Bernie: Fisher, not Schotty, is the problem

[rhinobean]

Bernie is butt hurt bc the team is probably moving so I ageee with you 100%

I think it's more about the hits on his articles/videos than being butt hurt! Just think he's not a fan of the team!

 

[Mikey Ram]

So true so from this point forward every word he prints or utters will be tainted.

My biggest problem (hardly the only one) with Bernice is that he chooses a cause o' the day and beats on it until the next one..Schotty is gone, que Fisher as the main culprit...Tomorrow it will be option B, followed by .......ad nauseum...I'm more consistent than he is...I didn't like him the first day I read his horseshit, I don't like him today and I won't like him tomorrow...Thank ya, thank ya very much...Now toss me one of them big 'ol jelly donuts !!! Correct, Elvis has left the building !!! Hope Bernice does soon...

 

[Mojo Ram]

Bernie:

I wasn't a fan of the Schotty offense, and I certainly took some swipes at him.

But I think it's important to point something out.

Rams fans rejoicing over the Schottenheimer exit should remember that JeffFisher is still the head coach.

Fisher didn't leave. Which means Fisher's core offensive beliefs will stay firmly in place.

I have no problem with this. Never did. Being a dominant run team and taking care of the ball is a sound scheme...problem is the offense has been neither that OR a wide open aggressive scheme. It's been an offense without an identity under Shottenheimer.

 

[Ballhawk]

I'd like to give Schotty the benefit of the doubt but I saw too many times him running those stupid off tackle runs with Tavon and him leaving Stacy on the bench on short yardage plays, not to mention how many times they didn't use play action when the running game was working and the other teams defense was selling out to stop the run.
I think that this move will help Mizzou the most of all!

 

[Mojo Ram]

FWIW


Bernie:

Over his last 10 seasons, here's the yearly league ranking for Fisher's offense in points scored: 13th ... 23rd ... 25th ... 21st ... 12th ... 16th ... 16th ... 28th... 22nd ... 23rd.

I would agree that Fisher's offenses haven't been good enough. Here's the avg reg season ranking in points scored for each of the winning Super Bowl teams in the last 10 years///followed by their respective defensive rankings in points allowed.

Seattle 8th///1st
Baltimore 10th///12th
NYG 9th///25th
Green Bay 10th///2nd
New Orleans 1st///20th
Pittsburgh 20th///1st
NYG 14th///17th
Indianapolis 2nd///23rd
Pittsburgh 9th///3rd
New England 4th///2nd


I've said all along however, that with a top 5 defense and solid special teams, we don't need a top 10 offense. Rams just need to get out of the cellar and at least improve into the top 15. It's been so bad for awhile now.

And remember we're just trying to get into the fucking playoffs here, so those Super Bowl team rankings are the best of the best.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It was the right decision by Fisher at the time, but it also reaffirmed the head coach's discomfort with a flashier, more daring and forward-thinking offense.

That's why it's a short-sighted to assume that things will change when Fisher hires another OC to runhis offense.

It is short sighted of Bernie to assume all of the fans feel that the offense will suddenly look like Asshole Face has taken it over. I don't expect an overall change in philosophy at all. Just maybe some improvements here and there(like halftime adjustments, gametime adjustments, better use of weapons, simplifications so players don't need 3 years to figure it out).

I've said all along however, that with a top 5 defense and solid special teams, we don't need a top 10 offense. Rams just need to get out of the cellar and at least improve into the top 15. It's been so bad for awhile now.

This is what I expect also and am sure this is what Fisher has in mind. Think of when the Ravens won the Superbowl with Trent Dilfer at QB. Their offense was not good but it was good enough to win playing alongside that defense. Fisher wants a dominant defense and adequate offense with good special teams. That is exactly what the Rams are shaping up to be. A few tweaks to the Oline and no injury to Bradford and they are there..........plan complete. But you cannot account for Sams untimely injury.

 

[Boffo97]

I think it's more about the hits on his articles/videos than being butt hurt! Just think he's not a fan of the team!

Bernie has had an issue I've observed over multiple coaching administrations... very friendly with new coaching administrations at first, then gets progressively more hostile if the team is anything but 100% cooperative with the local media.

I think his thought process is that he thinks he's a big deal in St. Louis and is more important than the coaches.

 

[Alan]

Elmgrovegnome in agreement with Bernie:
It is short sighted of Bernie to assume all of the fans feel that the offense will suddenly look like Asshole Face has taken it over. I don't expect an overall change in philosophy at all. Just maybe some improvements here and there (like halftime adjustments, game time adjustments, better use of weapons, simplifications so players don't need 3 years to figure it out).

I'm not sure how you're reading what Bernie said there because you two are saying the same thing. Earlier he said in the article that he's had his complaints about Schotty too and if you remember from his previous rants, it was pretty much most of what you predict will change. Also, while you might not think the offensive philosophy will change much (that being in total agreement with Bernie), most blame our offensive philosophy on Schotty and not Fisher. You guys are saying the same thing as far as I can see. Other than lumping you and I in with all the short sided fans of course.

 

[badnews]

When Fisher hired Tim Walton, the defensive identity changed quite a bit with an emphasis on coverage rather than a blitz fueled attack.
Then when he had a chance to bring in Williams he didn't hesitate... and the philosophy changed yet again.
And that's the defense.... the aspect of the team that Fisher is most familiar with.

Between that and the fairly radical departure into the wide open spread offense employed early in 2013, I have a hard time believing that Fisher has an iron thumb on the offense or defense. Sure he has his input and final say... but it sure seems like he is letting his coordinators run their respective units.

 

[Corbin]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_14481c2e-70bf-5cfe-bc9b-b2f0d38958e4.html
Brian Schottenheimer is leaving the Rams to become the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Georgia.

I wasn't a fan of the Schotty offense, and I certainly took some swipes at him.

But I think it's important to point something out.

Rams fans rejoicing over the Schottenheimer exit should remember that Jeff Fisher is still the head coach.

Fisher didn't leave.

Which means Fisher's core offensive beliefs will stay firmly in place.

During Schottenheimer's three seasons as Fisher's offensive coordinator here, I never forgot that Schotty was running the offense that the boss wanted him to run.

I always viewed this as the Fisher offense.

Not the Schottenheimer offense.

That's why Fisher hired Schottenheimer; they basically shared the ground-and-pound philosophy and a preference for leather-helmet football.

I'm not saying that Schottenheimer would have put together a creative, dangerous, high-scoring offense if given the freedom to do so. After all, he is Marty Schottenheimer's son, and Brian has embraced many of his father's concepts. The playbook didn't fall far from the tallest Schottenheimer tree.

And when Schottenheimer tried to run a lot of spread-formation, up-tempo stuff at the start of the 2013 season, it sputtered and broke down. It was a big heap of a mess, prompting Fisher to quickly revert to his tackle-football sensibilities.

It was the right decision by Fisher at the time, but it also reaffirmed the head coach's discomfort with a flashier, more daring and forward-thinking offense.

That's why it's a short-sighted to assume that things will change when Fisher hires another OC to runhis offense.

Monday morning I refreshed some research that I'd done several months ago. I ran the numbers in preparation of a piece on the history of Fisher's offenses during his full 19 seasons as an NFL head coach. I guess this is a good time to go with it...


And the numbers don't lie. The Fisher track record is extensive and meaningful. It can't be dismissed as randomness, or the result of injuries or bad luck. When a coach has a mediocre offense over a lengthy period of time, it tells us a lot. About his flaws. About the viability of his desired approach during a time when the NFL has evolved into a passing league. And it tells us a lot about what to expect ... or, more to the point, what NOT to expect.

At this point there's little or no reason to expect a Fisher-coached team to field a dynamic, prolific offense. Heck, Rams fans in STL and LA would probably be satisfied with an above-average offense. And Fisher hasn't delivered that for a long time.

The bottom line is scoring points.

Fisher's teams don't score enough of them.

And that's been the case for a a while now _ long before Schottenheimer became Fisher's OC.

When I talk about points, I'm referring to points scored by the offense. It doesn't include points scored by the team's defense or special teams.

Here you go:

* Fisher's offenses have met or exceeded the league average for points scored in only three of his last nine seasons as a HC.

* Fisher hasn't had an offense ranked better better than 12th in points scored since 2003.

* Over his last 10 seasons, here's the yearly league ranking for Fisher's offense in points scored: 13th ... 23rd ... 25th ... 21st ... 12th ... 16th ... 16th ... 28th... 22nd ... 23rd.

* Fisher's offense (Titans, then Rams) has scored points at the average level for playoff-team qualifiers only three times in his 19 seasons _ and only once during the last 14 seasons.

* To elaborate on that "playoff team" statistic, let's take a look at Fisher's offenses in STL to see how they measure up. It gives you a good idea of how badly the Rams are lagging behind playoff-caliber offenses.

In 2012, the 12 playoff teams averaged 385 points on offense. The Rams offense posted 261 points.

In 2013, playoff teams averaged 401 points; the Rams offense put up 304 points.

In 2014, playoff teams averaged 385 points; the Rams "O" scored 289.

It's hard to imagine how the Rams could grow into a consistent winner, and a playoff regular, with an offense that can't come close to matching the point-scoring firepower of NFL postseason-caliber teams.

Which leads to a few obvious observations:

If Coach Fisher's extensive performance history tells us that his offenses have generated average postseason-team point totals only three times in 19 seasons, then I'm not sure why we would expect things to change in a dramatic way.

With a wheezing offense, I'm not sure why we should be surprised to realize that Fisher has had only two winning records in his last 10 seasons as an NFL head coach. He's 74-86-1 over the last 10 seasons.

And given the historical pattern of the Fisher offense, I'm not sure why would be so quick to blame the offensive coordinator when the running attack is stuffed, or the wide receivers fail to make big plays, or the pass protection turns shaky, or the quarterback rarely performs at an elite level.

The problem isn't the Schottenheimer offense.

The problem is the Fisher offense.

Coach has a chance to reinvent himself, and his offense, by hiring a more imaginative offensive coordinator that can at least try to take this tired offense into a newer, fresher direction.

Do you think that's going to happen?

I don't either.

The Fisher offense still struggles to master the basics.

Three years into the rebuild at Rams Park, Fisher still hasn't put together an offensive line that reliably protects the QB and pounds out the holes to funnel a formidable running game.

The 2014 Rams ranked 20th in rushing yards per game, and were 16th in average yards per rushing attempt.

They were 20th in the category of long, 10-play drives.

And 20th in five-minute ball-control drives.

The Rams were frequently pushed back in short-yardage runs, and only seven teams were stomped for more sacks.

When you've had three years to install the most important part of a physical, run-based offense -- the big men up front -- and are still getting manhandled at the line of scrimmage, it represents a significant failure.

And if you can't even take command on the ground, then how can you expect your offense to take off and fly?

Bernie shut your gizzard!!! I hope he ties his pholopian tubes so he won't contaminate the world.

 

[shaunpinney]

My problem with the offence is that one week we can put together a comprehensive Offensive performance (whether we win or not and no matter who is under centre) and then we look like total amateurs the following week, so who's to blame here? Players? OC? or HC?? Your guess is as good as mine...

I'm also not a huge fan of the Rams being "in the game" at half time and then seemingly taken apart in the third and final quarter. To me that does fall flat on the HC's front door, poor half time talks, poor at adjusting game play etc.

Fingers crossed that the new OC will be a breath of fresh air, new broom and all BUT, and it's a huge BUT (he, he, he said "huge butt") I don't want to see whole-sale changes, I'd like to see the new OC, utilise the players and play ability that we have and build on the foundations. And if we are a run first O, then lets get that right please first, get the basics right, we can get fancy when we've gone 4-0 at the start of the season...

 

[NukeRam]

It was the right decision by Fisher at the time, but it also reaffirmed the head coach's discomfort with a flashier, more daring and forward-thinking offense.

I think he would have embraced it if had worked. Of course he felt discomfort with it. It wasn't because it was "flashier, more daring and forward thinking." It was because it wasn't working because of the players in the system and the OC who couldn't coach them up.

 

[Alan]

NukeRam with a dose of reality:
I think he would have embraced it if had worked. Of course he felt discomfort with it. It wasn't because it was "flashier, more daring and forward thinking." It was because it wasn't working because of the players in the system and the OC who couldn't coach them up.

Yeah, Schotty tried something and when it didn't work right away they went back to what did work. I'm sure Fish would have been happy to score a bajillion points. Not everything Bernie or anyone else says makes sense all the time.

BTW, we don't even know that it was Fisher who decided to go back to more conservative play calling do we? I don't think Bernie knows either.

Here's the thing that pertains to this discussion though and you touched on it briefly, was it that they didn't have the right players or that our position coaches couldn't coach them up. I'm pretty sure it was a mixture of a bad QB and a misuse of players like Tavon. I think that had the other teams been more afraid of Tavon in the short and medium passing game they wouldn't have been able to stop our long game as well. Of course that still leaves Hills crappy arm and Davis's lack of accuracy to contend with. What's your take on it?

 

[Selassie I]

Bernie-The-Hut has less insight to the coaching of the Rams than most of the members here. He doesn't go to the games, he doesn't attend the Ram press conferences, the team clearly can't stand him, he has no person inside the organization tipping him off... I could go on and on.

I actually read something from Blowvious Monday that was wonderful.... he said he didn't want to cover or write about the Rams anymore. This was music to my ears. Shit, the mother fucker had already written about how he doesn't personally like Bradford. His breakfast with Bernie video horror scenes are nothing but garbage. When I heard that he'd no longer be covering the team, I should have known it was a pipe dream.

How many times do I remember seeing Brian with his huge play list on the sidelines calling the next offensive play ... and how many times do I remember seeing Fish getting in the middle of that process. Paaaaaalllease. Schotty was the play caller.

Bernie's shit is going to get much worse as the stadium leveraging moves along. I've gone over to his forum and called him out in the past for his clown show breakfast with Bern embarrassments. My fandom made me do it. I feel the urge to do it again in a more ruthless manner when I read this piece. Then I remind myself that he's just wanting clicks,,, he has no insight,,, he hates the Rams for shutting him completely out. His brand of "entertainment" has zero value to me.

He's not worth our time. He's nothing more than the jester shit stirrer for the PD forums.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Forgetting Bernie for a moment (his theory holds no less validity than mine).

I think Fisher has an important decision to make now. And I think it could very well decide whether he's in the NFL after next year - or not.

Does he, as Bernie seems to think, hold true to his beliefs (conservative, pound-and-ground offense)?

Or does he go in a more aggresive direction on offense (those last presser comments make me wonder if this isn't his plan).

The selection of the new OC will tell us a lot.

However, if the decision is to go run-heavy, I think they have to stick with that (within reason).
I think that was part of the issue (at least for me) with Schottenheimer (or whoever was really running the show).

The Cowboys are doing better this year because Linehan was able to convince Garrett that they have to stick to whatever philospohy they coose - in this case, run Murray... a lot.

They have done that and it has resulted in making Romo much more effective and the Cowboys are stiull playing.

So... if you're going to run the ball (regardless of who the OC is)... stick to it (within reason)... even when it's not yielding immediate results.

 

[rambone]

Tavon Austin. Two words that exemplify to me why Schotty had to go. This cat was electric coming out of college and the Rams jumped up to get him. How can you not figure out how to use this guy in an offense?? OK, he’s gotta get to know the playbook, but that never seemed to be the issue.

FINNALY started using jet sweeps this year (like everyone else who has this type of player), then overused them so it was no longer a surprise. I hated the quick pass into the flat, which every opposing cornerback knew was coming, that got Tavon killed several times.

And oh yeah, running Tavon (180 lb back) up the middle into the teeth of a defense on 2nd & 10. Brilliant.

Hate to over simply but either you got it or you ain’t, and Schotty just didn’t have it.

 

[fearsomefour]

the offensive "theory" the Rams were suppose to have was complete bullcrap. there was no ground and pound. with a backup QB the run pass ratio went even more pass happy than last year! idk who's fault that is but it's somebody's. my only problem with fisher is he's too hands off on game day. if there's a coordinating problem on gameday than stick your nose in it and be involved. I don't give a crap if it hurts someone's feelings

I agree and this was my problem with the approach this year. To me not enough commitment to the running game. I think Schotty wanted to run a more open pass first offense....as seen at the open of 2013 season. Draft guys like Quick, Austin and Mason make sense for this approach. I may be totally wrong but the O seemed to lack an identity for much of Fisher/Schotty time in St. Louis.
The balanced approach is really going to be best in most cases....run to pass or pass to run, either can work. Its fine with me if the team wants to pound the ball, but, to me the players that have been brought in (Quick, Britt, Austin, Cook) are (potentially) big play guys in a pass offense.
I think Fisher is aware (obviously) of where the game has gone and the advantages the passing game has. Fisher/Schotty have been forced to sort of abridge their O I am sure based on personnel short coming and injuries. Even if the new OC comes from within I don't expect things to be status quo.

 

[fearsomefour]

Tavon Austin. Two words that exemplify to me why Schotty had to go. This cat was electric coming out of college and the Rams jumped up to get him. How can you not figure out how to use this guy in an offense?? OK, he’s gotta get to know the playbook, but that never seemed to be the issue.

FINNALY started using jet sweeps this year (like everyone else who has this type of player), then overused them so it was no longer a surprise. I hated the quick pass into the flat, which every opposing cornerback knew was coming, that got Tavon killed several times.

And oh yeah, running Tavon (180 lb back) up the middle into the teeth of a defense on 2nd & 10. Brilliant.

Hate to over simply but either you got it or you ain’t, and Schotty just didn’t have it.

I agree this certainly played a factor.
Hard to know how Fisher views Austin's development in terms of being a complete player, route running ect.
That said, trading up for a guy, taking him 8th overall and have him compile 242 yards receiving in 15 games....that is not gonna cut it.
Get the guy in motion and moving to create space....no more throwing to him while he is standing still, makes me crazy.

 

[LetsGoRams]

The lasting impression I'll always have of Schotty was at the end of the home Seattle game in the 2013 season. We dominated them up and down the field on MNF... but couldn't put the ball in the damn end zone. We still had a chance to win with a first and goal at the 1. And we don't score a damn point. Horrible play calling when we got near the end zone and it cost us that game.