The dynamics of the kick offs has changed, which will change the type of ST player needed. By moveing the spot of the kick up 5 yds. the kickers will change their kicks for more hight and less distance, thus increaseing hang time.
By makeing coverage teams line up within 5 yds. of the ball, eliminateing the running head start, collision speeds will be reduced (safety) and the recieveing team will have less distance to drop back and more time to set up returns.
The only problem with that is that the kickers aren't going to adjust that much. Again, you ignore the fact that most kickers averaged under 64 YPK meaning that, from the 30 yard line, their kicks were only getting to the opposing 6 yard line. Now, it will get to the 1, with the same kick. Billy Cundiff, if he continues his hyper-kicking, will be the only one who consistently gets it into or through the endzone.
The kicking team will have more time to get downfield but will do it at a reduced speed with elimination of the running head start. That i feel will reduce the impact of the speedy gunners, make players like Slater less of an impact. I feel the kicking team will replace the speedy gunner type of ST players with bigger LB,RB,S, type players who can mantain thair lanes and not be pushed out of them. I do not see the possition of a ST only type player other than LS,K,P, haveing a place on the team unless there is very little depth on the team, makeing room for them. ST may be a mitigating factor on the depth chart for some of the back up players.
As for the hole speed thing, I'm sorry, but these guys get to full speed within the first 10 yards. This false idea that they are going to, somehow, be going slower when the collide is just fictitious. They receiving team will still pull their guys back (except for onside kicks), thus increasing the space for running/acceleration.
The last few years the Pats have had very little depth, thus there has been room for three and four ST type players. Now it appears that depth is returning to virtualy every possition of the roster, squeaseing out the luxury of the ST player. Slater for one will be cut. Originaly hoped to be a return man/reciever,never materialized. He will be replaced by one of our speedy DB's. White will be replaced by depth at LB.
Look at the Pats since 2001. They have regularly carried 3-5 ST only players. In 2001, you had Patrick Pass, Larry Izzo, Matt Chatham, Leonard Myers, and Antwan Harris. And the Pats had good depth that year.
Go back and look at 2003 and 2004. Again, 3-5 "ST Only" players.
Slater is still a good return man. People seem to forget that in 2009, Tate led the team with a 24.5 YPR. This was also the 1st year that the 3 man wedge was eliminated. (Note, I don't count Tate since he only played in 1 game). Slater isn't just on Kick-returns. He's in for kick coverage, punt coverage, punt returns, field goal unit and for opposing field goals.
If Slater is cut, it's because someone worked their butt off more than he did. That's a huge task. Just like it was a huge task for someone to come in and unseat Larry Izzo. Much to the chagrin of myself and many others who predicted that "this would be the year that Izzo faltered" year in and year out.
While "you don't see" the position of a ST "only" player, they've been around for decades. You're lack of knowledge doesn't mean it's not true or that it won't happen.
You clearly never watched a game prior to 1994 and seem to have forgotten that Belichick coached special teams when teams were kicking from the 35 all the time. So it's nothing new for him.
