EL SEGUNDO — Over time, the NFL's new kickoff rules could produce better results than just another season's worth of touchbacks or returns for short gains. But for now the rules are different, but not much has changed apart from the offensive lines moving closer together and the kicker standing alone.

“We have to move on and continue to find a way to have a positive impact,” Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken said Monday, perhaps speaking on behalf of all of his colleagues in the 32-team league. “We have the right people to make it happen, but I think we’re still trying to figure out what it can be.”

After five weeks, kickoffs generally look similar to last season, with kickers often playing it safe and running the ball through the end zone for a touchback. There have been a few instances where a kicker launched the ball into the landing zone between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

But kickoff returns remain a rarity in the league.

“I think it’s still developing,” Ficken said. “I’m excited to see how it develops.”

Derius Davis, the Chargers' second-year wide receiver and kickoff returner, has yet to break a long run in four games so far this season. He is averaging 21.3 yards on four kickoff returns so far, including a season-high 35 yards in the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Davis averaged 22 yards per return on 17 returns in 17 games last season.

“As a group I think we still have a lot to do with the new kick-off rules,” he said. “I feel like the whole league is still getting used to it. I feel like we're getting better and better as the year goes on. We didn't have many reps in the preseason. (But) I would say things are moving a lot faster.”

On the occasions where Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker took kickoffs short of the goal line, the coverage was solid and putbacks were kept to a minimum. Dicker wasn't afraid to shoot the ball as far as he could and force a touchback, as he has done many times in past seasons.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently admitted that the new rules haven't exactly changed kickoffs for the better. There are still way too many touchbacks, which he thinks could lead to a change in the rules. Instead of putting the ball on the 30 after a touchback, the ball could end up on the 35.