Wedge Busted

Ravens Special Teams

Nfl's Ban On Concentrated Collision Tactic On Kick Returns Is A Relief To Some

Others Doubt Any Lessening Of Injuries

"You're not necessarily launching yourself [into another player], you're trying to get into creases and use up blockers and make the ball go one way or the other."

After six years of running down kick returns, Ayanbadejo said he can discern when it's necessary to hit the wedge and when it's not. He went to the Pro Bowl last season for the third time in his career.

"When I was younger, I'd hit the wedge full speed; I didn't care," he said. "Sometimes last year, I had to hit it full speed because the ball carrier was so close and I had to come into the wedge with power. So it's something I consciously decide, if I'm going to do it or if I'm not going to do it. If I don't have to do it, I'm not going to do it."

Rosburg, who has coached special teams for eight years in the NFL, doesn't argue with the change. He simply wonders whether it will produce the desired result.

"The thing we have to remember is, they're doing it for the right reasons, for player safety," he said. "Whether this has a profound effect in improving player safety, we'll have to wait and see. If it does, I'm all for it. We'll adjust."