Lions’ Ameer Abdullah: ‘They can’t take the kickoff away’
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Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abullah does not want to see an NFL without the kick off, he told MLive.com.
Abdullah, who was the league’s leading kick returner last year, says that he wants to see the data on kickoff injuries before he will believe the play is more dangerous than any other.
“They can't take the kickoff away... I have to see the numbers to believe it's too dangerous,” Abdullah said. “I return kicks. I watch the film. What I see is what I see, and I think there are more dangerous plays out there.
“You can only have two-man wedges now too, so it’s basically just one-on-one blocks. I just don’t think it’s dangerous enough to eliminate.”
Abdullah, 23, and Minnesota Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson were the only players in the league to record over 1,000 return yards last season. Abduallah posted 1,077 yards on 37 returns, good for an average of 29.11 yards per return.
"It's one of the most exciting plays in football," Abdullah said. "It's a play that changes the game, especially if you have a game where the offenses and defenses are matching each other.
"The kickoff return makes a difference.”
