One of the biggest concerns for the Los Angeles Rams this season has been surrounding their special teams.
The team has had multiple blocked field goals and missed kicks this season, forcing the team to find a new kicker. LA signed a temporary replacement, but will need a more reliable, consistent option on the field while debating the two options on the 53-man roster.
LA is tied for the best record in the NFC at 7-2, but could have had the best in the conference and tied for the best in the NFL if special teams had stepped up.
One NFL analyst believes the Rams could upgrade their special teams by signing a former seven-time Pro-Bowl kicker.
Named Landing Spot For Former Baltimore Raven
GettyJustin Tucker was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens
There aren’t many kicking options that would give the Rams a significant boost on special teams, but there is a seven-time Pro Bowler now on the market.
Justin Tucker has finished his 10-game suspension following allegations of inappropriate behavior and is now able to sign with a team. CBS Sports’ John Breech names the LA Rams as a top landing spot for Tucker.
“There is no team that needs Justin Tucker more than the Los Angeles Rams. Joshua Karty started the season as the Rams’ kicker, but he lost his job after hitting just 66.7% of his field goal attempts (10 of 15) during the eight games that he played in. That number is the second-lowest percentage in the NFL through 10 weeks. Surprisingly, Karty struggled mostly on his shorter kicks, hitting just 63.6% of his field goal attempts from inside 45 yards,” Breech wrote. “The second-year kicker missed a 39-yard kick in a 34-10 win over the [New Orleans] Saints back in Week 9 and that ended up being the last straw for Rams coach Sean McVay.”
“If you’re looking for a team that might sign Tucker, the Rams definitely make the most sense. They’re a Super Bowl-contending team in need of a kicker and it would give Tucker a chance to spend his home games kicking indoors for the first time in his career. ”
The primary kicker on the Rams is Harrison Mevis, who made his rookie debut in Week 10. Mevis didn’t have a single field goal attempt in his debut, but did knock down six PATs.
Tucker is a well-rounded kicker who has had some clutch game-winning kicks in his career, with some of them coming from over 60 yards, which gives him the edge over Mevis as the team’s future kicker.
Justin Tucker Won’t Solve All Special Team Issues
GettyFree agent Justin Tucker
Justin Tucker is considered one of the best kickers in the history of the NFL. While he will solve the Rams’ missed field goal issues, he won’t save the team from getting the kicks blocked.
As mentioned, LA has had a few kicks blocked this season, leading to the belief that part of the issues on special teams lies elsewhere.
One Rams reporter believes the team needs to make a change on the coaching staff and fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.
The team can make a massive jump in performance by how far Tucker can get kicks through the uprights, but the issue could be bigger than just the kicker.
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