How NFL’s new kickoff rule may change Sundays

As we famous earlier this offseason, the NFL is implementing a brand new kickoff rule for the upcoming season. The league’s house owners permitted a brand new “XFL-style” strategy to kickoffs again in March, which designates a 20-yard “touchdown zone” earlier than the aim line. Kicks must land inside this space, in any other case the returning staff may begin with very advantageous area place. For instance, kicks that land in need of the 20-yard “touchdown zone” will see the returning staff begin their ensuing possession on their very own 40-yard line.

The rule is designed at selling participant security, and decreasing the high-speed collisions which might be usually seen on kickoffs when gamers on the kicking staff can get a 40-yard, sprinting begin on their tackles. However now, based on legendary Kansas Metropolis Chiefs particular groups coach Dave Toub, there could possibly be a slightly fascinating facet impact.

The necessity for kickers — or at the very least gamers who’re kicking off — to sort out.

Talking on the Chiefs’ OTAs on Thursday, Toub famous that following the approval of the rule Kansas Metropolis coaches went and watched each XFL kickoff, and located that kickers have been ultimately concerned in round 20-40% of tackles.

That may see Harrison Butker sidelined for kickoffs, and changed by Justin Reid.

“I imply, Butker is ready to make a sort out, however I actually don’t need him making tackles all 12 months lengthy. You realize, for those who watch the XFL, we watched each play. I wager kickers have been concerned in in all probability at the very least 25 to 40% of the tackles, you recognize, both both attempting to make a man bounce again or making the sort out itself or simply lacking the sort out,” mentioned Toub on Thursday.

“So, you recognize, we don’t need Bucker in that scenario. However he will likely be a kicker, he’ll be a man that we’ll use in sure conditions. He’s acquired plenty of means to maneuver the ball, you recognize, whereas these different guys might not be as apt to doing that. And we’ll use them, [Butker] can nonetheless kick a touchback if we’d like it.”

Toub additionally famous that utilizing a participant like Reid could pose issues for the return groups, as all of a sudden they must issue the kicker into their blocking schemes.

“So, properly, Justin, Justin can cowl. I imply, he may kick, he can, after which he can go down there and make tackles. You realize, he’s an additional man that they’re in all probability not accounting for. I imply, they know that that man can go right down to sort out, however a man like Justin is a man that they’ve to fret about,” added Toub. “You must get him blocked and you must surrender blocking any individual else.

“In order that’s the entire considered that.”

You’ll be able to see all of Toub’s feedback on this clip:

One factor is obvious: This new rule is prone to change the NFL.

Maybe in methods we didn’t see coming.