This offseason, the NFL altered its kickoff rules.
The traditional kickoff, when the whole kicking team lines up at the 35-yard line, is no longer used.
The kickoff regulations will now be comparable to those used by the XFL.
The kicker will remain at the 35-yard line, while the rest of the kicking unit will be at the 40-yard line on the opposite side of the field. The majority of the returning team lines up at the 35-yard line, just five yards from the kicking team.
Returning teams will most likely have two kick returners now.
With the new kickoff restrictions, the Colts have been attempting to return as many players as possible.
Their key kick returner from last season, Isaiah McKenzie, is no longer on the squad. Josh Downs also saw some action last year, and the Colts selected Anthony Gould in the fifth round this year, who returned punts at Oregon State.
While they have been prepared for the consequences of the move, Colts special teams coach Brian Mason says there is still a lot of speculation about how it will play out. They haven’t been able to conduct any live repetitions since the full pads haven’t been placed on.
He believes that combined sessions, rather than preseason games, will provide the best indication of how they are dealing with the new restrictions.
In terms of preparation, they watched a lot of XFL films, but the NFL rules differ slightly from the XFL’s.
While the focus is on how the return team will adjust to the new regulation, it also affects the personnel on the kicking team.
“We’re looking for guys that are really good defensive players for the most part that can tackle and can shed blocks quickly,” according to Mason.
Mason also mentioned that more starters may be incorporated into the kickoff unit, which would mean less running and a lower risk of injury.
The Colts return to practice on Sunday from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
