Return man: Keep the kickoff

Browns return specialist Josh Cribbs doesn't like the possibility that the NFL will replace the kickoff.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league's competition committee will consider eliminating the kickoff in the offseason. The league previously moved the kickoff from the 30 to 35-yard line to cut down on violent collisions, hoping to reduce head injuries.

Cribbs, who shares the league record for kickoff return touchdowns with Seattle's Leon Washington, said banning the kickoff would change the league "drastically" and that if the move was made the NFL would be "just like intramurals."

Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano suggested that instead of kickoffs, teams would have the option of punting from the 30-yard line and going for a first down in a fourth-and-15 situation. Goodell has called Schiano's idea "interesting."

Noteworthy

* Former wide receiver David Boston has been sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years of probation for punching a woman in Boca Raton, Fla., in November 2011. Authorities say Boston had been drinking at a Florida home when he punched a woman twice in the head, leaving a wound requiring 10 stiches.

* FBI agents raided properties in northeast Indiana belonging to former Jets lineman Jason Fabini and his brother as part of an ongoing investigation by a task force that focuses on combatting illegal drugs and violent crime.

* Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $21,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Seattle's Leon Washington, his second fine in 2 weeks. Urlacher also was fined last week for a horse-collar tackle of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

Green Bay's Tramon Williams was fined $21,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Minnesota's Toby Gerhart last Sunday.

Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley was fined $15,750 for his horse-collar tackle of Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck late in the Lions' 35-33 loss.

Washington center Will Montgomery was fined $10,000 for kicking New York Giants defensive lineman Linval Joseph, who was docked $7,875 for unnecessary roughness. He raised his right foot to kick at Montgomery, but stopped himself before doing so.