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New KO rules=Quadree making roster??


kurgan

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http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/05/details-of-new-kickoff-proposal-finalized-including-automatic-touchbacks/

 

Just some food for thought.  With the new KO rules that are likely to pass, it seems to me to possibly open up MORE dynamic returns, as there is more space since the KO team will not be able to have a huge run-up.

So, this seems to at least strengthen the case for a player like Quadree to make the roster as a return specialist. 

Thoughts??

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33 minutes ago, kurgan said:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/05/details-of-new-kickoff-proposal-finalized-including-automatic-touchbacks/

 

Just some food for thought.  With the new KO rules that are likely to pass, it seems to me to possibly open up MORE dynamic returns, as there is more space since the KO team will not be able to have a huge run-up.

So, this seems to at least strengthen the case for a player like Quadree to make the roster as a return specialist. 

Thoughts??

I don't think so. I don't know the specific stats but I'd venture a guess that at least half the KOs go out the back of the Endzone. Couple that with the new rule that if the ball touches the Endzone its an automatic Touchback, KRs are becoming obsolete. Quadree will have to impress as a PRr and show some ability as a WR to make the team. 

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Nah. Well, it's possible; in future. It's very likely the teams like the Steelers will wait this out to see how successful the rule can be implemented then Henderson may be considered for a spot in 2019. Special team is a huge need if our offense couldn't move up well and that's not the case.

 

It's why bad offenses usually have really good special team.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Is it me or has this team lacked a solid KOR man for the longest? We have had solid PR guys like Santonio Holmes and AB fairly recently, but I can't recall a time when a good KOR.  I also believe that our last KOR prior to Ju Ju's this year was by AB against the Tennessee Titans in 2010 or 2011 or 2013.

Special Teams has never been a huge part of the Steelers game planning going back to the days of Chuck Noll who once lost a game to the Chiefs at Three Rivers Stadium on a blocked Punt, KOR for a TD and PR for a TD.  For most of his Head Coaching career, Chuck Noll did not have a ST Coach.

Bill Cowher (himself a former ST coach if I recall) tried to strengthen the coverage teams hiring Bobby April. We did have Rod Woodson and AR El for some of those years, but again, they seemed to excel on PR's moreso than KOR's.  Bill Cowher did try to trade up to get FSU's all time return king...Willie Reid.  None of these worked out.

It seemed like Coach Tomlin really tried to address the return game. He drafted players like Chris Rainey, DeMarcus Ayers and Dri Archer. None were successful revitalizing the KO return game.

With some of these rules changes, perhaps a player like Q. Henderson can finally make an impact returning kick-offs for the Steelers.

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16 minutes ago, Steeler Hitman said:

Is it me or has this team lacked a solid KOR man for the longest? We have had solid PR guys like Santonio Holmes and AB fairly recently, but I can't recall a time when a good KOR.  I also believe that our last KOR prior to Ju Ju's this year was by AB against the Tennessee Titans in 2010 or 2011 or 2013.

Special Teams has never been a huge part of the Steelers game planning going back to the days of Chuck Noll who once lost a game to the Chiefs at Three Rivers Stadium on a blocked Punt, KOR for a TD and PR for a TD.  For most of his Head Coaching career, Chuck Noll did not have a ST Coach.

Bill Cowher (himself a former ST coach if I recall) tried to strengthen the coverage teams hiring Bobby April. We did have Rod Woodson and AR El for some of those years, but again, they seemed to excel on PR's moreso than KOR's.  Bill Cowher did try to trade up to get FSU's all time return king...Willie Reid.  None of these worked out.

It seemed like Coach Tomlin really tried to address the return game. He drafted players like Chris Rainey, DeMarcus Ayers and Dri Archer. None were successful revitalizing the KO return game.

With some of these rules changes, perhaps a player like Q. Henderson can finally make an impact returning kick-offs for the Steelers.

Maybe I'm reading them wrong but it seems to me the proposed changes make KOs even harder to return. The "Onside" rule of a player not being able to run towards the KO team until the ball is touched or hits the ground and the play being blown dead if the ball lands in the Endzone seem like rules that will further eliminate KO returns. Agree with the assessment of never really have a great KO returner. I despised the days of Najeh "Dumptruck" Davenport back there.  

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I think in theory you are correct Chief, but in application, many teams will prefer to keep the ball in bounds because they believe that they can pin the offense inside of the 25 yard line as well.  I have heard a few conversations with various special teams coaches who were interviewed about the rule change on Moving the Chains and a few other NFL talk radio shows who mentioned this as a strategy that gives the coverage teams an advantage with no wedge and some other changes.

The key is having a dynamic return specialist who can make defenders miss and if anyone gets out of position, it could mean trouble for the return team.  Most of the ST Coaches believed the return team has the advantage keeping the ball inside of the ten and five yard line kicking to force the return.

We have seen nothing yet, but "in theory" some believe this could actually increase the returns with teams who have good coverage and an accurate kicker.

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On 6/4/2018 at 9:41 AM, Steeler Hitman said:

I think in theory you are correct Chief, but in application, many teams will prefer to keep the ball in bounds because they believe that they can pin the offense inside of the 25 yard line as well.  I have heard a few conversations with various special teams coaches who were interviewed about the rule change on Moving the Chains and a few other NFL talk radio shows who mentioned this as a strategy that gives the coverage teams an advantage with no wedge and some other changes.

The key is having a dynamic return specialist who can make defenders miss and if anyone gets out of position, it could mean trouble for the return team.  Most of the ST Coaches believed the return team has the advantage keeping the ball inside of the ten and five yard line kicking to force the return.

We have seen nothing yet, but "in theory" some believe this could actually increase the returns with teams who have good coverage and an accurate kicker.

And that makes sense BUT if a team deploys a fantastic KRr (which he'd have to be to make the team) why would a team kick to him? I see this strategy being used IF the opposing doesn't have a good KRr. If the team does, don't allow him to return it. The days of Devin Hester are over. You have to be able to contribute in other areas. 

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1 hour ago, Chieferific said:

And that makes sense BUT if a team deploys a fantastic KRr (which he'd have to be to make the team) why would a team kick to him?

Because they believe that there is such a clear advantage for the return team to keep the ball in the field of play and the opportunity to prevent a team from coming out to the 25 is much greater. These ST Coordinators are at least saying that they believe that their coverage teams now have an advantage in playing it this way than before.

I see this strategy being used IF the opposing doesn't have a good KR. If the team does, don't allow him to return it.

I think they are suggesting that they want to challenge teams that have decent, good or great returners to return the ball. They believe that these rule changes give them a competitive advantage in coverage in terms of what the KOR teams cannot do (like the wedge)

The days of Devin Hester are over. You have to be able to contribute in other areas. 

Right now you may be correct, however, going forward I am not so sure long term. You will need someone back there who can handle the ball and make smart decisions (understanding the rule).  Which I don't fully understand as of yet.  I also believe that the NFL will be expanding the rosters.  I don't know why this hasn't been addressed before. We have a concussion protocol, so why guess or gamble which players to give a helmet to? If you have a 53 man roster, let all 53 dress.  If you have an injured player ) or two with a short term injury (you don't want to IR them, then you lose that one or two spots and play with 50, 51 or 52 players.

I know I am now getting way off base, but I believe the NFL should also change IR rules.  They should have a short term IR (up to four weeks) and long term IR (up to 8 weeks as is the current policy).  To ensure no player stashing or integrity issues, limit the amount of players that you can put on each one.  After those moves are made, if you have other injuries, then they go on IR for the rest of the year.

 

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I don't know how this rule will play out beyond that it's going to create controversy. There's way too much for officials to manage and we're going to micromanaging the hell out of it with replay.

What I do know for certain is that the Steelers braintrust is going to screw up however they handle it. Special teams have been pretty damn special for as long as I can remember. Even worse in the Tomlin era than under Cowher.

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