Tennessee Titans: What the Rule Change Means for the Special Teams Unit

March 23, 2011   ·   Chad Minton   ·   Jump to comments

The NFL might be in a lockout for the moment, but that hasn't kept them from making a few rule changes that should create plenty of chatter.
Whenever teams step on the football field next, they will have to adjust to how they conduct kickoffs and how they want to return them.
There are many elements in this new kickoff change, but the biggest one being that kickoffs will be conducted from the 35-yard line instead of the 30-yard line.
That might not seem like a huge change, but it actually is. Especially for talented kickoff returners like the Titans' Marc Mariani, who made the Pro Bowl during his rookie season for returning kicks.
Last season, Mariani averaged over 25 yards per kick return, which isn't too shabby.
Other great special teams players like Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs put their two cents in about their disappointment in the new rule, and they are definitely warranted.
This new rule change will likely decrease the odds of having ...

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