5 Thoughts After Miami (from an ex-baller)

[pvtdragon39]

You missed my point, I 'm not talking about this season, even with a healthy Higs there isnt a lot of production from TE. With Everett the TE's would see 120+ targets, since he left, been a dramatic drop off. Can say it's the players but it seems more scheme.

I remember him having at least 60 per year on avg even with higs having 50ish as well. 2019-20 seasons for sure. Our TEs have like 30 combined this year I think.

 

[snackdaddy]

Good post - except it was not 4th down at the end. It was still 3rd down. Why not try an EZ shot and then kick the FG?

Maybe in the slim chance the onside kick was successful McVay wanted as much time as possible? I believe they had a timeout left. Maybe throw for 15 yards over the middle and use the timeout? Then set up a couple hail mary's? Or maybe McVay thought an 8 point loss doesn't look as bad as an eleven point loss.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

We used the shotgun wayyyy too many times. Your ability to run the ball is limited, especially with a non-mobile qb, and the defense knows the pass is mostly likely coming.

More plays from under center!!!

 

[Merlin]

You missed my point, I 'm not talking about this season, even with a healthy Higs there isnt a lot of production from TE. With Everett the TE's would see 120+ targets, since he left, been a dramatic drop off. Can say it's the players but it seems more scheme.

I think this is because Kupp settled into a lot of those usages McVay threw at TEs early on as OC and then with the Rams when it was Everett. Kupp's the same size, he's stronger after the catch, a better athlete than Everett, and far smarter in the scheme so they can option route the hell out of opponents with him too.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think this is because Kupp settled into a lot of those usages McVay threw at TEs early on as OC and then with the Rams when it was Everett. Kupp's the same size, he's stronger after the catch, a better athlete than Everett, and far smarter in the scheme so they can option route the hell out of opponents with him too.

For sure. Leaving Puka to play in more of the Robert Woods role

 

[Merlin]

For sure. Leaving Puka to play in more of the Robert Woods role

Yep. He's a better Woody. And I love Woody but Puka when healthy adds that physicality.

Re: the scheme vs players I think the OL limitations have limited the efficiency of the underneath possession game that McVay's scheme is built on. Teams are so steeped in stopping WCO now that if you don't have the weapons or time for your passer to stretch it they'll roll up and make life hard on this type of offense. So I think it is players to some extent, those being the OL being bad and a lack of a speed option that isn't limited.

It was the same shit last season when the OL was struggling. Then the line started playing better, they started limiting the stuffs in the run game so they could balance things, and the engine started running. So it could just be my relentless positivity for which I am no doubt renowned, but I think this offense should start hitting on some of those cylinders soon.

 

[Tano]

It was the same shit last season when the OL was struggling. Then the line started playing better, they started limiting the stuffs in the run game so they could balance things, and the engine started running. So it could just be my relentless positivity for which I am no doubt renowned, but I think this offense should start hitting on some of those cylinders soon.

 

[Ballhawk]

McVay needs to go max protect to give Stafford time to find his guys. With enough time Koop or Puka will be open every time and Stafford will slice up any defense.

 

[InfiniteRam]

I'm not so sure that the problem is Puka and Kupp are redundant. The problem as I see it, is McVay puts them out there with Robinson/Johnson as a trio, and Robinson/Johnson are the exact same WR as Puka and Kupp, except inferior in every capacity.

Then, there's Whittington, and once again, nice looking young player, but the exact same WR as Puka and Kupp.

Herein lies the problem.

 

[fearsomefour]

When the Rams were winning 7 of 8 down the stretch last year, I dont recall anyone being concerned that Kupp and Puka were redundant. Sure didnt seem that way on Monday either, pretty much the only bright spot on offense.
What puzzles me is how/why McVay cant seem to get the TE involved, or just doesnt care to? We change out the players time and time again and blame the players for not gaming out, but is there really an opportunity for them? Even Higs is a bit mysterious, we saw his 4-5 game monster streak a bunch of years ago and never saw anything like that out of him since. (Pre-current injury of course).
And lastly, while Gurley was a tremendous player, the screen plays that were run were amazingly effective, but since the screen game has been borderline bad.
Alas, it all comes down to the o-line, I expect big changes this weekend. Not necessarily in personnel, as much as I hope so, but in effectiveness. Its got to be a rough week in practice

Hes shifted a lot of the shorter check down and shallow crossers that Higbee would run to Johnson.
Thats ok.
He was trying to get Allen involved vs Miami and he made some catches.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Did we see any 12 personnel in that game? With all of the pressure, I think we should have. Noteboom needed help.

Jonah didn’t look ready. The game plan should have been altered.

 

[dieterbrock]

Did we see any 12 personnel in that game? With all of the pressure, I think we should have. Noteboom needed help.

Jonah didn’t look ready. The game plan should have been altered.

That’s what continues to boggle the mind. No development of TE. McVay cut his teeth in Washington as TE coach on a team that ran a ton of 12. And while they may have WR running some of the routes a TE would have, it doesn’t make up for the blocking you’d expect. Every TE project is judged off of their receptions, I don’t know why they don’t just get a nasty body moving inline TE then and leave the routes to the WR

 

[Loyal]

OP, welcome here. This is site is more than the Rams for many of us, although the Rams are the central focus, check out the OT forum. I am thankful for the Super Bowl season in '21, But I have no idea what we are doing these days besides play sloppy, score-challenged football. When our team has been bad, I had Aaron Donald upon which to focus. Now, we have the whole Dline, starring Jared Verse.

It's just a shame that we are wasting prime years of Matthew Stafford for the product we're putting on the field. We've has two franchise QB's in my time as a fan and have won two Super Bowls with them in 55 years.

 

[Faceplant]

We used the shotgun wayyyy too many times. Your ability to run the ball is limited, especially with a non-mobile qb, and the defense knows the pass is mostly likely coming.

More plays from under center!!!

I have said this as well. Stafford likes shotgun and has stated as much. Yet it seems we are more effective under center. More play action please.

Also, it seems like 90% of the plays this offense IS able to make are borderline miracle throws/catches in tight coverage.

I swear sometimes it looks like the defense knows our playbook. Maybe with so many of our former coaches sprinkled around the league, they actually DO know our playbook, haha... That or Mcvay's scheme has gotten stale and predictable.

This offense hasn't been special since 2018......seriously. They have had their moments, but always inconsistent. Is what it is at this point.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

I have said this as well. Stafford likes shotgun and has stated as much. Yet it seems we are more effective under center. More play action please.

Also, it seems like 90% of the plays this offense IS able to make are borderline miracle throws/catches in tight coverage.

I swear sometimes it looks like the defense knows our playbook. Maybe with so many of our former coaches sprinkled around the league, they actually DO know our playbook, haha... That or Mcvay's scheme has gotten stale and predictable.

This offense hasn't been special since 2018......seriously. They have had their moments, but always inconsistent. Is what it is at this point.

Facts. As much as I love McVay, after defenses caught up to his initial scheme, we haven't been able to score the same way since. Of course there are other factors involved like the salary cap and offensive line investments/mistakes, but still...

 

[fearsomefour]

Maybe in the slim chance the onside kick was successful McVay wanted as much time as possible? I believe they had a timeout left. Maybe throw for 15 yards over the middle and use the timeout? Then set up a couple hail mary's? Or maybe McVay thought an 8 point loss doesn't look as bad as an eleven point loss.

Either way you have to score 11 points and recover an onside kick.
I agree with kicking the FG and leaving more time in case you do manage to get the onside kick.

 

[Ellard80]

Did we see any 12 personnel in that game? With all of the pressure, I think we should have. Noteboom needed help.

Jonah didn’t look ready. The game plan should have been altered.

the problem with 12 personell is our TE are shitty. It's putting worse players on the field, not to mention as a unit their blocking is below average.

 

[So Ram]

Hey all this is my first post of this kind! I hope you all enjoy it and would love to hear what you think:

1. It starts with the OLine...Staff was hurried all game and it was mainly from Jackson and Notebook. I would insert Limmer back at C, and try McClendon at RT although I'd be open to giving Boom another shot with another week of practice.

2. Kupp and Nacua are too similar. I love them both but having them both on the field is redundant. Kupp is one of my fav Rams of all time but it might be time next year to look for another WR next year with more speed (which hurts me to say).

3. I actually agree with McVay's decision to kick that FG on 4th and 4. It brings it to a 1 possession game at that point, and if you go for it + miss...it's basically game over. Analytics say going for it would have been the right call but it only gives a 3.6% increase in win probability, which isn't overwhelming.

4. Defense impressed me. After the first scoring drive from the Dolphins, I thought we were in for a long day on defense. Miami's strengths (WR) are exactly our biggest weakness (DBs) but the defense held up very well except for some frustrating 3rd and longs. We just need to be more consistent at times but I'm hoping that will come with experience. Our DLine is outstanding and we have 4 studs on there in year 1 or 2.

5. Is this team a Super Bowl contender? If I had to put money down I'd say no, but looking at the pieces we have we can be a very dangerous team. All we need to do is get hot and make the playoffs and then it's anybody's game! I'm confident they'll figure out the best OL combo which means Stafford should start playing better, our D should keep getting better with more experience and those 2 in combination will equal more wins.

Thanks for tuning in and hope you enjoyed the read!

What FG - 4th down ?

1. 4 & 4 -from 16 ?

2nd FG 4th & 3 from 36 with 4 seconds ?

3rd TRY (MISS) 4-21 ?? When there was a PENALTY Karty made it from 52 - Missed from 57. MIAMI put up 7 to START the 2nd half because MCVAY didn’t PUNT !!

SCORE 17-3

4th & 17 from 36 - 53 yard FG

5th 4th & goal The 4 YARD LINE ?
Making it 20-12 ?

I GUESS number 5 ? Still 9 MINUTES left.

With 2:38 The Rams get the ball back down 23-12. My question is why didn’t Mcvay have BETTER CLOCK management with 2 Time Outs ?

Kicking a FG on THIRD DOWN was what I question.would someone tell me HOW THAT MADE ANY SENSE!!! My thought was different than what I want to believe??? It comes into question over The YEARS. A 49ers game way take comes to mind.Rams won by one,but was Real Ugly.

 

[So Ram]

Either way you have to score 11 points and recover an onside kick.
I agree with kicking the FG and leaving more time in case you do manage to get the onside kick.

IT was THIRD FREAKING DOWN !!

Why THE FREAK would you run Kyren on 3-1 if that was the case with 2 TIME OUTS with 1:11 left.

2 PLAYS later your kicking a FG on THIRD DOWN & 1 less TIME OUT !!

Really that’s the THOUGHT. Your talking 1 play for SIX SECONDS!!!

If you think Matthew Stafford was going to get sacked you have TIME OUT, but your going to Trust he will 60 plus yards for a TD with 34 seconds va KICKING a FG with 26 seconds?

Plus what happens if you DON’T MAKE 2 POINTS??? At least you know if you need a TD or FG to win it ??

REALLY- come on MAN- poor excuse & coaching!!

 

[Jacobarch]

We used the shotgun wayyyy too many times. Your ability to run the ball is limited, especially with a non-mobile qb, and the defense knows the pass is mostly likely coming.

More plays from under center!!!

Stafford doesn't like under center apparently. And he doesn't like turning his back to the defense. I think it's part of the problem. And mcvay let's it happen because they're buds.
Love both staff and mcvay but friends or not they need to stop holding each other's jock straps and get to work or they're gonna be outta work. This is a business and stan didn't spend 3 billion dollars on a stadium to watch his team get handled by 2-6 teams.