Green Bay — When Green Bay Packers running back Christine Michael muffed a kickoff Sunday, his 6-yard return flipped the field position and allowed the Dallas Cowboys to pick up a field goal shortly before halftime.

Though Michael erred by failing to make a clean catch, special teams coordinator Ron Zook said he is not worried about ball security issues with Michael, who also muffed another kickoff earlier this year.

In fact, Zook praised Michael for alertly bringing the ball out of the end zone after the bobble.
“If he goes back in the end zone and he gets tackled, it’s a safety,” Zook said. “So obviously you don’t want to be in the situation — first catch the ball, that’s No. 1.

“But he wasn’t sure. … People were saying that he should have stayed in, he should have stayed in. And as you watch it on tape, I think he did the right thing. … When in doubt, it’s probably smart to come out, to take it out.”

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Michael Cohen wrote:

Even though it cost GB 3 points, a safety and then either a FG or TD on the Cowboys next possession would have really hurt. I hate the free kick from the 20 rule. The team that gets the safety seems to score almost every time after they get the free kick.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

I'm okay with that. A safety is a big deal. Just wish our Packers had more opportunities to score a safety, it's really exciting having the other team backed up on their 1 and seeing the rush coming! :D

Originally Posted by: Porforis 

Safeties are fine. Getting a free kick from the 20 goes back to the low scoring days of the 30s and 40s where the field was real grass and for half the season it was transformed into a mud bog.
A free kick from the 20 means the other team will get the ball around their 40-45. 2 plays and they are in FG range. In the 40s they would need to get to around the 25 yard line.

I am not a fan of change in the rules but let the team kick from their 35.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

I guess I'm even less of a fan of changing rules. Safeties happen so infrequently I don't see a need. 2 free points, and 15-20 yards better than a kickoff touchback. Do you really need to change the rules over 15-20 yards?

Originally Posted by: Porforis 

Apparently.

20 yards turns 2 points into 5 or 9 points.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Apparently.

20 yards turns 2 points into 5 or 9 points.

Originally Posted by: wpr