Bengals coach reveals which position may become more valuable with new kickoff rules
NFL roster construction is set to be a ripple effect from the league's new kickoff rules and format. Not only will kickoffs result in significantly more returns now, the kinds of players required to defend against returns will be of utmost importance for special teams coordinators.Darrin Simmons, the Cincinnati Bengals' long-time special teams coordinator, believes […]
NFL roster construction is set to be a ripple effect from the league's new kickoff rules and format.
Not only will kickoffs result in significantly more returns now, the kinds of players required to defend against returns will be of utmost importance for special teams coordinators.
Darrin Simmons, the Cincinnati Bengals' long-time special teams coordinator, believes a position group on defense will play a key role in the new play.
Bengals edge defenders will be counted on during kickoffs
The new kickoff will look strikingly similar to that of a running play from scrimmage as both the return and coverage units will meet after being stationary with the ball in the air.
Nothing's more important in run defense than setting the edge, which is where edge defenders will come into play.
Simmons explained to Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson that this will boost the value of the team's edges.
"This is just one play, so you have to balance it with the function of the rest of the team," Simmons said. "The Joseph Ossais, the Myles Murphys, the Cedric Johnsons, the Jeff Gunters. The tweener types. Bigger guys that can move. Those guys have added value. Now you need guys who can work edges, but also hold-the-point types."
Involving edge defenders on kickoff coverage would be a big shift for the Bengals. Per Pro Football Focus, not a single player at the position repped in that unit during the 2023 regular season. Linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties were the main positions involved in the play.
Now that running down the field isn't part of the play anymore, strength at the point of attack will be of more importance. That's where the Ossais, Murphys, Johnsons, and Gunters come into play.
As of this posting, the Bengals have eight edge defenders on their roster. They usually carry either five or six during the season, with one or two inactive on game days.
The number of edges Cincinnati rosters may not change, but the number active for the games may increase just so proper kickoff coverage personnel can be fielded.
Special teams has always had a hand in how the roster ends up forming by the end of August, but this will be fascinating to see how Simmons and the Bengals tune the process to account for a new kickoff.
Bengals undrafted free agent venturing into uncharted territory in OTAs to win roster battle
Cincinnati’s first day of OTAs featured a key rookie doing something he didn’t do in college.
