The NFL implemented a new rule—well, a couple of new rules. Obviously, there is a big fuss about the hip-drop tackle rule, which makes it harder for defenses to tackle from behind, as if playing on that side of the ball wasn't hard enough.
But now, another rule has been passed, and the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the few teams to vote no.
This excerpt from The Athletic explains the new rule for the 2024 season, in which the NFL has implemented a one-year try of the rule:
The proposal aims to increase kickoff returns and reduce injury by eliminating the running start of the kickoff team and by incentivizing kickers to drop kicks into a landing zone, which extends from the goal line to the 20-yard line. Any kick that drops in the landing zone must be returned. If it bounces into the end zone from the landing zone, it must be returned or downed, and any kick that falls short of the landing zone will be treated like an out-of-bounds kickoff and placed on the receiving team's 40-yard line. Any kick that lands in the end zone or goes out of the back of the end zone is a touchback and placed on the 30-yard line. - Kalyn Kahler, The Athletic
So, any one team could have an advantage in the special teams area when it comes to the new rule and the returns we may see. And, that advantage could be for both sides of the ball. So, some teams are going to try things like position players doing the kickoffs to have that next guy who can tackle or who is fast, etc.
The Raiders have been experimenting with that at training camp.
According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, on Day 2 of training camp, the Raiders tried to have several defensive players do the kickoff. This would be smarter because then you have a quicker guy that can actually tackle and cover, and knows how to fill certain gaps on kickoff. So, hopefully, the Raiders come up with something because this can be a game-changer for several teams.
Related: Three position battles to watch during 2024 training camp for the Las Vegas Raiders
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