Random Ramsdom: Special teams was a strength in LA’s latest win

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 9/24/24

The Los Angeles Rams came away with a huge win this past Sunday and part of the reason for their victory was the third phase of the game: Special teams. Chase Blackburn is back for his second season with the Rams and to be candid the unit was so poor last year that they were likely to just luck into improvement. Despite that, give praise to Blackburn and Sean McVay for trusting their process. It worked in full affect in Week 3. Now we’ll see where they go from there.

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The Rams’ special teams were awful last season. The unit led LA to a comeback win over the 49ers (sfgate)

“I thought special teams was a huge edge for us,” McVay said after the largest comeback victory of his coaching career.

The special teams contributions were steady and significant while the Rams won despite trailing for more than 55 minutes of game clock time.

Ronnie Rivers’ 7-yard run for a first down out of a punt formation on the Rams’ side of midfield extended a drive that ended in LA’s first touchdown in the second quarter.”

Sean McVay praises Chase Blackburn for Rams’ special teams turnaround (ramswire)

“I think it’s being able to commit to a process,” he said. “We’ve got some better overall athleticism. I think Chase has done a great job bringing in Scott Frost to be able to help out, but we’ve got some continuity with the specialists, obviously adding Josh in the mix as a kicker. You’re looking at Ethan Evans taking a step as a punter and then obviously as a holder. I think getting Alex Ward back is big. We missed him towards the latter part of the year. It’s a big thing people don’t talk enough about, but really proud of Chase Blackburn’s leadership. He’s done an excellent job and that’s been a strength of ours through three weeks.”

What Happened in LA? How the 49ers Lost to a Decimated Rams Team (si.com)

“I didn’t think that the 49ers Special Teams could be so bad. They allowed a fake punt for a first down early. But if I’m honest, it was a really good play by the Rams. Swinging all of their bodies to the left in unison, even if the Niners knew it was coming it would’ve been so difficult to stop it. I’ll give that one up, but the punt return in the final minute of the game is inexcusable. The Rams have been lacking so much depth at receiver, that they used rookie Xavier Smith who was brought on from the practice squad. Yes, the PRACTICE SQUAD. Back to the play, less than a minute on the clock the 49ers punt in a tie game. The punt heads to the 12-yard line, giving the Niners a chance to put the Rams in terrible field position if they can make one tackle. They don’t, Smith takes the ball to the 50 in an amazing play by him. With the Niners gunner a few yards away they couldn’t make the tackle. The collapse is almost complete.”