Rams fire ST Coach Blackburn
- Thread starter OldSchool
- Start date
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Ground Chuck
Starter
Well...it's not a surprise. We all have worried about STs becuase of blocked field goals,, being on "pins and needles" on pumt returns, etc.
It was bound to happen, but I thought it would be earlier. Hopefully, it gets a good fix and STs is solid from here on.
It was bound to happen, but I thought it would be earlier. Hopefully, it gets a good fix and STs is solid from here on.
Cooper was ok
Austin drove me nuts
He ran more yards sidling to sideline than towards positive yards.
I don’t think Austin ever figured out that he wasn’t still playing against college players
OntarioRam
Hall of Fame
He has led some decent ST units in the past, so I think there is reason for cautious optimism. Coaching changes can spark teams too. I don't expect STs to be great. I do expect them to improve from where they were, which was arguably worst in the NFL.
HE WITH HORNS
Hall of Fame
I seem to recall he had a LOT of punt returns called back by penalties. Like a LOT. Many of them were TDs. It definitely wasn't a talent issue.
Blackburn was a concern for a lot of us heading into last season. I’m glad they made the move, just wish they had done it sooner.
https://ramsondemand.com/threads/so-i-guess-were-sticking-with-blackburn-as-st-coordinator.71009/
https://ramsondemand.com/threads/so-i-guess-were-sticking-with-blackburn-as-st-coordinator.71009/
I can't get a sense of Whittington's speed. I just remember him on Puka's 45-yard TD run vs the Titans. Whittington motored behind Puka and caught him. On that play (at that moment) he looked significantly faster than Puka. I'm sure the physics of it is complicated... runners inevitably peak and slow down through the course of a long run. But on THAT play, Whittington looked like he had speed to burn.
Whittington also had a return TD negated by a penalty this year... I forget which game it was, but I remember Reeder was the guy with the infraction.
Anyway, my point is, I personally think Whittington has some potential as a KR but I think the blocking lets him down.
Here's Whittington chasing down and passing Puka:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5coAPEuOOQ
Well if they can get Whittington playing to his timed speed on returns I'd be all for it. Also not getting killed doing it. His speed just doesn't translate, or at least hasn't yet. Doesn't mean it can't. I said the same thing about Corum a year or so ago and his speed is translating now.
Maybe this new coach can get something like that going. Bottom line I think is getting those basics right. The blocking and tackling first and foremost. But if they can do that then maybe we can start seeing returners contribute.
All that aside I still think drafting a real returner needs to happen. Someone who has actual film doing it, who is safe with the ball but also elusive and dangerous if there's a crease. But for now maybe if they can fix the basics and build some consistency, that would be a great starting point.
Maybe this new coach can get something like that going. Bottom line I think is getting those basics right. The blocking and tackling first and foremost. But if they can do that then maybe we can start seeing returners contribute.
All that aside I still think drafting a real returner needs to happen. Someone who has actual film doing it, who is safe with the ball but also elusive and dangerous if there's a crease. But for now maybe if they can fix the basics and build some consistency, that would be a great starting point.
Google AI
Jordan Whittington's 40-yard dash time varies slightly by source, but generally falls in the mid-to-high 4.4s to low 4.5s, with common figures being 4.47 seconds (SumerSports, NFL Draft Buzz), 4.53 (RosterWatch projection), and 4.56 (Ourlads), indicating solid, but not elite, speed for an NFL receiver, showing good athleticism for his size (6'1", ~205 lbs).
Key Figures:
Puka was 4.57 at the combine. So probably is faster.
Jordan Whittington's 40-yard dash time varies slightly by source, but generally falls in the mid-to-high 4.4s to low 4.5s, with common figures being 4.47 seconds (SumerSports, NFL Draft Buzz), 4.53 (RosterWatch projection), and 4.56 (Ourlads), indicating solid, but not elite, speed for an NFL receiver, showing good athleticism for his size (6'1", ~205 lbs).
Key Figures:
- 4.47s: SumerSports, NFL Draft Buzz
- 4.53s: RosterWatch (projected)
- 4.56s: Ourlads
- 4.68s: ESPN (likely from high school or earlier)
Puka was 4.57 at the combine. So probably is faster.
Whittington has looked OK but the main problem is there is never, statistically never, and qualitatively never, a crease! The blocking is atrocious. The coverage is much better but the gunners are ineffective
The evaluation of players as well.
I”ve NEVER liked him from the beginning.He doesn’t standout as a coach at all.
A special teams coach has to be more of a raw raw guy.Add that extra spark or fire.
BTW
WTF - say as you will,one of The Rams CORE players was a healthy scratch!!! For what ?? Kendrick to play special teams ??
To lazy to look if the is anyone else on this board that thinks the SAME thing ??
Usually they don’t replay punts,this thing got replayed a lot !! Not sure how many times after the game.Like Oldschool & other posters quoted that they have never seen Mcvay call out a play SO negatively during a press conference.Especially when there BANGING him about Pucka’s thing with The Ref’s.He was DID THEY SAY MY NAME !!! He then said yeah right.Still didn’t know anything about them doing this before hand & hadn’t seen it.
kendrick should not have been in there.The Rams cut him. The Hags cut him & NOW he was on Game Day roster ??
WTF - say as you will,one of The Rams CORE players was a healthy scratch!!! For what ?? Kendrick to play special teams ??
To lazy to look if the is anyone else on this board that thinks the SAME thing ??
Usually they don’t replay punts,this thing got replayed a lot !! Not sure how many times after the game.Like Oldschool & other posters quoted that they have never seen Mcvay call out a play SO negatively during a press conference.Especially when there BANGING him about Pucka’s thing with The Ref’s.He was DID THEY SAY MY NAME !!! He then said yeah right.Still didn’t know anything about them doing this before hand & hadn’t seen it.
Whittington is alright.He proved that his rookie season when he was playing teams.That’s not the issue & why Blackburn got FIRED.
Yes he had ONE target & it was for 19!!!
Mumpfield missed a few !! He does make a good target $ runs good routes.He needs to make those catches.
Thought Parkinson dropped 3,but it was only 2 of 4.He had those 2 both hit his hands.Thought he disappeared & coulda woulda made more of a impact on The Plus side.
Davies Allen made a nice catch,but dropped a couple as well.Stafford did make a couple bad passes.
—Maybe on a short week & Higbee trying to comeback he messed the flow up in practice?? Then again Mcvay said he was going to be a scratch a long with BIG ROB !!
With Dotson out,I wonder about the speed on the Punt team !! Blue font -
What I know JAKE read the punt TOTALLY WRONG & couldn’t make up for it on time!!
I BELIEVE that is Mcvay’s THE #1 REASON why he was upset on ETHAN EVANS punt !!! 4 punts 38 yard average against the HAGS!!
Whittington might’ve had one bad return?? He didn’t hurt The Rams I don’t believe?? No turnover!! It wasn’t the best weather conditions,but better than expected.
WHAT FREAKING JOKE - I just know there was a GREAT RETURN (above average) that got called back late.
Was that Whittington?? Who was that ??? My point is Dolac got caught & was going to the sideline like I didn’t do anything wrong.Why did they call it on ME!! Not sure it was a good call,but close enough he did get called on it.Learning,but could get CUT for it & OR off the game day roster !!!
Ronnie Rivers is solid !! Don’t get that twisted of what Whittington can or can’t do.He did it last season on a Super Bowl Run as a Rookue!
Was at a Chargers game back in The Day lower level & he was right straight across from me.Of course I was All Juiced Up.Wasn’t this last Sunday against Detroit,because on a heater Saturday & the old lady wasn’t going for that.Got kicked out I believe in CHYTown!
Anyways I was yelling at him !! Run it back TAVON!! I was yelling at him for The 2 1/2 minutes Straight!! PLUS !! He was listening & getting pumped up.
If anyone remembers that game. Phillip Rivers was Chargers QB !!
The dude from the Vikings was THE RAMS QB !! Brockers-Quinn & CO stopped them.
I’d say I was on the 35 yard line straight across.Bones of course was the special teams coach & I could tell you about HOW GREAT in THE DAY when THE RAMS first came back to LA at UCI!!
Anyways I’ll look in up & post The game !! Was pretty sweet.Have seen Herbert at camp,but nothing like Rivers Mcvays first year running across field for a scuttle caused by TRU JOHNSON.Had a Pepsi of All things & didn’t get the video.I’m sure on a old phone I have something of it.Just saw it coming the WHOLE WAY & could’ve got it all on record just to have the memory to share amongst friends & self.