Rams quest for a kicker continues as Cowboys game nears

After the LA Rams released veteran K Brett Maher, the Rams are now searching for his successor, and casting a wide net in the process.

Chase Blackburn, LA Rams
Chase Blackburn, LA Rams / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages
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It's always easy to suggest to the LA Rams to cut or waive a player. That is easy because there are no repercussions, no backlash. But for NFL general managers, like LA Rams GM Les Snead, the buck does not stop there. Releasing, waiving, or cutting a player is merely one step to a complex process of upgrading the LA Rams roster.

Ultimately, all actions taken by the Rams front office should result in upgrading the Rams roster somehow. Of course, that is easier said than done, especially when it comes down to upgrading a starting role on special teams.

While the LA Rams had already signed kicker Lucas Havrisik off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad earlier in the week, Havrisik is an untested kicker who is expected to fill a vital role on the Rams roster in the weeks ahead.

Are Lucas Havrisik or Mason Crosby truly an upgrade over Brett Maher?

The fact that the LA Rams are trialing Mason Crosby is a curious matter. The LA Rams previous kicker, Brett Maher was released due to the fact that he was inaccurate over 40+ yards. In fact, he made 10 of 16 field goals that were 40+ yards. And he made 12 of 13 extra points this season.

Comparte those results to K Mason Crosby, whose 2022 NFL season results were 7 of 11 field goals at 40+ yards distance, and 37 of 39 extra points. Over 16 NFL seasons for the Green Bay Packers, Crosby successfully kicked field goals of 40+ yards 144 out of 212 attempts. That is merely a 67.6 percent accuracy rate. That is slightly better than Brett Mahers's 62.5 percent accuracy from that distance this season.

Releasing a starting kicker will only improve the team if the new kicker is noticeably better. While we have no evidence on record, the Rams will be hard pressed to improve the roster if the team is suddenly scrambling with tryouts to fill the vacated role.

Do the Rams have a plan in place? Or is the strategy simply reactionary, and hoping for the best? Stay tuned, because indications are that the drama surrounding the Rams kicker role have only just begun.

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