With the NFL's kickoff rule changes approved for the 2018 season, special teams have their work cut out for them this offseason.
The 2018 version of the NFL kickoff is an attempt to make the play safer by reducing the number of high-speed collisions. Special teams coordinator Brad Seely, who brings 19 years of experience coaching special teams, is glad the NFL is working to improve kickoffs instead of eliminating them altogether.
"I'm all aboard," Seely said Wednesday. "I'm glad that they kept the kickoff in. I'm glad that we're still going to have that play in football because I think it's one of the most exciting plays in the game. It still exemplifies what our game is. It's about toughness and it's about running ability, it's about skill levels, it's about kicking the football, it's about catching the football, what other play epitomizes all those things in one play?"
The Texans have already begun working with special teams players on making the adjustments mandated by the new kickoff rules. The approved changes, which include lining up closer to the line of scrimmage, the elimination of running starts and no more wedge blocks, will be re-evaluated next offseason.
"This is going to be one of those areas where it's going to be a lot of new information based on the rules and how you use that information," Seely said. "I think some people will have a decided advantage early in this next football season."
Check out some of the best shots from Week 3 of Texans OTAs.
