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https://www.dailynews.com/2018/02/26/los-angeles-rams-offseason-analysis-special-teams/
Los Angeles Rams offseason analysis: Special teams
By RICH HAMMOND
(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
For all the ways the Rams could have lost their wild-card-round playoff game against Atlanta in January, a special-teams meltdown seemed least likely, given how well that unit had performed for two years.
Yet that’s what happened. The Rams committed two uncharacteristic turnovers, one on a kickoff and one on a punt, and never truly recovered. It made for a shocking end to the season for a group that had been an underrated part of the Rams’ surprising success in 2017.
Once again, Johnny Hekker was a dominant punter, although the Rams didn’t need to rely on him as much because their offense actually moved the ball. Kicker Greg Zuerlein nearly was automatic again before he underwent late-season back surgery.
The Rams also made a smart move early in the season when the deposed Tavon Austin as punt returner and elevated Pharoh Cooper, who was dynamic until a couple blunders in the playoff game.
Nothing should change much in 2018, as long as Zuerlein is healthy. As part of an ongoing series, here’s an in-depth glance at the Rams’ situation on special teams:
KICKERS/PUNTERS: Johnny Hekker (65 punts, 47.9 yards per attempt); Greg Zuerlein (40 of 43 field goals, 44 of 46 extra points); Sam Ficken (2 of 3 field goals, 4 of 5 extra points).
RETURNERS: Pharoh Cooper (32 punt returns, 399 yards, 0 TD; 34 kickoff returns, 932 yards, 1 TD); Tavon Austin (12 punt returns, 53 yards, 0 TD; 1 kickoff return, 13 yards, 0 TD).
PENDING FREE AGENTS: long snapper Jake McQuaide, Ficken (restricted).
GRADING 2017
Coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips rightfully get a lot of credit, but special-teams coach John Fassel clearly is a wizard, and he showed in 2017 that he could incorporate new players into the unit and have zero drop-off in productivity.
Credit the Rams for being decisive. When Austin struggled, in the season’s first month, with fumbles on punt returns, the Rams didn’t hesitate to demote the veteran, who already had lost his spot as a starting receiver.
In came Cooper, who had been used sporadically as a returner during his 2016 rookie season but who thrived as Austin’s replacement. Cooper had 32 punt returns in 2017, and eight of them went for at least 20 yards (and two of them went for at least 40 yards). Cooper also averaged 27.4 yards per kickoff return.
The Rams kept quiet, all season, the fact that Zuerlein was dealing with a back injury, but finally it became too much for Zuerlein to tolerate and he went on injured reserve in December. Sam Ficken came in and initially struggled but was perfect in the regular-season finale and the playoff game. GRADE: A
ANALYZING 2018
The expectation is that Zuerlein will be ready for the start of the season. If not, there’s some cause for concern, given how reliable he has been over the past two seasons. Ficken is staying on the roster, just in case, but Zuerlein is only 30 years old and should have many quality seasons ahead of him.
The biggest question might involve Cooper and his usage next season. If, as is widely anticipated, the Rams cut Austin, Cooper might inherit a bigger role in the offense (although just slightly, given how sparingly Austin was used in 2017).
If Cooper becomes more of a traditional slot receiver, the Rams must decide whether he can maintain his role as a full-time returner. He probably can, but if not, look for receiver Cooper Kupp to perhaps share those duties with Cooper.
Hekker, Zuerlein, Cooper and McQuaide all made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and there’s no reason to think that any of them are on the downside of their respective careers. As long as Fassel remains with the Rams, special teams should be a team strength. LEVEL OF NEED: LOW
Los Angeles Rams offseason analysis: Special teams
By RICH HAMMOND
(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
For all the ways the Rams could have lost their wild-card-round playoff game against Atlanta in January, a special-teams meltdown seemed least likely, given how well that unit had performed for two years.
Yet that’s what happened. The Rams committed two uncharacteristic turnovers, one on a kickoff and one on a punt, and never truly recovered. It made for a shocking end to the season for a group that had been an underrated part of the Rams’ surprising success in 2017.
Once again, Johnny Hekker was a dominant punter, although the Rams didn’t need to rely on him as much because their offense actually moved the ball. Kicker Greg Zuerlein nearly was automatic again before he underwent late-season back surgery.
The Rams also made a smart move early in the season when the deposed Tavon Austin as punt returner and elevated Pharoh Cooper, who was dynamic until a couple blunders in the playoff game.
Nothing should change much in 2018, as long as Zuerlein is healthy. As part of an ongoing series, here’s an in-depth glance at the Rams’ situation on special teams:
KICKERS/PUNTERS: Johnny Hekker (65 punts, 47.9 yards per attempt); Greg Zuerlein (40 of 43 field goals, 44 of 46 extra points); Sam Ficken (2 of 3 field goals, 4 of 5 extra points).
RETURNERS: Pharoh Cooper (32 punt returns, 399 yards, 0 TD; 34 kickoff returns, 932 yards, 1 TD); Tavon Austin (12 punt returns, 53 yards, 0 TD; 1 kickoff return, 13 yards, 0 TD).
PENDING FREE AGENTS: long snapper Jake McQuaide, Ficken (restricted).
GRADING 2017
Coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips rightfully get a lot of credit, but special-teams coach John Fassel clearly is a wizard, and he showed in 2017 that he could incorporate new players into the unit and have zero drop-off in productivity.
Credit the Rams for being decisive. When Austin struggled, in the season’s first month, with fumbles on punt returns, the Rams didn’t hesitate to demote the veteran, who already had lost his spot as a starting receiver.
In came Cooper, who had been used sporadically as a returner during his 2016 rookie season but who thrived as Austin’s replacement. Cooper had 32 punt returns in 2017, and eight of them went for at least 20 yards (and two of them went for at least 40 yards). Cooper also averaged 27.4 yards per kickoff return.
The Rams kept quiet, all season, the fact that Zuerlein was dealing with a back injury, but finally it became too much for Zuerlein to tolerate and he went on injured reserve in December. Sam Ficken came in and initially struggled but was perfect in the regular-season finale and the playoff game. GRADE: A
ANALYZING 2018
The expectation is that Zuerlein will be ready for the start of the season. If not, there’s some cause for concern, given how reliable he has been over the past two seasons. Ficken is staying on the roster, just in case, but Zuerlein is only 30 years old and should have many quality seasons ahead of him.
The biggest question might involve Cooper and his usage next season. If, as is widely anticipated, the Rams cut Austin, Cooper might inherit a bigger role in the offense (although just slightly, given how sparingly Austin was used in 2017).
If Cooper becomes more of a traditional slot receiver, the Rams must decide whether he can maintain his role as a full-time returner. He probably can, but if not, look for receiver Cooper Kupp to perhaps share those duties with Cooper.
Hekker, Zuerlein, Cooper and McQuaide all made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and there’s no reason to think that any of them are on the downside of their respective careers. As long as Fassel remains with the Rams, special teams should be a team strength. LEVEL OF NEED: LOW
