The beginning of every single Saints game will change next season, as the league tries to reduce injuries from bone jarring kickoffs. The new set of rules mean kickers will be teeing off from the 35-yard line instead of the 30. A substantial increase in touchbacks is expected, effectively reducing the role that kickoff returners have on the game. Obviously Devin Hester isn’t pleased. Saints fans, though? They should be thrilled.
First off, Garrett Hartley probably won’t be seeing any more time as the kicker. Last season he booted it an average of 63 yards (25th in the league of those who kicked off enough to matter) and recorded a touchback just over 12 percent of the time (21st). He’s less than adequate, but not deplorable.
Fortunately, punter Thomas Morstead is more than just a punter. He’s undoubtedly surpassed Hartley as the Saints’ kickoff specialist. Morstead averaged 68 yards a kickoff (2nd), roughly 5 yards more than Hartley, and forced opponents to touch it back over 20 percent of the time (13th).
Considering that the only player who averaged more yards per kick than Morstead last year is Billy Cundiff of the Ravens, who booted it an impressive 71 yards per kick while allowing opponents to return less than 50 percent of them, one can safely assume that Morstead will be getting a lot more touchbacks in 2011.
If so, the the Saints special teams unit will often leave their opposition with an 80-yard field to start with. That’s something the defense of Gregg Williams is sure to be pleased about.
