How the Rams can turn around disappointing season and finish strong

[HE WITH HORNS]

While the Rams have cratered in their last two games, the Cards have continued to look strong and get wins even with their QB out.

Almost makes you think their QB is overrated. In fact, I know he is.

 

[RAMSinLA]

I don't know but a good beginning would be to get the biggest guy on the team to step on Rodgers little toe.

 

[Pancake]

I'm not disappointed in the team. It's just I've seen enough football over the last 50 years to realize teams don't win a SB playing defense the way the Rams have been this year.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I'm not disappointed in the team. It's just I've seen enough football over the last 50 years to realize teams don't win a SB playing defense the way the Rams have been this year.

Agreed, and when you couple that with what has become an inconsistent offense it spells trouble. A Identity is needed, It just may happen but it need to be initiated from the coaching ranks and then onto the players.

 

[Kupped]

Don’t turn the ball over. That’ll fix almost everything.

 

[Ballhawk]

I'm disappointed in our special teams playing like crap.

 

[Merlin]

Agreed, and when you couple that with what has become an inconsistent offense it spells trouble. A Identity is needed, It just may happen but it need to be initiated from the coaching ranks and then onto the players.

Yeah it seems like the gameplan has been get a big lead early and then let them die driving the field and burning clock vs our defense. But the defense has to be able to handle the offense not getting that big lead. When things turn into a hideous scrum like you often get in the playoffs you gotta be strong enough on that side of the ball to keep your team in it.

Now of course someone will swoop in talking about the offense not carrying their weight. Yes yes. Of course. But teams with defenses that are good enough to keep you in every game type are the ones who tend to be the last team standing. This defense is fine with a lead. But they need to get better at preventing the other team from controlling clock when the game is in doubt, however long that takes.

 

[Kupped]

I'll keep hammering the turnover thing because it's one of the most simple and clear fixes.

You keep your defensive and offensive game plans intact if you can avoid them.. when you make multiple turnovers early, everything goes to shit.

Your play action game is still relevant.. making teams have to execute repeated high-play count drives to score is still relevant and doesn't work *against* you because you don't have to worry about being down by two possessions.

That's the margin, imo. No turnovers in the last two games and we're talking about significantly different results, imo.

 

[rdlkgliders]

We certainly need to protect the ball better. Most coaches and teams can play from ahead where your play book is 100% open and time is your ally.
It is climbing back into a game that we are not great at as of late. Obviously most teams aren't great when they are 2 scores down but we seem to really struggle with any identity at that point and appear to play somewhat desperate on Offense.
Empty sets, and really putting the pressure on the Oline with the play calling.
This also allows teams 6 or 7 in the box and much more apt to take advantage of our obvious desire to throw the ball which is why we are much less successful.
I just can't get a grip on the defense obviously when a team is down by say 14 like we ha e been the opposition benefits from the wide open playback but the Defense should still play fundamentally strong and we seem to chase the flow of the game reacting and not resetting.

 

[Merlin]

I'll keep hammering the turnover thing because it's one of the most simple and clear fixes.

You keep your defensive and offensive game plans intact if you can avoid them.. when you make multiple turnovers early, everything goes to shit.

Your play action game is still relevant.. making teams have to execute repeated high-play count drives to score is still relevant and doesn't work *against* you because you don't have to worry about being down by two possessions.

That's the margin, imo. No turnovers in the last two games and we're talking about significantly different results, imo.

The thing is that being unbalanced leads to turnovers.

If you run the ball only in this league you're gonna turn it over on downs and punts. If you pass the ball only in this league you're gonna turn it over via INTs and fumbles as teams stack the back end and pin their ears back up front.

Defenses are just too good nowadays and you see it with offenses other than ours too. The days of teams doing like we did with Dickerson are over. And tbh even those teams weren't good enough in the playoffs because they ended up losing to teams who had balance. I remember that year we lost to the Skins thinking to myself the Rams were as good as those clowns they just had a coach in Gibbs who would run it up your ass but also go over the top.

 

[Kupped]

The thing is that being unbalanced leads to turnovers.

If you run the ball only in this league you're gonna turn it over on downs and punts. If you pass the ball only in this league you're gonna turn it over via INTs and fumbles as teams stack the back end and pin their ears back up front.

Defenses are just too good nowadays and you see it with offenses other than ours too. The days of teams doing like we did with Dickerson are over. And tbh even those teams weren't good enough in the playoffs because they ended up losing to teams who had balance. I remember that year we lost to the Skins thinking to myself the Rams were as good as those clowns they just had a coach in Gibbs who would run it up your ass but also go over the top.

The Rams are 11th in pass/run ratio and that's after two games where they've been waaayyyyy out of balance. They'll say it's because they fell so far behind.

I'm not totally discounting that as a factor, but, to me, it's on the players to take care of the ball.

The first int against the 9ers was just a really, really, really bad decision. Made no sense on second down. And Higbee just needs to catch the ball. Period.

Stafford deciding to chuck it from the end zone was a panic play and should've never happened.

The Byard int is the only play in all of this where I'd say the defense actually made a play.. (not discounting that the first int against Titans would've been a safety.. I'm saying Stafford just threw it up for grabs).

 

[Merlin]

The Rams are 11th in pass/run ratio and that's after two games where they've been waaayyyyy out of balance. They'll say it's because they fell so far behind.

I'm not totally discounting that as a factor, but, to me, it's on the players to take care of the ball.

The first int against the 9ers was just a really, really, really bad decision. Made no sense on second down. And Higbee just needs to catch the ball. Period.

Stafford deciding to chuck it from the end zone was a panic play and should've never happened.

The Byard int is the only play in all of this where I'd say the defense actually made a play.. (not discounting that the first int against Titans would've been a safety.. I'm saying Stafford just threw it up for grabs).

They're 7-3 so yeah we're talking only 3 games where they got all out of balance.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

outstanding and insightful article by mr magoo.

.

 

[fanotodd]

I don’t think the Rams have the personnel to handle games when the offense doesn’t start well (which has not happened often).

Secondary: alotta complaining about the off man zone style. Yeah, it’s frustrating to watch, but when you go from hill and jj3 to Rapp and Long (to start the season), you already have issues. The collateral damage that has come with that, is while stretching Ramsey too thin instead of just locking down one guy/side is it has basically neutered DW.

Playing basketball as a short, skinny, runt for many years, I get why DW is not having a good year. When you are outmanned physically, you need that jump to attack first. He doesn’t get that in a zone. When he pressed in man coverage he went at his guy, beat him to a spot, and made plays. He now finds himself reacting after giving away position to bigger, physical WRs.

LBs: I think it’s obvious they don’t cover well and it is being exposed more each week. Essentially trading a starting ILB, a 2nd, 3rd, and 7th rounder for a 6th rounder and an aging pass rush specialist (at this point) is still not making sense. The good news is our rookie ILB is looking better.

DL: Not enough depth or talent. Spin it any way you want, but Donald is having a harder time getting to the QB on time. Somebody/Anybody has got to step up and make plays CONSISTENTLY.

I’ll post on the offense separately.

 

[fanotodd]

The offense is really blowing it. There’s more talent and cohesion on that side of the ball than defense—at least there was until everyone started dropping like flies. With Woods gone, how do the Rams cope when Kupp is heavily guarded until garbage time?

OB-Gyn is hurting already. He has been for nearly 3 seasons. As much as I’m rooting #12, Jefferson is a big play/big drop kinda guy right now. There’s nobody left to scare a defense out there.

The run game flashes when we have the “luxury” but not when we have to have it. I admit Henderson is doing more than I thought he would, it’s just a shame he gets less use than we need from our RBs.

I’m still disappointed the Rams did not draft a Center. They went from one “good spot starter in a tunch” to another. Allen is not the answer

I’m seeing the part about Stafford I was concerned about going in—he is not used to playing a meaningful schedule. Old habits die hard and he has been pressing. He’s either aiming the ball and short arming throws, or he goes into home run mode and insists on going for broke too often. Dump offs were/are there and forcing bad throws instead of just eating the play cannot be a train of thought after 12 seasons. The Rams are still a good team, but not good enough to overcome all of the mistakes of late. Stafford’s have been whoppers.

...and this is the part that REALLY hurts to say:

Whitworth and Hekker are D-U-N, done.
Donald is “struggling against double teams” in passing downs. Too bad nobody is dumb enough to try to handle him one on one.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Just get the 5 yards