VENT Rams fall to Cardinals

[Spider2YB]

Despite the defense, the Rams had 10 offensive drives, which is only slightly below their season average. See the chart below (assisted by AI) Scoring 16 points is inexcusable.


View attachment 77476

That includes a series at the end of the first half where McVay just sat on the ball because we didn’t have a kicker. So it was really like 9.

The problem was the slow start. The offense needed to strike early. Because the middle part of the game is when Arizona started those long death marches. Their last offensive drive of the first half was 12 plays and their first two drives of the second half each took over 8 minutes of game time.

 

[cvramsfan]

Any news on Adams?

 

[GoodBadUgly]

Stafford was getting hit in the face on the throw.

Stafford isnt the problem...

He isn't the whole problem, but he is a key factor. I couldn't believe when the 2-pt clearly wasn't there and he just stood there like a statue for 27 minutes like he was having a stroke. The situation wasn't going to change, Staff, look for another option!

I watched that entire runback by that 700lb Cardinal as if I was Stafford, just staring at the TV hoping I was just seeing things...

 

[Tumak61]

Watched some of the 1st quarter again while drinking coffee. Stafford was off early and really not seeing the field at all. We were running the ball really well then just went away from it for no apparent reason. We are physically outmatched on special teams. I mean defending a kick is like defending a running play nowadays. You have to stay in your gap and they just aren't getting it done. Lake was right there where the returner was going and made a very low effort attempt to tackle him which resulted in the kicker having to make the play.
What's his name Brissett was just throwing to a spot good or bad. Cards were running the niners gameplan against us which was a lot of quick stuff over the middle, just throw to a spot , get the ball out quick and it worked because we can't defend that. If McVay had ran a similar plan we probably win the game. Smart game by Lafluer, he used the shanahan plan not the McVay plan to beat us.
If we had just run the ball that first drive and go on a long scoring drive we probably control the game and get the win. McVay and Stafford were terrible.

 

[DzRams]

That includes a series at the end of the first half where McVay just sat on the ball because we didn’t have a kicker. So it was really like 9.

The problem was the slow start. The offense needed to strike early. Because the middle part of the game is when Arizona started those long death marches. Their last offensive drive of the first half was 12 plays and their first two drives of the second half each took over 8 minutes of game time.

That's true. But even with 9 drives, their offensive efficiency was below their season average.

The offenses failure to strike early has been a problem all season as they lead the league in fewest 1st quarter points. But despite not striking early, they still could have won with better offensive efficiency.

9 drives is enough to score more than 16. In fact, that should translate to 20 points if they maintained their typical offensive efficiency. Arizona's long drives are not the primary reason we lost.

 

[12intheBox]

I think there is blame to go around. Coaching, execution, offense, defense, special teams - we can all make good points about how bad it all looks at this point.

This will be a good test for McVay and staff. What does this team have in them? I would have thought that we would have seen some fire after losing to Buffalo but maybe it takes losing to one of the worst teams in football to have this squad take a hard look.

 

[Spider2YB]

He isn't the whole problem, but he is a key factor. I couldn't believe when the 2-pt clearly wasn't there and he just stood there like a statue for 27 minutes like he was having a stroke. The situation wasn't going to change, Staff, look for another option!

I watched that entire runback by that 700lb Cardinal as if I was Stafford, just staring at the TV hoping I was just seeing things...

Stafford was staring at Davante because he was literally the only eligible receiver out in a route. There was no one else to throw to. It was a max protection where we left 9 guys in to protect to give Stafford time, and we still had a missed assignment in protection. Watch the replay.


View: https://x.com/nflonfox/status/2111924753208332328?s=46

 

[AZRams]

Again hard to understand this call. Albeit, should not have given up the completion, but the officials have royally screwed the Rams this year and IMO, McVay, does not complain enough. I realize taking the high road, but when officials are costing games, it's time to call their ass out and pay the fine.

Sadly, NFL HCs won't do it. Though if one would show the stones to say what they think publicly maybe the dam would break.

 

[AZRams]

So what do you recommend? A coaching change?

Why are people talking about getting rid of the best coach in team history?

WTF...

 

[Spider2YB]

Why are people talking about getting rid of the best coach in team history?

WTF...

Its comical. There is basically zero chance McVay’s successor is a better coach than he is.

 

[Pupped]

Vibes-wise..
This very much is feeling like '22.

Specifically... Sean McVay feels like it's '22.

This year crystiallizes for me one big thing.. McVay needs a balance on staff. It was Phillips and Bones, imo, his early years... Morris the SB year.
He needs someone in the building to be able to give it to him straight, no bullshit, when things are going sideways and when he's getting in his own way, which he clearly is right now.

Shanahan's really not extremely different in that way.. he's a dick when things go wrong.. McVay beats himself up and loses focus.

I don't know if there's a voice out there who can come into the building now.. maybe hire Chris Petersen as a consultant for the rest of the season?

But.. I think that could be the biggest issue right now.. too many people saying "yes" and not enough people saying "no" or.. "is that really a good idea?" in the building.

 

[BonifayRam]

Stafford was staring at Davante because he was literally the only eligible receiver out in a route. There was no one else to throw to. It was a max protection where we left 9 guys in to protect to give Stafford time, and we still had a missed assignment in protection. Watch the replay.


View: https://x.com/nflonfox/status/2111924753208332328?s=46

TE Parkinson made a brief block, then released very early....#9 never looked center to left.....

 

[Spider2YB]

TE Parkinson made a brief block, then released very early....#9 never looked center to left.....

Not sure what you are looking at. Parkinson never releases. He comes in motion and stays in and blocks. He never crosses the goal line.

 

[Pupped]

I also wanted a player to help us make a run this season. Not a QB and definitely not Simpson. But that aside I look at it this way...

McVay prioritized getting a QB before they could get fucked over like the previous draft with NY moving in front of us for Dart. It was the top organizational goal in that moment to solve the QB future piece.

So my read on it has been and remains that the Rams were tired of being held over a barrell by Stafford in negotiations. Because they didn't have a choice other than to pay him, given their depth chart. But it may be more than that. It may be that McVay, who is closer to the situation than anyone, has noted things slipping with Stafford in the pocket. Only he would really know to what extent that would be true. Though we would also know it by seeing what is on the field.

Stafford is 16th in passer rating. He's no longer an elite QB. The guy looks like he takes portions of the game off. He looks like the guy from last year after a massive party and hangover. Kind of like how he looked after the title he won with us. But this time around it is different. This time he is even older, and there is a rookie QB sitting there who looked good in camp and preseason.

I've been thinking about this a little, specifically the part about the Rams wanting to move on from Stafford.. and I just don't think that's it.
There are plenty of signs pointing to why this year is an "all in" year for them.. and you don't do that if you don't believe in the QB, first and foremost.
There's also a bigger pattern over the years of McSnead getting over their skiis.. and just thinking they were smarter than everyone else.
If the only part of this past draft that I'm now seeing as completely misguided was Simpson.. I could lean into your thinking. But the Klare thing on top of that showed a team that thought it's roster was good enough to "win now" AND build for the future.

That "two timelines" shit doesn't work in any sport. You maximize your window and then you start over.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Stafford was staring at Davante because he was literally the only eligible receiver out in a route. There was no one else to throw to. It was a max protection where we left 9 guys in to protect to give Stafford time, and we still had a missed assignment in protection. Watch the replay.


View: https://x.com/nflonfox/status/2111924753208332328?s=46

Parkinson with a shit effort blocking

 

[Ram65]

What's wrong with this picture?

 

[snackdaddy]

I see that a narrative out there from several articles that Stafford was playing scared. Afraid to get hit. That doesn't sound like Matt Stafford. But if there is any inkling of truth in that then he might be thinking about his life after football? Are we seeing a farewell tour this year?

 

[Rmfnlt]

The Rams never deserved to win this game.

How do you get worse at defense after spending that much money?

I don't see how anybody can defend McVay at this point.

then a total fail on D

This is the Offense fault. McVay not making adjustments until it is critical time.

our defense lets us down

The offense was the main fail today.

First time I'm seriously questioning mcvay as a. HC.

Uninspired, undisciplined

I’d add his complete failure on Special Teams.

McVay is the problem.

McVay needs to relinquish the play calling.

I think the league is catching on, too. Over 40 percent blitz on Stafford.

We did not play well enough to win.

Fact is, if we had 33 runs versus 20 passes - we likely easily win this game. Such terrible offensive game planning.

I'm done with McVays play calling and game planning.

He needs to manage the whole team and he's failing at that.

McVay fucked McVay

I am not optimistic.

Defense needs to end the game and they just couldn't

Problem is we start the game wanting to take shots lets do 7 step drops all over the place.

That’s just not good defense. The scoreboard is misleading.

he Cardinals were killing clock, controlling TOP, with 8-9yds on first down. We just let them do it.

I dont trust this coach anymore. When you lose trust what do you have? DOUBT.

Zero resistance on d

STs failed again.

the frustration was bound to start showing up.

Fire Bubba. The standard is too low.

Shula needs to go. He is way over his head with zero impact to the game and too slow to adjust.

Our boy wonder may have lived out his magic.

Its absolutely on Special Teams… and D didn’t do its job.

Myles Garrett returning isn't gonna magically transform this team into an instant contender. If you're that bad without him, you probably weren't that good to begin with.

Just a sampling of all our thoughts on what's wrong - and it's basically the entire team... starting with McVay.

Might be a loooooong year.

 

[den-the-coach]

Why are people talking about getting rid of the best coach in team history?

WTF...

Just what are you recommending?

 

[rdlkgliders]

Vibes-wise..
This very much is feeling like '22.

I was talking about this too a couple weeks back and it still has a bit of that feel. Injuries & subpar performances are the nexus between the two seasons.
Coaching aside, I think we are getting ready to find out what kind of leader Sean is.