Empire Sports Now

All I keep reading is how the new kickoff rule (kickoffs from the 35-yard line) will negatively affect the Jets. I don’t agree with that. Here is how it may help the Jets.

First, the new rule may make it easier for the Jets to say goodbye to Brad Smith. With less of a kick return game needed because kickoffs will be booted for touchbacks more often, the Jets can use the money that Smith covets on other free agents. Maybe that money helps the Jets re-sign both Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. Maybe that money goes to adding depth on the defensive line. Whatever the Jets decide to do with that money, it will help the team in other, more urgent areas. Brad Smith, as much as he can do for this team, may not be worth as much with the new kickoff rule. If Smith were to accept a contract within reason then I’m all for re-signing him because he does have value and there will be still be returnable kicks even with the new rule, but if he’s asking for a big contract then I’d let him walk. I’m not paying big bucks for a guy that is at best a third receiver (and that’s pushing it), runs the wildcat a few plays per game, and will see a decreased role in the return game.

The new kickoff rule also helps the Jets’ defense. The Jets’ kicker in 2010, Nick Folk, didn’t have much length on his kicks and opposing teams usually started drives with very good field position. That can be blamed on Folk, who will most likely not be returning to the Jets in 2011, but the new rule will help any kicker, Folk included, and all defenses will benefit. Kickoffs from the 35-yard line will push opposing offense’s starting field position back and give the Jets’ defense extra yards to work with. The Jets are built around defense and if they can win the field position battle, the Jets’ offense will benefit.

Don’t get me wrong, the Jets’ starting field position will suffer with this new rule and we’ll see less kickoff returns for big gains and even touchdowns, something that the Jets and Brad Smith have done well. But this rule doesn’t kill the Jets. It hurts some areas, while it helps other areas. You could argue that the Jets’ offense needs more help than the defense and this rule hurts this offense, but the help that the defense gains from the new rule will turn around and help the offense if the defense does its job.