Eagles ST coordinator Michael Clay: We have to use new kickoff return as a weapon

Teams will begin figuring out how to approach kickoffs in accordance with the new NFL guidelines that have been put in place this season as they enter the on-field phases of their off-season programs.

At a press conference on Thursday, Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay stated that special teams are” all about adapting to new things” and that” we do n’t know what it’s going to look like” once preseason and fall games begin. In order to produce their final plan, they will be looking at various options for returners as part of a” trial and error” process.

Clay is aware of the team’s need to increase the options provided by the new rules, despite the fact that there are many possibilities at this point.

” I think, when you really peel up this whole thing, it’s still start, start profit”, Clay said, via a text from the group. ” In terms of, okay, you’re a non- returner, we’ve also got to be fundamentally sound when we’re blocking. There are still a few good punters it. This brand-new start transfer must be used as a tool. Vice versa on start protection, you’ve still got to get support these opponent teams, these opposing teams of stopping them with some great returners. So it’s still going to go back to time one fit of, hey, this is our start cover guide, this is our start returning overview. We have high expectations for this type of product. Again, I think, when you do have a couple of good punters, it takes the other nine people to actually plug in and be able to use this as a tool”.

One of the most intriguing things to watch early in the regular season is how the league’s other 31 teams view the new rule, which is a safe bet that they will also observe how it applies.