Run Game needs to take a leap this year.

[Riverumbbq]

Since you seem to want to belabor this, I'll respond.

Improving "balance" suggests that you think the Rams should run the ball more, or in a higher proportion relative to passing plays (they ran the ball just over 40% of the time last year). I don't think that is particularly important.

What I do think is important is that the Rams are more successful when they do elect to run the ball. Last year, the Rams averaged 4.0 ypc. I think it would be very beneficial if that stat shows significant improvement (something in the 4.3 or better range would be nice).

So, yes... there are different ways of defining "improvement" in the running game. To answer your strawman - we all agree that improvement, in general, is a good thing.

How that is measured, on the other hand... reasonable minds may differ.

No, you've completely missed on my suggestion for 'balance'. Also, I was done with this conversation until you brought my name into Merlin's post. Perhaps your obsession here is a result of my use of the word, although when I called for 'some balance', it wasn't a suggestion that we run the ball more, and I thought that would be easily understood based on my previous statements over an improved passing game with no obvious improvement to our OL, especially in terms of building on last seasons pitiful rush. Balance for me is a call for someone to be added to our OL depth who can significantly help our RB's achieve their goals in YPC.
jmo.

 

[AvengerRam]

No, you've completely missed on my suggestion for 'balance'. Also, I was done with this conversation until you brought my name into Merlin's post. Perhaps your obsession here is a result of my use of the word, although when I called for 'some balance', it wasn't a suggestion that we run the ball more, and I thought that would be easily understood based on my previous statements over an improved passing game with no obvious improvement to our OL, especially in terms of building on last seasons pitiful rush. Balance for me is a call for someone to be added to our OL depth who can significantly help our RB's achieve their goals in YPC.
jmo.

“Balance not just for karate only, it is lesson for whole life.”

Mr. Miyagi

Guess the word has many meanings.

Are we done now? Good. Now we can join together in pulling for improvement of the running game.

 

[AvengerRam]

And it was a fair assertion. A true assertion. This offense would be improved with the benefit of balance on offense.

I disagree. We had better run/pass balance in 2020 (around 43/57) than in 2021 (40/60). The offense was better in 2021.

Or are you also defining the term “balance” as something other than run/pass ratio?

 

[Merlin]

I disagree. We had better run/pass balance in 2020 (around 43/57) than in 2021 (40/60). The offense was better in 2021.

Or are you also defining the term “balance” as something other than run/pass ratio?

I don't think this is going anywhere but I'll just say one more time that an offense is always better if it has balance. Always. The more ways you can threaten a defense the better your chances of survival in the playoffs.

Which is your in to tell me sternly again that we won the Super Bowl without a run game. Yes I know. But either way I think it is a good conversation to discuss why and how we can improve the run game. How's that. But by all means keep beating that drum for whatever your objective is here.

 

[jjab360]

All I can say is I hope we see pre Achilles injury Cam Akers.

RB has to be one of the biggest question marks on the roster right now..

 

[bubbaramfan]

Go Jumbo!

 

[WestCoastRam]

I don't even know how many defenses are running split safety now but it's a lot compared to single safety. Remember, one of the ways that we were attacked as a split safety team was GB's use of two backs in the 2020 playoffs. Having one back motion out wide to f-- with our defensive rules gained them an even greater number advantage with our already light box. We'll continue to attack two high defenses the same way we always have in the passing game (deep passes, throwing ball outside the numbers - hello Robinson!, quick hitters) but I expect to see us mess with the lighter boxes with some two back sets whether motioning backs wide and aiming for RAC hitters or motioning backs from wide to the backfield and using misdirection to increase 3-5 yard gains to 10-20 yard gains.

 

[AvengerRam]

I don't think this is going anywhere but I'll just say one more time that an offense is always better if it has balance. Always. The more ways you can threaten a defense the better your chances of survival in the playoffs.

Which is your in to tell me sternly again that we won the Super Bowl without a run game. Yes I know. But either way I think it is a good conversation to discuss why and how we can improve the run game. How's that. But by all means keep beating that drum for whatever your objective is here.

Clearly, you’ve ignored several of my comments in this topic.

No matter. They’re there if you want to read them.

 

[Merlin]

All I can say is I hope we see pre Achilles injury Cam Akers.

RB has to be one of the biggest question marks on the roster right now..

Talent is there with him for sure. Which is what makes it so frustrating. Same with Hendy, but he's like a year ahead of Cam for me in terms of driving me batshit with his injuries.

Basically this is Cam's year. If he can't do it now it probably ain't gonna happen for him. And what sucks is the unknown with changing out two spots on the OL. Whit's run blocking was superb and very underrated IMO, he just put on a clinic of removing his dude by positioning him. Corbs wasn't so great in the run game so changing out with a drafted stud was the plan but it didn't work out so now it's Shelton. Who, btw, I did like at Center. So idk. Maybe Cam just goes the F off. Or if not then maybe Williams is a big hit.

Statistically it's time for the breaks to be in our favor at RB and we do have talent so I am hoping.

 

[majrleaged]

With Cam healthy I think the running game will be better than last year. My big concern after that is the short yardage plays. We need major improvement in that regard. If it isn't Carter lead blocking, then it needs to be a lineman. But whatever it takes, the rams have got to be able to count on picking those up.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Line needs to step up.

 

[Rambitious1]

So anybody think it's time for a new run scheme? Or is it the execution?

Yes.

 

[oldnotdead]

For the run game to be successful they need to change their alignments. McVay must come off his obsession with 11 personnel. He needs to use a lead blocker if he is going to continue to run between the tackles or he needs to change their run blocking scheme.

I think we will see them return to their outside zone concepts with an occasional inside zone. Bottom line is that if McVay designed his runs as well as his pass concepts there would be no problem. But to think he can run inside without the numbers is pure fantasy. Either get a real lead blocker or go back to the outside and inside zones and forget the power concepts.

The weakness of zone blocking is that it's successful only when the defense loses its gap assignments. Power with a lead blocker is an attacking concept that forces open run lanes. Zone runs exploit, power runs attack and create. Tomlinson went to the HOF behind a power run game with Lorenzo Neal as his lead blocker. It's the same concept the Niners attack the Rams with and why their run attack is hard to stop. McVay should just steal from the Niners and sign Rodger Carter to the active roster as their #3TE/FB.

 

[Faceplant]

Here's an interesting trend: running plays by WRs/TEs during McVay's tenure:

2017: 63 attempts (including 59 by Tavon Austin)
2018: 37 attempts
2019: 31 attempts
2020: 32 attempts
2021: 14 attempts

I'd surmise that the reduction is due, in large part, to the reduced need for misdirection and trickery with Stafford at the helm (similar to reason for reduction in play action pass attempts). That said, could we see an increase in jet sweeps and end arounds this year... perhaps a role for Tutu?

I think the main reason is simply cause Bobby Trees got hurt. He's basically been the main WR doing those attempts since 2017 I'd assume. Wonder how many of those 14 attempts was after the injury last season.

Would be nice if we can find someone to pick up that role. Kupp is good at it but would like to limit that exposure, Robinson/Van/Skow are all a bit too tall or lumbering probably, Tutu is probably too small to take that punishment, maybe a good role for Powell if he actually gets on the field for offensive plays, McCutcheon won't dress on gameday unless there's an injury.

These were my thoughts as well. The jet sweeps helped to open things up when we ran it consistently with Woods and Cooks. I would like to see Tutu get some chances there, if only as a decoy. We have to get production from him somehow.

Also, as mentioned, we are going to miss Trees blocking BIG TIME as he is one of, if not the best blocking WR in the game. Also.... they really miss Saffold.

 

[Kupped]

These were my thoughts as well. The jet sweeps helped to open things up when we ran it consistently with Woods and Cooks. I would like to see Tutu get some chances there, if only as a decoy. We have to get production from him somehow.

Also, as mentioned, we are going to miss Trees blocking BIG TIME as he is one of, if not the best blocking WR in the game. Also.... they really miss Saffold.

I look forward to seeing Robinson and Skow blocking.. both have plenty of size and physicality.. I think Robinson will absolutely embrace it as part of the bonus of being on the Rams now. Both of these guys have 20 pounds on Woods.

I also look forward to both of them getting some carries out of the backfield. I just think that the Rams will greatly diversify what they do this year.

 

[oldnotdead]

There was a comment by Snead that IMO got lost in all the other commentary. Snead commented that the reason they only went with 2 TEs and they saw no need for a blocking TE is because of how they use 6 on the OL. When they do that it's because they will be running an inside zone scheme in their blocking. They will probably use Evans or Jackson inserted between Shelton and Havenstein or outside of Rob as the extra blocker. This provides another blocker at the POA and by definition another gap the defense must defend or will be left open to be exploited when they run an inside zone run play.

IMO this is another indication that McVay will be running primarily zone concepts in his run attack. Also, what makes this possible is the acquisition of Robinson as their X WR. With him and Kupp on the outside, it's going to be hard for a defense to sell out on the run, i.e. dropping their SS into the box, leaving Kupp doubled (CB & FS) but Robinson singled up on a CB. A play-action pass is still an option with 3 receivers for Stafford. With McVay's love for the deep strike, we could see this more often. When the defense doesn't drop their SS into the box then they have favorable numbers for the run.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Yup, go jumbo

 

[AvengerRam]

Go Jumbo!

You went to Tufts too?

 

[Flint]

I think we are all aware that you don't need balance. Given that we just won a Super Bowl without it.

Having a conversation about how to improve it and maybe the root of the problems and why we have struggled should not require a caveat in every post where we feel the need acknowledge it. I think everyone here understands all that, or most do.

This offense is going to be tough out of the gate unlike last year when there were injuries to deal with.
I agree we don’t need balance but it’s nice to have, especially if you can get a lead. The Tampa game should’ve been a disappointing beat down to end Brady’s career. The rams run the ball and bleed the clock and it’s on to the SB. The gsot rams were very good at it,of course having Faulk was a big part of that, but maybe with the backs they’ve assembled they can create a decent run game. One that can close out a game and take some stress off that elbow.