The Los Angeles Rams have cut kicker Harrison Mevis one day after he missed two field-goal attempts in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, marking his fourth miss of the season.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one. The Los Angeles Rams just released kicker Harrison Mevis, and I have to wonder if it's too little, too late for their special teams unit.
The news broke yesterday that Mevis was cut from the team after missing two field-goal attempts in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills. This marks his fourth miss of the season, with four missed field-goal attempts through five games being the most in the NFL this year.
The Rams' Special Teams Unit Has Been a Problem for Years
- Head coach Sean McVay has been vocal about his team's kicking operation, saying it 'cost us the game tonight.'
- The Rams have struggled with special teams all season, and this move is just another example of their inability to get it right.
Harrison Mevis: The Rise and Fall of "The Thiccer Kicker"
I've been following Harrison Mevis's journey since he joined the Rams last season, and it's hard not to feel a little disappointed in how his story has unfolded. He was dubbed "The Thiccer Kicker" for his impressive physique, but it seems that wasn't enough to save him from this latest setback.
Mevis had a promising start with the Rams, making 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts in his first season and going 6 for 6 in the playoffs. But this year, he's struggled, missing four field-goal attempts through five games - the most in the NFL so far. It's clear that McVay was looking for a change, but it's hard not to wonder if Mevis was given enough of a chance to turn things around.
Mevis is just 5 for 9 on field goals this season, although he has yet to miss an extra-point attempt in his career. It's a strange statistic that raises questions about the Rams' decision-making process when it comes to their special teams unit.
The Rams' Kicker Carousel: A Look at Their Recent History
The Rams have had a revolving door of kickers over the past few seasons, and it's clear that they're still searching for the right fit. Since Matt Gay left after their Super Bowl win in 2021, the team has cycled through four different kickers - including Mevis.
One of those kickers is Blake Grupe, who was signed off the New York Jets' practice squad yesterday. Grupe is a four-year NFL veteran who spent his first 2 1/2 seasons as the New Orleans Saints' kicker before getting released last November during a rough season.
The Players Involved: Who's Who in the Rams' Kicker Shuffle
I've got a lot of questions about the players involved in this situation. Harrison Mevis, the kicker who just got cut, was touted as "The Thiccer Kicker" last season for his impressive physique. But what really stands out to me is that he's still only 5 for 9 on field goals this season - a statistic that raises some red flags about the Rams' decision-making process.
On the other hand, Blake Grupe, the new kicker who was signed off the New York Jets' practice squad, has a bit more experience under his belt. As a four-year NFL veteran, he's got some seasoning that could be beneficial for the Rams. But let's not forget that he lost a training camp competition to Spencer Shrader this summer - what makes him think he can do better now?
I'm also curious about Greg Rousseau, the Buffalo Bills' defensive end who blocked Mevis's 48-yard field-goal attempt in overtime. He's been making waves all season with his impressive performances on the field, and it's clear that he's got some skills that could make him a valuable asset to any team.
Rams Cut Kicker Harrison Mevis After Overtime Missed Field Goal
The question on everyone's mind is what this move means for the Rams' special teams unit. With Mevis gone and Grupe on board, it will be interesting to see how they perform in upcoming games. But let's not forget that this is just another example of the team's struggles with special teams - a problem that's been plaguing them for years.
Head coach Sean McVay has been vocal about his team's kicking operation, saying it 'cost us the game tonight.' It's clear that he's frustrated with the situation, and it will be interesting to see how he addresses it moving forward. But one thing is certain - the Rams need to get their special teams unit together if they want to make a serious run at the playoffs.
Grupe lost a training camp competition in Indianapolis to Spencer Shrader this summer, but it seems that he's been given another chance with the Rams. It will be interesting to see how he performs under pressure, especially considering the team's history of struggling with special teams.
By The Numbers
What Number Mevis' field goal attempts this season 9 Mevis' missed field goals this season 4 Grupe's years of NFL experience 4 Grupe's seasons with the New Orleans Saints 2.5 Grupe will be the Rams' fifth kicker in four seasons since the departure of Matt Gay, the kicker for their Super Bowl-winning team in the 2021 season.
