OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The NFL’s new kickoff rule has altered the workout routine for the league’s most accurate kicker.
Justin Tucker said he has noticed that XFL kickers have been involved in 25% of tackles with the revamped kickoff play, which has led him to add a few pounds.
“This might be really surprising to a lot of you and a lot of my teammates because I don’t spend a lot of time in the weight room,” Tucker said after the Baltimore Ravens‘ offseason practice Thursday. “Now I have to shrug more, set off the traps a little bit, just to make sure I’m prepared for a little more contact.”
When asked if he plans to add more muscle, Tucker said, “I’ve gained like 3.8 pounds. Can you tell? Probably not. But yeah, I’ll leave it at that.”
In March, NFL owners approved the massive change to kickoffs by a vote of 29 to 3. Under the new rule, which originated in the XFL, kickers will continue to kick from their own 35-yard line, but The other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line, which is 5 yards from the receiving team’s 40-yard line. equipment back. Kickers will represent the last line of defense.
Justin Tucker addressed the media after the Ravens’ minicamp on June 6 about changes to his workout routine in response to changes to the NFL’s kickoff rules. KeynoteUSA/Jamison Hensley
Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowl kicker, has made eight tackles in 195 games. His most recent entry was on December 17, 2022.
“I don’t think (tackle) is necessarily something that’s encouraged (for kickers), but it’s not discouraged either,” Tucker said. “It just comes with a territory. It’s a football play. We’re all football players and ultimately, if a returner is heading toward the end zone and I’m the last one there to stop him, that’s part of the description. of my work.”
Tucker, 34, is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 90.2% of his attempts (395 of 438). Since entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2012, he has recorded the most field goals in the NFL with 395. His game-winning 66-yard field goal in Detroit on September 26, 2021 is the longest in the NFL. NFL history.
The revised kickoff rule is a new challenge for Tucker, who hasn’t tackled since he was in high school. He mentioned the possibility of doing some tackle drills in training camp this year.
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“It’s probably going to be really bad television, but we’ll have fun making it,” Tucker said.
According to Tucker, Baltimore’s coaching staff has watched every XFL kickoff and sent some clips to Tucker to study. The Ravens are developing their own ideas on how to attack the play.
Last week, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the team is considering using safety Justin Reid as a kickoff specialist because it would add a more proven tackler.
“Hell yeah, I want to be there,” Tucker said. “At the same time, to be fair to the idea that a safety or a linebacker or someone who has a little more training as a coverage athlete, as a tackler, yeah, I think it’s totally fair to turn over every stone and see what you’ve got. “Who knows? There might be a guy who can point out how to drop the ball off the tee at the 5-yard line and then just go there and smoke the ball carrier. I’d like to think I’d be that guy.”
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