Let the reaching begin

Mount Crymore!

well if he needs a great football mind, uh, I have a friend....

WestCoastRam said:

Another guy who went into micromanage mode and it killed his HC job.

Reports say that's what happened to Staley and what Raheem says were his biggest mistakes as a HC.

That being said, McVay is a bit of a micromanager and it worked till it didn't. Sounds like from him he's pulled back last year due to the burnout from before.

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The one big thing about McVay that I really appreciate, is the fact that he’s always bringing up great minds.
He’s very secure and doesn’t seem to be intimidated by new and foreign ideas.

Psycho_X said:

As far as non-draft stuff I don't see why we'd release Brown III? He's the only space eater we have and was decent in said role in 2023 and he's dirt cheap depth for one more season. I love all the resigns though.

Draft I'm not as on board with trading down a lot like I would in previous seasons. Will depend on who's left at 19. Trading down after round 1 I would be more ok with but want to keep 19.

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If Brown could just have the same motor from play to play, he'd be an all-pro. Did not have expectations for him last year but he pleasantly surprised. He could be even better though. Brown coming back from injury helped the D down the stretch!

But def don't cut him!

Ellard80 said:

The 49ners couldn't block Chris Jones - so they only scored 3.

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That play by Chris was so satisfying to watch.

I think you have to look at how they used Evans. A lot of his snaps came in garbage time where he was simply plowing into the line to kill clock time. The sample is too small to really make a determination as to how good or not he really is. When you are killing the clock the main thing is ball security not looking for yardage. He was a rookie, so I will wait and give him the benefit of a larger sample of snaps to make a decision on him. He's got talent, he proved that in college. IMO it's a matter of his own mental drive and ability to cultivate his own developmental growth.

IMO he's got more talent than Ronnie Rivers. If he can take the next step then why not as a #3RB? I see them as drafting another RB to fill that #2 role. McVay's running game is no longer predicated on busting big plays in the run game. He's gone to a more move the chains type of approach. That is why he released Akers and Williams is a better fit. It's why he kept Rivers because he's a stay ahead of the chains type of talent. IMO they are looking for a RB with explosive burst, good field vision, power and elusiveness and good hands as a receiver. That is the definition of a RB in a move the chains type of offense.

I shake my head when I look at the Rams RB room. With Sean's revised offense Sony Michel would have been a perfect 3 down RB.

McVay has come to realize that explosive plays can leave too much time on the clock and clock management is a legitimate offensive consideration. That is why he is looking at YAC as his explosive plays in the passing game. Stafford will take the deep strike if he deems it's there but it's not his primary read IMO.

It's why his passing attack opens the door to more QBs. Going through his progressions quickly, making good decisions and being able to pass with accuracy and velocity in the short to intermediate zones is more important than his deep throw arm strength. The tipoff to that was their moving Van Jefferson to Atlanta (I believe that is the team he's on).

Its why I decided that Nix and perhaps McCarthy might be their focus for the next QB because they are better scheme fits for his current offense. Originally, I think McVay's offense was to read deep to short which made Penix a good fit as it's how they played at UW. Both Nix and McCarthy can make deep throws with accuracy but their transition to McVay's evolved offense makes them better fits Also both QBs could drop within the Ram's ability to get one of them.

The other consideration is that moving to a ball control type of offense means a higher reliance upon having a good PK to keep ringing up points be it 7 or 3.

As a slight variation to this thread....

I'd be interested in considering the Rams "All Super Bowl Team" based ONLY on the Big Game performances. In other words, criteria would be based on performance in the Super Bowl itself, not on the player's entire season.

Much of the list would be pretty similar. However, a few differences:

Honestly I think Mr. No-name Brycen Hopkins might get the nod for best TE performance?? Hopkins made some CLUTCH first down catches and also made the key block to spring Coop on the critical 4th-down run. Other Ram TE's didn't do much in Sup[er Bowls...?

Probably can't give the nod to Cromwell because of ... uh.. well never mind, too painful to mention. Maybe go with Weddle? I remember he was clutch and played through a torn pec.

A-Shawn Robinson deserves consideration. I remember Raheem saying he thought Robinson was a beast that day.

Hekker was indeed a stud in the "18 game. Over 400 yards! Played well and helped keep us in it.

Probably pick AD in 21 instead of 18, in part because he makes the game clinching play?

Mike Jones of course has to make the list.

Just a thought-provoking variation to the OP.

I don't understand the lack of urgency in adding a return specialist. Talking punts here primarily, given that kickoffs have been neutered for the most part. But this has been a need for us for many years now. Having a third phase that can win you games can be the difference in the playoffs.

They have tried to prioritize certain roles, like gunner, in the draft. But I think the biggest failing has been an inability to stock those core teamers who can carry that bottom of the roster. And then the bottom roster types you select on that final cut need to be guys who are hungry on teams not guys who carry more upside but are mediocre at best on teams. And that has been on McVay IMO as he and his staff have a good eye and all with the young players but simply have not prioritized teams.

I have a lot of doubts re: Blackburn though I will admit the pieces were not ideal. That said I suspect last season he benefitted from McVay realizing he has gone through ST coordinators when it hasn't always been their fault. No inside knowledge there either. I just think McVay's maturity process is wising him up on some of his weak areas and ST is one of them. Hopefully.

One thing I always mention is how Fish did it right with that bottom roster and teams. They would finish up camp with "win a job" special teams practices, where those guys on the bubble knew it was their chance to get a roster spot. Fish was a caveman of course with many things but he knew teams. Outside of that improving hopefully we need a kicker and return specialist, so there's a ton of work to be done with teams and hopefully our coordinator is up for it.

This game wasn't lost by Purdy. In overtime Shanahan became one dimensional in the red zone and took the ball out of Purdy's hand. Even then the game wasn't lost. But the vaunted Niner D couldn't get one stop to seal the deal. Coaching on both sides of the Niner ball, failed and that's what lost that game. The Niners got out coached as KC adjusted in the second half and that is when the Niners lost the game. They went into half time up by 7 and didn't score in the 3rd quarter.

Purdy did his job going 23/38 for 255 with 1TD and no INTs. They had a bit over 100 yds on the ground. They got out coached at critical moments on both offense and defense. Purdy played well enough to win. Hell even the defense sacked Mahomes 3 times and got an INT as well. Again good enough to win but when it counted most the D failed to get crucial stops.

Shanahan plays passing to open the run game up. He assumes he can control the game flow with his run game. Take him out of that mode and he struggles with his calls. He has a QB in Purdy who is better than most starters. But Shanahan rarely plays him that way. This is why McCaffery is such a huge part of Shanahan's offense. Christain accounted for about 160 yds of offense (run & pass). But they still lost.

They lost because Shanahan got out coached and he made some bad decisions. This loss sits squarely on his shoulders. So what makes people think they are a shoo-in to return to the SB next year? IMO they are going to lose at least 2 of their high priced players. If they couldn't win a Lombardi this past season what makes people think they can in the next SB? This defense has been exposed. They have to blitz to get pressure against a good OL.

They beat a green Ram roster by only 7 points. This is a completely different team now. They are seasoned with an improved offensive scheme. If the defense under Shula can improve to say a top 15 unit they will be a tough team to beat. They are looking to fill holes at PK (though Maher might improve enough to keep the job), QB1 (of the future), CB, OT, WR and perhaps at edge though IMO that is TBD as they have options.

At RB, CB, LB, safety, OL (especially OT) they are drafting for depth. This roster is mostly built and now they have one year of seasoning. Time to make a SB run.

One more draft as good as last year's and this will be a deep roster that will fill future vacancies.

Something needs to be done with the trash that is the NCAA. The most biased hypocritical organization out there that promotes BS. I hope it happens. Those twats need to not have a job.

Would rather draft and develop a CB and edge in the 1st 2 rounds this year in no particular order. Cost control for 4-5 years and hope we will nail the picks. Save our limited cap space for Dotson, Shelton (maybe) and a 3rd WR, Robinson would do nicely if the demands are realistic.

Excited for Shula though.

jap said:

 Matthew ought to have 2 or 3 SB rings before he hangs it up. Yes, I am Mr. Optimistic!

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Let's get him one more, and then we will see.

Mackeyser said:

Okay, but the Chiefs weren’t tied. They were down 3. So if that TD pass doesn’t happen, the Chiefs still have to make the FG to continue, correct? Since both teams would have had possession.

Right?

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So Chiefs tie going to overtime 19-19

Both teams get the ball at least once

If SF kicks FG ( which they did) put them up 22-19 Chiefs ball either way.

If SF scored a TD, Chiefs would have to score a TD, and make XP/2pt. If XP or 2pt failed, game over by 1

IF Chiefs fail to score on this drive, game over. They have as long as they want as long as that drive is alive, and can go to OT Quarter 2 when clock hits 0:00. Thats why Romo was saying why rush a pass with 0:03 to go, and let the quarter run out.(it paid off either way for Chiefs.)

If Chiefs score FG to tie 22-22, then SF gets another chance but they have as long as they want, but game wont end until someone scores next.

If either team gets a score on DEF its over as well at anytime.

den-the-coach said:

Hopefully this propels Ohio State as I like Chip Kelly over Bill O'Brien. Also might be good for UCLA as if I was the AD, I would go hire P.J. Fleck. That man is a program builder.

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Screws UCLA though, no? Now all the kids have a window to leave. Not that they had many there that were that great...

I like Milton as a poor man's Richardson. See him as a backup guy with possible potential down the road.

If he has to come in for a game or two, the game plan would actually be pretty similar to what we ran with Wentz. You can win a handful of games with a guy who will make one read but then run it. Add some designed runs in. Steal some games.

Dagonet said:

Hatch?

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Hatch chile. Wife’s relatives swear to get dirt that support the growth

Karate61 said:

Change it to Chiefs On Demand!

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That would have been absolutely hilarious for a few hours.


When I first saw the color change, I closed the page and reloaded it thinking something was wrong.

CGI_Ram said:

Photos need to be resized to 500mb or less to upload.

Pics this day and age consume too much storage. We had to set a limit.

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All right. Uploaded the dog pic. Dinner wasn't special; just beef stew.

think this thread had gone far enough

locking for the over all health of this forum...

send any complaints to me via PM

[sigh]

FrantikRam said:

Watt definitely made an impact his rookie season...his season was similar to Byron Young this year and I would say that is making an impact

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Statistically on the plus side:
Young had 1 more sack, 6 more QB hits, 7 more tackles, 1 more forced fumble (recovered one)

On the negative side:
Watt had 7 passes defensed and an INT while Young had none.

Statistically, I guess if we are saying that both Watt and Young had immediate impacts, then we must also give Michael Hoecht a bit of credit, too.