Fisher: Rams a couple of plays away from 3-0/PD

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

RamBill

Legend
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
8,874
Fisher: Rams a couple of plays away from 3-0
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_a3f7711f-3eca-54ff-b0bb-f32ec9b049cf.html

Perhaps Rams coach Jeff Fisher has a special set of glasses. Because after two tough losses, and with an offense that ranks dead last in the NFL, Fisher says he sees improvement from his 1-2 squad.

“We have room for improvement, but I’m seeing improvement,” Fisher said. “We’ve got a lot of games left. We have a huge challenge the next couple of weeks before the bye ... but I have complete confidence in the young group in this room.”

Next up, the Rams play back-to-back road games against perhaps the NFC’s top two squads so far this season — Arizona and Green Bay. Arizona has won 15 of its last 18 at home. After beating Kansas City on Monday night, Green Bay has won 10 in a row at home.

So how does Fisher avoid thinking: “Geez, we’re going to be 1-4 entering the bye”?

“They’ve got to play us as well,” Fisher said, referring to the Cardinals and Packers. “That’s how we look at it.”

From the outside, it all looks and sounds depressingly familiar. Another slow start, another season where the Rams could be out of playoff contention before the first frost. Call him delusional if you will, but Fisher isn’t thinking that way.

With that in mind, he endorsed the viewpoint of quarterback Nick Foles, who said after the 12-6 loss to Pittsburgh: “We’re 1-2. The world’s not ending. We will figure it out.”

“I think he’s got a real legitimate perspective of where we are as a football team right now,” Fisher said. “We are a few plays away from being 3-0. We make a couple of plays last week, and make a couple plays (Sunday) — you have to approach it that way.

“You can’t go and say, ‘Hey, we’re a few plays away from being 0-3.’ You know? If you look at it the way we’re looking at it, then there’s optimism. And there’s — I’m not saying hope — but there’s confidence that this team’s going to get better.”

Those aren’t exactly the words Rams Nation wants to hear right now. After Fisher inherited a 2-14 squad and took it to 7-8-1 in his inaugural season here in 2012, a fan base agitated on multiple levels has grown weary of waiting for this team to turn the corner.

With the exception of a bad half against Washington, the Rams’ defense has held up its end of the bargain. The Rams limited Pittsburgh’s top-ranked offense to 259 yards, moving up to a tie for ninth (with San Diego) in total defense.

But the lack of production on offense is dragging the team down. Two weeks ago at Washington, the Rams gained only 213 yards, the sixth-lowest total for a Fisher-coached team in St. Louis.

Things didn’t get much better against Pittsburgh. The offense’s 258-yard output was the 14th-worst in Fisher’s 51 games with the Rams.

As a result, the Rams rank 32nd in the league — or last — in total offense, averaging only 274.3 yards a game. After scoring 34 points in the opening-day victory against Seattle, they have managed only 16 points total in the losses to Washington and Pittsburgh.

A major reason for the offensive free-fall has been third-down conversions. Or lack thereof. The Rams have converted only four of 22 third downs in their last two games, after going six for 11 against the Seahawks. Fisher said there is no common thread in the third-down struggles.

Sometimes, it’s a matter of not getting proper depth on routes, such as the 7-yard completion to tight end Jared Cook on a third-and-10 play late in the third quarter Sunday.

Sometimes it’s a matter of Foles properly identifying whether he’s facing man or zone coverage in his pre-snap reads, which affects where he’s going with the ball.

“We had some opportunities there (against Pittsburgh),” Fisher said. “He’s seen it. We’ve discussed it, and we’ll improve upon it.”

With a new quarterback, a new coordinator, three new starters on the line and a highly touted rookie running back coming off a college knee injury, it figured to be tough sledding offensively early in the season. Even Fisher anticipated that might be the case to a degree. What he didn’t anticipate was the almost total lack of points the past two Sundays.

Even with the 34-point day against Seattle, the Rams have scored more points than only four other teams so far this season, with 50.

“It’s not broken,” Fisher said. “It’s working. I thought this team improved over the Washington effort. It’s not reflected in the win-loss column.”

Fisher said the offensive line continues to show improvement.

“Greg (Robinson) played one of his better games; we really like what we saw out of Greg in the game,” Fisher said. “Rob (Havenstein)’s doing fine out there. We had a couple minor communication issues out there.

“JB (Jamon Brown) is doing fine. Rodger (Saffold)’s fine now with shoulder. And I thought Timmy (Barnes) played well.”

But at the same time, even Fisher conceded: “It’s hard to say a player plays well on offense when you score six points.”

Or your running game continues to be stuck in neutral.

The Rams ranked 27th in rushing offense entering the Pittsburgh game, averaging 71.5 yards a game. After the Pittsburgh game, they ranked 29th after gaining ... 71 yards against the Steelers. That’s not the kind of consistency you’re looking for.

“We were close,” Fisher said after reviewing game film. “Todd (Gurley) was like six carries for nine yards. He could have very well had 50 or 60 yards in those six carries, he was that close.

“A block here, press the hole here, a block there. Or maybe it’s just a slight formation change. And all of a sudden the back’s in the second level or the third level.”

Fisher said Gurley came out of the Pittsburgh game feeling good physically.

“There’s a possibility he’ll get more reps (versus Arizona),” Fisher said.

And what of dry-docked wide receiver Brian Quick, who has been on the game-day inactive list all three games in 2015?

“There’s a chance that he’ll be up this week,” Fisher said. “We’ll see how the week goes.’
 

RamBill

Legend
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
8,874
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #2
Rams notes: Sunday game featured NFL's first medical timeout
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_37255b09-b5cb-5e22-a71d-8e73a42982e6.html

With about three minutes to play in the Rams’ 12-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome, the first medical timeout in NFL history was called.

On a 7-yard run by the Rams’ Tre Mason, Pittsburgh cornerback Antwon Blake made the tackle and, in the estimation of an independent certified athletic trainer (ATC spotter) in the press box, Blake appeared to be a little disoriented. With a call to the officials on the field, the game was stopped and Blake was taken from the field to be evaluated for a possible concussion.

Following the evaluation, Blake was cleared and returned to finish the game.

Since the start of the 2012 season, the league has had two ATC spotters at every NFL game to serve as another set of eyes, watching for potential injuries. This year, for the first time, those spotters have the ability to stop the action on the field.

“I think the system works and I think it’s important,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said during a Monday session with reporters at Rams Park. “The officials did a really good job with it, explaining (it) to everybody, resetting the play clock, taking the player off and rewinding the clock.’’

Fisher, a member of the NFL’s competition committee, said the new policy was discussed at length in two different series of offseason meetings.

“The concern was that, is there any way there may be some competitive advantage to this type of concept? ... We didn’t feel there’s any way it was going to be competitive because it’s an independent observer. ... The observer had reason to believe that there may have been some sort of head injury and particularly because of the way the player was on the ground.’’

DEFENSE STEPS IT UP

With another strong effort Sunday, the Rams are now tied with San Diego for ninth in the NFL in total defense, allowing 325 total yards a game. They are tied with Washington for seventh in passing yards allowed (202.3) and 25th in rushing yards allowed (122.7).

Third-year linebacker Alec Ogletree enjoyed another stellar game Sunday, finishing with a team-high 15 tackles, according to the coaches’ Monday film review. Ogletree had 11 solos, one tackle for loss and a pair of sacks in the loss.

Safeties Rodney McLeod and T.J. McDonald had eight tackles apiece, with McDonald credited for three “big hits.”

Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis recorded seven tackles, surpassing Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen (915 tackles) to become the franchise’s career tackles leader with 921.

Aaron Donald paced the defensive line with six tackles, including two for loss. He also had a sack. Robert Quinn and safety Mark Barron had the team’s other sacks.

With five sacks Sunday and 13 overall, the Rams are tied with New England for the league lead. Against Pittsburgh, the Rams also had four quarterback pressures and three quarterback hits.

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was in on seven tackles and picked off his first pass of the season.

Ogletree, McDonald and Laurinaitis were on the field for all 63 defensive snaps, with Jenkins, McLeod and Trumaine Johnson taking part in 62. On the field for all 50 offensive snaps were QB Nick Foles, T Greg Robinson, T Rob Havenstein, G Jamon Brown and G Rodger Saffold.

At running back, Tre Mason took 23 snaps (44 percent), Benny Cunningham 15 (29 percent) and Todd Gurley 14 (27 percent). At receiver, Tavon Austin was on the field for 44 snaps (84 percent), Kenny Britt 37 (71 percent), Stedman Bailey 22 (42 percent) and Chris Givens 13 (25 percent).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Down 9-0 in the second quarter, the Rams attempted a fake punt near midfield, but the pass from punter Johnny Hekker short-hopped Stedman Bailey.

“Johnny’s been pretty effective for us since his arrival here,’’ Fisher said. “But Johnny’s also a punter. He’s not a quarterback, so on occasion, he’ll miss it.’’

Entering Sunday’s action, Hekker had completed five of six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown since entering the league in 2012.

In Seattle, the Seahawks used the same misdirection punt return that the Rams used to defeat them last year in a 26-0 win over the Bears on Sunday.

On a play the Rams dubbed “Mountaineer,’’ Bailey went the distance as fellow West Virginia product Austin faked that the ball was coming his way. The Rams won that game 28-26.

On Sunday, the Seahawks ran the same return, luring the Chicago defenders toward rookie return man Tyler Lockett at one side of the field while Richard Sherman fielded the punt on the other side of the field and returned it 64 yards to set up a field goal.

“It’s interesting,’’ said Fisher, who had not yet actually watched the play. “I wonder where they got it from? Who knows, maybe they had it before we did it last year.’’

RAM-BLINGS

• When asked if pyrotechnics would continue to be a part of the Rams’ pregame introductions at the Dome, Fisher kidded, “That’s not my call, but I’m going to enter the field through the other tunnel.”

Sunday’s game was delayed for about 30 minutes to clean up after the artificial turf caught fire briefly during the player introductions.

• SIU Carbondale product Jayson DiManche, who spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, was one of several linebackers trying out with the Washington Redskins on Monday.
 

RamsFan14

Starter
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Messages
563
I get his mindset... And I agree with it if anything... But saying we were a couple of plays from being 3-0? Tough to swallow at the moment.
 

Merlin

Enjoying the ride
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
37,047
In Fish's favor it is not madness for him to believe the OL can improve. There is that, even if the game is going to be in a hostile environment for the offensive line with the silent counts and all. It's also understandable for him to think Foles can improve, since the guy actually has played well for a season behind a running game. And Gurley, it is not madness to believe he can come in and give this offense a spark and increased productivity it badly needs.

But it IS madness to have faith in Cook. Running 7 yard routes when this team needs 10, or the drops, those kinds of mental errors shows he's a dumb player who is not ever going to learn. The dude is no rookie. And I don't understand why the media won't specifically nail Jeff down on that... "Hey Jeff, can you shed some light on why you believe Cook can improve?"

The Cards' secondary looms as a nasty matchup in my estimation. They're tied with Buffalo for the league lead in INTs with 7 and only Denver has a better passer rating against than 58.6. I mean anything is possible week to week in the NFL, however I just can't imagine anything but pain for the Rams' much maligned passing game. Gotta think they're planning to mash it on the ground, but who knows.
 

Mojo Ram

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
22,897
Name
mojo
Fisher: Rams a couple of plays away from 3-0
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_a3f7711f-3eca-54ff-b0bb-f32ec9b049cf.html

Perhaps Rams coach Jeff Fisher has a special set of glasses. Because after two tough losses, and with an offense that ranks dead last in the NFL, Fisher says he sees improvement from his 1-2 squad.

“We have room for improvement, but I’m seeing improvement,” Fisher said. “We’ve got a lot of games left. We have a huge challenge the next couple of weeks before the bye ... but I have complete confidence in the young group in this room.”

Next up, the Rams play back-to-back road games against perhaps the NFC’s top two squads so far this season — Arizona and Green Bay. Arizona has won 15 of its last 18 at home. After beating Kansas City on Monday night, Green Bay has won 10 in a row at home.

So how does Fisher avoid thinking: “Geez, we’re going to be 1-4 entering the bye”?

“They’ve got to play us as well,” Fisher said, referring to the Cardinals and Packers. “That’s how we look at it.”

From the outside, it all looks and sounds depressingly familiar. Another slow start, another season where the Rams could be out of playoff contention before the first frost. Call him delusional if you will, but Fisher isn’t thinking that way.

With that in mind, he endorsed the viewpoint of quarterback Nick Foles, who said after the 12-6 loss to Pittsburgh: “We’re 1-2. The world’s not ending. We will figure it out.”

“I think he’s got a real legitimate perspective of where we are as a football team right now,” Fisher said. “We are a few plays away from being 3-0. We make a couple of plays last week, and make a couple plays (Sunday) — you have to approach it that way.

“You can’t go and say, ‘Hey, we’re a few plays away from being 0-3.’ You know? If you look at it the way we’re looking at it, then there’s optimism. And there’s — I’m not saying hope — but there’s confidence that this team’s going to get better.”

Those aren’t exactly the words Rams Nation wants to hear right now. After Fisher inherited a 2-14 squad and took it to 7-8-1 in his inaugural season here in 2012, a fan base agitated on multiple levels has grown weary of waiting for this team to turn the corner.

With the exception of a bad half against Washington, the Rams’ defense has held up its end of the bargain. The Rams limited Pittsburgh’s top-ranked offense to 259 yards, moving up to a tie for ninth (with San Diego) in total defense.

But the lack of production on offense is dragging the team down. Two weeks ago at Washington, the Rams gained only 213 yards, the sixth-lowest total for a Fisher-coached team in St. Louis.

Things didn’t get much better against Pittsburgh. The offense’s 258-yard output was the 14th-worst in Fisher’s 51 games with the Rams.

As a result, the Rams rank 32nd in the league — or last — in total offense, averaging only 274.3 yards a game. After scoring 34 points in the opening-day victory against Seattle, they have managed only 16 points total in the losses to Washington and Pittsburgh.

A major reason for the offensive free-fall has been third-down conversions. Or lack thereof. The Rams have converted only four of 22 third downs in their last two games, after going six for 11 against the Seahawks. Fisher said there is no common thread in the third-down struggles.

Sometimes, it’s a matter of not getting proper depth on routes, such as the 7-yard completion to tight end Jared Cook on a third-and-10 play late in the third quarter Sunday.

Sometimes it’s a matter of Foles properly identifying whether he’s facing man or zone coverage in his pre-snap reads, which affects where he’s going with the ball.

“We had some opportunities there (against Pittsburgh),” Fisher said. “He’s seen it. We’ve discussed it, and we’ll improve upon it.”

With a new quarterback, a new coordinator, three new starters on the line and a highly touted rookie running back coming off a college knee injury, it figured to be tough sledding offensively early in the season. Even Fisher anticipated that might be the case to a degree. What he didn’t anticipate was the almost total lack of points the past two Sundays.

Even with the 34-point day against Seattle, the Rams have scored more points than only four other teams so far this season, with 50.

“It’s not broken,” Fisher said. “It’s working. I thought this team improved over the Washington effort. It’s not reflected in the win-loss column.”

Fisher said the offensive line continues to show improvement.

“Greg (Robinson) played one of his better games; we really like what we saw out of Greg in the game,” Fisher said. “Rob (Havenstein)’s doing fine out there. We had a couple minor communication issues out there.

“JB (Jamon Brown) is doing fine. Rodger (Saffold)’s fine now with shoulder. And I thought Timmy (Barnes) played well.”

But at the same time, even Fisher conceded: “It’s hard to say a player plays well on offense when you score six points.”

Or your running game continues to be stuck in neutral.

The Rams ranked 27th in rushing offense entering the Pittsburgh game, averaging 71.5 yards a game. After the Pittsburgh game, they ranked 29th after gaining ... 71 yards against the Steelers. That’s not the kind of consistency you’re looking for.

“We were close,” Fisher said after reviewing game film. “Todd (Gurley) was like six carries for nine yards. He could have very well had 50 or 60 yards in those six carries, he was that close.

“A block here, press the hole here, a block there. Or maybe it’s just a slight formation change. And all of a sudden the back’s in the second level or the third level.”
Fisher said Gurley came out of the Pittsburgh game feeling good physically.

“There’s a possibility he’ll get more reps (versus Arizona),” Fisher said.

And what of dry-docked wide receiver Brian Quick, who has been on the game-day inactive list all three games in 2015?

“There’s a chance that he’ll be up this week,” Fisher said. “We’ll see how the week goes.’
My points of interest.
 

RhodyRams

well hung member
Rams On Demand Sponsor
SportsBook Bookie
Moderator
Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
11,754
Fisher = a couple yards short of a first down
 

Elmgrovegnome

Legend
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
21,605
The things he is talking about is the difference between a good team and a bad team. TEs on good teams don't run 7 yards when they need ten. Good teams make that block to free the runner. Sure you are close to being a good team. Every NFL team is, but right now you have a bad team coach.........and it is all on you.
 

Ramhusker

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
13,674
Name
Bo Bowen
Fish is reaching a touch. I'll agree there were 4 or 5 plays that if just one would of gone the way of the Rams, it could of resulted in a win but the turd laid in Washington? Sounds like somebody lobbying for a mulligan.
 

kurtfaulk

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
15,970
Fisher = a couple yards short of a first down

haha, that's a great saying. i'm gonna start using it. the only problem is where i live nobody will know what the hell i'm talking about.

.
 

ChrisW

Stating the obvious
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Messages
4,670
a couple plays short of 3-0 and one play away from 0-3. Welcome to the NFL, Jeff.
 

bwdenverram

Legend
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
5,497
Name
BW
Well Jeff, I agree with you, we are just a few plays away. The thing is, the good teams find a way to make those plays.
So no more excuses, get this $hit on the right side of those plays.
 

den-the-coach

Fifty-four Forty or Fight
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
22,425
Name
Dennis
My reaction to Coach Fisher's comments:
1210.gif
 

LACHAMP46

A snazzy title
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
11,735
With another strong effort Sunday, the Rams are now tied with San Diego for ninth in the NFL in total defense, allowing 325 total yards a game. They are tied with Washington for seventh in passing yards allowed (202.3) and 25th in rushing yards allowed (122.7).
Still not good enough...Need to allow less than 100 yards per game RUSHING. And a just a lil less allowed passing....And with this offense...Need more turnovers.
 

anode8

Professional lurker, occasional poster.
Joined
Aug 12, 2014
Messages
85
Name
Ron
I appreciate the optimism to a certain extent, and I do realize that this team isn't getting completely crushed in most of it's losses anymore. With that being said, we're still losing and that just needs to stop.