After the loss in Seattle, McVay opted to make his first in-season change in 9 years in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
This decision marks the first mid-season coaching change he has made. Sean McVayhead coach of the Ramsin his nine seasons in Los Angeles.
The assistant special teams coach of the RamsBen Kotwica will take over and become the head special teams coach, according to a source consulted by Schefter.
Los Ramswith an 11-4 record and second in the NFC West, lost to the Seahawks on Thursday night in a game that included a punt return for a touchdown by Seattle and a missed 48-yard field goal attempt by the kicker Los Angeles, Harrison Mevis.
Los Seahawks (12-3) beat the Rams in the division standings and had the best overall record in the NFC thanks to a 38-37 overtime victory.
Although the Rams They have only lost four games this season, three of them were marked by errors on special teams. In the Rams’ first loss of the season, 33-26 against the Eaglesthe last two offensive possessions of Los Angeles They ended with blocked kicks.
In the victory of the Rams in Week 10 against the Saintsthe kicker joshua karty he missed an extra point and a 39-yard field goal attempt. After the game, McVay declared that the Rams’ special teams problems “can’t continue like this.”
Los Angeles replaced long punt specialist Alex Ward by Jake McQuaide and Karty for Mevis, who had not missed a kick until Thursday night in Seattle.
Blackburn, 42, was in his third season as the Rams’ special teams coordinator. Former linebacker for the Giants and the Panthersalso worked as an assistant in Carolina y Tennessee.
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