Will the kickoff return survive?

Watching the Super Bowl live in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, one thing really stood out to me – there wasn’t a single kickoff return in the game. In fact, there wasn’t a kickoff that was even close to being returned. In the domed Allegiant Stadium, both kickers were easily able to kick the ball into the stands behind the goal posts. In my mind, nothing is more boring in the game.

The issue with the kickoff return is that it is the most dangerous play in the game – by far (I was on the kickoff coverage unit my entire eight-year career with Washington, and we never knew it was a dangerous play!). With concerns regarding the health and safety of players, particularly as it relates to concussions, the league has taken steps in recent years to make the kickoff safer. The problem is that most of the changes (e.g., moving the kickoff up, allowing returners to fair catch the ball and have the ball placed at the 25-yard line) have resulted in fewer returns, not safer returns. This past season, only 22% of the kicks were returned, an all-time low.

The challenge is finding a way to keep the kickoff return in the game and make it safe. The XFL designed a rule for kickoffs that seems to be working. The XFL rule mandates that all players except for the kicker and the returner line up five yards apart (it makes the kickoff more like the punt). The rule has resulted in more returns and reduced high-speed collisions. The NFL’s competition committee met recently and discussed the XFL kickoff at length. If the committee proposes a change similar to the XFL kickoff, it would be voted on by the owners at the annual league meeting in Orlando at the end of March. Twenty-four owners would have to vote in favor of the change for it to be approved.

Now, on to your questions.

I didn’t want to ask this question during the season, but maybe it’s okay now. You had a long career as a defensive player. Do you think the three-man rush is a good strategy in third- or fourth-down and long-distance situations? It seems to me that most NFL QBs can deliver a highly accurate pass, even far downfield, if they don’t have to worry much about the pass rush. While an extra DB improves the coverage, it is often not enough. I think we always want the defense to attack and force the QB to make a decision quickly. Did your team ever play three-man rush and what did you think about it?

You can ask questions like this any time of the year,…