It seems as if no one can agree on the future impact of the NFL’s new kickoff rule.
ICYMI, the rule change allows players to fair catch kickoffs (or free kicks after a safety) with the result being the placement of the ball at the team’s 25-yard line to start its offensive possession. In speaking to NFL Network reporter Judy Battista, league competition committee chairman Rich McKay said the league’s rule change was driven by player safety. Specifically data suggesting that a rise in concussions was tied to kick returns. However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio shares doubt regarding the validity of those claims after reaching out to league sources.
In any case, the rule is here to stay for the time being. And when games kick off late this year, there is an expectation that the end result will be fewer kick returns. This cuts in several ways. There is the player safety stuff that looms overhead. And there are strategic advantages and field position games that will be played when coaches dive into game plans. Whatever the future holds, one kick returner isn’t changing his style:
Ahhh … that’s refreshing!
Admittedly, I know very little about Cowboys receiver/return specialist KaVontae Turpin. But he sure has the bravado to be the type of kick returner whose highlights I hope to see on any given Sunday. So long as he isn’t playing against the Bears, of course.
The kick-off is one of the NFL’s most entertaining plays. Is it dangerous? Sure. I’ll acknowledge that in the same way that I note how every NFL play comes with its own risk calculus. But it is also part of a phase of the game that involves so many different role players working together to make something special happen. And on both sides, too. Maybe I’m too close to the situation having seen the impact of the excellence of Devin Hester (and Cordarrelle Patterson) as a kick returner. But those epic returns weren’t always just about the guy with the ball. There is a certain amount of planning and teamwork that goes into making those special moments. So I understand why there is a fear that those will fade as this rule hangs around.
However, Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus isn’t one of those people. In fact, Eberflus thinks we might get more kick returns as a result of the change:
“I think it will change tactically what teams are going to do because the rule is in now,” Eberflus said (as transcribed by BearsWire’s Alyssa Barbieri). “There’s nothing you can do about it. But it will change. I think we’ll get more squib kicks. I think you’ll get more drop kicks, more drive kicks, those types of things, and make guys return it. I suspect you’ll see more returns than less. That’s just what I’m thinking about right now, but we’ll see what happens.”
It would sure be something if that is the case. I have my doubts about an increase in returns. But this feels like the type of thing we need to see play out in regular-season games before we judge it. Consider the jury to be out on this rule change until further notice.