If you watch video from the XFL of their kickoffs it is clear that the talents needed on both a kickoff and kickoff return team are going to change significantly.
A few bullet point thoughts:
- The new kickoff return resembles an offensive play.
- for example breaking down a standard screen pass:
- on a screen, after reading pass, linebackers drop into coverage and are about 10 yards back when the pass is thrown to the flat
- defensive backs have dropped back at least 15 to 20 yards
- at the point the ball is caught, what we as fans will see is not too far off from the start of a kickoff. Defenders 10 yards off the line of scrimmage looking to tackle an offensive ball carrier with blocking in front of him.
The new kickoff requires many of the skills required to defend a screen. Speed is not as critical as the ability to get off blocks
- result: More linebackers will be used on kickoffs, fewer DB's
- The kickoff return team needs to be good at open field blocking. I can envision starting offensive linemen playing a lot on kick return. Think about Wyatt Teller blocking on a kick return. Pancake heaven!
And what about the kicker? You will need your kicker to be able to place the ball between the goal line and 20. Accurate ball placement to one side will also be super important. Can every placekicker whose lifetime of training is tailored to kicking straight and true do that?
Conclusion: Rosters might carry an extra linebacker that in the past carried an extra D Lineman. Who knows, some teams may even carry two kickers because there are going to be an average of 6 extra plays per game that count. Why? Because 80% of kickoffs resulted in touchbacks last season. Under the new rule at most it's anticipated over 80% of kickoffs will result in a return. That's 6 extra plays per game. Significant enough to change a game or two every season. That is bound to touch roster building
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