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http://isportsweb.com/2016/06/13/how-much-better-will-the-los-angeles-rams-be-in-2016/
How much better will the Los Angeles Rams be in 2016
June 13, 2016 by Brendan Abban
In 2015 the Los Angeles Rams came out the gates with a 4-3 start throughout the first seven games that startled many in the football world. They toppled playoff level teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, and barely lost to talented teams such as the PIttsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
After such a promising start, the Rams went on to lose their next five games which essentially removed them from the playoff race. Had they duplicated their early season record through five games of 2-3, they would have had a record of 6-6 instead of 4-8. If they would have been 6-6 at that point in the season, they would have been only one game back of the Seattle Seahawks trying to fight for a playoff spot.
Throughout the period of time when they lost five straight games, the Rams put up anemic performances. Throughout that five game losing streak the Rams offense amassed 878 passing yards. To put some perspective on that, this year’s leader in passing yards Drew Brees, totaled 892 yards in back-to-back games against the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
The passing game for the Rams was not even a threat to the opposition. Most of the defenses’ focus became heaped upon running back Todd Gurley. In that five game losing streak Gurley was neutralized by most teams the Rams faced.
He totaled 260 rushing yards throughout those five games. This kind of offensive production will never cut it. It is not all Gurley’s fault however, but rather the lack of a passing attack. It makes things a lot easier for opposing defenses when they are aware of the fact that the offense can never truly spurn them for blitzing or stacking the box.
In 2016 things could be a bit different though. With the addition of rookie quarterback Jared Goff, one can only hope that things can improve from last season.
Even though Goff is a rookie, the hope is that he can perform at a higher level in the passing game than quarterbacks Nick Foles and Case Keenum did this past season. The decision of who will start at quarterback this season has yet to be made which is understandable.
Head coach Jeff Fisher is going to bide his time throughout the offseason until he is forced to elect a starter. Most fans presumably will desire Goff to be the starter week one so that change will come sooner than later.
If Goff can manage to at least add some electricity to the passing game, then it will provide the Rams with an additional dimension they didn’t have last season. Without a doubt Goff will have to endure the rookie learning curve as all first year quarterbacks do, but having such a talented running back like Gurley to lean on makes the job easier.
Being able to hand it off to a reliable running option who is the focal point of the offense takes a lot of pressure off a young quarterback’s shoulders, just ask Teddy Bridgewater.
With Goff’s presence, fans can at least hope for the team to perform better than 7-9. With a below average passing game, they were just one game below .500. Imagine if they could actually muster a respectable passing game behind Goff, it would have to result in at least one or two more wins.
There were games the Rams lost last season solely because of the sorry passing display and the numerous turnovers made by whichever quarterback was playing. For example the game against the Packers, the Rams had ample opportunities to win the game but consistently shot themselves in the foot most notably by Nick Foles. Foles completed 11 out of 30 passes, threw for 141 passing yards, and threw one touchdown to four interceptions. He also had a quarterback rating of 23.8.
It is debatable that with better quarterback play the Rams may have won that game. So was the story for many games the Rams played last year.
Although it is true that better quarterback play could have helped the Rams win more games last year, the loss of key defensive pieces could result in them losing more games next season as well.
The loss of the Janoris Jenkins will definitely impact the Los Angeles Rams’ secondary but how much is the question. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams practically banked on their defense and running game all last season in order to get wins and some of the premier players of that defense have either been released or signed elsewhere. Janoris Jenkins, Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, and Rodney McLeod were some of the biggest contributors for the Rams on defense. Each player has departed since the end of the last season.
Without a doubt it will remain to be seen if the defense will take a dip or still remain as tough as it was before. Defense is Fisher’s specialty so hopefully he will help keep it playing at an exceptional level. Behind stars Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, the defense will hopefully maintain its reputation as reckless and potent.
Next season will be one for the Rams to prove that they are worth being regarded as a playoff caliber team. With the quarterback position being the most important one on the field, hopefully adding more talent there will lift them above .500. Although, with Goff being a rookie, it is expected he will make his share of mistakes this season.
In my estimation the Rams will finish the season 9-7. History has shown that the Rams perform well against their division rivals but it will be important for them to win the majority of their games against teams outside of the division as well.
That way even if they go 4-2 within the division like they did last year, they will have room to operate as far as the playoffs go. In my estimation the Rams will improve next year, it all just depends on how much.
http://isportsweb.com/2016/06/13/how-much-better-will-the-los-angeles-rams-be-in-2016/
How much better will the Los Angeles Rams be in 2016
June 13, 2016 by Brendan Abban
In 2015 the Los Angeles Rams came out the gates with a 4-3 start throughout the first seven games that startled many in the football world. They toppled playoff level teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, and barely lost to talented teams such as the PIttsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
After such a promising start, the Rams went on to lose their next five games which essentially removed them from the playoff race. Had they duplicated their early season record through five games of 2-3, they would have had a record of 6-6 instead of 4-8. If they would have been 6-6 at that point in the season, they would have been only one game back of the Seattle Seahawks trying to fight for a playoff spot.
Throughout the period of time when they lost five straight games, the Rams put up anemic performances. Throughout that five game losing streak the Rams offense amassed 878 passing yards. To put some perspective on that, this year’s leader in passing yards Drew Brees, totaled 892 yards in back-to-back games against the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
The passing game for the Rams was not even a threat to the opposition. Most of the defenses’ focus became heaped upon running back Todd Gurley. In that five game losing streak Gurley was neutralized by most teams the Rams faced.
He totaled 260 rushing yards throughout those five games. This kind of offensive production will never cut it. It is not all Gurley’s fault however, but rather the lack of a passing attack. It makes things a lot easier for opposing defenses when they are aware of the fact that the offense can never truly spurn them for blitzing or stacking the box.
In 2016 things could be a bit different though. With the addition of rookie quarterback Jared Goff, one can only hope that things can improve from last season.
Even though Goff is a rookie, the hope is that he can perform at a higher level in the passing game than quarterbacks Nick Foles and Case Keenum did this past season. The decision of who will start at quarterback this season has yet to be made which is understandable.
Head coach Jeff Fisher is going to bide his time throughout the offseason until he is forced to elect a starter. Most fans presumably will desire Goff to be the starter week one so that change will come sooner than later.
If Goff can manage to at least add some electricity to the passing game, then it will provide the Rams with an additional dimension they didn’t have last season. Without a doubt Goff will have to endure the rookie learning curve as all first year quarterbacks do, but having such a talented running back like Gurley to lean on makes the job easier.
Being able to hand it off to a reliable running option who is the focal point of the offense takes a lot of pressure off a young quarterback’s shoulders, just ask Teddy Bridgewater.
With Goff’s presence, fans can at least hope for the team to perform better than 7-9. With a below average passing game, they were just one game below .500. Imagine if they could actually muster a respectable passing game behind Goff, it would have to result in at least one or two more wins.
There were games the Rams lost last season solely because of the sorry passing display and the numerous turnovers made by whichever quarterback was playing. For example the game against the Packers, the Rams had ample opportunities to win the game but consistently shot themselves in the foot most notably by Nick Foles. Foles completed 11 out of 30 passes, threw for 141 passing yards, and threw one touchdown to four interceptions. He also had a quarterback rating of 23.8.
It is debatable that with better quarterback play the Rams may have won that game. So was the story for many games the Rams played last year.
Although it is true that better quarterback play could have helped the Rams win more games last year, the loss of key defensive pieces could result in them losing more games next season as well.
The loss of the Janoris Jenkins will definitely impact the Los Angeles Rams’ secondary but how much is the question. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams practically banked on their defense and running game all last season in order to get wins and some of the premier players of that defense have either been released or signed elsewhere. Janoris Jenkins, Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, and Rodney McLeod were some of the biggest contributors for the Rams on defense. Each player has departed since the end of the last season.
Without a doubt it will remain to be seen if the defense will take a dip or still remain as tough as it was before. Defense is Fisher’s specialty so hopefully he will help keep it playing at an exceptional level. Behind stars Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, the defense will hopefully maintain its reputation as reckless and potent.
Next season will be one for the Rams to prove that they are worth being regarded as a playoff caliber team. With the quarterback position being the most important one on the field, hopefully adding more talent there will lift them above .500. Although, with Goff being a rookie, it is expected he will make his share of mistakes this season.
In my estimation the Rams will finish the season 9-7. History has shown that the Rams perform well against their division rivals but it will be important for them to win the majority of their games against teams outside of the division as well.
That way even if they go 4-2 within the division like they did last year, they will have room to operate as far as the playoffs go. In my estimation the Rams will improve next year, it all just depends on how much.
