New rules are forcing Daniel Carlson to run the clock back and use some of his skills from a previous sport he played
The 2025 season is going to be a bit different than last year when it comes to some of the rules in place. No, the tush push did not get banned, which doesn't really matter because the Las Vegas Raiders don't do it anyway. But some rules are changing that will affect the Raiders and […]
The 2025 season is going to be a bit different than last year when it comes to some of the rules in place. No, the tush push did not get banned, which doesn't really matter because the Las Vegas Raiders don't do it anyway.
But some rules are changing that will affect the Raiders and every other team in the NFL. Thankfully, the Raiders have one of the best special teams coordinators and kickers in the league to help adapt to this rule. Just like a few years ago, the kickoff rule is changing, but this time it should really help with returns and give a bit of strategy to it all.
Changing the deadball spot after a touchback to the 35-yard line if the ball lands in the end zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team or goes out of bounds behind the receiving team’s goal line. Allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any point during a game as long as they are trailing their opponent, as opposed to only in the fourth quarter. – Via NFL Football Operations
This is forcing kickers to really think about how they want to kick the ball. You don't just want to kick it into a touchback because then the return team starts further up the field. And you certainly don't want to kick it quickly where the defense doesn't have time to get to the ball.
So, the Raiders kicker is going back to his soccer days.
“Yeah, there's almost like some soccer skills that are popping up again, where it's a little more feel, just because it's a very different kick than a field goal," Daniel Carlson told reporters earlier this week. "You don't want to necessarily just kick it straight to the returner or anything like that. So, there's just a little bit of reliance on the feel of my old days of soccer.
"And you've seen guys do it last year, where different teams did different things. So, we'll see what happens this year. Some teams may just kick it and cover, and some teams might even hit touchbacks. We'll have to find out.”
Carlson will adjust, and we could see him be one of the guys who really perfect this new strategy with the new rules. The Raiders are working on it at OTAs and mandatory minicamp, too, so it's certainly something that they feel is important, especially when the little things like special teams plays could win close games like the ones that are bound to happen in the AFC West against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers.
It's good to see the Raiders taking this rule change so seriously.
Raiders’ Daniel Carlson proved he is one of the best kickers in the NFL
The Raiders lost to the Colts on Sunday.
