ST Coordinator John Bonamego rapid repairs to LA Rams

Refurbish special teams play

The Rams have a history of solid special teams’ play, thanks to former special teams’ coordinator John Fassel. But that performance atop the NFL had declined over the past several seasons. That created a window of opportunity for former Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel to sign on with the Dallas Cowboys and join their new head coach Mike McCarthy in refurbishing the Cowboys horrific special teams play.

That defection was soon followed by assistant special teams coach Matt Daniels following Fassel to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys went to the LA Rams’ well one more time in luring veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein away from the Rams as well. The loss of the special team’s coaching staff, as well as long-time kicker Zuerlein, may seem like a setback to some. But the three vacancies actually afford the Rams a strong chance of reversing the decline this year.

Expert mechanic  Bonamego

The Rams brought in a special teams expert in John Bonamego. The LA Rams need to elevate the play of many aspects of the special teams’ performance. Fortunately, John Bonamego has a solid history of rapidly repairing the special teams play in the NFL.  After all, he’s served as the special teams’ coordinator for the Green Bay Packers (2003-2005), New Orleans Saints (2006-2007), Miami Dolphins (2008-201010), the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, and finally with the Detroit Lions special teams coordinator (2013-2014). After serving as head coach for Central Michigan University for four seasons, he returned to the Detroit Lions once more for 2019.

Bonamego fixes special teams by focusing on the oft-overlooked aspects of special teams. Coffin kicking for punters, touchbacks on kickoffs, and constant speed and determination for coverages. It’s a simple enough strategy. But in the modern era of deceit and trickery, simply playing the odds is the right choice sometimes. In the end, it’s a KISS philosophy – Keep It Simple, Stupid! So what’s in this so simple planning?