Ram’s special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn believes that the role of a kickoff returner in the NFL’s new kickoff rule is similar to that of a center fielder in baseball. He expects that teams, including the Rams and their opponents, will aim to kick line drives with less hang time to prevent returners from gaining momentum. This requires returners to quickly assess the trajectory of the ball once it leaves the kicker’s foot and make adjustments accordingly.
With the decrease in hang time due to the new rule, returners need to anticipate the trajectory of the kick as soon as it is initiated by the kicker. Players like running back Boston Scott on the Rams roster are well-suited for the demands of the new kickoff rules. Blackburn highlighted the importance of having returners who possess skills similar to center fielders, such as the ability to cover a lot of ground and make quick reactions.
The implementation of this new rule presents a significant challenge for NFL teams, requiring them to adapt their strategies and identify the right personnel to execute those strategies effectively. It will be interesting to see how teams adjust and which ones can capitalize on this rule change to gain a competitive advantage in games. Teams that can develop the right approach and utilize the appropriate players for kick returns stand to benefit greatly from this rule change.
