The Los Angeles Rams' special teams unit is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons! They've made a controversial shift in their kickoff strategy, and it's causing a stir in the NFL. But here's the twist: this change occurred before they decided to part ways with their special teams coach, Chase Blackburn.
The Rams' decision to fire Blackburn came after a costly punt return touchdown in their Thursday night loss to the Seahawks. However, the issues ran deeper than just punt coverage. The kickoff strategy was equally problematic, and it's a tactic that has raised some eyebrows.
Here's the deal: the Rams have adopted an all-touchback approach on kickoffs, a strategy that stands out in the NFL. Kicker Ethan Evans, in the game against the Seahawks, booted every single kickoff into the end zone for a touchback, giving the Seahawks a starting field position at the 35-yard line. This has been a consistent pattern since Evans took over, with an astonishing 83.7% of Rams' kickoffs resulting in touchbacks, far surpassing any other team. In contrast, the second-highest team in this category, the Jaguars, have only managed a 33.3% touchback rate.
This strategy is a stark contrast to their earlier approach with kicker Josh Karty. Initially, the Rams aimed to keep the ball low, sometimes landing it in the end zone for a 20-yard line start, and other times making it challenging for the opposing team to return. But when Karty was released due to performance issues, this strategy was abandoned.
The big question is: did this strategic shift influence head coach Sean McVay's decision to fire Blackburn? McVay had previously praised Karty's kickoffs, so the change in strategy might have been a factor. By giving up field position so easily, the Rams may have inadvertently sealed Blackburn's fate.
And this is where it gets intriguing: was the special teams coordinator a victim of a strategic decision that backfired? It's a controversial topic that has fans and analysts divided. What do you think? Share your thoughts on this unexpected turn of events!
