Crimson Red Sports

I've heard very little discussion about the new kickoff rule this year and how it will affect our strategy.  Kickoffs will be moved up, so most teams will be able to kick off into the endzone (which should reduce injuries).

How will that affect Alabama?  Remember, last year Coach Saban usually took the ball if we won the toss.  That was a change from a few years back, when almost everyone deferred.  But now most teams will start at their 20-yard line after kickoffs, and the choice of "defer" will likely return.  I'll bet we defer.

We suffered from good returns by other teams during the past 2 years, so the new rule should help us when we kick off.  But when we return, will we run kicks back from the endzone?  The kick-cover guys have a shorter distance to run, so coverage will be better.  I'll bet we don't return kicks from the endzone.

How will this new rule affect Alabama otherwise?  Your thoughts?

I think the ball comes out to the 25 yd line when kicked into the end zone and no return. :dunno:

If yesterday was any implication as to Bama kicking it into the end zone, it won't happen. I'm being a little facicious with this but it wasn't a pretty sight, Griffith's first two kicks weren't very good though and Foster had only one kickoff and it was fielded at the 15 yd line. Hopefully this will change as the season gets here.

CNS touched on the reason for the rule change yesterday and said he would love to kick it through the end zone each time because of the risk of injuries but that hasn't been the case just yet.

I'm not sure how teams with good kickers will approach the new kick off rules. You can take away any chance of a return by kicking through the end zone but the ball comes out to the 25. A high kick to the 5 will give you a chance to pin your oppontent inside the 20 since the defense will be starting 5 yards closer. Last year Foster's kicks were short but he kicked them very high.

I think Cade Foster can kick high and CNS will go for that. Reason, last year we were 5 yds. further back and we got down there at 20 to 25 a lot of times. If we kick high and we get down there quicker a lot of fair catches should be in the offering. JMHO. RTR!

I think the new strategy will be the same as the old:  kick off as many times as you possibly can.  :)

On the receiving side, that part is not that critical.  It will only happen once per game.  :)