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AlbaNY_Ram
I just checked every team in the NFC and they all use their punter as their holder.
I would check the AFC as well, but I'm pretty sure I already know what I would find.
The reason teams do this rather than using the QB2 or another position player is that special teams practice at the same time that the offense and defense practice. Teams don't want their QB2 working with special teams while the offense is trying to install their game plan for that week's opponent.
The logic is that 1.) their punter was the holder all thru college (for the exact same reason) and 2.) their punter is over with the special teams anyway so having him hold doesn't interfere with the install of their offensive game plan.
The exception to that first rule, unfortunately, is Ethan Evans. He was the punter and kicker in college and obviously didn't get any college experience as a holder because of that. (I can't find who the holder was when Karty kicked FGs in college but I would bet a lot of money it was the backup punter.)
Back in the day teams would indeed use their QB2 or a safety or a WR or whoever they could find that could do the job. But back in the day special teams practice took place after the offense and defense practiced so the QB2 could participate in the install of the game plan before he worked on holding. However, the current CBA restricts how long practice can last and teams now have to practice offense, defense, and special teams at the same time in order get all their work in within the time limit.
IMO if the Rams want someone other than Evans to be their holder they would have to make 'holder' a position similar to long snapper, where they take up a spot on the 53 man roster and then take up a spot on the 48 man game day roster and don't do anything besides hold for kicks.
Couple of things.
The CBA restrictions shouldn’t be a problem at all. Simply have the 3 specialists practice on their own time at some venue voluntarily. Motivated high character players that the Rams draft would happily do this.
The ‘roster position’ shouldn’t be a problem, either. Simply find another player from among the eligible 48 that can hold quickly with laces always facing forward. There are so many good hands players on this team that it would be no problem. Puka, Adams, Whit come to mind but there should be many others. Again it would require practicing among themselves other than at normal practice time. But I would be stunned if they didn’t have at least a handful of players ready and willing.
This is important and for the team. Evans, bless his heart, seems just unable to do it so they need to find someone that can. Fix that and the blocking techniques and this problem is solved.
