Turf Show Times
Having two field goals blocked in the same game, let alone the same quarter, let alone one of them to lose the game and allow a touchdown, is never going to be a good day for a special teams coordinator. But Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn knows that the conversation about the blocked attempts is centered on L.A.’s poor offensive line depth and not necessarily his role on the coaching staff.
However, the Rams have had a bad EPA on special teams in all three games so far this season. Should we be talking more about Blackburn’s job security?
Let’s review each game so far and see if it’s really all that bad or if EPA is misleading.
Josh Karty: 2/2 XP, 0/0 FG
Ethan Evans: 5 punts, 44 Y/P
Xavier Smith: 2 PR, 21 yards, long of 16
Jordan Whittington: 2 KR, 60 yards, long of 32
Special teams got off to a great start, as Evans punted from the Texans 46 and pinned Houston at their own 5. However, on his next attempt, he punted at midfield and it went into the end zone for a touchback.
Evans’ next punt was especially weak, only traveling 49 yards from L.A.‘s 7 and getting returned 10 yards by Jaylin Noel for a net of 39 yards and starting the Texans at the LA46. This ball should have gone at least 60 yards.
After the Rams took a 7-6 lead on a Kyren Williams touchdown with :53 seconds left in the first half, Karty highlighted why L.A. is the best team in the NFL on kickoffs this season and pinned the Texans at their own 23. However, the defense allowed the Texans to get to the LA35 and Ka’imi Fairbairn nailed his attempt from 53, which made him 3-for-3 in the half, including two beyond 50.
Midway through the third quarter, Evans punted from the LA40 and the ball only traveled 46 yards and was again returned 10 yards by Noel. Instead of putting the Texans inside the 20, Evans only had a net of 36 yards. In the fourth quarter, Sean McVay declined the chance to attempt a 56-yard field goal (lack of confidence in Karty’s leg?) and instead punted. Evan was at the HOU39 and he punted it out of bounds, pinning the Texans at the 5.
Nice.
On the ensuing drive, Tommy Townsend punted for the Texans and Xavier Smith returned it for 16 yards. Good, but that’s still a longer net punt than two of Evans’ kicks.
Review:
Karty had no FG attempts and McVay declined a chance to kick from 56. Could you imagine the Cowboys or Lions declining that chance with their kickers? I couldn’t. Yeah, you’re giving up bad field position if you miss, but some kickers do not miss from 56 very often these days. 10 kickers have made at least one field goal from 56+ this season, that’s one-third...
