Rams Go From Thiccer Kicker to Thinner Kicker — and Still Can't Catch a Break

The Los Angeles Rams have a problem with their kicking game.

And apparently they've decided the solution is to experiment with weight classes.

The Rams entered the season as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Six games later, they're 2-4, sitting in last place in the NFC West and searching for yet another kicker.

How they got here is quite a story.

Let's start with Harrison Mevis.

Mevis isn't your typical NFL kicker. He weighs 245 pounds, which is a little unusual for a guy whose primary job involves kicking a football.

His nickname?

The Thiccer Kicker.

Mevis looks less like the guy who's supposed to kick field goals and more like the guy who's supposed to block for him.

Unfortunately, there was one problem.

He wasn't making enough field goals.

Mevis missed two attempts in the Rams' 37-34 overtime loss to Buffalo, including a potential game-winner that was blocked. He had converted just five of nine attempts this season.

The Rams decided they'd seen enough.

So they cut him.

Now, here's where things get interesting.

Who did Los Angeles bring in to replace its 245-pound kicker?

Blake Grupe.

And how much does Grupe weigh?

156 pounds.

That's an 89-pound difference.

The Rams went from the Thiccer Kicker to a guy who looks like he should be running onto the field to retrieve the kicking tee, not kicking the football.

And for a few minutes Sunday, the change seemed to be working.

Grupe made a 44-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals, giving Los Angeles an early 3-0 lead.

Then came the ensuing kickoff.

Grupe found himself in position to tackle Arizona returner Devin Duvernay.

Now, there are plenty of things you want your kicker to do: Make field goals; convert extra points; maybe send a kickoff through the end zone.

Taking on an NFL kick returner probably shouldn't be near the top of that list.

But Grupe went for the tackle anyway.

He suffered a knee injury and couldn't return.

On Monday, the Rams confirmed the injury was a torn ACL. Grupe is out for the season.

It's an unfortunate ending to what was supposed to be a fresh start for the 27-year-old kicker.

And it left Los Angeles in an extraordinary predicament.

With no healthy placekicker available, the Rams turned to punter Ethan Evans, who eventually converted an extra point.

The team also passed up kicking opportunities, including a failed two-point conversion attempt.

And the Cardinals went on to win 18-16, dropping the Rams to 2-4.

So now Los Angeles needs another kicker.

Again.

So the Rams split the difference this time and find somebody who weighs about 200 pounds?

Or do they bring back the Thiccer Kicker and tell him to stop missing field goals?

Regardless, there's a lesson here for every young football player.

If you're a kicker, make your field goals.

And if you weigh 156 pounds?

Let somebody else make the tackle.