Matthew Slater joins the multiple coaches and players in the NFL in coming out against the new kickoff rule
The Patriots’ special teams ace and three-time Super Bowl champion gave his opinion to reporters on Wednesday in regards to the rule change — in which a fair catch behind the 25-yard line will put the ball at the receiving team’s 25-yard line in an effort to prevent possible injuries in one of the sport’s most dangerous plays.
Despite its supposed safety benefits, Slater isn’t “convinced that our league is always going to do what’s in the best interest of our players.”
“I understand that we want to reduce head injuries and things of that nature. But we don’t always act as if player health and safety is paramount,” said Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowler.
In the future, Slater said he believes the NFL will try to eliminate the rule entirely.
The league claims the concussion rate will drop thanks to the new rule by 15 percent, along with the number of kickoffs projected to decrease from 38% to 31%.
“They say that they’re making the play safer. But the reality is, they haven’t done a single thing to make the play safer,” Slater said. “They haven’t changed the rules, they haven’t changed the techniques. There’s still going to be collisions that occur if the ball is not fair caught.”
Slater’s concerns echo those of Travis and Jason Kelce, the Chiefs’ start tight end and Eagles’ center.
“I think this is absolutely stupid,” Travis said on the Kelce brothers’ “New Heights” podcast. “I don’t think this is making the game safe, I think it’s making it more boring and taking a lot of excitement out of the game’s opening play. This is whack.”
“What are we doing it for, then? Are we just gonna have guys, ‘Hey, I’m gonna run 80 yards for no reason and then we’re gonna start the drive!’” Jason agreed. “We’re just gonna do everything for show. ‘Here’s the ceremonial kickoff that’s not gonna get returned ever.’”
Travis’ coach, Andy Reid seemed to think the league is moving in the opposite direction of what the game is supposed to be.
“My thing is, where does it stop, right?” he said. “We start taking pieces and we’ll see how this goes. But you don’t want to take too many pieces away or you’ll be playing flag football.”
