How Will Special Teams Rule Changes Affect Carolina?

by NSpicer on May 22, 2009 6:57 PM EDT

One of the major rules changes that occurred this off-season at the league owners meeting concerns the removal of the "wedge" on special teams. This article at NFL.com talks about the significance of the move:

I'm not certain how often the Panthers have chosen to implement the wedge in their return game. I don't recall seeing it in use all that often...or as often as other teams. But the overall consideration that faces most special teams coaches now is to ensure they've got the most athletic players on the field who can play "match return" coverage...both on returns and coverage units.

Given that, it makes me wonder how that might change the Panthers coaching staff decisions around which players to keep on the roster for special teams. If we want the most athletic "burners" possible to keep up and take advantage of the match coverage, that might mean dropping some of our traditional special team aces in favor of guys who can run better. Generally, that might mean some of these rookies could stick and displace a special teams veteran we typically kept when "wedge" returns were still allowed.

Does anyone think this will affect the Panthers...either in our return game strategy or in determining what players we choose to keep on the roster? Why or why not?

--Neil

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What's the point?

I’ve seen the Steelers use the wedge before, and honestly I can’t imagine why this rule is being made. It doesn’t seem like its a rule based on protecting the health of the players, and it seems like a cheap way for an out of control ref to call a penalty for too many players being near the kicker blocking guys at the same time.

The wedge is very simple. A wall of players running shoulder to shoulder to make a hole up the middle. That’s not a low blow where playcalling is concerned. I can sort of see where the rule guys are coming from though. People would charge the wedge full speed in order to break it. I just didn’t see that many injuries that would result from it, and it seems to important a part of the game to remove.

Oh well. I won’t affect the Panthers that much. I think you’ll see a special teams unit being picked more on athleticism than size, since we don’t need the big guys to make the wedge strong anymore.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on May 22, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly...

You’ve hit on all the reasons for the new rule. It’s designed with player safety in mind. Apparently, the league owners felt like the wedge and the “wedge busters” were risking or being injured far too often because of that strategy in the return game. So, they’re nixing it this season. It affects some teams more than most. The New York Giants used it a lot, I believe. But other teams do the “match return” formation. It’s probably half-and-half in terms of favoring one formation over the other.

Also, FYI, the league owners included another change to the special teams rules on kickoffs so that the kicking team can’t bunch players together between the hash marks to create an “avalanche” of guys crashing into the receiving team on an onsides kick. Apparently, it’s still okay to do that outside the hash marks, just not in the middle of the field. The Buffalo Bills were cited as the only team using that strategy. But it was creating a lot more potential for injury because of the complete wall of bodies and impacts created. So, that’s gone this year, too. It’ll be interesting to see how onside kicks are handled when the kicker boots it down the middle. Sounds like that option won’t be nearly as optimal as putting it toward the sideline…and risking it going out of bounds and giving it to the receiving team on the 40-yard line.

by NSpicer on May 22, 2009 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

The wedge busters were in danger

Basically you have three guys running as fast as they can one direction, and a few other guys running as fast as they can towards the wedge in an attempt to break it. Kevin Everrete was hurt this way, as well as Adrian Awasom of the Giants, and some young Texan receiver named Harry something. That Texans receiver in particular had a great shot to make the team and contribute on offense. Now his career is over because of the wedge.

by Flowing Willow on May 23, 2009 3:04 AM EDT reply actions