McVay's run game

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PARAM

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We've all heard McVay's offense is based on the run game. It's what makes the passing game go. And definitely the run game depends on the OL. We've had some OL problems but we've also had some good RBs and well rounded WRs, who can block very well. Here's a breakdown of the team's per season averages with Gurley, without Gurley (Akers, Henderson, Michel) and with Kyren.

Gurley (2017-19) 438 att ; 1894 yds ; 4.3 avg ; 20 TDs
Without G (2020-2022) 435 att ; 1787 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 14.7 TD
Kyren (2023-24) 463 att ; 1905 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 16.5 TD

Here's a look at the breakdown of RBs who've seen significant time (games played/rush attempts) for McVay and their receiving numbers. And something that has been lacking since Gurley left.

Gurley (2017-19; 44 GP) 758 att; 3413 yds; 4.5 avg; 42 TDs......217 Tar; 154 Rec; 1575 yds; 10.2 avg; 12 TDs
Brown (2017-20; 53 GP) 276 att; 1132 yds; 4.1 avg; 11 TDs.......57 Tar; 39 Rec; 283 yds; 7.3 avg; 1 TD
Hendo (2019-23; 54 GP) 442 att; 1854 yds; 4.2 avg; 15 TDs......106 Tar; 75 Rec; 577 yds; 7.6 avg; 4 TDs
Akers (2020-22; 29 GP**) 338 att; 1414 yds; 4.2 avg; 9 TDs.........35 Tar; 27 Rec; 250 yds; 9.3 avg; 1 TD
Michel (2021; 17 GP) 208 att; 845 yds; 4.1 avg; 4 TDs...................33 Tar; 21 Rec; 128 yds; 6.1 avg; 1 TD
Kyren (2022-24; 38 GP) 579 att; 2582 yds; 4.5 avg; 26 TDs.........100 Tar; 75 Rec; 464 yds; 6.2 avg; 5 TDs
Rivers (2022-24; 34 GP) 63 att; 249 yds; 4.0 avg; 0 TD....................16 Tar; 15 Rec; 85 yds; 5.7 avg; 0 TD
Freeman (2023; 14 GP) 77 att; 319 yds; 4.1 avg; 2 TDs....................2 Tar; 1 Rec; 13 yds; 13.0 avg; 0 TD
Corum (2024; 17 GP) 58 att; 207 yds; 3.6 avg; 0 TD...........................8 Tar; 7 Rec; 58 yds; 8.3 avg; 0 TD

We don't throw to the RB as much as when Gurley was around. Clearly he had superior receiving skills, much more than the others, though Akers 9.3 avg was pretty good. And he had a nice catch or two in SB56. It's going to be interesting to see Kyren's 3 year total after this season. Maybe they'll throw more screens, maybe not.
 

Merlin

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Some QBs are better screeners than others. And I have to say that as great as Stafford is he's on the shitty end of that particular spectrum. He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.

Doesn't mean we can't become a good screen team of course. If McVay wants to prioritize that I am sure he is more than capable of getting the offense there. But I think it is instructive how potent our screen game was when Yimmy came in. Also note that this doesn't mean I think Stafford is shit. He's just not a good screening QB.

To the run game we'll see. May be that we don't have Jackson this year, and if not then by God we'd better be balanced or by extension Stafford won't survive.
 

dieterbrock

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He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.
I cant say I saw enough of him in Detroit but for sure this is exactly what I see as a Ram.
Love the guy, wouldnt want any other QB, but IMO he seems to throw a bullet or a more panicked type throw.
Maybe its the play design or the RB but dayum the screens he throws border on disaster at times
 

PARAM

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4
I'd love to see more screens but if it's a Stafford tick to overthrow them, then no. I'd settle for passes to the RBs like we used to see with Gurley. Get the ball to the RB already on the move.
 

fearsomefour

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Some QBs are better screeners than others. And I have to say that as great as Stafford is he's on the shitty end of that particular spectrum. He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.

Doesn't mean we can't become a good screen team of course. If McVay wants to prioritize that I am sure he is more than capable of getting the offense there. But I think it is instructive how potent our screen game was when Yimmy came in. Also note that this doesn't mean I think Stafford is shit. He's just not a good screening QB.

To the run game we'll see. May be that we don't have Jackson this year, and if not then by God we'd better be balanced or by extension Stafford won't survive.
I have noticed him throwing to the wrong side of the receiver on. a lot of screens....so the receiver has to spin part way around to catch the ball. Its a strange bug a boo for a HOFer to have.
 

LARAMSinFeb.

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I always speculated that when McVay arrived in LA he wanted a Jordan Reed-type that he had in Washington, and found he could get that kind of production from Todd Gurley.
 

PARAM

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
It's also interesting to see how starting QBs did under McVay

Cousins (2015-16) 32G (17-14-1; 0-1 PS) 785 of 1149 (68.3%) 9083 y (7.91) 54 TD (4.7) 23 Int (2.0) 99.3 QB Rating
Goff (2017-20) 62 G (42-20; 3-3 PS) 1424 of 2216 (64.3%) 17082 y (7.71) 102 TD (4.6) 48 Int (2.2) 94.1 QB Rating
Stafford (2021-24) 57 G (34-23; 5-2 PS) 1276 of 1942 (65.7) 14700 y (7.57) 95 TD (4.9) 44 Int (2.3) 95.2 QB Rating

Ages playing under McVay: Goff 23-26, Cousins 27-28, Stafford 33-36.

Not too shabby. And yet despite all the numbers, Stafford is clearly the best of the 3.