Tag: rams news

Chase Blackburn has turned around Rams’ special teams with strong 2nd half

Chase Blackburn has helped the Rams turn around what was one of the worst special teams units in football

At the beginning of the season, one could argue no coach needed a strong 2024 as badly as Chase Blackburn. The scrutinized special teams coordinator was constantly questioned for having one of the worst kicking units in football.

Over the course of the season, Joshua Karty’s struggles and the hiring of Scott Frost poured gasoline on the flames that encumbered his seat. However, Blackburn currently sits as an NFC West champion with one of the most intriguing punting units in football and the kicking game finally seeing some consistency.

Ethan Evans is tied for the eighth-most punts downed inside the 20-yard line and with Xavier Smith’s new role as a gunner, the amount of fair catches by opponents should start to rise.

Smith himself has carved out a role as a gunner and returner, a credit to Blackburn’s work and vision. On kick returns, Jordan Whittington has found a home and contributed in a big way, providing a spark every time he touches the ball.

Joshua Karty still has a long way to go in order to emulate his production at Stanford. He is still missing PATs but he’s been perfect on field goals over the last four games. That’s nine makes in nine attempts, including a 53-yard field goal that played a massive part in defeating Arizona.

With Frost’s departure to UCF and the play of the special teams unit, Blackburn looks to have sealed his future in Los Angeles.

Cooper Kupp’s recent struggles show his role in Rams’ offense must evolve

Cooper Kupp’s recent poor form could change if the Rams modify how they use him come playoff time.

It is no secret that Cooper Kupp has struggled to find the consistency once expected from the All-Pro wide receiver but for as much as he may get criticized, his current role in the Rams’ offense has stifled his ability to contribute.

Kupp is no longer the receiver who can beat man coverage or separate from DBs on crossing routes, so it doesn’t make sense to use him in that way. Kupp’s strengths come from his ability to exploit zone coverages by outmaneuvering defenders and finding voids on the field. Kupp is an excellent middle-of-the-field target who is dangerous on short and medium routes, often finding success when he’s able to plant his feet to make the catch.

Kupp should only play from the slot as he is no longer a legit threat on the outside. If Kupp can be installed as Matthew Stafford’s hot read, the Rams could be even more effective at handling blitzes. Keeping Kupp closer to Stafford will help generate a more potent passing offense.

The Rams could also put Kupp in the backfield. As a modified “H-back,” Kupp could flank Stafford in both the pistol and the shotgun while still leaving room for a natural running back. Such a move would either align a linebacker against Kupp or would force a defensive adjustment that the Rams could exploit in the run game.

Whatever Kupp is being asked to do right now is not working. He has just four catches for 53 yards in the last three games, struggling to separate and get open for Stafford.

It’s time for a change and the playoffs are a perfect time to do it.

Xavier Smith has become an unsung hero on special teams for the Rams

The Rams have to consider re-signing Xavier Smith in the offseason

There’s no uniform way to make it in the NFL. There’s no college, no coach, no trainer that can turn a prospect into a contributing player. The success of a player in this league comes down to the person himself and how much he’s willing to do to make it.

Xavier Smith embodies that notion as he has not let physical limitations, nor the opinions of others derail his dream of making it to the NFL. Despite standing at 5-foot-9, 176 pounds, Smith has been willing to absorb contact and put himself in some of the most dangerous jobs in football, with the price he pays leading directly to the team’s success.

Smith has operated as the team’s primary punt returner since Week 3 of this season. He has also worked on kick returns, as well. However, Smith may have found another permanent role for himself.

Smith has excelled since being moved to gunner. One of the primary reasons for the Rams’ win against Arizona, Smith played a pivotal role in containing the Cardinals’ return while helping pin Arizona inside their own 20. Smith’s speed matches up with Ethan Evans’ average punt distance, making the Rams’ special teams unit a dangerous and game-changing threat.

It was his speed and ball skills that helped him catch one of Evans’ punts inside the 5-yard line against the Cardinals on Saturday night, pinning Arizona deep and leading to a drive that barely went anywhere.

Smith is also a natural wide receiver so he adds depth to that room while being a perfect player to scheme a fake punt around.

Smith is a cheap, viable option who fills four different roles by himself. That’s as bang for your buck as it gets and at 27 years old, Smith has a lot of football left in him.

Puka Nacua already in the Rams’ top 20 for career receiving yards after only 28 games

Puka Nacua hasn’t even finished his second NFL season and he already has more receiving yards than all but 19 players in Rams history

Puka Nacua has been the focal point of the Rams’ passing offense since he was drafted. He once again dazzled with 10 catches for 129 yards against the Cardinals on Saturday, accounting for 10 of Matthew Stafford’s 17 completions and 129 of his 189 passing yards.

His quick start shattered the rookie record books for both the Rams and the NFL, cementing himself as one of the league’s best.

The Rams have been home to some of the best pass catchers in NFL history, including Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce and Elroy Hirsch, along with triple-crown winner Cooper Kupp.

However, Nacua is determined to eclipse all of them and he took another big step in doing so on Saturday. With his 129 yards, he’s already cracked the top 20 for career receiving yards by a Rams player.

It should be noted that Nacua has appeared in only 28 career games, missing time earlier this season due to a nagging knee injury.

Nacua’s 2,476 yards put him just ahead of Kenny Britt’s 2,431 yards. Britt’s total came in 47 career games with the franchise, which shows how quickly Nacua has risen up the ranks in Rams history.

How have Rams fared historically vs. Cardinals at SoFi Stadium?

The Rams and Cardinals have both had success in SoFi but the Rams come in with certain circumstances that gives them an edge in 2024.

Since its opening in 2020, the Rams and Cardinals have faced off five times at SoFi Stadium. The Rams hold a slight advantage over their division rivals, having won three times at home during that stretch.

However, when you look at those games beyond just the scoreboard, there’s a clear narrative that gives the Rams a small advantage entering their matchup on Saturday night.

This matchup is not necessarily a must-win game for the Rams but it’s pretty close. A loss sets up a win and in-game next week against Seattle for the NFC West but if the Rams beat Arizona on Saturday, they set up a potential division-clinching scenario that could allow them to rest their starters during the last game of the season.

LA needs a win plus four total wins from the Bengals, Browns, Bills, Commanders, 49ers and Vikings. If four or more of those teams win (and LA also wins), the Rams take the NFC West based on their strength of victory.

So how does this impact Saturday’s game? The Rams and Cardinals have played at SoFi in two “must-win” scenarios. Both have resulted in double-digit wins for the Rams.

In 2020, the Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7 to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC in their season finale. The Rams went on to upset the Seahawks in Seattle in the wild-card round before falling to the Packers in Green Bay.

In 2021, the Rams blew out Arizona 34-11 in the wild-card round, eventually ending their year as Super Bowl champions.

The Cardinals have yet to defeat the Rams in Los Angeles after November this decade and there’s a significant increase in production by the Rams towards the end of the year – another positive sign for a team desperate to make the postseason.

The Cardinals are looking for their first season sweep of the series since 2014.

Cardinals could be down to their 3rd-string RB vs. Rams on Saturday

The Cardinals could be without their top two running backs on Saturday when the Rams host them in Week 17

Since their 41-10 defeat to the Cardinals in Arizona, the Rams have been looking for revenge in their pursuit of the postseason. In a hotly contested division race, both sides put up potent offenses using contrasting philosophies.

Once their receiving corps became healthy, the Rams used a quick passing attack as the basis of their offense. The return of Puka Nacua has led to successful results for not only the offense but the team as a whole. Nacua missed the week two matchup between these two franchises.

The Cardinals went in a separate direction with a devastating rushing attack. Star James Connor has achieved his second consecutive 1,000-yard season while rookie Trey Benson has averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his limited opportunities.

Despite being out of the playoff hunt, the Cardinals are looking to play spoiler and derail their division rivals’ ambitions for another NFC West title. However, Arizona’s desires have hit another roadblock as the Cardinals are preparing for a game-day scenario without Connor and Benson.

Both running backs appeared on the injury report after being limited all week, and they’re both questionable to play on Saturday.

With Arizona out of playoff contention, it will be a tough decision for Jonathan Gannon to risk the health of two top producers in a game that will not impact how his team’s season will end. With the recent devastating news regarding Houston’s Tank Dell, who suffered a season-ending injury that will most likely keep him out for at least the start of the 2025 season, coaches may be rethinking their approach to the final two games of the year.

If Connor and Benson are a no-go, it will be either DeeJay Dallas or Michael Carter leading the backfield on Saturday. They’ve combined for just 13 total carries this season.

Rams could be preparing to overhaul their wide receiver room in 2025

With multiple expiring contracts and over $50 million in cap space, the Rams may have some new faces at WR in 2025.

The only wide receivers under contract for the Los Angeles Rams next year are Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Jordan Whittington. Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson and Xavier Smith are all set to be free agents, making it possible for them to sign elsewhere. While Smith may return due to his abilities as a returner, that’s at least three roster spots that the Rams will look to fill this offseason at the wide receiver position.

It remains possible the Rams will bring back Robinson as they did last offseason, it’s become clear that Atwell and Johnson are not exactly in the franchises’ plans moving forward, calling into question how GM Les Snead will address such a pressing need.

Another element to that question is the future of Kupp. He will be 32 years old in June and is set to cap hits of $29.8 million and $27.3 million over the next two seasons. He’s aging and has an extensive injury history, and he’s already won a triple crown, Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP.

How much more football does Kupp have left in him? And at this point, how much longer does he want to play for? More importantly, what is the succession plan for the WR2 role once Kupp hangs it up? That has to be a major question circling inside the organization.

While several players will be re-signed, the veteran free-agent receiver class looks promising, as does the 2025 draft class. With the Rams getting younger at every other position, perhaps it is time to add some youth to the pass-catching core.

Sean McVay shares positive injury news coming out of Rams’ win over Jets

The Rams came out of Sunday’s win over the Jets in great shape injury-wise, setting them up well for the final stretch

While the NFL is a win-at-all-costs league, teams often pay a premium when the injury report comes out on Wednesday. The Rams know this truth all too well as their early season struggles directly correlated with the loss of several superstar players. But oftentimes, championship teams are not those that go without injury but are instead those who get healthy at the right time.

The Rams, who could wrap up the NFC West by Week 17, are getting healthy at the perfect time. During Monday’s press conference, Sean McVay was happy to report that the team suffered no major injuries in their win at the Jets.

“I think we’re good,” he said. “We will have our typical bumps and bruises, but it seemed like everybody came out pretty clean. I don’t expect that to affect anybody’s status moving forward, which is a blessing.”

Not only will the Rams be a full go when they play Arizona this week but Tyler Higbee’s return may be the catalyst for another Super Bowl run. Higbee scored a touchdown in his season debut on Sunday.

The Rams are the current favorites to win the NFC West. The last time they won the division, their season ended in victory in Super Bowl LVI. Things seem to be lining up for Los Angeles once again.

Rams DB Jaylen McCollough may be the best undrafted rookie of 2024

Jaylen McCollough has gone from undrafted free agent to standout defender for the 9-6 Rams

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

But it’s deeper than that. It’s a football identity formed on the harsh gridirons in McCollough’s native Georgia – a high school recruiting hotbed that McCollough’s play earned him a four-star ranking and an eventual scholarship.

While he fell through the cracks in the pre-draft process, McCollough brings those experiences and mentality front and center when he shines as the Rams’ newest defensive star. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee surprised many during training camp and after a strong preseason, McCollough has been an irreplaceable part of the Rams’ defense.

Like another safety from the south, Derwin James, McCullough has been asked to play various roles that have carved out a unique position for him. He’ll fluctuate between getting close to the line of scrimmage and dropping deep, he’s an excellent tackler and has been used to plug the run. He’s often assigned to the running back, displaying excellent discipline to not get faked out on play actions and wheel routes.

On Sunday, McCollough put in a season-high nine tackles against the Jets but none of those were as crucial as his coverage on Breece Hall in the endzone. McCollough’s discipline and technique forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an uncatchable ball at the end of the first half. The Jets settled for three points to it would be their last score of the game. That play served as a crucial turning point in the Rams’ 19-9 victory and now the team is one step closer to clinching the NFC West.

McCollough is also tied for ninth in the league with four interceptions, with his ball skills dissuading teams from throwing his way. McCollough’s interceptions have played a pivotal role as his two against Las Vegas kickstarted the Rams’ recent run of success and his pick against Seattle disrupted their offensive strategy to the point of ineffectiveness.

Thanks to one undrafted rookie signing, the Rams have their safety for the future. A gem waiting to be discovered, McCollough is not only one of the best undrafted free agents of 2024, he’s one of the best players in the entire draft class period.

Could the Rams make a move for Garrett Wilson in the offseason?

The Rams will take on Garrett Wilson this weekend, but what if he’s catching passes from Matthew Stafford in 2025?

When the Rams travel to New Jersey, they will get a front-row seat to Garrett Wilson, one of the premier pass catchers in the NFL. The New York Jet has been one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL since being drafted in 2022.

In Year 3 of his rookie deal, Wilson is 67 yards away from a third straight 1,000-yard season, dominating despite poor and inconsistent quarterback play. However, Wilson looks to be tired of New York after a long period of team failure, combined with the acquisition of Davante Adams – a move that has lowered Wilson’s importance in the offense.

Wilson has yet to commit to a long-term future with the Jets and has been spotted vocally expressing displeasure about the team’s performance from the sidelines.

The Rams are in a prime spot to acquire Wilson if they desire. The price will be steep, including at least two first-round picks, but considering where the Rams are likely to be drafting, there are no players good enough that could replace the production Wilson would immediately provide.

The Rams will have a reported $56.7 million in cap space in 2025. Wilson’s cap hit is only $6.5 million. Any extension given to Wilson would count towards the 2027 cap as the Rams would exercise their fifth-year option on Wilson for 2026. Also, 2026 marks the last year of Cooper Kupp’s deal, so there would be enough money for Puka Nacua and Wilson.

Matthew Stafford has shown time and time again that he has two reads, and those are his top two wide receivers. He likes what he likes, and that won Los Angeles a Super Bowl. While the price may be expensive, why not give a veteran QB two of the best wide receivers in the NFL while in their prime? Acquire Wilson and Rams might be on the verge of yet another top-ranked offense.