At the old distance (20 yards), kickers were making 98-99% of XPs -- essentially, making the XP meaningless.

And while I agree that removing (or drastically reducing the importance of) special-teams would make the NFL a different version of football -- so far, that really hasn't happened.

Also, what does this mean -- "Also, it did not help that reports indicated that Goodell (or the NFL) is trying to eliminate kickoffs and maybe PATs from the game."

Didn't help what? Ratings, attendance, interest in the NFL? As if people aren't going to watch in November, because there was discussion of possible rule-changes in May? Rule changes that weren't implemented?

"Hey, did you hear the rumor? Several months ago, there was a meeting in New York, at the NFL league office -- somebody mentioned the idea of eliminating kickoffs!"

"Oh, that's the final straw. They mentioned the idea? I'm done with the NFL."