You mention the willingness to try longer FG's. I think that's a product of today's kickers (and perhaps the ball changes as well) making those longer FG's much more feasible than they used to be. I think the biggest change, really, is the overall 'length' of today's kicker. It used to be that for most kickers 52-53-54 was still relatively makeable, but much beyond that, not so much - they just didn't have the leg to hit one that long with the accuracy to make it. Now, 55 is nearly as routine as 35 used to be. And even 60-65 is a lot more 'let's try it' than it used to be. Heck, last year (when teams were just putting every kick through the end zone), it wasn't unheard of for a kickoff to go through the goal posts - and that's from the 35 (i.e., a 75 yard field goal attempt)...

I just wonder if we like the idea that the offense can take the ball after a (relatively normal) kickoff return to the 35, gain only 25 yards (to the opposing 40), and be in relatively routine FG position (57 yards).

Personally, I kind of like the idea of taking away all the ball prep and/or narrowing the goal posts.

Or what about making FGs only 2 pts? OR (and this is really outside-the-box) - how about 1 pt for every first down on the drive? Reward offenses for driving some distance. Could also add 2 bonus points if you gained possession from an INT or fumble recovery...