DR RAM’s Complete Physical on the Rams Offensive Line vs. the Ravens

By: DR RAM

September 22, 2011

The DR’s microscope focused on the offensive line this week, because the passing game was non-existent versus the Ravens. The compiled data is below.

Chart: Rams Offensive line grades Rams vs. Ravens 2011 1^st Half Only

1st Possession
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	Shotgun	M	P	16	1st D	J. McClain blitzed from the will, but Bell blocked Ngata then handed him off to Brown. Bell then picked up the blitzer rode him and knocked him down. Jason Smith got beat with an inside swim move. Bradford scrambled. Dahl and Saffold had their men, Cody and Suggs.	4	5	4	4	2	N
1	10	Spread	L	P	0	INC	J. Johnson blitzed from the wide left, Saffold picked him up. Bell blocked Cody, but Redding on the outside was virtually unblocked, Bell chipped him at the end. Dahl had Ngata and Suggs turned corner on Smith, but was too wide for 3 step drop and throw. Sam hit on play. After play Bell gestured angrily toward Saffold. Brown had nobody to block, I guess they were DT Ngata.	2	4	3	4	3	N
2	10	I	L	R	-8		Poorly designed play that leaves Suggs on the side we are running to unblocked. Saffold releases downfield on this trick play reverse. Smith on the backside gets thrown to the ground by Redding.	3	4	3	4	2	3
3	18	Shotgun	M	R	12	Punt	Draw play to SJ. Bell and Dahl perform a cross block, Dahl levels him. Bell has key block on Ray Lewis, knocks him down. Saffold, Smith, and Uh Oh don't do much, just kick out on their guys.	2	5	4	5	3	3
St. Louis Rams at 15:00
7-B.Cundiff kicks 74 yards from BAL 35 to SL -9. 34-J.Norwood, Touchback.
1-10-STL 20 (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford scrambles up the middle to SL 36 for 16 yards (20-E.Reed).
1-10-STL 36 (14:16) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 86-M.Hoomanawanui [93-C.Redding].
2-10-STL 36 (14:11) 88-L.Kendricks left end to SL 28 for -8 yards (55-T.Suggs).
3-18-STL 28 (13:36) (Shotgun) 39-S.Jackson up the middle to SL 40 for 12 yards (99-P.Kruger).
2nd Possession
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	SB	SL	P	6	Scramble	Sam had Sims-Walker on a flat and go, he appeared open with the safety trailing, but I don't see Ed Reed, he might be there, then he checked to Williams, who would have had 10 yards to run, but Ngata tripped him coming out into the flat. If Sam would have checked again he could have passed it to him, but he was already scrambling. Lewis tried to make helmet on helmet contact but missed. Dahl wanted a flag.	4	4	4	4	4	4
2	6	SB	L	R	2		Stretch left, Cody makes the tackle, by scraping along while being blocked by Brown. Good play by Cody. Both Bell and Saffold fired out and missed on backers. Uh Oh was lined up on left along with Kendricks to 5 man front. Too bunched up, Ravens did a good job. Smith tried to cut Ngata but missed, so Dahl cut him and took him down. There was opportunity for a cutback and edge, but Caddy just slammed it in there.	2	2	3	4	1	3
3	6	Shot	L	P	0	Punt	Ravens lined up 5 and brought 7, Lewis and McClain. Brown picked up Lewis and knocked him down. McClain came delayed and was free, but Sam already released it. He looked middle, then left, middle was open, we had 2 TE in same area, but open. Caddy was open also, but ball batted down, Would have been 1st down. Dahl helped Smith with DT on Ngata	3	4	5	4	4	N
St. Louis Rams at 12:20
7-B.Cundiff kicks 72 yards from BAL 35 to SL -7. 34-J.Norwood to SL 24 for 31 yards (51-B.Ayanbadejo).
1-10-STL 24 (12:13) 8-S.Bradford scrambles up the middle to SL 30 for 6 yards (52-R.Lewis).
2-4-STL 30 (11:46) 33-C.Williams left tackle to SL 32 for 2 yards (95-J.Johnson).
3-2-STL 32 (11:17) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 33-C.Williams (93-C.Redding).
3rd Possession
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	SB	M	R	16	FD	Stretch right, Williams cutback left. Saffold, Bell and Uh Oh, all had great seal blocks on the backside. Brown blocked Cody, Bell turned Ngata inside. Sims-Walker nice stalk block	5	5	4	3	3	5
1	10	2B	M	R	0		Bad play design, FB has to block Cody. Bell released and whiffed on Lewis. Suggs beats Smith badly to inside. Dahl pancaked Ngata.	3	2	3	5	1	3
2	10	SB	R	P	6		Stretch look sprint out right, quick to Gibson. Nice moving pocket, no penetration.	4	4	4	4	4	4
3	6	Shot	R	P	0	Punt	Spread, Smith pointed to Dahl's guy before the snap and waited for Lewis on delayed blitz from his linebacker position. Suggs on outside had free rush on Bradford and Sam threw it away, 2 receivers were wide open, but not in Sam’s view.	4	4	4	4	0	4
St. Louis Rams at 08:49
1-10-STL 41 (8:49) 33-C.Williams up the middle to BAL 43 for 16 yards (52-R.Lewis).
1-10-BAL 43 (8:11) 39-S.Jackson left guard to BAL 43 for no gain (52-R.Lewis).
2-10-BAL 43 (7:37) 8-S.Bradford pass short right to 11-B.Gibson pushed ob at BAL 39 for 4 yards (20-E.Reed).
Timeout #1 by BAL at 07:03.
3-6-BAL 39 (7:03) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short right to 11-B.Gibson.
4th Possession
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	SB	L	P	0	INC	Was an intended 3 step drop to DX, who was grabbed and held 3x (no call) finally got clear, but didn't quite have his head around soon enough BC of hold. Pettis was open on same side, shorter, but Suggs in passing lane leaping in air to bat pass down, BC of failed chop block by Saffold.	2	4	4	4	4	4
2	10	Shot	L	P	0	INC	All flow goes RT then pass back to left hitch DX, Suggs unblocked by design got in passing lane and broke it up. Sam gave uop on this play, could have tried to step up, or look off, but he just got rid of it low with no pressure. Good looking play, but needs tweaking. Spacing.	4	4	4	4	4	4
3	10	Shot	M	P	0	Sack	McPhee took a hard inside move on Dahl and beat him to the inside, there was no help, back or anything. Smith could have helped, but was looking other way, he didn't block anybody. Pettis was breaking free on left sideline, blown coverage, possible TD. Sam was looking at him.	4	4	4	2	3	N
St. Louis Rams at 03:38
7-B.Cundiff kicks 74 yards from BAL 35 to SL -9. 34-J.Norwood, Touchback.
1-10-STL 20 (3:38) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 84-D.Alexander.
2-10-STL 20 (3:34) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short right to 84-D.Alexander.
3-10-STL 20 (3:32) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford sacked at SL 16 for -4 yards (90-P.McPhee).
4-14-STL 16 (3:07) 5-D.Jones punts 39 yards to BAL 45, Center-44-J.McQuaide, fair catch by 21-L.Webb.
4th Possession
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	SB	R	R	1		Quick toss RT Kendricks was on the wing and lost balance on his block and fell backward, tripping the ball carrier and two blockers. Saffold missed another backside cut block, Our guys CAN'T CUT BLOCK! Smith blocked Dahl who still blocked his guy.	1	2	4	4	1	1
2	9	SB	R	P	minus 10	Sack	Coverage sack, nobody was open, then when Sam started to scramble, receivers either didn't move or turned their heads…not good. Bajema gave up the sack, but block was OK.	3	4	4	4	3	3
3	19	Shot	L	P	INC	Punt	Ravens overloaded left side of line then delayed safety blitz. Rushed non-accurate pass from Sam that would have been 3-yards short of 1st down if complete. Pettis was wide open streaking down middle. Good blocks by Bell, Saffold and SJ.	4	4	4	3	3	3
St. Louis Rams at 01:48
7-B.Cundiff kicks 60 yards from BAL 40 to end zone, Touchback.
1-10-STL 20 (1:48) 33-C.Williams right tackle to SL 21 for 1 yard (97-A.Jones).
2-9-STL 21 (1:16) 8-S.Bradford sacked at SL 11 for -10 yards (55-T.Suggs).
3-19-STL 11 (:33) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 84-D.Alexander.
4-19-STL 11 (:27) 5-D.Jones punts 55 yards to BAL 34, Center-44-J.McQuaide. 21-L.Webb to BAL 34 for no gain (38-J.Gordy). BAL-43-H.Nakamura was injured during the play.
5th Possession 11:31 2Q
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	SB	L	R	3		Stretch left, all good blocks, small cutback hole missed by Caddy. Good D by Ravens, strung it out.	4	4	4	4	4	4
2	7	SB	L	R	6		Well-blocked trap by Bajema, nice block on Cody, if Brown would have established inside shade would have been a big play.	4	4	3	4	3	5
3	1	GL 2B	L	R	2	FD	Power stretch. Dahl nice cut block on backside, no idea what Smith was doing, kind of jumped on top of Dahl’s guy, could have kicked out end or sealed edge for a potential huge cutback lane. Brown got destroyed, blown back about 3 yards right after snap. Bell and Saffold DT Jones, then Saffold peeled off and blocked a backer. Excellent block. Uh Oh, nice kick out on Suggs. Lewis flew in to make tackle. Good effort by Caddy, fought for FD. Bell came off pile fighting with Cody.	5	4	2	4	0	4
1	10	SB	R	P	4		Nice pocket, but Bradford, scrambled when no one was open. Gibson, being held, broke free and made nice move to get open on sideline. Jackson pickup up a backside safety blitz	4	4	4	4	4	N
2	6	Shot	R	P	6	FD	Jackson excellent job picking up LB blitz, Bradford quick throw to Gibson, who came back to ball, but then fought to get FD.	4	4	4	4	4	N
1	10	2B	L	P	0	DROP	Good blocking again, Ravens overloaded left side 6-man blitz. One guy got through late, then hit Sam late, no flag. Kendricks dropped a well-thrown ball towards the sideline. A 10 yd play negated.	4	4	4	4	4	N
2	10	Shot	R	R	7		Cross block, DT McPhee, Bell pulled to Block Lewis who filled hard, Caddy ran into Bell, then ran forward for gain. Bajema good block. Out side appeared sealed if Caddy would have bounced.	4	4	4	4	4	4
3	3	Shot	L	P	0	INC	Same play as TD last week. Raven overloaded left again. This time Brown missed assignment and Ngata came free. SJ made another great block on outside blitzer after checking middle first. Saffold weak cut block on Suggs. DX was open, would be TD. Sam took huge hit.	2	4	0	4	4	N
4	3	Shot	L	P	0	PI/FD	Ball to DX, good lane, Williams grabbed him and came through him and knocked it down, Well thrown ball.	4	4	4	4	4	N
1	10	SB	M	R	2		TO, Rams, Kendricks wasn't lined up correctly. Were in Shot, changed to run play out of TO. Williams hesitant, missed small hole, cutback appeared available, no penetration by Ravens, but well played by them.	3	3	3	3	3	3
2	8	SB	L	R	9	FD	This was the Smith play. He did absolutely nothing but stand there, get his in the face by Lewis, then tackled by Jones. Lewis reacted to final shove by Bell in his back. Spags was livid, horrible call.
1	10	SB	R	P	3		3 step drop, quick outside pass to Pettis who makes nice catch. Thrown a little behind.	4	4	4	4	4	N
2	7	SB	R	P	0	INT	Sam drops back to pass to DX who had faux press coverage, stumbled out of his break and gave up easy INT. Quick timing throw, blocking OK.	4	4	4	4	4	4
St. Louis Rams at 11:31
1-10-STL 41 (11:31) 33-C.Williams left tackle to SL 44 for 3 yards (97-A.Jones).
2-7-STL 44 (10:58) 33-C.Williams left guard to 50 for 6 yards (53-J.McClain).
3-1- (10:22) 33-C.Williams left tackle to BAL 48 for 2 yards (55-T.Suggs).
1-10-BAL 48 (9:55) 8-S.Bradford pass short right to 11-B.Gibson ran ob at BAL 44 for 4 yards (21-L.Webb).
2-6-BAL 44 (9:29) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass short left to 11-B.Gibson to BAL 38 for 6 yards (29-Ca.Williams).
1-10-BAL 38 (8:52) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 88-L.Kendricks [95-J.Johnson].
2-10-BAL 38 (8:43) (Shotgun) 33-C.Williams right tackle to BAL 31 for 7 yards (59-D.Ellerbe).
3-3-BAL 31 (8:05) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete deep left to 84-D.Alexander [92-H.Ngata].
4-3-BAL 31 (8:00) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to 84-D.Alexander. PENALTY on BAL-29-Ca.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 6 yards, enforced at BAL 31 - No Play.
Timeout #1 by SL at 07:56.
1-10-BAL 25 (7:56) 33-C.Williams up the middle to BAL 23 for 2 yards (92-H.Ngata).
2-8-BAL 23 (7:26) 33-C.Williams left guard to BAL 14 for 9 yards (59-D.Ellerbe). PENALTY on SL-77-J.Smith, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
1-10-BAL 29 (6:55) 8-S.Bradford pass short right to 18-A.Pettis to BAL 26 for 3 yards (25-C.Carr).
2-7-BAL 26 (6:21) 8-S.Bradford pass deep right intended for 84-D.Alexander INTERCEPTED by 21-L.Webb at BAL 3. 21-L.Webb ran ob at BAL 3 for no gain.
6th Possession 03:05 2Q
Down	Distance	Formation	Area	Type	Yards	Result	Comment	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
1	10	Shot	M	R	4		Cross block, with Dahl pulling, Dahl blocked out instead of leading the hole, leaving Lewis with free run at Jackson. He took to wide of an arch when pulling. Every other block was excellent, could have been a huge gain.	4	4	4	0	4	4
2	6	Shot	R	P	0	INC	This was a very well disguised safety blitz up the middle. Brown may have been able to hand Lewis off to Bell, but missed it. Sam took another big hit. Had to get rid of ball, no safety outlet.	4	3	2	4	4	N
2	6	Shot	R	P	0	INC	Only brought 3 but showed 6, Smith had a LB one on one, and threw him at Sam’s feet instead of staying locked up, causing a scramble. Should have had a ton of time. Nobody open.	4	4	4	4	2	4
St. Louis Rams at 03:05
7-B.Cundiff kicks 70 yards from BAL 35 to SL -5. 34-J.Norwood to SL 15 for 20 yards (50-A.McClellan).
Timeout #2 by BAL at 03:01.
1-10-STL 15 (3:01) (Shotgun) 39-S.Jackson up the middle to SL 19 for 4 yards (52-R.Lewis).
2-6-STL 19 (2:31) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short right to 84-D.Alexander [31-B.Pollard].
3-6-STL 19 (2:26) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete short right to 39-S.Jackson (31-B.Pollard).
4-6-STL 19 (2:17) 5-D.Jones punts 59 yards to BAL 22, Center-44-J.McQuaide. 21-L.Webb ran ob at BAL 38 for 16 yards (57-C.Chamberlain).

Points Rating Key:

0 = missed assignment

1 = whiff

2 = ineffective or short sustained block

3 = average block, didn't stick.

4 = good block

5 = outstanding block, key block, picked up blitz.

Player	Saffold	Bell	Brown	Dahl	Smith	TE
Total Points	112	123	115	121	97	76
Avg. Points	3.5	3.8	3.6	3.8	3.0	3.6

Above are the total and average points for the first half. The tight ends were all lumped into one category and they didn’t block on every play. Bell rated out the best, slightly better than Dahl (I rounded) in the half that I studied. Missed assignments really hurt a players average. A play was considered a whiff if no momentum from the opposing player was changed, but a block was attempted. Players scored 2 points if they changed the opponent’s objective at all. 4 points was awarded if a player made a good sustained block throughout the course of the play. 5 points was only given for a truly outstanding block.