Where we at?

[Kupped]

Just thought I'd put down where I think the Rams are at after the public portion of training camp. I'm really looking forward to this season!

QBs: Stafford will be better than Goff, it's a question of by how much. I'm also curious as to if there are many plays/situations that Stafford isn't as good as Goff in this offense. I think Goff was good when play calls lined up perfectly with the defense and he could drop back, plant and deliver a timing throw. Just complete faith in the system. Will Stafford have the same faith? Or will he have more faith in his ability to work out of structure?
Wolford... I don't get why anyone would be down on the kid. I like him a lot for a lot of reasons. The season wouldn't end on an injury to Stafford, imo.

RBs: Probably my biggest area of concern. No Brown or Akers compared to last year and three guys who have never had a carry. It's the experience much more than the ability and I'm a little worried. Henderson is a true RB1 talent, imo.. but I'd never count on him for a true RB1 workload. We'll see!

WRs: WHAT A GROUP. Just not much needed to be said... talent, depth, explosiveness, reliability. Damn good.

TEs: Really, really interesting area to watch. I know a lot has been made of Hopkins' situation... one thing I heard from Jourdan was that he had obviously gained weight and was really working on his blocking. This makes me think he's a true backup #1 TE. Mundt seems more of a hybrid between a move guy and an inline... and Harris is a fascinating move TE. I just wonder what happens to that long frame when the hitting starts. I think there's a real possibility they carry 4 TEs and 5WRs. It would be a shame to lose Trishton.. but that's how I'm seeing it at the moment.

Oline: I'm choosing to be optimistic. I think, based on what I've read/heard, that Brian Allen is simply outperforming expectations. People who bomb him for 19, I think, don't give enough thought to the impact of a then, undersized center, between an undersized guard and a finesse tackle playing out of position at guard. He's still undersized, but has beefed up, by all accounts. Jourdan Rodrigue says he's been battling and looks great. That's good enough for me. Evans can be decent.. but Corbett was a plus guard, imo. This time around... a bigger Allen will be surrounded by a couple of legit NFL Guards... that should help. I'm comfortable with Whit and Hav.

Dline: AD is the best. Ever. SJD was very good against the run last year.. and committed to his pass rushing this offseason. I expect some improvement. He improved tremendously from year one to two, so I have some faith in him. I think Robinson will be solid.. not Brockers solid.. but solid. I really hope B Brown can get some preseason reps in... that's a BIG BOY. Gaines is a solid fireplug. It gets interesting after those guys... E Brown... Banks.. some of the other UDFA types. We'll see!

Edge: Floyd.. very, very solid and dependable. Maybe won't get as many sacks as last year.. but will get at least 8. Other side... Hollins and Obo and hopes and prayers. Lewis... I get why they picked him, but it don't look great.

ILBs: A position of uncertainty last season seems to be, at worst, solid.. with potential.

DBs: Excellent, excellent group of talent. Just can't wait to watch.

Biggest Q on D is what Rah Morris does with them. Can the defensive backfield be as innovative and special as last year? That'll be tough.

 

[Karate61]

Nice write up. It seems to me our passing game is going to be spectacular, thus opening up the running game regardless of who carries the ball!

 

[CGI_Ram]

RBs: Probably my biggest area of concern. No Brown or Akers compared to last year and three guys who have never had a carry. It's the experience much more than the ability and I'm a little worried. Henderson is a true RB1 talent, imo.. but I'd never count on him for a true RB1 workload. We'll see!

At this moment in time, before preseason games, this is mine as well.

Xavier Jones is my “most watched guy” this coming Saturday!

 

[IBruce80]

Biggest concern is RB, but we've been there before.
Whichever RB can block then he will be on the roster.
We do need a good #2 because of Hendo's durability, but that's no secret.

 

[FaulkSF]

Solid write up. I still have the following concerns:
1) Who is our #2 RB and can they be relied upon?

2) Can the Rams dial up pressure on the QB with AD on the bench? This hurt us in the playoffs last year.

3) Who wins the Nickel CB position? I am not sold on Long Jr. Maybe Orr or Burgess shows out during preseason to win a starting job.

4) Need of a coverage back end safety. I have concerns we may be tested deep. JJ3 may be missed more than initially thought. Will Fuller or Rapp be able to fill that role?

 

[Loyal]

Biggest Concern?

Trophy Case Space.....

 

[dang]

4 areas to watch:
1). RB - can Jones/Funk take on at least 50% of RB touches? If not will they overuse Henderson or bring in a FA?
2). Edge - can Hollins/OBO/Lewis improve the OLB play from last year. I am confident they will be at least be as good.
3) ILB - I’m warming up to what the Rams have but will we improve on run stuffing and TE coverage from last year. It was a soft area last year.
4) PR - can the Rams find someone that can make me feel more confident than Webster last year. I am ok with just properly fielding the ball and making the first man miss.

 

[snackdaddy]

I have no doubt the passing game will be better. And we will see more points put up. I also have confidence we're at least a top ten defense. A top 3 scoring team with a top ten defense should win a lot of games. Defense could be top 5.

But like everyone else we do have question marks. Jackson and Tutu are legit deep threats but can Jackson remain healthy and will Tutu be ready for the transition from college to pros? Middle linebacker does look improved but its not like it would take a lot to improve.

Who's the edge guy opposite Leonard? Is Allen really ready to step up and be that serviceable starting center? And my biggest question, the RB situation behind Henderson. Are the youngsters really going to be relied on? Or will they look for a vet RB? The longer they go without picking up another back probably means they're going into the season with what they have. I hope someone like Jones can be that guy.

 

[Dodgersrf]

I find it interesting that McVay isn't going to play Wolford in preseason.
I understand not playing the starters, but you back up QB?
McVay must really love the guy.

Losing Brockers put a big dent in our run D.
If SJD can plug up running lanes and stuff guys at the los. I'll be more than satisfied. We don't need him to be a sack machine

 

[RamDino]

I find it interesting that McVay isn't going to play Wolford in preseason.

Could be that McVay is being cautious with Wolford's surgery and all. Not to mention that Wolford might get killed behind a less than stellar O-line.

 

[Merlin]

Three concerns for me:

1. Overall health. I feel like we're depending on a lot of guys with injury history.

2. Run game. Part of this is injury concern wrt Hendy and Funk. But still can we dictate the run game consistently this year and it covers more than just the RB room.

3. Morris. I like his leadership but concerned with his schematic grasp of the defense.

Outside of those three things I am high as hell on this team.

 

[Merlin]

Biggest Concern?

Trophy Case Space.....

 

[Merlin]

Xavier Jones is my “most watched guy” this coming Saturday!

He's probably gonna be rested with the rest of the second teamers...

 

[Kupped]

Three concerns for me:

1. Overall health. I feel like we're depending on a lot of guys with injury history.

2. Run game. Part of this is injury concern wrt Hendy and Funk. But still can we dictate the run game consistently this year and it covers more than just the RB room.

3. Morris. I like his leadership but concerned with his schematic grasp of the defense.

Outside of those three things I am high as hell on this team.

Your point about Morris is concise and the entire crux of the situation, imo.
One observation I read that could be interpreted as good or bad is that with coaches Henderson and Evero... he was letting them lead the positional coaching and being more of an assistant to them.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Your point about Morris is concise and the entire crux of the situation, imo.
One observation I read that could be interpreted as good or bad is that with coaches Henderson and Evero... he was letting them lead the positional coaching and being more of an assistant to them.

I just hope we don't let the schemes and concepts Staley started wither on the vine. I'd like to think we're going to evolve them.

 

[Mojo Ram]

On offense:
-In a much better place in 3rd and long situations than we were before.
-More speed and size at receiver/TE. More versatile all around.
-Bigger playbook
-Question marks at RB
-Continuity on the OLine

It's gonna be a good show on O

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Just thought I'd put down where I think the Rams are at after the public portion of training camp. I'm really looking forward to this season!

QBs: Stafford will be better than Goff, it's a question of by how much. I'm also curious as to if there are many plays/situations that Stafford isn't as good as Goff in this offense. I think Goff was good when play calls lined up perfectly with the defense and he could drop back, plant and deliver a timing throw. Just complete faith in the system. Will Stafford have the same faith? Or will he have more faith in his ability to work out of structure?
Wolford... I don't get why anyone would be down on the kid. I like him a lot for a lot of reasons. The season wouldn't end on an injury to Stafford, imo.

RBs: Probably my biggest area of concern. No Brown or Akers compared to last year and three guys who have never had a carry. It's the experience much more than the ability and I'm a little worried. Henderson is a true RB1 talent, imo.. but I'd never count on him for a true RB1 workload. We'll see!

WRs: WHAT A GROUP. Just not much needed to be said... talent, depth, explosiveness, reliability. Damn good.

TEs: Really, really interesting area to watch. I know a lot has been made of Hopkins' situation... one thing I heard from Jourdan was that he had obviously gained weight and was really working on his blocking. This makes me think he's a true backup #1 TE. Mundt seems more of a hybrid between a move guy and an inline... and Harris is a fascinating move TE. I just wonder what happens to that long frame when the hitting starts. I think there's a real possibility they carry 4 TEs and 5WRs. It would be a shame to lose Trishton.. but that's how I'm seeing it at the moment.

Oline: I'm choosing to be optimistic. I think, based on what I've read/heard, that Brian Allen is simply outperforming expectations. People who bomb him for 19, I think, don't give enough thought to the impact of a then, undersized center, between an undersized guard and a finesse tackle playing out of position at guard. He's still undersized, but has beefed up, by all accounts. Jourdan Rodrigue says he's been battling and looks great. That's good enough for me. Evans can be decent.. but Corbett was a plus guard, imo. This time around... a bigger Allen will be surrounded by a couple of legit NFL Guards... that should help. I'm comfortable with Whit and Hav.

Dline: AD is the best. Ever. SJD was very good against the run last year.. and committed to his pass rushing this offseason. I expect some improvement. He improved tremendously from year one to two, so I have some faith in him. I think Robinson will be solid.. not Brockers solid.. but solid. I really hope B Brown can get some preseason reps in... that's a BIG BOY. Gaines is a solid fireplug. It gets interesting after those guys... E Brown... Banks.. some of the other UDFA types. We'll see!

Edge: Floyd.. very, very solid and dependable. Maybe won't get as many sacks as last year.. but will get at least 8. Other side... Hollins and Obo and hopes and prayers. Lewis... I get why they picked him, but it don't look great.

ILBs: A position of uncertainty last season seems to be, at worst, solid.. with potential.

DBs: Excellent, excellent group of talent. Just can't wait to watch.

Biggest Q on D is what Rah Morris does with them. Can the defensive backfield be as innovative and special as last year? That'll be tough.

At QB consider that if Stafford can do a better job than Goff at these three areas, then it will be a huge upgrade. All indications are that none of these things have been a problem for him in the past:

1.no more near delay of game /timeouts/presnap confusion

2.better pass rush awareness /movement in the pocket

3. sees the field/uses all options

Allen should be improved in his pass blocking because of size and strength improvements, plus his pass blocking was not the problem. The question is can he take better angles and hit his second level blocks to help out in the run game.

One part that should be a big boost to the linebacking corps is experience. Young, Obo and Hollins improved as the season went on. I expect them to continue that trajectory.

DBs are my biggest concern, but only because they have to replace a team leader and very intelligent player in JJ. Talented replacements cannot always make up for a guys intangible.

 

[FrantikRam]

I find it interesting that McVay isn't going to play Wolford in preseason.
I understand not playing the starters, but you back up QB?
McVay must really love the guy.

Losing Brockers put a big dent in our run D.
If SJD can plug up running lanes and stuff guys at the los. I'll be more than satisfied. We don't need him to be a sack machine

I thought Wolford was going to be out for the first two anyways?

 

[FrantikRam]

Based on camp reports/McVays pressers, the following areas of concern are in good shape:

C
EDGE
ILB

The following are still up in the air:

RB2
TE2
NCB


Cool thing about RB and TE is that these are backups, so it's okay to have those questions. And I expect Stafford will elevate the other guys around him.

If Young and Hollins have really upped their games, NCB being the only question mark on D, will probably look better than it is. And we have some young guys with potential at CB

 

[Dodgersrf]

I thought Wolford was going to be out for the first two anyways?

Could be.

McVay did also say he's not playing many second string players as well. He's not limiting his preseason rules to only 1st stringers.