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Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken talks to place kicker Cameron Dicker (11), who has been consistent. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Compared to the blocking booby traps that were once set at all levels of the field, one condensed layer of opponents on a kickoff return seems easy enough to navigate for Derius Davis. But the NFL’s new kickoff rules are harder to solve than they appear, the Chargers kick returner said Wednesday.
The Chargers’ special teams unit has yet to break through under the league’s new dynamic kickoff rules. The team has returned only four kicks, averaging 21.3 yards per return that ranks 29th in the league.
Davis led the league in punt return average last season, but this year the Chargers are mustering just 9.7 yards per punt return with a league-low four attempts.
Returning from an early off week, the Chargers (2-2) expect the special teams dynamics to shift as the season progresses.
Davis didn’t get many game reps under the new kickoff rules that spot touchbacks at the 30-yard line and prohibit tacklers or blockers, who are set up 25 yards away from the kicker, from moving until the ball touches the ground, a player or the end zone.
Each game brings more information about how to handle the unique set-up.
“Things happen much faster,” Davis said, “and as a returner, you have to be able to pick your sets.”
The Chargers’ Derius Davis (12) has not found a lot of running room on returns so far this season. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
The new rules were intended to limit high-speed collisions and encourage returns. Yet, 69.2% of kickoffs have gone for touchbacks. The league estimated between 50% and 60% of kicks would be returned, but only 29.7% have been through five weeks. It’s still an increase from last season’s record-low of 22%.
Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken expects fewer teams will opt to kick out of the end zone as the season progresses and temperatures drop. Davis envisions more teams will kick on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-return-off-week-hoping-100000374.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-10-08 10:00:00
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