Bill Belichick: NFL doesn't need to eliminate kickoffs from game

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick made clear on Monday he does not want the NFL to consider changes to the kickoff rule.

Belichick, speaking to reporters at the NFL meetings in New Orleans, indicated proposed changes owners will consider this week will not be good for the game.

"It's a pretty complicated proposal," Belichick said, via ESPN. "I don't like the idea of eliminating the kickoff from the game. I think it's one of the most exciting plays in football.

"It looks like the competition committee is trying to eliminate that play. I don't know if that's really good for the game."

Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said last week that the idea of eliminating kickoffs had surfaced but was not being presented as a rule change recommendation this year.

This week, owners will consider a proposal to move kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35, and to move the ball placements on touchbacks from the 20-yard line to the 25.

Also on the table is the elimination of wedge blocking. Belichick said he didn't think player safety rules were motivating the changes.

"The presentation last night, I don't know that it's because of head injuries," Belichick said. "The ones they showed, there weren't very many of them. I don't know, I think you should talk to the competition committee. They are the ones that really proposed the rule.

"Talk to Rich McKay and whoever else is on the committee and see what they have to say about it. There are a lot of components to it -- four different elements to it. It's kind of a complicated rule."