Tag: ben skowronek

How does Van Jefferson’s return impact Rams’ other WRs?

With Van Jefferson back this week, what is the Rams’ plan at wide receiver?

Outside of Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ receiving corps has been painfully underwhelming this season. Kupp leads the team with 56 receptions, 607 yards and four touchdowns, which was fully expected, but it’s the gap between him and the next-closest wideout that’s concerning.

Ben Skowronek is second among the Rams’ wide receivers with 23 catches and 221 yards, ahead of Allen Robinson’s 17 catches for 170 yards. Thankfully, Van Jefferson is on the verge of returning and will make his season debut on Sunday against the 49ers.

Jefferson has been out with a knee injury, which he underwent two procedures for this offseason. Just before his second procedure, Sean McVay said Jefferson had “arguably his best practice as a Ram.” Assuming he gets back up to full speed right away, he’s going to have a meaningful impact right away.

The question is, how does his return impact the rest of the wide receiver room? Kupp’s role certainly won’t change, and Robinson is likely to keep playing just about all of the snaps, but everyone else will get fewer opportunities now that No. 12 is back.

Right now, Skowronek is playing 83.8% of the snaps on offense. Brandon Powell is playing 15% and Tutu Atwell is playing just 6%. There isn’t enough room for all three of those players to keep getting meaningful snaps now that Jefferson is back. He’s going to be the No. 3 receiver and may even get more looks than Robinson right off the bat.

After all, Jefferson has already developed a rapport with Matthew Stafford that Robinson is still working on. Stafford and Jefferson had a strong connection on deep passes last season and that should carry over in 2022.

He’s the downfield receiver the Rams desperately need. And because of that, he’s going to get plenty of targets right away.

Expect Skowronek to keep playing fullback and helping as a blocking receiver on running plays. Powell should still get chances on jet sweeps and screens because his speed and elusiveness are valuable. Atwell, whose role is already minimal, will get even fewer snaps now.

It will be a work in progress for the Rams with Jefferson back, but don’t expect it to take very long for him and Stafford to hit a big play down the field.

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Sean McVay breaks down Ben Skowronek’s rushing touchdown

#Rams receiver Ben Skowronek got into the end zone on an impressive end-around run that sealed the #Panthers’ fate in Week 6

The Los Angeles Rams successfully overcame their early-season struggles in Week 6 and got their first win in October over the Carolina Panthers. Their 3-3 record has them in a prime position to get back in the NFC West lead with more wins in the coming weeks and should keep them in the mix for a playoff spot if they can keep finding success through the middle of their schedule.

Among the most impressive plays in their matchup against Carolina was a 17-yard touchdown run by multitalented receiver Ben Skowronek, which scored the Rams’ final points to put the game on ice. Head coach Sean McVay commented on the impressive play in his post-game press conference and noted the teamwork necessary for Skowronek to get into the end zone.

“Guys [are] playing for each other,” McVay said. “It was awesome to just be able to see the selflessness of this group. I think is what’s right about this group. [We] continue to grow and WR Brandon Powell was like, ‘Why didn’t I get that look on that play earlier in the game?’ So I said ‘Ben lulled them to sleep.’ It was a great job by Allen Robinson at the point of attack.”

After weeks of inconsistent play from their offense, Los Angeles looks to have turned a corner against the Panthers in stunning fashion. Key contributors like Skowronek and Allen Robinson got involved for the first time in what felt like forever and proved that they can still get the job done when their number is called.

Quarterback Matthew Safford started to settle in after throwing a pick-six in the first half of the game, and relied on his top receivers to keep himself in rhythm down the stretch. With Skowronek’s versatility on his side and a cast of excellent playmakers to throw the ball to with regularity, the Rams are set to take on the toughest part of their 2022 schedule with a full head of steam following this important win.

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Watch: wide receiver Ben Skowronek scores go-ahead touchdown vs. Panthers

Multitalented #Rams receiver Ben Skowronek scored a long go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter against the #Panthers

Ben Skowronek, who has been one of the Los Angeles Rams’ most impressive offensive assets this season, made his presence felt against the Carolina Panthers, scoring a long rushing touchdown in Week 6. He gave the Rams a six-point lead, which was extended to seven with a Matt Gay extra point.

Take a look at this exciting run, and notice how the blocking got him free to score from 17 yards out:

This must-win game has seen momentum swing in favor of both sides and is far from a sure thing at this juncture. They are nursing the seven-point lead they were spotted by Skowronek, and will need to continue utilizing their creativity on offense to build on their advantage.

Skowronek is a second-year pro who was selected in the seventh round by the Rams in the 2021 draft. He has been used as a fullback this year, in an unconventional move by Sean McVay to get more playmakers on the field. In recent weeks, the team has relied on him in a more conventional role but has shown the same resolve to get him involved offensively.

 

Offensive Coordinator Liam Cohen praises Ben Skowronek’s contributions at fullback

Receiver Ben Skowronek has been the center of attention for the #Rams this week, as his abilities as a fullback baffle NFL fans.

One player on the Los Angeles Rams’ offense is giving the team more than they bargained for from the receiver position in 2022. A seventh-round pick in last year’s draft class, Ben Skowronek has exceeded every expectation this season, serving as a part-time fullback when his team needs him most.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen commented on Skowronek’s unique contributions on Friday after practice. He told reporters that the receiver’s duel-threat ability puts defenses in a bind, especially with the talent the team has assembled on offense.

“It’s great,” Coen explained, “he’s got the mentality. He’s got that mindset and mentality. (I) saw it show up on special teams last year. When we brought this up to him, he was so geared up, he was so jacked up to be able to do some of the things that we’re asking him to do. Then you saw him be able to come alive in the pass game as well. So you create a conflict. You create a different, another gap in the run game. Which way is it going when you do get them into the “I-formation”, you do create some conflict which way the lead of the run is going.

“You can create some split flow. It just creates some different looks for the defense, especially when you’re in your normal 11 personnel grouping. Then we’ve been able to activate him in the pass game. You saw him lead up on (RB) (Akers) touchdown last week on the linebacker there and buckled him pretty good and continued on into the end zone. So he’s playing physical, he is playing fast, and he is giving us a big-time contribution.”

Whether he is slated to play a key role in Los Angeles’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday is unclear, though all signs point to an increase in usage in the coming weeks. His talents have taken the Rams’ fanbase by storm and could get their primetime debut in the league’s final game of the Week 4 schedule.

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Former Notre Dame receiver getting huge praise with reigning Super Bowl champs

Benny Skow is doing a little bit of everything for the Rams!

After transferring from Northwestern and spending the 2020 college football season at Notre Dame, [autotag]Ben Skowronek[/autotag] was a seventh round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams.  If you know anything about late rounds like that you know that it wasn’t a certainty by any means that he’d even make an NFL roster.

Especially the Rams who featured one of the most powerful offenses in all of football.

Fast forward a year and not only has the now Super Bowl champion Ben Skowronek made the Rams, but he’s become of vital importance in his second NFL season.  Don’t take my word for it though, instead watch what ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky had to say about “Benny-Skow” earlier this week.

It’s important to remember that the NFL season is only three games old for all teams at this point but Skowronek has clearly stepped up when presented the opportunity.

Check out the photos below of Ben Skowronek since the start of Rams mini this past summer.

Related: The colleges with the most players on NFL rosters (early Sept. of ’22)

Also be sure to follow everything Rams (hey, Kyren Williams is there now, too!) with our colleagues at Rams Wire!

Ben Skowronek poised to continue playing multiple roles in Rams’ offense

Skowronek was the #Rams’ leading receiver in Week 3, and is quickly gaining traction in Los Angeles’ offense.

The Los Angeles Rams are back atop the NFC West standings after a Week 1 loss saw fans question whether they still had the same magic that delivered them a Super Bowl victory last season. Despite a laundry list of injuries and the need to rely on contributions from lesser-known talents on both sides of the ball, the Rams are thriving, and look every bit as competitive as they did in 2021.

Head coach Sean McVay featured one unsung hero in particular in his game plan for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Second-year wideout Ben Skowronek led the way for Los Angeles as the team’s leading receiver, snagging four receptions on four targets for 66 yards in the win.

On Monday, McVay commented on Skowronek’s standout performance against the Cardinals and said that he will continue playing a mixed role in the coming weeks as the coaching staff evaluates their available talent.

The promising receiver has been used in a variety of ways so far this season, including as a lead blocker from the fullback position. Asked if he will continue to be utilized in this unconventional manner, McVay explained that the decision will come down to what the team sees in film study.

“I think it’s kind of something that is always one of the things that we try to work through as coaches every single week,” McVay said. “What’s the best way to take advantage of our players and different things that we can present based on their skill sets? Last year, it was what we felt like what we needed at that time. I’m sure that this won’t be the only thing that ends up being a little different way of trying to accentuate our player skill sets, whether that be personnel groupings or using certain players to create the illusion of that personnel grouping even though you might be in what is typically an 11-personnel type of look.

“So like I said, it kind of goes back to collaboration, but it takes the players to be able to fit and you certainly can’t do that unless you have somebody like a Ben Skowronek that has the toughness, the physicality, the overall football IQ and intelligence to be able to play a bunch of different spots because he’s playing receiver, he’s playing fullback in a lot of those two-back looks. There’s certain plays that we ask him to do, certain some of the roles that are similar to a tight end. It takes the player number one, and then creative coaches that have an open mind of different ways to be able to utilize guys. That’s a real credit to our offensive coaching staff.”

Every week will require a different approach to achieve victory over the Rams’ talented opponents, but if the team can rely on sleeper talent like Skowronek to deliver them game-changing plays on a regular basis, their outlook will remain positive. With a primetime matchup against the San Francisco 49ers looming on Monday night, McVay and his staff would be wise to identify a few more players who might present their rivals with issues on defense, and exploit every mismatch they can find to extend their lead in the division.

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Look: Ben Skowronek laid out J.J. Watt and caught a pass on the same play

Ben Skowronek showed off his versatility by pancaking J.J. Watt and catching a pass on the same play

Ben Skowronek isn’t your typical receiver. By no means is he a game-changing pass catcher, but his newfound versatility as a wideout-fullback hybrid has really provided a spark for the Rams on offense.

He showed off that unique skillset on one play Sunday against the Cardinals. Lined up tight to the formation, Skowronek chipped J.J. Watt before going out for his route. But he didn’t just chip Watt. He laid him out, putting him on his back. Skowronek then caught a pass for a 4-yard gain on second-and-9.

That’s a play some tight ends make, but not many receivers can put a 290-pound defensive end on his back – even if it was a chip block that Watt wasn’t expecting.

The photos are just as good as the video, too.

Skowronek finished the game with four catches on four targets, leading the team with 66 yards receiving. He was also the lead blocker on Cam Akers’ 14-yard touchdown run, taking linebacker Zaven Collins out of the play with another good block.

He’s not the receiver that Cooper Kupp is, but Skowronek is someone who prides himself on being a good blocker the way Kupp does.

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Sean McVay loves what Ben Skowronek brings to Rams offense: ‘This guy’s a maniac’

Ben Skowronek led the Rams in receiving Sunday and also had a key block on Cam Akers’ TD run. Sean McVay loves what he brings on offense.

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Ben Skowronek frustrated a lot of Rams fans last year with his drops. He still did a nice job as a blocker on the outside when filling in at wide receiver, but it was the negative plays that fans had trouble forgetting.

Coming into this season, Skowronek was poised for a big role with Van Jefferson sidelined. And while he’s still technically the Rams’ No. 3 receiver, [sendtonews_embed video_id=”Pa8rVsMYUo-2261331-7498″]he’s also playing fullback and doing pretty much anything Los Angeles needs him to on offense.

Against the Cardinals on Sunday, he had one of his best games as a pro. He caught four passes for 66 yards, leading the team in receiving. That’s tough to do with Cooper Kupp on the team, yet Skowronek managed to make a couple of big plays to help move the chains.

His most notable play was a 32-yard reception on third-and-1, which would’ve gone for about 55 yards had he not stepped out of bounds.

After the 20-12 win over Arizona, Sean McVay gave Skowronek some praise by pointing to the way he played both as a receiver and a blocker. He even called Skowronek “a mania” – in a good way, of course.

“I thought Ben Skowronek had a handful of big-time plays,” McVay said. “Four big catches on four targets, and then his presence was felt. You feel the physicality. This guy’s a maniac and you love what he does for our football team.”

What makes Skowronek a maniac, you ask? Take a look at his block on Zaven Collins on Cam Akers’ 14-yard touchdown run. He cleared the linebacker out and opened up a big hole, staying on his feet and following Akers into the end zone.

Not many wide receivers can make a block in the hole like that.

In a matter of two weeks, largely thanks to his play as a fullback, Skowronek has completely flipped the view of himself among Rams fans. He went from being a player fans preferred not to see on the field to someone they’re excited to see laying out blockers in the running game.

McVay found a perfect role for him and it’s helped evolve the offense, providing a spark in the running game.

Right guard Alaric Jackson, who knows a thing or two about blocking guys, wonders what Skowronek can’t do.

Just look at how the tide is turning on No. 18 on Twitter.

Who steps up as Rams’ No. 2 TE with Brycen Hopkins suspended?

Brycen Hopkins’ suspension leaves Tyler Higbee as the only TE on the Rams’ roster. So who takes Hopkins’ place?

Usually when a guy who plays four snaps per game gets suspended, it’s not a huge deal. But for the Los Angeles Rams, losing Brycen Hopkins for three games creates a hole on the roster.

They came into the year with just two tight ends on the active roster, a surprising move considering Hopkins has played so little in his first two years. All offseason, everyone expected the Rams to keep Tyler Higbee, Hopkins and Kendall Blanton. Now, they probably wish they’d kept Blanton.

Of course, Sean McVay and Les Snead couldn’t have predicted that Hopkins would get hit with a three-game suspension, but this was the risk they took by only keeping two tight ends. They smartly signed two tight ends to the practice squad, but Roger Carter Jr. and Jared Pinkney have never played a regular-season game.

So where do the Rams go from here with Hopkins out three games? Their best option might be to use Ben Skowronek as their No. 2 tight end. Against the Falcons on Sunday, Skowronek was kind of already playing the role of a tight end.

He lined up in the backfield as a fullback, as well as tight to the formation to help block in the running game. Though he’s technically a wide receiver, Skowronek can use his 6-foot-3 frame to block like a tight end. He’s only 1 inch shorter and 9 pounds lighter than Johnny Mundt, who was the Rams’ No. 2 tight end when healthy the last two years.

Skowronek might actually be a better blocker than he is a receiver, which makes him a perfect fit for the TE2 role Mundt held in the past. The Rams’ second tight end doesn’t have to be a dynamic receiver. They don’t need him to be Gerald Everett. Skowronek just has to know the offense and block the way he did in Week 2 against the Falcons.

It’s not as if the Rams were utilizing Hopkins much anyway. He played four snaps in each of the first two games and wasn’t targeted once. Skowronek is capable of filling in for Hopkins for three weeks, and with McVay’s creativity, he’ll find ways to mix up the personnel like he did on Sunday.

The bigger concern is the possibility of losing Higbee to injury. He’s almost always available for the Rams, but Higbee has dealt with his share of bumps and bruises in the last two years. He left the NFC title game with a knee injury, which kept him out of the Super Bowl two weeks later.

The Rams absolutely cannot afford to lose Higbee in the next three weeks while Hopkins is suspended. If that were to happen, they’d be left without a single experienced tight end – and with how often McVay likes to use 11 personnel with one tight end on the field at all times, it would be a huge challenge.

It’s possible that the Rams will promote Carter or Pinkney from the practice squad in the next three weeks, just to have another true tight end on the team in case an injury does occur. But they don’t have to panic and sign someone to replace Hopkins – who, again, has only played eight snaps.

His suspension isn’t ideal, but it’s something the Rams can overcome by using Skowronek in different ways.

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Turning a wide receiver into a fullback is Sean McVay’s latest experiment

Fullback Ben Skowronek? It’s just part of Sean McVay’s latest experiment.

On the Rams’ first offensive play of Sunday’s game against the Falcons, Sean McVay pulled back the curtain on a new wrinkle. He lined up Ben Skowronek, who’s traditionally a wide receiver, at fullback in front of Darrell Henderson Jr.

The Rams came out in an I-formation, something rarely seen from McVay’s offense. They don’t have a fullback on the roster and have never really used one, so the ‘I’ is not something McVay has utilized in his five years as a head coach.

But right off the bat, Skowronek hit the hole with a full head of steam as a lead blocker for Henderson. It only went for a 2-yard gain, but McVay set the tone early with this new wrinkle on offense.

Obviously, he didn’t exclusively use Skowronek as a fullback in the I-formation on Sunday. Skowronek still lined up at wide receiver a bunch. But there were probably close to 10 plays where he aligned in the backfield as a fullback, whether it was to block or catch a pass out of the backfield.

Here’s an example of one play where Skowronek caught a pass as a fullback, which helped him get matched up with a defensive lineman. That’s not a race any D-lineman will win, despite Skowronek not being a burner.

It’s easy to see that Skowronek doesn’t look like most fullbacks. He’s 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds with long arms and a high-cut frame. Patrick Ricard, the Ravens’ fullback, is 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds. 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk is 6-1, 235 pounds.

And those two players even look different than fullbacks of 10-15 years ago.

Despite his unusual body type for the position, Skowronek has two things that make him an effective fullback: (relative) athleticism and a willingness to block. Here, he gets outside on a toss play and seals off the linebacker to spring Henderson for a 13-yard gain.

And he’s not afraid to plow into the defense with a head full of steam as a lead blocker. His blocking technique may not be perfect, but the effort is unquestionably there.

After the game, McVay explained what made him comfortable with using Skowronek as a fullback, pointing to his desire to mix up the personnel groupings, despite the fact that Skowronek is still technically a receiver.

“We always feel like there’s different things that you can present and when you’ve got movable pieces,” he said. “Ben enabled us to be able to present some 21 type of looks out of 11 personnel and that’s what some of these guys do in a 21 grouping with fullbacks that are athletic enough and it’s just kind of the inverse of that so we’ll see.”

So will fullback Ben Skowronek remain a wrinkle in the playbook moving forward?

“It didn’t really have anything to do with anything other than we felt like that was the best approach for this week,” McVay continued. “Whether that’s something that we use this coming week will be predicated on how we best feel like we want to try to attack Arizona.”

McVay was pleased with the way Skowronek handled his new, versatile role. A lot was asked of the Rams receiver, and while he only caught two passes for 16 yards – a quiet stat line for a wideout – he had a positive impact on the game as a blocker.

“When you’ve got tough players that you can utilize in a bunch of different ways, really proud of what he did, not surprised,” McVay said. “But he’s just a football player. He can play receiver, he lined up in the eye a handful of times today. I’m really happy to be working with Ben Skowronek.”

This isn’t the first time McVay has mixed things up and tried to evolve as an offensive game planner. Last year, he used Joe Noteboom as a third tight end at times, going with heavy packages when the Rams tried to spark the running game. At the end of the 2020 season, when the Rams were so reliant on 11 personnel, McVay used 12 personnel with two tight ends.

He’s always trying to bring fresh ideas to the offense and while this may not be a strategy that sticks for the rest of the season, it’s good to see McVay trying something new to help get the offense on track.

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