I just re-watched Karty's three kickoffs from Game 1, and I'm happy to say that so far Karty is a WEAPON on kickoffs. McVay kept the strategy under wraps during preseason, so perhaps the element of surprise helped. I hope the Rams can continue to benefit from Karty's skill at his technique, but now opposing teams have video so they at least know what to expect.
For those who need a reminder of the new rule: If kickoff sails all the way into the end zone for a touchback, the receiving team gets it at the 35. However, if the ball lands in the "landing zone" (between the end line and the 20 yard line), and THEN rolls into the end zone, the receiving team has to start at their own 20.
Kickoff to open game: Karty kicks it hard and flat, soccer-style, ball lands safely in the landing zone, rolls a couple of times out of reach of Texans returners, ball rolls into the EZ for a touchback to the 20. Perfect. Camera angle was excellent so you could see Karty's perfect form.
Kickoff #2, after Rams first TD: Karty kicks off in the same way as the first time. Ball lands safely in landing zone around the 15. Since the ball LANDS in the landing zone, the Rams cover team can move as soon as the ball hits the ground. THEN the Texans returner is able to pick it up after a bounce, but the timing of the play is ruined since Karty was able to get it in the landing zone WITHOUT the ball being caught. Texans returner manages only a measly 11 yard return (to advance the ball from the 12 to the 23).
Kickoff #3: Camera angle was horrible, so it was hard to view. But this time the Rams changed up their strategy: Karty aimed to drive the ball deep and to his left, where the ball landed near the 5 yard line or so, near the corner. Ball rolls into the EZ for another touchback to the 20.
Three kickoffs. Opponent drives started at 20, 23, and 20. Considering the new rule will often reward teams with a start at the 35, that's excellent field position for the rams D.
Karty's kicking motion on kickoffs is noticeably different from his kicking motion on FGs and XP's. On kickoffs, he hits it hard and flat, and both his placement and distance are excellent-- there's a pretty small margin for error when he kicks at that angle.
Karty has mastered an entirely different kicking motion for kickoffs. So far, it's worked to perfection.
For those who need a reminder of the new rule: If kickoff sails all the way into the end zone for a touchback, the receiving team gets it at the 35. However, if the ball lands in the "landing zone" (between the end line and the 20 yard line), and THEN rolls into the end zone, the receiving team has to start at their own 20.
Kickoff to open game: Karty kicks it hard and flat, soccer-style, ball lands safely in the landing zone, rolls a couple of times out of reach of Texans returners, ball rolls into the EZ for a touchback to the 20. Perfect. Camera angle was excellent so you could see Karty's perfect form.
Kickoff #2, after Rams first TD: Karty kicks off in the same way as the first time. Ball lands safely in landing zone around the 15. Since the ball LANDS in the landing zone, the Rams cover team can move as soon as the ball hits the ground. THEN the Texans returner is able to pick it up after a bounce, but the timing of the play is ruined since Karty was able to get it in the landing zone WITHOUT the ball being caught. Texans returner manages only a measly 11 yard return (to advance the ball from the 12 to the 23).
Kickoff #3: Camera angle was horrible, so it was hard to view. But this time the Rams changed up their strategy: Karty aimed to drive the ball deep and to his left, where the ball landed near the 5 yard line or so, near the corner. Ball rolls into the EZ for another touchback to the 20.
Three kickoffs. Opponent drives started at 20, 23, and 20. Considering the new rule will often reward teams with a start at the 35, that's excellent field position for the rams D.
Karty's kicking motion on kickoffs is noticeably different from his kicking motion on FGs and XP's. On kickoffs, he hits it hard and flat, and both his placement and distance are excellent-- there's a pretty small margin for error when he kicks at that angle.
Karty has mastered an entirely different kicking motion for kickoffs. So far, it's worked to perfection.
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