Rams / Raiders Preseason Game 1

[RamFanInPC]

Is it me or does the Oakland broadcast freaking blow

Yes everything about the Oakland broadcast blew. From the AV tech to the commentators it was really bad.

 

[fearsomefour]

Wasn't able to catch the game, other than not really doing much, anything note worthy?

I'm not really worried about preseason, especially game 1 of it, just interested if anyone stood out, good or bad. How was the BOAT? His stats didn't seem good.

Pretty much a snooze fest. Lots of flags.
Standouts to me were Tapp, Neary, Reeder (rookie LB), Wolford (4th QB) a couple other depth guys on D looked solid.
There was nothing happening in the running game. Henderson looked tentative. But, there was no blocking happening.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

There was nothing happening in the running game. Henderson looked tentative. But, there was no blocking happening.

The one play he had a short inside lane, he dove through it and looked pro though. If it wasn't for that one play I'd be disappointed, but it looks like he can do this at this level. (He also made himself an option on some passing plays.) As for the rest of his touches, he was just swarmed--TG couldn't have done anything with those either.

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO from an Offensive Line Perspective, you are looking for guys that showcase they belong and the stage is not that big for them. Granted the Rams did not have one starter in this game, but these guys are major depth guys and with Neary showcasing the most, let's hope they will get better with more preseason games under their belt because they just played the worst defensive line they are going to see all preseason.

David Edwards....Had issues early at LT and had a false start at RT on a kneel down, amazing. Arden Key made him look bad like he did during the scrimmages as well and Edwards did not get much push when he played the other positions too.

Bobby Evans....Seemed to play better at RT than LT and whiffed on a block on third down in the red zone that led to a sack of QB Brandon Allen...Not much push in the run game at RT as the Rams tried to run to his side often.

Jamil Demby....Expected more from him as he did change positions often, but struggled getting push at guard, had a bad snap at center and gave up a few pressures at LT. Demby needs to showcase far more if he's going to make the roster, let alone be the first OL off the bench.

Aaron Neary....I give Neary a hard time and I'm disappointed, he will be suspended for the first four games, but the Offensive Line was much better with him at Center and there was one errant snap, but IMO, that was more on Allen not catching the snap. Held up well at the point of attack and his guy did not put pressure on the QB for the most part.

Jeremiah Kolone....Looked small and overwhelmed, his guy getting the best of him most of the time and Kolone was chasing quite often. IMO, he had the worst game out of them all and I expected him to be better because of the AAF experience, he was not.

The Offensive Line that came in with QB John Wolford actually looked better, albeit, the Raiders were playing their third and fourth strings too. I would give guys like Vitas Hrynkiewicz and Brandon Hitner more time as they seemed very solid and Hrynkiewicz snaps had more zip on them in shotgun formation then either Neary or Demby IMO.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I noticed the Saints, Vikings, Eagles, and Falcons went OL with their first picks (Falcons X2) this year.

Over the years I've also observed when teams try to scrimp or cheat on OL acquisition--although many are found in later rounds; that's the exception--it rarely works out as a strategy. You have to spend capital on these guys.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

IMO from an Offensive Line Perspective, you are looking for guys that showcase they belong and the stage is not that big for them. Granted the Rams did not have one starter in this game, but these guys are major depth guys and with Neary showcasing the most, let's hope they will get better with more preseason games under their belt because they just played the worst defensive line they are going to see all preseason.

David Edwards....Had issues early at LT and had a false start at RT on a kneel down, amazing. Arden Key made him look bad like he did during the scrimmages as well and Edwards did not get much push when he played the other positions too.

Bobby Evans....Seemed to play better at RT than LT and whiffed on a block on third down in the red zone that led to a sack of QB Brandon Allen...Not much push in the run game at RT as the Rams tried to run to his side often.

Jamil Demby....Expected more from him as he did change positions often, but struggled getting push at guard, had a bad snap at center and gave up a few pressures at LT. Demby needs to showcase far more if he's going to make the roster, let alone be the first OL off the bench.

Aaron Neary....I give Neary a hard time and I'm disappointed, he will be suspended for the first four games, but the Offensive Line was much better with him at Center and there was one errant snap, but IMO, that was more on Allen not catching the snap. Held up well at the point of attack and his guy did not put pressure on the QB for the most part.

Jeremiah Kolone....Looked small and overwhelmed, his guy getting the best of him most of the time and Kolone was chasing quite often. IMO, he had the worst game out of them all and I expected him to be better because of the AAF experience, he was not.

The Offensive Line that came in with QB John Wolford actually looked better, albeit, the Raiders were playing their third and fourth strings too. I would give guys like Vitas Hrynkiewicz and Brandon Hitner more time as they seemed very solid and Hrynkiewicz snaps had more zip on them in shotgun formation then either Neary or Demby IMO.

I concur with your assessment.

Neary had a block in the game that was just a beauty. He snapped the ball. Set his position. The DT to his right rushed at the guard and then went for an inside move. Neary was right there and just continued that 'inside move' momentum and threw the guy right to the ground.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I concur with your assessment.

Neary had a block in the game that was just a beauty. He snapped the ball. Set his position. The DT to his right rushed at the guard and then went for an inside move. Neary was right there and just continued that 'inside move' momentum and threw the guy right to the ground.

Those PEDs must be paying off

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

The one play he had a short inside lane, he dove through it and looked pro though. If it wasn't for that one play I'd be disappointed, but it looks like he can do this at this level. (He also made himself an option on some passing plays.) As for the rest of his touches, he was just swarmed--TG couldn't have done anything with those either.

Twice the Rams have squandered the overall number 2 pick on OL (GR and JS) within the past 10 years and failed miserably

Last year their first pick was Noteboom

It’s not necessarily an exact science but I suppose there is some truth in your commen

 

[OldSchool]

Good to know some are in mid season form

 

[fearsomefour]

The one play he had a short inside lane, he dove through it and looked pro though. If it wasn't for that one play I'd be disappointed, but it looks like he can do this at this level. (He also made himself an option on some passing plays.) As for the rest of his touches, he was just swarmed--TG couldn't have done anything with those either.

I don’t have any worries about Henderson.
Especially when he is up to speed with audibles, blocking etc.
I think McVay will know how to use him well.

 

[fearsomefour]

IMO from an Offensive Line Perspective, you are looking for guys that showcase they belong and the stage is not that big for them. Granted the Rams did not have one starter in this game, but these guys are major depth guys and with Neary showcasing the most, let's hope they will get better with more preseason games under their belt because they just played the worst defensive line they are going to see all preseason.

David Edwards....Had issues early at LT and had a false start at RT on a kneel down, amazing. Arden Key made him look bad like he did during the scrimmages as well and Edwards did not get much push when he played the other positions too.

Bobby Evans....Seemed to play better at RT than LT and whiffed on a block on third down in the red zone that led to a sack of QB Brandon Allen...Not much push in the run game at RT as the Rams tried to run to his side often.

Jamil Demby....Expected more from him as he did change positions often, but struggled getting push at guard, had a bad snap at center and gave up a few pressures at LT. Demby needs to showcase far more if he's going to make the roster, let alone be the first OL off the bench.

Aaron Neary....I give Neary a hard time and I'm disappointed, he will be suspended for the first four games, but the Offensive Line was much better with him at Center and there was one errant snap, but IMO, that was more on Allen not catching the snap. Held up well at the point of attack and his guy did not put pressure on the QB for the most part.

Jeremiah Kolone....Looked small and overwhelmed, his guy getting the best of him most of the time and Kolone was chasing quite often. IMO, he had the worst game out of them all and I expected him to be better because of the AAF experience, he was not.

The Offensive Line that came in with QB John Wolford actually looked better, albeit, the Raiders were playing their third and fourth strings too. I would give guys like Vitas Hrynkiewicz and Brandon Hitner more time as they seemed very solid and Hrynkiewicz snaps had more zip on them in shotgun formation then either Neary or Demby IMO.

Neary made a case for himself.
Looking to see improvement from the two draft picks.
Edwards and Evans have size....that doesn’t always translate to power or an understanding of how to use leverage. It’s why you don’t see a ton of 6’ 6” Gs.
I’d things don’t improve could end up with C as Allen, Blythe, Neary and depth at both G spots being Neary as well.
Looking for week to week improvement from the young guys.

 

[ReddingRam]

Yes everything about the Oakland broadcast blew. From the AV tech to the commentators it was really bad.

Yeah .. what was up with Millen saying that the Raiders had just lit the Rams up in 2 days of joint practices? That's not what I had heard from other reports.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I don't remember seeing this last year.

But I noticed more than a few times that the Rams took the running back and lined him up right behind the Offensive line. Set him there just ready to block. No need to read and step into the hole. Just put them there and give them a job.

Maybe experimenting a bit with formations in order to get guys like Henderson and Kelly on the field more often?

We are spoiled with both Gurley and Brown's blocking abilities.

 

[den-the-coach]

We are spoiled with both Gurley and Brown's blocking abilities.

And this is where Henderson & Kelly need work, lining Henderson closer to the line might make it easier for who he's supposed to pick up.

When I coached I ran a drill where one person stood in the middle of the circle and had to block everyone that came at them....We always put the running backs in this circle to take on all comers and be able to hold up against everyone on the team.

Also some of the issues are being able to recognize who to block, that is where Gurley & Brown are special, plus Gurley & Brown are big backs and that help, however, there have been small backs over the years that were great in pass protection.

 

[badnews]

McVay uses pre-season to teach his guys how to move on and respond after a loss, since those coaching opportunities are so rare in the regular season...

 

[ReddingRam]

And this is where Henderson & Kelly need work, lining Henderson closer to the line might make it easier for who he's supposed to pick up.
When I coached I ran a drill where one person stood in the middle of the circle and had to block everyone that came at them....We always put the running backs in this circle to take on all comers and be able to hold up against everyone on the team.

Also some of the issues are being able to recognize who to block, that is where Gurley & Brown are special, plus Gurley & Brown are big backs and that help, however, there have been small backs over the years that were great in pass protection.

Bull in the ring ... I believe that drill has been out-lawed for awhile now. At least here in Cali. I couldn't use it when I was coaching 2000-2010

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

McVay uses pre-season to teach his guys how to move on and respond after a loss, since those coaching opportunities are so rare in the regular season...

Don't know if you're being sarcastic or serious. Either way, I liked it.

 

[Merlin]

Rewatched the game a little...

QB Allen really crapped the bed. He has been on this roster long enough to know the offense cold, and he was given a huge chunk of the game to show what he could do but looked tentative, inaccurate, and ineffective. IMO he will be the first QB cut.

Natson same deal. This was a really good chance for him to show what he can do in the offense, and he responded by looking like Tavon (who only shined in practice). IMO he lost his spot on this team last night just like Allen.

 

[NERamsFan]

If you watched the game then you’ll see how he faced pressure on every throw he had guys in his face and on the edge on his touchdown pass he got leveled but still had enough on the throw for it to get there. You don’t have to bash one guy to make someone else look good. And by all accounts Bortles was actually awful today poor footwork long delivery sounds a lot like Mannion right

True, you do not need to bash to make a point but from what I saw from Mannion, he sucked. Blake also struggled but Bortles is leap and bounds over Mannion.

 

[Merlin]

I noticed the Saints, Vikings, Eagles, and Falcons went OL with their first picks (Falcons X2) this year.

Over the years I've also observed when teams try to scrimp or cheat on OL acquisition--although many are found in later rounds; that's the exception--it rarely works out as a strategy. You have to spend capital on these guys.

I would guess most of the LT in the league, at least the best ones, were high picks. And by high picks I mean first or second round. Guards are probably all over the place. Centers I would think are probably the latest selections when averaged.

If the Rams do manage to find a LT out of non-high picks, that's a huge deal.