Stafford's Slow Starts in First Halves

[Juice]

Let me preface this by saying that I realize that Stafford has won the NFC offensive player of the week twice, and currently leads the league in passing yards. I am not complaining. I am wondering if any of you out there are as concerned with his slow starts in the last three games. I am not doubting the QB's abilities at all, and I an damn sure glad that he is a Ram, but slow starts against an agressively offensive team coupled with our current defensive scheme might cause us games in the rest ofthe season. Once again, we are 4-1, and I am not complaining. Does anyone else see this, or does this opinion reek of armchair.

 

[Faceplant]

It's a concern, yes, but I think he is just starting to settle into this offense TBH. When our previous QB started slow, especially the last 2 years he played for us, you could almost guarantee a loss. I don't feel that way with Stafford. The next five games will be a good measuring stick for his progression.

 

[majrleaged]

Well the TB game I give him a pass. It was the biggest game of his career. New team and all. The build up felt like playoffs.
The last 2 I really feel like the he and the team are not fully disclosing an injury that probably happened in the Cardinals game. That is when the wild ass throws started.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Nope. Some of y'all worry too much. It's been 5 games with a new team, and they did not play in the preseason. Give him time to build chemistry with the WRs. His completion percentage is 68%. Brady wasn't hitting his stride with the Bucs until the end of last season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I just hope he's not out on Saturday nights, partying with Urban Meyer.

I would like to be out on Saturday nights partying with Urban Meyer.

As a matter of fact, I am free tonight.

 

[jap]

Let me preface this by saying that I realize that Stafford has won the NFC offensive player of the week twice, and currently leads the league in passing yards. I am not complaining. I am wondering if any of you out there are as concerned with his slow starts in the last three games. I am not doubting the QB's abilities at all, and I an damn sure glad that he is a Ram, but slow starts against an agressively offensive team coupled with our current defensive scheme might cause us games in the rest ofthe season. Once again, we are 4-1, and I am not complaining. Does anyone else see this, or does this opinion reek of armchair.

I'm not. It is to be expected. He is with a brand new team, and regular-season game speed tends to be faster, quicker, less predictable than mere scrimmages. He also has to adjust to the game speed rhythms of his fly guys (i.e., the WR's, TE's, & RBs). Give him 'til about mid-season before registering real concerns. I am still waiting for our D to turn the corner, but that will probably be another mid-season wait too.

 

[Prime Time]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't McVay script the first 15 plays of the game? Maybe he needs to do some better scripting.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't McVay script the first 15 plays of the game? Maybe he needs to do some better scripting.

I don't think he does.

Could be wrong but I do not recall an announcer ever making that comment with regard to McVay and the Rams.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Let me preface this by saying that I realize that Stafford has won the NFC offensive player of the week twice, and currently leads the league in passing yards. I am not complaining. I am wondering if any of you out there are as concerned with his slow starts in the last three games. I am not doubting the QB's abilities at all, and I an damn sure glad that he is a Ram, but slow starts against an agressively offensive team coupled with our current defensive scheme might cause us games in the rest ofthe season. Once again, we are 4-1, and I am not complaining. Does anyone else see this, or does this opinion reek of armchair.

For now I'm chalking it up to Stafford being new to this offense. Even for a veteran McVay puts a lot on his plate. I'm hoping he an get over this hump with the next 4 games.

 

[GoodBadUgly]

I don't buy the injury thing. Yeah, sure QBs are always banged up to some extent, but there have been too many amazing throws during this time that we wouldn't see if there were something seriously wrong physically.

I just think we are spoiled from Kurt Warner's version of perfection, mixed with Stafford getting comfortable with the offense and the tension associated with MEANINGFUL football. He is leading the entire NFL in multiple categories, including big plays which he is being piled on here for underthrowing.

My suggestion is to be patient and enjoy the ride. We are in the mix to earn the right to play the last few games of this season, after all..

 

[Juice]

I also noticed that the Seattle Smurf was overthrowing people as well, or had some off throws during the game. What I am looking at are receivers that are wide open and the pass just isn't right. I totally get that I am overreacting and should wait until he gels with the team. It's just concerning me that these missed opportunities are going to cost us games. I'll chill and watch him get more comfortable with his guys.

Can I say that I hope Raheem does as well?

 

[Tumak61]

He's having too many problems with his fingers for my comfort. The thumb and now another finger on the throwing hand. It is a concern.

 

[payote75]

My biggest concern is the long ball. I'm hoping it has to do with timing or maybe it's the finger or fingers thumb and index so not a great grip. I have never really seen Stafford underthrow to many people on a deep ball ever. That's concerning to me. We got him because of all these other attributes he has but the deep ball was key and if we can't have that then he/we are in trouble.

 

[Ramlock]

Not worried at all.

New receivers and new offense.

No preseason.

5 games.

2 NFC Offensive POW.

C’mon man…

 

[Mackeyser]

It looks to me like he's just a big amped up.

Stafford has always had one of the hardest fastballs in the NFL and he's in a system that requires much more touch than any he had in Detroit.

How many times did Troy Aikman illustrate how the throws he missed were the "he just needs to lay it out" type as opposed to the tight window passes or the fastball passes? It was a fair amount.

Once Stafford settles in, he's more than fine.

The hard part with DJax is that often Stafford is looking off the safety, so he doesn't know if DJax has been bumped off his route which is huge for a guy who's as fast as he is.

Anyway, I have every faith in this offense. The defense worries me a little... which is the EXACT opposite of last year. But I expect for Stafford to calm down and for this offense to really take off.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Is Stafford late with some under throws, or under throwing them?

There seems a time or two I thought Stafford was late… and DJ can outrun a long ball.

 

[thirteen28]

Sometimes I wonder if he's just a little overwhelmed with all of his good luck of having been traded to the Rams, getting to play under a great play designer like McVay, and getting to play with a buttload of weapons. All the years in Detroit probably conditioned to wait for the other shoe to drop ... PDTSD ... Post Detroit Traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

[Juice]

Sometimes I wonder if he's just a little overwhelmed with all of his good luck of having been traded to the Rams, getting to play under a great play designer like McVay, and getting to play with a buttload of weapons. All the years in Detroit probably conditioned to wait for the other shoe to drop ... PDTSD ... Post Detroit Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Nobody expected the Lions to win during most of his tenure there. Everybody expects him to wine here. I guess that does put a lot of pressure on a player, but you would think that after five weeks, he'd have his head around it. A lot of the things I've read is that he is a tough as nails competitor.

 

[JIMERAMS]

Well he is missing wide open receivers and under throwing the long ball a lot and has plenty of time in the pocket more than Goff ever had last season. Other than underthrowing the long ball everything else is on him it has nothing to do with a new offense or McVay. We have receivers running wide open on every play it seems you have to hit those passes. The thing is he has never had this kind of pressure on him he has always been on a bad team and has been the GUY. You never know if he can handle the pressure we will see

 

[PhillyRam]

Well he is missing wide open receivers and under throwing the long ball a lot and has plenty of time in the pocket more than Goff ever had last season. Other than underthrowing the long ball everything else is on him it has nothing to do with a new offense or McVay. We have receivers running wide open on every play it seems you have to hit those passes. The thing is he has never had this kind of pressure on him he has always been on a bad team and has been the GUY. You never know if he can handle the pressure we will see

Seems like he is holding the ball a tick too long causing some of those underthrows. He can thank the Lord that Blythe isn't his center because he wouldn't have that extra time and would be getting beat up pretty good.

Hopefully it starts clicking soon and those throws speed up. Probably thinking too much. Also needs to take th check down if it's there at times to keep drives going.