LA Rams Joe DeCamillis: “We’ll get better as we go”

How can the LA Rams leverage special teams in Week 4 vs. the Buccaneers?

It may be challenging to foresee how the LA Rams can turn their 31st ranked special teams’ performance into some element of advantage to help defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that’s why we play the game after all, isn’t it? The Buccaneers are the 22nd ranked special teams unit in the NFL, so it’s not as though they are a powerhouse in that department.

The Buccaneers have allowed some return yardage in their punt coverage. Their defense may stop their opponents, but they have allowed six field goals attempts. Finally, they have allowed a bit of kickoff return yardage when they have kicked the football.

So how can the LA Rams use all of this against them?

Well, we know that the LA Rams trust their placekicker Matt Gay to score points from within 60 yards of the goal post. In a game that is expected to be an offensive shootout, a kicker can ultimately be the margin of victory for the Rams.

While the Rams punting is hovering near the bottom of the NFL, the Rams had used fake punt trickery in the past to move the chains and extend offensive drives. This year, it makes perfect sense to attempt that type of chicanery to retain the football and perhaps keep Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady off the football field.

The Buccaneers have allowed their opposition to pile up some healthy kick return yards. This is the game where running back Jake Funk can make his mark. It’s inevitable that the Bucs will score points. So it makes logical sense that Funk will have plenty of kickoffs to return. Much like what the LA Rams have experienced, he needs to return just one kickoff to near midfield to give the LA Rams offense a1 decent field position to work with.

The LA Rams need contributions from all three phases of their game to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just as LA Rams ST Coordinator Joe DeCamillis stated as he stepped up to the podium:

"“Usually when something rough happens, I’m asked over here.“-LA Rams ST Coordinator Joe DeCamillis"

But you could tell from his words and his body language, he doesn’t expect to be asked back anytime soon. For what it’s worth, we don’t expect him to be back either.