New NFL Kickoff Rule: Special Teams Coordinators Compare Kickoff Returners to Center Fielders in Baseball

In the wake of the NFL’s new kickoff rule, Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn compared the job of a kickoff returner to that of a center fielder in baseball. According to Blackburn, teams will likely opt for line drives with less hang time in order to prevent returners from getting a running start.

This means that returners must quickly judge the direction of the ball as soon as it leaves the kicker’s foot and adjust their positioning accordingly. In order to be successful under this new rule, returners must possess great jumps and be able to make quick decisions while acting fast.

Blackburn emphasized that with shorter hang times, usually around two seconds, returners need to cover a lot of ground quickly. He noted that it is crucial for teams to get the ball up and down as soon as possible in order to prevent returners from catching it on the run.

When identifying potential returners on the Rams’ roster, Blackburn mentioned running back Boston Scott as someone who has the necessary skill set for this new rule change. It will be interesting to see how NFL teams adapt to this significant rule change and utilize the right strategy and personnel in order to gain an advantage in kickoff returns.