@orion said:

My  E F  set wasn't as nice as that. 

So, for returning the KO.  Of the two deep guys, would you consider using a single deep returner and a blocking TE up in front of him as a lead blocker?  (remembering that the TE may have to field the kick)

Mine either.  All my players went Jim Marshall on me in the sense they were running the wrong way.  

So, for returning the KO.  Of the two deep guys, would you consider using a single deep returner and a blocking TE up in front of him as a lead blocker?  (remembering that the TE may have to field the kick)

@orion said:

Stefanski said. "But we know the rules, we know there's got to be two returners in the landing zone, 

...better check the new rule book again.  I believe that you can opt to have only 1 returner deep.

@flugel said:

Just out of curiosity,  are they still going to have onside kicks? 

Only in the 4th quarter.  Normal rules for onside kicks I believe.

@orion said:

So, you're the ST Coordinator and you're going to have to march up to the HC and explain what you plan on doing for the kick-off and coverage as well as how you'll handle the returns.

What type of player do you need to cover the kick and tackle the opponent?   What type of body size will you have at the 35 yard line for blocking for the return?  Will you have them go forward and engage the coverage guys?  Will you have them retreat before engaging?  Will you have 1 guy deep or 2?

Do you think one side of the ball has an advantage?  

Would you just decide to kick it through the end zone and give them the ball at the 30?   (I'm glad they changed the spot to the 30 from the 35 in the eleventh hour.  At least now there's an option that lets you kick it out of the end zone and you only lose 5 yards over last year's rule.)

Just out of curiosity,  are they still going to have onside kicks?  And how far does the kickoff have to travel before the kickoff team can recover it?  If they phased out the onside kick, think how that changes the ability to erase leads over 7 points late in the game.  I hope they didn't do that.  If that Roger Godcomplex thinks that's going to help with player safety - he could also look at shortening the volume of games rather than increasing it for greed purposes only.  

@orion said:

...from the Browns site...an article after Wednesday's OTA day.

Another look at kickoff returners

Receiving team has to have 7 guys with one foot on the 35 yard line.  They can have 2 guys in between the 30-35 ( Setup Zone) but they have to be lined up outside the hash marks.  And they can have 2 guys awaiting the kick in the Landing Zone.  They can have only 1 return guy and another guy in the Setup Zone...but I'm not 100% sure if he has to be outside of the hash marks or not.

The kicker is way back at the 35 and can not cross midfield until the ball lands in the Landing Zone or End Zone.  And outside of the returner(s), nobody can leave their spot until the ball lands or is fielded.   

I'm an old dawg that doesn't like new tricks but we're suddenly given no choice.  That being the case, I really appreciate the visual and explanation above.  I definitely understand Stefanski's comment.  When the new idea meets reality - I imagine there's going to be a lot of "we didn't think about something like that confronting us" all over the league. Exciting? Scary? Both?   Watching the new kickoff changes unfold will probably feel to us a lot like what it feels like all game long for new audiences in other countries watching an NFL game live in a nearby stadium.  

Another look at kickoff returners

Receiving team has to have 7 guys with one foot on the 35 yard line.  They can have 2 guys in between the 30-35 ( Setup Zone) but they have to be lined up outside the hash marks.  And they can have 2 guys awaiting the kick in the Landing Zone.  They can have only 1 return guy and another guy in the Setup Zone...but I'm not 100% sure if he has to be outside of the hash marks or not.

The kicker is way back at the 35 and can not cross midfield until the ball lands in the Landing Zone or End Zone.  And outside of the returner(s), nobody can leave their spot until the ball lands or is fielded.   

@ballpeen said:

LOL...I can see that smashed kick, somewhat knuckling at them or spinning horizontally.

? It was really something to see. What a way to show an opponent we're gonna gut you today. Here's a little something about that Cal-Mum football program during the 70s, 80s and 90s.  The cool thing about it is they were just a small school in the middle of nowhere.  They had a unique way of thinking; and a surprising amount of talent.  I was hoping I'd see a picture of that kickoff team in the article but I didn't see it.  Unfortunately, they ended up needing to merge their football program with Byron-Bergen somewhere in 2016.

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/09/19/photos-caledonia-mumford-red-raiders-through-years-section-v-rochester-ny-leroy-oatkan-knights/1345773002/

@flugel said:

There was small school in the Greater Rochester Area called Caledonia Mumford that ranked #1 in the State.  In fact, they ranked #1 in the state frequently in the 80s and 90s if memory serves me right.  Roland Poles, the current GM of the Bears played there - as did his older brothers Junior and Ronnie.  Junior went to BC.  Ronnie or Roland or both played at Tennessee.  

Anyway, that team used to lay the football down the long way on the white line; and the big huge tackle would kick freakin line drives at the 5 guys on the front line of the return team (usually all linemen shittin their pants). You wouldn't believe the chaos that generated for opposing teams.  It was brilliant!

LOL...I can see that smashed kick, somewhat knuckling at them or spinning horizontally.

@ballpeen said:

I just kick it through the endzone and start at the 30....Maybe early in the season, or pre season you see how things work and see where it averages but doing that prevents a return TD or long return..  Those usually kill you in a game.

There was small school in the Greater Rochester Area called Caledonia Mumford that ranked #1 in the State.  In fact, they ranked #1 in the state frequently in the 80s and 90s if memory serves me right.  Roland Poles, the current GM of the Bears played there - as did his older brothers Junior and Ronnie.  Junior went to BC.  Ronnie or Roland or both played at Tennessee.  

Anyway, that team used to lay the football down the long way on the white line; and the big huge tackle would kick freakin line drives at the 5 guys on the front line of the return team (usually all linemen shittin their pants). You wouldn't believe the chaos that generated for opposing teams.  It was brilliant!

@ballpeen said:

I just kick it through the endzone and start at the 30....Maybe early in the season, or pre season you see how things work and see where it averages but doing that prevents a return TD or long return..  Those usually kill you in a game.

That's where I'm at. But we'll see if there's a way to exploit it...

@orion said:

So, you're the ST Coordinator and you're going to have to march up to the HC and explain what you plan on doing for the kick-off and coverage as well as how you'll handle the returns.

What type of player do you need to cover the kick and tackle the opponent?   What type of body size will you have at the 35 yard line for blocking for the return?  Will you have them go forward and engage the coverage guys?  Will you have them retreat before engaging?  Will you have 1 guy deep or 2?

Do you think one side of the ball has an advantage?  

Would you just decide to kick it through the end zone and give them the ball at the 30?   (I'm glad they changed the spot to the 30 from the 35 in the eleventh hour.  At least now there's an option that lets you kick it out of the end zone and you only lose 5 yards over last year's rule.)

If I could choose 1 already employed proto-type at the 35 blocking for our Kickoff Return man - it would be this 6-3 305 lb FB/John Deere Tractor.  His name is Patrick Ricard and he will be the lead blocker for Derrick Henry this year.  Sound like fun?  It will be when they play Pittsburgh TWICE...