A key adjustment that Andy Reid's coaching staff needs to make such that the Kansas City Chiefs have a shot at winning the Super Bowl is acclimating to the new kickoff rules. It will follow the same dynamic kickoffs as the XFL and is likely there to make the NFL more exciting. However, this is likely going to bounce Harrison Butker out of kickoff duties and have him replaced with Justin Reid. Dave Toub outlined why this might be more beneficial than meets the eye.
Justin Reid over Harrison Butker?
You did not misread that, Chiefs Kingdom. Andy Reid and Dave Toub are heavily considering Justin Reid to perform kickoffs instead of Harrison Butker because of the new rules. Yes, the person who plays safety for the Chiefs is likely taking over the placekicker position. The special teams coach outlines the rationale behind this call and why it would make sense in their hunt for a three-peat.
“I like to have somebody who can go back and is able to make a tackle. Harrison Butker is able to make a tackle, but I really don't want him making tackles all year long. If you watch the XFL, we watched every play, I bet kickers were involved in at least 25 to 40 percent of the tackles. In either trying to make a guy bounce back or making the tackle himself, or just missing the tackle. We don't want Butker in that situation. But he will be a kicker,” Dave Toub said.
Justin Reid has an edge over Harrison Butker in this situation. It largely has to do with the fact that he is more experienced in tackling and angling those tackles well. The Chiefs' kicker will then be more focused on trying to make field goals and extra points for the team. After all, it will be hard to sink the football down the uprights if the kicker is banged up after a defensive sequence. They also run the risk of injuries and concussions if the inexperienced Butker retains the role.
Chiefs execute plans early
This is not just all talk from Andy Reid and the defending Super Bowl champions. They have actually tried it out this spring and have been modifying their play calls to the comfort of the players. In OTAs, Reid and Louis Rees-Zammit have both gotten to give the coaching staff a first look at their kickoff philosophy. While there are a lot of adjustments to make, the Chiefs sound like they have a plan to make it all work. The fact that their running back, Rees-Zammit, played rugby also helps quite a lot.
Overall, this strategy will rely a lot on Reid's ability to take down opposing players efficiently. The Chiefs have all the trust in him.
“He's an extra guy they're probably not accounting for. They know that that guy can go down and tackle. But a guy like Justin is a guy they have to worry about, they have to get him blocked and have to give up blocking somebody else. Now, it's about accuracy… You can't take too much risk because if you hit it out of bounds now you're giving up the ball at the 40,” Toub concluded.
Will all of this materialize in the season?
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