Los Angeles Rams: 4 grades for the month of September

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Sam Ficken #5 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts to a missed field goal during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Sam Ficken #5 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts to a missed field goal during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

It’s hard to not love the Rams special teams unit, but it’s not the same with Greg Zuerlein in and out of the LA lineup. Sam Ficken, who was dumped today, was hardly the solution.

Enter Cairo Santos. Another placeholder until Legatron can get back to his kicking duties.

The upside as usual has been punter Johnny Hekker who was a pinch hitter when Zuerlein was injured. He also nearly completed a pass in the end zone against Minnesota that would have brought the Coliseum house down.

If there is a concern in Los Angeles it is the kicking game. Zuerlein was about as automatic as it gets. Then again, seeing how the Rams offense has been clicking along, it almost seems illogical that a field goal late in a game would be a decider when Goff is lighting it up in the end zone.

But hey, you never know.

On a team as loaded as the Rams, a placekicker almost seems like an afterthought. But as good as Legatron has been, it’s been a nice security blanket.

All that said, it’s been a non-issue in September. Los Angeles has been blowing up opposing defenses with a take no prisoners scoring attack. Their efficiency has been off the charts.

The confidence level is so high when it comes to scoring touchdowns, even Hekker has an attempt.

Special Teams may be to only Achilles heel in Los Angeles coming out of September. B minus.

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