A Shift Back to Emphasis on the Running Game in the NFL?

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RamBill

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Chris Burke joined Kevin Wheeler to talk about the NFL Draft, his evaluation of Todd Gurley, what he thought of the Rams overall, the changing of the guard happening again with NFL offenses (specifically in the NFC West), and the possibility of developmental leagues.

Listen to Burke Talk Rams/NFL
 

jap

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The last time the Rams led the league with the emphasis on the passing game, they went all the way to the super Bowl and won it. Are they prepared to do the same this time around, or will they need another year or two?
 

mr.stlouis

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The last time the Rams led the league with the emphasis on the passing game, they went all the way to the super Bowl and won it. Are they prepared to do the same this time around, or will they need another year or two?


They had a HOF running back that could do it all, too. That offense was flat loaded.
 

DaveFan'51

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They had a HOF running back that could do it all, too. That offense was flat loaded.
Faulk did so much for this team, it scared the shit out of other Teams, and opened up everything for everyone else!(y):D
 

jap

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They had a HOF running back that could do it all, too. That offense was flat loaded.

Yes, they did. Marshall was a gifted runner who could have also been a stand out receiver. In Todd Gurley, they have a potential all-time great/HOF-er who has good hands too. I still don't have a good feel for how good his hands really are yet. However, I have seen video of him catching passes down field.

The 1999 Horns had two legitimate #1 receivers in Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Ricky Proehl led the Rams in receiving the year before as Isaac lost game time due to problems with his hamstring muscles; so Ricky had #1/#2 receiver status too. The Wizard of Az was too small to be a legitimate starting receiver, a fact he found out the hard way when he later bolted to Detroit and endured some pretty nasty injuries (how many times have you ever heard of a dislocated hip injury). However, Az was probably the most exciting #3 receiver in the entire league.

With Kenny leading by example, Brian Quick started coming into his own last season. I doubt either has the route running smarts of Torry or the inimitable Isaac, although Kenny has proven to be pretty good at shaking defenders on long routes. Sted has showcased his stellar hands on Game Days, but has yet to truly break out as an NFL receiver. Tavon has been too bottled up for the overwhelming part by DC's to do as much damaged as we hoped, although when he gets a chance to do his thing, he fully lives up to the Mr. Excitement label.

Cookie is potentially more dynamic as a pass catcher than 1999's Ernie Conwell, Roland Williams, or Jeff Robinson, although his blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Conwell, the decathlete-strong workout warrior was an unofficial OL guy and could flat out stop larger DE's in their tracks with sheer brute strength. Lance Kendricks is a much better blocker than Cookie, but still falls well below Ernie's lofty standard.

Does Nick Foles even begin to approach the timing and razor-sharp accuracy of Special K? Certainly, Horns fans would that he gets somewhat close for that, combined with a dynamic rushing game, would transform this team until legitimate playoff contenders.

GRob is the modern day analog of 'Lando Pace, and he has quite a ways to go to reach that standard. He will have plenty of help, having to face off with The Mighty Quinn every practice session just as perennial Energizer Bunny, Chris Long, will conducting his own training with rookie Rob Havenstein. 1999's Adam Timmermann gives way to the modern day Rodger "Beetlejuice" Saffold, and he will be matching wits with Aaron Donald in practice. The other starting OL positions still need to be sported out on the practice fields.

It will be most interesting to see this team grow week by week in 2015.
 

Rynie

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Faulk did so much for this team, it scared the crap out of other Teams, and opened up everything for everyone else!(y):D
Exactly. This is why we we were hard to stop last season. What are you going to do; double Dez and let Murray beat you, or stack the box and let Dez, Witten, Beasley eat you alive (especially since Romo has all the time in the world now). Gurley is a HUGE pickup for y'all for this reason.
 

DaveFan'51

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Exactly. This is why we we were hard to stop last season. What are you going to do; double Dez and let Murray beat you, or stack the box and let Dez, Witten, Beasley eat you alive (especially since Romo has all the time in the world now). Gurley is a HUGE pickup for y'all for this reason.
You are obviously taking this opportunity to TRY and compare your Cowgirls to the GSOT. That won't fly here! The GSOT would bury your Cowgirls any day of the week!!
 

Rynie

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You are obviously taking this opportunity to TRY and compare your Cowgirls to the GSOT. That won't fly here! The GSOT would bury your Cowgirls any day of the week!!

Lmao. I wasn't, but let the butthurt flow through you.
 

DaveFan'51

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Lmao. I wasn't, but let the butthurt flow through you.
No "butthurt" here, It's just that your cowgirls haven't earned the wright to be discussed in the same breath with OUR GSOT!
 

BonifayRam

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Chris Burke joined Kevin Wheeler to talk about the NFL Draft, his evaluation of Todd Gurley, what he thought of the Rams overall, the changing of the guard happening again with NFL offenses (specifically in the NFC West), and the possibility of developmental leagues.

Rams needed a QB. Finding starting QB's in the NFL draft gets harder each & every passing year with the college offenses trending far & fast away from the pro-style systems.

Rams needed pass protecting OL'ers but finding them is rare & even rarer for power blocking schemes like the Rams. Your paddling up river all the time trying to find these type of Ol'ers for Power blocking OL's. Also add that the college defense seems to be able to turn out in mass quantities & in abundance these super quick 34 defense pass rushers. These 34 pass rushers can terrorize all day most all power blocking OT's with ease. Just watch last Rams Joe Barksdale's 2014 season & the lack of interest in his type of OL play. Barks better get back here if he wants any part of this new Ram offense cuz its the only kind he can earn a living with in the NFL.


So if you can field a powerful run blocking OL along with a tough mean thunder banging RB with outside speed you can road grade right through those tiny small 34 exterior pass rushers all day.

So what to do to neutralize the above issues.....look at what the 9ers did in the 2011 & 2012 seasons & then what the Seattle Seahawks teams did in 2013 & 2014 seasons get to the big game. Big powerful running games! Wonder what the Rams went & got in this draft to go with their herd of RB's & the Power blocking Ol'ers like Robinson & Saffold.:snicker::heh::bow::popcorn:
 
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mr.stlouis

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Easy explanation for this. The QB's coming out are not great. They need help. Strong running game is a QB's best friend.