My uneducated opinion on our Rams and McVay

[WestCoastRam]

I can understand where you're coming from, but I'd disagree some.

John Harbaugh? Is he an excellent coach or is Baltimore just an incredible organization? He's got the 2 time MVP at QB and hasn't been able to make a single Super Bowl with him.
Jim? I think he's an incredible football coach.. but he still needs to win a SB.
LaFleur is excellent.. but not even making a SB bumps him below McVay, for sure.

Reid I won't argue with.

In addition to all his success.. it's also important to remember McVay is still one of the youngest coaches in the NFL.

Fair.

I'd take John's work the entire time he's been there and not just with Lamar.

Apropos of nothing, Lamar is just on fire this season

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

I didn't know there was one!

I shall he next time we get a sensible kick off time

I'm with you, it's infuriating.

Way too many people don't know the difference between I' know' (stating a fact) and I believe (offering an opinion).

It's not just football either.

The chat room is at the top, to the right of Pickem!

 

[hotanez]

Yeah, but some people are incessantly negative.

I learned after about age 25 that if you post like that you look like a jackass and if you actually do make a good point, it's lost on people because they don't take you serious anymore.

very true but even the ones that are more negative than positive aren't the ones I'm referring to. The ones that are over the top and negative all the time, those are the ones I think that may be trolling in our forum. They totally disappear if we get a big lead. The thing I forgot to mention is the ignore feature on this forum is great. I use it a lot in the GDT.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

And I’d put McVay above him.

No argument from me but Harbaugh, McVay, Reid, Tomlin, and Asshole Face are top 5 currently. Dan Campbell and Demeco Ryans are on their way. Shanahan, LeFleur, McDermott are in the 2nd-tier.

 

[PARAM]

Reid for sure, yes I get he's got the best QB in the league but he propped up substandard QBs for years, even McVay can only be competitive with an average QB. I think Reid runs a better program top to bottom. Gun to my head I'm probably picking both Harbaughs and LaFleur right now (and I hate myself for saying this but Asshole Face is a hell of a coach and is up there though I don't think I'd pick him above McVay).

None of this is an indictment of McVay, dudes top 5. The quibbles are very minor with him (though many that have consistently shown up showed up during the Pats game).

Substandard QBs? Like who? He's had 4 QBs as a head coach. McNabb, Vick, Alex Smith (the veteran version) and Mahomes. Mahomes is Mahomes. Vick won 1 year with Reid (10-6 their first year together) and the Eagles were 12-20, missing the postseason their last two years together. He won with Alex Smith after he was in the league 8 years and went 19-5-1 his last two years with Harbaugh. McNabb was the only first round QB from that draft to do anything. He was #2 in MVP voting and #4 in OPOY his second season. A pro bowler 6 times. Reid is a terrific coach but he made it to 1 Superbowl his first 20 years (with McNabb) before he found Mahomes. He won games and had very good seasons but......."McVay can only be competitive with an 'average QB'"? 2022, when we had 15 different OL start? Who are these head coaches who can be more than competitive with an average QB? Reid was run out of Philly because he missed the postseason 3 of his last 6 years there.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Substandard QBs? Like who? He's had 4 QBs as a head coach. McNabb, Vick, Alex Smith (the veteran version) and Mahomes. Mahomes is Mahomes. Vick won 1 year with Reid (10-6 their first year together) and the Eagles were 12-20, missing the postseason their last two years together. He won with Alex Smith after he was in the league 8 years and went 19-5-1 his last two years with Harbaugh. McNabb was the only first round QB from that draft to do anything. He was #2 in MVP voting and #4 in OPOY his second season. A pro bowler 6 times. Reid is a terrific coach but he made it to 1 Superbowl his first 20 years (with McNabb) before he found Mahomes. He won games and had very good seasons but......."McVay can only be competitive with an 'average QB'"? 2022, when we had 15 different OL start? Who are these head coaches who can be more than competitive with an average QB? Reid was run out of Philly because he missed the postseason 3 of his last 6 years there.

I would argue that McNabb, Vick (by time he got him) and Smith were all average at best and Reid elevated each one of them (McNabb particularly without any WR's till Owens came on).

I think Reid is a guy who gets the full potential out of his QBs. I think McVay comes damn near close but he hasn't shown he can develop a QB fully in a pure drop back passing game. Reminder pure drop back is pure drop back, not playaction, this offense does not have as extensive a drop back game as many other passing offenses. This has always been an issue with the Shannahan offenses. Goff had to go elsewhere for that. Cousins had to develop it later in his career. Stafford was fully formed in the drop back game when he got here.

Look these are minor quibbles. I'm just saying I'd choose Reid as a coach over McVay for a multitude of reasons and QB work is one but it's not like McVay falls off a cliff behind him, he's right there - he's a great coach! This isn't Sophie's Choice! And most importantly, Sean doesn't believe I love him any less.

 

[TexasRam]

Agree a ton with original post.

I would never call for Mcvay's job as he is by any measure one of the best, legendary actually.

I think its fair to express frustration and do some critical analysis on his deficiencies as long as the name calling is limited and context is there.

I think its fair to characterize Mcvay as extremely innovative in play design and great at coaching up his offense to implement the scheme. He also has been really great at halftime adjustments many times.

He does have weaknesses that commonly rear their ugly head however. Predictability at times, Too conservative at times too pass happy at times, Timeouts etc. Things that us Rams fans get annoyed at, like when your spouse does the same shit over and over. Mainly the male side of the equation if we are honest

Regarding Mcvay finding the next QB, I have faith. Lots of talk about Mcvay wanting Bo Nix, Not sure if the Rumors were true but he does look like a boom pick for Denver.

 

[So Ram]

So what did you want him to do? We were down by 11. If we kick the FG there, 4 seconds go off the clock and we're down 8. If we try for the TD more probably goes off the clock. Significantly more if we don't get it in 1 play from the 12. But I am curious....if the long odds of recovering an onside kick is part of your reasoning for questioning the call, WTF is the difference whether we go for 3 or 7? To me this is a classic case of damned if he did, damned if he didn't and complaining simply to complain.


You know the player is "not playing to a certain level" and needs to be taken out, so I assume you also know the player that would be inserted would be an improvement? How? I can understand, "I think it would be better with so-in-so in there" but I don't buy a fan "knowing". And it's a lot of things. Is the replacement actually a better option? Is the replacement 100% healthy. For instance, Witherspoon seems to be sucking. Wallace would probably be his replacement but he was dinged vs Seattle and his snaps have gone down significantly since. Yesterday he had zero defensive snaps.

Face we (or you) don't really know what's best personnel-wise. We may think we do but we don't. Because we're not privvy to what goes on in meetings, on the practice field, or his level of health, etc.

That’s BS because obviously we could see Sunday what The Rams BEST OPTION was.J.Jackson was out & as big of a Noteboom Fan that I am.You could tell he was probably not a 100% & imo caused a set back as well! -

Bobby Evan’s & Zach Thomas come to MIND once again. WE RAM FANS can see when a QB is getting the Crap beat out of him.

Taking a chance from The 12 YARD LINE has to BE THE CALL. When Mcvay runs Kyren Williams for a 1st DOWN at 1:11 from the 16.

PURLY STUPID to Run the ball at THAT POINT,unles your LOGIC is WHATEVER???

YOU HAVE TO TRY to SCORE a TD. If you’re playing ODDS ! Throwing it on THIRD DOWN with 1:11 on the clock from the 16 into the end zone.ESPECIALLY on 3-1 vs 3rd & 10.

If your a PLAY CALLER( chess player) you have to plan ahead.If it’s The Chicken you lay an egg,if it’s the egg you HATCH a chicken. SO SIMPLE!!! You don’t just LAY an DUCK !! Other wise your just F’D UP!

On THIRD and ONE you can play action FAKE & FREEZE the LBers or & role out into space.Timing plays work best as well.

On 3-10 from the 12 you’ve already made up your mind your going for it with 39 seconds left.

You’re talking 12 yards for a TD(six seconds). Plus -15 yards for a FG.
W/ 33 seconds.

If not MCVAY chose 60 yards for a TD with 36 seconds.

When if that was the case he should’ve chose 60 yards with 1:07

WTF !!! FACTS are FACTS! The chose was Mcvays & he took the WORST ODDS & showed how !!!!!!!!! Of a chosen it was & a DUMB FAN like me TOTALLY SEE’s it and calls it OUT.

Since then The Rams beat NE.I can also criticize him there .I won’t GO BACK !! It doesn’t help the results & a win is a win is a win.No matter how you look at it.

The niners lost & The defense pulled of a win against Seattle the week before.Mcvay should be a little ashamed at himself as a play caller.You look at The O’Line in that game & look at the next 2 games.

Limmer at CENTER should’ve been THE CALL. Steve Avila was a easy CALL at LG over Dedich.

—Noteboom wasn’t ready & McCledon was at RT for that final OT drive.WHY CHANGE a good thing ? Noteboom is more deversed as well. The Choice wasn’t MINE.All posters know I’m a BIG(Jock) supporter of Notebooms as well.

 

[So Ram]

I would argue that McNabb, Vick (by time he got him) and Smith were all average at best and Reid elevated each one of them (McNabb particularly without any WR's till Owens came on).

I think Reid is a guy who gets the full potential out of his QBs. I think McVay comes damn near close but he hasn't shown he can develop a QB fully in a pure drop back passing game. Reminder pure drop back is pure drop back, not playaction, this offense does not have as extensive a drop back game as many other passing offenses. This has always been an issue with the Shannahan offenses. Goff had to go elsewhere for that. Cousins had to develop it later in his career. Stafford was fully formed in the drop back game when he got here.

Look these are minor quibbles. I'm just saying I'd choose Reid as a coach over McVay for a multitude of reasons and QB work is one but it's not like McVay falls off a cliff behind him, he's right there - he's a great coach! This isn't Sophie's Choice! And most importantly, Sean doesn't believe I love him any less.

When you go back to ANDY you have to go back to DV as Rams coach. You know all he does is win.

He got the most out of ALEX SMITH!! SPAGS has been so good for ANDY though.

You look back at Johnson(DC) and McDermott from the Bills.Talk about an ANDY REID coaching TREE !!

What a GREAT battle of coaches last Sunday.Steelers vs. Ravens.

That’s my hope with Sean Mcvay as a Ling Time HC !! It’s up to him.Andy is a GREAT PLAY CALLER.First ballot HOF !!!
Tomlin as well.

 

[RamUK]

Going by age, production, intelligence, charisma, and potential, there's not a coach in this league I'd take over McVay.

Yeah, my wife said the same.

I'm reasonably sure she'd not be sharing pictures of Any Reid in a 3-piece suit saying, 'Coach looking hot today'

I could be wrong, but to the best of my knowledge, she doesn't have a walrus fetish.

And the age things a big deal. Yes, Harbaugh has won a Super Bowl, but it was 4 years before McVay even became a HC.

 

[ramsplaya16]

Although I'm in my 40th year as a Rams fan and watched hundreds of games, I'm no Xs and Os expert.

So my take comes from a layman's perspective rather than analysing the shit out of play calls or individual performances.

Firstly, I'm totally bemused by people diving on McVay over individual plays, calling him Boy Wonder, and saying his decisions are low-intelligence .

Some people were also predicting he'd blow it last night when they got the ball back.

Fuck me, the guy is the best coach in franchise history and called thousands of thousands of plays.

Expecting him to get it right on every call, or even most calls, is ridiculous. And a casual glance at his W-L record will show you he's not prone to blowing games.

It's like expecting a golfer to sink every putt, a boxer to land every punch, or Gronk occasionally not look like fucking idiot. It's not humanly possible.

But the thing is, we forget all the calls he gets right unless they're unusual or exploit weaknesses that we ourselves saw because it's what we expect.

McVay is a fabulous HC and play-caller, and his record over a sustained period of time makes that unarguable.

What I love about this team is that it's doing what many people were complaining hadn't happened in the past.

Playing aggressively.

The D is flat-out nasty, and they love hitting people.

It's young and makes the kind of mistakes (sometimes dumb ones) you'd expect from a young team. You cannot have it both ways.

But I bet this that no fucking QB is excited at facing Chris Shula's D. The very Chris Shula, who a few would have run out of town earlier in the season.

Who'd have said that at the end of last season with no AD?

And our O can explode when things click.

I don't agree with people who say Kupp and Puka are too similar to get the best out of them.

You can never have too much talent or too many tough and smart football players.

I'm not saying I'd not swap out one for Holt in his prime, but there are a few WRs (and none sat around waiting by phone) who would make this team better by taking over from one or the other when fit.

Both fit the mindset of this team and organization. The mindset that McVay is/was the leading creator of.

A couple or more people said in the match thread that we are a middle-of-the-pack 5-5 team.

It's hard to disagree with that because we are 5-5, and we are in the middle of the pack.

But, and it's a big but, I think we have much higher upside than most 5-5 teams.

We have the ability to go off in a game on both sides of the ball.

I think this team can win the Lombardi, but I also think it's capable of missing the playoffs.

If we can make the playoffs and the O and D start to sync, we'll be more of a concern to teams than we were last year.

I'm not saying that will happen, it probably won't. But I love what McVay continues to do with this entire organization.

My only long-term concern is Stafford. I even trust McVay and Snead to find a Kupp replacement because, for the last two years, they have been the NFL's best drafting tandem (I'm guessing that because I don't study other teams, but I bet it's true).

How we replace Stafford is another matter.

One thing I also found amusing in the thread was when Puka grabbed the TD at full stretch; not one, but two people said it was a terrible pass from Stafford.

Was it fuck.

It wasn't ideal, nor was it on the money.

But it still put the ball in a place where only the WR could catch it and it ended up in a TD.

The last few years I remember quite a few people hoping McVay Retires/leaves which is asinine to me and I made a similar post a couple years ago.

Many people have been trying to advocate to trade Hav or AJ for a couple years as well, it’s never made sense to me.

Our fans have become spoiled, I guess 12+ years of being a perennial 3 win team didn’t hurt bad enough for some people to appreciate what we have now.

I steer far clear of the GDT, a lot of stupid stuff gets said in there.

 

[Faceplant]

Agree a ton with original post.

I would never call for Mcvay's job as he is by any measure one of the best, legendary actually.

I think its fair to express frustration and do some critical analysis on his deficiencies as long as the name calling is limited and context is there.

I think its fair to characterize Mcvay as extremely innovative in play design and great at coaching up his offense to implement the scheme. He also has been really great at halftime adjustments many times.

He does have weaknesses that commonly rear their ugly head however. Predictability at times, Too conservative at times too pass happy at times, Timeouts etc. Things that us Rams fans get annoyed at, like when your spouse does the same shit over and over. Mainly the male side of the equation if we are honest

Regarding Mcvay finding the next QB, I have faith. Lots of talk about Mcvay wanting Bo Nix, Not sure if the Rumors were true but he does look like a boom pick for Denver.

Nailed it. I have my frustrations with coach McVay, but he's easily the best Rams coach I have witnessed in over 45 years of Fandom.

However. I will never bother to react to peoples comments in a GDT. That shit should be a safe space considering how frustratingly inconsistent the Rams have been, haha.

But alas, we always end up with threads complaining about other members complaining....it happens over and over every season. It's as consistent as we wish the Rams would be.

 

[PARAM]

I steer far clear of the GDT, a lot of stupid stuff gets said in there.

That's because many fans wear their hearts on their sleeve. They are reacting (and commenting) from the heart. That doesn't make them stupid fans. It makes them frustrated fans. And frustration can create odd statements.

 

[Oyster]

I think the GameDay threads are fun. We all live and die with the Rams. (Not literally
, ha). I prefer to support our Ram brothers and sisters, rather than criticizing them. We all get emotional.

 

[RamsSince1969]

McVay is our Al Pacino/Daniel Day Lewis/Humphrey Bogart and will be regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time. Not every movie these oscar winning legends made was perfect, but, you can bet they gave it all they could give with the scripts they were provided. A SB victory is like winning an oscar! Let's savor every moment we have with the greatest Rams coach of all time. That being said, I was at the Dolphins game and that O-line and officiating was a bad script. Grown Ups 2 bad!

 

[dang]

I lay awake thinking we won't have Stafford next year, they have to get at least one more year with him or two. Next years QB class is terrible and the following one will need some surprises to be good

I personally think next year will be his and maybe Kupps last…but what do I know.

 

[Allen2McVay]

That's because many fans wear their hearts on their sleeve.

And their Heads up their Ass.

 

[dang]

I think the GameDay threads are fun. We all live and die with the Rams. (Not literally
, ha). I prefer to support our Ram brothers and sisters, rather than criticizing them. We all get emotional.

I stay away from GameDay thread as it includes way too much premature celebration or premature despair. Can’t stand calling for coaches heads in middle of a game.

My superstitious (and sad) routine is to just change hats when the Rams start to shit the bed and keep the hat on when they are on a roll. So yeah - probably 6 hat changes per game nowadays.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I stay away from GameDay thread as it includes way too much premature celebration or premature despair. Can’t stand calling for coaches heads in middle of a game.

This is also the way I feel.

Sometimes, I read through the thread after the game.

This past Sunday, there was one poster who called for McVay's exit about half-a-dozen times. Respectfully @PARAM, I did not consider that take to be 'frustration'. In my opinion, that take was Balls-to-the-Walls DUMB.

 

[PARAM]

This is also the way I feel.

Sometimes, I read through the thread after the game.

This past Sunday, there was one poster who called for McVay's exit about half-a-dozen times. Respectfully @PARAM, I did not consider that take to be 'frustration'. In my opinion, that take was Balls-to-the-Walls DUMB.

Don't misunderstand me. I didn't say "everybody" who wears their heart on their sleeve made "frustration/emotional" comments based in reality. There are some fans who are worse-case scenario types. "Oh we're done". "It's over" (in the 3rd quarter). And there are some fans over-reactionary to the Nth degree. "He sucks". "Fire Shula". "McVay needs to give up playcalling". Etc.

I'm the calm type. I enjoy the game. I don't give up no matter the situation because I've been watching almost 60 years and have seen a lot. I know a team can look like do-do one game and then look like world beaters the next. Hell, sometimes it's the difference between the first half and the second half. It can't be overstated, almost every game comes down to 3 or 4 plays, either made or not made. And many times it's the difference between looking like do-do or world beaters.