Zolak & Bertrand: Celtics refuse to change their end of game approach
On Friday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, the crew dived into the Celtics refusing to change their end of game approach.
You can’t just keep doing the same thing…
Scott Zolak: There you go again at the end of the game, right over the midcourt line, left side and it’s like flashbacks to that end a couple weeks ago. It’s the reoccurring same problem at the end of games. And you know, hearing Joe Mazzulla after the game, well I kind of wanted Jayson (Tatum) to take it there because the way we were down or the way the situation was at the end of the game. So you’re going to overtime instead of driving the ball and taking the shot. You know, you liked what happened in the game with (Jaylen) Brown, like in regulation versus overtime. So which one is it?
Ryan Johnston: Mazzulla said after the game last night he thought that Tatum got a good look at that shot. He’s shooting over two guys. He’s off balance. You don’t need a three there. Like there’s a lot of problems with the way that goes down.
Scott Zolak: I don’t know why that’s quantified as a good look.
Ryan Johnston: It wasn’t a good look at all.
Scott Zolak: That’s what I was thinking. Like I heard Joe say this, and then he talked about the one at the end of end of overtime that Brown took. We’re watching it again here and it’s the same thing. It’s clear out. He’s over midcourt. Count the dribbles here. Where’s Forsberg? Where’s Gasper counting the dribbles?
Ryan Johnston: He took the foul there on the floor, which is fine. But he was actually driving to the basket there. Right. Which is what I want to see in that situation.
Marc Bertrand: You can’t just keep doing the same thing and expecting the result to be different. And they do. They keep doing the same thing. They think that their process and their idea of how to handle these situations is good, and they think it’s just a matter of shots not falling. That’s what they believe it to be. And that’s why I will continue to say, as a fan, you should have no expectation of them fixing this problem.
Nov 13, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches from the sideline as they take on the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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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.
