SANTA CLARA, Calif. — How does it keep happening?
At this point, it seems like it should be impossible.
Most teams don't even block one punt in a year — let alone three. But one individual player?
It just defies logic.
But that's Cory Littleton, who keeps getting through punt protection teams to block kicks. Officially he now has two blocked punts and one punt deflection in 2018. And this is the same Littleton who blocked a pair of punts in the 2017 season.
On Sunday, the block came early in the second quarter, with San Francisco backed up deep in its own territory. Littleton burst through the middle to get his hands on the ball off punter Bradley Pinion's foot. A few Rams dressed in color rush yellow tried to fall on it in the end zone, but the ball squirted out of the box for a safety.
"Week by week you have the scheme of the team — try to figure out their weakness and we can exploit them," Littleton said. "This week, it was right there through the A-gap and the long snapper."
So, it wasn't a touchdown. But it was still a huge play that helped L.A. maintain control of the game early. And it ended up turning into five points, as the Rams' offense got kicker Greg Zuerlein in position for a 37-yard field goal on the ensuing drive after the free kick.
Littleton gave special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel a lot of credit for putting him in position for that success.
The Rams take on the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Week 7.
"One thing that 'Bones' has always said since I've been here, is just believe. If you don't get it, you don't get it," Littleton said. "One thing we do — we live and die by the sword. If miss a block and hit the punter and we get a penalty, it sucks. If I block it, then it's all good — hopefully I get the ball every time."
But Littleton has also been quite successful as the Rams defensive signal-caller since taking over that role this season. His stat line from Sunday illustrates just how successful he's been, as he led the team with 10 total tackles, adding three tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
How can he perform so well in two phases?
"Just the practice we do week in and week out," Littleton said. "Just preparing myself, knowing exactly what I need to do for a game coming into it, and just trying to execute."
Head coach Sean McVay put it a little more succinctly.
"Yeah, Cory is a baller," he said.
OK, so that's not all McVay said.
"He's a guy that has done an excellent job, everyone's noticed what an impact he's made the last handful of years on special teams — he's still doing that, and then he's playing every snap of defense," McVay continued. "He's doing a good job from the communication — playing that 'Mike' linebacker spot. You see the versatility that he has, being able to be efficient in coverage, being able to blitz, what a great job he does pursuing to the run — he's playing really at a high level right now and I couldn't be more pleased with what Cory has done, and really just fortunate to have him."
Littleton's veteran teammates have taken notice of how well he's performed, too.
"He's a playmaker — a playmaker," defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. "He's just getting better and better."
"That man's a freak. That's why we have him in the middle," defensive lineman Michael Brockers said. "He can cover backs, tight ends, receivers — do it all. And then he loves special teams. And I think that's what you've got to appreciate about him, is he doesn't feel like special teams is an 'off' down for him. He's going on special teams. That's why he has three blocks right now on punts. So, you've just got to appreciate a guy like that. And he's very valuable to this team."
