Kartje: How NFL changed the rules to keep kickoffs from going away

Since John Fassel took over as special teams coach in 2011, the Rams have returned exactly one kickoff for a touchdown. That lone score came last season, on the opening kickoff in Jacksonville. Pharoh Cooper caught the kick a few steps into the end zone. He faked inside and spun toward the sideline. A path of open turf cleared ahead of him. One hundred and four yards later, Cooper scored.
It wasn’t a particularly thrilling return. But the Rams had waited an eternity for it. Through last se