Special teams disaster. Will there be changes made?

[HE WITH HORNS]

I guess this can also be a vent thread, but the special teams needs to be addressed, badly.
Aside from our kicker and punter, who are great, the rest of special teams is a disaster this year.

I mean, we got fooled 3 times today on trick plays, that has to be a record.
First time is forgivable, but the other 2 times, no.

So is it the coaching, or some of the players, or what? And how do we fix this mess?

 

[Malibu]

I agree not convinced on st coord.

 

[Kupped]

Shit KO returns… the single worse Rams ST performance I can remember.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Watch Scott on the fake punt pass he leaves the guy on the sideline wide open and is running towards the middle of the field while the ball is in the air.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

And why the hell is Skow returning kicks from the end zone, or at all after the first 3? Get someone else back there, please.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

And why the hell is Skow returning kicks from the end zone, or at all after the first 3? Get someone else back there, please.

Exactly there has to be someone on another teams practice squad who can catch a kickoff and has speed and can get the ball out to the 30 or 35 yard line

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It’s coaching and players. Maybe taking late round athletic freaks isn’t the answer to fill Special Teams squads. They need a few heady players with great football instincts to lead the Special teams. It looks like a bunch of individuals to me. Nobody stepping up and taking charge.

 

[OldSchool]

Pretty sure people said our first pick would be a huge factor in the return game. Add to that he's only seen 9 snaps offensively before today and I'm pretty sure he didn't have any today. Very disappointing start to his Rams career especially when we really need a return guy and could use a 3rd WR to emerge (and our QB to throw to more than Kupp).

 

[Merlin]

Pretty sure people said our first pick would be a huge factor in the return game.

If you are referring to me all I said was his natural talents may work. I never went all in on him as an answer I just felt like folks saying "he never did it in college so he will never be able to do it" was overkill.

 

[OldSchool]

If you are referring to me all I said was his natural talents may work. I never went all in on him as an answer I just felt like saying "he never did it in college so he will never be able to do it" was overkill.

Not you per se but you know very well there was a lot of hope a whole lot of hope for him to be the answer to the return game. Which was a big weakness coming into the season and doesn't appear to be fixed. You know if I want to call you out I will We can probably go back and find several threads talking about him in special teams.

 

[Ellard80]

this is mcvays biggest weakness - he produces great offenses and his teams play competitive Defense.

But special teams the past 2-3 years has been unacceptable.

 

[Merlin]

Not you per se but you know very well there was a lot of hope a whole lot of hope for him to be the answer to the return game. Which was a big weakness coming into the season and doesn't appear to be fixed. You know if I want to call you out I will We can probably go back and find several threads talking about him in special teams.

I'm sure someone was crazy high on him cannot recall. Either way we are sitting here now 7 games in and Tutu is not a part of the offense and he hasn't been able to make a big impact on teams yet. Is that room for a victory lap for those who thought he was a bust?

Maybe. Or maybe it's a little early still. I have been stupidly high on other options this season like Harris but Tutu I'm pretty much wait and see. And hope.

 

[blackbart]

The fakes and onside kick are one thing but the KO returns were atrocious. Skow looked slow and clueless

Thankfully they overcame it all and we won’t see this kind of play from opponents as a result unless it is another desperate loser.

If they don’t improve, yes, changes have to be made.

 

[Ram65]

I miss Chase Reynolds.

The Lions deep scouted the Rams. I imagine they saw Scott peeling back to block in the past. They might have seen something that showed the run would be open to. The onside kick was well executed. Expecting a LB (Reeder) to make a play may be too much to ask.

What really gets me is the lack of KO return/coverage game. Benny Skow is not the answer. On both the coverage and blocking on kickoffs seems behind the rest of the league. The returns are 5+ yards shorter and the same with the coverage.

 

[OldSchool]

I'm sure someone was crazy high on him cannot recall. Either way we are sitting here now 7 games in and Tutu is not a part of the offense and he hasn't been able to make a big impact on teams yet. Is that room for a victory lap for those who thought he was a bust?

Maybe. Or maybe it's a little early still. I have been stupidly high on other options this season like Harris but Tutu I'm pretty much wait and see. And hope.

I won't ever make a victory lap on something like that. I said when he was drafted I hope he does well but I disliked the pick and would be very happy if he proved me wrong (wouldn't be the first time and won't be the last if he turns out good). So far though he's a disappointment, really want to see contribution especially on special teams. He was at least active but Skow returned kicks over him today that's 4 different people returning kicks so far he's had the most I think coming into the day but what a 17 yard return average? Would be nice to get more from the kid.

 

[MachS]

Forget the obvious plays..why was Skrodum taking kickoffs and running the ball out?? God that phase is so bad outside of Gay and Hecker.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm sure someone was crazy high on him cannot recall. Either way we are sitting here now 7 games in and Tutu is not a part of the offense and he hasn't been able to make a big impact on teams yet. Is that room for a victory lap for those who thought he was a bust?

Maybe. Or maybe it's a little early still. I have been stupidly high on other options this season like Harris but Tutu I'm pretty much wait and see. And hope.

I'd rather risk TuTu out there on ST's than DeSean Jackson who we'll need for the play-offs. When we drafted Atwell I thought he was just expensive insurance for D.Jackson, ... nothing has changed my opinion.

 

[Tron]

Can we hire away the Lions ST coach? That'd be nice, just saying.

 

[Riverumbbq]

The fakes and onside kick are one thing but the KO returns were atrocious. Skow looked slow and clueless

Thankfully they overcame it all and we won’t see this kind of play from opponents as a result unless it is another desperate loser.

If they don’t improve, yes, changes have to be made.

Perhaps if Sony Michel is 100% next week they send Howell back down and bring Javian Hawkins up from the practice squad to be our return guy ?

 

[Merlin]

I'd rather risk TuTu out there on ST's rather than DeSean Jackson who we'll need for the play-offs. When we drafted Atwell I thought he was just expensive insurance for D.Jackson, ... nothing has changed my opinion.

Yeah I agree. Tutu should be pushing for playing time by now tbh. So McVay not working him in there is a bad sign. There's time but meh.

Would be nice if he could take our return game and make that phase threatening for once. We could really use a threat on returns.

Can we hire away the Lions ST coach? That'd be nice, just saying.

McVay tried that last year...