3 moves to boost the Rams Super Bowl chances in 2019

[Merlin]

Media idiots. Here's 3 things we need to do:

1. Stop the MFing run. Good pass rush starts with situational advantage so let's see more 3rd and longs when teams run it. I want the kind of defense where it feels like it's a waste of a down to run. Talent is there effin get 'er done.

2. Better safety play. We had more busted @$$ back end decision making than a Super Bowl team should have. Need to get better there. Roster-wise it looks like we have improved, but the players gotta execute the calls.

3. Better TE play. It's not about diversifying the offense as much as it is the players stepping up. It's time. For both those dudes to show they're capable of helping to elevate this offense. If we get that, all of a sudden those other formations are worthwhile to McVay to run and try to get a matchup advantage with his bigs.

All three things come down to the players. All three things should be doable lookin at the roster. Whether the players step it up, that's gonna decide how far we get in the playoffs.

 

[dang]

Media idiots. Here's 3 things we need to do:

1. Stop the MFing run. Good pass rush starts with situational advantage so let's see more 3rd and longs when teams run it. I want the kind of defense where it feels like it's a waste of a down to run. Talent is there effin get 'er done.

2. Better safety play. We had more busted @$$ back end decision making than a Super Bowl team should have. Need to get better there. Roster-wise it looks like we have improved, but the players gotta execute the calls.

3. Better TE play. It's not about diversifying the offense as much as it is the players stepping up. It's time. For both those dudes to show they're capable of helping to elevate this offense. If we get that, all of a sudden those other formations are worthwhile to McVay to run and try to get a matchup advantage with his bigs.

All three things come down to the players. All three things should be doable lookin at the roster. Whether the players step it up, that's gonna decide how far we get in the playoffs.

1. Kiser may be the run stuffer to get the job done but I would have felt better picking up a seasoned vet like Zach Brown for a year or 2.
2. Rams need to prove it on the field but I feel real good about CB and Safety this year. Seasoned vets, young talent, newcomers could become the strongest unit for this defense.
3. I feel Everett is on the verge but has been grossly underused to date. I could see a last minute trade to pick up a vet and trade away Higbee to strengthen this unit. The Rams may have picked up a diamond in the rough UDFA in K Brown but that wont show this year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

None of these experts acknowledge that we have adequate replacements...

Is there actual evidence of that?

2. Who? I think they want to keep developing their young talent on the Offensive Line.

You never heard of Sean Lavau? He'd be good veteran insurance for the very young OLine replacements.

True dat - though didn't Allen take the starting role in every Wednesday practice? The Rams got to see a lot of him, thanks to their policy of resting vets on Wednesdays whenever practical. Since despite outside speculation all offseason, the Rams never seemed to consider anything but starting him in 2019, while trying to get vets at other positions with 2nd-year starters, they apparently like him.

Jimmy Kennedy looked good in practice too. I hope the OLine is the slam dunk that you think it is, but I won't get my hopes up until I see them in a few real games.

 

[Loyal]

Is there actual evidence of that?




You never heard of Sean Lavau? He'd be good veteran insurance for the very young OLine replacements.





Jimmy Kennedy looked good in practice too. I hope the OLine is the slam dunk that you think it is, but I won't get my hopes up until I see them in a few real games.

Noteboom and Allen have played in real games. Noteboom was good when he played in limited action. Allen was ok, but need to see more from him. Having said that, Sully is a worn out tool and so Allen should be just as effective as a worn out player and most likely better.

But the "experts" probably don't know their names because they have their script/narrative that says the Rams are missing two starters from last year and haven't drafted two first round linemen to replace them...or haven't signed high priced FA's to replace them...therefore the Rams are gonna suck on the Oline. Sorry, I don't buy it. We have Kromer for a reason.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Jimmy Kennedy looked good in practice too. I hope the OLine is the slam dunk that you think it is, but I won't get my hopes up until I see them in a few real games.

I don't think he did. All we heard was that he was getting yelled at all practice for doing everything wrong.

.

 

[TexasRam]

I agree with all three points.

But saying Blythe was the weakest link on the oline is just not true. That award goes to Sullivan.

Blythe had a few mishaps in the Super Bowl but had a solid season otherwise. He graded out by PFF as the number 12 highest ranked guard on the season, just a tick behind Saffold.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Better safety play. We had more busted @$$ back end decision making than a Super Bowl team should have. Need to get better there. Roster-wise it looks like we have improved, but the players gotta execute the calls.

Probably one of the biggest surprises in 2018 was how Joyner dropped off a cliff.

Not sure what happened there.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Noteboom and Allen have played in real games. Noteboom was good when he played in limited action. Allen was ok, but need to see more from him. Having said that, Sully is a worn out tool and so Allen should be just as effective as a worn out player and most likely better.

But the "experts" probably don't know their names because they have their script/narrative that says the Rams are missing two starters from last year and haven't drafted two first round linemen to replace them...or haven't signed high priced FA's to replace them...therefore the Rams are gonna suck on the Oline. Sorry, I don't buy it. We have Kromer for a reason.

I think whenever you get new starters, there is uncertainty at any position

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't think he did. All we heard was that he was getting yelled at all practice for doing everything wrong.

.

No Kennedy looked promising in camps. He looked like shit in real games

 

[Merlin]

Jimmy Kennedy looked good in practice too. I hope the OLine is the slam dunk that you think it is, but I won't get my hopes up until I see them in a few real games.

We have a great OL coach and 2 young players who lined up vs our DL all season in practice.

Rams know what they have.

 

[Psycho_X]

I’m pretty happy with our team right now and don’t think any of those names would improve us. Certainly would improve depth but like it says we don’t have the cap space for luxury pickups.

 

[Akrasian]

I’m pretty happy with our team right now and don’t think any of those names would improve us. Certainly would improve depth but like it says we don’t have the cap space for luxury pickups.

Yeah, I don't think the Rams add anybody above a one year league minimum for their experience contract, with a signing bonus of I think $90k or less. That way it counts against the cap just slightly more than a UDFA rookie. And I don't know if they are really even looking for that. I suspect somebody might get brought in after OTAs, when a vet is desperate for a training camp invite and willing to take that little, and after the Rams get a look at all the rookies. If they are pleased with the rookies, maybe not even then.

 

[Zaphod]

I understand the trepidation people share with two second year players potentially starting on the offensive line this season.

But unless I missed something, McVay is still the head coach, and Kromer the offensive line coach. Those are the same two people who completely turned around a hapless offensive line inherited from Fisher. Depth may be thin, but ...

 

[Akrasian]

Depth may be thin

Untested, at least, which is always worrisome. And the Rams will likely lose two more starters after the season, although at least not playing right next to each other. So there will be a need to draft at least one player on the line again next season. At least (for now) the Rams have all their picks, and look likely to pick up two more fourths.

 

[Ramlock]

Fair enough, but we saw what one injury did to those 11 personnel sets. The Lions had us on the ropes FFS. They need to be able to mix packages and take advantage of more players IMO. The article mentions getting the TE's more involved, which I agree with as well. Henderson adds another VERY interesting flavor to the pot, assuming we use him in multiple personnel packages. Just my .02.

Well, really it was Kupp, Gurley (limited) and Malcolm Brown...those losses cost the Rams down the stretch until CJ came to town.

If healthy, and that's a big if, 11 personnel worked great!

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I think the concern over unknowns on our OL gets magnified by the fact our achilles heal last year was the Bears/Pats-style D everyone's going to try throwing at Goff this year. We need them to pan out, and quality OL just isn't easy to come by.

One thing to keep in mind is Blythe IS a proven center, so we have that to fall back on if needed.

Shawn Lauvao can be adequate but has been injured a lot. I'd have to look, but I doubt he's made it through many 16-game seasons.