My question is - were the LAR special teams struggles due to talent on the roster, or coaching? You could have great coaches but if the players suck, to a degree it is what it is. The Rams were very top-heavy contract wise.
The Patriots, conversely, specifically paid a premium for quality special teamers but still sucked. That's on coaching.
If you look, at the individual numbers, the Rams had issues with FGs and Punt Coverage.
They had 11 Missed FGs between
2 different kickers. They had 5 missed Xtra Points as well.
The Rams Punt Coverage Unit wasn't very good.
They had 63 Punts that resulted in 7 punts going OOB, 5 kicks being downed,
7 touchbacks, 12 fair catches and
32 returns (2 for TDs), and a punt blocked. Those 32 Returns resulted in 503 return yards or 15.7 YPR.
It should be noted that Evans was doing double duty by having to do kick-offs as well. Don't know if that resulted in any leg fatigue for him or not.
To me, this says that it was player breakdown.
Hopefully, with the excellent core of STs the Pats have with Board, Elliss, Schooler, Cardona, and Baringer, and a better offense, the Pats won't punt 98 times in 2024..