Turf Show Times
Coordinator Chase Blackburn may have to replace 1500+ reps
History tells us that the Los Angeles Rams special teams (ST) play has gone steadily downhill under the Sean McVay regime. His 2017 maiden unit was ranked as the best in the NFL, but has since tumbled, eventually to 32nd (last place) in 2023. Last year, under new ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn, L.A. showed a modest improvement to 22nd.
Those numbers are according to Rick Gosselin, a 50-year NFL writer. Gosselin has put out yearly ratings of his own formula, based on 22 individual special teams metrics. Since 2017, the Rams have rated 1st, 9th, 20th, 30th, 16th, 29th, 32nd, and 22nd.
Coming in to the 2025 season, the Rams have moved on from some important pieces on ST and also have an extensive amount of reps on the bubble. Since ST play has generally been mediocre, wholesale replacements may or may not be a major problem. Although Blackburn did have the separate units playing somewhat better last year, he inherited a core of veterans and now, he must fill in what could easily be as many as 2000 ST reps.
LB Jake Hummel 338
TE Hunter Long 263
LB Christian Rozeboom 184
E Michael Hoecht 163
The Rest 280
RB Ronnie Rivers 248
CB Josh Wallace 235
E Nick Hampton 230
CB Charles Woods 169
WR Xavier Smith 161
The Rest 225
One area the Rams won’t need an upgrade is in their specialists. Placekicker Josh Karty had a solid rookie season, converting 85.3% of field goals (FG) and 89% of extra points (XP). Ethan Evans transitioned from an uncontrolled boomer as rookie to a very good positional punter in Year 2. He should continue to improve as the holder and on kickoffs. Longsnapper Alex Ward is not quite the downfield tackling weapon Jake McQuaid was, but his snaps are near automatic.
LB Omar Speights 266
S Jaylen McCollough 257
RB Blake Corum 186
WR Jordan Whittington 172
S Camron Kinchens 117
The Rest 939
Offensive and defensive line - Not much support needed here. The biggest part of those 939 “the rest” snaps belong to interior linemen on blocking or rushing FGs and XPs. The Rams return their Top 7 on offense and the defense only needs to replace the combined 100 snaps of Bobby Brown and Neville Gallimore.
Running back - Will McVay roster four and keep Rivers around for special teams? Kyren Williams has few returns, but nothing else. Jarquez Hunter doesn’t bring a ST history from college. Blake Corum had plenty of reps (186) as a rookie, but two of his last three seasons have ended with injury.
Wide receiver - Last year’s primary punt returner, Xavier Smith (161) was also a gunner on punt coverage second on the team in special teams tackles, but the Rams did bring in three receivers with return experience. Should the Rams...
