The Rams Unspecial Teams

[CoachAllred]

I started to post this under another thread, but the more I researched, the more I realized just how
bad the Rams Special Teams are.

Not gonna address the FG/XP aspect of our ST as our new Kicker hasn't been with us long enough
to draw any sort of opinion. Just gonna file it under "time will tell."

Also gonna omit Superman, because #6 is the best ever, end of story.

The problems lie in our coverage and return game. The Rams are at or near the bottom of the league
in most every category.

Aside from being the only team in the NFL to give up a punt return for a TD, we are ranked 28th
in punt coverage. If not for Hekkers phenomenal punting, I have no doubt we would be 32nd.

While our kick coverage is just as poor coming in at 27th

Our Return game / momentum changing Teams are also far from adequate. With the punt return game
being the worse of the two .Rams are Ranked 25th in return avg. They have 0 punt returns over 15yds , with 2 fumbles and 2nd most
fair catches in the league with 16.

Rounding out our Special teams is kick return, coming in the highest, but still bad. at 22nd

I am not sure if, in this current Ram's organization mind
Special Teams are the priority they should be or if they have lost sight of just how important they are.
Not saying that's definitely the case, but sometimes I feel like we treat punt/ kickoff return as a mere
prelude to offense.JMHO

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO, this has not been good John Bonamego only good thing going was Hekker & his punting and then the Rams let up a return for a touchdown.

The returners have been solid as long as it's not Kupp, but Forbath needs to solidify the kicking game because if not and they go to MacGinnis who I do like being on your third kicker is never a good thing for any special team unit.

 

[leoram]

Well, all of our eyes tell us that this ST isn't winning us any games. Hekker is our only ACE. Unfortunately, the other 23 haven't done well as a whole.

 

[den-the-coach]

Right now the Rams are rated 31st overall & not sure if McVay will pull the plug after one year, but if the unit does not improve I would hire somebody else next year. BTW the Cowboys are 9th overall. And if you're looking for someone who might be available Tracy Smith took over in Houston for Brad Seely who retired and Smith has the Texans 14th overall, that's the best of coaching staffs that are going to be replaced most likely.

 

[Neil039]

ST unit has been atrocious this season. You can see the lack of discipline on keeping their lanes and backside pursuit. It definitely cost the team a win in Miami (along with Goff and Kupp).

Personally no issue with finding another coach if the units performance remains the same through the rest of 2020.

 

[CoachAllred]

IMO, this has not been good John Bonamego only good thing going was Hekker & his punting and then the Rams let up a return for a touchdown.

The returners have been solid as long as it's not Kupp, but Forbath needs to solidify the kicking game because if not and they go to MacGinnis who I do like being on your third kicker is never a good thing for any special team unit.

Coach, you know as well as anyone how important that 3rd phase can be.
I remember Tony Horne just ripping the life out of a Viking team in
the playoffs. I think it was to open the 2nd half.

Have you noticed that generally speaking, you seem to see the coaches
with the defensive background emphasize the importance of ST
more so than offensive minded coaches.

 

[Faceplant]

I feel like the Rams have not returned a kick or punt for a td since that awesome trick play PR that Studman Bailey scored on.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I watched the Steelers Cowboys game and they showed Bones yelling from the sideline with that amped-up look in his eyes we all know so well. No way we're not missing all that intensity.

 

[Zodi]

Why do we only use one blocker for each gunner? Seems like most teams double up on gunners.

 

[Rams77]

I feel like the Rams have not returned a kick or punt for a td since that awesome trick play PR that Studman Bailey scored on.

Pharoah Cooper had a couple in ‘17 then he was unceremoniously dumped after the season. Also Kai Forbath probably had the worst first kick with his new team I’ve ever seen. I’m already done with him.

 

[Classic Rams]

We've been really spoiled with Bones and The Leg in the past. Glad we still have Hekker, but more needs to be done and at the halfway point Bum-me-go is not doing it.

 

[Memento]

Aside from Hekker, I'm not happy with how our special teams has been. Kupp simply isn't a returner, and I'm not a fan of putting arguably your best receiver at punts, unless he's a dynamic threat to take it to the house. And the less said about the kicker, the better.

 

[Faceplant]

Aside from Hekker, I'm not happy with how our special teams has been. Kupp simply isn't a returner, and I'm not a fan of putting arguably your best receiver at punts, unless he's a dynamic threat to take it to the house. And the less said about the kicker, the better.

Kupp as a return man is the worst idea ever. I still cannot fathom how that has happened.

 

[den-the-coach]

Kupp as a return man is the worst idea ever. I still cannot fathom how that has happened.

I guarantee you it was about his sure hands, however, Webster has done nothing to make you feel he's not sure handed. Overall, if they just trot Kupp out there near the goal line because they want you to think they are smarter then everyone else, then fine, just let Webster return the majority, but it has not made any sense from day one IMHO.

 

[madrid311]

its amazing to me that we have such a young smart coach and a pretty good gm and we have a very important part of our winning formula in the gutter. how can that be? cant coach see that or isn't staley able to help. it better get fixed. i cant remember the last time s.t. sucked so bad.

 

[Faceplant]

I guarantee you it was about his sure hands, however, Webster has done nothing to make you feel he's not sure handed. Overall, if they just trot Kupp out there near the goal line because they want you to think they are smarter then everyone else, then fine, just let Webster return the majority, but it has not made any sense from day one IMHO.

And yet it was Kupp that fielded that punt inside his 7 yd line and coughed it up against Philly. I about lost my shit. He is not a return man.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Am I the only one just glad Special Teams is not our best unit, like it used to be?

 

[RhodyRams]

Am I the only one just glad Special Teams is not our best unit, like it used to be?

Like back in the day when the team had more punts than they had 1st downs

ugggg

 

[Merlin]

I think Bonamego is a one and done hire. He'll be gone this offseason the dude is terrible IMO.

Key for right now is get the kicker right. Just get someone going to where they're in that average range. I don't care if we can't hit 50+ kicks but the kicks in the low 40s need to have a good chance of succeeding otherwise we're going to see stalled drives and punts on the opponent's side of the 50 which I cannot stand.