Rams are testing their new kicker and new NFL starting rule at the same time

A few years ago, the NFL changed the parameters for conversion kicks, moving them back to the 15-yard line for a 33-yard attempt. This season, there will be new XFL-inspired starting rules that will have special teams coordinators scrambling to adapt.

Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty feel comfortable evolving with change.

“But hopefully field goals are here to stay,” the former Stanford standout said Tuesday.

The Rams used a sixth-round draft pick to select Karty and solve their field goal problem.

Last season, the sheep ranked 30th out of 32 teams in field goal success. Brett Maher It is Lucas Havrisik made just 32 of 43 attempts. They were nine of 15 from 40 to 49 yards and five of 10 from 50 yards and beyond.

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“Clearly we need to improve,” coach Sean McVay said. “There’s no mistake about that.”

In three seasons as Stanford’s starting kicker, Karty made 51 of 60 field goal attempts. Last season, he was 23 of 27 and had four of seven attempts of 50 yards or more.

The 6-foot, 2-inch, 207-pound Karty was also adept at kicking balls out of the end zone for touchbacks. This skill could become something of a lost art under new NFL rules that, among other stipulations, prohibit players on the kicking team from moving until the ball hits the ground or is fielded or touched by a player in the field. “landing zone” between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

Does McVay have control over the new rules?

Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty training for new NFL kickoff rule

“Of course not,” he joked. “I think we’re all figuring it out. … It’s going to be crazy. I promise you this.

Under the direction of special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, Karty has been experimenting during training camp at Loyola Marymount.

This season, all NFL kickers — with the exception of those who played in the XFL — “are rookies” when it comes to kickoffs, Blackburn said.

“So he’s not behind the 8-ball or behind at all,” Blackburn said of Karty.

Still, Karty said it was an adjustment. From the beginning of his football career in high school, he tried to kick off “as far and as high” as possible.

Now, this will not be the case most of the time under possible new starting strategies.

“In a way, it’s fun to try to play around and use a little curiosity and creativity, trying to get the ball rolling that can conquer the world,” he said. “But it’s also a little sad.”

Karty performed well on field goals during team periods. He’ll get his first real test on Sunday when the Rams and Chargers hold a joint workout at the Chargers’ new facility in El Segundo.

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The Rams will also have joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard and the Houston Texans in Houston.

Those opportunities — and preseason games against those teams — will give McVay and Blackburn a chance to evaluate Karty and Tanner Brown, the camp’s other kicker.

Neither coaches nor players anticipate that teams will show their actual plans for kickoff.

“You’d be surprised,” Karty said. “That’s all I have to say.”

Etc.

Starting left guard Jonah Jackson left practice with an unspecified injury. “I’m not sure,” McVay said when asked about Jackson’s status. … After sitting out Monday for what McVay described as a scheduled rest day, quarterback Matthew Stafford practiced in pads for the first time. Stafford picked up where he left off, expertly finding receivers during practice. … Safety Quentin Lake made perhaps the play of the day when he broke up a Stafford pass intended for Cooper Kupp in the end zone. … Left tackle Alaric Jackson did not practice because of an ankle injury suffered Monday. … Former Rams running back Todd Gurley and receiver DeSean Jackson attended practice.

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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.