Why are we kicking it into the endzone for a touchback every time?

[stankowalski]

One thing I noticed in our last game was that Gano kicked off 5 times for 5 touchbacks.  Is our special teams coverage that bad that we can't get down and stop the play short of the 20, or the very least the 25.  I mean you could kick the ball higher and have it go less distance but give your team more time to get down there and make a play.  

I honestly thought we would at least try it at least once or twice.  

[PhillyB]

i was talking with my buddy about that during the game. those extra five yards give you a little bit more wiggle room to take a chance on trying to drop a kick just shy of the goal line.

it will be interesting to see if the kicking position evolves at all long-term in favor of guys who are really good with hang time and directionality versus pure distance (if such a thing can even really be quantified.)

[stankowalski]

I think the NFL is going to review the rule after the first 4 weeks to see if it's working as intended.  I don't know the stats for it across the league, but I did notice that other teams took advantage of the rule and kicked it high and short forcing a return and for the most part they were able to get the stop before the 25, quite a few before the 20 because of the extra hang time.  

 

[GRWatcher]

In the rarified air of Denver kickers who don't practice there (from 30 teams btw) would have a more difficult time trying to place the kick short of the end zone not to mention the 10 players not use to running 65 yards in that air so they wouldn't be as fast as normal to get there to stop the returner who would have a running start from his place in the end zone to catch & run with the kick. Analytics would suggest that it could be more likely that the result would be the Broncos having a better starting point than the 25 yard line let alone changing the momentum of the game. It was probably a tactical decision. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions or make any comparisons about kick offs from that game. We'll see if we continue the same thing when the games are closer to sea level as they were for the other 30 teams (which is why comparisons are useless).

[KillaCamNewton]

With our coverage on kickoffs id rather he keep kicking it in the endzone. I dont remember the last season that we didnt give up a punt or kick return TD

[Thorrez]

Because Mr. Richardson still has nightmares about our coverage team performance under Crossman and has forbidden even mentioning the concept.

[Castavar]

Belicheck (as well as other teams) have already took advantage of this rule (which everybody knew was going to happen). It gave the Pats a HUGE advantage throughout the game as their kick coverage was pinning them behind the 20 like everytime.

[CPantherKing]

The coaching staff does not do their homework well on these changes.

It is best not to kickoff into the end zone while you have less than a 2 score lead. After a 2 score lead, kicks need to be touch backs.

[t96]

1 hour ago, Castavar said:

Belicheck (as well as other teams) have already took advantage of this rule (which everybody knew was going to happen). It gave the Pats a HUGE advantage throughout the game as their kick coverage was pinning them behind the 20 like everytime.

Arizona's return man was just stupid. Many times he caught it in the endzone (could've kneeled to get to the 25) and brought it out and was either downed within the 20 and/or there was a holding penalty. Pats had one good kick that was short, the others were just the Cards returner being an idiot or misreading the coverage.

 

As for us in Denver, I think the air definitely had something to do with it. Plus the fact that Gano's strength is just booting it, not putting a lot of hangtime on it and placing it. And in addition our kickoff coverage unit is not great.

[morgan55]

Did you watch preseason... Special teams = penalty every time 

[Ricky Spanish]

It was in Denver. Altitude played a huge part in it. I mean hell, Gano got one TB from our 20. That doesn't happen. Moving forward, it could happen, it could not. We'll see what happens come Sunday. 

[Wundrbread33]

I just don't get it.

The kicking team was moved closer a few years ago to create more touchbacks, supposedly because the league wanted to reduce injury.

Now this rule change placing touchbacks at the 25 means teams might want to kick it short, creating a return and a chance to stop the opponent short of the 25.

What gives? Am I missing something?

Seems the league is changing just to change. Why not just move the kicking team back and put touchbacks at the 20 again?

[nctarheel0619]

31 minutes ago, Wundrbread33 said:

I just don't get it.

The kicking team was moved closer a few years ago to create more touchbacks, supposedly because the league wanted to reduce injury.

Now this rule change placing touchbacks at the 25 means teams might want to kick it short, creating a return and a chance to stop the opponent short of the 25.

What gives? Am I missing something?

Seems the league is changing just to change. Why not just move the kicking team back and put touchbacks at the 20 again?

They went the College route in that regard.  It's worked for College, but clearly, NFL coaches know what they're doing.  

Well, besides ours.  Which continues to have Gano kick the ball 90 fuging yards out of bounds.  

[ChuckWag78]

I would rather give the opposing team the ball at the 25, then risk a long return or one returned for a touchdown.  Geno should boot it out of the end zone every time.

On the flip side, if I was the special teams coach, I would tell every returner to bring it out of the every time. Same theory but reversed, I would risk starting at the 15 for the chance at a big play.