Akers OUT for personal reasons

[snackdaddy]

Yes and No. I am looking at the numbers, and they are All-Over-The-Place.

While the running game was below-average last season, it was MUCH better than this year ... thus far.

2022 ... 68.4 yards-per-game / 3.3 yards-per-rush ... horrendous
2021 ... 99 yards-per-game / 4.0 yards per-rush ... below average

2020 ... 126 yards-per-game (10th-best in the NFL) / 4.3 yards-per-rush ... that's good!

2019 ... 93.7 yards-per-game / 3.7 yards-per-rush ... Not good, and a non-playoff-season.
Here is something worth noting ... Injuries on the O-Line.
In 2019, O-Line starters Allen, Noteboom and Havenstein all missed half the season.

Coincidence?

I'm just saying that health and continuity on the O-Line are Critical Factors.

In 2019 they averaged almost a full offensive TD per game more than they're averaging this year. Was that line with all their problems better than this one?

 

[rdlkgliders]

In 2027, no team started the same five all 16 games but the Rams were close. They had the same five starters through 15 games when McVay decided to sit some guys for the final game. The Rams led the NFL in scoring that year.

Ahh! The future is bright.
JK I assume you're referring to 2017.
Interesting stat and it makes sense, health matters, the QB and O.L positions benefit the most from staying healthy

 

[snackdaddy]

Is this fact or just what you’re thinking? I was really hoping to see him in uni

Lol, my memory sucks. Not sure where I read it. But it sounded legit. Mighta been from Jourdan on twitter.

Edit. This article confirms he's not going to activated today.

Rams make 5 roster moves, don’t activate Kyren Williams

The Rams made 5 roster moves Saturday, but activating Kyren Williams was not among them

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Merlin]

They made a couple risky decisions with the OL. Going from Whit to Boom had a lot of risk. I get why they did it, I supported it, but in hindsight that was a mistake. Going with a rook at RG was similar. Lot of risk. By itself probably not such a bad call but still the move for the starting solution blew up in their face.

So before the string of injuries hit their two big decisions on the OL looked like misses.

Then you get into the depth which always sucks. So these guys sitting on the chart who get their big chance and immediately get hurt, far as I'm concerned they're all in question now. What good are you if you can't do your job. And their job is to come in and play if the starters get hurt.

Rams probably figured there was no way they'd get to Evans. But Evans demonstrates how every player on that roster matters. If an OL cannot do the job in any way shape or form then why is he on the roster. They stacked this group and they have come up short in most measurables. Plenty of blame to go around with the OL as far as I'm concerned. Snead, McVay, Carberry, all had a stake in the approach they took. Where would we be if the money for Wags had gone to OL for example. Not beating them up about it but the truth is the unit they stacked came up short. I see no reason to exempt any of them from blame due to injuries, even as extensive as they have been.

 

[So Ram]

They made a couple risky decisions with the OL. Going from Whit to Boom had a lot of risk. I get why they did it, I supported it, but in hindsight that was a mistake. Going with a rook at RG was similar. Lot of risk. By itself probably not such a bad call but still the move for the starting solution blew up in their face.

So before the string of injuries hit their two big decisions on the OL looked like misses.

Then you get into the depth which always sucks. So these guys sitting on the chart who get their big chance and immediately get hurt, far as I'm concerned they're all in question now. What good are you if you can't do your job. And their job is to come in and play if the starters get hurt.

Rams probably figured there was no way they'd get to Evans. But Evans demonstrates how every player on that roster matters. If an OL cannot do the job in any way shape or form then why is he on the roster. They stacked this group and they have come up short in most measurables. Plenty of blame to go around with the OL as far as I'm concerned. Snead, McVay, Carberry, all had a stake in the approach they took. Where would we be if the money for Wags had gone to OL for example. Not beating them up about it but the truth is the unit they stacked came up short. I see no reason to exempt any of them from blame due to injuries, even as extensive as they have been.

Whatever? Cam will have a good game today.

Thanks Raheem Morris

Anyways - there is a reason he was upset. Mcvay needs to rethink some of his actions ? Cam Akers unwillingness to block is his biggest problem. How you go about It. I’m not sure.

 

[Corbin]

Well at the least it was good to see Akers out there and some what productive. Now if we had an OL…,

 

[XXXIVwin]

Well at the least it was good to see Akers out there and some what productive. Now if we had an OL…,

Cam had 5 rushes for 3 yards today.

Henderson 12 rushes for 56.

 

[Corbin]

Cam had 5 rushes for 3 yards today.

Henderson 12 rushes for 56.

Maybe i should have added from what he’s been! Lol

 

[kurtfaulk]

Cam had 5 rushes for 3 yards today.

Henderson 12 rushes for 56.

once again, he is hit in the backfield as soon as he secures the ball.

henderson gets some space to work with.

i'm not sure what's happening when akers is on the field taking a handoff but it's not good.

.

 

[TheTackle]

once again, he is hit in the backfield as soon as he secures the ball.

henderson gets some space to work with.

i'm not sure what's happening when akers is on the field taking a handoff but it's not good.

.

Could it be partly because when he comes in the defense is guessing run?

 

[TheTackle]

Whatever? Cam will have a good game today.

Thanks Raheem Morris

Anyways - there is a reason he was upset. Mcvay needs to rethink some of his actions ? Cam Akers unwillingness to block is his biggest problem. How you go about It. I’m not sure.

It’s the last part that could be a huge part of the problem because if he typically runs or goes out into the flat, you can attack the line of scrimmage :-(

 

[Allen2McVay]

In 2019 they averaged almost a full offensive TD per game more than they're averaging this year. Was that line with all their problems better than this one?

Hi Snack:
I would argue ... Yes. The 2019 O-Line lost three starters but the back-ups were available and played.

For instance, when Allen went down, the starting-RG (Blythe) went to Center and Austin Corbett (acquired via trade) became the starting-RG. This season, the Rams are starting Practice Squad players and street free agents.

The 2019 OL was bad, and it really hurt the offense. The 2022 OL is awful, and is killing the offense.

Not suggesting it's all on the Offensive Line. Just think it's the biggest factor. Also not suggesting the projected O-Line of (left-to-right) Noteboom - Edwards - Allen - Shelton - Havenstein, with Bruss, Jackson and Anchrum the top-reserves would have been a strength. Just saying that, due to injuries, what the Rams have needed to go with is nowhere near what they planned to have on the Line.

 

[HitStick]

once again, he is hit in the backfield as soon as he secures the ball.

henderson gets some space to work with.

i'm not sure what's happening when akers is on the field taking a handoff but it's not good.

.

He probably has a tell that defenses know about

 

[Merlin]

once again, he is hit in the backfield as soon as he secures the ball.

henderson gets some space to work with.

i'm not sure what's happening when akers is on the field taking a handoff but it's not good.

.

I noted that too. Teams know the Rams want to get him the ball. Every run action with him was a full box response.

Translation is a couple things I think. First Tampa was not afraid of Henderson getting the ball. Secondly they knew the Rams wanted to get Akers the ball and each handoff was an easy win for them.

This all goes back to running the ball for McVay. Even though it is the OL that is the primary issue. He has to get the run game going so these guys won't be besieged by the rush. That has to happen. This is why they should have gotten a RB to add to this group but hey we're just fans we don't know shit.

 

[Kupped]

I noted that too. Teams know the Rams want to get him the ball. Every run action with him was a full box response.

Translation is a couple things I think. First Tampa was not afraid of Henderson getting the ball. Secondly they knew the Rams wanted to get Akers the ball and each handoff was an easy win for them.

This all goes back to running the ball for McVay. Even though it is the OL that is the primary issue. He has to get the run game going so these guys won't be besieged by the rush. That has to happen. This is why they should have gotten a RB to add to this group but hey we're just fans we don't know shit.

I wonder if it's also because they don't view Akers as any kind of pass game threat *and* they think he's bad at pass protection?

But.. yeah.. lot of good points.

 

[madrid311]

It’s the last part that could be a huge part of the problem because if he typically runs or goes out into the flat, you can attack the line of scrimmage :-(

Why not put both out there and screen pass or dump to one of them? For several plays more than once or twice. Switch up your offense coach and play pass off of that combo. Get them the ball. Defense needs to worry about some one else but kupp

 

[Merlin]

I wonder if it's also because they don't view Akers as any kind of pass game threat *and* they think he's bad at pass protection?

But.. yeah.. lot of good points.

I think they know Akers is the back you don't want to get rolling. And I think the way the Rams subbed him was a tell.

McVay needs to quit with the RB by committee approach. That works when you have a good line and lots of volume to spread the carries. We have zero volume right now with this offense though so when they do bring Cam in there is probably a very high chance he is going to get a carry.

If McVay prefers Hendy then ok hand him the fucking ball 20+ times and keep his ass on the field and make him be the guy. But for now mixing the RBs is not helping this offense. If and when you want to give Akers a go then he's the guy for the game and you give him the carries and keep his ass out there so it's not a tell when you want to mash with him.

If and when this offense does return to functionality it will be behind a RB stepping up. Maybe that RB will be Henderson this time around who knows. I just won't believe that one until I see it.

 

[Classic Rams]

Was cheering Hendo's name on Sunday. A rarity that I cheer a RB this year but he's had some good runs. Cam... I dunno man the guy doesn't have it... is he tipping someone... I know I bring that up a lot but it's mind boggling running this bad. Looking worse than a HS offense.

 

[thirteen28]

In 2019 they averaged almost a full offensive TD per game more than they're averaging this year. Was that line with all their problems better than this one?

I don't think that line was quite as banged up as this one. But more importantly, McVay made a lot of adjustments that season to mitigate or at least hide some of the problem, including lots of rollouts. This year, I don't see any of that.

 

[snackdaddy]

I dunno. That injury was one of those where some guys are never the same. Could that be the case with Akers? Or is it mental? The lack of blocking can definitely get into a running back or quarterback's head.

Most times there is no running lane for Akers. But the few times there is, he looks nothing like his rookie year. If it doesn't get better the rest of the way I think they have to consider releasing him after the season.