- Joined
- Dec 5, 2020
- Messages
- 1
Ok, long-time lurker, first-time poster, so be gentle. Like most of you, I can't stop thinking about the stupid Jets game. After re-watching the game a couple of times today (thank God for shortcuts), I had a few observations and wanted to see what you all thought. In no particular order:
1. The tone was set on our first defensive play, unfortunately. Quick pass to TE Herndon, and a handful of Rams lazily slow him down, but nobody ever wraps him up and actually tackle him. Combined with our previous 3 and out on the first drive, both sides of the ball revealed their mindset. Momentum is a funny thing in life and in sports, and this Rams team NEEDS to start strong or they just don't seem to get out of their funk.
2. The amount of help and attention our safeties had to give to Reeder was unreal, especially JJ3. While Reeder made a couple of nice plays in coverage, he was outmatched on so many occasions it was crazy to watch. I have to think this affected their ability to take care of core assignments, which might have led to some of the issues on the last play to Gore (who knows). I know he isn't a starter for a reason, but after multiple viewings of the game, it was terribly apparent how much others had to subsidize his play.
3. Off-tackle runs were routinely getting great yardage, but we just wouldn't fully commit to the run. The same couldn't be said for running up the middle (issues with interior linemen for sure). In addition, a few untimely penalties really, really hurt our commitment to the run. Cam lost 50+ yards on 3 penalties plus the go-ahead TD and a critical 1st down. Staggering numbers combined with such critical situations were KILLER.
4. I hate to even write this, as he was/is my favorite player, but I was surprised to see Donald "quit" on a few plays when Darnold was scrambling. He still played great and is the best thing we have going, but seeing him not hustle after the QB on at least two chases was disappointing.
5. I am not a Goff lover or hater...just trying to be a realist. What really has me troubled this year (more than others) is his lack of accuracy and placement. Yes, his ability to handle pressure and read a defense is well-documented, but some really easy throws are in the dirt, at receiver's feet, or generally off-target. I'm talking about even without pressure. He appears to be overthinking everything and afraid to make a mistake, and at this point, I'd like to see McVay take the gloves off and open things up a bit. I think we might be better off making the mistake or two per game being aggressive vs managing risk so heavily and still getting the mistakes. He isn't having any fun, and it shows on his face and, I believe, in his play. If we don't have any confidence in his play then...
6. So...few..."chunk"...plays. That was the word of 2018...I know a lot has changed with the team, but we don't even seem to be making the effort. Defenses have adjusted to the game plan and our lack of a true deep-threat receiver is a glaring issue, but watching this offense grind is really hard to stomach. Maybe we miss John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold more than I initially imagined, but what do you all think?
7. No "game changers". There is parity in the NFL, and I try to remember that every player in uniform earned their spot by being a really great player at some level. No turnovers created, an "almost" play on the punt return, and no breakaway offensive plays. With so many good players across the league and such a high level of parity, I believe most games come down to 3-5 really key plays. The Jets made them and we didn't, plain and simple. No turnovers created, untimely penalties, and bad decisions on key downs kept us from gaining any momentum. Remember, teams that win the turnover battle win the game just under 80% of the time historically (I like those odds).
8. Looking forward to the offseason, I believe we need to focus on 4 key positions to dramatically improve our team (C, ILB, WR, and OLB, in that order). We need a beefy, strong, nasty center...was hoping Brian Allen would be it, but no dice. Kiser is fine, but we need to find a playmaker in this spot and he isn't it. Finally, on the WR front, I am talking specifically someone who can stretch the field (realizing now this is where we really miss Cooks). In terms of OLB, I would keep Lewis and Hollins and otherwise start over. All of this being said, I believe that means we will need to let a few key players walk: JJ3 (left with Fuller, Burgess, Rapp), Floyd (see Dante Fowler), Reynolds (not the deep-threat guy) and Everett (Higbee gets featured and let's see what Hopkins can do).
At the end of the day, I am glad we have a winning team, a generally good coach and front office, and a football team to actually care about this far into the season (look at my avatar to remember the dark days my friends). Let's go take care of business the next two weeks and secure that hugely important momentum heading into the post-season.
1. The tone was set on our first defensive play, unfortunately. Quick pass to TE Herndon, and a handful of Rams lazily slow him down, but nobody ever wraps him up and actually tackle him. Combined with our previous 3 and out on the first drive, both sides of the ball revealed their mindset. Momentum is a funny thing in life and in sports, and this Rams team NEEDS to start strong or they just don't seem to get out of their funk.
2. The amount of help and attention our safeties had to give to Reeder was unreal, especially JJ3. While Reeder made a couple of nice plays in coverage, he was outmatched on so many occasions it was crazy to watch. I have to think this affected their ability to take care of core assignments, which might have led to some of the issues on the last play to Gore (who knows). I know he isn't a starter for a reason, but after multiple viewings of the game, it was terribly apparent how much others had to subsidize his play.
3. Off-tackle runs were routinely getting great yardage, but we just wouldn't fully commit to the run. The same couldn't be said for running up the middle (issues with interior linemen for sure). In addition, a few untimely penalties really, really hurt our commitment to the run. Cam lost 50+ yards on 3 penalties plus the go-ahead TD and a critical 1st down. Staggering numbers combined with such critical situations were KILLER.
4. I hate to even write this, as he was/is my favorite player, but I was surprised to see Donald "quit" on a few plays when Darnold was scrambling. He still played great and is the best thing we have going, but seeing him not hustle after the QB on at least two chases was disappointing.
5. I am not a Goff lover or hater...just trying to be a realist. What really has me troubled this year (more than others) is his lack of accuracy and placement. Yes, his ability to handle pressure and read a defense is well-documented, but some really easy throws are in the dirt, at receiver's feet, or generally off-target. I'm talking about even without pressure. He appears to be overthinking everything and afraid to make a mistake, and at this point, I'd like to see McVay take the gloves off and open things up a bit. I think we might be better off making the mistake or two per game being aggressive vs managing risk so heavily and still getting the mistakes. He isn't having any fun, and it shows on his face and, I believe, in his play. If we don't have any confidence in his play then...
6. So...few..."chunk"...plays. That was the word of 2018...I know a lot has changed with the team, but we don't even seem to be making the effort. Defenses have adjusted to the game plan and our lack of a true deep-threat receiver is a glaring issue, but watching this offense grind is really hard to stomach. Maybe we miss John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold more than I initially imagined, but what do you all think?
7. No "game changers". There is parity in the NFL, and I try to remember that every player in uniform earned their spot by being a really great player at some level. No turnovers created, an "almost" play on the punt return, and no breakaway offensive plays. With so many good players across the league and such a high level of parity, I believe most games come down to 3-5 really key plays. The Jets made them and we didn't, plain and simple. No turnovers created, untimely penalties, and bad decisions on key downs kept us from gaining any momentum. Remember, teams that win the turnover battle win the game just under 80% of the time historically (I like those odds).
8. Looking forward to the offseason, I believe we need to focus on 4 key positions to dramatically improve our team (C, ILB, WR, and OLB, in that order). We need a beefy, strong, nasty center...was hoping Brian Allen would be it, but no dice. Kiser is fine, but we need to find a playmaker in this spot and he isn't it. Finally, on the WR front, I am talking specifically someone who can stretch the field (realizing now this is where we really miss Cooks). In terms of OLB, I would keep Lewis and Hollins and otherwise start over. All of this being said, I believe that means we will need to let a few key players walk: JJ3 (left with Fuller, Burgess, Rapp), Floyd (see Dante Fowler), Reynolds (not the deep-threat guy) and Everett (Higbee gets featured and let's see what Hopkins can do).
At the end of the day, I am glad we have a winning team, a generally good coach and front office, and a football team to actually care about this far into the season (look at my avatar to remember the dark days my friends). Let's go take care of business the next two weeks and secure that hugely important momentum heading into the post-season.
