Shanahan hints at 49ers’ kickoff strategy under NFL’s new rule

SANTA CLARA — When 49ers CEO Jed York submitted one of just three "no" votes on the league's new kickoff rule at the NFL Annual Meeting, he said he anticipated the possibility of unforeseen consequences. Now, it looks like a possibility that the more things change on kickoffs, the more they could remain the same. The kickoff essentially was eliminated from the NFL game over time. The league voted in a dramatic change this spring. But, perhaps, the touchback will be more prevalent than ever unless the league steps in and makes another change. In the past, a touchback would place the ball at the 25-yard line. Now, it's beginning to look as moving the ball up to the 30 will not serve as much of a deterrent against kicking the ball out of the end zone. On Saturday, the 49ers coverage unit surrendered a 63-yard return against the Tennessee Titans. Two days later, Shanahan was asked about the possibility of kicking the ball as deep as possible and giving up the additional 5 yards to take no chances of long returns. "It's a hell of an idea. I haven't thought of that," Shanahan said Monday, in an answer dripping with sarcasm. Of course, the 49ers have thought about it. And, of course,...