Early stages of new kickoff rule
The NFL’s new kickoff rule is something that will take some getting used to around the NFL.
One thing the players are noticing right away? It’s going to be a quick moving play.
“It’s crazy,” Tuipulotu said. “I think it’s really fast.”
“I think my very first rep on kick off, I ran straight, and [Derius Davis] was already past me,” Tuipulotu added with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Damn, I didn’t even get a chance to make a move yet’. We’re going to have to adjust.”
The Bolts spent some time during Wednesday’s open OTA session on the new look play that includes a different setup than before.
In the set-up zone, the kicking team will line up at the opposing 40-yard line, with the receiving team’s blockers five yards away. Kickers are now incentivized to kick into the “landing zone” between the goal line and its 20-yard line, and players cannot move until it is caught or hits the ground.
It’s a lot of different things to pick up, but OTAs and the rest of the offseason is the perfect time to work on it.
“It’s definitely a different feel,” linebacker Troy Dye said. “I don’t think there’s anything you can emulate or kind of go off,’ Oh, this is what it’s kind of like’. Because one guy is dropping three to five yards, and the other guy is going on a five-yard head start. It’s kind of just how it plays out.”
Still though, Dye believes the rule is going to take some adjustment even heading into the season.
“I think the first couple of weeks there’s going to be some explosive plays and probably some turnovers,” Dye said. “You never know what’s going to happen, but once guys get used to their drops and how to take on that quick, five-yard or 10-yard span it’s going to get really fast and pretty physical.
“I think it’s going to be interesting how the preseason works or how the first couple weeks of the season really go,” Dye added.
Dye, who is very…
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