Forget QB, let's talk run game!

[WestCoastRam]

Our run game was 20th in the league! That's atrocious. And... focusing on it is also the quickest way to fix the offense.

There really is no option for a franchise QB next year unless we want to trade the house for Mariota or Winston (of which, I'm not sure they're worth it) but there are a lot of options for improving the rushing attack. We've got some great pieces in place already.

Tre Mason
Tavon Austin
Greg Robinson
Roger Saffold (back at RG)
(I'm hesitant to include Barksdale on here as it seemed like his play declined but I wonder if putting Roger next to him will fix that up)

One of the worst part of our run game was up the gut. We've struggled for years running through the A-gap.

If all we did was get a better guard and center than what we have, we could push the rushing attack way up in terms of yards per cary, effectiveness, etc...

We're not gonna get the offense fixed with a QB next year unless Bradford comes back and takes off (highly unlikely but I'll wish for it!) but if we just fix the run attack, we really could be a force even in the NFC West.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Our run game was 20th in the league! That's atrocious. And... focusing on it is also the quickest way to fix the offense.

There really is no option for a franchise QB next year unless we want to trade the house for Mariota or Winston (of which, I'm not sure they're worth it) but there are a lot of options for improving the rushing attack. We've got some great pieces in place already.

Tre Mason
Tavon Austin
Greg Robinson
Roger Saffold (back at RG)
(I'm hesitant to include Barksdale on here as it seemed like his play declined but I wonder if putting Roger next to him will fix that up)

One of the worst part of our run game was up the gut. We've struggled for years running through the A-gap.

If all we did was get a better guard and center than what we have, we could push the rushing attack way up in terms of yards per cary, effectiveness, etc...

We're not gonna get the offense fixed with a QB next year unless Bradford comes back and takes off (highly unlikely but I'll wish for it!) but if we just fix the run attack, we really could be a force even in the NFC West.

Barksdale is a solid run blocker. It was the pass pro that bit him at times this year.
But yeah. Get some big maulers up front and knock some guys off the line.
Guard and center would improve our offense in every way.
I've read where Fisher says we want to run the ball at will. The defense knows it's coming but can't do anything to stop it.
I would love to see that as well.
I know it can be done, because teams use to run on us all day.

 

[Amitar]

I'm with you here. Need a new C, RT, and LG cause Saffold needs to go RG where he dominated in 2013, and a couple more quality BU's. So that's 5 new OL the Rams need at the very least.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Not me, QB is the real topic.

Get a C, RG, resign Barks and we are good. Nothing more to say besides a passing game will make them back out of the box. That starts with getting a QB and protecting him.

Back to QB...

 

[WestCoastRam]

Getting help for the Oline is one of the reasons I'm loath to give up a pick for a QB this offseason. We don't have a 4th or 6th. Even if we pick up someone in FA we really need to upgrade the oline across the board including backups.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Not me, QB is the real topic.

Get a C, RG, resign Barks and we are good. Nothing more to say besides a passing game will make them back out of the box. That starts with getting a QB and protecting him.

Back to QB...

If you got a franchise QB in your backpack, please pull him out, I'd love it!

 

[FRO]

If you got a franchise QB in your backpack, please pull him out, I'd love it!

Bradford...

 

[WestCoastRam]

Bradford...

From you lips to Gods ears... Wouldn't it be amazing if he became the comeback player of the year next year?

 

[Big Willie]

Saffold and Robinson are keepers. Get a FA Guard, draft a mauler Tackle that can play either spot (injury possibilities); Barnes, Jones and Rhaney battle for Center, get a FA swing guy, and we are good to go.

 

[mr.stlouis]

If you got a franchise QB in your backpack, please pull him out, I'd love it!

I got a Sam Bradford poster we can stare at :notworthy:

 

[WestCoastRam]

Saffold and Robinson are keepers. Get a FA Guard, draft a mauler Tackle that can play either spot (injury possibilities); Barnes, Jones and Rhaney battle for Center, get a FA swing guy, and we are good to go.

I think a pretty good OT will be available to us around 10 if we stay there though I think as other posters said that trading down for more picks could be a smart move. If we stay, grab an OT and Barksdale - if we keep him - goes back to being a swing tackle (which we desperately need).

 

[WestCoastRam]

I got a Sam Bradford poster we can stare at :notworthy:

Is it torn around the knees?

 

[MFaulk107]

Our run game would be better if we had a passing game.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Is it torn around the knees?

 

[Memphis Ram]

Our run game was 20th in the league! That's atrocious. And... focusing on it is also the quickest way to fix the offense.

There really is no option for a franchise QB next year unless we want to trade the house for Mariota or Winston (of which, I'm not sure they're worth it) but there are a lot of options for improving the rushing attack. We've got some great pieces in place already.

Tre Mason
Tavon Austin
Greg Robinson
Roger Saffold (back at RG)
(I'm hesitant to include Barksdale on here as it seemed like his play declined but I wonder if putting Roger next to him will fix that up)

One of the worst part of our run game was up the gut. We've struggled for years running through the A-gap.

If all we did was get a better guard and center than what we have, we could push the rushing attack way up in terms of yards per cary, effectiveness, etc...

We're not gonna get the offense fixed with a QB next year unless Bradford comes back and takes off (highly unlikely but I'll wish for it!) but if we just fix the run attack, we really could be a force even in the NFC West.

NOW YOU ARE TALKING MY LANGUAGE.

This offseason when Snead mentioned that they would continue with what they found offensively in 2013 (run-first, play action passing offense), I automatically assumed that the running game would be focused upon more in an effort to build a top notch one. But, this team passed more than the did the year before so, of course, the turnovers increased.

Bradford or no Bradford, the running game needs to be a primary focus this offseason and I hope that is what Fisher meant by changes to come.

 

[WestCoastRam]

NOW YOU ARE TALKING MY LANGUAGE.

This offseason when Snead mentioned that they would continue with what they found offensively in 2013 (run-first, play action passing offense), I automatically assumed that the running game would be focused upon more in an effort to build a top notch one. But, this team passed more than the did the year before so, of course, the turnovers increased.

Bradford or no Bradford, the running game needs to be a primary focus this offseason and I hope that is what Fisher meant by changes to come.

Absolutely, and one of the things to make a run first, play-action passing offense work is eliminating 2nd and long plays. Too often runs were stopped in our backfield on first down due to pressure through the A and B gaps. We need better play from our guards and center. We need better guards and center.

 

[Big Willie]

I think a pretty good OT will be available to us around 10 if we stay there though I think as other posters said that trading down for more picks could be a smart move. If we stay, grab an OT and Barksdale - if we keep him - goes back to being a swing tackle (which we desperately need).

I would take Barksdale as a swing guy....but I think his cap number would be too high for that. Swing guy should be below $1.5 Million per year.

 

[Mackeyser]

Is it torn around the knees?

 

[lockdnram21]

Bradford...

I wouldn't call him a franchise Qb he would be a stop gap imo. Don't think he can stay healthy

 

[Memphis Ram]

Absolutely, and one of the things to make a run first, play-action passing offense work is eliminating 2nd and long plays. Too often runs were stopped in our backfield on first down due to pressure through the A and B gaps. We need better play from our guards and center. We need better guards and center.

True. But, I'm more concerned with focus. IMO, if Brian Schottenhiemer were like his dad, after 3 years this team would be more physical offensively and would be able to run the football come hell or high water. But, I'd guess the massive playbook these guys have got to learn is probably 80-90% passing plays/formations/protections which involves more thinking and less just playing.

Whatever happened to just punching the guy across from you in the mouth and imposing your will physically. Or as Fisher said, "This is what we’re running. Stop it." He says that the team is not there yet, but they won't be until they simplify and excel in something. And what better than the running game which reduces turnovers and aids the passing game and defense.

This team needs a running game coordinator. And Bill Callahan should get a call as soon as Dallas gets knocked out of the playoffs. And if not him, Rick Dennison, a prize pupil of the Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme, who is just wasting away as a QB coach for the Ravens. Again, Fisher said no coaching changes, but I'd bring him in as offensive coordinator to get this running game going. At least with him, you don't need All-Pros at every OLine position to build a successful rushing attack.