Our Buddy Chase Blackburn Fired

[kungfoodude]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47371200/sources-rams-fire-special-teams-coordinator-chase-blackburn

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams have fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The move marks the first in-season coaching change that Rams head coach Sean McVay has made in his nine seasons in Los Angeles.

Rams assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica will take over and become the lead special teams coach, a source told Schefter.

The Rams, 11-4 and second place in the NFC West, lost to the Seahawks on Thursday night in a game that included a Seattle punt return for a touchdown and a missed 48-yard field goal by Los Angeles kicker Harrison Mevis.

The Seahawks (12-3) overtook the Rams for first place in the division and the top overall record in the NFC thanks to the 38-37 overtime victory.

Though the Rams have lost only four games this season, three have involved special teams miscues. In the Rams' first loss of the season, 33-26 to the Eagles, Los Angeles had its final two offensive possessions end with blocked kicks.

In the Rams' Week 10 victory over the Saints, kicker Joshua Karty missed an extra point and a 39-yard field goal attempt. After the game, McVay said the Rams' special teams issues "can't continue like this."

Los Angeles replaced long-snapper Alex Ward with Jake McQuaide and Karty with 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. A former linebacker for the Giants and Panthers, he also has worked as an assistant with Carolina and Tennessee.

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

what about the 4 three and outs by the offense in the 4th quarter?

[kungfoodude]

9 minutes ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

what about the 4 three and outs by the offense in the 4th quarter?

Well, we did fire him too. It was Matt Rhule's retarded ass but I don't remember him being exactly stellar.

[strato]

I mean, you get hired, you will get fired in the NFL. 
 

First in season firing in McVay 9 years. You probably would rather not be known for being that guy.  
 

It’s rough when you have to rely on a kicker to keep your job. But, there are things that go into it outside of the kicker. If it is out of sync you’d be looking at coaching. 

Edited December 21, 2025 by strato

[Mr. Scot]

I remember liking Blackburn when he was here but haven't followed him since.

Ben Kotwika is a longtime, decently respected ST coach if I'm thinking of the right guy. 

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, strato said:

I mean, you get hired, you will get fired in the NFL. 
 

First in season firing in McVay 9 years. You probably would rather not be known for being that guy.  
 

It’s rough when you have to rely on a kicker to keep your job. But, there are things that go into it outside of the kicker. If it is out of sync you’d be looking at coaching. 

They have had persistent special teams issues this season.

[strato]

25 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

They have had persistent special teams issues this season.

Yeah I read it.  Couple of blocked kicks, big returns allowed, on their 2nd kicker.  
 

I was just thinking, 9 years with no firings and you know stuff wasn’t perfect for 9 years. So this must have been bad. Bad for Blackburn anyway. 

[Butterflyj30]

Wow and the Rams are wining and going to the playoffs this is kind of sad and right at the holidays