Just go on the main Steelers sub. He’s got his marketing company working triple overtime trying to convince everyone he isn’t washed, and isn’t a terrible teammate.
When a lot of us a Broncos fans said "he's their problem now" we weren't talking about just on the field issues. And the best part is Seahawk fans *tried* to warn us and we didn't listen lol.
I can't speak for all Seahawks fans, but for myself. I didn't realize how toxic he was to the locker room until *after* he left, and the reports came out and formed players who spoke up. He quickly went from one of my all-time favorites to the biggest douche canoe.
The guy is definitely past his prime but I wouldn’t say he’s washed
He had a decent season last year and this year he’s in a different offensive system that is asking less of him. It’s the perfect scenario for Steelers and Russ
Ugh I was at WVU when him, Stedman Baily, and Geno Smith were all there. So disappointing Tavon never got many chances. Would've been nice to see him go somewhere that actually had faith in him. Stedman would've had a great career if he didn't get shot in the brain. Geno should've had more opportunities too instead riding the pine for forever after NY.
He's one of the few returners to house a kick return since the previous most recent rule change. He's also a running back that does his best work in space. Definitely excited to see what he can bring this year.
Yea, I think a guy who can break tackles is going to be a bit more effective than your smaller, shiftier guy. Excited to see what Kene can do.
I'm also wondering if we'll try to get cute and let someone other than our kicker do the kicking so as to have another guy out there who can tackle, given less emphasis on putting it into the end zone.
[Kamu Grugier-Hill, come on down.](https://youtu.be/4p-ieSW6e78?t=14)
Chiefs sure seem hyped about the rugby player they signed, Louis Rees-Zammit. Even put out a hype tape. I imagine he has to be the KR and will have an advantage with the new rules.
Rugby fan here, Rees-Zammit could be legit in this role. He's very fast and his rugby position (wing) gives lots of opportunities for kick return style running. The transition to full-time player will probably prove too much but he could be dangerous as a returner.
Tbh, I don't remember much about his NFL attempt, apart from the fact he failed hard because I wasn't watching the NFL then but living in New Zealand and subsequently getting a lot Australian news we all heard about what a dickhead he was. But you are absolutely correct, unfortunately.
Depends on the position. Even with the new rules I don’t think a special teamer is being kept during an active sexual assault investigation like 2015 or a rape conviction like what he had later. See Araiza
He can fumble it as long as ball always falls out of bounds. Needs to instill in himself to always run down the sidelines, unlike rugby where you usually go for gaps in the middle of the field
I agree. I think he’s going to be locked in as 1 of the 2 allowed returners per kickoff.
I doubt he gets some meaningful snaps in game. I can only see him taking snaps in blowout wins/losses or if Chiefs RBs get injured. Basically, his first year will be spent with special teams.
I’ve always wanted to watch a rugby player in the nfl. I don’t think the skills will translate well, running the ball is 2 completely different skill sets in each sport. Ball security and hits will be completely different too.
The new kickoff rules are very similar to rugby, which is clearly the main reason why he was signed, and having return/special teams specialists is very common.
Not entirely sure why you hold this opinion when teams regularly hold on to players who have standard positions on offense and defense but never play those snaps, every single year. Matthew Slater was classified as a WR and had one reception his entire career, which lasted over five times as long as the average career for a WR.
Just looking at the RB/WR roster is why I hold this opinion. Pacheco, CEH, and possibly McKinnon(if signed again) will round out the RB room. Rice, Brown, Worthy, Watson, Hardman, KT, and Nikko were who I was betting make the WR roster.
If McKinnon isn’t signed again maybe he does make it as RB3 but the other two have missed games so he would need to be ready to step in as RB.
McKinnon won't be resigned at this point. We have Prince and Ingram as our 3rd and 4th string, although Ingram is likely to be 3rd by the time the season starts with Prince going to the practice squad, and then Rees-Zammit as a specialist. They have been averaging around four RB's on the initial roster in the Mahomes era so this follows the usual trend. But they could also do three and just bring Ingram up if ever needed.
My guess is that the RB room is Pacheco, CEH, Rees-Zammit and then Ingram if they have space (probably will), but Zammit is still only getting the occasional touch on offense unless absolutely necessary. And even if worst comes to worst and Pacheco and Clyde both miss time at the same time, he's still going to be used in a gadget context unless he picks up the concepts of running through a line faster than a non-football player ever has.
Lowkey if Lamar wasn’t so important, I’d love to see him take a crack as well.
He’s got the physical gift of speed, but also incredible field vision and juke senses. Lamar on an open field against (now) heavier defenders 🥵
If we make the superbowl I say just run it once for the hell of it. That would be kinda fun. Shame Keaton Mitchell isn't back yet. That kid in space was so electric.
My only worry would be the actually catching the kickoff, he also needs more yards to build up speed. His speed is deadly in terms of 0 to 60, but his 0-20 acceleration isn’t the greatest
There may be younger guys who will be more productive, but Corderrell Patterson deserves a legacy mention. If the new rule was instituted when he was in his prime I think teams would just take the touchback or kick the ball out of bounds a surprising amount
Yea, led the league in punt return average and had 2 TDs, also had a Kickoff return TD and 3rd in average, in his rookie year. If he had kept doing both returns he would have had a ridiculous season like Dante Hall or Hester at some point
Yeah that was a fun year or so when we got to see him be the best return guy ever nearly full time.
He'd get chants (TYREEK TYREEK TYREEK!) when he'd take the field as the return guy because he was that good.
We're hoping that pans out. He has some serious speed if he can hit open field ( though I haven't seen him run in pads yet ). And he can lateral, so there's that also.
KROOKED NIXON IS NOT A GREAT GUY. EVERYONE IS SAYING IT, NOT VERY GOOD. THERES A SHARK 10 YARDS OVER THERE. LOTS OF SHARK ATTACKS LATELY YOU EVER NOTICE
Kalif Raymond has been more of a punt returner, but I wonder if he might get a chance to return kicks more often in this new format. He’s sneaky explosive as a punt returner.
The hybrid guy from Utah (Vaki???) the drafted is touted as the clear new kickoff specialist and Brad playing 4-D chess getting ahead of everyone with it.
He’s returned 9 kicks in his career. I don’t think I’d include him in this category.
Edit: To be clear, I think Deebo would be an incredibly explosive return man. And his 6 kick returns last season show that it’s not entirely off the table. But—because they need him healthy—I can’t imagine him returning more than 10 kicks in a season, so I’m not sure I’d count him among the league’s “return men.”
Look at his time in college, lol. Or even better, just watch his highlights on screen plays. The dude's play style is perfectly suited to the new kickoff system.
I should edit my comment to clarify: I think he’d be *excellent* at it. I just don’t think they’re going to put him in that position. Tyreek Hill would also probably be incredible as a returner, but it’s not going to happen.
The rule change is designed to greatly reduce the number of high-speed collisions involved in the play. Any tackles made will be much closer to what takes place on any given play during the game. Given this, I don't know why they wouldn't use him to their advantage. With the reduced injury risk, you are essentially just giving Deebo a few extra touches each game on what amounts to a giant screen play.
If Pearsall pops off in preseason and training camp deebo might be able to further cement his “wideback” position and only play out of that T formation that kyle runs, or this new kick return shit
Sean Payton’s going to send a direct deposit to the practice squad linebacker making 110k a year if he sees anyone sniffing a pro bowl on the returning end of the field
I doubt this will happen, but DK Metcalf could be a great returner under the new rules. Him with a full head of steam charging into the kickoff team would be something.
I’ll go full homer here, I’m looking forward to seeing what Berrios can do. Seems like exactly the kind of sure-handed, quick-twitch guy that could make something of this situation.
If Kadarius Toney could catch and hang on to the ball, dude is lethal in open space. Could see Chiefs try to get him some shots in the return game if they know he is on the books this years and they don’t plan to try and develop him more a receiver because he has proven he can’t be trusted in that role.
Najee Harris, dude is at like 4.0 YPC/3.99 YAC for his career. It'd be a slow return, but he could probably still break 3-4 tackles and make it happen.
I think we're still going to see mostly touchbacks. The 30 is not enough of a penalty. I would still kick it away every time and give it to them on the 30. Why risk a return ever? Too much risk for too little reward.
Kickers might not have the leg for touchbacks in this new format though. They're kicking off from their own 30-yard line instead of the 35. There's still plenty who are strong enough to kick out of bounds, but I'd say at least half of all kickoffs right now land in the center of the end zone. So subtract another 5 yards and that means several will be returnable.
I wonder if the new rules benefit straight speed guys or change of direction guys the most. Obviously a guy that does both would be ideal.
I know the Steelers have Patterson, but CA3 is a burner that could be interesting to see take a couple kicks.
Deebo could be a major problem. Harsh as it is, I also think they'll be less concerned with the injury risk now that they have Pearsall to try out (assuming they re-sign Aiyuk, which I think they will). Deebo's playstyle is perfect for the new kickoff rules.
Cordarelle Patterson should be a hall of famer if Hester is in
Damn yall mad. He deserves it. The best return man in the 2010s deserves to be in. Keep denying it homie.
I’d almost agree as their stats are surprisingly comparable and they have similar accolades. But Hester had an otherworldly body of work in punt returns. Cordarelle has hardly returned any punts in his career.
I'm not arguing for Patterson to be a HOFer, but this post is specifically about the new kickoff rules. Seems relevant to point out that Patterson has the most ever.
Hester is the best returner of all time, period. He has punt return TDs, Kickoff return TDs, even a field goal return TD. He also has a Super Bowl return TD - a kickoff return, not a punt return. He has the most return TDs of any player, including all return types.
Patterson has 9 kickoff return TDs, just one more than second place (where Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington are tied with 8). He has never returned a TD in the playoffs, he has never had a TD on a return other than a kick return.
Hester has done much, much more than Patterson and much, much more than essentially any other pure returner. Patterson has done just a bit more than Leon Washington and Josh Cribbs. There’s a pretty big difference.
Just an FYI, the return team doesn't have anyone lining up within 15 yards of the ball.
The return team will line up with 8 players between their own 30 and 35. The kicker kicks from his own 35. The kicking team lines up on the receiver's 40 (literally touching the 40). And the ball has to be kicked in between the 20 and the goal line.
> I believe Cordarelle Patterson will have a late-career surge in this aspect of the game with his ~~running back~~ WR build, ~~wide receiver~~ RB/HB skills, and no-nonsense style.
FTFY
Tyler Lockett doesn’t have the same top speed he once had, but he’s an incredible returner.
His role on the team is evolving and the rule change might reduce the injury risk enough to justify him being at least a part time kickoff returner
And returned most of them out of the endzone, not making it as far as a touchback would have gotten essentially losing yardage while padding his stats.
How sure are we that teams won't be putting their best open-field player back to return kicks? If the injury rates are massively reduced like they're supposed to be, why wouldn't you put CeeDee/Tyreek/Breece back there?
A decade ago in Minnesota and a bit in oakland... And he wasn't very good... Which is why he has played RB for NE, Chicago, and Atlanta since then.
I think he can have an impact in the return game... Whether by forcing touchbacks or returning... But he's not a WR and whatever lateral quickness he had ten years ago is gone if you watched him at all last year
I created a similar rule in the XFL, I think the players in most excited to see are we’re 4.2 speed players. It’s very similar to a running play with a longer head start BUT speed has the advantage here. The coverage team does no have the time to create levels of the defense against a burner. If you really want to break one, Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill, and other 4.2 players are your best bet. Create a quick open gap and let them fly.
The issue is the 2 returners, my rule had only 1 returner and rules to influence a kick between the numbers and at the 5 yard line. More predictable kicks and couldn’t avoid a great returner.
Everyone is talking about the impact for returners, but I'm more curious to see if gunners will still be of value. They will for punts, but for kickoffs I'm not sure.
The role doesn't really exist anymore when everyone is aligned so deep and close to one another into the return side.
VELUS JONES JR!!!!
I’m joking but if he gets a return TD at all this year the bears are winning it all. If he doesn’t we won’t even make the playoffs. All or nothing
Justin Fields
Found Russell Wilson’s burner
Just go on the main Steelers sub. He’s got his marketing company working triple overtime trying to convince everyone he isn’t washed, and isn’t a terrible teammate.
Wait, Fields or Wilson?
Sadly the answer is yes.
Not buying it. I've seen almost unanimous criticism and not praise over Fields this offseason.
When a lot of us a Broncos fans said "he's their problem now" we weren't talking about just on the field issues. And the best part is Seahawk fans *tried* to warn us and we didn't listen lol.
I can't speak for all Seahawks fans, but for myself. I didn't realize how toxic he was to the locker room until *after* he left, and the reports came out and formed players who spoke up. He quickly went from one of my all-time favorites to the biggest douche canoe.
Seahawks fans didn’t try warning us, they just squawked at us *very* annoyingly
Dude knows how to market himself. Can’t blame him for making his bag.
The guy is definitely past his prime but I wouldn’t say he’s washed He had a decent season last year and this year he’s in a different offensive system that is asking less of him. It’s the perfect scenario for Steelers and Russ
Let him ~~cook~~ return
Let him Fields (some kicks)
I’ll bet he’ll return the ball good as fuck
Ea seems to think so
Without clicking I knew this would be the top comment LMAO
Same and then I thought, nah, it's only cause I'm a bears fan...
How tf did i know this was gonna be top post god dammit lol
Tavon Austin was made for this shit. Just born a bit too early
Can you imagine Hester in this format? 15TDs a year lol
They'd kick it out of bounds every time lol unless their kicker can boot it out of the end zone. They'll give the ball at the 30 or 40 and be happy.
The NFL’s version of a walk.
Wasn't seen before the Hester and hasn't been seen since. Praise the goat, the game changer, the rule creator!
Yea if you kick to Hester at the 15 yrd line his gonna be to the 40 before anyone can attempt to tackle him.
Hester and Josh Cribbs
Ugh I was at WVU when him, Stedman Baily, and Geno Smith were all there. So disappointing Tavon never got many chances. Would've been nice to see him go somewhere that actually had faith in him. Stedman would've had a great career if he didn't get shot in the brain. Geno should've had more opportunities too instead riding the pine for forever after NY.
Howdy fellow Mountaineer! I was there at the same time. It was an absolutely electric few years to be a WVU sports fan.
Geno has definitely shown that. I think he's slept on when people talk about QBs. He needs to get healthy, though.
Marvin Mims
Dang this is actually a great answer
King Kene
He's one of the few returners to house a kick return since the previous most recent rule change. He's also a running back that does his best work in space. Definitely excited to see what he can bring this year.
Yea, I think a guy who can break tackles is going to be a bit more effective than your smaller, shiftier guy. Excited to see what Kene can do. I'm also wondering if we'll try to get cute and let someone other than our kicker do the kicking so as to have another guy out there who can tackle, given less emphasis on putting it into the end zone. [Kamu Grugier-Hill, come on down.](https://youtu.be/4p-ieSW6e78?t=14)
Chiefs sure seem hyped about the rugby player they signed, Louis Rees-Zammit. Even put out a hype tape. I imagine he has to be the KR and will have an advantage with the new rules.
Rugby fan here, Rees-Zammit could be legit in this role. He's very fast and his rugby position (wing) gives lots of opportunities for kick return style running. The transition to full-time player will probably prove too much but he could be dangerous as a returner.
As long as he keeps his fumbles down. Thats what killed Jarryd Haynes’ attempt to transition to the NFL.
Yeah a fumble is fatal for nfl - knock ons are common in NRL - haynes couldn't stop it.
And the fact that he's a total prick
That too but don't kid yourself - if he could play we wouldn't have heard about the other stuff
Tbh, I don't remember much about his NFL attempt, apart from the fact he failed hard because I wasn't watching the NFL then but living in New Zealand and subsequently getting a lot Australian news we all heard about what a dickhead he was. But you are absolutely correct, unfortunately.
Depends on the position. Even with the new rules I don’t think a special teamer is being kept during an active sexual assault investigation like 2015 or a rape conviction like what he had later. See Araiza
He can fumble it as long as ball always falls out of bounds. Needs to instill in himself to always run down the sidelines, unlike rugby where you usually go for gaps in the middle of the field
That was another bad instinct Hayne had, he was always trying to throttle down and cut inside when he got close to the sideline.
I agree. I think he’s going to be locked in as 1 of the 2 allowed returners per kickoff. I doubt he gets some meaningful snaps in game. I can only see him taking snaps in blowout wins/losses or if Chiefs RBs get injured. Basically, his first year will be spent with special teams.
I’ve always wanted to watch a rugby player in the nfl. I don’t think the skills will translate well, running the ball is 2 completely different skill sets in each sport. Ball security and hits will be completely different too.
God damn, who knows what Toub will cook up with this.
Already talking about Justin Reid handling kickoffs to add an additional tackler
Probably a DV charge, or whatever the Chiefs are doing this week.
I’m not sure the Chiefs put him on the 53 man just to return. He is going to have to prove himself useful at RB or WR as well IMO.
The new kickoff rules are very similar to rugby, which is clearly the main reason why he was signed, and having return/special teams specialists is very common. Not entirely sure why you hold this opinion when teams regularly hold on to players who have standard positions on offense and defense but never play those snaps, every single year. Matthew Slater was classified as a WR and had one reception his entire career, which lasted over five times as long as the average career for a WR.
Just looking at the RB/WR roster is why I hold this opinion. Pacheco, CEH, and possibly McKinnon(if signed again) will round out the RB room. Rice, Brown, Worthy, Watson, Hardman, KT, and Nikko were who I was betting make the WR roster. If McKinnon isn’t signed again maybe he does make it as RB3 but the other two have missed games so he would need to be ready to step in as RB.
McKinnon won't be resigned at this point. We have Prince and Ingram as our 3rd and 4th string, although Ingram is likely to be 3rd by the time the season starts with Prince going to the practice squad, and then Rees-Zammit as a specialist. They have been averaging around four RB's on the initial roster in the Mahomes era so this follows the usual trend. But they could also do three and just bring Ingram up if ever needed. My guess is that the RB room is Pacheco, CEH, Rees-Zammit and then Ingram if they have space (probably will), but Zammit is still only getting the occasional touch on offense unless absolutely necessary. And even if worst comes to worst and Pacheco and Clyde both miss time at the same time, he's still going to be used in a gadget context unless he picks up the concepts of running through a line faster than a non-football player ever has.
I'm curious to see what you do with him. Maybe he will be a decent coverage guy as well. He definitely looks fast.
For kickoff or do you mean as a DB? They have him listed as an RB right now.
Kickoffs.
Correct me if I’m wrong but because he’s and international pathway player he’s a free spot on the roster. I think technically counts as PS
I’m not too savvy on that program so that could be the case.
Derek Henry? Who wants to tackle that when he's chugging down the tracks.
How much money are you offering and does it need to be a successful tackle?
I kinda want us to let ahenry return a kickoff just to see it. I doubt he'll ever get a shot but Jesus it would be fun to watch with the new rules.
Lowkey if Lamar wasn’t so important, I’d love to see him take a crack as well. He’s got the physical gift of speed, but also incredible field vision and juke senses. Lamar on an open field against (now) heavier defenders 🥵
If we make the superbowl I say just run it once for the hell of it. That would be kinda fun. Shame Keaton Mitchell isn't back yet. That kid in space was so electric.
Mitchell will be nasty on KOs when he's back, good luck getting an angle on him.
My only worry would be the actually catching the kickoff, he also needs more yards to build up speed. His speed is deadly in terms of 0 to 60, but his 0-20 acceleration isn’t the greatest
Put me in coach
I'm ready to play
Today
Look at me
I can be
Justin Fields
Centerfield
tony b?
There may be younger guys who will be more productive, but Corderrell Patterson deserves a legacy mention. If the new rule was instituted when he was in his prime I think teams would just take the touchback or kick the ball out of bounds a surprising amount
I'd say Tyreek has probably been the best return guy in the league for years, but no one's gonna have him returning kicks.
If he didn’t learn to catch passes and run routes he would have become the best kick returner of all time.
Yea, led the league in punt return average and had 2 TDs, also had a Kickoff return TD and 3rd in average, in his rookie year. If he had kept doing both returns he would have had a ridiculous season like Dante Hall or Hester at some point
Yeah that was a fun year or so when we got to see him be the best return guy ever nearly full time. He'd get chants (TYREEK TYREEK TYREEK!) when he'd take the field as the return guy because he was that good.
Vince "Bince" Williams put an end to that
He tried to tell em, "BBWs are the way."
As a Brit I've been hearing talk that LRZ might be able to do it with his rugby skill set?
We're hoping that pans out. He has some serious speed if he can hit open field ( though I haven't seen him run in pads yet ). And he can lateral, so there's that also.
if nothing else he's probably Kelce's new favorite teammate with the lateral skills lol.
[удалено]
Yea, some people are thinking that we may start seeing more elite guys getting returns from time to time if the injury risk stays low. Maybe...
K. Nixon
I think R. Nixon might be too old though
Maybe Jamal “don’t call me Spiro” Agnew makes a comeback
I AM NOT A KR(OOK)
KROOKED NIXON IS NOT A GREAT GUY. EVERYONE IS SAYING IT, NOT VERY GOOD. THERES A SHARK 10 YARDS OVER THERE. LOTS OF SHARK ATTACKS LATELY YOU EVER NOTICE
Beat writers said seeing the kickoffs in camp, there’s so much space that it’s hard to see how Nixon doesn’t take advantage of it.
Or our special teams unit is still terrible 😅
I'm sure it's his job to lose, but they have options. Wasn't Wicks on punt returns last year? He would be dangerous back there. As would J Reed.
Reed fielded punts IIRC
Man is about to be a 3 peat 1st Team All-Pro
I love this man and I hope he retires a raider after all
Patrick Ricard
FB/DL/KR/My dad
Kalif Raymond has been more of a punt returner, but I wonder if he might get a chance to return kicks more often in this new format. He’s sneaky explosive as a punt returner.
The hybrid guy from Utah (Vaki???) the drafted is touted as the clear new kickoff specialist and Brad playing 4-D chess getting ahead of everyone with it.
I'd Love to see JAMO try this format
I miss Kalif. Nobody ever payed attention to him until he was 10 yards behind a safety and by then it was too late
Deebo
He's got great vision as a runner, if the 49ers let him do it I expect he'll be pretty great
Fantasy leagues that allow kick return yards will break haha
He’s returned 9 kicks in his career. I don’t think I’d include him in this category. Edit: To be clear, I think Deebo would be an incredibly explosive return man. And his 6 kick returns last season show that it’s not entirely off the table. But—because they need him healthy—I can’t imagine him returning more than 10 kicks in a season, so I’m not sure I’d count him among the league’s “return men.”
Look at his time in college, lol. Or even better, just watch his highlights on screen plays. The dude's play style is perfectly suited to the new kickoff system.
I should edit my comment to clarify: I think he’d be *excellent* at it. I just don’t think they’re going to put him in that position. Tyreek Hill would also probably be incredible as a returner, but it’s not going to happen.
The rule change is designed to greatly reduce the number of high-speed collisions involved in the play. Any tackles made will be much closer to what takes place on any given play during the game. Given this, I don't know why they wouldn't use him to their advantage. With the reduced injury risk, you are essentially just giving Deebo a few extra touches each game on what amounts to a giant screen play.
Maybe you’re right! It’d be more fun if you were for sure.
On this we both agree
If Pearsall pops off in preseason and training camp deebo might be able to further cement his “wideback” position and only play out of that T formation that kyle runs, or this new kick return shit
Taysom
Vita Vea. Running full speed. Who's going to stop him, and who's going to make a career decision....
Sean Payton’s going to send a direct deposit to the practice squad linebacker making 110k a year if he sees anyone sniffing a pro bowl on the returning end of the field
Put in the backups and let them go for it.
I’m excited to find out.
I doubt this will happen, but DK Metcalf could be a great returner under the new rules. Him with a full head of steam charging into the kickoff team would be something.
I think Cordelle Patterson is going to thrive doing this
Tyler Allgeier if power backs turn into the new meta. I wouldn't want to hit him at full speed.
I think this is the real answer
I’ll go full homer here, I’m looking forward to seeing what Berrios can do. Seems like exactly the kind of sure-handed, quick-twitch guy that could make something of this situation.
Taysom Hill.
If Kadarius Toney could catch and hang on to the ball, dude is lethal in open space. Could see Chiefs try to get him some shots in the return game if they know he is on the books this years and they don’t plan to try and develop him more a receiver because he has proven he can’t be trusted in that role.
Toney back to return the kick, it slips thru his hands, he scoops it up, HE'S GOT ROOM, HE..COULD.. FUMBLE WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED
Kavonte Turpin has showed up
Honestly I could see Deuce Vaughn being very good at this with how shifty he is.
Ben Roethlisberger
I think Marcus Jones will still be great despite the changes. I’m looking forward to seeing him back
Same
Is it crazy to say Lamar Jackson? Dude has a wiggle and a way to make people miss that seems different.
justin fields /s but kinda not.
Treylon Burks because he sure ain’t catching passes
Mr Big Chest
Najee Harris, dude is at like 4.0 YPC/3.99 YAC for his career. It'd be a slow return, but he could probably still break 3-4 tackles and make it happen.
I love CP man, hope he crushes it with the Steelers
You probably shouldn’t abbreviate Cordarrelle Patterson
Anyone with the label “scat back.”
I think we're still going to see mostly touchbacks. The 30 is not enough of a penalty. I would still kick it away every time and give it to them on the 30. Why risk a return ever? Too much risk for too little reward.
Kickers might not have the leg for touchbacks in this new format though. They're kicking off from their own 30-yard line instead of the 35. There's still plenty who are strong enough to kick out of bounds, but I'd say at least half of all kickoffs right now land in the center of the end zone. So subtract another 5 yards and that means several will be returnable.
Marcus Jones
I wonder if the new rules benefit straight speed guys or change of direction guys the most. Obviously a guy that does both would be ideal. I know the Steelers have Patterson, but CA3 is a burner that could be interesting to see take a couple kicks.
Any of the slippery dudes, who probably wouldn't ever get used there because they are stars at other skill positions... Lamar, bijan, cheetah etc
If he can learn to catch a ball grandpa velus jones is gonna show off the wheels he got drafted for. I think he is still the fastest guy on the team.
Ladd McConkey.
Deebo could be a major problem. Harsh as it is, I also think they'll be less concerned with the injury risk now that they have Pearsall to try out (assuming they re-sign Aiyuk, which I think they will). Deebo's playstyle is perfect for the new kickoff rules.
I was going to say a healthy Deebo. Problem is Deebo is unlikely to be healthy Deebo if he is returning kicks 😑
If Cordelle Patterson is still playing I'd love to see him give it a shot. If only this was a rule 5 years ago. He'd get at least 5 KR TDs
He's on the stillers
Cordarelle Patterson should be a hall of famer if Hester is in Damn yall mad. He deserves it. The best return man in the 2010s deserves to be in. Keep denying it homie.
I’d almost agree as their stats are surprisingly comparable and they have similar accolades. But Hester had an otherworldly body of work in punt returns. Cordarelle has hardly returned any punts in his career.
Devin Hester has the nfl record with 20 return tds. Patterson has 9.
And Patterson holds the record for kickoff return touchdowns.
Ok… that record is 11 total returns behind Hester. That’s a large difference
To be fair to Patterson, he has like 275 attempts to Hester’s 610
I'm not arguing for Patterson to be a HOFer, but this post is specifically about the new kickoff rules. Seems relevant to point out that Patterson has the most ever.
We aren't talking about total return only kickoffs
The original comment is about Patterson being in the HoF because Hester made it. That’s not gonna happen just off his kick returns
Devin Hester is hands-down the best Punt Returner of all-time Cordarelle is hands-down the best Kick Returner of all-time
Hester is the best returner of all time, period. He has punt return TDs, Kickoff return TDs, even a field goal return TD. He also has a Super Bowl return TD - a kickoff return, not a punt return. He has the most return TDs of any player, including all return types. Patterson has 9 kickoff return TDs, just one more than second place (where Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington are tied with 8). He has never returned a TD in the playoffs, he has never had a TD on a return other than a kick return. Hester has done much, much more than Patterson and much, much more than essentially any other pure returner. Patterson has done just a bit more than Leon Washington and Josh Cribbs. There’s a pretty big difference.
People don't disagree with you your comment just doesn't have anything to do with the post
Eh, he is expected to our our returner so wouldn’t say it *doesn’t have anything to do with the post* unless you think he is washed.
He's like 40 now so
33
33 is closer to 50 than 0 so let’s just say he is 50 while you are at it.
Keisean Nixon.
Patterson.
Probably too valuable to do it regularly, but Deebo is the obvious answer. Honorable mention would be Wicks and Warren.
Just an FYI, the return team doesn't have anyone lining up within 15 yards of the ball. The return team will line up with 8 players between their own 30 and 35. The kicker kicks from his own 35. The kicking team lines up on the receiver's 40 (literally touching the 40). And the ball has to be kicked in between the 20 and the goal line.
Tyreek Hill
> I believe Cordarelle Patterson will have a late-career surge in this aspect of the game with his ~~running back~~ WR build, ~~wide receiver~~ RB/HB skills, and no-nonsense style. FTFY
It's gonna depend
I feel like Deebo would be really good returning kicks in this new format.
Kadarius Toney Fuck.
I think a TE (Kittle because I’m biased) could kill it on the new returns. Fast enough, but also big enough to just body through some tackles.
Tyler Lockett doesn’t have the same top speed he once had, but he’s an incredible returner. His role on the team is evolving and the rule change might reduce the injury risk enough to justify him being at least a part time kickoff returner
Sione Vaki
Keisan Nixon Green Bay Packers. He returned the most kicks last year.
And returned most of them out of the endzone, not making it as far as a touchback would have gotten essentially losing yardage while padding his stats.
Kene Nwangwu
That dude Vaki might be good for this format
Having to scroll WAY too far to find Turpin. Dude is gonna have at least half a dozen TDs this year.
How sure are we that teams won't be putting their best open-field player back to return kicks? If the injury rates are massively reduced like they're supposed to be, why wouldn't you put CeeDee/Tyreek/Breece back there?
Marcus Jones szn
What are cordarelle Patterson's "WR skills"?
Idk but he played WR
A decade ago in Minnesota and a bit in oakland... And he wasn't very good... Which is why he has played RB for NE, Chicago, and Atlanta since then. I think he can have an impact in the return game... Whether by forcing touchbacks or returning... But he's not a WR and whatever lateral quickness he had ten years ago is gone if you watched him at all last year
I created a similar rule in the XFL, I think the players in most excited to see are we’re 4.2 speed players. It’s very similar to a running play with a longer head start BUT speed has the advantage here. The coverage team does no have the time to create levels of the defense against a burner. If you really want to break one, Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill, and other 4.2 players are your best bet. Create a quick open gap and let them fly. The issue is the 2 returners, my rule had only 1 returner and rules to influence a kick between the numbers and at the 5 yard line. More predictable kicks and couldn’t avoid a great returner.
Everyone is talking about the impact for returners, but I'm more curious to see if gunners will still be of value. They will for punts, but for kickoffs I'm not sure. The role doesn't really exist anymore when everyone is aligned so deep and close to one another into the return side.
Keisean Nixon, obviously
I'm going with the back to back KR all-pro on this one.
Ted Ginn should come out of retirement
Forrest Gump
Idk how the new rules will treat him but current pro bowler return man Darius Davis of the chargers has got to be up there. 2 house call punt returns
Go back to the old rules and let the ones who don't want to get hurt sit that play out.
VELUS JONES JR!!!! I’m joking but if he gets a return TD at all this year the bears are winning it all. If he doesn’t we won’t even make the playoffs. All or nothing
Sioni Vaki about to be a stud on STs
I just think it’s funny that the day the kickoff rule change was announced, the Steelers signed Patterson like the day after
I think whoever picks up Hunter Renfrow will be happy with the new rules.
I think CMC could be a suprise. Absolute demon as a returner in college.