when it became obvious that the officials weren't just influencing the outcome, but were obviously picking the winners.

But maybe if the players - at least the linemen - began wearing pickelhaube, I might take a look.

[Ron]

The commercialization and monetizing of “games” pretty much drove me away. That and the influence sports lunkheads have outside their specialty, playing a game.

I then became anti team sports and took up a lot of physical activities that were more individualistic.

In hindsight I threw out the baby with the bath water.

I now believe  team sports are something all boys and young men should participate in for all the life lessons you can learn.

The glorification of sports stars is still something I find to be wrong. It’s a game, not reality.

[Jamisjockey]

I don't mind punting.  For me it's the penalties.  The pace of the game is getting slower.

[T.O.M.]

Back to the OP, I do enjoy college football and often attend high school games.  The pregame tailgates, the marching bands, the rivalries.  A sunny fall day on a college campus, charcoal scent in the air, love it.  Yeah, forget pro ball.

As to punting, I say leave it.  There's a strategic decision to be made, the risk of a blocked punt, the thrill of a run back.  Leave it

Oh, and while we talk football...Go Army!  Beat Navy!.

[charby]

Back to the OP, I do enjoy college football and often attend high school games.  The pregame tailgates, the marching bands, the rivalries.  A sunny fall day on a college campus, charcoal scent in the air, love it.  Yeah, forget pro ball.

As to punting, I say leave it.  There's a strategic decision to be made, the risk of a blocked punt, the thrill of a run back.  Leave it

Oh, and while we talk football...Go Army!  Beat Navy!.

Why I try to go to at least 2 college games a year, definitely a lot of fun just being there. I don't watch NFL because of time, I already wasted 4-5 hours on Saturday watching college ball, need to catch up on Sunday.