Dynamic Kickoff Not Having Impact Many Anticipated
The Ravens’ kick returners had their busiest game of the season against the Commanders. Justice Hill returned two kicks for a 28.5-yard average, while Deonte Harty averaged 23.5 yards on his two returns.
However, the Ravens had only returned six kicks in their previous five games, and Harbaugh is one of many who have mixed feelings about the new dynamic kickoff.
“It’s nice to get some reps finally,” Harbaugh said. “The disappointing thing about the play … is that the whole idea was to get more kickoff returns. It’s really not happening and there’s reasons for that.”
Right now, touchbacks on kickoffs go to the 30-yard line, but there have been conversations about pushing it to the 35- or 40-yard line to further prevent touchbacks. Harbaugh said that’s something he would support.
As the Ravens and the rest of the NFL try to navigate the new kickoff, Harbaugh expected Baltimore’s special teams play to trend upward as the season progresses.
“I think we can be better,” Harbaugh said. “We can cover better, we can return better. We just have to keep working.
“I appreciate the guys, because we’ve got five, six or seven guys on our kickoff team at any one time who are rookies. That’s a high number. We’re a very young team with our backup group. Those guys are learning and they’ve done a great job with punt and punt return. As those guys keep getting better, our kick and kickoff return will keep getting better.”