ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski is pretty confident he’ll be able to put the ball through the back of the end zone almost every opportunity he gets now that the NFL has moved the kickoff line up five yards.
The league’s runner-up in touchbacks in 2011 behind Baltimore’s Billy Cundiff, Janikowski doesn’t think the rule change will lead to a dramatic dip in returns, however. That’s something that’s been a concern for players, coaches and fans since the move was announced in March.
Jacoby Ford, Janikowski’s speedy teammate who had three kickoff returns for touchdowns while splitting time at wide receiver as a rookie last year, isn’t concerned either way. If anything, he sees the new rule benefiting returners as much as kickers.
