On to Miami - Up next, Dolphins

[DrRage46]

Taking a peek over at their message boards quite a few of them are saying we're gonna be the sleepy rams coming in.I think the opposite because we are use to the long travels from the early season games.Wondering what you guys think on how we're gonna approach the game against them.Do we come out and blitz the rookie right away or stand firm and expect alot of running plays from them to protect tua to ease him into the game.

 

[FrantikRam]

I think lots of things working against us:

Tua - they've likely been working on tweaking their offense since the day he was drafted, so the film we have might not help us too much

Bye week for them/short week for us/1pm start time - this is a lot to overcome IMO

Flores - Patriots assistants rarely turn into good head coaches, but they seem to give McVay fits (Patricia a few years ago and Judge this year)

We're better than them in almost every category across the board, and we have more talent at almost every position - but these factors could make this game a toss up

 

[Corbin]

All I’m going to say is I hope Tua is ready for the ass whooping they decided should be his first game.

I actually prefer facing a first time starter vs Fitzmagic tearing it up this year.

 

[dieterbrock]

Miami has really found themselves a good Head coach. And my lord, they are loaded with draft capital over the next couple years. I feel bad for Fitz but at the same time I like the move to Tua, just not happy it had to be against us... That said, I think the move makes a ton of sense for them. Sure they are playing great lately with Fitz and many ask, "why fix what aint broke?", but I think it is smart to put a guy in there when they are playing great, let him jump on the board when the waves are tight instead of waiting on the next swell. I am also hopeful that this additional pub gets the game on tv in my area....
It's a bad set up for sure. Another cross country travel, short week against a team coming off the bye, but that's what good teams do. They overcome these tough circumstances. This game really sets the tone, head in to the bye with half the season down.

 

[Legatron4]

I admit I know nothing about the Dolphins. I saw them whoop the shit out of a broken down 49ers team but that offense is going to be completely different with Tua back there. Have we ever played a lefty in the McVay era?

 

[FrantikRam]

I admit I know nothing about the Dolphins. I saw them whoop the shit out of a broken down 49ers team but that offense is going to be completely different with Tua back there. Have we ever played a lefty in the McVay era?

A lefty hasn't even thrown a pass for any team in the McVay era

 

[Angry Ram]

Always makes me laugh-cringe at the logic some fans come up with to talk their way into why they'll win. When has a team ever been so tired from travel to significantly affect their performance? Most of the games are close and hard fought.

I think the Ram CBs matchup well with their WRs. Devante Parker is in and out of the lineup with injury. Preston Williams/Darious Williams is a wash. If the front 7 can't limit Myles Gaskin then they don't deserve to win. Their TEs are good, so the Ram D needs to limit them. Rookie QB, no matter how much hype the media wants to give, he's a rookie going against Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

Their D is underrated, so this O best stay smart. Hopefully the Bears experience will help them prepare.

 

[bomebadeeda]

Rookie QBs usually don't do so well against a good defense. There are a few things the rook hasn't seen. But Tua's a good enough athlete we still have to bring our "A" game.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Always makes me laugh-cringe at the logic some fans come up with to talk their way into why they'll win. When has a team ever been so tired from travel to significantly affect their performance? Most of the games are close and hard fought.

I think the Ram CBs matchup well with their WRs. Devante Parker is in and out of the lineup with injury. Preston Williams/Darious Williams is a wash. If the front 7 can't limit Myles Gaskin then they don't deserve to win. Their TEs are good, so the Ram D needs to limit them. Rookie QB, no matter how much hype the media wants to give, he's a rookie going against Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

Their D is underrated, so this O best stay smart. Hopefully the Bears experience will help them prepare.

Parker had 72 1202 and 9 TD's last year and destroyed Stephon Gilmore in their second match up. But you're right injuries have plagued him his whole career.

 

[yrba1]

If Lewis is getting reps, I'd line him right (on Tua's blindside), especially on obvious passing situations while playing DE contain with a linebacker playing QB spy. Mix up the zone and man coverage at the secondary and cover his first read consistently.

 

[dieterbrock]

A lefty hasn't even thrown a pass for any team in the McVay era

Holy crap, that's amazing. Last one I could find was Kellen Moore for the Cowboys during the 2015 season!
Great call

 

[BonifayRam]

If Lewis is getting reps, I'd line him right (on Tua's blindside), especially on obvious passing situations while playing DE contain with a linebacker playing QB spy. Mix up the zone and man coverage at the secondary and cover his first read consistently.

Last four games ER/OLB Jachai Polite has slowly increasing his defensive snaps from 7% to 9% to 12% to last Monday night where he was up to 24%.

You mentioned ER/OLB Terrell Lewis...since he was activated just before the Washington win....he has also increased his defensive snaps from 9% to 26% to the Bears game where he got 32% snaps. Lewis appears @ this point to move into the starting (former Samson Ebukam starting position) post opposite Floyd.

All three ER/OLB'ers Justin Hollis, Jachia Polite & Samson Ebukam are getting about the same snaps. Hollins had an outstanding game against the Bears where he was involved with 5 tackles & a sack with his few 24% snaps whereas Ebukam who has 25% defensive snaps has ZERO tackles, ZERO assisted tackles & ZERO sacks.

If OLB'er Og Okoronkwo had not got injured & IR'd, Ebukam might have been released by now to make room so PS ILB Christain Rozeboom could be available to back up both ILB'er posts & be available to take ILB'er snaps from Hollins so he could be utilized where Hollins plays the best @ ER/OLB'er post. Meanwhile, former starting OLB'er Samson Ebukam snaps have been trending downward & declining over this last month. Ebukam was down to 25%.

 

[Psycho_X]

Last four games ER/OLB Jachai Polite has slowing increasing his defensive snaps from 7% to 9% to 12% to last Monday night where he was up to 24%.

You mentioned ER/OLB Terrell Lewis...since he was activated just before the Washington win....he has also increased his defensive snaps from 9% to 26% to the Bears game where he got 32% snaps. Lewis appears @ this point to move into the starting (former Samson Ebukam starting position) post opposite Floyd.

All three ER/OLB'ers Justin Hollis, Jachia Polite & Samson Ebukam are getting about the same snaps. Hollins had an outstanding game against the Bears where he was involved with 5 tackles & a sack with his few 24% snaps whereas Ebukam who has 25% defensive snaps has ZERO tackles, ZERO assisted tackles & ZERO sacks.

If OLB'er Og Okoronkwo had not got injured & IR'd, Ebukam might have been released by now to make room so PS ILB Christain Rozeboom could be available to back up both ILB'er posts & be available to take ILB'er snaps from Hollins so he could be utilized where Hollins plays the best @ ER/OLB'er post. Meanwhile, former starting OLB'er Samson Ebukam snaps have been trending downward & declining over this last month. Ebukam was down to 25%.

I am very much looking forward to Lewis being the full time starter opposite Floyd. And you're right, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ebukam released if/when Obo comes back from IR later this season. Ebukam is in the last year of his contract and, if my math is right, because almost all of his salary is base salary we'd actually gain back about $133k in cap space for each game he isn't on our roster this season? If we released him after this week we'd have $1mil that we could use this season or push and use next year.

I'm really hoping by the end of the season Lewis has cemented his place as a good edge rusher with Obo, Polite, and Hollins in promising rotational duty. All of those guys are signed next season and most importantly cheap. I think all but Polite are signed for the next 2-3 years beyond. Resign Floyd hopefully and we're set at OLB for a while.

 

[Ramhusker]

This is a game I'd rather have the ball first so if our coin toss streak continues, take the ball, go down and score, put the pressure on the rookie. Then you can bring the house on him that first possession and try to rattle his cage early. Intensity needs to be the war cry from our coaches this week. Don't rest on last weeks great performance or look forward to a week off with the bye. Bring the hurt RAMS!!!!

 

[snackdaddy]

I would think we'll be able to force the inexperienced rookie into mistakes. But I get flashbacks of our defenses over the years making backup players look like all pros. I fear hearing the familiar "He's starting to feel more confident".

 

[Psycho_X]

View: https://twitter.com/noplanb_/status/1321558831319588864?s=21

 

[Memento]

I feel bad for Tua that the Dolphins made us his first game. With that said, I hope we sack him ten times (with Donald being on five of them).

 

[snackdaddy]

Rams should not be overlooking anyone. Doing that in the NFL will bite you in the ass. But this is a game the Rams should win. If they win they will be 6-2 halfway through the season. How many of us woulda said "I'll take it" if someone said they would be 6-2 before the season started? I know I feared a 3-5 start when I saw the schedule. Before the season the Cowboys, Eagles, Bills, 49ers and Bears all looked like teams capable of beating us. No one knew of the problems the Cowboys and Eagles would have at that time.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Miami has not been very successful running this year.

I think bringing in Tua against one of the leagues top defenses is a tough draw for him. Maybe Flores was worried a strong pass rush may have pushed Fitzpatrick into making some errant throws, as he’s been prone to do.

I don’t think the Rams will be looking ahead to the bye week. They will be fired up from a big prime time win and a dominating performance and won’t soon forget that they are already in a heated division race.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]