Rams trainer Sean McVay worked with Ben Kotwika during three NFL seasons in Washington, when McVay was the team's offensive coordinator and Kotwica was the team's special teams coordinator.
After McVeigh's events firing of special teams coordinator Chase BlackburnKotwica will oversee the division, McVay said Monday during a video conference with reporters.
“I know his ability, I know his responsibility, I know his core beliefs,” McVay said of Kotwitz, who was a Rams assistant this season after serving as the Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator the previous two seasons. “At this end of the year you are not naive, you will retain many fundamental things.
“But I think there are some things we want to reflect in our style of play and overall approach that I think will be improved.”
Ben Kotwica will oversee special teams for the Rams moving forward, coach Sean McVay said.
(Associated Press)
Matt Harper, assistant special teams coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2021 to 2024, will join the staff to assist Kotwitz, McVay said.
Kotwica will assume a leadership role as the Rams (11-4) prepare to play the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Rams made the playoffs, but they Overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, 38-37. they dropped from first place in the NFC to fifth on Thursday.
Blackburn's departure marked the first time in McVay's nine seasons with the Rams that he fired a coach during the season.
McVay said he informed Blackburn of his decision on Friday morning, a day after the Seahawks' Rashid Shahid returned for the fourth quarter. score a touchdown it sparked a comeback from a 16-point deficit and helped the Rams win.
It was the latest in a series of costly special teams errors that included several blocked field goals and extra point attempts early in the season that led to losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
In early November, the Rams signed kicker Harrison Mevis to replace Joshua Carty, who is on the Rams' practice squad, and signed veteran tackle Jake McQuaid to replace Alex Ward. Mevis made his first eight field goal attempts, including three against the Seahawks, before missing from 48 yards in Seattle.
McVay said that as head coach, he has overall responsibility for special teams. But he made an attempt to change the leadership of this unit.
“There are some things we need to be better at in critical moments,” McVay said. “It was what we thought was best for the team… As simple as it could be.”
After the Rams play the Falcons, they will finish the regular season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
“I really think this is an opportunity that gives us a chance to use the last couple of weeks and then leading up to the playoffs to get where we want to be,” McVay said of special teams.
Etc.
Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson, who left the game against the Seahawks with an ankle injury, will have a “tough time” to be ready to play Monday night, McVay said. Wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), who did not play against the Seahawks, is progressing toward a return but will be monitored this week before determining his status for the game against the Falcons, McVay said. … Tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein will remain on injured reserve this week, McVay said. “They’re not quite ready yet,” he said.
