Bucs' starter points out 'weird' change NFL teams are experiencing during OTAs
One of the most intriguing parts of this year's offseason is how NFL teams navigate the new kickoff rules.It's a whole new world in terms of personnel, play design, and obviously, rules. We are still in the early stages, so the feeling-out process, so to speak, can take some time to adjust to.That's the case […]
One of the most intriguing parts of this year's offseason is how NFL teams navigate the new kickoff rules.
It's a whole new world in terms of personnel, play design, and obviously, rules. We are still in the early stages, so the feeling-out process, so to speak, can take some time to adjust to.
That's the case for Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt, who is certainly feeling his way through the whole process.
"It's been weird. It's not as much running, so you know, it's kind of more of, you have to be a little bit more physical at the point of attack," Britt told reporters after practice. "There's gonna be a lot of windows, because the field is so wide… So it's gonna be weird and something we're gonna have to really get used to."
The new kickoff rules are going to change how teams build their rosters
Not only are teams and players getting used to how things are going to go on the field, the new rules are going to change how teams build their rosters.
A team may be willing to carry more safeties, or running backs, or whatever position group needed to take advantage of the setup. Each team will probably take a different approach, as well, considering no one has the right answer, right now.
"The personnel is going to be huge in terms of who you can put out there you know, because you eliminate the 25 yards," Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels told reporters last week. "Maybe you can get… more starters on defense out there, because now it's more close proximity, close quarter combat, and you don't have to worry about those guys running down, and taking breath away from their first defensive snap…
"… There's going to be different ways you can [and] want to play with, in terms of who's going to be out there."
Early candidates for the return job on display during Tuesday's OTA session
According to Pewter Report, wide receivers Deven Thompkins, Trey Palmer, and Jalen McMillan, along with running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, took part in return drills as the returner.
Tuesday was also the first chance to see some of the candidates to return kicks and punts for Tampa Bay in 2024. Deven Thompkins has been the primary returner over the last year and a half, and he was in the mix during Tuesday’s practice.
Second-year wide receiver Trey Palmer, who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at last year’s NFL Scouting Combine, rookie running back Bucky Irving, rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan and third-year running back Rachaad White also got some return reps during the special teams period of Tuesday’s practice. – Pewter Report
None of those names come as any kind of surprise. Don't be surprised if Irving makes a strong run (no pun intended) at the return gig. Returners are going to need really good vision and the ability to make people miss. Both traits are trademarks of Irving's game, so he should be a serious contender for the job.
But, like this whole process, even that'a fluid, according to Bucs head coach Todd Bowles.
"I don't think anybody has showed me flashes in four days, they're just catching punts, right now," said Bowles. "It won't come really until training camp. So everybody's back there catching punts. Hell, I can compete, right now, because I can catch them if you kick them to me. So we'll wait for the summer and see how that develops."
