Patriots offseason moves impacted by latest NFL rule change
The New England Patriots invested a lot of resources into advancing their resources on special teams, but the NFL's latest rule change will not help those additions. On Tuesday, the NFL passed a new rule instituting all fair catches and touchbacks will come out to the 25-yards line on kickoffs multiple sources report. The new […]
The New England Patriots invested a lot of resources into advancing their resources on special teams, but the NFL's latest rule change will not help those additions.
On Tuesday, the NFL passed a new rule instituting all fair catches and touchbacks will come out to the 25-yards line on kickoffs multiple sources report.
The new rule mirrors college football and is aimed to make the game safer.
Yet, as expected, the special teams coaches in the league were not in favor of this change, NFL Network Ian Rapoport writes.
Tom Pelissero added that the owners approved this rule change on a one-year basis.
During the offseason, the Patriots added or re-signed many special team players, including Chris Board, Matthew Slater, Cody Davis, kicker Chad Ryland, and punter Bryce Baringer. This came after New England struggled on special teams last season.
Board was a player Belichick had praised in the past and after a season with the Lions, the Patriots coach was sure to lock him up during the offseason. Over the last two seasons, he has played 80 percent of special-teams snaps and over 72 percent in every year of his career.
With that, Slater and Davis opted to return for another year, being key members of the special teams, while Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer were drafted by the Patriots during the offseason.
These additions were to create a solid punter/kickoff group, but this new rule will not allow them to truly shine.
I guess, we will see whether the rule will remain after the year trial period.
Featured Image via Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
