If given the option, should we start with the ball on offense... as opposed to defer?

[CoachAllred]

Personally... I have always preferred to start on defense. Settle in, yada yada. Start with the ball 2nd half.

But... with a defense like ours, can we take better control of games, getting a lead first?

This is a dangerous team with a lead. Should we consider ”betting on ourselves offensively with the ball first”... knowing that scoring first..... really let’s the defense pin it’s ears back and take over.

On top of that reason... with limited away crowd noise, the “energy” to settle down at the start of a game is less on the road than normal... so grabbing and setting tone home and on the road is about the same.

Interesting to think about.

Game plan; Get lead. Smash them defensively. Add to the lead. Game over.

Football is so easy.

When i was coaching I always preferred to defer.
I was usually calling offense and wanted to be able to apply
halftime adjustments while they were still fresh in players minds.

 

[Mojo Ram]

But... with a defense like ours, can we take better control of games, getting a lead first?

I think so. The Rams are a different kind of team now than they were the first few yrs under McV. This isn't a high flying 30+ppg quick strike offense with a good defense.

This is a 24ppg offense and an elite defense. The Rams want to get a quick early lead and then plug away on offense and let the defense do it's thing.
Once we get up by 10 points i think the ball control offense and the smothering, attacking defense philosophy really kicks in.

That's what i'm seeing anyway.

 

[1maGoh]

The rams don't run any scripted plays, there is no script so that shouldn't be a concern.

I think that's wrong. I can try to go dog up a source, but I'm curious if you read that somewhere or just assuming. I'm pretty sure I read an interview with McVay where he talked about his script for the game and how in a perfect hand he wouldn't have to ever deviate from it, but I could be wrong.

 

[TexasRam]

From what I gather from MCvays comments in interviews, it sounds to me like there is not a certain number of plays that will be executed in order. But they clearly have plays they walk through and plan to use during the game. They are set plays that are dependent on down and distance. I also notice they use back to back plays for certain players. So, you may have the Reynolds package activated and you may see him be a primary target on 2-3 plays if they dont audible out or go to the 2nd or 3rd read. This is just my observation, havent heard Mcvay admit this.

 

[FarNorth]

From what I gather from MCvays comments in interviews, it sounds to me like there is not a certain number of plays that will be executed in order. But they clearly have plays they walk through and plan to use during the game. They are set plays that are dependent on down and distance. I also notice they use back to back plays for certain players. So, you may have the Reynolds package activated and you may see him be a primary target on 2-3 plays if they dont audible out or go to the 2nd or 3rd read. This is just my observation, havent heard Mcvay admit this.

McVay just said again last week there is no script. Of course he has favorite plays, and ones he may want to use early on, but it's not a script of plays in order like the Walsh era 49ers.

 

[Karate61]

Take the ball from the start and:

RAM IT DOWN
THEIR FUCKING THROATS!​

Knock them off balance before they even get the ball!

 

[RhodyRams]

I would think it all depends on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent.

Weak D--- Put the offense out there first

Weak O--- defense first

 

[Q729]

Take the ball from the start and:

RAM IT DOWN
THEIR FUCKING THROATS!​

Knock them off balance before they even get the ball!

Nah, we defer then proceed to ram their own ball down their throats with the D, THEN ram ours down with the O!

 

[XXXIVwin]

I’d vote defer

Not sure what the stats are, but it sure seems like Rams win a lot when they win the toss and defer.

Starting with the ball puts more pressure on the O. With this elite D, I’d prefer to get those early-game jitters out with the D taking the field

 

[oldnotdead]

With the way the D is playing it's not even a quesiton. You kickoff and the chances are good you will get a shorter field.

 

[jrry32]

Defer.

 

[TexasRam]

McVay just said again last week there is no script. Of course he has favorite plays, and ones he may want to use early on, but it's not a script of plays in order like the Walsh era 49ers.

Agreed. He doesn't have a scripted first 10 plays or whatever like Walsh did. But they go into a game with plays they are going to run. They go over these during the week. They walkthough the plays and on a short week like Thursday game they virtually talk through them. He said this in an interview. There just is no set order like Walsh. For Mcvay, It depends on down and distance and what the defense is showing. But it will most often be a play they covered that week. At least that is how I understand it.

 

[RhodyRams]

TBH, who cares. As long as Rams are leading at the half its game over

 

[Dodgersrf]

I prefer to defer.
I like having the ball to start the second half.

 

[OldSchool]

Take the ball from the start and:

RAM IT DOWN
THEIR FUCKING THROATS!​

Knock them off balance before they even get the ball!

Go the opposite IMO. Defer force a 3 and out and then Ram it down their throats for 7 points. Double demoralizing to have the offense go out for the 3rd drive having just been beat down and watch their defense be able to do nothing to stop the Rams O.

 

[Ram65]

Defer. It's been working.

 

[RhodyRams]

What are the Rams stats so far this year?
#toolazy

 

[NJRamsFan]

Idk we seem to win a lot....I wouldn’t change philosophy