20 Random Terrible Awful Week Thoughts

[AvengerRam]

McVay isn't perfect - no coach is - but I wouldn't trade him for any coach in the NFL. Fans wanting McVay replaced is insane.

Yesterday was crushing. No two ways about it. I have held the belief that this is a playoff team all offseason and the first six weeks all but confirmed that. Losing to Kenny Pickett shook that belief, no two ways about it.

But I am not ready to give up yet, despite the inconsistency. So here lies our path to the playoffs:

@Cowboys - blowout loss
@Packers - win
Seahawks - win
@Cardinals - win
Browns - loss
@Ravens - blowout loss
Commodes - win
Saints - win
@Giants - win
@Niners - blowout loss

We have played 7 different teams so far this year - five of them are .500 or better (Seattle, SF, Cincy, Philly and Pittsburgh) - we are 1-4 in these games

we have played 2 teams that are below .500 this year - we are 2-0 in these games.

The Packers and Cardinals are guaranteed to be below .500

I believe the Commodes, Saints and Giants will be as well.

That leaves the Seahawks as the only win I'm projecting against a team that won't be "bad" in order for us to get to 9 wins.

And because we play the Commodes and Saints, I believe we will end up being the 7 seed.

Go Rams.

I’m not going to address all your picks, but if it comes down to the last week, we might be facing SF backups.

 

[Ellard80]

Rinse and repeat all year. Is McVay the coach we think he is? Is it his soon to be child being born? It seems like it's always something with him, I'm losing my confidence in him as an innovator. hell as a good coach. seriously did anyone expect this coaching staff to be so bad. I didn't. go rams.

many predicted the rams to be the worse team in the nfl with our roster.

We dumped everyone before this year.

 

[thirteen28]

McVay isn't perfect - no coach is - but I wouldn't trade him for any coach in the NFL. Fans wanting McVay replaced is insane.

I don't want a different coach - he's too good at creating a positive culture and in general he's a great leader. But I do want our coach to stop being so damned stubborn, to regain some creativity, and may be even give up the playcalling duties to a true OC.

I want him to try some different personnel alignments rather than such overwhelming use of 11 personnel, and really develop a TE (like Davis Allen) into a real weapon, assuming they are capable. I want him to stop being so wedded to his script and his gameplan that he ignores the flow of the game, as he so often does. I want him to have a better feel as to when to run and when to pass. I want him to get on his QB to be a little bit better at spreading the ball instead of focusing so much on one or two receivers.

Right now it just feels like there is a certain staleness to this offense, like it's too much of a struggle to move the ball, sustain drives, and score. That shouldn't be the case with the talent level we have.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Lately... sometimes it feels like this...

But that still beats the hell outta...

 

[Rams8821]

A little perspective. Sean McVay is 37 years old has been to 2 Super Bowls, and won 1.

Bill Bellicheat was 48 years old when he STARTED coaching the Patriots....

Ill take my chances that McVay gets us back to a few more SB's.....

 

[OldSchool]

5. The defense's overall numbers (300 yards allowed) may seem okay, but situationally, they did a pretty poor job. Again, the pressure was just not consistent enough to get to the QB with any frequency or to force turnovers.

Rams defense has one person making over $2 million a year Aaron Donald.

Rams defense has one player drafted in the first two rounds Aaron Donald (three third rounders)

Rams front seven has 3 UDFA starting. Our two rotational OLB/Edge guys are UDFA our two backup ILB are UDFA.

Rams secondary has a 2nd year 6th round pick a 3rd year 4th round pick and a free agent kicked to the curb by his previous three teams starting at CB. A 6th round and a second year 7th rounder starting at safety. Three DB's on the bench right now JJ3 a 3rd rounder at the end of the line a UDFA and a 6th rounder.

There might be a reason for a lack of pressure and turn overs but the roster building style we're coming out of got us a Lombardi so IMO it's all good. We retool and go back for a 3rd.

 

[Ellard80]

Rams defense has one person making over $2 million a year Aaron Donald.

Rams defense has one player drafted in the first two rounds Aaron Donald (three third rounders)

Rams front seven has 3 UDFA starting. Our two rotational OLB/Edge guys are UDFA our two backup ILB are UDFA.

Rams secondary has a 2nd year 6th round pick a 3rd year 4th round pick and a free agent kicked to the curb by his previous three teams starting at CB. A 6th round and a second year 7th rounder starting at safety. Three DB's on the bench right now JJ3 a 3rd rounder at the end of the line a UDFA and a 6th rounder.

There might be a reason for a lack of pressure and turn overs but the roster building style we're coming out of got us a Lombardi so IMO it's all good. We retool and go back for a 3rd.

yeah, the d is bubble gum and popsicle sticks stuck together.

we knew they couldn't hold up all the time.

The offense also is missing pieces - but it has to be the stronger unit.

 

[Malibu]

It's funny how we all drill down on the losses like we should win them when at the bg of the season we all thought they would suck. Suddenly Dotson, Avila, Witherspoon, Puka, Young, Evans, Turner, KW show a ton of promise and we expect to be good due to those additions a healthy Kupp and Stafford and that 1st Seattle win was so dominant unfortunately this will be the case all year long. To hard to change course now even if we find an upgrade at Kicker (not hard to do) and a OLB at the trade deadline maybe makes us slightly better, but not elite.

To me it is a combo of issues both on offense and defense. Before I blamed everything on the defense but unfortunately the offense needs some blame because it is really solid on paper this year: the running game is better, Stafford is healthy the emergence of Puka and Tutu and the OL is solid not great but solid. For some reason they are not consistent. Based on Avila, Dotson and emergence of Tutu, KW and Puka we should be north of 27 ppg imo and we are not close. Staffords completion percentage is terrible 61% near bottom of the league why is that something is off with him.

It will be a rollercoaster season.

Potential is the one word to describe the Rams. So much potential to be a playoff team and conversely they are not living up to their potential.

 

[Loyal]

1. That one was brutal.

2. I'll start by saying this clearly and succinctly... no way in Hell we should have lost that game.

3. A lot of blame to go around, so I'll start with the receivers not named Puka Nacua. Cooper Kupp had the worst game I can recall him having. Two drops helped kill the opening drive, then, apart from one long reception and a 2 point conversion, he was invisible. Tutu Atwell made one great play (on a pass not even intended for him) but was similarly invisible otherwise. Finally, there is Tyler Higbee, who dropped a key pass (hearing footsteps) and otherwise had only one catch.

4. Matthew Stafford wasn't as bad as numbers suggest (see 3 drops above), but that interception was inexcusable for a QB of his experience. That's the kind of play you'd expect from a young QB (not taking away from a great play by T.J. Watt, but Stafford should know better than to be baited into that throw).

5. The defense's overall numbers (300 yards allowed) may seem okay, but situationally, they did a pretty poor job. Again, the pressure was just not consistent enough to get to the QB with any frequency or to force turnovers.

6. The parade of horrible performances next brings us to Brett Maher. He clearly has a problem with missing kicks in bunches. The missed XP didn't hurt us due to the two point conversion, but two missed FGs changed the game not only due to points not being scored, but also due to the field position it left the Steelers with (leading to 10 of their points). He may soon be out of a job.

7. Sean McVay also had a bad day. The Steelers seemed to have the right defense for his play calls far too often, and his cavalier wasting of time outs finally caught up with him as it prevented a challenge that would have given the Rams one last chance to tie the game. He'll take responsibility but, who cares? Don't apologize... just manage the clock better!

8. It's easy to blame the refs for a really bad call (or two, if you count the phantom PI called against Ankhello Witherspoon a couple of plays before the bad spot), but the Rams never should have been in that position.

9. The Rams inability to string two consecutive wins together is getting really frustrating.

10. The running game, as I predicted, was able to thrive without Kyren Williams. Nice effort by Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman. Still, while the production was good, the impact wasn't there, as the Rams were unable to sustain drives due to penalties and sacks.

11. Despite the bad team effort, I'll give out player of the week recognitions. On offense, Puka Nacua is the obvious choice. He is truly a find.

12. On defense, the much maligned Michael Hoecht gets the nod after leading the Rams in tackles and registering two sacks.

13. The Football Gods continue to frown on the Rams. Fumble by Harris - recovered by Steelers. Ball tipped by at least two Ram defenders - falls harmlessly to the ground. Bobble by punt returner - secures the ball. We still have not started a single drive in an opponent's territory this year. The failure to force turnovers is part of that equation but, damn... could we get a bounce for once!

14. Derion Kendrick capped off a week of legal troubles with some really bad coverage. He may be sharing an Uber from Rams Park with Maher before long.

15. While I'm criticizing the team, I'll throw a bit my way as well. I tend to compartmentalize the stress of real life and funnel that energy into being a sports fan. For some reason, today, rather being a healthy outlet, I found myself expressing my frustration in such a severe manner that it disturbed my wife and even freaked out my dogs a bit. That's not right. I need to be better than that as a fan and as a human being. Mea culpa.

16. Earlier this year I declared myself "Mr. Brightside," so here's what I've got... There is a lot of good here overall. You can see the potential of many of our young players... Nacua, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Steve Avila and others. I truly believe that these players, coupled with our key vets and some additions, will make real noise next year. If they want to do so this year, though, they simply can't let games like today's (and the Bengals game, for the matter) slip away.

17. Of course, it would be just like this team to go out and beat Dallas next week.

18. Speaking of next week... PROGRAMMING NOTE: I will be off the grid next Sunday and Monday, so I'd like to find someone to fill in as a guest writer of my 20RT series. Any takers? (PM me!)

19. I don't know what to say about visiting teams taking over the stands. Frustrating, but I don't see any solution right now.

20. I'm not giving up on this season, by the way. Just frustrated by a really bad week.

Electric torture for season tix holders who sell their home game tix, unless we are playing the Cards....

 

[TK42-RAM]

On a positive note I just put up my Jim Everett photo in the office.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

What was weird about this game was that instead of giving up a cheap td before the half the Rams actually scored a td just before the half. Great, what a boost for the team.

But instead of using that as momentum for the 2nd half like their opponents usually do against them the Rams decide to throw an INT on the first play of the 2nf half. It's like they're allergic to winning.

.

 

[fanotodd]

21) How about a nod/game ball to Henderson? They dusted him off and he played one of, if not his best game as a Ram. I always felt he was done dirty in that akers fiasco.
22) Maher is only one member of what are some putrid STs.
Every return is a fair catch because they can’t block without holding, and that’s if Trammel doesn’t drop the ball.
Somebody has GOT to work with Evans on his punts. A fucking 68 yard kick into the end zone? Seriously? He couldn’t just ease up a bit and kick it 60 yards, pinning the steelers on their 8? He just doesn’t get enough air under the ball to allow our rotten coverage to surround the return man. He should be a field flipping, game changing, weapon with his ability.

Lost in all of the bad plays, penalties, and horrible officiating, was yet another lousy showing by the Rams’ STs. Do we need a better coach in charge of that mess?

 

[RamsSince1969]

McVay is in his 7th year with us. We are so lucky to have him through thick and thin. Speaking of the crazy Steeler fans, how many Superbowls have the Steelers been to since 1996? FOUR the same as the RAMS. How many Superbowls have they won since 1996? TWO. The same as the Rams. Let's hold our heads high with pride, even with these frustrating losses, as we are still one the most storied and elite franchises in the NFL. There are 12 franchises that have never won a SB. How about a few proud moments: Fearsome Foursome, Deacon Jones the Godfather of sacks, Jack Youngblood playing the SB with a broken leg, GSOT, and now the McVay era. What a time to be a Rams fan! Great comments everyone. Let's go beat those Cowboys!

 

[snackdaddy]

McVay isn't perfect - no coach is - but I wouldn't trade him for any coach in the NFL. Fans wanting McVay replaced is insane.

Yesterday was crushing. No two ways about it. I have held the belief that this is a playoff team all offseason and the first six weeks all but confirmed that. Losing to Kenny Pickett shook that belief, no two ways about it.

But I am not ready to give up yet, despite the inconsistency. So here lies our path to the playoffs:

@Cowboys - blowout loss
@Packers - win
Seahawks - win
@Cardinals - win
Browns - loss
@Ravens - blowout loss
Commodes - win
Saints - win
@Giants - win
@Niners - blowout loss

We have played 7 different teams so far this year - five of them are .500 or better (Seattle, SF, Cincy, Philly and Pittsburgh) - we are 1-4 in these games

we have played 2 teams that are below .500 this year - we are 2-0 in these games.

The Packers and Cardinals are guaranteed to be below .500

I believe the Commodes, Saints and Giants will be as well.

That leaves the Seahawks as the only win I'm projecting against a team that won't be "bad" in order for us to get to 9 wins.

And because we play the Commodes and Saints, I believe we will end up being the 7 seed.

Packers, Cardinals, Commodes, Saints and Giants are all teams that likely won't be better than .500. But since we are in the same boat I would not bet on us beating all five of them. I'm guessing they win 3 or maybe 4 at most. I don't see us beating the other teams left on the schedule. Which means I'm expecting us to win 6 or 7 games. Better than last year.

 

[OldSchool]

It's funny how we all drill down on the losses like we should win them when at the bg of the season we all thought they would suck. Suddenly Dotson, Avila, Witherspoon, Puka, Young, Evans, Turner, KW show a ton of promise and we expect to be good due to those additions a healthy Kupp and Stafford and that 1st Seattle win was so dominant unfortunately this will be the case all year long. To hard to change course now even if we find an upgrade at Kicker (not hard to do) and a OLB at the trade deadline maybe makes us slightly better, but not elite.

To me it is a combo of issues both on offense and defense. Before I blamed everything on the defense but unfortunately the offense needs some blame because it is really solid on paper this year: the running game is better, Stafford is healthy the emergence of Puka and Tutu and the OL is solid not great but solid. For some reason they are not consistent. Based on Avila, Dotson and emergence of Tutu, KW and Puka we should be north of 27 ppg imo and we are not close. Staffords completion percentage is terrible 61% near bottom of the league why is that something is off with him.

It will be a rollercoaster season.

Potential is the one word to describe the Rams. So much potential to be a playoff team and conversely they are not living up to their potential.

Very true, most here upset at losses the most were predicting a 5 win season at most 7 wins.

 

[Angry Ram]

Exactly this. I think it's time we realize the rams aren't that good of team this year. We have some pieces in place that will help build our future roster. Alvila, Puka, Witherspoon, Jones, and others. But we just aren't there yet.
Are there things the rams could do now to win a couple more games this year? Sure but we'd still be a mediocre team with a couple more wins.

Exactly NOT this.

There's no way this team is only gonna win a "couple more".

Talent is there. They are playing well. Statistically a top half offense. They are not laying eggs and getting curbed stomped in their losses.

Did you know last years Super Bowl reps Chiefs and Eagles have 19 tuds each and the Rams have 15??

There are experienced vets here. Champions that know how to win. They have young blood.

Barring something catastrophic I have full faith these guys will win a lot more games than most here think.

I haven't bought into this "team isn't good enough" all offseason and I'm sure as hell not after yesterday.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I think yesterday's loss is really bothering McVay. Can't blame him. Me too.

I was watching the Coach McVay Show on the Rams' site; and at the very end of the show. Long tried to finish-up with an up-beat comment about the imminent birth of McVay's son. Sean was polite but then, out-of-nowhere, Mcvay says 'Man, I can't believe we did not find a way to get that dub.'
It was COMPLETELY out-of-context for that moment in the discussion.

 

[FrantikRam]

Packers, Cardinals, Commodes, Saints and Giants are all teams that likely won't be better than .500. But since we are in the same boat I would not bet on us beating all five of them. I'm guessing they win 3 or maybe 4 at most. I don't see us beating the other teams left on the schedule. Which means I'm expecting us to win 6 or 7 games. Better than last year.

We haven't lost to a team that currently has a losing record yet though, so based on that I think it's safe to say we will win those games. After the Dallas game I would imagine we've easily had one of the most difficult schedules.

 

[FrantikRam]

Very true, most here upset at losses the most were predicting a 5 win season at most 7 wins.

Meanwhile I have been saying playoffs since the end of last year and I'm still thinking 9-8 and the 7 seed

 

[Tano]

Very true, most here upset at losses the most were predicting a 5 win season at most 7 wins.

I don't think "most" of us were predicting a 5 win season. I think a lot of us were predicting a 7 win season with a possibility of 10 wins