No wedge means major adjustment for kickoff units

Every NFL team will be affected by the elimination of the wedge, but what does it mean specifically for the Browns? I'm thinking specifically of how it will affect Cribbs' production as both a returner and a gunner.

Do the Browns have the right mix of linebackers for the coverage team?

Will TE's become more valuable on return teams due to their mix of speed and blocking abilities?

(BTW, it's my first shot at a FanShot, so be gentle)

over 2 years ago JustBob 5 comments 0 recs |

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Good luck trying to enforce this:

“having any more than two blockers within two yards of each other on the same plane in front of a kickoff returner will result in a 15-yard penalty.”

If I am reading that correctly, any team can still use a “wedge” concept, they just need to break that wedge in to 2 or more parts that are 2 or more yards apart or not “in the same plane”.

I guess I am not buying that this will change anything major about ST. Slight changes and refinements, yes. But not major conceptual changes.
I don’t get this: isn’t what makes a wedge a wedge a point of some kind? Wouldn’t that mean blockers in a wedge are inherently not in the same plane?

by rufio on May 16, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

I saw the words “no wedge” and got excited

(Indians fans will get it)

by Roger Dorn on May 20, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking the same thing, we may be hearing those words soon. As far as the fanshot I do not think the rule will have that much of an impact on special teams. We will find out how serious they are about enforcing it, but I don’t see it causing much of an issue.

Joey_D

by Joey_D on May 21, 2009 7:03 AM EDT up reply actions

If anything, it will likely be the cause of more penalties on S.T., which is the very last thing the NFL needs. Seems like half the returns are called back already.

by drjeo on May 21, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions