New kickoff rule to end ‘dead play’
Overhaul has XFL elements
Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL.
Team owners on Tuesday approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become “a dead play” and make it an integral part of the game again.
“We feel this is a great day for the NFL,” said Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who was heavily involved in creating the framework for the new hybrid kickoff.
The major overhaul to special teams — which has been in the works for years — takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. The rule will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.
NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said the new rule passed by a 29-3 vote.
“There was a little fear of the unknown,” McKay said. “I think the optics are definitely the most drastic [rule change] we’ve seen. The thing that gives us all the comfort is we have the tape, we’ve seen it. We can show you the plays and you can see how this can play out.”
McKay said there was urgency to vote on this rule before the draft because it could impact the way teams structure rosters. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns. There were 92 fair catches last season that are no longer allowed. Any ball caught in the field of play must be returned.
“The kickoff returners’ value is going to skyrocket,” Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel said.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he anticipates the league may have to tinker with the rule in the future but considers this “a big improvement.”
“I think it will bring the play back into a relevant play, an important play, an exciting play and I think we can do it where the injury rate will drop,” Goodell said.
For a standard kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, with five on each side of the field.
The return team would have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.
Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or was touched by a returner inside the 20.
Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30.
Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.
If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned.
Butler arrested
Former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler was arrested in North Providence earlier this month and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to North Providence police.
On March 16 at about 3:22 a.m., officer Vincenzo Nassi observed a car stopped in the westbound lane of Mineral Spring Avenue, according to a police report. The officer identified the driver of the white Mercedes as Butler, who said he was coming from a studio in Providence where he was making music. Police said the car was blocking westbound traffic in the area of the Route 146 on ramps.
Officer Nassi detected “a strong odor of alcoholic beverage” from Butler’s breath, as well as slurred and delayed speech “with severely bloodshot watery eyes,” according the police report.
When asked if he had been drinking alcohol, Butler responded, “just take me to jail,” the police report said. Butler refused to take field sobriety tests, and was placed under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence and brought to police headquarters.
Patterson to Steelers
The Steelers are signing veteran running back/kickoff return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year deal.
The contract carries a total value of $6 million, a source with knowledge of the agreement told the Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.
The versatile, 33-year-old Patterson spent the past three seasons with the Falcons. A fourtime All-Pro, Patterson gives the Steelers a veteran to help them adjust to the league’s new kickoff rules designed to produce more returns.
Patterson has nine kickoff returns for touchdowns in his 11year career with Minnesota, Oakland, the Patriots, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Patterson has led the league in kickoff return average three times and has seven kickoff returns of 100 yards or more.
Christmas Day games
The NFL is going to play two games on Christmas Day this year even though the holiday falls on a Wednesday.
The league will schedule the four teams to play on Saturday in Week 16 ahead of the games on Dec. 25 so it’ll be similar to teams playing on a Thursday after Sunday games.
Three games last Christmas averaged 29.1 million viewers.
“It won’t be a regular thing. It will be when Christmas falls on a Wednesday,” Goodell said.
No vote on Brady
Owners didn’t vote on Tom Brady’s bid to purchase a stake in the Raiders, putting into question how long the transaction will take or if it will even occur at all.
Owners have concerns about Raiders owner Mark Davis offering Brady a discounted price because that would potentially lower the franchise value.
Ferentz with Giants
The Giants hired recently retired James Ferentz as an assistant offensive line coach.
Ferentz, 34, retired last month as an NFL player after an eight-year career with the Broncos and Patriots. He will help new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who was his line coach with the Patriots in 202021.