Quick and Gurley

  • 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.

HometownBoy

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
3,527
Name
Aaron
I'm not entirely sure what our "woes" are at this point, TBH. I started this thread in response to the legitimate hand wringing going on regarding our offense in the preseason, and while I don't like it either, I don't know what it's going to portend with live ammo.

I doubt there's little question that Gurley and Quick get a good percentage of snaps at their positions when they're healthy based on the makeup of the roster now, is there? I get that you are saying that they are unknown quantities, and I agree, but they've also demonstrated a lot of talent. For instance, saying Quick had 375 yards, while true, doesn't give you the full scope of how he performed last year in the 6 and half games before he went down.

Gurley is a rookie, but he was also the most talented player in college football when healthy.

That's all well and good a lot of that is superlative, and based on assumption. Mind you everyone of our players was a great player in college. Tavon Austin was one of the most electric players in the NCAA, so far that hasn't translated well into the NFL. Saying Gurley was good in college doesn't mean anything for what his contributions in the NFL will be. Until he plays a down, he's not our starting RB nor is he an offensive contribution. He's just a project that we hope pans out. As of 8/26/2015 we have our starting RB in already with Mason.

And for Quick, I can agree those yards tell the full scope of how well he played, but even such I wouldn't say he's our BEST receiver. That accolade would probably go to Britt, who has seen a woefully small amount of action in this preseason. Again it comes down to who's performed and played. I can't really buy saying that our offense is missing players who either haven't played at all so we know exactly zero of what they can contribute or were around so briefly that it doesn't seem right to say they made that much of a dent in our offense.

Our woes is much of the same, O-line play and QB play imo. Washington has no reason to be in the NFL, the rest of the guys haven't even had time to jell or form as a unit because they're getting like 3% of the snaps and much of the ailments that have been ailing Foles since day one persist.

I imagine having Gurley and Quick would help things quite a bit, but I don't think they'd change everything overnight.
 

PFaulk

Rookie
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
184
Name
Dan
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22
Saying Gurley was good in college doesn't mean anything for what his contributions in the NFL will be. Until he plays a down, he's not our starting RB nor is he an offensive contribution. He's just a project that we hope pans out.

Yeah, but I think it's fair to be more optimistic about a guy who was almost universally acclaimed as the best player in college football than you would about someone who was "a good college player." JMO, but there is a difference.

Does that mean that Ron Dayne was a phenomenal pro player? Of course not. Not everyone who reaches that echelon works out either. But we're not talking about Darryl Richardson here.
 

HometownBoy

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
3,527
Name
Aaron
Yeah, but I think it's fair to be more optimistic about a guy who was almost universally acclaimed as the best player in college football than you would about someone who was "a good college player." JMO, but there is a difference.

Does that mean that Ron Dayne was a phenomenal pro player? Of course not. Not everyone who reaches that echelon works out either. But we're not talking about Darryl Richardson here.
We sure aren't, but if guys like Tavon Austin, one of the premier players in college can take a while to form I think it's safe to say that it makes sense that people might bate their breath with it comes to Gurley. Especially since he's coming off an injury that is basically the kryptonite of his position on the football field.

Don't get me wrong. I'm on the Gurley bandwagon, I'd love nothing more than to see him smearing guys like Bowman across the football field, but I think it's rushing to call him our starter already and saying that his impact is what is missed on an offense it's never been on before.
 

12intheBox

Legend
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Messages
10,146
Name
Wil Fay
Offense is like an orchestra - you can have some bad ass musicians out there but if they don't know the song or how to play together it sounds like crap.

This is what it looks like when you go young and you draft based on high ceilings. Quick, Robinson, Tavon - these guys were raw as raw gets. And the things they are being asked to do are way more complex than fans will ever fully appreciate.

It's coming - slowly but surely. Having some continuity would be nice - especially at QB but a lot of that is just a matter of luck.

Gurley will bring this offense out of the darkness and will get all the credit, but really - his timing is pretty good. These receivers should have it down by now (right, TA?) and the O line looks like they are getting it figured out.
 

PFaulk

Rookie
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
184
Name
Dan
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #25
We sure aren't, but if guys like Tavon Austin, one of the premier players in college can take a while to form I think it's safe to say that it makes sense that people might bate their breath with it comes to Gurley. Especially since he's coming off an injury that is basically the kryptonite of his position on the football field.

Don't get me wrong. I'm on the Gurley bandwagon, I'd love nothing more than to see him smearing guys like Bowman across the football field, but I think it's rushing to call him our starter already and saying that his impact is what is missed on an offense it's never been on before.

Sure. I suppose the fundamental difference I'd see between a guy like Tavon and a guy like Gurley coming out of college (and this is JMO) is that to me, Gurley is more of a potential catalyst for an offense while Austin needs other receivers to create space for him to make those screens and jet sweeps more effective, which we haven't really had.

Of course, the other side of the coin is that Gurley will need the receiving game to be somewhat effective to eliminate those 8 men in the box looks and good run blocking, and of course that'd be true too.
 

DenverRam

Starter
Joined
May 3, 2015
Messages
849
I think once this team gets a receiver that threatens the secondary on every play, you will see how this offense is supposed to work. I am worried teams will stack the box because Britt and Quick do not really threaten anybody. But once this team gets one = gravy train
 

bskrilla

Starter
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
741
I think once this team gets a receiver that threatens the secondary on every play, you will see how this offense is supposed to work. I am worried teams will stack the box because Britt and Quick do not really threaten anybody. But once this team gets one = gravy train

I think Quick can be that guy and was becoming that guy last year before the injury. He was on pace for a #1 receiver type of season. We'll see if he picks up where he left off.
 

RamzFanz

Damnit
Joined
Jun 4, 2013
Messages
9,029
Saying Gurley was good in college doesn't mean anything for what his contributions in the NFL will be.

I disagree, it says a lot. It doesn't say everything, as we all know, but it says a lot more than if he wasn't arguably the best player in college football.

NFL teams don't draft players like him first if it didn't mean anything.
 

HometownBoy

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
3,527
Name
Aaron
I disagree, it says a lot. It doesn't say everything, as we all know, but it says a lot more than if he wasn't arguably the best player in college football.

NFL teams don't draft players like him first if it didn't mean anything.
Well for the sake of argument, we're the same team that drafted Austin in the first round and Jason Smith too.

I'm definitely buying the Gurley hype, I guess what I'm saying is I'm keeping bated breath since I've been burned before
 

LACHAMP46

A snazzy title
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
11,735
I believe the additions of Quick, Gurley, and a healthy Saffold will make this offense more dynamic than it's been in 10 years....Bank on it....I don't even care who the center is....the QB play is most important because the line play, so far, has been more than adequate.
 

MTRamsFan

Montana is God's Country
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
4,048
Name
Greg
I'm not a big, "it all starts with" or "...... is the most important" or however you want to put it guy.

I believe in the team game concept. I believe the best players in the game, at any position, help the guys around them achieve their maximum potential. The better a player is, the more of a positive effect he has on helping his teammates reach the best of their abilities.

So I do think that Quick and Gurley can help the line achieve better results too. If Quick gets open faster, the line doesn't need to pass block as long. If Gurley reads his blocks well, the run blocking become more effective than if he slams into the hole a half second too fast or too slow...that kind of thing. It's a timing game.

Well, maybe your should ask our QBs and the RBs where is starts. I bet they will tell you its the guys up front. IMO!
 

PFaulk

Rookie
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
184
Name
Dan
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #35
Well, maybe your should ask our QBs and the RBs where is starts. I bet they will tell you its the guys up front. IMO!

I love offensive linemen. I played center in high school. But IMO, it all starts with your best players, regardless of position.

Those are the guys everyone rallies behind when the chips are down. Those are the guys their coordinators draw up plays to showcase and the head coach calls plays for to win the game. Those are the guys the opponent is scheming for and devising ways to minimize.
 

Big Willie

Starter
Joined
Aug 24, 2014
Messages
763
I love offensive linemen. I played center in high school. But IMO, it all starts with your best players, regardless of position.

Those are the guys everyone rallies behind when the chips are down. Those are the guys their coordinators draw up plays to showcase and the head coach calls plays for to win the game. Those are the guys the opponent is scheming for and devising ways to minimize.
Ask Colts management. Andrew Luck covers up a lot of problems with that team. I believe it starts with your best players making plays. Luck, JJ Watt, Adrian Peterson, Odell Beckham, Markice Poncey, make plays....they play different positions, but they are a big part in why their teams win....utilizing their physical and leadership skills (lead by example?). That's what Quick and Gurley need to do when they get their shots.
 

RamWoodie

Legend
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
5,257
When you think about it...

How many offenses would look totally different without their starting RB and best receiver?

Come on man! You KNOW the experience of Sam going down in pre-season with another ACL last year is fresh in Fishers mind.

Nothing to think about...you'll see them when it counts.
 

RaminExile

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 29, 2013
Messages
3,065
I think once this team gets a receiver that threatens the secondary on every play, you will see how this offense is supposed to work. I am worried teams will stack the box because Britt and Quick do not really threaten anybody. But once this team gets one = gravy train

That should be Austin but we don't run him that way (or at least never did under Schottenheimer). I'd love to see him run some deep posts or corners to really stretch a secondary and make room for Bailey and Book underneath.

Quick should help stretch the field as well because of his physical ability. I just hope he stays healthy and keeps on progressing learning the game and how to be phyisical in his game highpointing the ball etc.
 

PFaulk

Rookie
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
184
Name
Dan
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #39
Come on man! You KNOW the experience of Sam going down in pre-season with another ACL last year is fresh in Fishers mind.

Nothing to think about...you'll see them when it counts.

I think we may have a failure to communicate.

I'm not hot to trot to see them in the preseason (although it sounds like we'll see at least a little bit of Quick), I'm simply saying that getting these two back, when they come back, might give us a different picture of this offense than what we've seen in these exhibition snaps so far.