I don't want to knock the good run blocking rankings the Rams got vs Detroit. But I think to some extent it was due to Detroit completely disrespecting the run. They weren't too concerned with it. If and when they decide to play it I would imagine our efficiency there would dry up. It's simply something they prioritize way more than we do.
I do like the idea of running behind that right side vs Arizona. Feels like we should have some opportunity to hit them for some nice gainers. If they're smart they'll at least dial the runs up, because we're gonna need to show balance vs those bastids.
I used quotation marks on those espn "stats" for a reason; I don't think such a small sample size means much & I always have doubts about the objectivity in general. How does an evaluator know the blocking assignment ? who does the timing for win rates , etc ?
But anything positive about the OL right now, as my Scottish granny used to say, is better than a slap in the face with a wet mackerel, right ?
The game last Sun was too weird to draw any conclusions, imo, except that runblocking clearly isn't something you can improv like they tried to do with pass pro. Not sure that DET doesn't prioritize stopping the run in general, though, based on last year's numbers. Their defensive ypc during the regular season was 3.8 & went up to 4.8 over the three playoff games My theory is they could no longer commit so many resources to run-stopping vs the more balanced offensive teams which LAR, TB, and SF certainly were, speaking to your great point about the importance of balance. Drafting old school ILB Campbell so high against current team-building trends is another sign that they have run D as a priority, imo. And gambling significant $$ on older wide-boy Reader after spending a butt-ton of draft capital on their IDL.
Building on K-Dot & McClendon's at least non-disastrous start seems sensible, I totally agree, but I wouldn't mind Limmer/Bruss/McClendon, either. Those guys played a lot together in TC/Pre. I don't hate the combo of massive Nsekhe, if they go that way, & JJ on the left as a run blocking combo, for that matter.
Pass pro; 'nother story, of course, but it IS a weaker pass rush even though Baker's mobility & a solid OL probably pushed that PRWR down in a way that LAR is unlikely to do right now. Still, Kyren made the Curds his beeyatch last year; time to make them bite the pillow again.
www.espn.com
