LA Rams hire new Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego

LA Rams will win close games again

The play of NFL special teams makes a huge difference in the outcome of games.  If football outsider’s indices are anywhere close to the actual impact of the Rams poor special teams play in 2019, the Rams surrendered an average of 6.5 points per game last year.

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Imagine what the 9-7 Rams might have done last season by improving their point differential by 6.5 points per game?  Well, we know that the Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 by a score of 30-29, and missed the game-winning field goal.   That game alone would have launched the Rams into the playoffs.  The Rams lost later in the season to the San Francisco 49ers, this time by succumbing to a game-winning field goal as time ran out, 34-31.  Win just those two games in 2019, and the 11-5 Rams would have ended the season on an entirely different note, despite the offensive line injuries.

That is the power of good play on special teams.  That is the difference that John Bonamego will make on the LA Rams future.

Bonamego’s hiring may not be good news for Rams’ veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein.  Bonamego’s wheelhouse is coaching young kickers up.  The timing of his hiring by the Rams suggests the team is ready to explore new options at the kicker position. The three-year deal for Zuerlein which expired in 2019 may be the last contract for him.

Punter Johnny Hekker is signed through 2023. Still, there are salary cap savings there for the Rams to explore with competition at the punter position.  And with Bonemago onboard, you can bet the Rams day three draft will bring at least one linebacker and one tight end to the team, simply for special teams play.

Bonamego is a solid and future-looking hire by the LA Rams. He will immediately impact a trouble spot for the team in 2020.  With better performance from special teams, the Rams are beginning to turn the corner more and more towards a positive direction.