Updated Apr 4, 2011 - 7:52 pm
Seahawks returner Leon Washington weighs in on rule changes
By Brady Henderson
Leon Washington's ability to return kickoffs helped him resurrect his career and earn a four-year contract extension with the Seahawks.
So it's no surprise that he opposes a new rule change that potentially devalues premier returners like himself.
The change -- which passed Tuesday morning -- will move kickoffs up from the 30- to the 35-yard line, making it easier for kickers to kick the ball out of the end zone and eliminating any chance at a return.
"I don't like the rule," Washington said on Brock & Salk minutes before the change was passed. "And I'm sure Brad Smith and Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs and the rest of the guys that do a really good job of returning the ball don't like the rule. It's a part of the game that's really exciting. I think fans look forward to it because it's an instant momentum-changer."
Washington, who returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last season, joked that he'll be unaffected.
"I was telling my dad the other day," he said, "it just looks like there's going to be a bunch of 109-yard kickoff returns because I plan on coming out of the end zone if that takes place."
"It's going to take a lot of strategy for the coaches to come up with a plan for how to take advantage of the opportunities you do have," he said. "I think as a returner you have to really study the game, study the kickers and try to approach the game from that angle.
"Hopefully it doesn't go through but if it does, special teams coaches have to really, really prepare themselves and really game plan around how to take advantage of when you do have opportunities because early on in the season when kickers' legs are feeling good and strong, they're going to be kicking out of the end zone. But later in the season, there's going to be a few chances where you do have opportunities."
Washington predicted that kickoff units will take advantage of the extra five yards by using bloop kicks that throw off the timing and spacing of a return -- a tactic often used against some of the more dangerous returners. He thinks that would invite more violent collisions, defeating the purpose of the rule change.
"If you get a guy like (Cardinals kicker) Jay Feely ... he has a really good bloop kick and he bloops it to the five-yard line with a five-second hang time," Washington said. "Most guys in the NFL run a sub-4.5, 4.6 40. By the time I catch the ball they're going to be right on me or they'll be hitting the guy right in front of me (who's) trying to protect me."
Washington believes "greed" was a factor in the rule change: "If you don't have to pay a returner or have to pay a special teams guy a certain amount of money, it helps them (owners) out and it benefits them in their pocket long-term."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Leon Washington here.
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OneMoreVoice wrote...I think the new rules sucksMarch 22, 2011 12:04 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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The_foundation wrote...As long as Hasselsuck...March 22, 2011 2:44 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Zagnut wrote...It could make it more interesting AND more dangerousMarch 22, 2011 4:58 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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seahawks_155 wrote...HahahaMarch 22, 2011 5:25 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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RJP wrote...Bruh?March 22, 2011 6:10 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Itisme wrote...Far reaching effects of NFL rule change?March 23, 2011 11:01 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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seahawks_155 wrote...69 pitch wedgeMarch 23, 2011 11:18 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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seahawks_155 wrote...RIPMarch 23, 2011 11:22 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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seahawks_155 wrote...ItismeMarch 23, 2011 11:26 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Scoutem wrote...Hasselbeck vs FoundumbtionMarch 23, 2011 11:29 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Brock Huard has co-hosted the show since 2009. After earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Puyallup High School, Brock went on to a record-setting career at Washington and then spent six years in the NFL, including four with the Seahawks. Brock has also spent five years with ESPN working as a college football analyst in the booth and the studio. Brock makes his home on the Eastside with his wife Molly and their three young children.
Danny O'Neil is the son of a logger, a graduate of the University of Washington and has been a working journalist in Seattle since 1999, first at newspapers and since 2012 at 710 ESPN Seattle. He is married to Sharon Pian Chan, associate opinions editor at The Seattle Times. They live on Capitol Hill with their wrinkled, smelly dog.
