Special teams playing ability now of less importance?

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Lots of aging veterans have, in the past, lost roster spots to up and coming players because the younger guys could play special teams, meaning particularly they could cover kicks. With kick-off coverage becoming less important with the new rules, and with directional punting becoming more of an art, will we see a lessening of the emphasis that a particular number of roster spots have to go to guys young enough to play on the coverage teams?

Edited May 31, 2012 by Ditkaless Wonders

[stevegrab]

I don't think so. While there may be less big plays on kickoffs and punts because of the rule changes, I don't believe that teams are giving any less importance to those squads. You still need fast athletic guys willing to go out there and do these jobs. The older vets who are slower or don't want to play ST will still be more likely to be cut than other players.

[godtomsatan]

Lots of aging veterans have, in the past, lost roster spots to up and coming players because the younger guys could play special teams, meaning particularly they could cover kicks. With kick-off coverage becoming less important with the new rules, and with directional punting becoming more of an art, will we see a lessening of the emphasis that a particular number of roster spots have to go to guys young enough to play on the coverage teams?

 

 

I'm not sure I buy "less important". There were more touchbacks last year, but kick return average was higher (or so I thought I read somewhere). And punt units were atrocious last season. 20+ TD returns, much greater than '10 and '09.