OL Run Game vs Seattle

[Merlin]

Going to try a different approach here and stick to one facet of our big win vs Seattle, that being the run game. Reasons for this are many, from the fact that I can cover the important snaps from the run game in one sitting to the importance of the Rams' run game in their offensive resurgence. Note that we don't have a dominant run game yet, but it's solid and that alone has had enormous impact in the way McVay plays the different aspects of the offense against each other and the defense.

So to kick this off... First offensive play and Coach McVay goes to the ground game.

Situation:

Pre-snap:

At the snap we have the classic McVay jet motion with Woody:

At the handoff things look good. Defense mostly ignores the jet action. Note the push we already have from the right side in moving the LOS forward. Edwards assists Evans and is about to peel off and take on Wright. Blythe is pushed back about a yard however does a good job staying in front of his assignment:

As Gurley approaches the LOS he sees Wright filling. Edwards here is about to remove him from the play but Todd sees the hole with the cutback:

Beat later:

6 yard gain and successful run:

 

[Merlin]

Second play for the offense and an interesting situation where the Seahawks know the run is likely. Can the Rams get 'er done?

Situation:

Pre-snap the Rams are in 12 personnel again and this time load up the left side with both TEs:

At the snap it looks like a run to the stacked side of the line:

At the handoff Rams are winning all across the LOS except for at Center. You can see Blythe being stood up here:

Gurley has a choice here. Looks like he should cut this thing back due to only a DB to challenge him but Clowney is coming in hot from the edge and he elects to follow his blocking:

No gain. This view shows how well the blocking was executed outside of Blythe:

 

[Merlin]

After a couple of nice pass completions the Rams find themselves in Seattle territory here...

Situation:

Pre-snap we see 12 personnel again and another loaded left side:

At the snap Ford (97) hits the A gap a bit harder this time (they know where it's going) and Corbett assists Blythe but will peel off to take Wright (50). Same blocking assignments left side with Higs taking Wagner and Mundt taking Barton:

At the handoff Corbett is peeling off Ford to take the LB. Whit's about to throw Jackson (93) to the ground with some wrestling technique ( ). Things look promising:

As Gurley approaches the LOS Whit's making a pancake and it looks like the lane will be that B gap between Corbett & Whit:

Not sure why TG doesn't hit the B gap here, have to think he could get a few yards putting the shoulder into 50 or into the A gap but he takes it wide into the pile that forms around the TEs:

One yard gainer and some cred to the Seahawks backers:

 

[Merlin]

Here the Rams find themselves at the goal line thanks to a big play in the passing game to Higs:

Situation:

Really good look here for the Rams. McVay has them in 11 personnel and loads up the right side, which leaves the wide hashmark to the left wide open:

At the snap Seahawks are in trouble with the run action to the wide hash. Even worse for them is Jefferson (99) has already lost, with Big Whit being under his pads:

Brown knows he's got six at this point. He can take it to the edge or pick a spot to hammer it in there behind Corbett. He takes the edge:

Easy TD:

 

[fearsomefour]

A lot of double teams. Saw this vs the Bears as well.
Also, a lot of leaving the DE over Evans unblocked.
Those endzone shots are great.
Corbett benefits from being quick footed and between him and Edwards the G play has more adept at getting downfield.
Blythe does get stood up but is also left to block one on one a lot.

 

[Merlin]

Rams' ball at the 15 following a Seattle punt...

Situation:

Pre-snap Rams are in 12 personnel with both TEs left side:

At the snap we see a handoff coming to the left side and Blythe already struggling with Ford (97). Higs is mid-motion cracking back on the edge:

As Gurley approaches the LOS we see Whit has another pancake block on 93. Things would look really good in fact if it wasn't for Poona Ford steering Blythe back into the play once again:

Ford makes the stop for a 1 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Rams' drive continues here after a couple key passes. To this point the Seahawks have followed "the book" on this year's Rams' attack by disregarding the jet motion and on this play McVay makes them pay...

Situation:

Pre-snap Rams are in a balanced 12 personnel set with a TE on each side and JRey in motion. Seahawks in the Fangio front:

At the snap Big Whit's already on the move to get second level and JRey is about to get the jet sweep handoff. There is absolutely zero acknowledgement of the jet motion by the Seahawks' LBs:

A beat later this is hilarious. Check out Wagner (54) and his eyes are all Gurley. Even 93 who finds himself alone there doesn't realize JRey (right in front of him) has the ball. Complete disregard and focus on the handoff motion to Gurley:

JRey gets to the edge with a full head of steam and zero interior pursuit:

Another view:

12 yard gain:

 

[bubbaramfan]

Thx Merlin, for taking the time to put those together. good stuff.

Rams OL really benefitting from the TE help.

 

[Merlin]

Beginning of the second quarter, Rams driving...

Situation:

Pre-snap the Rams are in 12 personnel, double TEs left. Ford is out of the game and (Woods) 72 is in there at 1T for Seattle:

At the snap Whit basically has 93 held off with one hand and is ready to peel off on Wagner as he's got Higs' help. Corbett takes 72, Blythe goes second level to block 50, right side is locked down:

At the handoff Gurley sees two holes for gainers, with Wagner still not committing and waiting for him to choose:

He bounces it outside, the better choice:

Wagner does a great job limiting the damage by taking Higs outside and forcing it in:

Still a nice 7 yard gain though:

 

[Merlin]

Next play and Rams keep it on the ground...

Situation:

Pre-snap more 12 personnel with a balanced set and JRey in motion (he reverses and doubles back just before the snap):

At the snap another jet motion that gets ignored by the LBs. Whit about to continue putting on a clinic vs his dude. Corbett about to eat 50. E&E about to clear out the right side. Blythe about to get knocked in the backfield by 72 but this is some fine power scheme blocking right here:

At the handoff Blythe makes the most of things by turning 72 out and things look good check out all those hats on hats I love it:

4 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Ill fated possession where the Rams gain a favorable third down following this play but take a shot and miss and end up punting. Still this is another good look at how much better their run blocking has gotten...

Situation:

Pre-snap Rams show an interesting look with 12 personnel and Mundt in the backfield:

At the snap some more interesting things happen. Goff first off keeps his eyes downfield for a beat which freezes the LBs in place. Mundt breaks for the LOS (his assignment is Wagner). Edwards slides and neutralizes Ford. Blythe goes second level to take 50. Corbett is riding his guy to the interior.

At the handoff Gurley knows he's got the hole to the left but keeps his shoulders squared up nicely:

4 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Next possession...

Situation:

Pre-snap Rams in 12 personnel, balanced set, with no motion:

At the snap Rams' line is in synch, zone call with handoff left:

Blythe gets knocked back a bit but does a good job riding his guy out. TG cuts back behind our young pile driving right side:

It's a shame this one only goes for 6. Was close to being a big play and field position flip:

 

[RamsInfiniti]

Dude - these threads are the best. Thank you!

 

[Merlin]

Same drive and after overcoming a holding call on Whit...

Situation:

Pre-snap 12 personnel, balanced set, JRey in motion:

At the snap the fake handoff to JRey is ignored by the off ball LBs, looks like Barton (57) had responsibility for it. Zone action to the right and everyone is on their assignment things look good:

At the handoff Blythe actually gets a little push going vs Reed (91). Whit's having trouble with Clowney reads the motion and is crashing in. But that right side and Blythe have created a real nice hole for TG:

Blythe loses Reed who forces a cutback. Boy if Blythe can stay on him here looky at that green:

7 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Next play...

Situation:

Pre-snap 12 personnel, tight formation, Woody in motion:

At the snap we have zone right. OGs have the LBs (50 & 54). Edwards putting his hand in that armpit before going second level here. Blythe struggling with Reed already, who is about to force Gurley to cut it back:

At the cutback everything looks good except, as usual, Blythe:

At the hole Reed finishes a hell of a play with a stop for 2 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Next play...

Situation:

Pre-snap 12 personnel with 2 TEs left:

At the snap zone action left:

At the handoff Whit's making another pancake (nice textbook arm assist by Corbett too btw). Right side as usual are stoning their defenders. Blythe is of course in the backfield struggling with his assignment. Can't see 50 here behind Corbett but he'll move into the hole in a second and cause Todd to bounce it out:

TG bounces it out, key now is Mundt's block:

Texbook hold by Mundt who lets go just in time to not get called, and a first down for the Rams:

 

[Merlin]

Situation:

Pre-snap 12 personnel, balanced set, Woody in motion:

At the snap the LBs are still sitting on TG. Corbett and Blythe tag team here, with Edwards taking Ford who is already shooting through the gap:

At the handoff Edwards has lost but is trying to wash him out of the play:

All TG right here "whooooop!":

Evans and Higs still on their blocks, suddenly things don't look so bad:

4 yard gain:

 

[Merlin]

Next play...

Situation:

Pre-snap 12 personnel, balanced set, JRey in motion:

At the snap Blythe is already slipping into the backfield vs Ford. The rest of the line looks pretty good to include Higs on Barton:

At the handoff Ford has single-handedly caved in the middle and Gurley knows he's gotta get around him to the off tackle hole:

Ford almost makes the play:

Huge 23 yard gainer:

 

[Merlin]

Gonna wrap things up there. Thoughts:

1. Center is our biggest need irt basic execution of this scheme in the run game.

2. Some of those plays would have been huge gainers if Blythe had been able to execute to the level of the players around him. In other words, if you inserted a good Center in there this line would blow people off the ball.

3. I love the additional edge options the 12 personnel looks give Gurley, who is a natural talent in terms of bouncing the ball outside. It favors his skill set.

4. Our TEs are very good in the run game. Higs has been blocking well for a while now but Mundt has really come on and/or taken advantage of the opportunity.

5. Whit is playing at last year's level now, or so damn close it's a wash.

6. Those two rookie OL on the right side are for real in the run game. This is not a mirage.

7. Run game should be there vs Dallas, barring us falling behind due to the defense being flat.

EDIT: oh and...

8. Corbett was a goddamn amazing find. WTF were the Browns thinking.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

Remarkable job. It is really cool watching these plays broken down like this.

I thought it "seemed" Whit was coming around, and these plays show that in spades. I'm not asking for you to break down some of the passing plays, but looking at the film, how is Whit performing irt pass protection?