20 Random Disgusted, but Looking Ahead, Thoughts

[AvengerRam]

1. Disgusting.

2. Disgraceful.

3. Disturbing.

4. Dismaying.

5. I won't go into too much analysis into specific plays, as much of it has already been said in other threads. Rather, I'm going to try to approach this from a more global vantage point.

6. If you're going to praise Sean McVay this year, I'd say there are two things he did very well. The first is recognizing the need for a fresh approach to the defense and replacing Wade Phillips with Brandon Staley.

7. The second thing McVay did is to hide what I think are fairly significant offensive line deficiencies (exacerbated by the loss of Andrew Whitworth), with designed misdirection and other "tricks." When the offense has clicked, that has been a big trigger. When the OL has had to simply line up and beat the opposition, not so much.

8. Yesterday was a clear example. While Goff, the skill players, the defense, and special teams were hit and miss, the OL was pretty bad all day. No push in the running game, untimely, drive-killing penalties, and poor pass protection (particularly on the inside pass rush). That simply won't do.

9. If McVay seriously wants to the Rams to be a run first/play action pass offense, we're going to need better OL talent. I'd start with the center position. I think that, even without a first round pick, we can acquire a player who would be an upgrade over Austin Blythe (not to mention cheaper, as Blythe is a FA).

10. The defense has been the strength of the team, but they don't get a free pass this week. Allowing TDs on the Jets' opening drives of each half really hurt us. It seemed like there was a lack of fire and intensity. This is why the "trap game" cliche exists.

11. Okay, that's enough of that. Now let's look ahead. I've already guaranteed a win next week. I mean it. Rams 26, Seahawks 16.

12. The likelihood of the Rams missing the playoffs is extremely small, so we're really playing for position in Weeks 16 and 17.

13. Looking at the most likely scenarios, the seeding becomes interesting. If the Rams win the division, they would likely be the #3 seed, meaning that they'd play the #6 seed. If that's Tampa Bay, is that really a prize, considering that the #5 seed (which, in this scenario, would likely be Seattle) gets to play the "winner" of the NFC East.

14. If the Rams don't win the division, there is a possibility that our opening round playoff game could be a three-match in Seattle (which, if you'll recall, has happened before).

15. I find it difficult to believe we won't have a new special teams coordinator next year.

16. Jared Goff, as usual, is getting a lot of the blame for yesterday. Fun fact: Goff finished the game with a passer rating of 89.0. Russell Wilson's rating yesterday was 73.2, but his team won. The point: QB play is important, but its not the only factor.

17. Cam Akers continues to impress. I think he scores on the 4th quarter run even without the hold, but I guess we'll never know that.

18. More jet sweeps, please.

19. One cut, and Nsimba Webster is the hero. Sigh.

20. This week will suck, but it will pass. We've been here before, guys. In one week's time, everything can... and I say, will... look very different.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

1. Disgusting.

2. Disgraceful.

3. Disturbing.

4. Dismaying.

5. I won't go into too much analysis into specific plays, as much of it has already been said in other threads. Rather, I'm going to try to approach this from a more global vantage point.

6. If you're going to praise Sean McVay this year, I'd say there are two things he did very well. The first is recognizing the need for a fresh approach to the defense and replacing Wade Phillips with Brandon Staley.

7. The second thing McVay did is to hide what I think are fairly significant offensive line deficiencies (exacerbated by the loss of Andrew Whitworth), with designed misdirection and other "tricks." When the offense has clicked, that has been a big trigger. When the OL has had to simply line up and beat the opposition, not so much.

8. Yesterday was a clear example. While Goff, the skill players, the defense, and special teams were hit and miss, the OL was pretty bad all day. No push in the running game, untimely, drive-killing penalties, and poor pass protection (particularly on the inside pass rush). That simply won't do.

9. If McVay seriously wants to the Rams to be a run first/play action pass offense, we're going to need better OL talent. I'd start with the center position. I think that, even without a first round pick, we can acquire a player who would be an upgrade over Austin Blythe (not to mention cheaper, as Blythe is a FA).

10. The defense has been the strength of the team, but they don't get a free pass this week. Allowing TDs on the Jets' opening drives of each half really hurt us. It seemed like there was a lack of fire and intensity. This is why the "trap game" cliche exists.

11. Okay, that's enough of that. Now let's look ahead. I've already guaranteed a win next week. I mean it. Rams 26, Seahawks 16.

12. The likelihood of the Rams missing the playoffs is extremely small, so we're really playing for position in Weeks 16 and 17.

13. Looking at the most likely scenarios, the seeding becomes interesting. If the Rams win the division, they would likely be the #3 seed, meaning that they'd play the #6 seed. If that's Tampa Bay, is that really a prize, considering that the #5 seed (which, in this scenario, would likely be Seattle) gets to play the "winner" of the NFC East.

14. If the Rams don't win the division, there is a possibility that our opening round playoff game could be a three-match in Seattle (which, if you'll recall, has happened before).

15. I find it difficult to believe we won't have a new special teams coordinator next year.

16. Jared Goff, as usual, is getting a lot of the blame for yesterday. Fun fact: Goff finished the game with a passer rating of 89.0. Russell Wilson's rating yesterday was 73.2, but his team won. The point: QB play is important, but its not the only factor.

17. Cam Akers continues to impress. I think he scores on the 4th quarter run even without the hold, but I guess we'll never know that.

18. More jet sweeps, please.

19. One cut, and Nsimba Webster is the hero. Sigh.

20. This week will suck, but it will pass. We've been here before, guys. In one week's time, everything can... and I say, will... look very different.

I'm glad more people are recognizing that the offensive line is not as good as many thought. While one on one smash mouth football is not what the zone scheme is all about, its still necessary to be able to win individual battles.

I think Akers makes that TD despite the holding by Corbett. I really questioned the call since we keep being told that refs look for players being turned or pulled to the ground. That hold did neither, but it is what it is.

Webster had an excellent return. Its getting diminished too much. I hope it is a sign of him recognizing what he is and is not. He has enough straight speed and can be slippery, but as a runner he does not have much cutting ability. His lack thereof was on display when he couldn't avoid the kicker. But I was happy that he saw the seem and hit it. At first I thought he was going to do his all too common left, right, left, tackled drill.

Goff's play was okay. I don't know what to make of it. I think the lack of a speedy deep threat limits the offense. I get that Van timed well during the game at the Sr. Bowl, but it hasn't translated to the NFL. I hope it will but I have my doubts. But back to Goff; we all want him to be the type of QB to make wow plays and carry the team. That's not who he is. He is above average, but not special. There are not many like that. The team has deficiencies that he cannot overcome alone. Reality is that without the defensive dominance this team is average or maybe slightly below. Thankfully its a team game.

If any coach or player took the Jets lightly, I hope they learned a lesson and never does it again. I think if they played again the result would be quite different too.

 

[ramfan46]

The team isn't built to come back from 10 points or more. They need to get up on teams and then manage the lead. O line was bad, but the QB wasn't much better. A couple of ugly throws and luckily only 1 cost them. Darnold looked like the better QB yesterday.
ST has one major issue each game it seems like. Fire the coach at the end of the year, imo.

 

[dieterbrock]

19. One cut, and Nsimba Webster is the hero. Sigh.

I think the missed block is the issue here, that player should have been erased. Webster looks bad because Obo fell asleep

 

[badnews]

This morning I wake up at 5am and I see a notification from YouTube. Someone had replied to a comment I had left. I very rarely comment on youtube so I was pretty sure I knew what it was about... sure enough, a Patriots fan had responded to a comment I left 10 days ago.
He asked me how my Rams played yesterday.
I replied that they played like absolute ass, soft and uninspired.
Then I reminded him that the Rams ended the pats playoff hopes, the Rams ended the pats 17 year streak of winning seasons... and they lost to the lowly Jets. So how bad are the Patriots? Ultimately we got a non-conference game to use as our wakeup call and are in a good enough position - thanks to beating the Pats - that we could lose a game like that and still finish 11-5.
Meanwhile, pats fans have nothing to do but wait a week to talk shit.


*Now between us Rams fans, we know its too soon to put on a happy face, but still... as bad as that loss sucked, this season is a winning one.

 

[hotanez]

9. If McVay seriously wants to the Rams to be a run first/play action pass offense, we're going to need better OL talent. I'd start with the center position. I think that, even without a first round pick, we can acquire a player who would be an upgrade over Austin Blythe (not to mention cheaper, as Blythe is a FA).

This one is going to be tuff. I can't see McVay trusting a rookie with the line calls. Goff needs help and so does a rookie, that's an ugly combination. Maybe Corbett can slide to center and we play Evans, Brewer or a Rookie Guard. We need guys upfront that can be physical too.

 

[Mackeyser]

There have been instances where a Guard calls the OL.

They can make that work, but yeah, watching Blythe on roller skates has already lost its novelty.

 

[hotanez]

There have been instances where a Guard calls the OL.

They can make that work, but yeah, watching Blythe on roller skates has already lost its novelty.

That's true I think Blythe was doing that at RG last year. But if Corbett can make that transition it would help tremendously.

 

[SWAdude]

1. Disgusting.

2. Disgraceful.

3. Disturbing.

4. Dismaying.

5. I won't go into too much analysis into specific plays, as much of it has already been said in other threads. Rather, I'm going to try to approach this from a more global vantage point.

6. If you're going to praise Sean McVay this year, I'd say there are two things he did very well. The first is recognizing the need for a fresh approach to the defense and replacing Wade Phillips with Brandon Staley.

7. The second thing McVay did is to hide what I think are fairly significant offensive line deficiencies (exacerbated by the loss of Andrew Whitworth), with designed misdirection and other "tricks." When the offense has clicked, that has been a big trigger. When the OL has had to simply line up and beat the opposition, not so much.

8. Yesterday was a clear example. While Goff, the skill players, the defense, and special teams were hit and miss, the OL was pretty bad all day. No push in the running game, untimely, drive-killing penalties, and poor pass protection (particularly on the inside pass rush). That simply won't do.

9. If McVay seriously wants to the Rams to be a run first/play action pass offense, we're going to need better OL talent. I'd start with the center position. I think that, even without a first round pick, we can acquire a player who would be an upgrade over Austin Blythe (not to mention cheaper, as Blythe is a FA).

10. The defense has been the strength of the team, but they don't get a free pass this week. Allowing TDs on the Jets' opening drives of each half really hurt us. It seemed like there was a lack of fire and intensity. This is why the "trap game" cliche exists.

11. Okay, that's enough of that. Now let's look ahead. I've already guaranteed a win next week. I mean it. Rams 26, Seahawks 16.

12. The likelihood of the Rams missing the playoffs is extremely small, so we're really playing for position in Weeks 16 and 17.

13. Looking at the most likely scenarios, the seeding becomes interesting. If the Rams win the division, they would likely be the #3 seed, meaning that they'd play the #6 seed. If that's Tampa Bay, is that really a prize, considering that the #5 seed (which, in this scenario, would likely be Seattle) gets to play the "winner" of the NFC East.

14. If the Rams don't win the division, there is a possibility that our opening round playoff game could be a three-match in Seattle (which, if you'll recall, has happened before).

15. I find it difficult to believe we won't have a new special teams coordinator next year.

16. Jared Goff, as usual, is getting a lot of the blame for yesterday. Fun fact: Goff finished the game with a passer rating of 89.0. Russell Wilson's rating yesterday was 73.2, but his team won. The point: QB play is important, but its not the only factor.

17. Cam Akers continues to impress. I think he scores on the 4th quarter run even without the hold, but I guess we'll never know that.

18. More jet sweeps, please.

19. One cut, and Nsimba Webster is the hero. Sigh.

20. This week will suck, but it will pass. We've been here before, guys. In one week's time, everything can... and I say, will... look very different.

The first four are pretty easy that all Rams feel this way today. Nothing extraordinary.

Number 5 is just setting up the following 14 so there at best are "19 Random Disgusted, but Looking Ahead, Thoughts."

The rest are just opinion pieces that many will or will not agree with.

I saw several Rams players ahead and to the right of Webster. He choose not to go that way. That wasn't the play to focus on.

The third and fourth and four concern me the most. Deeply concern me.

 

[AvengerRam]

The first four are pretty easy that all Rams feel this way today. Nothing extraordinary.

Number 5 is just setting up the following 14 so there at best are "19 Random Disgusted, but Looking Ahead, Thoughts."

The rest are just opinion pieces that many will or will not agree with.

I saw several Rams players ahead and to the right of Webster. He choose not to go that way. That wasn't the play to focus on.

The third and fourth and four concern me the most. Deeply concern me.

That was a weird response.

Of course, if enough people feel I have shorted you all a random thought this week, I’ll be happy to provide 21 next week.

 

[SWAdude]

That was a weird response.

Of course, if enough people feel I have shorted you all a random thought this week, I’ll be happy to provide 21 next week.

I was pulling your chain.

Well thought out.

 

[FrantikRam]

1. Disgusting.

2. Disgraceful.

3. Disturbing.

4. Dismaying.

5. I won't go into too much analysis into specific plays, as much of it has already been said in other threads. Rather, I'm going to try to approach this from a more global vantage point.

6. If you're going to praise Sean McVay this year, I'd say there are two things he did very well. The first is recognizing the need for a fresh approach to the defense and replacing Wade Phillips with Brandon Staley.

7. The second thing McVay did is to hide what I think are fairly significant offensive line deficiencies (exacerbated by the loss of Andrew Whitworth), with designed misdirection and other "tricks." When the offense has clicked, that has been a big trigger. When the OL has had to simply line up and beat the opposition, not so much.

8. Yesterday was a clear example. While Goff, the skill players, the defense, and special teams were hit and miss, the OL was pretty bad all day. No push in the running game, untimely, drive-killing penalties, and poor pass protection (particularly on the inside pass rush). That simply won't do.

9. If McVay seriously wants to the Rams to be a run first/play action pass offense, we're going to need better OL talent. I'd start with the center position. I think that, even without a first round pick, we can acquire a player who would be an upgrade over Austin Blythe (not to mention cheaper, as Blythe is a FA).

10. The defense has been the strength of the team, but they don't get a free pass this week. Allowing TDs on the Jets' opening drives of each half really hurt us. It seemed like there was a lack of fire and intensity. This is why the "trap game" cliche exists.

11. Okay, that's enough of that. Now let's look ahead. I've already guaranteed a win next week. I mean it. Rams 26, Seahawks 16.

12. The likelihood of the Rams missing the playoffs is extremely small, so we're really playing for position in Weeks 16 and 17.

13. Looking at the most likely scenarios, the seeding becomes interesting. If the Rams win the division, they would likely be the #3 seed, meaning that they'd play the #6 seed. If that's Tampa Bay, is that really a prize, considering that the #5 seed (which, in this scenario, would likely be Seattle) gets to play the "winner" of the NFC East.

14. If the Rams don't win the division, there is a possibility that our opening round playoff game could be a three-match in Seattle (which, if you'll recall, has happened before).

15. I find it difficult to believe we won't have a new special teams coordinator next year.

16. Jared Goff, as usual, is getting a lot of the blame for yesterday. Fun fact: Goff finished the game with a passer rating of 89.0. Russell Wilson's rating yesterday was 73.2, but his team won. The point: QB play is important, but its not the only factor.

17. Cam Akers continues to impress. I think he scores on the 4th quarter run even without the hold, but I guess we'll never know that.

18. More jet sweeps, please.

19. One cut, and Nsimba Webster is the hero. Sigh.

20. This week will suck, but it will pass. We've been here before, guys. In one week's time, everything can... and I say, will... look very different.

So with Goff, it's interesting. If I have an issue with how he plays in a win, people will be like "we won". If I have an issue with his play in a loss, maybe his passer rating was decent, or there were drops, or bad play calls.

I DESPISE giving a QB credits for wins and losses. But there are people that do, and those people cannot credit him for the wins but then absolve him of blame for the losses. That is too much hypocrisy for me.

Goff was only part of the problem - yesterday was the worst the OL played, Akers and Everett each dropped a pass, and the defense was a let down (although I would point out that the defense vs the Jets compared to what the Jets usually do is right in line with Goff against the Jets and what they usually allow for a QB - i.e. both Goff/offense and the defense statistically didn't perform as well as the average team does against the Jets).

So he wasn't the only reason we lost yesterday - but I do blame him for than any other entity on offense because of his pick that led to a FG. The OL and WRs did nothing wrong on that play - just an awful INT.

I blame Goff, the ST Unit and defense in equal measure as the biggest culprits yesterday - if Goff doesn't throw that INT and the punt doesn't get blocked, we win - and neither play should have happened. For the defense, we allowed the Jets to exceed their average yards and points (even at the defense only allowing 17, still exceeds their average).

The OL was bad and the two drops were bad - however none of them directly contributed to losing the game like the turnover, blocked punt and defense did.

What are we going to say about the defense? They mostly get a pass from me. It was a terrible performance, but they've been amazing this season and we have a top 5 scoring defense despite the offense having the (tied for) 6th most giveaways in the NFL. They clearly didn't take the Jets offense seriously and that came back to bite us.

For special teams, I want everyone but Hekker, Gay and McQuiade out of here. Reset button. It's been horrible all year and this is now the 2nd time that special teams reared it's ugly head in a loss.

Lastly, Goff. Niners, Niners, Dolphins, first half against the Bills, second half against the Bucs, Jets - horrible. The worst part to me is that McVay seems to not trust him and calls plays accordingly. Goff has shown why in the performances I listed above why he's earned that distrust. He has horrific interceptions in all the games (or halves) that I mentioned above.

The OL and WR group needs to be better for Goff - but that's a problem. Wilson has had an OL worse than this for years. For years Rodgers and Brady have spent years with worse WRs than what we have. Watson is in Houston right now with a worse OL and WR group than Goff currently has, and is keeping Houston in games with a terrible roster and is destroying Goff statistically. And right now people are saying "Houston is 4-10" - and this is why wins and losses shouldn't be attributed to QBs. He's playing extremely well despite his team around him being so bad - namely the defense.

It's not even fair to Goff to compare him to those guys.....except he's paid similarly and that's a problem.

So what's the fix? Well we're not going to like it. We need to invest in this offense, which probably means gutting the defense. JJ, A'Shawn, Brockers, Floyd all gone and not replaced except via mid/late round picks. When our run defense and pass rush takes a hit next year, let's remember this.

 

[Ramstien]

which probably means gutting the defense. JJ, A'Shawn, Brockers, Floyd all gone and not replaced except via mid/late round picks. When our run defense and pass rush takes a hit next year, let's remember this.

I think all these players can be replaced with players already on the roster at little to no drop off. Brockers may be having his best year but next year will be his 10th season, so expect some drop off. Fox has performed well when given the opportunity. Joseph-Day has played as well or better than A'shawn. Lewis should be healthy and could easily replace Floyd's production. Oh, believe it or not Burgess could actually be and upgrade over JJ.

 

[AvengerRam]

21. Finally got some new Rams gear!

 

[Merlin]

7. The second thing McVay did is to hide what I think are fairly significant offensive line deficiencies (exacerbated by the loss of Andrew Whitworth), with designed misdirection and other "tricks." When the offense has clicked, that has been a big trigger. When the OL has had to simply line up and beat the opposition, not so much.

Agreed. And I think McVay is a victim of his own success. He does a great job masking weaknesses through scheme and that's one of the best compliments you can pay any coordinator/gameplanner IMO.

Most teams that lose their starting LT... You're gonna feel it. We felt it too and Boom has proven to be a valuable backup but McVay has also done his usual job of scheming things to limit the opportunities of the DL.

Bottom line here IMO is Goff needs a better line to be his best. He's our QB and that isn't gonna change. So let's go get him a Center who won't be in his fucking lap or resembling a turnstile when he faces a plus DL. And maybe get him another WR if you think Van isn't going to grow into that WR3 we need to replace Cooks. And maybe get Hopkins going in the passing game next season to give the QB another good option he can trust.

But everything with Goff starts with the line. We can win with him just need better around him.