Rams 2023 coaching changes

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den-the-coach

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Not as consistently as we do. Some like the Eagles and Niners get a few but this is a yearly ritual it seems and it's getting quite fucking old.
The irony is even after a 5-12 season Rams still getting poached. Overall, hopefully they will announce the 2023 staff soon, but when Coaches are still being interviewed like Shula for example and Brown most recently the Rams are in a holding pattern and that's far more frustrating IMHO.
 

Lunchbox

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Who did Vegas hire for their new OC? Wasn't Zac Robinson a candidate for that position as well?

Nevermind, forgot about them hiring Lombardi.
 
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PressureD41

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I am still hoping we can add OL coach John Benton in some capacity.
Re: Shula I honestly don't think much of him, besides being McVay's buddy and living at Mcvays house I don't view him as a must have coach. Just my 2 cents
 

den-the-coach

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Chase Blackburn was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Carolina Panthers from 2018-2021, here was their rankings.

2018...23rd overall
2019....28th overall
2020....15th overall
2021....28th overall


Not exactly glowing endorsements. Again, there was not another ST Coordinator available that at the very minimum had a special team unit in the top ten?


dbbniwl9h7e9q98oncvw.jpg


Chase Blackburn is in his first season with the Titans and his seventh campaign coaching in the NFL. He joined the Titans in 2022 after six seasons on the Carolina Panthers staff, including four years (2018-21) as special teams coordinator.
Under Blackburn in 2021, the Panthers ranked eighth in punt return coverage (7.4 yards per opponent return) and eighth in field goal percentage (89.7). The Panthers used three kickers over the course of the season and yet still connected on 26 of 29 of their attempts.
In 2020, Carolina posted the NFL's seventh-ranked kickoff return average (25.3) and placed seventh in kickoff coverage (20.6 yards per opponent return). The Panthers set a franchise record for the most punts inside the 20 (46.7 percent), finishing third in the NFL.
Panthers rookie kicker Joey Slye set a franchise record in 2019 by connecting on an NFL-best eight field goals of 50 yards or longer. Meanwhile, punter Michael Palardy placed 25 punts inside the 20 with only three touchbacks and the punt team converted two fakes for first downs.
In 2018, the Panthers ranked third in the NFL with a 77.9 percent touchback rate on kickoffs (60 of 78). Carolina ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage as kickers Graham Gano and Chandler Catanzaro combined to go 19-of-21, including five field goals on six attempts from 50 yards or longer. Gano's 63-yard game-winning field goal against the Giants tied for the longest game-winning field goal in NFL history and second-longest all-time. Palardy helped the Panthers pin teams deep as Carolina ranked fifth in the NFL in average starting field position (27.1).
Gano earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017 after setting a franchise record with an NFL-leading 96.7 field goal percentage (29 of 30). He also led the NFL in touchback percentage at 85.4, sending 70 of his 83 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. In the NFC Wild Card round at New Orleans, Gano converted a franchise playoff-record 58-yard field goal, tying the NFL postseason record.
Blackburn made his coaching debut in 2016 after serving as a coaching intern with the Panthers during the 2016 offseason. The 2016 Panthers led the NFL and tied a team record with three blocked field goals.
As a player, Blackburn played 10 NFL seasons (2005-14) for the New York Giants (2005-12) and Panthers (2013-14). He recorded 265 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, 10 passes defensed and four forced fumbles in 132 games (45 starts). As a special teams player, he tallied 123 career tackles, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New York Giants in 2005, Blackburn played eight seasons with the Giants and led the team in special teams tackles for six consecutive years from 2005 to 2010. In 2008, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate as a cover specialist. He earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants, contributing to their victories in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. He then played his final two seasons with the Panthers.
A three-year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Akron, Blackburn played in 45 collegiate games with 34 starts and totaled 293 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three interceptions. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a junior in 2003 and played in the Gridiron Classic in 2004.
Blackburn attended Marysville (Ohio) High School and graduated from Akron with a degree in mathematics.
He and his wife, Megan, have three sons: Landyn, Bentley and Wyatt.
Chase Blackburn's Coaching Timeline:
2022:
Assistant Special Teams, Tennessee Titans
2018-21: Special Teams Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
2016-17: Special Teams Assistant, Carolina Panthers

 

ottoman89

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McVay seems to really struggle hiring STCs.

Although our last one had several good seasons I think. And thought he did decent enough.
 

den-the-coach

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McVay seems to really struggle hiring STCs.

Although our last one had several good seasons I think. And thought he did decent enough.
I concur as to Joe DeCamillis being a decent hire, the theme of this years coaching staff seems to be former players, with the likes of Ryan Wendall (Offensive Line), (Bringing back Aubrey Pleasant) & now Chase Blackburn.

I am hoping the Rams resign Matt Gay because having a reliable kicker is essential for a Special Teams Coach and I'm not a fan of trying to draft one again as we tried that and failed. Draft a punter, I can deal with that, but Gay is a top kicker and the Rams need to lock him up accordingly.
 

ottoman89

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I concur as to Joe DeCamillis being a decent hire, the theme of this years coaching staff seems to be former players, with the likes of Ryan Wendall (Offensive Line), (Bringing back Aubrey Pleasant) & now Chase Blackburn.

I am hoping the Rams resign Matt Gay because having a reliable kicker is essential for a Special Teams Coach and I'm not a fan of trying to draft one again as we tried that and failed. Draft a punter, I can deal with that, but Gay is a top kicker and the Rams need to lock him up accordingly.
The 2 moves the Rams NEED to make this year are KEEP Jalen Ramsey AND resign Gay. We went through pain trying to find a K after Zurlein. Now we have one of the best. We HAVE to sign him!
 

OldSchool

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Chase Blackburn was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Carolina Panthers from 2018-2021, here was their rankings.

2018...23rd overall
2019....28th overall
2020....15th overall
2021....28th overall


Not exactly glowing endorsements. Again, there was not another ST Coordinator available that at the very minimum had a special team unit in the top ten?


dbbniwl9h7e9q98oncvw.jpg


Chase Blackburn is in his first season with the Titans and his seventh campaign coaching in the NFL. He joined the Titans in 2022 after six seasons on the Carolina Panthers staff, including four years (2018-21) as special teams coordinator.
Under Blackburn in 2021, the Panthers ranked eighth in punt return coverage (7.4 yards per opponent return) and eighth in field goal percentage (89.7). The Panthers used three kickers over the course of the season and yet still connected on 26 of 29 of their attempts.
In 2020, Carolina posted the NFL's seventh-ranked kickoff return average (25.3) and placed seventh in kickoff coverage (20.6 yards per opponent return). The Panthers set a franchise record for the most punts inside the 20 (46.7 percent), finishing third in the NFL.
Panthers rookie kicker Joey Slye set a franchise record in 2019 by connecting on an NFL-best eight field goals of 50 yards or longer. Meanwhile, punter Michael Palardy placed 25 punts inside the 20 with only three touchbacks and the punt team converted two fakes for first downs.
In 2018, the Panthers ranked third in the NFL with a 77.9 percent touchback rate on kickoffs (60 of 78). Carolina ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage as kickers Graham Gano and Chandler Catanzaro combined to go 19-of-21, including five field goals on six attempts from 50 yards or longer. Gano's 63-yard game-winning field goal against the Giants tied for the longest game-winning field goal in NFL history and second-longest all-time. Palardy helped the Panthers pin teams deep as Carolina ranked fifth in the NFL in average starting field position (27.1).
Gano earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017 after setting a franchise record with an NFL-leading 96.7 field goal percentage (29 of 30). He also led the NFL in touchback percentage at 85.4, sending 70 of his 83 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. In the NFC Wild Card round at New Orleans, Gano converted a franchise playoff-record 58-yard field goal, tying the NFL postseason record.
Blackburn made his coaching debut in 2016 after serving as a coaching intern with the Panthers during the 2016 offseason. The 2016 Panthers led the NFL and tied a team record with three blocked field goals.
As a player, Blackburn played 10 NFL seasons (2005-14) for the New York Giants (2005-12) and Panthers (2013-14). He recorded 265 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, 10 passes defensed and four forced fumbles in 132 games (45 starts). As a special teams player, he tallied 123 career tackles, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New York Giants in 2005, Blackburn played eight seasons with the Giants and led the team in special teams tackles for six consecutive years from 2005 to 2010. In 2008, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate as a cover specialist. He earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants, contributing to their victories in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. He then played his final two seasons with the Panthers.
A three-year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Akron, Blackburn played in 45 collegiate games with 34 starts and totaled 293 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three interceptions. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a junior in 2003 and played in the Gridiron Classic in 2004.
Blackburn attended Marysville (Ohio) High School and graduated from Akron with a degree in mathematics.
He and his wife, Megan, have three sons: Landyn, Bentley and Wyatt.
Chase Blackburn's Coaching Timeline:
2022:
Assistant Special Teams, Tennessee Titans
2018-21: Special Teams Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
2016-17: Special Teams Assistant, Carolina Panthers

Those also were some absolutely shitty teams with the best record being the first year of 7-9. I get the numbers don't look good but the roster likely has a lot to do with that. How often on bad teams are the ST's filled with talent. Hell 2021 alone they had multiple kickers and punters.
 

majrleaged

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Perhaps, but IMO, Bill Parcells was right. "You are what your record says you are."
I believe in the statement too. It is an in season statement. Meant to do away with excuses or caviats. With the season behind us. We can look to the massive injuries and say if healthy we probably arent that.
 

den-the-coach

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Those also were some absolutely shitty teams with the best record being the first year of 7-9. I get the numbers don't look good but the roster likely has a lot to do with that. How often on bad teams are the ST's filled with talent. Hell 2021 alone they had multiple kickers and punters.
I get that, however, as the Assistant Special Teams with the Titans they ranked last overall and there was talent on that squad, but again, he was just the Assistant ST Coach. Just looking for something good, again only 39 and he was an excellent special teams player back in his day, so there is that.
 

OldSchool

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I get that, however, as the Assistant Special Teams with the Titans they ranked last overall and there was talent on that squad, but again, he was just the Assistant ST Coach. Just looking for something good, again only 39 and he was an excellent special teams player back in his day, so there is that.
Meh agree to disagree but I'll point out the bolded. He was the assistant, I'm not saying this guy is a world beater but one year on a mediocre at best team that lost 7 straight games to end the season and 4 years as ST coach on a truly bad team aren't going to sour me to the hire. Also I'll point you back to that Parcells quote you cited :D
 

den-the-coach

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Meh agree to disagree but I'll point out the bolded. He was the assistant, I'm not saying this guy is a world beater but one year on a mediocre at best team that lost 7 straight games to end the season and 4 years as ST coach on a truly bad team aren't going to sour me to the hire. Also I'll point you back to that Parcells quote you cited :D
Agreed, let's revisit this in November with the hope that you were right and I was dead wrong.
 

OldSchool

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Agreed, let's revisit this in November with the hope that you were right and I was dead wrong.
Keep in mind I'm not saying he's a great hire, I know too little about him. But even on our bad teams there were good coaches. Yes it's their job to coach up the players but some guys are just on a roster to occupy a spot with little future and those on bad teams are the ST guys.
 

den-the-coach

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3 things to know about new Rams ST coordinator Chase Blackburn​


[theramswire.usatoday.com] 3 things to know about new Rams ST coordinator Chase Blackburn

Cameron DaSilva
February 21, 2023 1:24 pm PT
The Rams parted ways with Joe DeCamillis this offseason, choosing not to retain him as their special teams coordinator. He was the third coach to hold that title under Sean McVay since 2017, but the Rams are making another change.

They’re hiring Chase Blackburn as their special teams coordinator, bringing on the former NFL linebacker. He’s the Rams’ fourth ST coordinator since 2017, which is probably more than McVay would’ve liked to have.


Here are three things to know about Blackburn as he joins the Rams’ coaching staff.

1
He played 10 years in the NFL
Blackburn wasn’t drafted in 2005 but he signed with the Giants and wound up starting two games for them as a rookie that year. He remained with the Giants for eight seasons from 2005-2012, playing 113 games and making 36 starts during his time in New York. He finished off his Giants tenure with a career-high 98 tackles (six for a loss) and seven quarterback hits, starting all 15 of the games he played.

He then joined the Panthers in 2013 and spent two years with them, starting nine games and playing alongside Luke Keuchly and Thomas Davis.

2
He’s a 2-time Super Bowl champion
During his time with the Giants, Blackburn won not one Super Bowl, but two. He won rings following the 2007 and 2011 seasons, starting all four postseason games during the team’s second Super Bowl run. In the divisional round that year, Blackburn had a 40-yard fumble return and he also picked off a pass against the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

He may not have been a centerpiece of those teams but he does have some championship pedigree.


3
His special teams unit never ranked higher than 16th in DVOA
Blackburn has been a special teams coordinator for four years in the NFL. He was also an assistant special teams coach with the Panthers from 2016-2017 and with the Titans last year, so he’s been coaching for seven years total.

In the four years that he was the primary special teams coordinator, his units never ranked very highly in DVOA’s rankings. That’s not reason for concern, but it’s not the most encouraging set of rankings for the Rams’ new coordinator.

2018: 18th
2019: 31st
2020: 16th
2021: 24th