Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101ESPN)

[ShaneG]

By STL Staff on May 11th, 2013 @ 8:40pm
Shane Gray provides special Rams commentaries on 101sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ShaneGmoSTLRams.

With the NFL draft in the books and the bulk of free-agency work finalized, a clearer vision has emerged in regard to what the St. Louis Rams need to do to maximize their level of offensive output in the coming campaign.

In the draft, St. Louis adroitly addressed every major offensive need – at wide receiver, running back and offensive line – with four of its seven selections.

During the big-money portion of free agency, the Rams added two big-ticket additions to help optimize the offense: four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins and the explosively athletic Jared Cook of the Tennessee Titans, a hybrid tight end who shared two seasons with head coach Jeff Fisher in Nashville.

With the vast majority of pieces in place – and the corresponding offensive scheme and playbook being adapted where necessary to best fit the personnel that will be deployed this fall – it is time to take a brief look at three of the critical offensive keys that will greatly impact the approaching season.

Sam Bradford must take another step forward

Sam Bradford’s name is a consistent magnet for intense debate among Rams forums throughout cyberspace. As both a quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick, that is expected.

In 2012, Bradford made positive progress in a multitude of areas – including completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, TD percentage, yards per attempt, net yards per attempt and quarterback rating, among other statistical measures.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/rams-quick-hits-3-offensive-keys-for-the-coming-campaign/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/ram ... -campaign/</a>

 

[Stranger]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

Brian Schottenheimer must adapt to his new personnel

If the Rams are to thrive offensively, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer must exhibit some terrific imagination and flexibility.

Can he and will he do so? Obviously, St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Fisher believe he can, having adding weapons best suited for a run-and-gun, up-tempo, spread-it-out, fast-break offense during the offseason.

Will Schottenheimer – brought up under his father Marty’s typically conservative approach – be up to the task?

Can he take a plethora of raw, young talents and mold them and this offense into an efficient attack? Can he find ways to exploit mismatches for his suddenly athletic and fleet-footed receiving corps? Can he dial it up for distance and find ways to get three of the fastest players at their respective positions in the entire league – Givens outside, Austin inside and Cook at hybrid tight end – in one-on-one situations deep?

Can Schottenheimer incorporate more of the hurry-up that Bradford seems comfortable running and has excelled within? Can he call the ideal running plays that will aid a yet-to-be-determined hierarchy at running back in finding a way to replace the production lost by the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Jackson?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Rams’ offense. The talent is there, but it is also remarkably inexperienced. Can Schottenheimer put them in the best positions to consistently succeed? Time will tell.

During Schottenheimer’s tenure as New York Jets OC from 2006 through 2011, the only year he was afforded the opportunity to work with a quarterback as talented as Bradford was in 2008. In that season, his offense finished No. 9 in points per game with 39-year-old Brett Favre under center. In both 2010 and 2011, Schottenheimer orchestrated a Mark Sanchez-led attack that finished both seasons at No. 13 in points per contest.

The Rams’ defense has a great shot at ascending into the top 10. With that, the Rams’ offense will not be required to do the same to post wins. However, a solid jump up from No. 25 to a top-15 unit would greatly aid this team’s chances at competing for an NFC playoff berth.

Can St. Louis manage to do that? Schottenheimer’s ability to exhibit much adaptability – or lack thereof – will play a vital role in determining if that occurs.

 

[ShaneG]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

Brian Schottenheimer must adapt to his new personnel

If the Rams are to thrive offensively, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer must exhibit some terrific imagination and flexibility.

Can he and will he do so? Obviously, St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Fisher believe he can, having adding weapons best suited for a run-and-gun, up-tempo, spread-it-out, fast-break offense during the offseason.

Will Schottenheimer – brought up under his father Marty’s typically conservative approach – be up to the task?

Can he take a plethora of raw, young talents and mold them and this offense into an efficient attack? Can he find ways to exploit mismatches for his suddenly athletic and fleet-footed receiving corps? Can he dial it up for distance and find ways to get three of the fastest players at their respective positions in the entire league – Givens outside, Austin inside and Cook at hybrid tight end – in one-on-one situations deep?

Can Schottenheimer incorporate more of the hurry-up that Bradford seems comfortable running and has excelled within? Can he call the ideal running plays that will aid a yet-to-be-determined hierarchy at running back in finding a way to replace the production lost by the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Jackson?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Rams’ offense. The talent is there, but it is also remarkably inexperienced. Can Schottenheimer put them in the best positions to consistently succeed? Time will tell.

During Schottenheimer’s tenure as New York Jets OC from 2006 through 2011, the only year he was afforded the opportunity to work with a quarterback as talented as Bradford was in 2008. In that season, his offense finished No. 9 in points per game with 39-year-old Brett Favre under center. In both 2010 and 2011, Schottenheimer orchestrated a Mark Sanchez-led attack that finished both seasons at No. 13 in points per contest.

The Rams’ defense has a great shot at ascending into the top 10. With that, the Rams’ offense will not be required to do the same to post wins. However, a solid jump up from No. 25 to a top-15 unit would greatly aid this team’s chances at competing for an NFC playoff berth.

Can St. Louis manage to do that? Schottenheimer’s ability to exhibit much adaptability – or lack thereof – will play a vital role in determining if that occurs.

Yes, his adaptability will be key (if you were in agreement there)

 

[shaunpinney]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

Brian Schottenheimer must adapt to his new personnel

If the Rams are to thrive offensively, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer must exhibit some terrific imagination and flexibility.

Can he and will he do so? Obviously, St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Fisher believe he can, having adding weapons best suited for a run-and-gun, up-tempo, spread-it-out, fast-break offense during the offseason.

Will Schottenheimer – brought up under his father Marty’s typically conservative approach – be up to the task?

Can he take a plethora of raw, young talents and mold them and this offense into an efficient attack? Can he find ways to exploit mismatches for his suddenly athletic and fleet-footed receiving corps? Can he dial it up for distance and find ways to get three of the fastest players at their respective positions in the entire league – Givens outside, Austin inside and Cook at hybrid tight end – in one-on-one situations deep?

Can Schottenheimer [hil]incorporate more of the hurry-up that Bradford seems comfortable running and has excelled within[/hil]? Can he call the ideal running plays that will aid a yet-to-be-determined hierarchy at running back in finding a way to replace the production lost by the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Jackson?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Rams’ offense. The talent is there, but it is also remarkably inexperienced. Can Schottenheimer put them in the best positions to consistently succeed? Time will tell.

During Schottenheimer’s tenure as New York Jets OC from 2006 through 2011, the only year he was afforded the opportunity to work with a quarterback as talented as Bradford was in 2008. In that season, his offense finished No. 9 in points per game with 39-year-old Brett Favre under center. In both 2010 and 2011, Schottenheimer orchestrated a Mark Sanchez-led attack that finished both seasons at No. 13 in points per contest.

The Rams’ defense has a great shot at ascending into the top 10. With that, the Rams’ offense will not be required to do the same to post wins. However, a solid jump up from No. 25 to a top-15 unit would greatly aid this team’s chances at competing for an NFC playoff berth.

Can St. Louis manage to do that? Schottenheimer’s ability to exhibit much adaptability – or lack thereof – will play a vital role in determining if that occurs.

That's what I want to see...

 

[ShaneG]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

Brian Schottenheimer must adapt to his new personnel

If the Rams are to thrive offensively, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer must exhibit some terrific imagination and flexibility.

Can he and will he do so? Obviously, St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Fisher believe he can, having adding weapons best suited for a run-and-gun, up-tempo, spread-it-out, fast-break offense during the offseason.

Will Schottenheimer – brought up under his father Marty’s typically conservative approach – be up to the task?

Can he take a plethora of raw, young talents and mold them and this offense into an efficient attack? Can he find ways to exploit mismatches for his suddenly athletic and fleet-footed receiving corps? Can he dial it up for distance and find ways to get three of the fastest players at their respective positions in the entire league – Givens outside, Austin inside and Cook at hybrid tight end – in one-on-one situations deep?

Can Schottenheimer [hil]incorporate more of the hurry-up that Bradford seems comfortable running and has excelled within[/hil]? Can he call the ideal running plays that will aid a yet-to-be-determined hierarchy at running back in finding a way to replace the production lost by the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Jackson?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Rams’ offense. The talent is there, but it is also remarkably inexperienced. Can Schottenheimer put them in the best positions to consistently succeed? Time will tell.

During Schottenheimer’s tenure as New York Jets OC from 2006 through 2011, the only year he was afforded the opportunity to work with a quarterback as talented as Bradford was in 2008. In that season, his offense finished No. 9 in points per game with 39-year-old Brett Favre under center. In both 2010 and 2011, Schottenheimer orchestrated a Mark Sanchez-led attack that finished both seasons at No. 13 in points per contest.

The Rams’ defense has a great shot at ascending into the top 10. With that, the Rams’ offense will not be required to do the same to post wins. However, a solid jump up from No. 25 to a top-15 unit would greatly aid this team’s chances at competing for an NFC playoff berth.

Can St. Louis manage to do that? Schottenheimer’s ability to exhibit much adaptability – or lack thereof – will play a vital role in determining if that occurs.

That's what I want to see...

I have to admit, that is not just something I am curious to see -- I would like to see it, too.

 

[ShaneG]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

Brian Schottenheimer must adapt to his new personnel

If the Rams are to thrive offensively, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer must exhibit some terrific imagination and flexibility.

Can he and will he do so? Obviously, St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Fisher believe he can, having adding weapons best suited for a run-and-gun, up-tempo, spread-it-out, fast-break offense during the offseason.

Will Schottenheimer – brought up under his father Marty’s typically conservative approach – be up to the task?

Can he take a plethora of raw, young talents and mold them and this offense into an efficient attack? Can he find ways to exploit mismatches for his suddenly athletic and fleet-footed receiving corps? Can he dial it up for distance and find ways to get three of the fastest players at their respective positions in the entire league – Givens outside, Austin inside and Cook at hybrid tight end – in one-on-one situations deep?

Can Schottenheimer [hil]incorporate more of the hurry-up that Bradford seems comfortable running and has excelled within[/hil]? Can he call the ideal running plays that will aid a yet-to-be-determined hierarchy at running back in finding a way to replace the production lost by the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Jackson?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Rams’ offense. The talent is there, but it is also remarkably inexperienced. Can Schottenheimer put them in the best positions to consistently succeed? Time will tell.

During Schottenheimer’s tenure as New York Jets OC from 2006 through 2011, the only year he was afforded the opportunity to work with a quarterback as talented as Bradford was in 2008. In that season, his offense finished No. 9 in points per game with 39-year-old Brett Favre under center. In both 2010 and 2011, Schottenheimer orchestrated a Mark Sanchez-led attack that finished both seasons at No. 13 in points per contest.

The Rams’ defense has a great shot at ascending into the top 10. With that, the Rams’ offense will not be required to do the same to post wins. However, a solid jump up from No. 25 to a top-15 unit would greatly aid this team’s chances at competing for an NFC playoff berth.

Can St. Louis manage to do that? Schottenheimer’s ability to exhibit much adaptability – or lack thereof – will play a vital role in determining if that occurs.

That's what I want to see...

If I might add... I do fully expect we will see that significantly more this fall.. I should have made that more clear.

 

[nighttrain]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

By STL Staff on May 11th, 2013 @ 8:40pm
Shane Gray provides special Rams commentaries on 101sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ShaneGmoSTLRams.

With the NFL draft in the books and the bulk of free-agency work finalized, a clearer vision has emerged in regard to what the St. Louis Rams need to do to maximize their level of offensive output in the coming campaign.

In the draft, St. Louis adroitly addressed every major offensive need – at wide receiver, running back and offensive line – with four of its seven selections.

During the big-money portion of free agency, the Rams added two big-ticket additions to help optimize the offense: four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins and the explosively athletic Jared Cook of the Tennessee Titans, a hybrid tight end who shared two seasons with head coach Jeff Fisher in Nashville.

With the vast majority of pieces in place – and the corresponding offensive scheme and playbook being adapted where necessary to best fit the personnel that will be deployed this fall – it is time to take a brief look at three of the critical offensive keys that will greatly impact the approaching season.

Sam Bradford must take another step forward

Sam Bradford’s name is a consistent magnet for intense debate among Rams forums throughout cyberspace. As both a quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick, that is expected.

In 2012, Bradford made positive progress in a multitude of areas – including completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, TD percentage, yards per attempt, net yards per attempt and quarterback rating, among other statistical measures.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/rams-quick-hits-3-offensive-keys-for-the-coming-campaign/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/ram ... -campaign/</a>

Always fun to read your articles Shane! Good job
train

 

[ShaneG]

Re: Rams Quick Hits: Sam B & 3 Offensive Keys Analyzed (101E

By STL Staff on May 11th, 2013 @ 8:40pm
Shane Gray provides special Rams commentaries on 101sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ShaneGmoSTLRams.

With the NFL draft in the books and the bulk of free-agency work finalized, a clearer vision has emerged in regard to what the St. Louis Rams need to do to maximize their level of offensive output in the coming campaign.

In the draft, St. Louis adroitly addressed every major offensive need – at wide receiver, running back and offensive line – with four of its seven selections.

During the big-money portion of free agency, the Rams added two big-ticket additions to help optimize the offense: four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins and the explosively athletic Jared Cook of the Tennessee Titans, a hybrid tight end who shared two seasons with head coach Jeff Fisher in Nashville.

With the vast majority of pieces in place – and the corresponding offensive scheme and playbook being adapted where necessary to best fit the personnel that will be deployed this fall – it is time to take a brief look at three of the critical offensive keys that will greatly impact the approaching season.

Sam Bradford must take another step forward

Sam Bradford’s name is a consistent magnet for intense debate among Rams forums throughout cyberspace. As both a quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick, that is expected.

In 2012, Bradford made positive progress in a multitude of areas – including completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, TD percentage, yards per attempt, net yards per attempt and quarterback rating, among other statistical measures.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/rams-quick-hits-3-offensive-keys-for-the-coming-campaign/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.101sports.com/2013/05/11/ram ... -campaign/</a>

Always fun to read your articles Shane! Good job
train

Big thanks, train!