Couple thoughts on the season

[Mackeyser]

Just figured I'd get this in before the frenzy of the weekend.

1) In the spirit of Dave, I'm just being super positive and really celebrating every moment of this very special season. I know Dave's looking down with immense joy. I miss Dave. Even Cynical Mack misses Dave.

2) If the Dallas game showed us anything, it's that we need better ILB play and it can come from a rookie. Don't get me wrong, I love our guys, but they're giving me heart palpitations every week! Littleton is good and I wouldn't look to replace him, but Barron's got to go. I dunno if it's injury or what, but he's struggling. I dunno if the answer is Ramik Wilson who played much better than Barron while Barron was injured or Micah Kiser or a draft pick or FA pickup, but something has got to change.

3) I just realized that if Goff plays 20 years like Brady and that's totally possible with his style of play and McVay's offense, he's going to obliterate a bunch of records. I always wondered what it would have looked like to have someone like Brady with that skill and longevity and I had hoped we had that with Warner although no QB could survive for long in Martz's scheme and even Troy Aikman noted how the QBs got clobbered in that offense during the game last night. Tomorrow is promised to no one. That said, if there is a tomorrow, it looks blindingly bright for Goff and this Rams offense.

4) I probably visit this site about 5-6 times a day and I'm just so thankful for you all. I try to be part of other communities, too, but as I do this mostly on my phone, it's super frustrating. Just wanted to give a shoutout to the Mods and also the community for making this such a fun place to socialize. I don't get out much and it means a lot to be a part of such a fun community of Rams fans.

I'll end with that. Short post for me...go figure.

Anyway, be well all and HORNS UP!

 

[Merlin]

We really only have two guys on defense who consistently bring plus production and impact play: AD and Talib.

So yeah we need a lot of help on that side of the ball and I am confident it is coming this offseason.

For now... Definitely enjoying this season and taking time to appreciate it. We have a legit chance to win it all. How cool is that? Oh and I miss Dave too what a loss he was RIP.

 

[den-the-coach]

Thanks Mack, great thread....I miss Dave so much and think about him often, he is (still) amazing.

Linebacker play with Smith and the new Flying Dutchmen are the type of linebackers the Rams need going forward. I like Littleton too, but he's missed some tackles trying to control the run. I'm also more of the fan of the 4-3 as IMO, it holds up much better against the run, whereas the 3-4 gives you the opportunity to apply pressure on the edges and that's why Wade's defense over the years has always been susceptible to the run.

Suh and Brockers have also not played to their pay grades and next year they need to recalculate, but it's been a great year and hopefully with Talib coming back, the defense rallies because the Saint/Cowboy game proved that there are times you need your defense, just like the Rams needed in the NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers during the 1999 season.

 

[RamWoodie]

Good thoughts Mack. The Rams truly have a special season going...and I'm sure we all want to see it end with an SB win!

Some points I have on defense:
*From the time I learned the Rams were pursuing Suh I felt it was a wrong move in light of the glaring need at LB...but they took him so I look at the bright side. Teams fear the Rams front and rightfully so because this is s good front.

Fowler is a good pick up...an upgrade over Longacre because he's a true DE/LB hybrid...so I look for good improvement weekly in LB play.

Talib returns this week to bolster the secondary, which is good. It should help with pass rush as well as coverage, which go hand in hand. I don't think Talib is the savior some look at him to be.

This defense is good enough for this team to win...BUT...Wade's innovation and preparation is going to be the key. The first thing to emphasize is TACKLING.

I could go on...but I leave it there.

 

[Tano]

Talib returns this week to bolster the secondary, which is good. It should help with pass rush as well as coverage, which go hand in hand. I don't think Talib is the savior some look at him to be.

I would agree that one player wouldn't normally be a savior for a defense that is performing subpar, but it is his leadership out on the field that will make the overall defense much better as well as his ability to put the secondary in proper position. The Rams secondary was so much better recognizing the pass plays when Talib was out there.

Joyner, specifically, is so out of position on many of the pass plays without Talib out there to help him recognize the play.

 

[Prime Time]

I probably visit this site about 5-6 times a day

 

[RamWoodie]

I would agree that one player wouldn't normally be a savior for a defense that is performing subpar, but it is his leadership out on the field that will make the overall defense much better as well as his ability to put the secondary in proper position. The Rams secondary was so much better recognizing the pass plays when Talib was out there.

Joyner, specifically, is so out of position on many of the pass plays without Talib out there to help him recognize the play.

I'm not so sure the defense is subpar. I lean more towards not being well prepared because we see the pattern repeatedly where it takes a half for the D to adjust game after game. That's not Talib...that's Phillips in my book.

I'd really be interested to see the defensive preparation for a game.

 

[NJRamsFan]

You’re one of the posters I’ve grown to respect immensely @Mackeyser when scrolling through threads I’ll always pause and read what you have to say and this community is lucky to have you and your insight.

We’ve agreed and gone at it fiercely in the past (namely the Goff Wentz debates lol) and regardless of the debate I always enjoy our exchanges.

Cheers bud :cheers:

 

[FarNorth]

I'm not so sure the defense is subpar. I lean more towards not being well prepared because we see the pattern repeatedly where it takes a half for the D to adjust game after game. That's not Talib...that's Phillips in my book.

I'd really be interested to see the defensive preparation for a game.

I lean toward lack of leadership on the field resulting in inabilty to adjust while maintaining the overall scheme. If this right Talib will help a lot.

 

[Corbin]

Just figured I'd get this in before the frenzy of the weekend.

1) In the spirit of Dave, I'm just being super positive and really celebrating every moment of this very special season. I know Dave's looking down with immense joy. I miss Dave. Even Cynical Mack misses Dave.

2) If the Dallas game showed us anything, it's that we need better ILB play and it can come from a rookie. Don't get me wrong, I love our guys, but they're giving me heart palpitations every week! Littleton is good and I wouldn't look to replace him, but Barron's got to go. I dunno if it's injury or what, but he's struggling. I dunno if the answer is Ramik Wilson who played much better than Barron while Barron was injured or Micah Kiser or a draft pick or FA pickup, but something has got to change.

3) I just realized that if Goff plays 20 years like Brady and that's totally possible with his style of play and McVay's offense, he's going to obliterate a bunch of records. I always wondered what it would have looked like to have someone like Brady with that skill and longevity and I had hoped we had that with Warner although no QB could survive for long in Martz's scheme and even Troy Aikman noted how the QBs got clobbered in that offense during the game last night. Tomorrow is promised to no one. That said, if there is a tomorrow, it looks blindingly bright for Goff and this Rams offense.

4) I probably visit this site about 5-6 times a day and I'm just so thankful for you all. I try to be part of other communities, too, but as I do this mostly on my phone, it's super frustrating. Just wanted to give a shoutout to the Mods and also the community for making this such a fun place to socialize. I don't get out much and it means a lot to be a part of such a fun community of Rams fans.

I'll end with that. Short post for me...go figure.

Anyway, be well all and HORNS UP!

Great post @Mackeyser .

I logged on one day and seen Dave's name in the top of the forum and refused to even log on for weeks... maybe months. I didn't read the thread title because I knew what it was going to lean to. Dave was an amazing person and never knew I could get that attached to someone on a forum without ever knowing them in person. I used to enjoy his non stop positive outlook on situations, him always posting a ! after everything he wrote no matter what it is lol, and his wonderful stories of old games, players, and situations that happened that only someone being alive at the time would know. His stories were amazing! Someone ( I need to look up who that was) posted another amazing story of the Rams in the 1979 season in the Cowboys vs Saints thread that reminisced me of Dave that we need more of! ( thank you again whoever you were) I would loved to have heard what he had to say about everything that has gone on.. I can't imagine how missed he is with his family if he's missed this much here on ROD.


Barron is for sure a goner after this season. He doesn't fit the dimensions or profile for a 3-4 ILB at all and his body says he isn't either. I'm not sure what our solution will be in season or out of season with a quality FA or a draft pick but one thing is for certain, it will be addressed. And honestly the odds of it getting addressed will more than likely be pretty cheap and economic regardless. It won't be hard to find somebody to give a average output. He doesn't have to be a superstar, just can't be the leak wink that let's constant 1st downs or big runs go by.

Man, if Goff plays for even just 15 years for us I'll be thrilled. I can't imagine but we are set up for that now and I'm so damned excited! Might as well get me a Goff jersey now! lol

 

[CGI_Ram]

It is sooo easy to get caught in the rat race that CAN be the holidays.

I try really hard, and talk about it daily with those around me... enjoy it. Every minute. Slow down.

It’s extra special this year with our Rams doing so well.

I miss Dave.

I enjoy hanging out with you guys!

 

[nighttrain]

It is sooo easy to get caught in the rat race that CAN be the holidays.

I try really hard, and talk about it daily with those around me... enjoy it. Every minute. Slow down.

It’s extra special this year with our Rams doing so well.

I miss Dave.

I enjoy hanging out with you guys!

Merry Xmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Loyal]

I enjoy your presence here too, @Mackeyser. I haven’t seen you as a cynical grouch since you welcomed us into your neighborhood, and ejected that screaming comedian from the premises, which I am sure that Dave would have appreciated (miss him).

Yes, I have no idea about our LBers, but I like the Fowler addition. Merry Christmas, and a Rams Super Bowl Kinda New Year!

 

[Farr Be It]

Great post, Mack! Looking forward to the Christmas season with family, and you guys. Our Ramily. An incredible Rams journey. This year is special. Come what may. :cheers:

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

I miss Dave too

It should be clearly obvious by now and even before the season began THE one missing ingredient on the D was a tackling machine ILB... the Cowboys have hit a grand slam with Vander Esch, too bad Sean Lee is so injury prone, hed be a nice fit

Has to be priority 1 looking ahead

 

[BigRamFan]

It is sooo easy to get caught in the rat race that CAN be the holidays.

I try really hard, and talk about it daily with those around me... enjoy it. Every minute. Slow down.

It’s extra special this year with our Rams doing so well.

I miss Dave.

I enjoy hanging out with you guys!

Very well said @CGI_Ram ! Thank you for that, and Merry Christmas

 

[badnews]

I sure enjoy your posts and presence here @Mackeyser !