The NCAA just removed the importance of coffin corner punters. Returners will now not be afraid to catch balls close to the end zone. It's a damn shame imo.
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How many returners are going to fair catch at the 10 yard line thinking thry cant get a 15 yard return? Kickoffs are different then punts. There is usually nota lot of defenders around a returner when he catches it. Guys still take it out of the endzone despite the 25 yard line touchback. I just dont see this happening a lot. What it does do is take away the skill of kickers that can make returners field the kick inside the 5.
Will this deter teams much from actually returning it? Seems like teams would just return it anyways in most circumstances. I can see fair catching it with little clock left though.
Will we see more squib kicks? Of course if you position it in the corner, you run the risk of starting at the 40. Or can they still fair catch a squib?