Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?

[ROD-BOT]

Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?

When the LA Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take over as the LA Rams new offensive coordinator, I scrambled to discover whatever in

ramblinfan.com

Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?​

When the LA Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take over as the LA Rams new offensive coordinator, I scrambled to discover whatever information I could glean and stockpile without diving behind the myriad of paywalls that have sprung up to charge for the convenience of supplying that information with one stop shopping.

Early information confirmed my initial suspicions. Mike LaFleur is a young offensive coordinator who is still learning, still developing his 'style' in terms of what his offense will hang its hat on. Still, while young, he checked all of my 'gotta have,' boxes for the Rams offensive coordinator job. He and Head Coach Sean McVay are familiar with one another (no surprises), he is a product of a strong rushing offense, and he is certainly not just a yes-man.

Still, there are questions over how easy it will be for him to work with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and all of the Rams quarterbacks for that matter. After all, without assigning blame, Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his first NFL season. While that is more likely on the shoulders of Wilson, it does drag LaFleur into questions of his ability to optimize his quarterback, regardless of skillset, personality, and experience level.

LaFleur's offense can run the football

But one area I was not concerned about in how well the LA Rams running backs, and how Cam Akers especially, would perform in an offense that is overseen by OC Mike LaFleur. Even now, as I am more and more convinced that this Rams offense must commit to running the football, I continue to see evidence of the Rams reconfiguring to do exactly that.

The LA Rams, without a lot of fanfare, have gotten bigger offensive linemen, The team has also re-signed a physical north-south running back in Cam Akers. The Rams signed a new offensive line coach Ryan Wendell and a new running backs coach in Ron Gould, both of whom seem to align with the more physical balanced offense mindset of LaFleur.

Perhaps I am mistakenly asking the wrong question. Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense? Or, under everyone's nose has he already already transformed this offense?

 

[sjm1582002]

Interesting.

What does Cam Akers new contract look like?

 

[Allen2McVay]

Interesting.

What does Cam Akers new contract look like?

Cam Akers did not sign a new contract.

The author, Bret Stuter, is beyond awful.

Akers is in the final year of his rookie contract but will be a restricted free agent in 2024.

 

[oldnotdead]

I've been saying for a long long time that McVay might be a genius when it comes to designing a passing offense and calling plays, but his run scheme has always been half-baked and very basic. Case in point he tried to run a power blocked interior run offense but without a lead blocker. The result was predictable. That last unaccounted for ILB was there to make the play. His 2018 scheme was a simplistic outside zone for his run attack. I said back then that inside running was the best way to set up play action.

When he tried to run inside he didn't have the power in his OL to do it. Finally, 6 years later he's beginning to understand that to run inside their blocking requires a different skillset in his OL, i.e. bigger, mauler type of blockers. Avila and Bruss fit that mold. Shelton is about the same weight but is about 2" taller and whereas Allen relies upon his technique, Shelton is more physical in his blocking style. Both UDFAs Maginn and McAllister are big physical Centers/OGs. McClendon who projects as a RG is another big OG at 6'4" and 300 lbs.

This OL looks like it will have the beef to run behind between the tackles. Is it a coincidence that this change is happening upon the advent of LaFleur? I don't think so. The fact they hired Wendell a former NFL starting center says a lot about what they now expect from their OL. I think LaFleur was exactly the OC to compliment McVay's offense by re-scheming their run offense. I expect more inside zone, and perhaps some trap runs. I expect them to use Nacua on their jet sweeps. That motion generally takes one of the ILBs out of position. It also gives the Rams a legit lead blocker on an outside zone run. Nacua has the size and experience in those blocks.

This run attack should be greatly improved this year behind a better OL and with Akers, Evans, Williams and Michel carrying the ball. I especially like the addition of Michel as their 3rd down RB as he is one of the better pass blocking RBs in the NFL. It gives them a 6th pass blocker. It's also why I think this offense is going to return to that dominating 2018 style. They will run the ball well and it will give Stafford more time to throw than he's probably ever had. Give Stafford time and he will cut a secondary to pieces with Kupp, Jefferson and Nacua. That is why I have no doubts at all about this offense.

I hope Jimmy Lake and Pleasant can get the DBs to play aggressively. I hope Morris plays Hampton much like Phillips played Ebukam as a true SAM. If he does they can play a base nickel with Fuller or Taylor in that middle zone. The Rams have the personnel and talent to play an aggressive style of defense. With Witherspoon, Rochell and McCutcheon they have 3 DBs with the speed and length to match up with tall receivers in the red zone. IMO the only question about the Rams will be on defense. Not because they lack talent, but because Morris has a penchant for ignoring talent and playing his buddies soft and conceding points.

If there is a coaching problem on the Rams it's Morris, not Lafleur.

 

[Juice]

That guy writes like he is staring at himself in front of a mirror. No, I'm not talking about @oldnotdead. I'm talking about Bret Stuter.

 

[bubbaramfan]

oldnotdead has a full length wrap around mirror so he can see his backside.

 

[RamFan503]

That "article" had literally ZERO information in it. But at least he somehow came up with a fictional second contract for Cam.

 

[Tumak61]

I believe he confused Michel with Akers.

 

[Merlin]

How many years has McVay said they want to run the ball. But even in their title season the playoffs were navigated without it.

I think the problem has been the talent, but a will to call run plays starts at the top with the playcaller. It requires focus and priority in camp, wearing pads. I think the truth is all McVay wants is enough run game, as in enough threat to make the defense play it so he can throw the ball. He is a passing game first coordinator.

Belicheat saw that. Pats disregarded jet sweep actions and took away his short passing game while pinning their ears back and coming after Goff. Bengals almost pulled it off too if not for a heroic drive late.

So philosophically I doubt McVay has changed. He is great but he puts a ton on his QB. I am starting to think his run game will always be about just enough threat.

 

[Flint]

Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?

When the LA Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take over as the LA Rams new offensive coordinator, I scrambled to discover whatever in

ramblinfan.com

Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?​

When the LA Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take over as the LA Rams new offensive coordinator, I scrambled to discover whatever information I could glean and stockpile without diving behind the myriad of paywalls that have sprung up to charge for the convenience of supplying that information with one stop shopping.

Early information confirmed my initial suspicions. Mike LaFleur is a young offensive coordinator who is still learning, still developing his 'style' in terms of what his offense will hang its hat on. Still, while young, he checked all of my 'gotta have,' boxes for the Rams offensive coordinator job. He and Head Coach Sean McVay are familiar with one another (no surprises), he is a product of a strong rushing offense, and he is certainly not just a yes-man.

Still, there are questions over how easy it will be for him to work with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and all of the Rams quarterbacks for that matter. After all, without assigning blame, Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his first NFL season. While that is more likely on the shoulders of Wilson, it does drag LaFleur into questions of his ability to optimize his quarterback, regardless of skillset, personality, and experience level.

LaFleur's offense can run the football

But one area I was not concerned about in how well the LA Rams running backs, and how Cam Akers especially, would perform in an offense that is overseen by OC Mike LaFleur. Even now, as I am more and more convinced that this Rams offense must commit to running the football, I continue to see evidence of the Rams reconfiguring to do exactly that.

The LA Rams, without a lot of fanfare, have gotten bigger offensive linemen, The team has also re-signed a physical north-south running back in Cam Akers. The Rams signed a new offensive line coach Ryan Wendell and a new running backs coach in Ron Gould, both of whom seem to align with the more physical balanced offense mindset of LaFleur.

Perhaps I am mistakenly asking the wrong question. Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense? Or, under everyone's nose has he already already transformed this offense?

That’s an interesting question, seems to me like the media is expecting some form of the offense that has been near the top of the league since McVay arrived but maybe things are changing a little. Teams like the Eagles, Niners and ravens are bringing back the running game, and if you don’t have a superstar qb maybe it’s the way to go. And if you do have a qb who can make every throw that’s even better. Historically the rams have had great running games over the years with guys like ED, Marshall, Bettis, Tyler and Gurley. McVay has talked about getting the run game going ever since Gurley, I hope he makes it happen this time.

 

[oldnotdead]

I think LaFleur pointed out that the run attack starts with the scheme that fits the type of run attack you want. If it's inside you need big mauler type OL to force their will on the DL. Obviously, a between the tackles run attack makes the play action more effective. With the right OL you don't need a super star RB you simply need good RBs who can grind out 5-6 yards on early downs and who move the chains for the offense. That big OL also protects Stafford better so the passing game will be improved.

In other words I think McVay has finally figured out that if his run game can keep them ahead of the chains and move those markers when necessary, that is the compliment he needs to make his passing attack flourish. You need power RBs, not fast scat backs. Sorry Williams but you don't fit that profile at 5'9" 194 lbs. That is why they brought back Michel. Because as I pointed out in 2021 Michel is a move the chains grinder. That kind of run attack eats clock when you have a lead. Williams was drafted to be a 3rd down specialist much like Darren Sproles was. But a 3rd down back must pass block. Williams struggled at it. IMO we could see Williams fall to #4RB. Michell is 3" taller, almost 20 lbs heavier but runs as fast as Williams. The only thing Williams is better at is as a receiver. But #4RB is a situational player so I'd be surprised if Williams sees many snaps barring injury to any of the others.

Again I see LaFleur's hand in re-signing Michel. I don't think LaFleur was overly happy with Williams as their 3rd down RB. Because Akers is a RFA next year the tender probably would be original draft pick (2nd round) that probably would allow them to keep Akers one more year (2024) at an affordable cap number.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

That guy writes like he is staring at himself in front of a mirror. No, I'm not talking about @oldnotdead. I'm talking about Bret Stuter.

Yeah, besides we all know that oldnotdead is staring at a life sized poster of Rob Havenstein when he posts...

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[den-the-coach]

oldnotdead has a full length wrap around mirror so he can see his backside.

The question looms, does he like what he sees?

 

[Londoner]

The question looms, does he like what he sees?

Depends upon how much he’s had to drink

 

[Allen2McVay]

I believe he confused Michel with Akers.

Believe you are correct. However, that ain't good either.

 

[Faceplant]

Cam Akers did not sign a new contract.

The author, Bret Stuter, is beyond awful.

Akers is in the final year of his rookie contract but will be a restricted free agent in 2024.

Agreed. The writing is so.... so......... sooooooooooo bad.



















So bad

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

It's honestly difficult for me to say what any offensive coordinator will or won't do with our offense. I think the better question is how will the offensive coordinator influence McVay. McVay is the play caller, he runs this offense. With us, the O-Coordinator is more like a Muse for McVay. Now I'll admit that LeFluer running the ball with the Jets ...and our O-line under our new coach there seeming to be moving to a more stout interior line would make me think that we should see us with a more balanced attack..... meaning running the ball more...and more effectively. But it's really all conjecture at this point. The hope is that McVay sees the need to run the ball more...and sees the need in us becoming less predictable on offense. At the end of the day it's McVay that needs to make that adjustment..and the real relevancy of our O-Coordinator is to influence McVay to do that.

 

[snackdaddy]

I don't know what LaFleur's impact will be. McVay usually calls the plays. But it seems like there will be more focus on the run game this year. That's a good thing. A good run game keeps heat off of Stafford. Makes play action more effective. And controls the clock. Anything to make the run game better I'm in favor of. Their run blocking was pretty poor most of last year. And in the playoffs the year before.

 

[majrleaged]

McVay will always be a pass first guy. What he wants from a running attack is to be able to run for 4.5 yards a carry wether its to run out the clock or 1st and goal to go or to keep the D off balance. To get some 20 yard runs once in awhile. 25 to 30 carries a game will never be the norm.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

I don't know what LaFleur's impact will be. McVay usually calls the plays. But it seems like there will be more focus on the run game this year. That's a good thing. A good run game keeps heat off of Stafford. Makes play action more effective. And controls the clock. Anything to make the run game better I'm in favor of. Their run blocking was pretty poor most of last year. And in the playoffs the year before.

Yepper, and it also keeps our defense off the field. And from what I have been hearing that's gonna be a good thing.

~ArkyRamsFan~