Chicago Bears Insider: Does the New Kickoff Rule Really Hurt the Bears?
Published by Bryan Dietzler on May 28, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
We were all frustrated when we heard that the NFL was changing the kickoff rule.
What they had done was move the location of where kickers kick the ball of from on the field from the 30 yard line to the 35-yard line thus giving kickers a better shot at either pinning the opponent deep or getting plenty of touchbacks on kickoffs. The rule will eliminate a lot of the long returns that we have seen in the past and pin offenses deep on their own side of the field.
The Bears special teams have excelled at not only scoring by returning punts and kickoffs back for touchdowns but have also given the offense good field position. The offense, with all of its struggles trying to move the ball really needed that field position to help them get closer to the red zone and score points.
It’s been said by many that this is going to hurt the Chicago Bears the most. The Bears have one of the best special teams units in the NFL (if not the best) and they rely heavily on what their special teams is able to in regards to field position. Field position is very vital to the Bear’s offense.
An extra five yards on a kickoff may not seem like much but when you have the kinds of kickers that NFL teams now have they are going to put that ball in the end zone and keep return specialists from either bringing it out or gaining a lot of yards on kickoffs.
The Bears have enjoyed a lot of success on kickoff returns but will not see that much success any longer. They still have the best special teams weapon in the business with Devin Hester but he’s going to be restricted much more now that he has less room to maneuver to return kickoffs.
The same can be said for anyone else the Bears have back there to return kicks (including Johnny Knox and if he still remains with the team Danieal Manning).
The return game of the Bears will definitely diminish.
Is there a way for the Bears to overcome this handicap and possibly take advantage of it? If this team or any other team for that matter can find a way it will be the Bears. What will be needed is strong blocking and creative blocking schemes from those guys that will be up in front of the return specialist.
The Bears do have great group of blockers up front and they have been a big part of the Bear’s success in the return game but can that be enough to help keep the Bears return specialists strong on kick returns?
Of course punt returns won’t be affected by these rules and the Bears are going to have to make sure each and every one of those counts. You can expect Hester to be back there for each punt return hoping to give the Bears good field position or some points on the board.
The Bears special teams have been able to adapt and overcome before (remember the wedge?) and have continued to have success year in and year out. Perhaps they will find some way to overcome this and keep on helping the team win games and keep driving forward towards the playoffs.
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