Shockingly, the LA Rams rock the NFL by going with rookie K Sam Sloman

Shocking LA Rams News: The team reportedly with rookie kicker Sam Sloman, news that rocks the team and perhaps the NFL

The LA Rams had two easy cuts to get to 53. Nod for one kicker and the other two get their pink slip. ex-CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu had ice in his veins. He did very well from the start. The Rams also had the option for ex-XFL kicker Austin MacGinnis. While he did well at first, he made a strong surge towards the end. Perhaps close enough to win at the end?

In both cases, the Rams drafted Miami of Ohio kicker Sam Sloman. Sloman was the only competitor who was drafted by the Rams. Did that play a role?

It appears the #Rams' three-way kicker derby is over: They're expected to go with rookie seventh-round pick Sam Sloman, per sources. Sloman -- from Sean McVay's alma mater, Miami (Ohio) -- had been competing with former CFL all-star Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 4, 2020

Is it confirmed? Yes, and pretty quickly afterward. Surprising. Shocking. But confirmed

I can confirm @TomPelissero report that the Rams are going with rookie kicker Sam Sloman, their seventh-round draft pick, on their 53-man roster. Sloman ultimately beat out Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 4, 2020

Hajrullahu appeared to be the most statistically accurate. MacGinnis appeared to have the strongest leg in the second scrimmage game.

So, Sloman huh?

Sloman appeared to struggle, hovering just over 50 percent of his kicks.

Kicker numbers just from scrimmages at SoFi, for clarification:
MacGinnis: 10/13, 53-yard long (1/2)
Hajrullahu: 10/13, 53-yard long (1/2)
Sloman: 7/13, 53-yard long (2/2)

The kickers also worked in some practice situations, of which we weren’t always able to see. https://t.co/9WDizLKd97
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 4, 2020

This one is a head-scratcher. If the Rams truly had a competition, then shouldn’t the competition determine the winner? If the winner was predetermined, then why compete at all? Perhaps the answer lies in the practices we never witnessed?

On the Rams' Sam Sloman decision, my understanding is that he really took off in the final week of work, demonstrating both accuracy and leg strength - especially when behind the 50. The team also liked his kickoff ability.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 4, 2020

Of course, we know how the kickers performed in two scrimmages, but we don’t know what the Rams were looking for in a kicker. Perhaps the Rams wanted the most accurate kicker within 40 yards and Sloman delivered? Perhaps the team sought a young kicker to grow with the team, as Sloman was the youngest of the lot.

The Rams have a kicker, and he is rookie Sam Sloman. While I am very happy for him, I am disappointed in the outcome of both Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis. Most of all, I am disappointed with the LA Rams. I had hoped the team would choose the best kicker. It seems the team went with the least of the three.

Shocking LA Rams News: The team reportedly with rookie kicker Sam Sloman, news that rocks the team and perhaps the NFL

So, Sloman huh?

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