The NFL has a new XFL-USFL-UFL-style kickoff and Braxton Berrios of Dolphins has been preparing
Braxton Berrios is as intrigued as you to see how the NFL's new XFL-USFL-UFL kickoff rules impact the game in 2024.
The league believes a new set-up will be safer and lead to more returns.
"I'm very excited, because I think it's a big part of the game and, you know, a part that I love to do," Berrios said Tuesday. "And so, yeah, I want those percentages as high as possible."
Berrios has been a top punt and kickoff returner in the league for the last five seasons.
In preparation, Berrios has studied video of the XFL, USFL and XFL.
"That's obviously the starting point for trying to figure out what's going to happen," Berrios said. "In our meetings and on my own, just been going through them, seeing what, what other teams did. What worked. What didn't. Try to guess what the kickoff team is going to do."
The players on coverage teams will no longer have a running start. And so there will be less layering of potential seams.
"The zone is a lot tighter," Berrios said. "You're gonna' get on guys earlier. The cover team, they're gonna' have to make decisions quicker and with way less of a running head start. The good thing is, I think the holes will open up and they'll be clearer quicker. For the guys that that hit them, I think it'll be a good thing."
Berrios was Miami's third receiver last season, but finished with only 27 catches.
By comparison, Tyreek Hill had 119 and Jaylen Waddle had 72.
Berrios declined to reveal any discussions he may or may not have had with coach Mike McDaniel about targets following last season.
Obviously Berrios felt good about his odds of contributing a bit more, because he re-signed with Miami in free agency.
"Everybody's out there doing everything they can," Berrios said. "With this offense, with as much as much talent as there is across the board, like everybody's grown man enough to realize you have one ball. All we can do across the board is, you know, when the ball comes to you, when you get it, make good on it."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Braxton Berrios of Miami Dolphins can't wait for new NFL kickoff rules
