Kickoff returns will now ‘look more like the offensive run game than people think’
Michael Ghobrial and 31 other special teams coordinators around the NFL have now had two months to tinker with the new kickoff rules in an on-field setting. So, how will it change the game?
“It’s going to look more like the offensive run game than people think,” said Ghobrial, who was hired in January after spending the previous three seasons on the Jets’ staff. “The NFL has taken the speed and space out of it, and there is just less space to necessarily get as creative with your blocking schemes as you would think.
“Because as things sit right now, especially with teams that will have good get-offs on both sides, the biggest thing is, yes, there is an element that it may look like some more offensive run game. But the thing I’ve always coached our guys on is it is the first offensive play of the series, and it’s our job as the kickoff return unit to put our offense in the best position to have success.”
Ghobrial added, “People can’t necessarily leave until the ball has landed in the landing zone or the returner catches it. So, if you think about what’s really irrelevant right now, it’s hang time. You’re going to see a lot more lower kickoffs, which is going to cause returners to have to cover more ground. What allows you to cover more ground is potentially putting two back there. Now, there is still going to be elements where people will still put one returner there, in which case you’ve just got to really challenge your returners, see how much ground he can cover, and see if you can get away with it.”
Ghobrial was asked about Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Dante Miller, two rookie running backs with skills to be returners.
“You talk about two young bucks that I’m excited to see what they do in preseason,” Ghobrial said. “Both of them just tremendous human beings, number one, and so excited, so eager to put their best foot forward. Both have such a skillset to be good returners in this league.
“So it’s funny. It’s like whenever you are interacting with a new player or anybody potentially coming from the college game, you want to see how quickly their skillset translates. Fact of the matter, the rule change is different and there aren’t a lot of similarities, so it will be unique to see everybody, whether you’re a rookie or veteran, what they potentially do.”