Caleb Harris
One of the biggest changes NFL implemented this off-season are the new rules governing kickoffs. In case you need a refresher, here they are:
Of the 22 players on the field for the play, 21 of them will be in the receiving team’s territory. This number will be divided like this for the kicking team:
- Kicker will be alone. The kicker will place the ball on his own 35-yard line and, after kicking it, may not cross midfield until the ball is in play. The ball will be considered in play if the returner catches it or if the ball hits the ground in the landing zone or if the ball reaches the end zone.
- The coverage team will be aligned. The other 10 players on the kicking team will line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Each player must have at least 40 feet before play begins. Additionally, the kicking team must have five players on each side of the ball, so they cannot carry to one side.
As for the receiving team, their setup will be a little different.
- Most of the receiving team will be on the 35-yard line. The receiving team has a 5-yard zone setup that runs from their own 30-yard line to their 35-yard line. Seven players on the receiving team must have their feet on the 35-yard line. The receiving team can also have two more players who are in the setup zone, but who do not touch the 35-yard line. These two players will be aligned outside of the hashes.
- The receiving team may have two returners. The receiving team may place one or two returners back on the football field, but if they decide to use only one returner, the extra player will have to line up in the staging zone between the 30 and 35 yard line.
Throughout the offseason, coaches and players have been weighing in on the new rules, how they will affect the game and more. The latest to intervene in this regard was Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who seems to have given this a lot of thought.
“We’ve been talking about everything from the scheme to the different ways we want to use staff. I think it opens up your lineup because the lack of distance – or reduced distance from coverage teams makes the investment less substantial overall,” said McDaniel, via the Coach Speak index. “So maybe guys who are traditionally starters on defense or starters on offense. I think that gives you the flexibility to put starters on that unit for a variety of reasons. Overall, it wouldn’t shock me if every number one receiver and every number one running back in the league is putting its hand up to return kicks in Week 4.
McDaniel’s team has several players who fit this criteria and who also have experience returning kicks. Tyreek Hill returned early in his Chiefs career as well as in college. Jaylen Waddle occasionally worked as a punt returner at Alabama and even returned a few kicks. Running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane also have college or pro experience working as defensive backs.
It’s possible that either of these guys could push McDaniel for some work in the return game, and we’ll just have to wait and see if he’s willing to let them try.
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