Does the new kick off position give advantages to fast KRs?

global_nomad · 2011-09-11T20:30:49-07:00

Is it easier for the KR to change direction and fly by the kick off return coverage because they are 5 yards closer? Its just a theory but if so I think it would be hilarious if a Kick off Return team purposely takes a delay of game every single kick off to move it back to what it was yesterday. That would piss Roger Goodell off for sure!

Sep 11, 2011 at 9:37 PM

zillabeast
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Posts: 20,042

It absolutely does. We saw it today with Teddy Ginn, we saw it with Percy Harvin, and we saw it with that Green Bay rookie the other night. It's gonna be carnage if these kickers do not start putting it out of the back of the end zone.

Sep 12, 2011 at 1:27 AM

Kilgore_Trout
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Posts: 2,150

Are there slow KRs?

Sep 12, 2011 at 5:27 AM

SybErkRimInAL
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Posts: 59,185

technically speaking, there is no difference. KO and KR teams are still the same distance apart. Only difference is there's more risk bringing it out. Wish Akers could boot it out the back every time though. I was nervous as hell every time Washington got his hands on the ball.

Sep 12, 2011 at 8:39 AM

valrod33
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Ted Ginn dont give a s**t

Sep 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM

Rubberneck36
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fast KRs have always had an advantage.

Sep 12, 2011 at 8:48 AM

Janitor
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I sure hope so!

Sep 12, 2011 at 9:00 AM

highway49
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Posts: 4,085

The kick off covererage team does not get as much of a "running start"
with having to be 5 yards from the Ball spot. They are not going as fast as it
takes longer to get to full speed, IMO somthings gotta give.

Sep 12, 2011 at 9:06 AM

Joecool
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Posts: 70,984

I don't think it matters unless kickers are trying to kick it passed the endzone which could result in a lower flying kick that gets to the returner a lot quicker if it is short which means he has more space to run.

I think the best thing for a kick-off team to do is tell the kicker to put a lot of air under the ball, let it only reach the 10 yard line but allow the coverage to get there like a punt.

Sep 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM

unst4bl3
Member
Posts: 7,568

Originally posted by Kilgore_Trout:
Are there slow KRs?

M. Rob was for us, spurlock is dog slow and he still does it sometimes for TB.

Sep 12, 2011 at 11:58 PM

#10

jdt84_2
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Posts: 26,090

Originally posted by Joecool:
I don't think it matters unless kickers are trying to kick it passed the endzone which could result in a lower flying kick that gets to the returner a lot quicker if it is short which means he has more space to run.

I think the best thing for a kick-off team to do is tell the kicker to put a lot of air under the ball, let it only reach the 10 yard line but allow the coverage to get there like a punt.

this. they can also directional kick it which i noticed akers was doing.

what i thinki is happening is a variety of things, coverage is suffering from the new 5yd rule and complacency, the return team is after the big return will take a risk to get it. also the no wedge rule is creating more lanes rather than trying to create 1 big one.

Sep 13, 2011 at 12:32 AM

#11

sincalfaithful
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Posts: 27,712

Idk ask seattle

Sep 13, 2011 at 1:41 AM

#12

SanDiego49er
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Posts: 52,471

I don't know. But it brings up an interesting point. Perhaps they have more time to get up to full speed because the kick is put so deep. And maybe that makes them more dangerous. But I think we are reading too much into this. It's 1 week into the season. 1 week! Give it some time and things will play out. A full season will tell you if there are more kick returns. I don't think you can read a lot into the 1st week of the season. It's too small of a sample size.