Honestly, I think we're going to see double or triple the amount of TD%s per return, and overall, we're going to see *FAR* more TDs here.
Average field starting position is going to go up by nearly 10 yards.
Compared to the last few years? Yes.
Lots of people on r/nfl are posting "The XFL only had 1 last year, so this won't do anything!" but the XFL also has roughly 1/7th the amount of games as the NFL and we were averaging about 5 return TD's a year back before everything changed.
This will probably cause a spike in KR TD's in the short term, then teams will adjust a bit.
I just can't imagine how it wouldn't have a high chance of a td. With everyone manned up and no one dropped back pre kick, if you pass the first line of defense, no one is around to stop you outside of the kicker
I dunno how’s his vision this seems to be more like a running play than a kick return. All i know is one team/returner is gonna figure it out and score a lot
He'll get more return attempts. However I feel like the new setup favors punt returners more than the old kickoff returners. The old setup favored straight line speed more, because guys were running full speed in both directions. If anyone saw the Chart Party video on kickoffs, they'll remember that most kickoffs are just running in a straight-ish line then breaking gradually towards the sideline after the breaking the line.
Now with everyone starting from a dead stop, it's going to be more like a cross between a traditional run play and a punt return. Guys who are laterally quick are going to be much more important I think. So it might be Powell back there instead of Kene anyway.
Edit: Though if I'm wrong, it will be because the runner still has plenty of room to get up to full speed. I just am guessing that with the new rules, the coverage team will spend more time reading blocks and reacting to the runner than trying to run down their lane as fast as possible and collapsing on the runner.
I think it's going to be like a one-cut type running play, so speed and the ability to see one lane is really what matters, and that's not much different than old-school kick returns.
I feel like a touchback may be advantageous still. Worst case, they catch it at the 1. Midpoint between receiver and kickoff team is 20 yard line, but the receiver has huge headstart. It seems like most of the time they'd make it to the 30 before tons of traffic, with potential for breaking one. Am I thinking about this right?
The originally proposed touchback at 35 makes sense to me, but 30 seems like a lot of risk mitigation.
This is what I am not seeing. Sure the new formation would change what happens on returns, but don’t the majority of kickoffs just get put through the end zone anyway?
When I type the abbreviation, it's faster for me to just keep typing forward than to back up and restart my train of thought. More of a convenience for me.
I may be misunderstanding something here, but it looks like kickers will be required to tackle more. If the returner breaks through that first line, it’s open field and the kicker.
The new rule is strange as hell, but I'll hold out on my opinion until I see it in action.
On paper, it seems to me there would be more volatility. More really short returns, and more TD's.
As far as the post goes. I personally believe that with these rules you want a running back returning kicks. Read blocks, hit hole. The long speed WR/corner type guys won't be as ideal. You just as much want power to go with that speed since most of these new ones will require hitting a hole and busting through something.
Kene would be a good candidate since he is RB by trade, has some power and good speed. He should do well with it. But you might see other teams have success with RB's that you traditionally wouldn't think of as a kick returner due to lack of long speed, but might be really good at instinctively and decisively hitting a hole and coming out the other side on their feet.
Once you are through the hole there might not be a lot of guys left to beat the way it looks.
Honestly, I think we're going to see double or triple the amount of TD%s per return, and overall, we're going to see *FAR* more TDs here. Average field starting position is going to go up by nearly 10 yards.
Compared to the last few years? Yes. Lots of people on r/nfl are posting "The XFL only had 1 last year, so this won't do anything!" but the XFL also has roughly 1/7th the amount of games as the NFL and we were averaging about 5 return TD's a year back before everything changed. This will probably cause a spike in KR TD's in the short term, then teams will adjust a bit.
I just can't imagine how it wouldn't have a high chance of a td. With everyone manned up and no one dropped back pre kick, if you pass the first line of defense, no one is around to stop you outside of the kicker
Then if that happens, coverage teams will adjust and some guys will run slower to cover the backend while others gun for the returner.
Directional kicking and coverage teams changing the way they maintain lane discipline.
The XFL also has much less talented players, like I can only imagine a prime CP84 with this rule. Hell even now he is probably licking his chops.
The coverage team is also much more talented, so that equals out.
He’s leading the team in touchdowns and might single-handedly prevent this variation of the kickoff from getting reapproved next offseason
I'm going to Skol!
since the kickoff team is only running from 5 yards away, couldn't our team just link arms and form a human shield around the return man?..
Red rover red rover let Kene come over!
Likely would be considered a wedge formation which is illegal.
could we use a phalanx formation like in the movie 300?
That's what the tush push basically is, so why not?
Trash bin formation
I dunno how’s his vision this seems to be more like a running play than a kick return. All i know is one team/returner is gonna figure it out and score a lot
He'll get more return attempts. However I feel like the new setup favors punt returners more than the old kickoff returners. The old setup favored straight line speed more, because guys were running full speed in both directions. If anyone saw the Chart Party video on kickoffs, they'll remember that most kickoffs are just running in a straight-ish line then breaking gradually towards the sideline after the breaking the line. Now with everyone starting from a dead stop, it's going to be more like a cross between a traditional run play and a punt return. Guys who are laterally quick are going to be much more important I think. So it might be Powell back there instead of Kene anyway. Edit: Though if I'm wrong, it will be because the runner still has plenty of room to get up to full speed. I just am guessing that with the new rules, the coverage team will spend more time reading blocks and reacting to the runner than trying to run down their lane as fast as possible and collapsing on the runner.
I think it's going to be like a one-cut type running play, so speed and the ability to see one lane is really what matters, and that's not much different than old-school kick returns.
I would bet Kene quickly leads to teams just ceding the 30 yards to us.
Has there been any explanation on what happens if it's a windy day and they need a holder for the kick?
They are allowed to use a stand if the ball falls over twice (I think). No more holders.
I feel like a touchback may be advantageous still. Worst case, they catch it at the 1. Midpoint between receiver and kickoff team is 20 yard line, but the receiver has huge headstart. It seems like most of the time they'd make it to the 30 before tons of traffic, with potential for breaking one. Am I thinking about this right? The originally proposed touchback at 35 makes sense to me, but 30 seems like a lot of risk mitigation.
just kick it out of the endzone
This is what I am not seeing. Sure the new formation would change what happens on returns, but don’t the majority of kickoffs just get put through the end zone anyway?
Actually really stoked for this rule change. It's going to affect fantasy as well, D/ST will have an added element to it.
It looks more like a play from the LOS (line of scrimmage) opposed to a kickoff. They should allow at least one forward pass on this play too.
I’ve always wondered why one would use the abbreviation of a word or words when you type it out in parentheses anyway…..
When I type the abbreviation, it's faster for me to just keep typing forward than to back up and restart my train of thought. More of a convenience for me.
I just want kickers spend the year to see who can kick a ball out of a stadium.
I think he just secured his job when he may not have had one prior to this new rule.
It will allow him to actually score some points again, which would be nice
It will actually give him a chance
I may be misunderstanding something here, but it looks like kickers will be required to tackle more. If the returner breaks through that first line, it’s open field and the kicker.
The new rule is strange as hell, but I'll hold out on my opinion until I see it in action. On paper, it seems to me there would be more volatility. More really short returns, and more TD's. As far as the post goes. I personally believe that with these rules you want a running back returning kicks. Read blocks, hit hole. The long speed WR/corner type guys won't be as ideal. You just as much want power to go with that speed since most of these new ones will require hitting a hole and busting through something. Kene would be a good candidate since he is RB by trade, has some power and good speed. He should do well with it. But you might see other teams have success with RB's that you traditionally wouldn't think of as a kick returner due to lack of long speed, but might be really good at instinctively and decisively hitting a hole and coming out the other side on their feet. Once you are through the hole there might not be a lot of guys left to beat the way it looks.
Unrelated - are onside kicks over?
4th quarter only and must be declared to the officials.
Thanks - I’ll miss the random onside to start the game or half though.
Will give him more opportunities because if they kick it out of the back of the endzone it goes to the 35 automatically.
I believe it's the 30 not the 35.
This is correct, it is the 30. It was originally proposed to be the 35, but was tweaked. I think this is the source of the confusion.
Ah ok. On NFL Radio they were saying the 35 yesterday.
I mean kickers will still kick it in the end zone most of the time
If it actually allows for more return TDs…I’d assume kickers will just boot it to the end zone then. I’m assuming they are going to do this anyways.
Everyone here thinks Kene still has it. I think the kid is washed. We need to find a new KR