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

[PhillyRam]

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.

New Orleans plays Tampa.... they should win. Carolina plays Atlanta.

If New Orleans beats Tamp Rams get Carolina if the Rams lose.

Reality is there is no guarantee that New Orleans wins their 1st round game. If they would lose to say Atlanta, then Rams still go to Minnesota. And that is possible since divisional games can easily result in upsets.

 

[SteveBrown]

I thought McVay would be an idiot not to rest Whit, Brockers, Donald, Sully.....they are playing tired or plain tired. Fresh legs in the playoffs are huge. Gurley doesn't look like he needs a rest, but remember the 2006 playoffs with Larry Johnson? HIs 400 carries drained him, and he was worthless against the COlts.

We have to win 3 playoff games to get in the bowl. Most coaches aren't smart enough to figure this out.

DIck Vermeil's 1981 Eagles started 9-1---and lost and lost and lost and then lost in the first round of the playoffs.
The OL was tired, and couldn't get a push. Of Course, Dick beat the crap out of that team with 3 hour practices, and physical practices during the season---and that is why they started 9-1....but, then they crashed (1-4 aI think).

ALSO, rookies like Kupp and JJ need a mental rest. A lot to handle....both O and D have intricate systems, unlike seattle's that is more just man up.

Make fun of me, call me a asljfsos, but I am right....and in fact, after halftime they will pull another 7-8 starters.

Goff is the only one who doesn't need a rest, but with the O line resting it is too risky.

 

[Corbin]

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

My main question is does Mannion get all the #1 snaps this weak? As well as all the backups? How do they usually work a scenerio like this? Never heard of how they go about the week of practice.

 

[Faceplant]

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.

Yep. Bye week Part Deux.

 

[wmc540]

I'm willing to bet the discussion of who the next opponent might be by resting players wasn't taken into account. That would be a disservice to the team and the season and it doesn't sound like McVay logic at all. It sounds like message board fodder.

 

[Mikey Ram]

New Orleans plays Tampa.... they should win. Carolina plays Atlanta.

If New Orleans beats Tamp Rams get Carolina if the Rams lose.

Reality is there is no guarantee that New Orleans wins their 1st round game. If they would lose to say Atlanta, then Rams still go to Minnesota. And that is possible since divisional games can easily result in upsets.

It's not like Carolina is a walkover for crying out loud...A lot of guys here seem to think that advancing out of the wildcard round is a given...It isn't at all to me...

 

[CGI_Ram]

It's not like Carolina is a walkover for crying out loud...A lot of guys here seem to think that advancing out of the wildcard round is a given...It isn't at all to me...

Yep. One game at a time.

Particularly in the NFC, all teams that qualify appear very capable of advancing.

 

[Farr Be It]

message to the 49ers "maybe next year, wait no, sorry. No not next year. But enjoy playing in your half empty stadium named after pants ".

Ok. That was some funny stuff there Les.

We scored 51 points the last time we played after the bye week. I think we will be ok. As great as a Super Bowl sounds, lets temper our expectations a bit. Winning the wild card would be great. This team is just starting. Next season is when the fun really begins.

I don’t know man. This team is positioned to do great things. Peaking at the right time. The only hesitation I have is our kicker. Ficken!

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.”

I agree. I don’t mind resting the guys. But go full throttle. I want to see what Mannion can do. And Malcom and Reynolds...

 

[DaveFan'51]

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.

I'm not sure who to "Fear" most or Least, But I believe that McVay has come to the decision he want this to be like a semi-Bye-week for the Team, resting it's Most Valuable Player's!

I do believe McVay is still going to Play this game to WIN! And We can do it!!!

 

[Boston Ram]

Im torn, I prefer to play balls out and win every game. On the flip side, Whit, Sully and Goff look like they need rest. Just by using the eyeball test, those 3 have not been themselves the past few weeks in comparison to their first halves. And before someone tells me Goff has better numbers since the break I know that lol, I just feel like he has missed some receivers and has not been as poised in the pocket recently. He is still doing great, but it is his first 16 game NFL season, he is bound to have some lingering bruises and I do think it has been affecting him.

To me the NFC is stacked, its going to be a grind to get to the SB, regardless if we win or lose against SF. I guess if push comes to shove, I want a rested and fresh team. If healthy, we can beat any team in the NFL.

 

[Classic Rams]

I don't care at all to make Mannion "trade bait", that's the very least of my concerns. In fact, that's not even what the Rams are thinking either. I'd love to see him lead the Rams to a rout of the whiners without a few of their top starters to shut their dumb delusional fans up and get a boost of confidence for their backups heading into the playoffs... mostly the latter.

But I doubt it happens, in fact I hate to say it but I think the whiners win big here since they are treating this like a playoff game and the Rams are treating it like preseason no matter what McVay says. They do try to win preseason games, but they also use the last PS game for rest to go into game 1 of the RS healthy and fresh so yeah, preparing to win but knowing the game doesn't count.

Like I said I'd love to see a win and I hate giving anything to the cocky whiners but the playoffs are much more important, obviously. If I had to chose a playoff opponent it would be Carolina since Wade knows how to defense Cam from the SB and I don't want to play a team like NO that we already beat. I want to see Cam looking like a crybaby with a towel over his head in round 1.

 

[Ants]

I thought McVay would be an idiot not to rest Whit, Brockers, Donald, Sully.....they are playing tired or plain tired. Fresh legs in the playoffs are huge. Gurley doesn't look like he needs a rest, but remember the 2006 playoffs with Larry Johnson? HIs 400 carries drained him, and he was worthless against the COlts.

We have to win 3 playoff games to get in the bowl. Most coaches aren't smart enough to figure this out.

DIck Vermeil's 1981 Eagles started 9-1---and lost and lost and lost and then lost in the first round of the playoffs.
The OL was tired, and couldn't get a push. Of Course, Dick beat the crap out of that team with 3 hour practices, and physical practices during the season---and that is why they started 9-1....but, then they crashed (1-4 aI think).

ALSO, rookies like Kupp and JJ need a mental rest. A lot to handle....both O and D have intricate systems, unlike seattle's that is more just man up.

Make fun of me, call me a asljfsos, but I am right....and in fact, after halftime they will pull another 7-8 starters.

Goff is the only one who doesn't need a rest, but with the O line resting it is too risky.

Boom! ^^^ Great post. :yess:

 

[bubbaramfan]

With Whitworth, Saffold and Sullivan held out, who do they start in their place? Darrell Williams LT, Neary LG, Blythe C? Or Neary C, Blythe LG? Might we finally see Corey Lucas at LT?

Not sure Mannion survives very long with this OL, going to be quick dink and dunk, or Malcolm Brown and Justin Davis having very much success.

I agree with McVay in resting starters to give them fresh legs and heal up. This game means nothing as far as playoffs go, so get some use out it by getting the team stronger and subs experience for the playoff run.

 

[den-the-coach]

With Whitworth, Saffold and Sullivan held out, who do they start in their place? Darrell Williams LT, Neary LG, Blythe C? Or Neary C, Blythe LG? Might we finally see Corey Lucas at LT?

IMO....
LT...Willaims
LG...Neary
C...Blythe
RG...Brown
RT...Havenstein

Then you might see Lucas at RT or LT for a few plays, IMO, Blythe at Center Neary bigger at 6-4 better suited for Guard. Now maybe Lucas at LT and Williams at LG as someone posted, but I have never seen Williams play guard and IMO, he's a better LT then RT.

 

[jrry32]

It's not like Carolina is a walkover for crying out loud...A lot of guys here seem to think that advancing out of the wildcard round is a given...It isn't at all to me...

It's not at all a given, but I like that matchup. We defend running QBs well, and their defense is a blitz-heavy unit. We've killed the blitz this year.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

It's not at all a given, but I like that matchup. We defend running QBs well, and their defense is a blitz-heavy unit. We've killed the blitz this year.

I've been saying that for a while. Our team is built to play teams like Carolina. I live in NC too and these Panthers fans are up and down emotionally depending on how Cam plays. I would love to see them fold after we beat them like the Broncos.

 

[Montanaramfan]

New Orleans plays Tampa.... they should win. Carolina plays Atlanta.

If New Orleans beats Tamp Rams get Carolina if the Rams lose.

Reality is there is no guarantee that New Orleans wins their 1st round game. If they would lose to say Atlanta, then Rams still go to Minnesota. And that is possible since divisional games can easily result in upsets.

Dang, you're right. I shouldn't post so late at night;-) I feel better about things now. Thanks.

 

[Rmfnlt]

I've been thinking about this since the suggestion that McVay might sit some players came out.

I've vacillated back-and-forth and I think my final feeling is that it's a good thing (to sit key players).

Some very good points have been made in this thread that helped me come to this decision... then I thought:
The only real reason I want McVay to play them is that I want to win the game.

This isn't about me or a game that does not matter.

So, sit them... get healthy... practice hard next week and beat whoever shows up in LA!

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I'm willing to bet the discussion of who the next opponent might be by resting players wasn't taken into account. That would be a disservice to the team and the season and it doesn't sound like McVay logic at all. It sounds like message board fodder.

I certainly hope it wasn't even considered. You can't be afraid of certain opponents. That's not how we got here.

 

[nighttrain]

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

Winning by 15+ would be so delicious and at the same time hilarious
train