Didn’t see this coming!

[TheTackle]

Is everyone else as surprised as me?

Everything I read and saw left me thinking we would dominate but the wheels starting falling off almost the second the season was about to start

I understand why members are already picking through the bones of this season, but wonder whether what looked like happening early will bloom late? If so, will we be a force heading into the playoffs? Similar, perhaps, to the Bucks the year they won

Until then, perhaps, we might need to keep the faith despite the frustration

Just my take. What do you think?

 

[RAMSinLA]

I think if the Rams beat the Cowboys all things will be right again.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I would give the first quarter of the season a C grade

Negatives
-Too much Kupp
-Losing on first down too often
-Run game is underwhelming

If the OL wasn’t ravaged with injuries a D minus.

Positives
-The run D
-The pups in the secondary look like gamers
-Higbee looks good
-It’s a long season to get healthy and get things going

 

[simonblaze]

I think the Rams were counting on certain guys to step up (Noteboom, Edwards, T. Lewis, Hollins, T. Rapp in place of Fuller, Tutu Atwell) and it just didn't happen...You HOPE there wouldn't be a huge drop off after losing guys like Whitworth, Von, and OBJ but it was worse we and probably they (McVay&Co) thought...

Even with 5 Cooper Kupps at WR I don't know you survive a season with one of the worst offensive lines/pass rushes in the league.

I'm not shocked but I am definitely surprised at how bad some aspects of this team are.

If we want to salvage the season, I think it's imperative McVay switch to a 12 personnel look and we get a pass rusher at the trade deadline.

 

[OntarioRam]

The Rams offensive line has been completely decimated by injuries which, of course, completely handicaps you.

I think the team was also counting on their big name acquisitions in Wagner and Robinson to perform and help make up for losses like Woods, OBJ, and Von Miller. Even Hill replacing Williams. Thus far, they have been complete flops, aside from Hill, who has been injured, but it is still so early. It does not help that various younger players have been injured and cannot contribute, like Bruss, Bobby Brown, and Van Jefferson.

I am not really at all worried about the Rams slow start, particularly given the offensive line injuries. It's a long season. I would prefer the team to be better than 2-2, and some trends are concerning, but let's see how things play out.

 

[Stl2La]

The cowboys game is going to tell us a lot I think. If we look feeble offensively again and the oline gets ran through then oh boy lol. If we can’t at least threaten teams on the ground we have no shot in hell this year. The homer in me is hoping they figure it out vs Dallas but the realistic side of me is nervous.

 

[payote75]

To me it's pretty simple our season hinges and always hinged on the o-line. A lot of us weren't sold on it prior we knew big whit would be a big drop off but that's where the issue is I still think even if the run game was non-existent with a great offensive line we would still be fine offensively but let's face it if the o-line was good the run game would at least be average.

I was not concerned about the defense I figure we give it a chance then go get an edge.

Now though if they don't show life it will make it hard to make a trade for an edge sign Obj maybe and try for an offensive line or ride it out when they get healthy.

 

[Ramlife]

I dont see how we block anyone... the center of the line is like swiss cheese. The Rbs cant get loose and its gonna be tough to beat anyone with no blocking obviously. That being said maybe they could Powell more involved on offense, he got touches at Florida and made plays in the SEC. Anyways I know things look bleak at the moment but who knows maybe they get it together and block.

 

[Merlin]

I'm most disappointed in Stafford. He was locked in during the playoffs. Now he's all over the map and his accuracy is irritating as F. We need him to consistently put up good QB outings with this schedule. I really expected him to start fast and thought this would be a MVP type year for him with Robinson added to Kupp.

But maybe that's still coming. Not interested in throwing in the towel just yet on the offense. Just hoping they can sort this line then get the QB's head back on straight.

Hoping we're about to see Akers put up 150 on the ground. That would be a great way to get this line kicking ass. Let them fire off.

 

[Flint]

The Rams offensive line has been completely decimated by injuries which, of course, completely handicaps you.

I think the team was also counting on their big name acquisitions in Wagner and Robinson to perform and help make up for losses like Woods, OBJ, and Von Miller. Even Hill replacing Williams. Thus far, they have been complete flops, aside from Hill, who has been injured, but it is still so early. It does not help that various younger players have been injured and cannot contribute, like Bruss, Bobby Brown, and Van Jefferson.

I am not really at all worried about the Rams slow start, particularly given the offensive line injuries. It's a long season. I would prefer the team to be better than 2-2, and some trends are concerning, but let's see how things play out.

Has Wagner really been that bad? The guy had 10 tackles after all, anybody want Reeder back? It’s not like the mighty 9er running game was gashing the defense repeatedly. Wags was blitzing when Deebo put the whole team on a highlight reel. Even with the breakdowns the defense gave up 17 pts which ain’t bad.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I certainly had hoped that Stafford would have say
1126 yds
11 TD's
and 3 INT's
Just a random thought LOL

 

[dang]

Has Wagner really been that bad? The guy had 10 tackles after all, anybody want Reeder back? It’s not like the mighty 9er running game was gashing the defense repeatedly. Wags was blitzing when Deebo put the whole team on a highlight reel. Even with the breakdowns the defense gave up 17 pts which ain’t bad.

Wags>>>Reeder

 

[tempests]

The Rams offense ranking in the bottom five of the NFL in many major categories is shocking. This has not been like any of McVay's previous five seasons. I don't see easy answers, either.

Three home games in a row plus a bye week. If the Rams are going to get their season on track, it has to be now and not later, IMO.
After a certain point in the season, you are who you are.

 

[Steve808]

I would give the first quarter of the season a C grade

Negatives
-Too much Kupp
-Losing on first down too often
-Run game is underwhelming

If the OL wasn’t ravaged with injuries a D minus.

Positives
-The run D
-The pups in the secondary look like gamers
-Higbee looks good
-It’s a long season to get healthy and get things going

Let's hope this year's September is last year's November.

 

[XXXIVwin]

With the Rams, I'll expect the unexpected.

Last season shocked the hell out of me. I'll admit that after that 3-game November losing streak, I could scarcely imagine we'd be hoisting the Lombardi a couple months later.

This year? The fans are way overreacting after each game, even more so than usual.

I could easily imagine the Rams getting healthy again, getting some lucky breaks, and with a few Snead trade deadline moves, the Rams could hit their stride right at playoff time.

Or I could also imagine the wheels falling off and the Rams being a .500 team.

Or anywhere in between.

Really hard to predict things this year, even more so than usual. Let's get some injured players healthy and hope for the best...

 

[MachS]

As frustrated as I get, when I turn on my computer I still see this as my background every day and even if this year is a catastrophe how upset can we really get.

 

[Loyal]

I'm most disappointed in Stafford. He was locked in during the playoffs. Now he's all over the map and his accuracy is irritating as F. We need him to consistently put up good QB outings with this schedule. I really expected him to start fast and thought this would be a MVP type year for him with Robinson added to Kupp.

But maybe that's still coming. Not interested in throwing in the towel just yet on the offense. Just hoping they can sort this line then get the QB's head back on straight.

Hoping we're about to see Akers put up 150 on the ground. That would be a great way to get this line kicking ass. Let them fire off.

Dude, how could you have those expectations with this Oline? He is getting pressured to an insane degree and his weapons can't run the routes we ran last year because there isn't time. You can't give him protections like chicken shyte, and expect cordon bleu results.

 

[Faceplant]

McVay and Morris are as much to blame as anyone IMO. How is it that Rat Boy can call the same, 3 step drop slants all night against us without us adjusting? How can McVay keep calling 5-7 step drop, slow developing plays with the OL getting destroyed consistently? It makes zero sense to me. The OL is not going to be a strength this year, so unless he unfucks his play calling, it will be a tough season. Still Champs though!!!

 

[Tumak61]

Outscored 44-3 in 4th quarter. That is the stat that is troubling.

 

[RamDino]

How is it that Rat Boy can call the same, 3 step drop slants all night against us without us adjusting? How can McVay keep calling 5-7 step drop, slow developing plays with the OL getting destroyed consistently? It makes zero sense to me.

I have wondered the same thing, my friend.