Rams to rest Goff, Gurley, Donald, Whitworth, Sullivan and others against 49ers

[Legatron4]

Offense
QB- Mannion
RB- Brown/Tavon/Davis
WR- Woods, Watkins, Reynolds, Cooper, Thomas
TE- Carrier, Everett
LT- Williams
LG- Neary
C- Blythe
RG- Brown
RT- Havenstein/Lucas

Defense
DT- Fox
NT- Westbrooks/Smart
DT- Walker
LB- Ebukam
LB- Littleton
LB- Hager/Lynch
LB- Thompson
CB- Hill/NRC
CB- Johnson/Peterson
FS- Joyner/Countess
SS- Johnson/Isiah Johnson

Thanks Den. Couldn’t remember who the Oline would be.

 

[LesBaker]

The Rams likely will not have a true home field advantage until they are lacing them up at Hollywood park.

Even then it'll take more than a new stadium. It's going to be a long game IMO.

Brokers and opposing fans will have plenty of tickets in LA. and there may not be a home field advantage in that venue at any point.

But IMO players don't give a fuck about that one bit.

I’m not, but this is brand new to this team. The playoffs are a completely different ball game.

The same could be said about 1999, and the Rams rested players. They played some starters in the last game but not that much.

 

[den-the-coach]

Vermeil did a similar thing in 1999, starters played one series and then everyone went to the bench which resulted in a 38-31 loss at Philadelphia as Joe Germaine played 3 quarters because backup Paul Justin was hurt...Germaine went 9/16 for 136 yards one TD & two INT's.

 

[den-the-coach]

Just to be clear Paul Justin was not hurt in that game in 99, he was injured before that game, Warner played one series and was replaced by Germaine for the rest of the game, so Warner was in there with some backups on the OL for the first series and would have gone back in if Germaine was injured.

If Mannion gets hurt then Goff will play (he was hand off mostly), just like Foles will play if Nate Sudfeld gets hurt and Keenum will play if Teddy Bridgewater gets hurt.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Good call by the Rams.

Our post season starts in two weeks. The 49'ers are playing well and this is "their post season".

I'd prefer to avoid playing our top players against a team trying to show they can hang with us.

 

[Corbin]

Good call by the Rams.

Our post season starts in two weeks. The 49'ers are playing well and this is "their post season".

I'd prefer to avoid playing our top players against a team trying to show they can hang with us.

You know I think this post won me over as much as I hate the Whiners, I'd love to get those fans down with whipping that ass!!

 

[Prime Time]

View: http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/QB-Sean-Mannion-to-Receive-First-Start-Against-49ers/b9a0c880-7d9e-4d57-81d4-a325630992cd

QB Sean Mannion to Receive First Start Against 49ers
Kristen Lago

The Rams’ offense will face a familiar opponent on Sunday in the 49ers. But San Francisco’s defense won’t get a second look at many of the players they faced in Week 3.

Because the Rams cannot clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win on Sunday, head coach Sean McVay has decided to rest several of the club’s starters against the Niners. He named left tackle Andrew Whitworth, center John Sullivan, running back Todd Gurley, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and quarterback Jared Goff as being among them on Wednesday.

And although Goff will be active on Sunday, McVay announced quarterback Sean Mannion as Sunday’s starter. The Week 17 contest will represent a huge opportunity for the Oregon State product, marking his first career start.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to go out there and get a start and get to play with my teammates and try to win an NFL game,” Mannion said. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s an opportunity I’ve been waiting for for my career. This is my first start so I couldn't be more excited.”

In three seasons with the Rams, Mannion has played in six regular season games, completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 66 yards and one interception. He also received ample experience as the signal-caller this preseason, completing 49-of-76 passes for 490 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

While Week 17 will mark his first start, Mannion said he has been given “plenty of opportunities to work on my craft and really put it to use” in practice. Plus, Mannion says McVay and quarterbacks coach Greg Olsen have created a very “quarterback friendly” atmosphere — one that has allowed him to significantly improve throughout the season.

“From a personal perspective, we have a bunch of great coaches that work on fundamentals and work on how you see the game,” he said. “And I just feel like every year’s experience you get more and more comfortable.”

And though Sunday’s game will not affect the Rams much in terms of playoff seeding, Mannion said the contest is still one that means something to him and the rest of the organization.

“We have an opportunity, having clinched a playoff berth, to rest some guys in preparation for our first playoff game,” Mannion said. “But everybody who’s going to be playing is in there playing to win. And our approach and our mentality isn’t going to change from that one bit.”

“For me, being the backup all year, I’ve always tried to prepare as if I’m going to be in the game to win it. I haven’t gotten, really, a lot of chances to play throughout my career. But I’m confident in my abilities. And, really, that’s been the case all season.”

 

[jrry32]

I'd love for Mannion to throw for 300+ yards on the 49ers. Let's make him attractive trade bait!

 

[GabesHorn]

I think Donald had a good game last week but I think a week off for him and many who are dinged up really need a rest. I know Whitworth looks like he hasn't lifted dumbells in his arms since week one. Has lost all his bulk he had week one. We saw him get his ankle injury and he could really use a week off. Think about how the Bengals with Whitworth were always a one and out red rifle mess up? Maybe Whitworth was wearing down for them also? Just spitballing. We know Sully has a groin and leg injury if not more. Barron has all kinds of things and I'm afraid bailing wire won't get him in better shape than his backup is playing.

Barron is hurting in knee,achilles in the top two issues on why he sat out last two games.Surely needs a knee cleanup and is playing in lots of pain. Gurley just won everyones fantasy championships with two straight weeks of unreal stats. We need to ride Gurley to 4 wins to be WORLD CHAMPIONS!! The future is now.This group won't be the same 53 ever again. I think 94 has shown some good pass rushing games and definitely Quinn could be sharper for our QB hunting in Playoffs. Do we rest Ogletree's hyper-extended elbow ? He's played two games with it in pretty dang good fashion. Very proud of him playing through the pain.That arm was dead two weeks ago as he toughed it out.

Also watch Cooper Kupp after his one knee catch TD. He was definitely hurting after that catch and some rough play in his team high yardage game. I'd play Watkins as he is a decoy anyway.Don't want to use up our change of pace RB. Lets use our rookie change of pace back and our Dallas pickup we can use with the screen game,as he can catch better than most rb's. We have a backup QB with a proper week of practice could surprise us all. We are truly a team and we need everyone to win.All three phases. To win 4 games , and that's the goal . We need to rest up as much as we can. Our new kicker needs success and Hager & Littleton are not that bad to stop hyde if our 2's play their best. I don't see having our quick rush now & worry putting too much on Brockers.. We need fate to be on our side and get the seahags or falcons as we don't do as well against tight end teams like Panthers. I do think eagles look beatable if a passrush gets him.

I hate we had to do this but players are dropping like flies every week this whole season & more will be lost this season. I hate how fisher would be doing this as he did it with pre-season games. This is McKvays team & this is probably the best way to at least win 2 games. Then who knows. Gonna need breaks along the way. It's been a GREAT ride gang. GO RAMS!!!

 

[Florida_Ram]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs0BMGG3s1E

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

This smells like Demoff to me. A lot of players must be close to getting a bonus so he told McVay to shut them down hahaha.

Then again, maybe???

 

[Bkfld_Rams]

I’m looking at it like it’s more about resting key players for our Super Bowl run, rather than trying to avoid injuries. We can also game plan with Mannion having the whole game, so let’s just win it.

 

[12intheBox]

I think the Rams are still going to win by 15+

 

[XXXIVwin]

The Eagles are a shell of their former selves with Foles.

I think it is overwhelmingly likely that McVay wants the #4 seed. I for one sure do.

I think the second half of theNiner game is gonna look like the 2nd half of a preseason game. Third stringers, vanilla play calls, the whole bit.

In my opinion, McVay is going to try to make sure that the Rams are the #4 seed without being too obvious about it.

Maybe McVay will get some flak for it, but I think resting starters and securing the 4 seed maximizes the Rams’ Super Bowl chances.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I'd love for Mannion to throw for 300+ yards on the 49ers. Let's make him attractive trade bait!

300 yards, and 3 TD's!

 

[Montanaramfan]

One thing we’re all assuming is that New Orleans will best Carolina Sunday. If Carolina upsets them, doesn’t that send the Saints to the Rams? That would mean we could potentially have to beat the Saints, Eagles and Vikings to get to the Super Bowl. I think those are the toughest matchup for us. I hope McVay knows what he’s doing.

 

[PhillyRam]

I don't think it is as obvious as it is to us that this is about wanting to play the Eagles. I really think this is all about making sure he has all his bullets, and rested at that, when they hit the Playoffs.


Now, I do think he looks around and sees a balanced playoff field with no killer teams. So that influences his decision, but I think he is confident in his staff, his team, and most importantly himself, in that if he has all -hands-on-deck, that they can beat anyone, anywhere.

And some of the recent injuries is something that has probably spooked him a bit. Thus, he is doing all he can to make sure he has a healthy roster for the post season.

 

[jrry32]

One thing we’re all assuming is that New Orleans will best Carolina Sunday. If Carolina upsets them, doesn’t that send the Saints to the Rams? That would mean we could potentially have to beat the Saints, Eagles and Vikings to get to the Super Bowl. I think those are the toughest matchup for us. I hope McVay knows what he’s doing.

I'm more afraid of Atlanta than Philly. Yes, we could end up with NO in the first round. That would be horrible.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I don't think it is as obvious as it is to us that this is about wanting to play the Eagles. I really think this is all about making sure he has all his bullets, and rested at that, when they hit the Playoffs.


Now, I do think he looks around and sees a balanced playoff field with no killer teams. So that influences his decision, but I think he is confident in his staff, his team, and most importantly himself, in that if he has all -hands-on-deck, that they can beat anyone, anywhere.

And some of the recent injuries is something that has probably spooked him a bit. Thus, he is doing all he can to make sure he has a healthy roster for the post season.

Maybe.

And I’m sure that McVays main focus is on getting healthy and prepared.

But anyone who watched the Eagles-Raiders game knows that losing Wentz was a disaster. Hard to imagine that anyone would rather play Minnesota than Philly right now.