McVay should call the DEFENSE!

[Merlin]

Was he too spoiled with Gurley for those first two seasons? Has he deluded himself into believing that a Kyren is enough even though it's obvious to the whole world that he lacks the speed to break away on the second-level?

Or is his running game as designed just mediocre and Gurley was just a unicorn that he got to plug into it at the beginning of his career?

He was a lot better with Gurley. But if you think back to his Super Bowl season with Gurley we had that midseason swoon where McVay completely forgot about running the ball. In fact the offense couldn't come out of it until they brought in CJ who just powered through the interior gaps of that 6-1 front bullshit everyone was playing against us.

And then in the Super Bowl we saw the 6-1 front bullshit return, while McVay ran Gurley a bit and promptly forgot again about his run game. And he also forgot he had CJ and didn't even attempt to adjust and pound him to reverse that BS. There was some other BS too like the call on Gurley's good run, but some of that Super Bowl loss was on McVay. Goff was the other problem in that game but point is even with Gurley the run game has always been McVay's weakness.

 

[PhillyRam]

He was a lot better with Gurley. But if you think back to his Super Bowl season with Gurley we had that midseason swoon where McVay completely forgot about running the ball. In fact the offense couldn't come out of it until they brought in CJ who just powered through the interior gaps of that 6-1 front bullshit everyone was playing against us.

And then in the Super Bowl we saw the 6-1 front bullshit return, while McVay ran Gurley a bit and promptly forgot again about his run game. And he also forgot he had CJ and didn't even attempt to adjust and pound him to reverse that BS. There was some other BS too like the call on Gurley's good run, but some of that Super Bowl loss was on McVay. Goff was the other problem in that game but point is even with Gurley the run game has always been McVay's weakness.

I think the problem was that Gurley's knee was cooked and McVay knew it.

 

[Merlin]

I think the problem was that Gurley's knee was cooked and McVay knew it.

Yeah they had to manage it. But Gurley was looking precisely like he had at midseason in that title game, like a RB with zero juice, and McVay still gave him 10 carries. Meanwhile he only gave CJ, the dude who broke them out of their slump midseason, 7 carries. So I always wonder how it would have gone if they had mashed that fuckin ball with CJ from the beginning.

So I chalk that game up more to Belicheat opening with the gameplan to use that 6-1 shit, and McVay playing into his hands. Belicheat said afterwards that they had a plan to adjust to once their initial gameplan was beaten, but they never had to use it. And they didn't have to use it because when the outside zone seam wasn't there (which it was not going to be with that front NE was playing) Gurley didn't have the horsepower to hammer that shit on the interior seams.

Again there were a lot of problems that came together to make that game. But man I still think if they had mashed with CJ as their gameplan it would have been a different looking game. And maybe a Rams title.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Yeah they had to manage it. But Gurley was looking precisely like he had at midseason in that title game, like a RB with zero juice, and McVay still gave him 10 carries. Meanwhile he only gave CJ, the dude who broke them out of their slump midseason, 7 carries. So I always wonder how it would have gone if they had mashed that fuckin ball with CJ from the beginning.

So I chalk that game up more to Belicheat opening with the gameplan to use that 6-1 shit, and McVay playing into his hands. Belicheat said afterwards that they had a plan to adjust to once their initial gameplan was beaten, but they never had to use it. And they didn't have to use it because when the outside zone seam wasn't there (which it was not going to be with that front NE was playing) Gurley didn't have the horsepower to hammer that shit on the interior seams.

Again there were a lot of problems that came together to make that game. But man I still think if they had mashed with CJ as their gameplan it would have been a different looking game. And maybe a Rams title.

We could have won Titles in 01 and 18, both against New England, if our respective Head Coaches weren't both taken to the woodshed by Belichick. Both Coaches had the curse of not having patience on Offense, played right into the mouse trap of BB.

 

[TexasRam]

I would like to Mcvay bring in a defensive consultant. Someone from Spags tree. Or even Flores or Vance Joseph scheme or Wink Martindale.

This 7 deep zone crap has robbed us for years, and frankly I'm sure the players will begin to grumble if something doesn't change.

 

[RamFan58years]

Here's what I do:

Forget the 9er's game. It's quite obvious while this is a strong team, they didn't put in the work to be prepared. It's no point going after Shula after 1 game and McVay, who holds the keys to the car did as he should and took responsibility for the teams performance.

Let everyone look in the mirror and get prepared for the Giants because the Rams aren't the only team we'll see that wasn't ready for their first game. We'll see other teams in the same boat tomorrow.

Reality hit this team Thursday...so it's on to the next game!!!

Oh how cute - look at you, being all logical and rational. Those two don't normally fly 'round these here parts.

 

[Fire Ants]

Valid question by the OP.
Let’s not turn it into a vent thread - mkay?

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

I'd like to see McVay do 3 things.

1. Let Shula loose to be aggressive and call it the way he wants to. If, at the end of the season, the defense is not good enough, then fire him to clear the job and put the league's DC options on notice that LA has an opening. McVay would have his choice in any given offseason.

2. Dedicate himself to overcoming his run game deficiencies. If he ever figures that out, it would put him in Shanny range as a play designer. McVay's the better HC. But I think he needs to get himself to a place where run game balance is part of the overall strategy and maybe get back to innovating in the run game.

3. Prioritize Special Teams on the bottom depth chart. This includes finding a damn returner who can occasionally flip the field for him. A guy like Skow should be on the depth chart for WR for example. Maybe a couple of them. This is how you end up with a strong teams unit.

I don't think McVay calling the defense is even remotely a good idea. How bout he unfucks his offense and focuses on overall team shit like when to challenge calls, managing the clock, etc.

How do you know Shula is not loose already ready? And what does number 2 and 3 have to do with my post?

None of that explains why you think it’s not a remotely good idea.

 

[Merlin]

How do you know Shula is not loose already ready? And what does number 2 and 3 have to do with my post?

None of that explains why you think it’s not a remotely good idea.

I don't know Shula is loose to do as he wishes. If he is, and his choice was to gameplan SF like he did, then he's probably going to end up back at LB Coach. But since I am full of hope early this season, aside from my anger over losing to the team I fucking detest, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt and want to see what he's got the rest of the way.

It's not a remotely good idea because McVay has enough on his plate. And I did explain that. His offense looked like dog shit. His special teams looked like dog shit. And he still doesn't have anyone upstairs or watching the games to tell him when to challenge the calls. He has enough on his plate already.

 

[DragonOfBlood]

I believe this is his next evolution, to go all in and come up with some new, crazy shit. I feel like the defense is always behind creatively, and we have guys on offense that are more than capable of calling plays, like Scheelhaase.

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while. What are your thoughts on this?

His stupid defensive philosophy is why we run that awful soft zone. Unless you're joking McVay calling the defense is a terrible idea.

 

[TheTackle]

Is this thread a practical joke?!

To be clear, this question is not meant to be in blue font

 

[blackbart]

Really don’t like the idea of McVay having even more on his plate.

But, why spend all that money and not play tighter coverage when you know they ALWAYS get the ball out fast. Hell after the first quarter they should have seen enough to know they had to make a change.