NFL mulls kickoff changes that may boost return game
DAVIE — When Dolphins special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was asked about scouting kicking prospects and responded by rattling off the field-goal percentages of the NFL’s top kickers coming out of college, there was no getting around that this guy spends a crazy amount of time mulling such things.
When NFL owners gather this week for their spring meeting in Atlanta, there’s a good chance they’ll OK changes in kickoff rules to enhance safety without compromising excitement.
Without delving too deeply into the minutiae of what’s being (pardon pun) kicked around, Rizzi, part of a select committee chosen to make recommendations to the owners, believes the changes could open up the return game, which by extension could be a boon for those with speed to burn.
If you’re a Dolphins fan, you know exactly where this leads: Jakeem Grant, who has been timed at 4.38 in the 40.
“Listen, I’ve talked to Jakeem about the new rules,” Rizzi said. “… I think a guy like Jakeem could certainly benefit from the rule. It being a more wide-open play, I know he’s excited about it for sure.”
Nor should he be the only one. Kenyan Drake (4.45) has handled return duties before, including that memorable 96-yard return for a TD against the Jets in 2016. But with his promotion into the featured-back role, it remains to be seen whether the Dolphins will lighten his special teams load in 2018.
And among the newcomers, there’s Albert Wilson (4.43), who returned some kicks for the Chiefs, and fellow receiver Danny Amendola (4.58), who handled some punt-return duties for the Patriots. And fourthround pick Kalen Ballage (4.46), a running back, averaged 20.8 yards on kickoff returns at Arizona State.
Rizzi believes if the changes are approved, you’ll see more skill-position players and fewer linemen on special teams. You’ll see fewer of those high, short kicks that the Patriots like to utilize because kicking teams will have less of a running start and therefore will be hard-pressed to pin returners inside their 25-yard line. And, reversing a recent trend, you’ll see returners more likely to take it out of their end zone rather than settle for touchbacks.
So much of this could benefit a Dolphins team that needs every inch of field position for the offense that it can get. Last season, the Dolphins were seventh in the NFL with an average of 54.4 kickoff return yards a game. For perspective, the Chiefs led at 65.7. But Miami was 20th in return average at 20.9 after finishing tied for fourth in 2016 at 25.1 yards. Miami’s longest return in 2017, 37 yards, ranked 25th in the league.
Individually, Grant tied for seventh with a 22.8 average.
The impact will be felt before the season even starts. If teams are going to load up on running backs, receivers, tight ends, defensive backs and linebackers on special teams, it’s bound to affect competition for the final roster spots.
“I’ve talked about that with our front office,” Rizzi said.
It’s only May, but of course he has.
You think a guy who memorizes Stephen Gostkowski’s college field-goal percentage (76) isn’t going to get a hard start on campaigning for something like this?