So it's time to get a RB, right?

[FrantikRam]

Thought I addressed the OL play in my post - so for those using that as a reason, let's say we get a repeat of this next week - would that change your mind? If the backup OL aren't blocking well enough and it doesn't allow you to evaluate the RBs, best to err on the side of caution and get a vet

 

[BonifayRam]

State of the Los Angeles Rams running back competition after first preseason game​

An update on LA Rams’ running back room
By Dylan Deines Aug 15, 2021,

State of the Los Angeles Rams running back competition after first preseason game

An update on LA Rams’ running back room

www.turfshowtimes.com

• 
  
  There were not many starters on the field Saturday night for the Los Angeles Rams, but after a season-ending injury to Cam Akers, a battle for backup took place at SoFi Stadium. Xavier Jones got the nod for the start but tied Raymond Calais with seven carries and Jake Funk finishing in third with five.
  
  
  
  Xavier Jones appears to have taken the lead for backup at the moment, getting seven rushing attempts and gaining 21 yards on those plays, though under these circumstances the numbers must be taken with a grain of salt. He was also targeted in the pass game three times for two receptions.
• 
  More important than the stats, Sean McVay sort of talked about Jones after the game as if he was the main backup right now, calling him a “bright spot” in training camp.
• 
  Funk played behind Jones and was utilized mostly as a third down back. He caught a screen pass but the Chargers were all over it and it led to a negative play. McVay said that Funk played well, especially on a key fourth-and-1.
• 
  Calais saw most of his playing time in the second half and amassed 14 yards on seven carries. He also was featured in the special teams and may carve out a spot for himself on the team as a punt and kick returner because he did seem to do well in those moments. He took a punt back for 46 yards and set the Rams up in great field position.
  
  But pass protection will also be a key for the third down back and Calais missed a key block in that area. Is it a strength or a weakness?
  
  It will be hard for Sean McVay and running back coach Thomas Brown to truly diagnose their backfield after a poor performance from the offensive line in the run game. The Chargers’ front was living in the Rams’ backfield and closed up any gaps quickly before any LA running back could hit a hole. To truly understand what the Rams have in the backfield, the offensive line will need to tighten up their run-blocking in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders next Saturday.
• 
  After a lackluster performance by the Rams backfield and offensive line, quarterback Bryce Perkins definitely had the highlight of the game when he took off from the pocket and hurdled a defender for the first down. Hopkins was the rushing leader for LA with four carries that went for 23 yards.
  
  But Perkins won’t be in the Rams running back committee in 2021. Who will be?

 

[Mojo Ram]

It's not just that our backs were ineffective due to poor OL play, they were eazy peazy tackles even when they were in one-on-ones...and were getting blown up in pass pro vs scrub blitzers.

Rams need to make a move for THIS season because THIS is a Super Bowl run.

Our #1 back is out, our #2 has durability concerns. Continue to develop Funk etc but this is a physical division. Akers is a physical back. Henderson not so much but he brings good speed, hands and explosiveness. The backups don't even have good size aside from Funk and i don't see it with him. I didn't see it on draft day either. He isn't exceptional at anything besides getting hurt.

 

[CoachAllred]

If the backup OL aren't blocking well enough and it doesn't allow you to evaluate the RBs

I 'm sure they get evaluated everyday in practice by our coaches.
If McVay is good with our current group, then I am more than happy to stay the course.

My intuition tells me we are far from done with our roster.
IMO we are putting on a smile and appearing to be delighted with our
backfield. While we have been hard at work in Sneadsville ,since the injury ,uncovering every rock and
biding our time until it's time to make a move.

That being said a healthy Akers could not have moved the ball last night with that oliine, which actually
is bothering me worse than the backfield.

 

[Neil039]

Adding to @Mojo Ram post. The Rams have 1/2 a starting RB. The others have not shown anything beyond draft position.

If they are not careful (Rams) no one will make a decent trade with a possible Super Bowl team. The Rams will end up losing more draft capital or over pay for a Veteran RB.

The OL is always a concern, but the current RB dilemma is very troubling 4 weeks before the season starts.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I would have been a no, but seeing the game Saturday, I think we should look at adding an RB

 

[Merlin]

Yes without a doubt. And I hope the guy they bring in has some power in his run style at least.

 

[blackbart]

Akers would have looked like crap behind that line.

Who has been to camp and seen these guys with the 1’s against our defense?

Anyone standout there? The scrimmage against the Chargers is a fucking joke for evaluating any of them.

 

[dieterbrock]

On top of the oline run blocking like trash, I think Staley was also playing some reg season D against his old team. Seemed more motivated to win the game than McVay

 

[Merlin]

That recent McVay presser is excellent. He talks about the run game a bit.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

On top of the oline run blocking like trash, I think Staley was also playing some reg season D against his old team. Seemed more motivated to win the game than McVay

Aqib pointed out several starters on the Chargers' D.

 

[808RAMS]

i voted yes but please don’t trade away anymore 1st round picks.

 

[fanotodd]

We currently have 4 RBs on the roster. How many do you expect the Rams to carry? If they’re gonna go out and grab another, then who is getting cut or stashed on the PS?

It looks to me that if the Rams decide to pick up another RB for insurance, it’s gonna be somebody to develop on the PS and hopefully won’t need this year or need too soon (injuries).

Edit:
Oops, forgot about Anderson. He’s the PS/developmental guy. So again, who are the Rams waiving if they are adding another RB?

 

[FrantikRam]

We currently have 4 RBs on the roster. How many do you expect the Rams to carry? If they’re gonna go out and grab another, then who is getting cut or stashed on the PS?

It looks to me that if the Rams decide to pick up another RB for insurance, it’s gonna be somebody to develop on the PS and hopefully won’t need this year or need too soon (injuries).

Edit:
Oops, forgot about Anderson. He’s the PS/developmental guy. So again, who are the Rams waiving if they are adding another RB?

Xavier Jones, Funk or Anderson. Any one of them can be the ps/developmental guy

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

That recent McVay presser is excellent. He talks about the run game a bit.

...and openly recognized how bad it was.

 

[Merlin]

I'm going to assume that the run game is a point of emphasis this week for the Rams. Whenever the Rams play with low physicality I end up thinking about McVay's focus on injury prevention and wonder if they're working on physicality enough to be prepared for game intensity. I'm sure it's a really tough thing to balance but basically a team gets most proficient at things it works the hardest on.

Not blaming our run game last weekend solely on that or anything. Just pointing out maybe it's a factor. And McVay seemed to be irritated by the lack of production, he might not value power backs and a power run game but he does value the run game. So I have to think there will be a little more focus on that to avoid the depth guys making the team look bad with another shitty run game outing.

And this doesn't change the Rams' need to go get a RB. That still should happen I just hope they can get their hands on one after cuts.

We currently have 4 RBs on the roster. How many do you expect the Rams to carry? If they’re gonna go out and grab another, then who is getting cut or stashed on the PS?

It looks to me that if the Rams decide to pick up another RB for insurance, it’s gonna be somebody to develop on the PS and hopefully won’t need this year or need too soon (injuries).

Edit:
Oops, forgot about Anderson. He’s the PS/developmental guy. So again, who are the Rams waiving if they are adding another RB?

I think they'll carry 4. They may go 5 with Calais considered as a returner who can sub in worst case. But my hope is they don't consider Calais as a real option because he's just not a very good back. Also Anderson is going to be cut. He won't make this team.

I'm thinking if they were to pick up a guy who has a little more power to his game that would be ideal. Power profile is missing with these guys, Funk has a little but it's a need for the room. Then you have Hendy, Jones, Funk, <addition>. It could be a FB type too btw.

Also it would have been nice to have a returner option who could also be real depth for a position. I think with this roster that's sort of a prob with Calais. But it's not a major problem or anything. They can set aside a roster spot for a guy who covers returns the question is whether he's good enough to warrant that. I'm not sold on the guy so gonna wait and see through the rest of preseason how all that shakes out. But they're gonna keep Atwell for sure so to me the best case scenario is he fills the return roles and allows them to cut bait with Calais and free up a roster spot. Again though we'll see if Calais can keep up what he did the other night though.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

It was kind of refreshing to hear Sean acknowledge how bad our run blocking was.

 

[FaulkSF]

Alfred Morris cut. He's a good option as he ran behind a crap Giants O line last year. I didn't watch a lot of him, but if he can blitz pick up, I'd ask we kick the tires.

 

[Merlin]

Alfred Morris cut. He's a good option as he ran behind a crap Giants O line last year. I didn't watch a lot of him, but if he can blitz pick up, I'd ask we kick the tires.

Morris would be nice. Experienced vet with some power to his game.

 

[PressureD41]

I would be happy w/ A. Morris added to the RB room