Bubba Ventrone won't last much longer if he doesn't fix Rams' special teams

Kicker Harrison Mevis is gone, and so is punt returner Xavier Smith, but that doesn't mean Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone is safe. Far from it. 

Mevis' win-wiping blunders against the Buffalo Bills were hardly the only culprit on Rams special teams in the game, and more broadly speaking, during the season thus far. 

How about a game-opening 70-yard kickoff return? Does the seat feel hot yet, Coach Ventrone? 

It's not a one-game disaster. It's been this way all season. The Rams fired former coordinator Chase Blackburn after Week 16 last season. Ventrone, hired this offseason from the Cleveland Browns' staff, will be next if he doesn't get this act together, and quickly. 

Who thought bringing in anyone from that disastrous franchise would yield positive results?

Rams won't cut Bubba Ventrone much slack if snafus continue

Let's be clear. It would be foolish to blame Ventrone for the full brunt of LA's special teams shortcomings. The most cutting-edge coordinator in the league couldn't make ends meet with Mevis at kicker. The Rams haven't had an adequate return specialist for as long as fans can remember. 

But while personnel problems can explain away some flaws, it ultimately falls on Ventrone to maximize what pieces he has to work with. He hasn't. The Rams rank dead last in special teams EPA. Ventrone's group has cost the team a mind-blowing 28 points. 

Not 0.28, which would be middle of the pack. Not 2.8. Not 28 yards.

Twenty. Eight. Points.

The Bills' 70-yard scamper was not an unfamiliar sight. The Rams have made a habit of giving up long returns. 45 yards on a kickoff in Week 1. A 28-yard punt return against the Broncos. A 41-yarder in Philadelphia. 

By comparison, the longest return for a Rams kick returner has been 34 yards. 19 yards for a punt. Ventrone's crew gives up explosives without returning the favor. 

Mevis shanking kicks is his own problem. Having them blocked is more on the protection up front (let him miss by himself, hey?). Via ESPN's Sara Barshop, the Rams' blocked would-be-winner in overtime was their third blocked field goal since last season. One team has had as many. No one has more. 

It's shaping up to be a painful case of deja vu. Last season, Joshua Karty lasted until November before Mevis replaced him. 14 regular-season games later, Mevis joins him on the couch. 

At least Blackburn had held the job since 2023. Ventrone won't make it nearly that long if this keeps up.

Is it too much to posit that Ventrone will be coaching for his job next week against the Cardinals? Let's just say fans should have their breaking-news notifications turned on if special teams cost the Rams another game anytime soon.  

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow