New coordinator figures to be in-house hire/PD

[tahoe]

I would surmise that if they promote Cignetti or Boras they will keep Shotty's play book and just basically have a new play caller.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Continuity is nice, it really is no small thing but I hope everything people (CoachO and The Hammer) saw of Boras is true. Prep and teaching are so important from the position... and play-calling... seems like you kind of have a knack for that or you don't. Schotty got way to much grief in my opinion for lack of offensive production for things out of his control but he was just a so-so playcaller. Boy could script up the 1st 15 plays like nobody else but he always seemed a step behind what the defense was doing the rest of the game.

 

[Speeps]

Jim Thomas doesnt have any inside information. In fact, they had to wait until national media reported that hacket pulled out to even say anything. I don't trust anything they say, because the PD has no idea whats going on.

 

[WestCoastRam]

If it's Boras and all indications - even from weeks ago - from JT were that he had the inside track on the job, I take heart in that in a mediocre offense, his unit typically performed the best, and did some of the most creative work.

1) He's done good work with Cook, wish he could help him more as a blocker but Cook has improved there and the offense has effectively used his as a decoy in the run game too which I thought was actually quite novel at times.
2) Kendricks developed into a very good all around TE under Boras and may have a higher ceiling than anyone of us saw due to Cook taking many of his snaps.
3) Harkey, a late round pick, really developed into an all purpose tool as an H-back. It's a position that asks a lot of any player and it's never been too big for him.
4) Our backups after them seem to have some talent/skill and perhaps that's in no small part to Boras input into scouting and/or his tutelage when they get here.
5) Our most dangerous sets have arguably been two-TE or TE and H-back sets where play-action has been key.

 

[dieterbrock]

If it's Boras and all indications - even from weeks ago - from JT were that he had the inside track on the job, I take heart in that in a mediocre offense, his unit typically performed the best, and did some of the most creative work.

1) He's done good work with Cook, wish he could help him more as a blocker but Cook has improved there and the offense has effectively used his as a decoy in the run game too which I thought was actually quite novel at times.
2) Kendricks developed into a very good all around TE under Boras and may have a higher ceiling than anyone of us saw due to Cook taking many of his snaps.
3) Harkey, a late round pick, really developed into an all purpose tool as an H-back. It's a position that asks a lot of any player and it's never been too big for him.
4) Our backups after them seem to have some talent/skill and perhaps that's in no small part to Boras input into scouting and/or his tutelage when they get here.
5) Our most dangerous sets have arguably been two-TE or TE and H-back sets where play-action has been key.

While Cook's improved blocking was a bright spot in Cook's Ram career, I think his production has been a major disappointment. He was brought to St Louis to be a feature player, not a complimentary piece. I'm a huge Cook fan/supporter but willfully acknowledge that he hasnt been used properly at all, and his production doesnt remotely match his contract. And Kendricks? Despite his td grabs, his recieving skills seemed to regress this season, had a couple of key drops.

I'm looking at Boras and trying to find something solid to cling to, and unfortunately the TE production isnt it, not by a long shot.

 

[WestCoastRam]

True DB, there did seem to be a significant change in TE production from 2013 to 2014. I found that interesting.

 

[Boffo97]

To me, and I know that there are some who will vociferously disagree, but I disagree with them, this puts the absolute final nail in the coffin in any idea that Schotty was pushed out in any way, shape or form. An internal replacement will probably carry on the same things he did.

It's always dangerous to assume that members of the Rams MUST feel the way we do about other members of the Rams.

 

[Ram_Rally]

How is he an unknown? He's been with Fisher for 3 years and has the history with JR etc
Only unknown to all of us the same way chud was 8 years ago

He's unknown in that we have no idea about his ability to coordinate or maximize players in his system an nfl level

 

[RamBill]

Rams' coordinator search narrows again
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15874/rams-coordinator-search-narrows-again

News came Wednesday that Nathaniel Hackett, the only remaining known outside candidate the St. Louis Rams had courted for their vacant offensive coordinator job, pulled out of consideration for the job and was headed to Jacksonville to become quarterbacks coach.

Hackett was scheduled to have a second interview with the Rams earlier this week but that clearly was postponed for a reason. The reason being an opportunity to go to the Jaguars. In Jacksonville, Hackett reunites with Doug Marrone after the pair worked together in Buffalo.

Hackett wasn't assured of getting the Rams job, so it's possible that he opted to take the guaranteed job in Jacksonville. But whether he bowed out of the St. Louis proceedings on his own accord or because he knew he wasn't going to get the job really doesn't matter at this point.

What does matter is where the Rams go from here. We are now 22 days removed from the departure of Brian Schottenheimer to Georgia as its offensive coordinator. We knew then that Rams coach Jeff Fisher would probably take his time before making a hire. But with reports out of San Francisco that the 49ers are going to elevate quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst, the Rams have the only coordinator position still open in the league.

Considering the Niners also were near the end of the line in hiring a coordinator, it's probably a good indicator of the method the Rams are going to use to fill their job. In other words, it seems quite likely the Rams will end up hiring someone in house for the job.

That could very well lead to the conclusion of tight ends coach Rob Boras. Boras was the man the Rams very likely would've chosen for the job had Schottenheimer left last year and is the coach on the offensive staff who is most regarded as an up-and-comer in league circles. Boras has been in the league for 11 years coaching tight ends but only has three years as a college coordinator to his name, all coming at UNLV where he also coached the offensive line.

Quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti also figures to be in the mix. He interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator job and is also thought to be a bright offensive mind. Cignetti also offers a little more experience calling plays. He's been a coordinator in college stops at Fresno State, California, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Rutgers.

The well of outside candidates has mostly dried up at this point. The Rams showed interest in Kyle Shanahan and Adam Gase but Shanahan is headed for Atlanta and Gase has already landed in Chicago. Green Bay denied the Rams permission to speak to quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt and Indianapolis promoted Rob Chudzinski before the Rams could speak to him. The Rams also hoped to interview Greg Roman but he took the job in Buffalo before the Rams could talk to him.

 

[PressureD41]

I tell you what this team sure does try to make me hate them...

LMFAO

 

[PressureD41]

If it's Boras and all indications - even from weeks ago - from JT were that he had the inside track on the job, I take heart in that in a mediocre offense, his unit typically performed the best, and did some of the most creative work.

1) He's done good work with Cook, wish he could help him more as a blocker but Cook has improved there and the offense has effectively used his as a decoy in the run game too which I thought was actually quite novel at times.
2) Kendricks developed into a very good all around TE under Boras and may have a higher ceiling than anyone of us saw due to Cook taking many of his snaps.
3) Harkey, a late round pick, really developed into an all purpose tool as an H-back. It's a position that asks a lot of any player and it's never been too big for him.
4) Our backups after them seem to have some talent/skill and perhaps that's in no small part to Boras input into scouting and/or his tutelage when they get here.
5) Our most dangerous sets have arguably been two-TE or TE and H-back sets where play-action has been key.

I sure hope too see more 2TE sets moving fwd!!! some 2 te, 2wr 1 rb is awesome in my opinion

 

[TSFH Fan]

Strictly on numbers, I'll throw this out there regarding Boras' time at UNLV:

The numbers say they played with a running QB, ran a lot, and couldn't pass. Digging further, it appears it wasn't really JR's offense, and not really Boras' offense, but, on gameday, it was QB Jason Thomas' offense. Draft guys said of Thomas: "He is big and strong, and will draw comparisons to Duante Culpepper as his playing style is similar whether throwing the ball or tucking it under his arm and running with it." and "Pulls the ball down and takes off up the field displaying strength running the ball with the ability to pick up yardage off initial contact."

2000 -- UNLV OC was John Robinson, Boras was just OL Coach. Run 69% percent of the time at 5.0 yds/carry. I can't tell the ratio of called runs versus called passes turned into runs in any year. The passing game (JR was also QB coach), with Sophomore Thomas, completed 52.7%. Thomas was the team's 3d leading rusher. Team ends up 8-5.

2001 -- Boras takes over as OC. Going into the season, Mel Kiper says "Fourth-year junior Jason Thomas is, in my opinion, the best quarterback in the country." USA Today says: "Thomas has Heisman Trophy aspirations, and the offense will be explosive if Robinson can find a running attack." Offseason shoulder surgery and Thomas' failure to diligently rehab, affected things. They run 68.5% of the time. Rushing average drops to 4.7 yds/carry. Thomas completes 42.8%. Overall the team QB completion rate falls to 43.3%. Thomas was the team's 2d leading rusher.

Only 12 sacks? They only passed the ball 232 times -- that's a sack every 19 1/3 attempts (read that how you want). Also, dude was mobile. And, how hard do you rush a 43.3% passing attack? The team falls to 4-7.

2002 -- Boras still OC. Run 59% @ 5.2yds/carry. Jason Thomas returns as QB and he completes 48.9%, team overall completion rate is 49%. Thomas is 2d in rushing attempts and 4th in rushing yards, but ends up on bench by season's end. Team ends up 5-7.

They lost to Oregon St. 47-17. Good opportunity to work on the passing game? Nope. 16 pass attempts, 43 rushes at 3.7 yds/carry. It looks like classic JR style run-pass ratio.

2003 --Run 56.7% @ 3.3 yds/carry. New QB passes at 51.7%, overall offense passes at 50.7% completion rate. Record up to 6-6, but 2-5 in conference.

So, Re: Boras, we're talking about a guy with OC experience in the Mountain West Conference - no one's going to confuse the MWC with a real football conference -- and until his last year, his QB was the focal point of the offense. It seems clear Boras did not have the talent to use a sophisticated passing attack. But it's also clear that Thomas fell way short of the Kiper expectations while playing under Boras (yeah, 100 ways to view this). Based on how Thomas-centric the offense was, I don't think that we can proclaim Boras a running game guru or OL savant that might be suggested by the Rams website.


Links/Sources
http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/coaches/rob-boras/d5b5f4c1-904e-4ded-9729-667b4b97b5c1
http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/2001/0814/1239553.html
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/mwest/2001-08-06-preview.htm
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jan/04/former-unlv-star-jason-thomas-tries-to-reinvent-hi/
http://profootball.scout.com/story/66861-scouting-report-jason-thomas
http://profootball.scout.com/story/56575-scouting-the-m-west-unlv
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Boras
http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090400aaa.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2000.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2001.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2002.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2003.html

 

[Rmfnlt]

disappointing.

How I feel.

 

[dieterbrock]

Strictly on numbers, I'll throw this out there regarding Boras' time at UNLV:

The numbers say they played with a running QB, ran a lot, and couldn't pass. Digging further, it appears it wasn't really JR's offense, and not really Boras' offense, but, on gameday, it was QB Jason Thomas' offense. Draft guys said of Thomas: "He is big and strong, and will draw comparisons to Duante Culpepper as his playing style is similar whether throwing the ball or tucking it under his arm and running with it." and "Pulls the ball down and takes off up the field displaying strength running the ball with the ability to pick up yardage off initial contact."

2000 -- UNLV OC was John Robinson, Boras was just OL Coach. Run 69% percent of the time at 5.0 yds/carry. I can't tell the ratio of called runs versus called passes turned into runs in any year. The passing game (JR was also QB coach), with Sophomore Thomas, completed 52.7%. Thomas was the team's 3d leading rusher. Team ends up 8-5.

2001 -- Boras takes over as OC. Going into the season, Mel Kiper says "Fourth-year junior Jason Thomas is, in my opinion, the best quarterback in the country." USA Today says: "Thomas has Heisman Trophy aspirations, and the offense will be explosive if Robinson can find a running attack." Offseason shoulder surgery and Thomas' failure to diligently rehab, affected things. They run 68.5% of the time. Rushing average drops to 4.7 yds/carry. Thomas completes 42.8%. Overall the team QB completion rate falls to 43.3%. Thomas was the team's 2d leading rusher.

Only 12 sacks? They only passed the ball 232 times -- that's a sack every 19 1/3 attempts (read that how you want). Also, dude was mobile. And, how hard do you rush a 43.3% passing attack? The team falls to 4-7.

2002 -- Boras still OC. Run 59% @ 5.2yds/carry. Jason Thomas returns as QB and he completes 48.9%, team overall completion rate is 49%. Thomas is 2d in rushing attempts and 4th in rushing yards, but ends up on bench by season's end. Team ends up 5-7.

They lost to Oregon St. 47-17. Good opportunity to work on the passing game? Nope. 16 pass attempts, 43 rushes at 3.7 yds/carry. It looks like classic JR style run-pass ratio.

2003 --Run 56.7% @ 3.3 yds/carry. New QB passes at 51.7%, overall offense passes at 50.7% completion rate. Record up to 6-6, but 2-5 in conference.

So, Re: Boras, we're talking about a guy with OC experience in the Mountain West Conference - no one's going to confuse the MWC with a real football conference -- and until his last year, his QB was the focal point of the offense. It seems clear Boras did not have the talent to use a sophisticated passing attack. But it's also clear that Thomas fell way short of the Kiper expectations while playing under Boras (yeah, 100 ways to view this). Based on how Thomas-centric the offense was, I don't think that we can proclaim Boras a running game guru or OL savant that might be suggested by the Rams website.


Links/Sources
http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/coaches/rob-boras/d5b5f4c1-904e-4ded-9729-667b4b97b5c1
http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/2001/0814/1239553.html
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/mwest/2001-08-06-preview.htm
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jan/04/former-unlv-star-jason-thomas-tries-to-reinvent-hi/
http://profootball.scout.com/story/66861-scouting-report-jason-thomas
http://profootball.scout.com/story/56575-scouting-the-m-west-unlv
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Boras
http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090400aaa.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2000.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2001.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2002.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2003.html

Great post. PPG is also a pretty interesting stat
2000- With Robinson as OC 28.5 PPG
2001- Boras as OC- 25.8 PPG
2002- Boras- 24.3
2003- Boras- 21.3

 

[paceram]

Just wondering if the Rams are going to promote from within (And, I am guessing they probably will) why is it taking so long for them to make a final decision?

 

[blue4]

I guess "totally underwhelmed" is the only way to describe how I feel about the OC search. Whenever you lose an OC, for whatever reason, the idea should be to do better. "Still has a copy of last year's playbook" is so far the main asset of the two position coaches. I realize I'm jaded from the relocation talk, but dammit is it too much to ask for a bold choice here? I know continuity is important, but shouldn't you have a winning season first before you think about continuing the tradition? 7-9, 7-9, 6-10. At what point do you stop and think, "maybe it's time to do something different. Our draft choices will be 40 by the time this works"? I suppose I would feel differently if I could point to the TEs or QBs and say, "Well, they did play awful well. I can see why his name came up." But you can't really. QBs were hard to judge obviously, but the TEs weren't consistent.

I realize some of this is the relocation talking, but our window opened last season from a talent perspective. We have plenty of talent. We have our tackles, RBs, and WRs in place. I hope we don't waste it on another unimaginative choice.

And I sincerely hope I have to eat crow if my opinion proves false.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Just wondering if the Rams are going to promote from within (And, I am guessing they probably will) why is it taking so long for them to make a final decision?

It does make one stop and wonder.