The LA Ramsdrafted a very talented rookie kicker from Stanford in the 2024 NFL Draft on Day 3 to handle the placekicking duties. That rookie kicker is Joshua Karty. As with any rookie playing a pivotal role in the NFL, there are many challenges. But Karty appeared to be a natural, kicking everything possible in the first two games of the season.
When the Rams hosted the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, Karty was flawless once more, kicking two field goals and three extra points to place nine points on the scoreboard for the Rams. The team won that game by a thin margin of victory, 27-24. And yes, Karty's second field goal was a buzzer beater to win the game. After Week 3, Karty was a hero.
His reputation and reception by fans have certainly changed since Week 3. After Week 3, Karty was five for five on field goals, and six for six at extra points. Entering Week 15, Karty has kicked 17 of 22 field goals, and kicked 29 of 32 extra points. And fans are livid.
The team understood that rookie kickers take time to orient their wares to the NFL. It's the learning curve for nearly all rookie kickers. Unfortunately, some Rams fans who cited drafting a rookie kicker as the team prepared their shopping list for the 2024 NFL Draft failed to get the memo. There is no shortage of conversations about cutting Karty. Many of those fans have also concluded guilt by association, and have named ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn on the list of firings.
But don't look for any changes now, or at the end of this season. Cooler heads prevail, and Rams HC Sean McVay is one of them:
Coach McVay and the @RamsNFL have confidence in their young kicker, Joshua Karty.
"There was a reason why he had the success he had at Stanford...I think he's gonna be a good player for us for a long time" #RamsHouse @ramonashelburne @VeniceMase pic.twitter.com/9rKoAAU51H
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) December 4, 2024
The Rams have not lost a game in 2024 due to a missed field goal or extra point. But we know that the Rams have won games thanks to Karty's last second heroics. If you want to review the Rams schedule in 2024, the team has lost six games, none with a score closer than five points. But of the team's seven wins, two have been with margin of three points or less. Those wins happened in Week 3, and in Week 14. And in those two games, Joshua Karty kicked three field goals and eight of nine extra points.
Heroes appear when you least expect it. And it's heartbreaking to see Karty, the hero who won the game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, be kicked around in comments sections. One commenter even suggested that the Rams pounce on Ravens kicker Justin Tucker if he is released. Just to clarify, Tucker is kicking only 70 percent of his field goals this season, and the Ravens have lost games as a result. Karty is kicking 77 percent of his field goals, and the Rams have not lost a game due to a missed field goal.
I suspect that Joshua Karty is more likely to emerge from Week 15 as the hero once more than the villain. In either case, rookie kickers take time. Perhaps a bit more patience from fans would help lower the rage a bit.
As always, thanks for reading.