Scott Zolak: Two Quarterbacks that resemble J.J. McCarthy a bit
On Thursday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak touched on two quarterbacks that share some traits with J.J. McCarthy, which were Brett Favre and Johnny Manziel.
McCarthy can do a little bit of everything…
Phil Perry: I think the reason some of these guys leapfrog during the process, even with zero games played, is because the coaches get involved. Coaches don’t really get a good look at these guys until maybe right before the combine, but usually it’s even after the combine. And so you’ve just got this massive swath of NFL personnel who haven’t even really laid eyes on these guys and then they do. Then you start to hear opinions because just like the scouting community, the coaching community talks to and they talk to guys like us. And we figure out okay, well the coaches actually really love J.J. McCarthy and you can understand why when you talk about toughness and moxie and leadership and winning games, that’s a tougher thing to scout in my opinion. The scouts are probably more invested in the traits, quote unquote, whereas this intangible stuff Zo, you could see old school football people falling in love with that kind of stuff. How it’s going to play in the locker room. And so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s rocketed up the board.
Scott Zolak: There’s sort of like a (Johnny) Manizel or (Brett) Favre type quality to him. Where it’s like…
Phil Perry: Gunslinger?
Scott Zolak: I don’t know how to term it. It’s different. It’s not structured. I can hand it off, I can bootleg it, I can scramble, I can run quarterback keeper, I can block on a reverse. Like a little bit of everything where it’s just you play with a little bit of an edge. Meaning Manziel and Farve would play with an edge now. Now, Favre would be all over the place, a little scattered. I’m not saying that McCarthy plays scattered, but I think there’s an element of toughness in sort of improvising on the run on certain plays. And I can also watch (Jayden) Daniels and I know he’s a dynamic player. I love watching him on film. You got to be careful not to fall in love with pro days or say dicount a guy just because the pro day when it go well. (Rob) Gronkowski had an awful visit as the best tight to end ever play. Be careful of what you what you overvalue or what you undervalue. That’s all.
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New NFL kickoff rule will change special teams roster building and strategy
Kick accuracy receiving preference over kick power
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37) kicks the ball off to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In the past, how far the kickoff kicker could kick the ball was the biggest issue for NFL teams. With touchbacks incentivized, teams main focus was kickers who could boot the ball through the back of the end zone.
Now, such a kick gifts the offense an extra 15 yards, with the ball going to the 35 instead of the 20. Plus, putting more hangtime on the ball is no longer an advantage, since the nobody can move until the ball is touched. If anything, line drive kicks may be more advantageous because they would give the returner less time to get lined up.
At the same time, directional kicking may become more important as teams start to draw up ‘plays’ on kickoff returns. Being able to put the ball in a certain spot for the coverage team may now have more value that the outright distance a kicker can get on it.
A more offense/defense split to the kicking units
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots runs onto the field for warmups before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
One major inspiration for this kickoff setup is it mirrors a typical scrimmage play. Given that, it wouldn’t be surprising if the personnel on the field starts to mirror an offense-defense snap too.
On the kicking team, there should now be more of an emphasis on players who can tackle in space. Just forcing a runner into a single lane will be much harder, so players with experience covering more ground and are strong tacklers will have an edge. Think linebackers and safeties.
Return teams in the past may use some defensive players as up-men, just for the physicality of the role. But now, textbook blocking at the point of attack and being able to block on the move will be valued more. That should put an emphasis on tight ends, bigger receivers, and even some more athletic offensive linemen to play up front.
This doesn’t mean the days of special teams aces are over. For one, there will still be a role for them on the punt team. Plus, most specialists played an offensive or defensive role in college. A college linebacker could come into the NFL and certainly find a regular role in kick coverage. But, more of those roles will probably now go to depth players whose skills already transfer.
Returners will be at a premium
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Jalen Reagor #83 of the New England Patriots runs the kickoff back for a touchdown during the first quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
With this rule change, teams will be able to scheme up more designs for kickoff runbacks, allowing explosive players to be a factor more often. For players experience in navigating the chaos of a kickoff return, this presents a tremendous opportunity. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Steelers the day the rule passed.
The Patriots already have a couple of players in place who will most likely benefit from this rule change. Bigger roles could be in store for Jalen Reagor and Marcus Jones this year as the Patriots work on their kick return schemes.
Practice time
The Patriots’ practice fields behind Gillette Stadium before Day 1 of Patriots training camp.
As with any rule change, the new kickoff will take some getting used to. Teams across the league will likely need to devote more time than usual to practicing kickoff coverage and return in spring practices and training camp this year. Right away, first year Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer has a lot of work ahead of him.
