The Kansas City Chiefs are reconsidering Harrison Butker’s role for the 2017 season. During the spring, the Chiefs considered using Butker less on special teams owing to kickoff rule changes.
The Kansas City Chiefs were trying with Justin Reid.
As previously noted on GH, safety Justin Reid served as the Chiefs’ kicker during OTAs this spring. Reid was delighted about the chance to kick off since it allowed him to use his skill set to play more snaps in the NFL. Reid stated that Butker was on board with the change:
Reid stated that Butker is not concerned about missing out on kickoff duties. Butker is relieved to avoid a troublesome game-changing catastrophe.
“No, we’re doing fantastic with it. Although I know he can make some tackles, I believe he is happy to save himself so that we can use him when we really need him, which is in fourth-quarter scenarios to nail a 60-yard field goal and win the game’, Reid said. “It would be devastating to try and trot a guy out there who’s feeling nicked up from making a tackle in the second quarter.”
The Chiefs appear to have changed their minds about utilising Reid on kickoffs this season.
The Chiefs intend to use Harrison Butker as their kickoff specialist.
According to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star, Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub stated that the Chiefs intend to maintain Butker as their primary kicker for kickoffs. Toub explained that the decision was based on the precise abilities required for kickoffs:
“So, you have to try to kick it away from the returners if you can, hit in the target zone and skip in the end zone, possibly for a touchback, where (the opponent gets) the ball at the 20,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal on kickoff.”
Nobody knows what the kickoff will be like with NFL players until teams attempt it in preseason and early regular season games. Coaches and players are predicting and strategising based on XFL film.
The strategy is susceptible to modification.
Toub suggested the Chiefs’ plan could change if returners begin returning kickoffs for big gains:
Toub suggested the Chiefs’ plan could change if returners begin returning kickoffs for big gains:
Reid will have to contend for another spot on the team this summer. Perhaps he could try out for the starting safety position.
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