special teams.

[Ellard80]

Offense has made mistakes and the defense has had its struggles recently.

But make no doubt about it - this teams kryptonite is special teams.

Sean needs to wake up on this one. Sure he thinks it matters, but he has really hurt us this year.

Arguable we would be undefeated with a solid special teams.

 

[0311rams]

I think they are aware but have no answers. Gotta ride the horse that brought you, or something like that. What's up with Evans ? Mevis needed to miss eventually. Now he should be good for awhile? Lol.

 

[snackdaddy]

I know Mevis was perfect before the crucial miss. But I still did not know what kind of kicker we had. All his kicks were in situations where a miss doesn't hurt them. Basically no pressure. When he got his first taste of a pressure packed kick that can determine the outcome, he failed. So now we're back to having a kicker we can't trust when the game is on the line. That could cost us in the playoffs. The coverage team? Well, I think we already knew it was a problem. I guess the good news is, if we lose a playoff game due to special teams failures, at least there's a better chance Stafford won't retire after the season.

 

[OntarioRam]

I know Mevis was perfect before the crucial miss. But I still did not know what kind of kicker we had. All his kicks were in situations where a miss doesn't hurt them. Basically no pressure. When he got his first taste of a pressure packed kick that can determine the outcome, he failed. So now we're back to having a kicker we can't trust when the game is on the line. That could cost us in the playoffs. The coverage team? Well, I think we already knew it was a problem. I guess the good news is, if we lose a playoff game due to special teams failures, at least there's a better chance Stafford won't retire after the season.

Not sure about this. Kicked looked great coming off his foot. Unlike Karty's sad attempts where everyone made excuses, this kick from Mevis actually DID appear to get carried by the wind. Broadcast noted the same I believe. I still have trust in him.

 

[Flatlyner]

Lets not brush over that we are one of the only teams that is ok with kickoffs going out of the endzone, thus giving the opposing offenses excellent field position every single fucking time. How are we just ok with this? You mean to tell me, a guy that can kick a 60 yard field goal can't possibly shorten up the kick and make the opposition earn their field position? Or are we aware that our special teams coverage is the worst in the league and we are simply afraid? Either is absolutely unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

 

[Antonius]

Lets not brush over that we are one of the only teams that is ok with kickoffs going out of the endzone, thus giving the opposing offenses excellent field position every single fucking time. How are we just ok with this? You mean to tell me, a guy that can kick a 60 yard field goal can't possibly shorten up the kick and make the opposition earn their field position? Or are we aware that our special teams coverage is the worst in the league and we are simply afraid? Either is absolutely unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Maybe it is fear. Why else do we fair catch every punt. But then again. If we do get a good return, it’s likely coming back

 

[OntarioRam]

Lets not brush over that we are one of the only teams that is ok with kickoffs going out of the endzone, thus giving the opposing offenses excellent field position every single fucking time. How are we just ok with this? You mean to tell me, a guy that can kick a 60 yard field goal can't possibly shorten up the kick and make the opposition earn their field position? Or are we aware that our special teams coverage is the worst in the league and we are simply afraid? Either is absolutely unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

I suspect you are right here, and that the answer is that the Rams have such little faith in their coverage that they are electing to do this on purpose.

 

[Tumak61]

Bad coverage on teams. I hold my breath on every return. Don't know how to fix it, but teams is not complicated. It's want to. Want to tackle. Want to get downfield. Something I'm sure addressed at some point. Will cost us in the playoffs unfortunately. I went to the playoff game at the Big A between the Giants and Rams in the 80's. Know who was an outside gunner on kickoffs? Lawrence Taylor.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

They need to fire Blackburn, stop protecting his bum ass coaching.

 

[fearsomefour]

The punt return was more on Evans.
Per McVay it was a low, flat punt and it was not what they had drawn up. So, bad punt, coverage out of position and a relatively easy return.
But, a false start on the long snapper, a missed kick....it just cant happen over and over.
The kickoffs for touchbacks are so irritating.
The ONLY thing the special teams did well early was Karty doing his screw ball kick off. I would have seriously considered dressing Karty just for kick offs.
If the average starting field positions on his kick offs were, say, the 22 as opposed to the 35, that is massive.
If you're going to give a team the ball at their own 35 because, I assume, you don't trust your coverage teams, then kicking a late field goal to take a lead is almost meaningless.
Most kickers have a decent shot at a 60 yarder these days.....so, basically 22 yards or so gets you into field goal range.
Anyway....the special teams are horrific.

 

[fearsomefour]

I suspect you are right here, and that the answer is that the Rams have such little faith in their coverage that they are electing to do this on purpose.

That is really brutal and should make any ST coach consider a new profession.

 

[fearsomefour]

Bad coverage on teams. I hold my breath on every return. Don't know how to fix it, but teams is not complicated. It's want to. Want to tackle. Want to get downfield. Something I'm sure addressed at some point. Will cost us in the playoffs unfortunately. I went to the playoff game at the Big A between the Giants and Rams in the 80's. Know who was an outside gunner on kickoffs? Lawrence Taylor.

LT with a head of steam......that'll make a guy fair catch....

 

[0311rams]

it's why Stafford is looking at the same thing in L.A. as Detroit, no matter how amazing he is, it's the other teammates that don't step up. ST will kill us this year.

 

[muggmeister]

Lets not brush over that we are one of the only teams that is ok with kickoffs going out of the endzone, thus giving the opposing offenses excellent field position every single fucking time. How are we just ok with this? You mean to tell me, a guy that can kick a 60 yard field goal can't possibly shorten up the kick and make the opposition earn their field position? Or are we aware that our special teams coverage is the worst in the league and we are simply afraid? Either is absolutely unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Completely agree. We have had all fucking year to learn how to cover punts and kickoffs and this shit sideshow continues. What the fuck do the practices look like? Have they changed personnel, coverage schemes, what the fuck have they done? This shit does not happen to championship teams.

 

[Conciliator]

Don't have access to replay. Could someone be kind enough to recap the length of all our punts, and the return yards of each one. (sans the TD).

Thank you

 

[Conciliator]

Lets not brush over that we are one of the only teams that is ok with kickoffs going out of the endzone, thus giving the opposing offenses excellent field position every single fucking time. How are we just ok with this? You mean to tell me, a guy that can kick a 60 yard field goal can't possibly shorten up the kick and make the opposition earn their field position? Or are we aware that our special teams coverage is the worst in the league and we are simply afraid? Either is absolutely unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Yes friend, "every single FNing time"!!!

 

[Cjcinec]

A completely new SPECIAL TEAMS COACHING STAFF should be on the Rams priority list for the offseason. They have had issues with coverage and basic protection on XP and FG for the past 3 years. Evans complete brain fart of a kick was inexcusable. McVay has had to come up with answers all season so I think he’s going to take action.

 

[Ramstien]

I hope they replace Blackburn this week, his work as an NFL special teams coach is just not good enough for a team with Superbowl aspirations.

 

[Jacobarch]

it's why Stafford is looking at the same thing in L.A. as Detroit, no matter how amazing he is, it's the other teammates that don't step up. ST will kill us this year.

Uhhh the rams and lions of the past have absolutely nothing in common

 

[den-the-coach]

I have given it a couple of days and the special teams are responsible for all the Ram losses this year. That unit might cost us a Super Bowl. Ethan Evans had been good, but his two worst punts of the season cost us the Seattle game.

Next year I would sign Daniel Carlson as a free agent, kicker has been an issue too long and it is time to fix it and Carlson will do that and he kickoff well to. Also and obviously fire Blackburn and hire the best special team coach that is available. I would love it to be John Fassel, but if that fence cannot be mended, then go get the best one available. Going to be many changes this year and one of those staffs must have a decent special team guy.