Changes expected in kickoff returns
When the Texans play Arizona in a nationally televised game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, it will be a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
Because most starters don’t play in the last preseason game, Sunday should be a barometer of how coaches Bill O’Brien and Bruce Arians plan to handle the new touchback rule this season.
In March, NFL owners moved touchbacks from the 20- to the 25-yard line on a one-year experimental basis. The idea was to reduce kickoffs, therefore reducing injuries on the most dangerous play.
Last season, only 41.1 percent of kickoffs were returned because strong-
legged kickers boomed the ball so deep that returners were almost forced to take a knee. This season, coaches and players believe the new rule could result in more returns because kickers will try to direct the ball inside the 5 by using pooch or mortar kicks.
“When the rule was put into place, it was, I believe, intended to be put in for player safety, to monitor player safety and try to help that issue as far as big hits,” O’Brien said after practice Tuesday. “What I’m seeing, though — and preseason is a lot about experimentation — are a lot of coffin corner-type kicks where teams are trying to funnel the coverage and the kick into the corner, outside the numbers.
“That’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out in the regular season.”
Addressing problem
O’Brien hired Larry Izzo as the Texans’ special-teams coach. Rather than mediocre to poor special teams, O’Brien and Izzo want to make special teams a weapon to help the Texans.
Rather than settle for mediocrity, O’Brien and Izzo want the special teams to be an asset that affects field position for the offense and defense.
Punter Shane Lechler, 40, is in his 17th season. He’s seen strategy change in the kicking game.
Experimentation
“Back in the day, reaching the 30 was a huge deal, but now it’s only gaining 5 yards,” he said about the ball being placed at the 25yard line on touchbacks. “I think in this week’s games, across the board, you’ll get a better idea of what teams are going to do (in regular season).”
Lechler has been outstanding in the preseason wins over the Niners and Saints. He’s averaging 48.6 yards on 13 punts. He’s put five inside the 20 and had one touchback.
Lechler’s hang time and the improved coverage teams have opponents averaging only 3.8 yards on punt returns.
Punting and kicking are like real estate — location, location, location.
“The way it’s looking now — based on our games and the ones I’ve seen on TV — it’s hard to say if a ball kicked 1 or 2 yards into the end zone isn’t going to stay there right now,” Lechler said. “If you kneel it, you’re kind of gaining right now the way the average of the league has been.”
Despite the new touchback rule, there will be players returning from 5 and 6 yards deep.
“There are guys who are electrifying, and they want the ball in their hands, but I think the kicker’s approach is going to change,” Lechler said. “Those balls being brought out 6 yards deep have hang times of only 3.7 or 3.8.
“Now we’re looking to get a 4.1 or 4.2.”
Novak could benefit
Veteran Texans kicker Nick Novak, who connected on field goals of 48, 46 and 36 yards against the Saints, has never been known for deep kickoffs. The new rule might benefit the Texans, assuming Novak wins the job over rookie Kai’mi Fairbairn.
“Across the league,” Lechler said, “guys hitting the ball high, their coverage teams are inside the 30 when (the opponent) catches it. If you’re inside the 30 when you catch it, you’re in our hands now.”
The coverage teams — one of the special teams’ weaknesses in recent years — have been terrific in two preseason games. The Texans have limited opponents to 18.3 yards on kickoffs compared with the 3.8 on punts.
“We have so much competition in the specialteams room right now that it’s making everybody better,” Lechler said. “It’s a fun group to punt behind.”
Izzo’s influence
There’s the Izzo effect. During his 14-year playing career, Izzo became one of the best special-teams players in NFL history. He spent the last five years as an assistant special-teams coach with the Giants.
“I think you can see it clearly,” Lechler said about Izzo’s impact on special teams. “There’s a lot of energy. It’s easy to buy into what he’s coaching because he’s not that far removed from doing it. His communication at the player level is a lot clearer. I think we’re going to be a better unit. I know we’re headed in the right direction.”