How Rams are preparing for new kickoff format

All of those nuances and differences from the previous format make it a play that is still evolving. Blackburn also called it an “offense to defense play” because of the structure.

“I think that’s all of us and all of our goals as an organization,” Blackburn said of that evolution. “That’s what’s been great having (head coach) Sean (McVay) and the offensive guys involved in the ways we want to run some plays and return units. And then as well as having our defensive guys involved in the way we want cover and create some levels of the defense and it’s more like an offensive-defensive play, so looking at it from that perspective, but then even the flights of the ball are going be completely different. Whether it’s the hang time versus the type of kick you get, the yard line they’re trying to put it to. All that stuff is completely different and that’s the biggest feeler for everything is what are our drop angles? What are our depths and our limits?

“And most important thing as always, is that some things don’t change. It’s always about man meet ball.”

In that regard, Phase 3 of OTAs – which began on May 20 for the Rams – marked an important time for getting a better grasp of the new kickoff format, since that when 11-on-11 drills (without live contact) are allowed.

From a personnel standpoint, the format is also causing special teams coaches to re-evaluate the body types used in that phase.

“Which body types can be used? And what schemes can you use?” Blackburn said. “And where can you place the ball with the kicker? How good and how accurate can they be? Because obviously you don’t want leave one short of the 20 (yard line) and have the ball placed at the 40. So there’s so many intricacies to the rule. I’m sure some things will still change before it’s all said (and done). There’s some things that aren’t even set yet so there will be some maneuverability for us, but for us as special teams coaches, it’s kind of a midstream adjust and that’s how we always are in everything we’ve done.”

While the new format may require reconfiguring that aspect of the special teams playbook, Blackburn said he’s enjoyed the collaboration with Los Angeles’ offensive and defensive coaches, and brainstorming ideas from some of those concepts from both sides of the ball.

“I know the intent of the rule,” Blackburn said. “It would be interesting to see if it’s what we were looking for to start.”