nfllines.com: OL Rankings

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

oldnotdead

Legend
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
5,406
Why is anyone surprised the OL is rated poorly in pass protection? I say again that is largely on McVay who abandons the run and allows the front 7 to simply play pass on every down. Overall the OL grades reflect a new OL in their first season together with a new OL coach. Getting basically a middle of the pack grade isn't a bad thing.

IMO their grading will improve next year as they learn to play together as a cohesive unit. Also, if McVay will return to his balanced run/pass attack. He will have Kyren and Royce as his #1 &#2 RBs. IMO they were graded lower in the run blocking because of how McVay kept playing the smurf who would go down with an arm tackle, while ignoring Freeman who got more yards with fewer carries. Now with Williams and Freeman the OL grading should improve in the run game.

That balance will improve their pass blocking as well. I see this unit as finishing rated between 14-16 which is a huge improvement for this rebuilt OL.

IMO the OL isn't the problem. It's the playcalling that is the problem. Where did the McVay of 2018 go?

If McVay insists upon slow developing pass routes he needs to give Stafford shorter quicker developing routes as well. He used to do that when he layered his route tree. Both Williams and Freeman are capable receivers along with the TEs. McVay needs to get them more involved in the passing attack. McVay needs to understand that moving the chains is not a bad thing. Limits, the opposition offensive possessions, keeps his defense fresh. It also protects the OL as it develops.
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
39,680
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #44
Couldn't just link the one on my phone dammit. Run blocking hasn't been great but when it is Williams or Freeman carrying the rock they are better than that chart says.
 

oldnotdead

Legend
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
5,406
McVay's playcalling improved throughout 2017 as he began to implement his system which was balanced and incorporated a lot of play action. In 2018 he hit his stride both in play calling and play design and again it was balanced.

In 2019 McVay dismantled the OL and got rid of Gurley. Gurley for obvious reasons but he wasn't replaced. Behind a scrub OL and no run attack the offense was pass heavy mostly slow developing routes, exposing Goff to an absolute pummeling. But the Rams still finished with a winning record.

What I'm pointing out is the evolution of the Ram's offense. With the acquisition of Stafford, McVay basically abandoned any pretense of having a balanced offense. Now the Rams are paying the price because whereas they got decent coaching from their DC's now they have Morris who expects the offense to win the game conceding FGs in doing so.

Why is anyone surprised when looking at the trend of this team? Kroenke basically has decreed no more high priced hired guns. The emphasis is to build through the draft for the long term. The Rams fill holes through low-end trades and overlooked FA signings which is the way the Patriots do it.

McVay must return to his roots for this offense to be successful, i.e. it must be balanced. The run game only has to be efficient to move the chains and give them a run option inside the red zone. With Williams, and Freeman it looks like they have that now. The passing offense is paying the price for prematurely trading Van Jefferson. Atwell has shown so far he isn't an adequate replacement. Robinson is another Skowronek, i.e. he doesn't scare any DB and neither does Trammell. This offense would be dead without Puka now that Kupp is out.

Yet Sean continues with his slow developing plays when defenses know they will have the time to get there. McVay isn't tailoring his offense to the WRs he has. Without Kupp and with an injured Nacua, he needs to shorten up the pass routes but he hasn't. Why? Because it's a lot of work for a guy who is burned out that's why IMO. Sean is proving to me he doesn't really know how to evaluate and use young guys. He has basically possession receivers in Skowronek, Trammell and Robinson but he doesn't use them that way. Why not?

I said before the season this year would be won or lost by the coaches. This second half of the season will prove that. In his hubris Sean didn't take the 3 points when clearly he should have. It almost cost the Rams the game. He knows the Seahawks have a good long distance PK who made two kicks over 50 yds in that game. His bad coaching was saved by pure luck.

I want to see Sean return to his layered threat passing attack. Skowronek, Higbee and Trammell short (inside 10 yds), Nacua and Atwell in the intermediate and deep zones. He's also got the RBs who he doesn't throw to anymore. If he helps out the OL by incorporating a short passing option and a balanced run attack this OL is just fine.

In other words McVay needs to start fucking coaching. The same can be said for Morris who is taking the accolades earned by Pleasant.
 

Malibu

Pro Bowler
Joined
Jun 25, 2014
Messages
1,396
Why is anyone surprised the OL is rated poorly in pass protection? I say again that is largely on McVay who abandons the run and allows the front 7 to simply play pass on every down. Overall the OL grades reflect a new OL in their first season together with a new OL coach. Getting basically a middle of the pack grade isn't a bad thing.

IMO their grading will improve next year as they learn to play together as a cohesive unit. Also, if McVay will return to his balanced run/pass attack. He will have Kyren and Royce as his #1 &#2 RBs. IMO they were graded lower in the run blocking because of how McVay kept playing the smurf who would go down with an arm tackle, while ignoring Freeman who got more yards with fewer carries. Now with Williams and Freeman the OL grading should improve in the run game.

That balance will improve their pass blocking as well. I see this unit as finishing rated between 14-16 which is a huge improvement for this rebuilt OL.

IMO the OL isn't the problem. It's the playcalling that is the problem. Where did the McVay of 2018 go?

If McVay insists upon slow developing pass routes he needs to give Stafford shorter quicker developing routes as well. He used to do that when he layered his route tree. Both Williams and Freeman are capable receivers along with the TEs. McVay needs to get them more involved in the passing attack. McVay needs to understand that moving the chains is not a bad thing. Limits, the opposition offensive possessions, keeps his defense fresh. It also protects the OL as it develops.
I believe Stafford and the OL are the problem. All you need to do is look at SF Purdy is a fake star in this league propped up by a sensational pocket due to the OL.