KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) -It has been a strange summer for Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. We are used to seeing him pound long field goals and kickoffs at training camp, but this year, fans have been treated to a different type of show- as Butker has spent much of July and August perfecting his squib kicks.
The reason: for a second straight year, the NFL has changed their kick off rules.
Gone are the days of hammering the ball out of the end zone.
It is certainly a different world for chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “Last year, you got the ball at the 30,” he recently told the media, “Now you get the ball at the 35. That’s going to change everything.”
Under the new rules, kickoffs should land between the 20 yard line and the end zone.
“So teams are going to want to hit it into the target zone just about every time,” Toub said, “And that means there’s going to be returns every time. It means you’ve got to cover every time.”
Head coach Andy Reid has been paying close attention to the rule changes. “It’s going to be interesting, he told the media, “If your kicker can place the ball on kickoffs, man you’re asking a lot from those fielders there.”
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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker arrives at a training camp practice in St. Joseph on Aug. 12, 2024.(Marleah Campbell, KCTV5)
We saw that last night, when Butker’s squib kick on the opening kickoff led to an Arizona fumble. And that set up the chiefs first touchdown. It is another example of how big the kickoff game can be.
“They’ll be a big influence in games, thanks to the kick return and kickoff games, Toub said, “It’s going to be a big factor.”
More kick returns mean more big plays- which is exactly what we saw in Friday night’s patriots-commanders contest, as new England returned one kickoff 100 yards.
Dave Toub: “To me it’s a positive change... And the fans are going to like it too., because now there’s more plays- you’re not seeing touchbacks.”
No wonder Butker has been working to make it as tough as possible for the receiving team. “You see us working on it every day,” toub points out, “Because it’s going to be a big factor.”
Andy Reid concurs. “We’re fortunate to have Butker, when it comes to this type of thing,” he said.
One thing is certain: in a close game, kickoff returns can play a huge role.
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