Patriots
“I believe it’s not in favor of the sport of soccer, personally. It’s taken out situational soccer.”
The NFL’s new touchback rule has left a number of key figures of the Patriots’ particular groups sad, together with specials groups coordinator Cam Achord.
Talking to reporters Friday in a video name, Achord grew to become the most recent member of the group to voice his displeasure over the brand new rule, which permits kick returners to name for a good catch on kicks contained in the 25-yard line and transfer the ball out to the 25-yard line.
“Because you requested the query, I believe it’s a horrible rule. Let’s simply begin with that,” Achord stated when requested if the crew’s made any changes to its kickoff method. “I believe it’s not in favor of the sport of soccer, personally. It’s taken out situational soccer.
“Now, we’re going to play to the foundations and we’re going to do what’s greatest for the crew. I need to say that. We’re not simply going to go on the market and say, ‘Put the crew in a nasty state of affairs.’ That might simply be dangerous teaching. So, we’re going to play to the foundations.”
Achord acknowledged that the rule change was made as a consequence of participant security, however he identified that gamers will nonetheless be blocking and hitting one another on kickoffs as a good catch name received’t occur till a number of seconds after the kick. Regardless that gamers will nonetheless be hitting one another on kickoffs, Achord is anticipating completely different outcomes on kickoffs this 12 months than in years prior, citing an instance from a previous Patriots sport.
“This rule goes to have a much bigger final result on video games than they suppose,” Achord stated. “You return to us towards Atlanta within the Tremendous Bowl. We tackled them twice contained in the 15 [-yard line]. , 1691262839 they’re capable of truthful catch these balls, doubtlessly, with their palms crew. And now, possibly we don’t get the ball again with such good area place to go down and rating, make the sport go to time beyond regulation.”
A number of different particular groups coordinators across the league have spoken towards the rule because it was applied. Previous to the rule change being voted for, the 32 particular groups coordinators across the league reportedly met in a convention name to debate the approaching rule change.
Patriots captain and particular teamer Matthew Slater had an identical stance as Achord when talking in regards to the new rule in Might, although he was additionally harsher when criticizing the league.
“I simply don’t consider that is really within the identify of participant well being and security. What I do consider is, ‘We [the NFL] need to painting ourselves a sure option to the general public that claims we care in regards to the gamers,’” Slater stated then. “However I can provide you an extended record of examples the place the league and powers that be don’t act in the most effective curiosity of the gamers.”
Slater proceeded to say “Thursday Night time Soccer” and the usage of turf fields over grass, amongst different issues, to name out the NFL’s security stance.
Invoice Belichick wasn’t as outspoken in regards to the matter, but in addition co-signed related sentiments that different head coaches gave towards it in Might.
“We’ll see about all that,” Belichick stated when requested about his ideas on the rule change. “I do know Coach [John] Harbaugh is fairly concerned in that, [and] Coach [Andy] Reid. I believe they’ve voiced some feedback on that. I in all probability agree with issues they stated.”
The Patriots have been one of many 5 groups to vote towards the rule change in Might, according to Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer.
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