Broncos special teams coach Darren Rizzi says his colleagues around the league almost all agree that carries should be allowed on kickoffs only if the wind is blowing the ball off the tee, and not to give the kicking team an advantage by placing the ball at an unusual angle.
Under the NFL’s dynamic kickoff rule, a 12th player may be taken on the field as a holder on kickoffs without the use of a stick, as long as the holder leaves the field immediately after the snap. Rizzi says the intent of the rule was to allow the hitting team to ensure the ball stays on the ball on windy days, but the Eagles gained attention in Week 2 for using a keeper just to keep the ball on the ground at an odd angle, which changes the trajectory of the shot and makes it more difficult to return.
Rizzi helped organize a conference call of special teams coordinators and said nearly everyone agreed the NFL should change the way the rule is run, so kickoffs are on a tee and holders are for weather conditions, not creating an advantage for the kicker.
“We don’t want the ball on the rim, we don’t want the ball on the ground, we don’t want the ball held to the side. We just want a regular shot,” Rizzi said. “That’s kind of what was discussed between the coordinators. If we’re not unanimous, we’re pretty close, the way we feel about it. That’s why you saw some holders come out to start the game. And that’s not really the intent. It’s a work in progress. It’s not fixed yet.”
Rizzi said there’s no question the pitching staff benefits from using the keeper.
“There’s definitely an advantage from a striker’s point of view because the different angles you can create with the ball,” Rizzi said. “That’s good if you want to hit one of those toe balls or foul balls with the ball in a maul, keep it. Adding the 12th man to create an advantage is something we want to stay away from.”
The rules allow for the retainer, but Rizzi would like to see an administrative change similar to that NFL made during the 2022 seasonwhen the Raiders were told they had to stop using a stand to put the football on top of the tee, instead of the tee. Rizzi said he believes the NFL will.
“It’s a small thing that created a big problem.” Rizzi said. “I think we’ll work it out.”
