Kickoff Change 'Right Move?' Ravens' John Harbaugh Doesn't Sound Sold

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh doesn't seem fully sold on the NFL's new XFL-inspired kickoff.

Thanks to the tenured antics of Justin Tucker, it has been a long time since John Harbaugh had to worry about his kicking situation. The NFL has thrown a wrench in those plans with another major rule change unveiled on Tuesday.

With a vote of 29-3 among the 32 teams' owners, NFL kickoffs will look drastically different next season. Under a new format, 10 players will line up across from each other at the receiving team's 40-yard-line while the kicker remains situated in his traditional spot at his own 35. No players except deep returners can move until the ball touches the ground or a player in a "landing zone" between the receiving team's 20 and the goal line. The adjustment appears to be partly inspired by a similar set-up in the XFL spring league, which returns to action under a new identity this weekend.

The rule change is the second monumental adjustment to the NFL rule book this week, as Orlando's NFL owners' meetings also yielded a de facto ban on hip drop tackles.

While Harbaugh was glad to see a crackdown on hip-drop tackles, he didn't sound sure about the adjusted kickoff in a report from Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun\, citing the loss of a line of scrimmage.

Sep 29, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) greets kicker

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s always in the details, and that’s the challenge we’re going to have right now with that,” Harbaugh said. "The line of scrimmage is a big part of football. It’s been around for quite a while, and that play takes the line of scrimmage out of it. It’s just a different kind of a football play. I just appreciate that we’re exploring every option up to that point to where we have to make that kind of a move. Is that the right move at this time? I don’t know. I think that’s to be determined.”

“Everybody wants to get returns back. Everybody’s on the same page with that. How you go about doing that, there’s a lot of questions because it’s a big change. I think there are just a lot of questions.”

The NFL has sought adjustments to the kickoff for several years, ones that would combat the alarming number of injuries created by full-speed collisions.

Prior to Tuesday's reveal, the most notable adjustment was to move the kicker to the 35 but that created a plethora of touchbacks and fair catches, the latter of which will be barred under the new ruling (as are surprise onside kicks). Blocking wedges and double-teams were also barred in the process.

In an effort to manufacture more returns, touchbacks will now grant the receiving team possessions at its own 30. This season will serve as a test full test run for the new rule with adjustments potentially flowing in over the ensuing campaigns. Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti was among those who voted in favor of the change with Green Bay, Las Vegas, and San Francisco serving as the only naysayers.

With special teams star Devin Duvernay having moved on to Jacksonville, Baltimore will spend part of its offseason prep seeking a new return man. Potential candidates include Justice Hill and Tylan Wallace, each of whom pulled reserve duty while Duvernay worked through injuries.