In last week’s Kickoff Corner column, I recommended kickoff teams kick the ball to the back of the end zone or kick a low line drive within the landing zone (the area from the receiving team’s 20-yard line back to the goal line. As the return rate dropped a few percentage points from Week 1, we saw multiple teams find success with a lower trajectory, bouncing knuckleball-type kick in Week 2.
This week’s column is an ode to the brave teams that tried this bouncing kick. All six instances of the bouncing ball ended up in starting field position behind the 30-yard touchback line. Only one return squeaked past the 25 and the six kicks netted the return team an average starting field position of 20.6. Below I will rank all six of the kicks on a scale of 1 to 10 with my proprietary Kick Score model that I just made up based on factors such as kick angle, bounce, trajectory, and fun created.
Here are the nominees for best bouncing kick of Week 2, in ascending order, not including .
Greg Zuerlein, New York Jets
Kick Score: 7/10
Our first candidate is Greg Zuerlein. Zuerlein is a power kicker nicknamed Greg the Leg, so I was impressed that Zuerlein hit this bouncer. The kick hit around the 18-yard line and bounced twice like a routine ground ball for the returner. Great effort from the Jets kicker to get the list started.
Jets try a bouncer with Greg Zuerlein and the coverage team makes the stop at the 26 pic.twitter.com/qVYLGxEjH7
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
Blake Grupe, New Orleans Saints
Kick Score: 8/10
Blake Grupe stepped up to the plate for the New Orleans Saints and hit a side sweeping bouncer that nailed the 16-yard line. The end zone angle is mandatory for this one as you can see the ball frisbee and challenge physics. Grupe is not in full control of the ball’s bounce, so he will not be dinged for that here. Still, the high bounce is a positive as every second between the ball hitting the ground and landing in the returner’s hands gives the coverage team a head start.
Blake Grupe with a bouncing knuckleball that leads to a stop inside the 25 pic.twitter.com/lgjYfdF5Nm
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers
Kick Score: 8/10
Cameron Dicker kicked a looper into the landing zone, and it is unclear if his heart’s intent was to kick a bouncer. Still, the ball’s trajectory was admirable, and the ball almost bounced over the returner’s head. Dicker was later flagged for a kick short of the landing zone towards the sideline (the Giants received a similar flag), so there is a chance he wants to master the corner kick.
Cameron Dicker with a bouncer and the coverage team makes the stop at the 22. He also had a short of landing zone penalty later in the game pic.twitter.com/tJGXNno2qh
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
Dustin Hopkins, Cleveland Browns
Kick Score: 8.5/10
Dustin Hopkins hit a beauty against the Jaguars that spiked right on the 20-yard line. This sweeper kick bounced twice and continued to work away from the returner forcing a lunge before a short return.
Dustin Hopkins with a bouncing kick and the coverage team makes the tackle at the 20 pic.twitter.com/ZGT3WknW9b
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos
Kick Score: 9/10
Wil Lutz hit a bouncer right down the middle that looked destined for the end zone. The ball’s late bounce was inspirational. The skip nicked the returner’s hand, led to a fumble, and forced the offense to start their drive on the 14-yard line.
Wil Lutz with a bouncer that ends up tough to play for the returner. Coverage unit makes the stop at the 14 pic.twitter.com/BR45XT8Pn5
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Kick Score: 10/10
Brandon Aubrey is kicking his way into the history books, and his reign has no end in sight. Aside from booming field goals that now look routine, Aubrey had some nasty sidewinding kickoffs that froze the returner last week. This week he took the top spot among the bouncing kick committee.
Aubrey’s liner hit the 17-yard line and gave the returner no chance at fielding the ball. Because the ball hit inside the landing zone and went through the end zone, the touchback set the ball on the 20-yard line instead of the usual touchback to the 30. Brandon Aubrey, we tip our cap to you.
Brandon Aubrey with a perfect rolling kick bouncing in the landing zone before going through the end zone. This type of touchback sets the ball on the 20 instead of the usual touchback at the 30 pic.twitter.com/sHEsLvTzUA
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 16, 2024
It is my hope that the awareness and recognition of this fancy footwork can lead to more rolling kicks through the landing zones. Coverage units did look better in Week 2, but a commitment to the bouncer can push the average starting field position closer to the 20-yard line.
