Latest NFL rule change could be bad news for the Saints
The NFL has made another intriguing changes when it comes to their rule book. It could heavily affect the New Orleans Saints going forward, too. The new rule allows the receiving team that fields the ball short of the goal line to call a fair catch and take possession at the 25-yard line. It becomes […]
The NFL has made another intriguing changes when it comes to their rule book. It could heavily affect the New Orleans Saints going forward, too. The new rule allows the receiving team that fields the ball short of the goal line to call a fair catch and take possession at the 25-yard line.
It becomes the next step in the process of reducing the number of total kickoff returns and collisions on special teams. It is an injury prevention move, but the Saints have been an explosive kick return team as of late.
With Rashid Shaheed as their main returner, they have the ability to take a kickoff back for a touchdown on any occasion. That's just another tool in his tool box for New Orleans, but he and the returners may be more apt to call a fair catch if they don't get a perfect look on a return.
So when will kickoff returns happen? The fair catch isn’t mandatory; teams could still decide to return a ball kicked into the field of play. But why do it, when you can start the drive 100 out of 100 times at the 25? Yes, there’s always a chance for a muff. But there’s also a chance that a muff or a fumble will happen if the player intends to field the back and return it. Some think there will be more squib kicks or other creative approaches aimed at putting the ball between the goal line and the 25 and making a tackle before the player gets to the 25. That entails plenty of risk. A squib kick could go out of bounds. An unexpected bounce could throw off the timing of the coverage, opening an unexpected lane for the returner. — Pro Football Talk
This could limit their explosiveness in the third phase of the game for the Saints.
