Rams O no longer makes opposing D’s defend every blade of grass...

[Rams43]

Yeah, that’s a generality, but so what? That’s just one impression I have. So, how to fix that?

Some suggestions for McVay to consider for his O:

Be a bit more outside-the-box in attack mode on O, especially early in game. Find that killer instinct that Rams once had.
Figure ways and plays that use all weapons at times. Higbee, Everett, and RB’s seem underused to me, for example. Kupp seems overused a bit.
Take more deep shots to loosen up coverage.
More snaps for Jefferson. (I’m beginning to question Reynolds’ heart and desire).
More 12 sets and more running plays. They’re effective and help O in multiple ways.
A few more hard counts from Goff per game.
More no huddle snaps (not the same thing as hurry up). Prevents opponents from substituting and tires them more quickly.
Gotta find a way to get up against lesser teams although in that category only Cards left on schedule and there sure won’t be any in the playoffs.
Re-evaluate OL blocking schemes with Kromer. Are we sure that we’re using optimal techniques for our personnel and O scheme? Would be a helluva surprise, if changed, for an opposing DC in a playoff game, huh?
Speaking of playoff games, Seahawks and Cards should be treated as playoff games in terms of prep, intensity, and playcalling. Leave NOTHING on the field by game’s end. No mercy until the final whistle. I do NOT want to back into the playoffs, I want to roar into them.

Short list of D suggestions:

Gotta trust Staley to correct communication problems of Jets game.
Staley must assume that Seahawks will have learned and adjusted from first game results and be prepared.
Maybe Kiser can help at ILB?
Try to ‘fix’ that broken Young’s play from the Jets game. What a U-turn Young had.
Scheme as best he can around our edge weakness opposite Floyd. This is gonna be a challenge, I’m afraid.
Expect the unexpected from the Seahawks.
Same old story. Rams must pressure AND contain Wilson if they hope for success. Not an easy assignment but they have done it before.
Rams DL better really show up for this game, and I mean Big Time.

I feel that Staley can have a smothering pass D vs Wilson once again with just a few tweaks. Staley is the master of halftime adjustments, so he should be fine if given a full week.

As to ST?

Well, Hekker and Gay are fine. Webster has flashed, too. Can’t have any more blocked punts and you know Seahawks are studying that play closely. Both Ram coverage units need to tighten up a bit more.
Too late to replace Bonamego this season. Sorry. That must wait until the offseason.
I will say this. Our overall ST are now probably adequate which is a big improvement over early in the season. Still our weakest unit, though.

Bottom line is the same as it’s been all season long. Just depends on which Ram team shows up in these remaining games and throughout the playoffs. What an inconsistent team this has been on both O and on D throughout the season. I don’t recall one with quite these extreme swings in all my 53 years as a Ram fan.

You know, I do feel a bit better now that I’ve gotten this off my chest. Lol.

 

[RamsFanCK]

I feel like there are deep shots programed in the play selection, many times I’ve seen goff looking and looking and finally take the checkdown. IDK that we have the receivers to accomplish this straight up. I feel like we can only get our successful deep shots in off of play action this year...

 

[ProGen]

Agreed - Our offense doesn't scare anyone. We need to fix that.

Sooooo many short throws, and predictive plays, but as RamsFanCK touched on...I'm not sure if it is a choice by Goff (or even McVay), or if the WR/TE personnel is not equipped for it.

 

[Ellard80]

ehh i agree that our offense is not so scary these days - but "kupp overused?"

Not sure where you are getting that from - if anything he is underused.

 

[den-the-coach]

I'm a firm believe that they don't have a receiver that has the ability to stretch the defense, Cooks could do that, although I was fan of trading him and still believe that was a good trade, however, IMO, the Rams should look for a burner because McVay's offense needs that and I believe they can find somebody that offers the ability to stretch the defense and next season the likes of Woods, Kupp & Jefferson will be much better off for it.

 

[Snaz]

I'm a firm believe that they don't have a receiver that has the ability to stretch the defense

At the Senior Bowl, Jefferson was clocked as the fastest player on the field. He topped out at 21.05 mph and 20.99 mph during punt return drills, which were the highest speeds of anyone in Mobile.

 

[RamsFanCK]

At the Senior Bowl, Jefferson was clocked as the fastest player on the field. He topped out at 21.05 mph and 20.99 mph during punt return drills, which were the highest speeds of anyone in Mobile.

Yeah, I keep wondering about this. If they could connect a couple of times it sure would make the D’s back off a bit

 

[den-the-coach]

At the Senior Bowl, Jefferson was clocked as the fastest player on the field. He topped out at 21.05 mph and 20.99 mph during punt return drills, which were the highest speeds of anyone in Mobile.

Still can't get a 40 time on Van Jefferson, it's possible that he is still recovering from his foot injury and will be at full speed next year. Presently, I don't see the speed, but then again, I have not seen one fly pattern thrown to him yet.

 

[Flipper89]

I miss when our primary concern was Sloman.

 

[ramfan46]

You touched on it, the RB's aren't used enough in the passing game. If Goff is going to sit back there, RB's and TEs have to be available for a check down. Can't rely on Kupp and Woods to get open in 2 seconds all game.
Reynolds has low awareness, imo. Play Jefferson for that upgrade alone. He seems to have a feel for the game like Woods and Kupp, he just needs reps.

 

[CoachAllred]

If you look at our schedule, it goes as such.
2 wins then loss, 2 wins then loss all the way down the schedule, with the exception of
a 1 win then loss in the middle of the season.
What does this say to you guy's?

To me it means we are simply losing our focus.
The Rams are the youngest team in the NFL and maybe we have a team that
doesn't understand what it takes to remain consistent.

I do agree with den-the-coach that we miss the ability to stretch the defense with a
speedster. But what I saw in the jet's game was a total team breakdown.
We had people doing pregame interviews , who talked about the ability of the Jet's
to play their opponents tough....but collectively they didn't believe it.

 

[Mikey Ram]

I kind wish they wouldn't have given Cooks so much money so that maybe he could still be here...I thought he was more than a one trick pony but teams have nobody to really worry much about over the top...I think contrary what I heard from quite a few guys here that he had real good hands as well as his speed and ability to stretch the field for Kupp, Woods and the TEs...

 

[jrry32]

Still can't get a 40 time on Van Jefferson, it's possible that he is still recovering from his foot injury and will be at full speed next year. Presently, I don't see the speed, but then again, I have not seen one fly pattern thrown to him yet.

He didn't run one. This is the only one I remember:

View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1305317575149064192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1305317575149064192%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheramswire.usatoday.com%2F2020%2F09%2F13%2Frams-van-jefferson-catch-highlight%2F


I don't think of Van as the type of WR who is going to run right by guys. But he can definitely burn a CB on a double move (slant and go, stutter and go, etc.).

 

[rdlkgliders]

Agreed - Our offense doesn't scare anyone. We need to fix that.

Sooooo many short throws, and predictive plays, but as RamsFanCK touched on...I'm not sure if it is a choice by Goff (or even McVay), or if the WR/TE personnel is not equipped for it.

It scares the shit out of me

 

[RamDino]

The Rams passing game is certainly too predictable. Kupp and Woods are great, but the young backs haven't really adjusted to running NFL routes yet, Josh Reynolds is average at best, the tight ends don't get used enough... especially HIgbee, the rookie Van Jefferson rarely is involved... So stop Woods and Kupp and you basically shut down the Rams passing game. And while were on this topic... how much longer can Kupp and Woods keep this up? They catch 75 passes a year, they run, they block constantly, and they play almost every play. And... except for Kupp's knee injury, they have both been doing this for 4 straight years. How long can McVay and Snead expect those two guys to carry this offense in regards to passing?

 

[CoachAllred]

Josh Reynolds is average at best

the rookie Van Jefferson rarely is involved

I am not a NFL coach and I am not at practice, but I truly do not understand why Van is not more involved.

how much longer can Kupp and Woods keep this up? They catch 75 passes a year, they run, they block constantly, and they play almost every play. And... except for Kupp's knee injury, they have both been doing this for 4 straight years. How long can McVay and Snead expect those two guys to carry this offense in regards to passing?

This is a great point, which brings me the RB position.
I love the fact that Akers has exploded on to the scene, but Mcvay has to spell this kid during the game.
During the Patriot game Akers had 31 touches to Henderson's 2. Against the Jet's Akers had 16 touches to
Henderson's 1. (doesn't include the 2 TD runs that were called back.)

If not for Akers being injured, I have no doubt that he would have had very similar touches as the Patriot game.
I am all for having a featured back. Akers is going to be a monster. I just think he needs to be rested a couple series
a game. I think it will help keep him healthier as well as give us a change up at RB.

i also would love to see us running Hendo on the jet sweep out of our empty sets. That would take
some of the touches off Woods.
As good as Woods runs that jet sweep , Hendo would take it to another level. Because he is just as
quick as Woods, with stronger tackle breaking ability.

 

[KayJay]

For all the shit Goff gets, and praise Kupp and Woods get; nobody ever realized our best wideouts are possession receivers. They move the chains, but they don't make good explosive play makers.

With Cooks and Watkins gone, the deep threat that forces the defense to make bad decisions isn't there anymore. This is why Van Jefferson is so critical. He isn't fast, but maybe he can be a DeAndre Hopkins (Lite) to get people to bite on double moves.

People want Goff to take deepshots, but it just isn't there man. The conditions aren't right for it.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah, even the clip above... Deep ball to Jefferson... He really had no separation.

The ball was thrown inside a 4" square to be a completion. Literally a tiny window to put that ball.

 

[kurtfaulk]

He didn't run one. This is the only one I remember:

View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1305317575149064192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1305317575149064192%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheramswire.usatoday.com%2F2020%2F09%2F13%2Frams-van-jefferson-catch-highlight%2F


I don't think of Van as the type of WR who is going to run right by guys. But he can definitely burn a CB on a double move (slant and go, stutter and go, etc.).

what's funny is that they showed that exact same play on hard knocks. goff's movements, jefferson's route, ball placement, catch. all exactly the same.

.

 

[Mackeyser]

At the Senior Bowl, Jefferson was clocked as the fastest player on the field. He topped out at 21.05 mph and 20.99 mph during punt return drills, which were the highest speeds of anyone in Mobile.

True, but he's not super quick off the line.

Part of that "burner" profile is someone with super quick twitch to separate at the line and force the safety over because he's beaten press coverage.

If its' off man, you need someone who can blow by the CB and again, put pressure on the Safety to maintain over the top coverage.