The new NFL season is going to be completely different as the league introduced a new kickoff rule to enhance player safety and reduce the number of high-impact collisions. The change elicited a strong reaction from many players and fans alike, and the Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson is the latest one on the list.
Carlson, known for his booming kicks and precise accuracy, expressed his strong disapproval of the new kickoff rule and he is said to be frustrated and concerned about the new rule’s potential impact on the game.
Raiders’ Daniel Carlson speaks out against NFL’s new kickoff rule change
Daniel said he wants to get the opportunity to put his best effort on the field without getting limited by rules, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“You want to be able to perform at the highest level and not be limited by rules. And so, we’re trying to figure out how to do that now and roll with the punches.”
#Raiders star kicker Daniel Carlson speaks out on the new rule encouraging fair catches on kickoffs, saying kickers want to perform at the highest level, not be limited by rules:
“You want to be able to perform at the highest level and not be limited by rules,” Carlson told the… pic.twitter.com/GvJ40r04Lf
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 4, 2023
The changed rule will have a potential impact on the approach of the kicker’s ability to swing momentum in favor of one team or the other and the 28-year-old star was indeed upset over the fact.
“Not only for field position, but also for kind of the momentum after a score to go pin someone down inside the 20,” Carlson said. “I think that’s a huge play for a team to set their defense up and to get guys fired up.”
Now as the change has already been taken, the Raiders kicker vouched for optimism to adopt the rule and try to turn the rule in their favor.
“We’ll just have to adjust along with all the other teams in the league and try and figure out ways to take advantage of the new rules, just like offense and defense do when rule changes happen with them… It’s going to be interesting to see how it gets used, how it gets played.”
What is the new kickoff rule change in the NFL?
The new kickoff rule introduced by the NFL will give the chance for the ball to be placed at the 25-yard line on kickoffs if a fair catch is called behind the 25-yard line. This might reduce the past risk for a returning team as now there would be no challenge of falling short of the mark or going through a dangerous play like a fumble, albeit it would also result in a less exciting game.
Now, a player can call for and take a fair catch at the 1-yard line and advance the ball all the way out to the 25-yard line just like the kickoff rule that the NCAA enacted for college football in 2018.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero earlier posted a full breakdown of the new rule on his Twitter account and revealed the rule was “unanimously opposed” by NFL special teams coordinators as it might make kickoff returns less frequent than before.
NFL owners approved the resolution putting the ball on the 25-yard line following a fair catch on a kickoff, I’m told.
Special teams coordinators unanimously opposed the change, but it’s happening.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 23, 2023
While player safety should be the top priority for the NFL, the changes could alter the dynamics of the game. With the NFL season just around the corner, football fans and players alike will closely monitor how the new Kick off rule pans out.
