I still see teams kicking it out of the endzone to prevent any chance of a big return
If they'd gone with the 35, it would be harder to strategically kick out of end zone.
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The kickoff has been resurrected, and rejuvenated. It’s gone from a perfunctory play to a moment that will cause palpitations.
There will be uncertainty. There could be chaos. It could be a lot of fun to watch.
For the teams that benefit from it, that is. For the teams that don’t, it will be a nightmare. Games could be decided by fourth-quarter kick-return touchdowns. Less obviously, teams that parlay the new procedures into better field position will likely score more points. Teams that can’t make the tackles will see drives starting at or close to midfield.
Once teams get a taste of being on the wrong side of this brave new world of kick returns, they might choose the break-glass option. Kick the ball out of the end zone, and concede the 30 yard line to start the drive.
Here’s my prediction. By the trade deadline, at least half of the league will decide to scrap the effort to cover kicks and just surrender the 30. Teams more likely to do that will be teams with good-to-great defenses. Also, former defensive coordinators will likely be more conservative when it comes to not pinning their careers on what could become special-teams Russian Roulette.