People have been enamored with how much the Chicago Bears have improved this year. Most of the talk centers on their reinvigorated ground game, ranking first in the NFL despite an unimpressive September. There is also the defense, which somehow leads the league in takeaways despite half the unit missing extensive time due to injuries. This is the recipe that has the Bears 9-3 and leading the NFC. However, they've gotten an added wrinkle from the special teams as well, specifically kicker Cairo Santos.
One thing every team has worked constantly to figure out is the new kickoff rules for the NFL. The trick is figuring out how to limit opposing returns while avoiding touchbacks. A new strategy has emerged, known as the "dirty kickoff." It is essentially a knuckleball-style kick meant to hit the ground and bounce in unexpected directions, confusing returners. If executed properly, it can pin opponents inside the 20 or even the 10-yard line. Santos has been practicing this new approach a lot recently, and it's paying dividends.
“Our kickoff is really starting to become a weapon for us,” coach Ben Johnson said. “Cairo is doing a phenomenal job with some of these dirty kicks and it’s really helping us with our field position there to start drives on defense.”
Cairo Santos can create havoc as he continues mastering it.
The tricky part is how often to use it. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower warned that the tactic has a dangerous drawback. The dirty kickoff requires a different leg swing than your typical field goal or extra point kicks. It is hard enough for Cairo Santos to keep his primary leg swing consistent every week. Having to master two is asking a lot. That is why the Bears have been careful about how often to use it. The only other option would be to have somebody else handle kickoffs, and that isn't possible right now.
Thankfully, the new weapon hasn't seemed to significantly impact Santos' field goal percentage. He's still around the same accuracy he's had the past few years. Chicago hopes to keep it that way and no doubt plans to use the dirty kickoff again in the coming weeks. The kicker deserves credit for making it a priority to nail down this new style.
