Blur the line between 11 and 12 Personnel

[CoachAllred]

I would say they are asked to do more than most teams, but I wouldn't say they are the best in the league. Actually, I would have to watch a shitload of games and exclusively focus on the WR blocking to know. All I can tell you for sure is I watch every single one of our games in review each week and Kupp, Reynolds and our TE's are inconsistent at times and get beaten on their blocks. Given, the scheme asks them to block much bigger players and at angles that are extremely difficult at times. It's no knock on our players effort or ability. They are usually undersized for who they are blocking and expected to often get to a spot and put a perfect block on the bigger player. The fact that they don't penalized for holds due to how disadvantaged they are is amazing really. Most of them use great technique. The plus for this unorthodox approach is it allows these same blockers to leak out into open areas for screens and other routes. This does force the defenders to take a look and see approach. When a Kupp or Higbee engages them they have to pause and think if this player is trying to leak out on a route or trying to actually run block.

Yea your spot on with our WR's are asked to do way more than most at their position.
Heck Sean has our guys lining up at Fullback for heavens sake. lol
Got them doing wham blocks and kickouts on players twice their size.
The beautiful thing about football is that, if you understand leverage and angles,
You can use the smaller guys to take on blocking bigger players.
Though they are lining up at the fullback, you won't see them leading
straight up into a hole as a real fullback might.
Everything is gonna be blocking from inside out. A lot easier to push a man sideways
than being head up and trying push him backwards.

 

[Memento]

I’m concerned about Hopkins’ “want-to” when it comes to blocking, but he’s definitely a receiving threat. I also want to see more of Blanton in an Hback role.

 

[jrry32]

Most hybrid TE/WR are stronger at catching than blocking.
It usually takes a TE until their third year in the league to get the blocking down.

There are few TEs that are really strong receivers that are also TE quality blockers. At this point, I only see Kittle in that category. I'm not sure Kelce is much better a blocker than Kupp or Woods.

Rams have 2 strong TEs that can block and catch. Rams are better off than most. I don't think that an upgrade will be found.
Hopefully with Everett likely gone in the off-season that one that Rams are grooming can step in for him

Kelce is a great blocker.

 

[FarNorth]

1. It seems to me we have been using the 12 personnel more this year even before the Pats game. Am I wrong? I didn't get a percent, but noticed we used it a lot in the Arizona game. Or so it seemed. We also went to the 5 wide game vs Zona more than usual it seemed. Does anyone know where to get these formation counts?

You can maybe chase this down from this reference in the Athletic to Next Gen Stats:

"The Rams have increased their use of 12 personnel over the last two games, which definitely has helped the run game. According to Next Gen Stats, against Arizona and New England the Rams’ use of 12 personnel jumped from its previous rate 23 percent of offensive snaps to 59 percent, which is the highest in the league over that span. Those heavier sets help with the blocking, but also give defenses an added layer to deal with, especially when the Rams’ tight ends have proved capable of shedding out a block and catching a pass downfield."

 

[Ramlock]

Higbee was a college WR in a Spread

he can play in-line and split out

 

[kurtfaulk]

Can you imagine what this team would look like with Kittle?

much more gayer?

.

 

[CoachAllred]

much more gayer?

.

Your San Fran hate runs very deep brother. I gotta respect the hell out of that

 

[MadGoat]

Obviously, as Merlin mentioned, there's the Hopkins kid we drafted last year. In this draft, Kyle Pitts is a superstar WR/TE hybrid, but he's gone in the top 10 or so picks. Brevin Jordan is a great talent. He's like Jordan Reed, but he's likely drafted before we pick. The TE who plays behind him at Miami, Will Mallory, is also a great talent. He could be available if he declares. I don't know the projected Day 3 TEs well enough to say at this point if any fits.

Yeah, Kyle Pitts looks like he's going to be a star.

 

[MadGoat]

Kylen Granson (6'3" 235) out of SMU is a hybrid TE/WR and is a likely day 3 pick. He plays in Sony Dykes' air raid and does plenty of in-line blocking, but when they air it out, he's basically playing WR.

 

[SubZero405]

Austin Stogner from Oklahoma. He's only a redshirt freshman so might not be in the draft for 2 years, but this dude is 6' 6" and 262 pounds. He's fast for being that size and has great hands. He's basically a bigger version of mark andrews another oklahoma product who plays for the ravens.

 

[MadGoat]

Kylen Granson (6'3" 235) out of SMU is a hybrid TE/WR and is a likely day 3 pick. He plays in Sony Dykes' air raid and does plenty of in-line blocking, but when they air it out, he's basically playing WR.

Here's an article about Granson from a few days ago that calls out his versatility.

Without a team or chance: How SMU TE Kylen Granson went from community college student to NFL prospect in just over 2 years

"Granson described his role at Rice as a hybrid receiver and his role at SMU as a hybrid tight end. More simply, he’s more of a blocker with the Mustangs who also catches passes. That versatility is likely what’s making him so intriguing to NFL suitors."

“Sonny thought he was a big wide receiver, I thought he was an athletic tight end,” former Mustangs offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “Turns out we were both right. … “One of the best pure football players I’ve ever coached. Very versatile. Very smart.”

 

[So Ram]

Wow. forgot all bout him. He certainly has the physical tools to be that guy.
Like you said though, he has to improve his blocking skills.

Well it’s more than improving his blocking. In the NFL there is a thing called strength.Kromer does an excellent job with blocking technique.

Coming out of college Hopkins had a problem catching the Football.His dad I believe was a Pro or college level O’lineman.I also think he came out a year early.

 

[Dz1]

Yeah, Kyle Pitts looks like he's going to be a star.

Jmho @jrry32 is spot on.

Imho Jordan declares, Malloy stays.

 

[So Ram]

Ugh. I still cringe every time I hear that name.
I love Snead and wouldn't trade him for anything,
but that was one that got away.
Wouldn't have been as bad , but @jrry32 had been really hyping
Kittle predraft and had me convinced that he was the man the Rams should take
We end up taking Everett with Kittle still on the board. the rest is history.
Can you imagine what this team would look like with Kittle?
He lost out too though. If he were playing for Sean, he wouldn't get injured so much

Well there were a few TE’s on the draft board. If you remember right The Rams traded back to get Everett & everyone was calling for a Offensive Lineman.

Kromer was excellent in making the decision that The Rams had more talent on the roster than what was coming out of the draft.

John Johnson knew Wade from his BC buddy on the Bronco’s.The Rams(Snead) was smart enough to trade back & still get McVays guy in Gerald.

Kittle ran THE BEST 40 yard dash was like a 50yrd dash with power. I have ever seen.How did he last so long? I liked him as well.https://youtu.be/QTrM0rnL6RA


Talk Copper Kupp. Then Josh Reynolds was another excellent pick up.

 

[So Ram]

Most hybrid TE/WR are stronger at catching than blocking.
It usually takes a TE until their third year in the league to get the blocking down.

There are few TEs that are really strong receivers that are also TE quality blockers. At this point, I only see Kittle in that category. I'm not sure Kelce is much better a blocker than Kupp or Woods.

Rams have 2 strong TEs that can block and catch. Rams are better off than most. I don't think that an upgrade will be found.
Hopefully with Everett likely gone in the off-season that one that Rams are grooming can step in for him

I have questions about Everett in a lot of ways.
1.What Will he cost as a ufa?
2.Will he ever get better catching the ball?
3.Sunday he finally was put as an HB like the Niners use whatever Shanahan’s first FA signings name(44)
4.Again all the 12 sets Everett ran with Higbee really opened the run game the last 2 weeks.(yes Cam came alive)

 

[OnceARam]

Just pick up whatever TE the Raven's drop. Outsource TE development.

 

[MadGoat]

Kittle ran THE BEST 40 yard dash was like a 50yrd dash with power. I have ever seen. How did he last so long?

Injuries and lack of college production. He really was in a similar situation to DK Metcalf, with less scary injuries..