Rams Special Teams

[Ram65]

View: https://x.com/RamsBrothers/status/2106052427992498615

Yesterday's endorsement of X Smith by Bubba Ventrone shows you how clueless they are about improving them. How many bad decisions do you give your returner? DeMarco Farr in the weekly report with JD and MJD said they need to replace him. Starts at 10:00 minute mark with red zone problems and rolls into field position and special teams.

OK, maybe they listened to the show. In the presser, it sure sounded like they were going to stay with Smith.

When given some room, which wasn't often, I thought Smith was a viable returner. His indecisions warranted a move. Didn't think they would cut him.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

OK, maybe they listened to the show. In the presser, it sure sounded like they were going to stay with Smith.

When given some room, which wasn't often, I thought Smith was a viable returner. His indecision warranted a move. Didn't think they would cut him.

For whatever reason, to my eyes, Brandon Powell always looked better than Smith to me.

 

[DzRams]

OK, maybe they listened to the show. In the presser, it sure sounded like they were going to stay with Smith.

When given some room, which wasn't often, I thought Smith was a viable returner. His indecisions warranted a move. Didn't think they would cut him.

If you're going to replace him as a returner, you have to cut him because he doesn't add much as a WR and we already have 7 of those. I'm not optimistic though that these band aid moves will help. If McVay is really going to prioritize special teams, he will have to dedicate the bottom of the draft to ST players.

 

[FrantikRam]

I was such a big fan of his, but I really think those muffs in the NFCCG just destroyed his confidence. He had much better vision prior to that game on punt returns, now he is just running into defenders. Cutting him was the right move, unfortunately.

 

[FrantikRam]

The FG operation is the only ST unit I'm not that concerned about.

I think Mevis is a big upgrade from Karty, who unfortunately was a bit of a head case. Yes Mevis barely missed one but overall his stroke looks solid. The vet LS seems reliable. And thank God we seem to have figured out how to avoid those FG blocks.

It's all the other units that concern me-- kickoff coverage, kick return, punt coverage, and punt return.

IMO both Mevis and Evans are good enough. It's the glaring assignment mistakes that need improvement.

What have we seen from Evans to deem that he's good enough? I think he's the biggest problem left on Special Teams.

Punts are either too short or not enough hang time. You see other teams flip the field when punting from their own 12 yard line like the Browns did last night....mind you, that's about the spot that we punted from when Evans kicked a short, tailor made for a punt return, line drive in the fourth quarter against Seattle.

 

[FrantikRam]

I think Corum should return kicks.....why not? Better vision

 

[pvtdragon39]

I think Corum should return kicks.....why not? Better vision

I agree, Go back to the 70-30 with Kyren and Corum does Special Teams. Might actually help us.

 

[I like Rams]

For whatever reason, to my eyes, Brandon Powell always looked better than Smith to me.

Powell was the man.

 

[RamFan58years]

Isn't there a fast, elusive runner in the open field better than Smith at about 10% of the JC's in America? 75% of four-year schools? It's criminal the Rams didn't address this in the offseason.

 

[Ram65]

What have we seen from Evans to deem that he's good enough? I think he's the biggest problem left on Special Teams.

Punts are either too short or not enough hang time. You see other teams flip the field when punting from their own 12 yard line like the Browns did last night....mind you, that's about the spot that we punted from when Evans kicked a short, tailor made for a punt return, line drive in the fourth quarter against Seattle.

At the 16-minute mark, MJD mentions letting Evans kick it as far as he can and start covering. The Rams could be getting him to kick it out of bounds or very close to the sideline, which could be getting into his head. He can change the field with his big leg. Let him use that big leg like he did when he first started.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7wfrKEHe_0

 

[Hobgoblin]

I get the logic with Corum returning (at least KRs) but I think with him splitting carries with Kyren, we are kind of boned if Kyren/Corum get injured as it seems like McVay likes to swap them interchangeably to keep them fresh since they run kind of similar and for the most part it works quite well.

I know Waters or Connors might be able to step in and surprise us but the consistency with Kyren/Corum combo keeps Corum from returning.

I'd rather have Tutu at least doing punts. I get that he's small.... Well after looking them up, him and Smith are the same size (Height minus 30lbs) but Tutu is twitchy and a hell of a lot faster. I am curious to see Connors handle it.

 

[Ram65]

For whatever reason, to my eyes, Brandon Powell always looked better than Smith to me.

Powell was the man.

Might be hard to compare. Smith had a better average even with that 61-yard Powell TD punt return against the Vikings.
Verified NFL Punt Return Statistics

Season	Brandon Powell (Avg / Returns)	Xavier Smith (Avg / Returns)
2026 (In Progress)	0.00 yards (0 returns)	9.86 yards (7 returns)
2025	0.00 yards (0 returns)	9.30 yards (27 returns)
2024	7.13 yards (23 returns)	9.31 yards (16 returns)
2023	7.81 yards (37 returns)	0.00 yards (0 returns)
2022	7.38 yards (24 returns)	N/A (College)

 

[DeaconJones]

Regardless, I think Les probably has an active eye looking for an upgrade here if possible. Until then, X is the man!

I posted 20 minutes too soon. X is no longer the man. Who will take over internally? Or is there an external move a foot?

 

[muggmeister]

What have we seen from Evans to deem that he's good enough? I think he's the biggest problem left on Special Teams.

Punts are either too short or not enough hang time. You see other teams flip the field when punting from their own 12 yard line like the Browns did last night....mind you, that's about the spot that we punted from when Evans kicked a short, tailor made for a punt return, line drive in the fourth quarter against Seattle.

Just because we fucking drafted him don't mean we have to keep him, Karty was shown the door pretty quick. Of course, we apparently fucked up when we got rid of Dicker the kicker too soon. Another special teams fuck up. It's pretty bad when you refer to the Rams special teams, as "special", isn't that what the short bus was for?

 

[Merlin]

I don't think much of Ventrone. But for the millionth motherfucking time: the primary problem with teams is that McVay wants upside types on the bottom of the roster instead of hardcore teams types. There is a significant difference in those player types as it translates into that third phase of the game. Other organizations who actually respect teams and build to have good units undoubtedly reserve bottom roster spots for them.

So Ventrone probably deserves to be fired. But at some point McVay needs to look in the fuckin mirror. This approach and the difficulties it puts on his teams units has been his fault for a very long time.

 

[Merlin]

I read Ventrone wants more hang time on Evans' punts. My eye test says this is probably part of the problem - the punt returner catches the kick and often there is scarcely a Ram in sight.

If the ST Coach is pushing the punter for more hang time that is a good thing as it pertains to coverage, as it allows those guys another beat or two to get in position to make the stop. But I think our problem on punt coverage is twofold. First our punter isn't on the same sheet of music with the coverage unit, i.e. it seems to usually be on the bad side of that coin in complementing the coverage. And second our coverage unit is full of dudes going through the motions instead of the types who fucking love doing it and want to knock some snot bubbles out of the opponent.

 

[muggmeister]

If the ST Coach is pushing the punter for more hang time that is a good thing as it pertains to coverage, as it allows those guys another beat or two to get in position to make the stop. But I think our problem on punt coverage is twofold. First our punter isn't on the same sheet of music with the coverage unit, i.e. it seems to usually be on the bad side of that coin in complementing the coverage. And second our coverage unit is full of dudes going through the motions instead of the types who fucking love doing it and want to knock some snot bubbles out of the opponent.

You mean to say Forbes shouldn't be a gunner? Our least physical player? Not sure McVay has any say on that but I get the point. They lied to us like a politician saying they put all these resources into fixing the special teams, well they sure are still pretty fucking "special".

 

[XXXIVwin]

But for the millionth motherfucking time: the primary problem with teams is that McVay wants upside types on the bottom of the roster instead of hardcore teams types. There is a significant difference in those player types as it translates into that third phase of the game.

If you feel like it, would you be willing to give some examples of this? Specific players, I mean?

I'd venture that Forbes might be one. Decent upside as a developmental CB. But horrible as a gunner.

 

[snackdaddy]

I don't see anyone on the roster who has the breakaway speed to take it to the house. I suppose as long as they get a decent return across the 30 and don't fumble its the best we can expect. As long as the punt returner doesn't do something stupid like take the ball on the bounce while standing on the goal line and try to return it we'll be ok. That was pretty bad what Smith did.

The punt team doesn't seem to be much improved over last year. And they needed a lot of improvement last year. Cost several games. At least there hasn't been any blocked FG's so far. So I suppose that is improvement. Mevis seems to be pretty consistent. Can miss a 45 yard once in a while but overall still good. PAT's have been perfect.

 

[PhillyRam]

I don't see anyone on the roster who has the breakaway speed to take it to the house. I suppose as long as they get a decent return across the 30 and don't fumble its the best we can expect. As long as the punt returner doesn't do something stupid like take the ball on the bounce while standing on the goal line and try to return it we'll be ok. That was pretty bad what Smith did.

The punt team doesn't seem to be much improved over last year. And they needed a lot of improvement last year. Cost several games. At least there hasn't been any blocked FG's so far. So I suppose that is improvement. Mevis seems to be pretty consistent. Can miss a 45 yard once in a while but overall still good. PAT's have been perfect.

Don't need to be a burner. Brian Mitchell wasn't fast, but he went north south and popped a lot of big returns.