My $0.02 on the state of my Rams

[GoodBadUgly]

First, I don't want to beat a dead horse, but Goff is playing with his head up his arse. The biggest Goff apologist on the planet (his mom/dad/gf?) has to admit he is in a funk.

I will also avoid the fact we need more balanced calls by the refs, because this is a lost cause. Key plays in both the Seahawks and Jets game were only made due to DL being held and/or pulled down with no call. Then to add insult to injury, we get TD runs and other long plays called back for ticky-tack holding calls that even McVay said he'd never seen called like that. This is a fight you can't win, so I won't put it in my list.

With that said, there are other factors that have to change in order for us to get into and play well in the playoffs.

I'll start with offense. The injuries to RB have really hurt us. We need this to get back to Patriots game level (or close) immediately to have any chance. Some of this is luck (quick healing), some of this is improved OL play, some is getting clever in the run scheme, or grabbing a CJ Anderson type to give us that 2018 boost if our guys don't heal up quick. No matter the details, plan and simple, if the run game doesn't improve, we're toast.

The offense also needs answers to the new defensive meta teams use when facing us. If it's throw more, then do it. The problem I see is that this goes against what McVay has instilled in his offensive system and personality. He is dumbing down the offense and rolling Goff out to minimize his reads/mistakes and is preaching to avoid turnovers. However, because the adjustment needed against the defenses that shut down his system include lower percentage plays, Goff is overthinking EVERYTHING as he tries NOT to throw a pick. Which as you see recently, achieves the opposite. McVay needs a plan B. And C.

Next, our special teams are anything but special, unless you mean it in the politically correct sense for those "challenged". At least we're trending up with a FG kicker who kicks high and straight, and can even get distance on kickoffs and hit FGs over 50 as a bonus! Everything else is trending down, even Hekker. We need to clean this up or we will lose most close playoff games.

Our D is fantastic and I have nothing to improve. I just hope they can stay at this level. Only then do we have a chance.

The interest thing about the last two games/losses is the perfect play of our opponents (at least in terms of turnovers). Not. One. Turnover. Hard to win when we give the ball away, and the teams we play never give it up. We had a chance early in this one and dropped a perfect pick six ball that could not have been easier to catch. That has to change as well.

One more thought and a question. I hate the Seahawks, so if GB beats Chicago next week to assure us a playoff game, I will be hoping we take care of the Cardinals because I'd rather play the Seahawks than the Saints right now. Who would you rather play?

 

[RamsFanCK]

The offense also needs answers to the new defensive meta teams use when facing us. If it's throw more, then do it. The problem I see is that this goes against what McVay has instilled in his offensive system and personality. He is dumbing down the offense and rolling Goff out to minimize his reads/mistakes and is preaching to avoid turnovers. However, because the adjustment needed against the defenses that shut down his system include lower percentage plays, Goff is overthinking EVERYTHING as he tries NOT to throw a pick. Which as you see recently, achieves the opposite. McVay needs a plan B. And C.

I hadn't thought about this. Maybe McVay has preached JG into his own doom. This O just looks like it's grinding it's rims after blowing it's tires. IDK what they do. I feel like there are only 3 plays though, WR Screen, Hooks, and Roll Out, oh and basic run play, so four plays.

I don't want the Ain'ts in round one for sure, I'd gladly take a rematch with the seapukes.

 

[Mackeyser]

All of this playoff talk is as premature as the win at Seattle was.

We have to beat the Cardinals with a backup QB who's taken no snaps with the 1st string.

If you think Goff was holding back this offense... the whole playbook isn't gonna be open to Wolford on a week's notice... unless Wolford plays the game of his life (one can hope), the season is over after Sunday.

How?

GB locked up the #1 seed, so they may rest players. Chicago is fighting for a playoff spot, so they'll play their asses off.
If AZ beats us with our backup QB and Chicago wins a game where GB is playing backups, we don't make the playoffs.

So, if the Bears win as I expect them to, it's win and in for the winner of the Rams/Cards game.

I'll say it again. Unless our D scores 14 points, we don't win that game.

EDIT: I'm wrong. GB hasn't locked up the #1 seed, so they'll likely beat the Bears in which case we're in no matter what. We win, we're the 6th seed and go back to Seattle. Lose and we head to New Orleans.

Honestly, I dunno which is worse...

 

[RamsFanCK]

All of this playoff talk is as premature as the win at Seattle was.

It shouldn't have been. We needed one win against the 0-13 Jets and two teams we had already beaten to make the playoffs....this is an epic collapse happening right before our eyes. Man I hope we win next week. Loosing to the 0-13 jets, the seahags, and deadbirds to go into the offseason would suck royally

 

[thirteen28]

As maddening and baffling as Goff's play has been, it starts with the HC. McVay seems to have no creativity in his offensive design and playcalling right now, and I think that's affecting not just Goff's confidence but the entire offense. Almost like they are playing scared.

I'd still like to see the Rams get in the playoffs just so we can say they made it, but I don't expect much if they do. They really need to fix a lot in the offseason on the offensive side of the ball. It starts with the OL, and while it's not as bad as it was last year, it's closer to that level than it is to the stellar level of 2017-2018. If we could get back to that level of OL play, or at least a lot closer to it, it would fix a lot of problems with our offense real fast, including some of the QB problems. I'd start by trying to get a much better center than we currently have.

We also need a deep threat. We don't scare anyone deep, and by Goff's deep throws, it doesn't look like we put much emphasis on it in practice. He used to be a lot more accurate on those, so a lack of practice at it would definitely explain the decline.

But what we really need is our head coach to do a whole shitload of self-evaluation in the offseason and look at his own shortcomings, because he isn't doing this offense any favors right now. Earlier in the season, a friend of mine told me the way to stop the Rams was to crowd the line of scrimmage, focus on taking away the run game, and make them beat you with dinking and dunking down the field. That's exactly what teams are doing, and even when we are winning lately, they are slowing down an offense that set a very high standard in McVay's first two years. Granted, we don't have the same level of talent, or have the deep threat, but with the right scheming and better playcalling this offense could be better than it is right now. McVay seems to overthink things sometimes, and sometimes just gets into these predictable ruts where everyone - the defense especially - knows what's coming. The jet sweeps and screens that were so effective a few years ago aren't working anymore, and he hasn't come up with anything else that does work in their stead.

I hope McVay is our coach for a long time, and he's certainly done far more good here than bad. John Robinson was the last Rams HC to have four straight winning seasons, so the fact that McVay has now done that is impressive on its own. I just hope he can get out of this creative rut, both in scheme design and playcalling, and can also get out of his tendency to stubbornly try to force things that are clearly not working (the latter being on of the things that did in Mike Martz).

Hey, if Neal Peart, one of the best rock drummers ever, can go back and take lessons to learn a different way to play drums decades into his career, McVay can certainly look at different ways of doing things and making the best use of what he has.

 

[fearsomefour]

Assumptions about Goff.
Saying he IS overthinking things or he HAS lost confidence is all assumption.
There are times he appears confused but it may be that there is just no one open so he’s holding the ball.
A lot of moving parts with an offense.
One week they can run the ball, the next week they can’t.
Match ups, execution then other things.
The Rams appear to be in a strange limbo.
They could easily be 7-9....they could be 11-5.
There is talent on O but no single group would I classify as a top unit.
There is talent on D but again not a top unit on the D.
The next couple of years could really go either way.
They are an interesting and maddening team.

 

[Merlin]

Well if you start with the cornerstone positions there's a lot of things up in the air right now...

1. QB. Can Goff be the guy if they improve the line? I still tend to think so however my confidence in him is shaken. I'd like to be a fly on the wall at Rams Park this week...

2. LT. Whit hopefully gets back after we hopefully get in the playoffs. But age is undefeated. I am not as confident as our OL coach in our options I think our future LT will come in the draft.

3. Edge. We're likely to lose Floyd but even if the Rams find a way to keep him (which I believe is in-work right now) we need a blindside rush. Blindside rush is a cornerstone position but it's a gaping hole for us now, we are not in a good spot there.

4. CB. Rams are loaded here. They have an elite CB in Ramsey and another one in late development in Williams.

Seems to me that improving the OL will be the team's offseason focus for a couple reasons. First it will help them recoup their investment in Goff. Giving him better talent up front means a better run game and more time to throw both of which would help him immensely. IMO we need two linemen (LT and C) but who knows what the Rams think.

The Rams' overall draft strategy will revolve around one of two possible positions: LT and Edge. Which if any is the one they might be able to fill in round 2 then go from there. IMO a trade up might happen this year, since team boards will probably vary more than usual so there should be a lot of teams seeing guys they really like getting to certain picks and I would guess more trades.

 

[Angry Ram]

As maddening and baffling as Goff's play has been, it starts with the HC. McVay seems to have no creativity in his offensive design and playcalling right now, and I think that's affecting not just Goff's confidence but the entire offense. Almost like they are playing scared.

More Jared than the coaching. Running the ball 4/4 times in the RZs, not even trying on 3rd and long. Better, consistent, and smart QB play would allow for more new plays. But right now they can't because they have to game plan to try and eliminate mistakes. Which still friggin happen.

 

[fearsomefour]

As maddening and baffling as Goff's play has been, it starts with the HC. McVay seems to have no creativity in his offensive design and playcalling right now, and I think that's affecting not just Goff's confidence but the entire offense. Almost like they are playing scared.

I'd still like to see the Rams get in the playoffs just so we can say they made it, but I don't expect much if they do. They really need to fix a lot in the offseason on the offensive side of the ball. It starts with the OL, and while it's not as bad as it was last year, it's closer to that level than it is to the stellar level of 2017-2018. If we could get back to that level of OL play, or at least a lot closer to it, it would fix a lot of problems with our offense real fast, including some of the QB problems. I'd start by trying to get a much better center than we currently have.

We also need a deep threat. We don't scare anyone deep, and by Goff's deep throws, it doesn't look like we put much emphasis on it in practice. He used to be a lot more accurate on those, so a lack of practice at it would definitely explain the decline.

But what we really need is our head coach to do a whole shitload of self-evaluation in the offseason and look at his own shortcomings, because he isn't doing this offense any favors right now. Earlier in the season, a friend of mine told me the way to stop the Rams was to crowd the line of scrimmage, focus on taking away the run game, and make them beat you with dinking and dunking down the field. That's exactly what teams are doing, and even when we are winning lately, they are slowing down an offense that set a very high standard in McVay's first two years. Granted, we don't have the same level of talent, or have the deep threat, but with the right scheming and better playcalling this offense could be better than it is right now. McVay seems to overthink things sometimes, and sometimes just gets into these predictable ruts where everyone - the defense especially - knows what's coming. The jet sweeps and screens that were so effective a few years ago aren't working anymore, and he hasn't come up with anything else that does work in their stead.

I hope McVay is our coach for a long time, and he's certainly done far more good here than bad. John Robinson was the last Rams HC to have four straight winning seasons, so the fact that McVay has now done that is impressive on its own. I just hope he can get out of this creative rut, both in scheme design and playcalling, and can also get out of his tendency to stubbornly try to force things that are clearly not working (the latter being on of the things that did in Mike Martz).

Hey, if Neal Peart, one of the best rock drummers ever, can go back and take lessons to learn a different way to play drums decades into his career, McVay can certainly look at different ways of doing things and making the best use of what he has.

The Analog Kid need to take this season as a Distant Early Warning.
He needs to consider Circumstances and Chemistry.
McVay May feel Caught Between the Wheels. There is a Countdown started for sure.
He needs to take his offense Closer to the Heart.
If he can do this the Rams may experience a bit of Xanadu.
If not they may not win another title until 2112.

 

[Steve808]

Green Bay might rest their starters because they own the tie breakers having beaten the saints this season.

 

[Ellard80]

Green Bay might rest their starters because they own the tie breakers having beaten the saints this season.

if the seahawks win and green bay loses the the seahawks have the #1 seed.

 

[RamBall]

IMO some of Goffs problems stem from trying to do too much. Today's pick as well as the one last week were because Goff tried to make a play that wasn't there. Both plays he should have just ran for what he could get and move on to the next play. He has shown toughness and resilience through his college and NFL careers and I hope when he does get back on the field he shows better judgement in taking what is there and moving on.

 

[GoodBadUgly]

The Analog Kid need to take this season as a Distant Early Warning.
He needs to consider Circumstances and Chemistry.
McVay May feel Caught Between the Wheels. There is a Countdown started for sure.
He needs to take his offense Closer to the Heart.
If he can do this the Rams may experience a bit of Xanadu.
If not they may not win another title until 2112.

We need to get a Necromancer to magically stretch the field on offense or our QB will not have a Ghost of a Chance to earn that Big Money, and I will exercise my Freewill and go to Lakeside Park instead of watching them play...

 

[Steve808]

if the seahawks win and green bay loses the the seahawks have the #1 seed.

I take it back because if the packers lose and the saints and sea chickens win, the saints get the bye with a three way tie.

 

[jap]

Tune in next week for the next episode in the ongoing saga, As the Season Turns ...

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Assumptions about Goff.
Saying he IS overthinking things or he HAS lost confidence is all assumption.
There are times he appears confused but it may be that there is just no one open so he’s holding the ball.
A lot of moving parts with an offense.
One week they can run the ball, the next week they can’t.
Match ups, execution then other things.
The Rams appear to be in a strange limbo.
They could easily be 7-9....they could be 11-5.
There is talent on O but no single group would I classify as a top unit.
There is talent on D but again not a top unit on the D.
The next couple of years could really go either way.
They are an interesting and maddening team.

When, at half-time the head coach says that the QB needs to see the field better, I think its no longer an assumption that its on Goff. When you see so many off target throws, especially short ones that is on Goff as much as it is the Oline.

IMO some of Goffs problems stem from trying to do too much. Today's pick as well as the one last week were because Goff tried to make a play that wasn't there. Both plays he should have just ran for what he could get and move on to the next play. He has shown toughness and resilience through his college and NFL careers and I hope when he does get back on the field he shows better judgement in taking what is there and moving on.

He had several opportunities in this game to run. He's too hesitant to make the commitment. I brought this up a few weeks ago and Ill say it again here, he's taking too long to make decisions. He's processing what he sees too slowly. This could be from him trying to do too much, like you said or it could be him trying hard not to screw up. I think he's lost some confidence in his ability.

The odd thing is that decisions like when to run, or when to throw the ball away should be second nature for a four year starter. He's had to have worked on such things regularly every year .

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

If the coach wants the offense to hinge on the success of the running game, isn't it moronic to be relying on mid round picks and a udfa to make that happen? Fix the weak links on the Oline or the offense will never be dominant again.

 

[CGI_Ram]

The offense also needs answers

As maddening and baffling as Goff's play has been, it starts with the HC. McVay seems to have no creativity in his offensive design and playcalling right now, and I think that's affecting not just Goff's confidence but the entire offense. Almost like they are playing scared.

The thing screaming visually at me right now... The throwing windows are so tight.

The precision required to move the ball, no wonder we break down.

Where is the open running receiver? At least occasionally? (I’m joking... but you get the point).

Goff is struggling, but does he ever get easy throws any more? Everything is timing, timing, timing....

Probably a dozen times, I’m watching games this year and I’ve said out loud to myself... “I don’t like our offense”.

“Even when it works... it feels like a lot of work.”.

I keep asking myself; am I seeing this wrong?

 

[…..]

The Analog Kid need to take this season as a Distant Early Warning.
He needs to consider Circumstances and Chemistry.
McVay May feel Caught Between the Wheels. There is a Countdown started for sure.
He needs to take his offense Closer to the Heart.
If he can do this the Rams may experience a bit of Xanadu.
If not they may not win another title until 2112.

I was thinking......i’ve seen it all when we invoke the memory of Professor Peart as an example of what could be, but nice job upping tbe ante.

 

[TexasRam]

If the coach wants the offense to hinge on the success of the running game, isn't it moronic to be relying on mid round picks and a udfa to make that happen? Fix the weak links on the Oline or the offense will never be dominant again.

100% agree.

Where was Rodgers, Wilson and others when Goff was leading the top offense?

sitting at home asking for upgrades at Oline and WR.

I guarantee you rebuild the Oline and add a strong blocking TE and everything magically changes for a Goff. It happens every year for QB’s.

The loss of Whitworth and Akers was huge but we have to upgrade Blythe realistically. Someone who can go up and get a deep ball is also needed.

The rollouts with Goff has to do with the inability of the line to block.