Aug. 11, 2012
PRESEASON PRACTICE UPDATE #6:
NORFOLK, Va. - The Football Monarchs had their first two-a-day on Saturday. Morning drills were in full pads, with the afternoon in uppers working on individual drills. The team also spent team on kick-off return during special teams in both practices.
NEW RULES:
The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved new kickoff rules which take affect this fall.
Teams will now kick off at the 35-yard line instead of the 30. Also, players on the kicking team can't line up for the play behind the 30-yard line, which is intended to limit the running start kicking teams used to have during the play.Also, touchbacks on free kicks will be moved to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 to encourage more touchbacks. Touchbacks on other plays such as punts that go into the end zone, or fumbles that go out of the end zone, will remain at the 20-yard line.
The recommended changes came from the NCAA's Football Rules Committee after that group examined NCAA data showing that injuries during kickoffs occur more often than in other phases of the game.
Another rule that goes into effect this season is if a player loses his helmet, other than as the result of a foul by the opponent, such as a facemask, it will be treated like an injury. The player must leave the game and is not allowed to participate for the next play.
There is also a new rule prohibiting players from leaping over blockers in an attempt to block a punt.
ON THE KICKOFF:
So how do the new kickoff rules affect kicker Jarod Brown?
"It's a lot easier to kick it in the end zone," said kicker Jarod Brown on the new kickoff rules.
"A lot of it is just changing my steps a little bit," he said of the adjustments he's had to make, "and making sure if I get behind the ball, I'm going to kick it a lot higher and it's not going as far. If t I get even with the ball, then I'll be able to hit a lot farther and it won't have to go as high."
"Since we're five yards closer, I don't have to kick it as high. I can kick it straight down the field, so getting even with the ball, changing my steps a little bit to make a little easier to hit it farther instead of higher," he said to sum things up.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER:
In addition to the normal running and lifting with the team this summer. Brown also spent time at kicking camps.
`They are probably the biggest thing I did as far as changing my position a little bit," Brown said of the camps.
IN THE PROS:
Former Monarch defensive tackle Edmon McClam took to the field in a NFL uniform on Friday night as his Detroit Lions took on the Cleveland Browns in preseason action. Although the Lions fell 19-17, as the Browns made a 45-yard field goal with 28 seconds left, McClam made five tackles, including three solo stops, along with a defended pass. The Lions take on the Ravens in Baltimore in their second preseason game on August 17th at 8 p.m.
Deron Mayo, one of two Monarchs in the Canadian Football League, is among the Calagary Stampeder leaders in special teams tackles. Mayo has made seven special teams tackles as the Stampeders are currently 3-3 on the year with the regular season schedule running until beginning of November.
MEDIA DAY PUSHED BACK TO MONDAY:
With the potential for bad weather on Friday afternoon, the Football Monarchs decided to push its annual Media Day back to Monday morning. Join the ODU Football Broadcast Team including Voice of the Monarchs Ted Alexander and Color Analyst Andy Mashaw live from the Lexus Tailgate Terrace at 11 am. on Monday at ODUSports.com/AllAccess.
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UP NEXT:
The Monarchs have Sunday off but will suit up for a two-a-day and Media Day on Monday.