The Rams fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn because his team made several mistakes in Los Angeles’ loss to Seattle on Thursday, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the playoff-bound Rams (11-4) have yet to publicly announce Sean McVay’s first major in-season personnel change in his nine-year tenure. Assistant Ben Kotwica is expected to take over for Blackburn, who is in his third season in the role.
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The Rams’ special teams have struggled all season, and the team has replaced its kicker and long snapper last month after Joshua Carty and his team missed multiple opportunities against Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Special teams then played a big role in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle SuperSonics, a defeat that could have prevented the Rams from winning the NFC West title or earning the No. 1 seed.
The Rams led 30-14 in the fourth quarter when Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed gave up a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown after a poor punt return by Ethan Evans.
Harrison Mewis then missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 2:07 left in the game, preventing the Rams from taking the lead.
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Mewis took over after Carty missed five field goals and three extra-point attempts and hadn’t missed a kick all season before this crucial shot barely missed the right side.
Blackburn was a linebacker for the Giants and Panthers before starting his coaching career.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
