CCBoy
03-25-2011, 07:36 AM
Diminishing Returns
KO Return In Need Of Improvement
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=E99691FE-BD0C-1293-599B9ABDA70EDF96
IRVING, Texas - The new rules regarding the kickoff and return game will certainly have an effect on teams and their week-to-week strategies.
Of course, the Cowboys have had a luxury in kickoff specialist David Buehler, who has recorded 50 touchbacks in his two seasons. Now with the kickoff being moved up to the 35, it likely decrease some of his value with more kickers being able to get the ball into the end zone.
But while the Cowboys have had a strength that might be equalized, it's possible that a weakness could improve on the flip side.
The Cowboys have not fared so well on kickoff returns in the last two years, including a 2010 rank of 23rd in the NFL in kickoff return average. The team averaged 21.7 yards a return last year, slightly under the league average of 22.3 yards a runback. In fact, in the last 10 years, the Cowboys have had only three seasons in which they averaged more than 22.3. Overall, the club has averaged 22.1 yards a return since 2001....
KO Return In Need Of Improvement
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=E99691FE-BD0C-1293-599B9ABDA70EDF96
IRVING, Texas - The new rules regarding the kickoff and return game will certainly have an effect on teams and their week-to-week strategies.
Of course, the Cowboys have had a luxury in kickoff specialist David Buehler, who has recorded 50 touchbacks in his two seasons. Now with the kickoff being moved up to the 35, it likely decrease some of his value with more kickers being able to get the ball into the end zone.
But while the Cowboys have had a strength that might be equalized, it's possible that a weakness could improve on the flip side.
The Cowboys have not fared so well on kickoff returns in the last two years, including a 2010 rank of 23rd in the NFL in kickoff return average. The team averaged 21.7 yards a return last year, slightly under the league average of 22.3 yards a runback. In fact, in the last 10 years, the Cowboys have had only three seasons in which they averaged more than 22.3. Overall, the club has averaged 22.1 yards a return since 2001....