Special teams have turned it around

[Pupped]

I don't have the statistical breakdown, there are guys here much better for that, but it's easy to see that the Rams Special Teams have taken a big jump in the last few weeks, especially the return game with Brandon Powell.

Powell's been very, very solid. He had a return Sunday on a monster punt that really didn't get enough attention, imo... 18 yards that helped keep the field pretty short.

Coverage has been very, very solid.

Just feel like we have to acknowledge where there's improvement. This was an area you could really see costing the Rams a playoff game, earlier this season.. .but now it feels like an area of strength.

 

[Tano]

Their punt coverage has been much better lately too

And just keep having Gay kick it out of end zone

 

[CoachAllred]

especially the return game with Brandon Powell.

We have so been needing a guy like him for a while. Since Pharoh Cooper

 

[Rasp]

Gay and Powell have been massive for us. Without then we would have lost a lot more games

 

[blackbart]

A lot of turn over on teams too with the injuries.

I don’t recall where Powell came from but, what a great late season find!!

 

[Ballhawk]

go Brandon Powell !!!

 

[CGI_Ram]

Gay has been outstanding all year. I REALLY like that during our win streak he’s been pounding the touchbacks.

Powell looks like a returner. He’s the most natural we’ve had at it in a while.

 

[den-the-coach]

Gay and Powell have been massive for us. Without then we would have lost a lot more games

I could not agree more and feel Brandon Powell has been the best return man the Rams have had in a while. Amazing what a good return man can do for a special teams unit. I realize the Rams were counting on RB Raymond Calais to be that guy and then he got injured late in preseason. Then they thought @Loyal main man Tutu Atwell could be that guy, but he really didn't have much experience and needed to eat more pancakes.

At that point, I don't understand why the Rams just didn't activate Powell once they signed him. I realize they liked Koski, however, Koski had only returned a couple of punts and it was obvious and just looked odd when Koski tried to return punts. Thus Brandon Powell and I'm so glad he's now the guy also thankful for Johnny Hekker recommending Matt Gay to Sean McVay last season.

 

[Psycho_X]

Yes they've been much better. Powell has helped a ton. It's the trick plays and onside kicks against that worry the shit out of me. We have been literally clueless on almost every single one against us this season. I kinda wish someone had tested us before the playoffs to see if we've fixed the problem since mid season. With the playoffs possibly on the line for Whiners I wouldn't be surprised to see them try it this weekend.

 

[dieterbrock]

Good thing the Rams dont fire coaches after 3 weeks like the posters do...

 

[Angry Ram]

Yeah opponents returns have been down and Matt Gay is just basically automatic. Johnny Hekker's average is pretty low right now, but on the bright side he doesn't have many punts compared to other teams to bring that average up.

It's still frustrating that other teams' punters can pin the O all the time inside the 10. IDK the intricacies of STs to help that though. Just once I'd like to see a drive start at the 50 or something lol.

 

[JonRam99]

Ya Johnny Hekker is outta practice, but I'm glad he is. The more out of practice the better.
I remember at one time for several years he was our only Pro Bowl attendee.
Gay is a huge relief. Getting nervous about losing points when they're on the 20yd line on 4th down really sucked.
But, Powell.... where did we find him again? Glad he's a Ram now. Make the other team's ST guys work.

 

[Merlin]

Their punt coverage has been much better lately too

And just keep having Gay kick it out of end zone

Yeah the lane discipline has been really good across the board on coverage teams. And Powell has removed a glaring issue on top of that.

Gay has been a force of consistency too for us. Though I will admit in the back of my head I have these nagging doubts about him going cold before with Tampa. Rams are obviously gonna sign him but I hope they have that contract laced with incentives.

 

[Tano]

Yeah the lane discipline has been really good across the board on coverage teams. And Powell has removed a glaring issue on top of that.

Gay has been a force of consistency too for us. Though I will admit in the back of my head I have these nagging doubts about him going cold before with Tampa. Rams are obviously gonna sign him but I hope they have that contract laced with incentives.

He was a rookie with Tampa so I am not too concerned