Pick 10 Football Pool

Menu

Recent updates from the NFL.

The NFL hopes their new XFL-inspired kickoff rules will reignite the excitement of kickoffs while reducing injuries. The plan is for a wider kickoff zone, giving returners more room to operate and potentially leading to more explosive returns.

But some experts are skeptical. The key concern? The NFL’s decision to allow coverage units to chase the ball as soon as it hits the ground (unlike the XFL where they had to wait for the returner to touch it). This, they fear, could lead to a surge of:

  • False starts: Coverage units will be guessing when the ball is live, potentially jumping the snap and disrupting the flow of the game.
  • “Weird” kicks: To counter the early rush, teams might resort to unconventional “sky” kicks or squibs, creating an unpredictable and messy situation.

One special teams coach summed it up bluntly: “The rules basically incentivize you to kick the worst possible kicks you can.”

Will the new rules bring back the magic of kickoffs, or will they be a chaotic mess? Only time will tell.

The NFL’s new kickoff rules come with some hidden wrinkles beyond the potential for “weird kicks” and false starts. Here’s a deeper look:

  • Kicker Safety: Under the XFL rules, kickers ended up involved in a surprising number of tackles (25-40% according to Chiefs coach Dave Toub). This is because they had to influence the returner’s path, putting them at risk of injury. Special teams coordinators, wary of losing a valuable kicker, might be hesitant to embrace these riskier plays.

  • Return Scheme Creativity: Catch-22? The XFL saw some creative return schemes, but overall, big returns were rare. The NFL hopes adding a second returner and potentially better players will spark more innovation. However, special teams coaches are known for their conservative approach, especially since mistakes on special teams get magnified. The new rules might not incentivize enough risk-taking to see a major shift in return strategies.

  • A Glimmer of Hope: Despite these potential drawbacks, there’s reason for optimism. The upcoming training camps and OTAs will be a testing ground for coaches to explore new strategies. While some teams might play it safe, others will undoubtedly be looking to exploit any advantage the new rules offer. This experimentation could lead to a more exciting brand of kickoffs after all.

Share This :

Related News