Did McVay go vannila after clinching playoff spot

[HellRam]

Honestly they have ran a lot of the same plays for the past 2 years.

Mcvay's concept is that the formations are the same but the defense is not sure what is coming from that formation.

Like when you play madden against a human opponent... when you have one formation with a bunch of different plays off of it - it's hard to defend.

Just having a bunch of different formations isn't necessarily better. More formations and more plays also means that the execution of those plays are not going to be as precise (because of sheer volume).

so yeah he probably will have some new stuff.. but I don't think there was any intentional "vanilla."

Agree. It wasn't as if the Rams had nothing to lose, they were the number 1 seed before the back to back losses.

I credit the lack of offense to opposing defenses making adjustments, we saw more deep coverage zones after the Lions game. The offensive line was not as sharp there for a bit as well. Even Goff was missing passes he usually would make.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

I hope I am wrong.

McVay went to a basic game plan since the o-line was having difficulty pass blocking. The simpler game plan made it easier on the o-line. Hopefully things change somewhat and we see more passing during the playoffs. It might.

 

[Rambitious1]

Kroenke, McVay, all of them had 1 goal. Get the LA Rams a playoff WIN

Hopefully that is more ‘milestone’ than goal.

 

[UKram]

I'll be contrarian. Remember back in the Fisher days when some speculated that our offense was intentionally vanilla in the preseason before realizing that the offense was just...vanilla lol. Before someone says that McVay isn't Fisher, my point is this: We are who we are. Outside of a few plays for the game plan, our base offense will remain the same. I don't expect us to roll out 20 new plays that have never been tested in game situations.

With that being said, I want more play- action screens to Gurley, but that's nothing that we haven't seen.

why not though ... the Chargers played 7 DBS against the texans (three in at linebacker) for periods of the game if they can install enough plays to change their entire defense 20 new plays on offense that no one has seen before isnt beyond the realms of possibility

 

[shaunpinney]

For some reason I just believe McVay went very vannila with his play calling starting with the Lions game. The games from the Lions thru the Eagles the offense was very bland. Hardly no Gurley usage(maybe because of injury), no jet sweeps, same formations that everyone is saying is predictable now. But I remember Robert Woods saying after the Viking game that we have not seen anything yet and that they was only using like 1/4 of the playbook. Also McVay always say your tape is your resume so why so more if you don’t have too. When we played Chicago in week 14 I think McVay knew their was a good chance in couple of weeks he was going to be playing the Bears again. In my opinion we held back in that game just so we did not have to put anything on tape. Curious I am the only one that feel this way.

I hope you're right, however a lot of the problem seemed on 'execution' of plays and not that it was 'vanilla'. I think the HB injuries had more to do with it tbh, we saw a greater number of pass attempts, which just didn't connect. The same thing happened when Talib went down, the D seemed to disappear for a bit, and the same thing happened when we lost Greg the eg last year, it's almost like the Rams had a flesh wound that started to fester and became more serious than we originally thought. I hope it wasn't a 'we're in the playoffs already, lets relax' attitude - I don't like that.

I have to admit CJ coming on board has given the O more dynamism of recent weeks, I'm more confident going into the playoffs now with him and Gurley than just Gurley... just goes to show how important Gurley is in blocking also... same goes for Kupp too, they are both awesome attacking weapons, but when called upon, can block the @$$ off anyone to give Goff a second longer to get that bread in the basket.

 

[So Ram]

Weird this angle on vanilla gameplaga came up I thought about this last night. I saw less up tempo, less gadget motions etc. My thoughts were McVay was holding back because the offense looked less tricky and way more predicable.

Why: .Honestly not sure - maybe to re calibrate towards what others started doing and testing what was working against those looks. Maybe working on Goff's confidence. Maybe I am over thinking this, but it did feel a little vanilla especially no up tempo and way less motions. Hardly any any trick type plays. Less screens - all this is a reference to the first 12 games after that things felt different.

I called my shot with 13-3 and it was a layup and it was. I am calling my shot that the Rams smoke the Cowboys. The Cowboys are really injured on the offense side of the ball especially at WR and the Oline. We get up on them they can't come back.

Leading to the Cowboys game. The Rams have played them twice & Wade takes pleasure in beating them . The thing is the cowboys know The Rams well. Weather that is a good thing or not, I’m not sure.
Didn’t the Cowboys shut down the Saints after The Rams lost in NO’s ??

This game is everything for McVay !! If he losses (Rams) then his coaching success takes a huge hit & 2019 season coming up means zero until he wins a playoff game.

 

[So Ram]

I hope you're right, however a lot of the problem seemed on 'execution' of plays and not that it was 'vanilla'. I think the HB injuries had more to do with it tbh, we saw a greater number of pass attempts, which just didn't connect. The same thing happened when Talib went down, the D seemed to disappear for a bit, and the same thing happened when we lost Greg the eg last year, it's almost like the Rams had a flesh wound that started to fester and became more serious than we originally thought. I hope it wasn't a 'we're in the playoffs already, lets relax' attitude - I don't like that.

I have to admit CJ coming on board has given the O more dynamism of recent weeks, I'm more confident going into the playoffs now with him and Gurley than just Gurley... just goes to show how important Gurley is in blocking also... same goes for Kupp too, they are both awesome attacking weapons, but when called upon, can block the @$$ off anyone to give Goff a second longer to get that bread in the basket.

Just as much as Greg the Leg, Copper Kupp,Talib getting hurt . There is another guy who was missing & has meant just as much . Malcom Brown !! He was a do it all RB, but then again CJ Anderson is a blessing in disguise. Talking about a back vs a 1.000 rusher. It’s a team game but then again last year Withworth was playing hurt ? Brockers getting hurt in game ? Noteboom played well & showed depth.7

Go Rams , no excuse

 

[shaunpinney]

Just as much as Greg the Leg, Copper Kupp,Talib getting hurt . There is another guy who was missing & has meant just as much . Malcom Brown !! He was a do it all RB, but then again CJ Anderson is a blessing in disguise. Talking about a back vs a 1.000 rusher. It’s a team game but then again last year Withworth was playing hurt ? Brockers getting hurt in game ? Noteboom played well & showed depth.7

Go Rams , no excuse

Yes, I forgot to mention Brown, he was awesome spotting for Gurley and I'm sure would have been the go-to-guy at the end of the season with Gurley being hurt. But like you said CJ is a blessing (and a well added vet presence)

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I guess it is possible that McVay decided to not change things up much and try to coast into the playoffs.

This would explain why he was so slow to react to the 46 defense that the Lions, Bears, and Eagles used against the Rams. He was reluctant to reveal his new wrinkles to the offense.

If you recall, Mike Martz was installing some brand new red zone plays for the Superbowl game against the Cheatriots, but, New England anticipated this and filmed the Rams walkthrough.
Both Marshall and Torry say it happened.

So creating plays for big games is likely to be commonplace

 

[LesBaker]

I've been thinking since the start of the season that he was going to have a "Playoff" playbook if we made it. Of course we're not talking a whole playbook, but I would be surprised if we don't see some new stuff.

He's had two weeks so I am sure he has added some plays, come up with some new stuff so to speak.

So I expect to see some things from the O. I'm sure he wants to get a nice early lead to take Elliot out of the picture as much as possible. Still though he is a threat catching the ball too.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

why not though ... the Chargers played 7 DBS against the texans (three in at linebacker) for periods of the game if they can install enough plays to change their entire defense 20 new plays on offense that no one has seen before isnt beyond the realms of possibility

That was weird, but it worked. Why not? No other reason other than I don't expect it, but I could be wrong. I wouldn't be surprised to see something new involving both CJ and Gurley.