Philadelphia Eagles Face New Kickoff Challenges Against Tampa Bay

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are adjusting their approach to kickoffs ahead of their Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a challenging game against the Los Angeles Rams, where kicker Joshua Karty introduced a variety of knuckleball kicks, the Eagles’ special teams are focusing on refining their skills.

On Sept. 26, during a typical practice session, backup offensive linemen Fred Johnson and Brett Toth discussed the difficulties of handling Karty’s unpredictable kicks. ‘It’s harder than it looks,’ Johnson remarked, echoing the sentiments of his teammates Tank Bigsby and John Metchie III, who struggled under the pressure of returning the kicks.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott shared insights into the learning curve necessary to adapt to the new style of kick. ‘Unless you just get a fortunate hop, it’s probably 100 percent helplessness,’ Elliott said with a laugh. He has been working with Bigsby and Metchie to develop better techniques for fielding these complex kicks.

During last week’s game, Karty’s kicks caused significant issues for the Eagles. Bigsby misjudged a kick that sailed over his head while Metchie muffed multiple attempts to catch the ball. The home crowd was quick to express their disappointment. ‘Return specialists catching their kickoffs has long been the assumption,’ Toth explained, highlighting the pressure placed on players to perform well in these situations.

The Eagles’ special teams coordinator, Michael Clay, noted that replicating Karty’s kick in practice was a challenge. Despite extensive preparations, the actual game-time experience proved unpredictable. ‘That ball moved four times before it hit the ground,’ Clay remarked, emphasizing the complexities involved.

As the Eagles prepare for their matchup with Tampa Bay, the coaching staff is mindful of the unique conditions they’ll face in Central Florida. Temperatures are forecasted to hit 91 degrees, and the team is taking steps to acclimate by traveling a day early. Hurts has expressed that their experiences last season should contribute to a better performance this year. ‘We need to not let them have 8, 10, 12-play drives on us,’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said.

With the game approaching, the Eagles seek to improve on their kick return strategy, aiming to turn recent challenges into opportunities for growth. Their focus is clear: adapt, improve, and prepare to take on the Buccaneers with a resolute mindset.