Chargers News: This Unit Of LA's Attack Has Proven Costly Through First 4 Games
Two sides of the ball are often discussed when discussing a football team, but the Chargers are experiencing issues for a third aspect of their games early into 2023.
Special team units often aren't brought up for the importance of an NFL team, but LA's lack of success on that end has one writer concerned.
Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken led a dramatic turnaround for the Chargers in his first season with the team in 2022. The Chargers finished 11th in special teams EPA. But his group has gotten off to a sluggish start this season. The Chargers ranked 27th in special teams EPA through four weeks. In particular, the Chargers’ punt team has regressed, and that includes punter JK Scott. The Chargers ranked sixth in punt EPA last season. Scott was tremendous, and he parlayed that great season into a two-year, $4 million deal in free agency. Through four games this season, though, the Chargers rank 24th in punt EPA. The unit’s 38.7 net average ranks 26th. Scott has mis-hit far too many punts thus far. The coverage has been lacking at times, as well. "(Scott) knows he needs to be better,” Ficken said.
Field position becomes critical, considering that LA's secondary has been very shaky through four games.
Even after trading J.C. Jackson and his overpriced contract, the back half of the Bolts' defense continued to get shredded by high-octane passing attacks.
The punting game can shoulder some of that blame as poor field position opens up playbooks for opposing offense and exposes LA's defense for big passing plays.
Scott's poor job to start 2023 isn't a good sign, and long-time Chargers fans know just how badly special teams can burn a team from contender to a spot on the couch come January.
This year's Chargers can only hope their unit improves before it's too late, unlike the team's dreaded 2010 season.
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