Rams coordinator may be on the hot seat after disastrous loss to Eagles

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This is Chase Blackburn’s third season as the Los Angeles Rams’ special teams coordinator, already outlasting his predecessors Joe DeCamillis (2021–22) and John Bonamego (2020). This year was supposed to bring stability, with specialist roles finally secured across the board.

But the hoofing of super-punter Ethan Evans is faltering. Despite having one of the strongest legs in the NFL, his gross average sits at just 44.6 yards per punt (26th in the league), and his net average is just 38.2 yards (27th). In Week 3, the dam finally broke, and even the previously reliable field goal kicking of Joshua Karty was neutralized by a savvy Philadelphia Eagles strategy.

The field goal kicking unit made the first four kicks of the game. But as analyst Dan Orlovsky pointed out in the clip above, they were on borrowed time. The Eagles lined up Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter side-by-side and, on all six field goal attempts, pushed into the backfield and got their hands up. Los Angeles never adjusted, resulting in a 33-26 Week 3 loss.

Chase Blackburn may be on the hot seat after Rams’ special teams disaster vs Eagles

An early-season loss isn’t the end of the world. But some of the contributing factors go beyond typical concerns. Most field goal units might suffer one block all season. Less fortunate teams might give up a special teams touchdown. But LA’s unit allowed back-to-back blocked field goals, one returned for a touchdown.

And through it all, there were no visible adjustments. Maybe there weren’t any to make. If the coaching staff believes Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer are the next-best options on the offensive line, fine. But that invites plenty of questions.

The Rams are hurting at guard. Steve Avila has already missed two games. Kevin Dotson has started all three but exited two with injuries. Even center Coleman Shelton hasn’t been as effective in pass protection as the team hoped. The offensive line is struggling, and that instability appears to be bleeding into special teams.

Could fixing the line kill two birds with one stone? If Avila and Dotson get healthy, do the protection issues on kicks disappear too? That remains to be seen. But for now, the field goal unit has sprung a leak — and until Blackburn finds a way to stop the blocks, it’s going to haunt this team.

As always, thanks for reading.

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