Blake Grupe Prepared For Opportunity With Rams

After missing both of his field goal attempts against the Buffalo Bills, and four of nine attempts on the season, the Los Angeles Rams releases kicker Harrison Mevis and signed Blake Grupe off the New York Jets practice squad to take his place.

Grupe ended last season on the Indianapolis Colts, where he appeared in five games and made all 11 of his attempts. However, he would lose a training camp competition to Spencer Shrader, leading to him being released and joining the Jets. But Grupe believes all that he has been through throughout his career has prepared him for this opportunity with the Rams, via Stu Jackson of theRams.com:

“No, not at all. I mean, Spencer’s a hell of a kicker. He is one of my buddies. He followed me at Notre Dame. He was somebody I was checking on throughout the whole process when he was dealing with his knee,” Grupe said Thursday about that competition with Shrader, as he spoke to Los Angeles media for the first time. “We both deserve to be there. I mean, at the end of the day, the Indianapolis Colts are in a great position with their kicking game, and obviously he’s showing what he can do in these last five weeks. We duked it out as high levels of competition as you can have. Everything that’s happened in my career has led me to where I’m at right here today with this team, and at the end of the day, wouldn’t have it any other way.”

And now that he is in Los Angeles, Grupe is simply focused on being ready when he is called upon by the Rams:

“At the end of the day, just take it one week at a time, one practice (at a time),” Grupe said. “Today was a good day out there, even with the gusty winds. So what a day to get out there. But yeah, we got to work. It’s a good day to have a good day here, and prepping through Friday, Saturday, and take advantage of the opportunity on Sunday.”

Grupe began his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2023, but a rough stretch to start last season led to him being released. However, his ability to refocus upon joining the Colts and going perfect during that stretch showed his mental toughness and what he is capable of overall.

Special teams has been an issue for the Rams over the past couple of seasons and for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, they need a kicker they can rely on and Grupe has the chance to show he is that person.

Rams’ tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension reduced to one game

One player who won’t be on the field for the Rams when they face the Arizona Cardinals is tackle Alaric Jackson, who was originally suspended two games for punching a player. But that suspension was reduced to one game, so he will be back in Week 7.