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Practice Report 11/4: Starting Faster on Offense
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-114-Starting-Faster-on-Offense/1d1043ce-a51c-4c68-8022-064a0793a338
The Rams have won their last two games by a combined score of 51-12, but that hasn’t stopped the club from being self critical in order to improve.
That goes especially for the offense. The emergence of running back Todd Gurley has certainly aided the production, as best evidenced by St. Louis’ 3-1 record since the running back became a starter. But as head coach Jeff Fisher has pointed out, getting first downs and third-down efficiency has to get better, especially at this time of year.
Having racked up only 104 first downs and 26 percent of third-down opportunities, there is some clear room for improvement. But with the Rams’ explosive plays, the offense comes in at No. 1 in average yards per carry, No. 3 in yards rushing per game, and No. 12 in overall yards per play.
Gurley, of course, has been at the center of those plays, having amassed runs of 52, 55, 48, and 71 yards in his first four starts. But the offense has gotten good explosive production from others as well. For instance, Tavon Austin and Jared Cook had receptions of 66 and 49 yards, respectively, against the 49ers.
But if there’s been one common theme over the last few weeks, it’s that St. Louis would like to start faster offensively. While opponents have outscored the Rams 40-19 in the first quarter, they have clearly been able to make adjustments. The team has outscored opponents 44-28 in the second quarter, and 38-16 in the third.
All of that encompasses the fact that St. Louis would like to get into a rhythm earlier in games. That, of course, is easier said than done.
“That’s something we’ve talked about this week because you’d like to start fast,” offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said Wednesday. “So, you look at the scheme. You look at the personnel. It’s something we’re evaluating every day.”
As tight end Jared Cook put it, the Rams must continue to build confidence during the week that on the first drive, the ball will end up in the end zone.
“A lot of times, it does take time for an offense to kind of adjust and see how the defense is playing, and see what they’re running,” Cook said. “But most of the time, you know what they’re running. Defenses don’t change. So I just think it’s all about going out there and making the plays work.”
While it’s not an excuse, some of the struggles have just come from the team still getting used to playing with one another. After all, St. Louis did promote a new offensive coordinator, import a new quarterback, and insert three new offensive linemen into the starting lineup for the start of the season.
“We’re still working, we’re still building,” Cook said. “Nick [Foles] is still learning us individually -- who we are, who our personalities are. And we’re going to continue to grow and get better at doing that. You can only simulate it so much in practice. The only way to really work on it is live games.”
To that end, Cook said the offense is continuing to jell the more Sundays they play together.
“Chemistry and timing is something that nobody can predict in the National Football League, and it’s hard to come by,” Cook said. “So that’s something that we’re all still working on.”
There has been clear progress, though, as evidenced by the club’s record. Cook credited Gurley’s emergence as a significant factor in that.
“To have a back who’s unlike anyone I’ve ever seen before with my own eyes -- it’s special,” Cook said. “It’s something that we have to take advantage of on offense. It helps open up the whole game collectively as an offense. But, you have to make it work in terms of stretching the field, pushing the ball down the field.”
And so as the season gets to its midpoint, Cook said he feels like the offense is growing and getting better together. Now it’s just a matter of putting things together and executing properly to start games by putting points on the board.
“It’s just about sustaining drives and starting fast from jump,” Cook said. “It’s knowing in everybody’s mind that lines up out there, we’re going to go right down and score.”
INJURY REPORT
The Rams had a few players appear on Wednesday’s injury report. Chris Long (knee), Robert Quinn (knee), William Hayes (thigh), Chase Reynolds (thigh), and Rob Havenstein (ankle) did not practice. T.J. McDonald (foot) and Tre Mason (ankle) both practiced on a limited basis.
Though Havenstein was sidelined Wednesday, Fisher was optimistic on the right tackle’s possible status later in the week.
“We’ve got him immobilized right now. He’s doing much better,” Fisher said. “We’re hoping to get him back on the field on Friday. So, we’ll see.”
WATTS SUSPENDED
Running back Trey Watts has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Watts’ suspension begins immediately.
Fisher said the team has not yet made a decision on who may replace the running back on the active roster.
COACHING CONNECTIONS
Before Fisher began his long career as a player and coach in the NFL, he played his college football at USC. And that’s where the Rams’ head coach first got to know current Vikings’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
“Coach Turner and I walked on the USC campus together,” Fisher said. “I walked on as a freshman, and he walked on as an assistant coach. So, I’ve known him for that long. He actually coached me early in my career. Then, when I moved over to secondary, he coached the defensive backs our senior year there. So, then we kind of went on. Then, crossed paths in 1991 with the Rams for a couple weeks. He was a receiver coach, and then he went on to Dallas as the offensive coordinator. So, we’ve been basically facing him or facing each other or coaching against him really since ’91.
“By the way, he didn’t know what he was talking about in our senior year at SC, because the other three guys are all first-round picks. So, Norv never had to say anything,” Fisher joked. “He just let us play.”
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-114-Starting-Faster-on-Offense/1d1043ce-a51c-4c68-8022-064a0793a338
The Rams have won their last two games by a combined score of 51-12, but that hasn’t stopped the club from being self critical in order to improve.
That goes especially for the offense. The emergence of running back Todd Gurley has certainly aided the production, as best evidenced by St. Louis’ 3-1 record since the running back became a starter. But as head coach Jeff Fisher has pointed out, getting first downs and third-down efficiency has to get better, especially at this time of year.
Having racked up only 104 first downs and 26 percent of third-down opportunities, there is some clear room for improvement. But with the Rams’ explosive plays, the offense comes in at No. 1 in average yards per carry, No. 3 in yards rushing per game, and No. 12 in overall yards per play.
Gurley, of course, has been at the center of those plays, having amassed runs of 52, 55, 48, and 71 yards in his first four starts. But the offense has gotten good explosive production from others as well. For instance, Tavon Austin and Jared Cook had receptions of 66 and 49 yards, respectively, against the 49ers.
But if there’s been one common theme over the last few weeks, it’s that St. Louis would like to start faster offensively. While opponents have outscored the Rams 40-19 in the first quarter, they have clearly been able to make adjustments. The team has outscored opponents 44-28 in the second quarter, and 38-16 in the third.
All of that encompasses the fact that St. Louis would like to get into a rhythm earlier in games. That, of course, is easier said than done.
“That’s something we’ve talked about this week because you’d like to start fast,” offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said Wednesday. “So, you look at the scheme. You look at the personnel. It’s something we’re evaluating every day.”
As tight end Jared Cook put it, the Rams must continue to build confidence during the week that on the first drive, the ball will end up in the end zone.
“A lot of times, it does take time for an offense to kind of adjust and see how the defense is playing, and see what they’re running,” Cook said. “But most of the time, you know what they’re running. Defenses don’t change. So I just think it’s all about going out there and making the plays work.”
While it’s not an excuse, some of the struggles have just come from the team still getting used to playing with one another. After all, St. Louis did promote a new offensive coordinator, import a new quarterback, and insert three new offensive linemen into the starting lineup for the start of the season.
“We’re still working, we’re still building,” Cook said. “Nick [Foles] is still learning us individually -- who we are, who our personalities are. And we’re going to continue to grow and get better at doing that. You can only simulate it so much in practice. The only way to really work on it is live games.”
To that end, Cook said the offense is continuing to jell the more Sundays they play together.
“Chemistry and timing is something that nobody can predict in the National Football League, and it’s hard to come by,” Cook said. “So that’s something that we’re all still working on.”
There has been clear progress, though, as evidenced by the club’s record. Cook credited Gurley’s emergence as a significant factor in that.
“To have a back who’s unlike anyone I’ve ever seen before with my own eyes -- it’s special,” Cook said. “It’s something that we have to take advantage of on offense. It helps open up the whole game collectively as an offense. But, you have to make it work in terms of stretching the field, pushing the ball down the field.”
And so as the season gets to its midpoint, Cook said he feels like the offense is growing and getting better together. Now it’s just a matter of putting things together and executing properly to start games by putting points on the board.
“It’s just about sustaining drives and starting fast from jump,” Cook said. “It’s knowing in everybody’s mind that lines up out there, we’re going to go right down and score.”
INJURY REPORT
The Rams had a few players appear on Wednesday’s injury report. Chris Long (knee), Robert Quinn (knee), William Hayes (thigh), Chase Reynolds (thigh), and Rob Havenstein (ankle) did not practice. T.J. McDonald (foot) and Tre Mason (ankle) both practiced on a limited basis.
Though Havenstein was sidelined Wednesday, Fisher was optimistic on the right tackle’s possible status later in the week.
“We’ve got him immobilized right now. He’s doing much better,” Fisher said. “We’re hoping to get him back on the field on Friday. So, we’ll see.”
WATTS SUSPENDED
Running back Trey Watts has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Watts’ suspension begins immediately.
Fisher said the team has not yet made a decision on who may replace the running back on the active roster.
COACHING CONNECTIONS
Before Fisher began his long career as a player and coach in the NFL, he played his college football at USC. And that’s where the Rams’ head coach first got to know current Vikings’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
“Coach Turner and I walked on the USC campus together,” Fisher said. “I walked on as a freshman, and he walked on as an assistant coach. So, I’ve known him for that long. He actually coached me early in my career. Then, when I moved over to secondary, he coached the defensive backs our senior year there. So, then we kind of went on. Then, crossed paths in 1991 with the Rams for a couple weeks. He was a receiver coach, and then he went on to Dallas as the offensive coordinator. So, we’ve been basically facing him or facing each other or coaching against him really since ’91.
“By the way, he didn’t know what he was talking about in our senior year at SC, because the other three guys are all first-round picks. So, Norv never had to say anything,” Fisher joked. “He just let us play.”
