The Los Angeles Rams brought in Chase Blackburn at the start of the 2023 season to bring focus and discipline to the special teams unit. Unfortunately, that plan has not quite worked out the way the organization had hoped.
Despite fielding one of the youngest rosters in the NFL last year, the Rams managed to scrape their way into the playoffs with a 10-7 record. That was inspite of a special teams core that was prone to errors and miscues. Los Angeles was one of the worst ranked teams in the league when it came to special teams and Blackburn is under pressure to fix in the issue.
Head coach Sean McVay, however, remains optimistic that Blackburn is the right man for the job and has decided to stick with him for the 2024 season.
“I believe in Chase. You’re evaluating not just the results, but the process,” said McVay per Pro Football Talk.
Sean McVay defends Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn: Process over results. https://t.co/aZpqQ5QdOH
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 25, 2024
The Rams struggled in the kicking department last year missing a whopping 11 field goals, more than any other team. The solution was to waive Lucas Havrisik at the end of the season. He has now been picked up by the Cleveland Browns.
The punting unit has not been much better. The Rams averaged just 39.1 yards per punt. The unit allowed two touchdowns off punt returns, more than any other team in the NFL.
At 40 years old, Blackburn is still a young coach with a lot to learn. McVay insist he is happy with Blackburn’s attitude and ability to take responsibility.
The goal for McVay will be to provide his coach with some better players on the field.
“I think we can do a better job of providing him with guys that can play more consistently,” added McVay.
