I guess I’m the wet blanket here when it comes to our rookie punter, Mr Evans. I like the kid and see so much potential, but he desperately needs someone to work with him. He’s not flipping the field like he should/could if he had more finesse.
What has been underscored regarding the Rams struggles this season is the their TOP. They are generally good, and it goes hand in hand with their low pct. of 3 and outs. The problem is 2-3 first downs when you’re starting at/behind your own 20 barely gets you to midfield before you have to punt or worse, you have a kicker who struggles with kicks over 50 yds. This is what the Rams should be doing to other teams. Evans has the leg, he just needs to control it.
Out kicking coverage or lack of hang time, I dunno, but there have been too many decent returns given up. There have also been some missed opportunities to pin a team deep. Last game, for example, Evans booted a 68 yard kick into the end zone. Net 48. A 60 yarder would have been a helluva lot better. I/we were fortunate to have seen Johnny Hekker literally win games or keep the Rams in them, despite no serious offense. Evans could be something similar, but he’s got a ways to go.
In general, the STs have been lousy. I don’t know much about our STs coach, but I’m not impressed. Nearly halfway through the season and the kick coverage is shit, FG unit is shit, punter is kicking the crap out of the ball over the field without any real strategy, and there is absolutely no return game. When you have so much young, raw, talent, coaching matters. He’s not getting it done IMO.
…but I do agree on the other players you mentioned. Those guys are doing a great job. You can already see they are legit pros.
