The Pittsburgh Steelers, like every other NFL team, are navigating new terrain in the 2024 season. This offseason brought a significant change with the new kickoff rule, which has added both excitement and complexity to the game. Fans are eagerly tuning into the preseason to see how this rule plays out.
Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports
Chris Boswell kicks off during a home game at Acrisure Stadium for the Steelers.
Under the new rule, kickoffs are now from the 35-yard line, with 10 players positioned on the opponent's 40-yard line. This change aims to enhance safety by reducing high-speed collisions and potentially increase the number of return attempts. The NFL hopes to make kickoffs more engaging, turning them from mere breaks in play into moments of excitement for fans.
However, this new rule introduces several intricacies, complicating things for special teams coaches. On Monday's edition of The Fan Morning Show, Mark Kaboly and Dorin Dickerson discussed whether Steelers Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith is up to the challenge. Kaboly was asked about how good of a job Smith has done.
"Very good last year. There’s a guy who puts in the time, man."
Dickerson challenged Kaboly's viewpoint by questioning whether Smith's ideas were truly innovative. Dickerson expressed concern that Smith might be resistant to change and too entrenched in his established methods.
Kaboly, however, firmly disagreed with Dickerson's assessment.
"I think your forced to be innovative in how the rules have changed so much now," Kaboly said. "What is so hard about special teams coaches is there’s so much turnover. I mean, first of all, you are not getting the cream of the crop. You are getting rookies and guys who aren’t going to play a lot and they switch over every year. Two years ago, they lost seven or eight guys on special teams."
Kaboly acknowledges that being a special teams coordinator is a challenging role and seems to be giving Smith some leeway due to the frequent turnover within the unit in recent years.
USA TODAY
Steelers' Danny Smith roams the field before a game.
However, Dickerson argues that it is Smith's responsibility to manage and prepare for roster changes. Since the new kickoff rule is a significant factor, Kaboly is hesitant to place any blame on Smith at this time.
"There’s not too many people that are stable on that team other than Miles Killebrew. Can you imagine trying to teach these guys how to do this new kickoff rule? He has to be pulling out the hair that he has left. Just to have those guys go run down and tackle somebody and they don’t pay attention. Imagine this so it’s not an easy job… I would say he’s above average. He’s not great, but not terrible."
The Steelers have had Smith as their special teams coordinator since 2013. At 70 years old, his future in coaching remains uncertain, but as long as he's with the team, he will be a topic of discussion.
Winning Super Bowls often hinges on having a top-tier special teams unit, and the Steelers have struggled in this area recently, leading some fans to place blame on Smith.
Steelers' Danny Smith Facing A New Challenge In 2024
Kaboly, however, maintains that Smith has done an excellent job and his long tenure with the team speaks to his effectiveness. With the introduction of new kickoff rules, Smith faces a unique challenge like never before. It'll be interesting to see how Smith's unit does for the duration of the 2024 season.
Lucy Schaly / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Danny Smith coaching up his unit during practice.
This season, the ability to adapt to these changes could provide a significant edge, not only for the Steelers but for all NFL teams. Steeler Nation remains hopeful that Smith will have his unit prepared and performing well by Week 1. Some believe that it's time for Pittsburgh to look for a new special teams coordinator. One that is younger and more eager to change, others argue in favor of Smith.
#SteelerNation
