There’s no doubt that the new kickoff rule, which NFL owners voted 29-3, brings an element of intrigue to a part of the game that has been largely lackluster since the days of Devin Hester. do not have.
It took forever for the Bucs to return a kickoff for a touchdown since the team’s inception, and Michael Spurlock finally reached the end zone for a 90-yard touchdown against Atlanta in 2007. Tampa Bay has returned a kickoff for a touchdown only four times in franchise history. Perhaps this rule change will help the Bucs add even more special teams scoring in the future since its inception in 1976.
The most exciting thing is the fact that kickoffs will once again be a big part of the game. This video explains We’ll explain all the changes and how each of the XFL’s eight teams returned far more kickoffs than the NFL, where it was implemented.
The XFL’s Orlando Guardians averaged 5.6 kickoff returns per game last season, pacing the league, while the last-place team, the Houston Roughnecks, averaged 3.6 kickoff returns per game. That’s double the 1.8 kickoff returns the Packers had in the NFL last season, even with All-Pro returner Keyshawn Nixon. The Bucks ranked 23rd in kick returns, giving up just 0.9 returns per game.
In deciding to implement this rule change, the NFL decided to reduce concussions by preventing full-speed head-on collisions, while also providing points for a league whose total points per game has dropped from 49 points in 2020 to just 43.5 points per game. I’m thinking of adding it. In 2023.
Looking further, this change may increase your chances of gaining advantageous field position, but it still requires a lot of effort to score a successful touchdown. There was only one kickoff return for a touchdown in the XFL last season, but nine returners had returns of 40 yards or more. In the XFL’s first season in 2020, there were two touchdown returns, but only five return specialists exceeded 40 yards.
Bucs ST Coordinator Thomas McGaughey: Photo Credit: USA Today
What you need to know is that with this new rule, kicks will still be taken from the 35-yard line, but players from each team, excluding the kicker and returner, will line up 10 yards apart and near the returner. 40 and 30 yard lines on the return side.
Players may not move and cannot make a fair catch until the returner touches the ball or the ball hits the ground in the landing zone (20 yards to the goal line).
All kicks must be returned. Otherwise, if the ball rolls from the landing zone into the end zone, it can be brought down for a touchback at the 20-yard line. If the kick does not reach the landing zone, the receiving team takes the ball at the 40-yard line. If the kick goes into the end zone with force, the ball will be placed on his 35-yard line.
A new kickoff rule has been created, but how will it affect the Bucks’ return game in 2024?
Deven Tompkins remains the Bucks’ top option due to his speed and experience
With this new rule change, it’s clear that the last two of the 53-man roster spots will become even more important as teams strategize who to include for kickoff.
Bucks WR-KR-PR Deven Tompkins – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Wide receiver Deven Tompkins was the Bucs’ leading kick returner last season, with 327 yards on 16 attempts (20.4-yard return average), with his longest return being 32 yards. He ranked 14th in yards among all returners and 16th in average among specialists with at least five attempts.
As it stands, the 5-foot-8, 155-pound Tompkins is the frontrunner to resume duties next season, and there’s still a lot to like about what he offers on special teams. He has his 4.35 speed and combines it with all-around athleticism and elusiveness.
But being in the middle of the pack in terms of numbers means there’s room for improvement, which is why new special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey needs someone with more physicality and traditional build. It could mean you’re considering moving back there. Given his size, Tompkins doesn’t have much of a tackle-breaking ability.
The line of scrimmage is formed by the way teams line up between the 40 and 30 yard lines on the receiving side of the field. He also has the ability to see holes in running backs, and his size for breaking tackles may be more ideal than smaller wide receivers.
Keep an eye on Bucks’ WRs Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett as returners.
When you have a player who can read holes, break tackles, and make the most of his breakaway speed, you have an elite return specialist. The new kickoff rules emphasize these points more than ever, so the Bucs could get creative with a new primary returner.
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
In particular, wide receivers Trey Palmer (6-0, 192 pounds) and Rakim Jarrett (6-0, 190 pounds) are beefier than Deven Tompkins, and each can light up a stopwatch. (Palmer’s 40-yard time was 4.33, Jarrett’s 4.44). .
Palmer received some return reps during training camp last year and practices during the season, which should give the team another way to utilize its biggest deep threat. It’s also worth mentioning that he returned both punts and kickoffs throughout college, and both punts (2019) and kickoffs (2020) for touchdowns.
Jarrett is the “slowest” of the group, but perhaps the best at making contact, totaling 10 kickoff returns at Maryland between 2020 and 2021.
If one of them were to return there in place of Tompkins, it wouldn’t completely take him away from more creative plays that could be used on kick returns. For example, he can continue to be involved in end-around plays designed to make toss-and-runs from the sideline behind the main returner, similar to the gadget plays he gets on offense.
This was the best way to involve him last season, and if the team chooses to do this, the kicking team will need to prepare for a new threat to overcome the big return.
Bucks running back Sean Tucker could be a wild card in his return.
Bucks RB Sean Tucker – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Wide receivers are often the biggest weapon, but second-year running back Sean Tucker could be the Bucs’ wild card returner.remain in the air Can he contribute in the Bucks’ backfield in 2024?his dynamic size (5-10, 210 pounds) and 4.3 speed are undisputed.
Having to deal with “Baby Nick Chubb” every kickoff would be a lot of work. Having a running back read and cut on the return is also a great way to take advantage of a short field that serves as the line of scrimmage. As a result, instant decision-making and field vision become more important.
Assuming Turner returns to kick protection, it would feel more natural to pull him to block the various special teams lined up along the sideline, much like an offensive lineman would be pulled on a counter run play. Turner will be explosive and capable of scoring big points. Profit.
Either way, the new kickoff rule changes are generating a lot of buzz, and who’s coming back to the Bucks next season is one of the guys the team needs to start.
