Latest signing hints Rams not convinced there is sole scapegoat for woeful play

Sometimes, to take two steps going forward, you have to take a step back. That seems to be the latest strategy of the Los Angeles Rams. The team called an emergency meeting of the powers-that-be to do a deep dive into the many mistakes plaguing the field goal unit, and in turn, the entire team.

The first step of the process appears to be creating competition at long-snapper. To that end, the Rams have announced the signing of former long-snapper Jake McQuaide. To make room, the team has released developmental interior offensive lineman Wyatt Bowles.

Of course, other steps may be necessary. The Atlanta Falcons have already gotten the jump on improving their field goal kicking accuracy by signing veteran placekicker Zane Gonzalez after he successfully auditioned for their coaching staff. Ironically, the Falcons' former place kicker, Parker Romo, was kicking with more accuracy than kicker Joshua Karty.

Veteran long-snapper Jake McQuaide signing is a promising first step

McQuaide is a long-time veteran of the team, with a history that goes all the way back to 2011 with the St. Louis Rams. He continued snapping for the team until 2020. He ultimately followed John "Bones Fassel and Jake "The Leg" Zuerlein to the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. He has competed for the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions as well.

The red-bearced legend has now returned to the team in which he earned two-time Pro Bowl honors.

McQuaide is a promising signing for many reasons. First and foremost is the rapport that he has with the coaching staff, and that will ensure that the speed at which the team enacts corrective action is fast-tracked. After all, a major component of the struggles is attributable to poor blocking. McQuaide is so sharp, he's like placing a coach in the trenches.

More importantly, McQuaide's return clearly places young long-snapper Alex Ward on notice. Can he fend off the competition for the long-snapper role? While fans rarely see this type of competition surface during the season, the stakes are astronomically high.

it's fix it or else time for the group.

While Jake McQuaide signing on the practice squad may seem like a minor move to fans, he becomes a diagnostic computer that will help the team hone in on the problem(s) plaguing the group this season.

The first step to any permanent solution is to define the problem. Now that the coaching staff has a trusted pair of eyes added to the roster, the permanent fix is that much closer. As always, thanks for reading.

As always, thanks for reading.