Special teams coaches and standout players weren't happy when the NFL changed the kickoff rules this offseason to allow fair catch touchbacks in the field of play. The rule was put in place to cut down on the number concussions and other injuries from what has been the most dangerous play in the game.
By JOSH DUBOW SANTA CLARA, Calif. As a player who solidified his place in the NFL as a special teams standout with his skill covering kicks and blocking for returns, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks has a keen interest in the preseason. With a new rule on kickoffs giving return teams the ball at the […]
By JOSH DUBOW SANTA CLARA, Calif. As a player who solidified his place in the NFL as a special teams standout with his skill covering kicks and blocking for returns, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks has a keen interest in the preseason. With a new rule on kickoffs giving return teams the ball at the 25 after fair catches in the field of play, Burks is waiting to see how often teams utilize the option and how often kicking teams try to prevent it with squib kicks. “I’m sure the preseason will be a time for coordinators to kind of […]