The Defense

[OldSchool]

Agreed!!!!

Suddenly we lose if Caleb has an "average game". In part, I agree. He's completed more than 59.9% of his passes in a game 6 times this season and they're 2-4. When he completes less, they are 9-2.

"Our D will not hold them to less than 20!!!!"
We had better review what the Lions DC did because Detroit held them to 16 and 21 points in their 2 games.

"You can only do so much with untalented DBs!!!"
Well we're not the vaunted Denver Broncos but I wouldn't call our DBs untalented. Some Bronco fans might though.

Should we focus on the Bears offense, or the Bears defense?

The Bears are:
#23 in yds allowed
#25 in TDs allowed
#23 in Pts allowed
#22 vs the Pass
#27 vs the Run
#22 in sacks
#29 in rush yards/att

Maybe we could get away giving up 30 and still winning the game?????

It's so tiring honestly reading all this stuff. My favorite thing is people forget from year to year that McVay has straight up said he wants this type of coverage because he'd rather give up the underneath stuff than the big plays. It doesn't matter the DC or the CB's we have you're very likely to see this type of coverage the majority of the games.

 

[DzRams]

I'm also wondering if McVay isn't behind the "bend but don't break" philosophy because Shula's defense is looking a lot like Raheem's.

Yep! Been saying this for a while now. The defense looks like the HC (and GM) want it to look.

After he fired Wade, it was reported that McVay wanted more personal involvement in the defense and he strongly favored the Vic Fangio defensive scheme, which is widely characterized as a "bend-but-don't-break" style. Its primary goal is to eliminate big, explosive plays by forcing offenses to execute long, methodical drives consisting of short passes and runs.

 

[OldSchool]

I agree. Look at what the Patriots did to the Chargers last night. They pressured Herbert all game long, lining up in different looks all the time. The Rams are so predictable it makes it easy on the OL to know who to block. I'm also wondering if McVay isn't behind the "bend but don't break" philosophy because Shula's defense is looking a lot like Raheem's.

He's said for years he is. He doesn't want to give up the big plays on D and he prefers the coverage that we run. Four DC's and all 4 have run this type of coverage.

 

[Merlin]

This team will only go as far as the defense takes us. Despite an off day for the offense, we still scored 34 points and Stafford threw for 300 yards. The defense, on the other hand, did what they’ve done for the past six weeks or so - let teams drive up and down the field on us. We make every QB look like Tom Brady. Look what happened to the Packers last night when the Bears decided to pressure Love. Why Shula doesn’t bring more pressure is beyond me. The front four alone isn’t getting there enough and our secondary can’t cover anyone. If we go to Seattle, we need to pressure the shit out of Darnold. We saw what happened last time when we sat back and hoped for them to make a mistake. Shula is just a Raheem clone - bend but don’t break. But when you’re giving up 31 points to Carolina team, that’s not a good sign.

First I'd say that both Morris and Shula run the defense McVay wants. Also I'd say McVay is more involved with the defense than people think.

Secondly I'd say that what you play is largely influenced by the talent you have on the back end. If McVay had three shutdown covers with length to them we'd be a man coverage defense. But we don't have those players. What we have is a cobbled together group with guys that have not developed as was hoped when they were drafted. Since Ramsey's play fell off they have not been able to prioritize that CB1 role.

Going forward we're going to see if this secondary can get it together now that they have Lake back. I don't think they're going to recapture who they were earlier this season, though I'd love to be wrong. Also I think they're going to be why we get sent home, because I don't think this offense is consistent enough to overcome how bad they are during a playoff run. Again offenses tend to get shut down in the playoffs here and there. So when that happens LA is done most likely, due to this defense.

So I think you are correct to say we'll go as far as the defense brings us. I just don't think it's gonna be all that far, because being a team that enters the playoffs with a struggling defense doesn't seem to end well. But hey once again I'd love to be wrong.

 

[PARAM]

It's so tiring honestly reading all this stuff. My favorite thing is people forget from year to year that McVay has straight up said he wants this type of coverage because he'd rather give up the underneath stuff than the big plays. It doesn't matter the DC or the CB's we have you're very likely to see this type of coverage the majority of the games.

As do a lot of coaches. Why? Preventing the big play and causing teams to run more plays increases the chance they're going to fuck up.

He's said for years he is. He doesn't want to give up the big plays on D and he prefers the coverage that we run. Four DC's and all 4 have run this type of coverage.

Yes. It's definitely McVay, as the head coach, telling the DC, "this is what I want". And it makes sense. If you have the #1 offense in the NFL, the team who has scored the most TDs, doesn't it make more sense to run that type of D?

 

[Classic Rams]

Yup I'm in total agreement with you guys in that the DCs don't want to give up the big plays and rather try to get the offense to make mistakes on a longer drive. If a defense frequently gives up long bombs for TDs heads are gonna roll. Why more don't roll for these horrible STs is beyond me!

I'm on the fence with Shula and about to do the humpty hump over the side. His D gave up too many big runs last year and made a JAG like Barkley look like Dickerson. You don't adjust the following year! This year we've been allowing too many points after a good start. We lose 2 guys and have a hard time stopping offenses, and the damn whiners have a 3rd string D that makes stops! We can improve there with a new DC next year. Personnel is another issue we need DBs with height and just lost one for the year.

 

[Snaz]

This team will only go as far as the defense takes us. Despite an off day for the offense, we still scored 34 points and Stafford threw for 300 yards. The defense, on the other hand, did what they’ve done for the past six weeks or so - let teams drive up and down the field on us. We make every QB look like Tom Brady. Look what happened to the Packers last night when the Bears decided to pressure Love. Why Shula doesn’t bring more pressure is beyond me. The front four alone isn’t getting there enough and our secondary can’t cover anyone. If we go to Seattle, we need to pressure the shit out of Darnold. We saw what happened last time when we sat back and hoped for them to make a mistake. Shula is just a Raheem clone - bend but don’t break. But when you’re giving up 31 points to Carolina team, that’s not a good sign.

If actual stats back it up, but every time we blitz it seems the OL covers it. So not blitzing is better IMYO.

 

[OldSchool]

As do a lot of coaches. Why? Preventing the big play and causing teams to run more plays increases the chance they're going to fuck up.

If I remember his exact quote his wording on why was the more plays they have to run the more chance there is for something to go wrong for them. A sack a penalty or a turnover all can change the possession.

I just laugh because the people most vocal against this type of coverage on defense are the ones who never remember that it's McVay that wants it.

 

[duanevalle22]

Yep! Been saying this for a while now. The defense looks like the HC (and GM) want it to look.

After he fired Wade, it was reported that McVay wanted more personal involvement in the defense and he strongly favored the Vic Fangio defensive scheme, which is widely characterized as a "bend-but-don't-break" style. Its primary goal is to eliminate big, explosive plays by forcing offenses to execute long, methodical drives consisting of short passes and runs.

So wanting to have the other teams offense have long methodical drives so the Rams elite offense has less time / possessions to score points...... oh and in hopes they (other teams offense) makes a mistakes because the Rams defense is giving them more plays to do it..... really? What offensive minded head coach thinks like that.... Or any sane NFL head coach for that matter.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but that just sounds absolutely ridiculous.... Sounds like the Magic 8 Ball game plan.

 

[Flatlyner]

Spoon is back to IR? He came back in the game to play.

Can anyone confirm this?

McVay said it in the presser I believe. Reinjured clavicle.

 

[Ramit]

So wanting to have the other teams offense have long methodical drives so the Rams elite offense has less time / possessions to score points...... oh and in hopes they (other teams offense) makes a mistakes because the Rams defense is giving them more plays to do it..... really? What offensive minded head coach thinks like that.... Or any sane NFL head coach for that matter.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but that just sounds absolutely ridiculous.... Sounds like the Magic 8 Ball game plan.

The opposite of that is to then do what? Gamble with being super aggressive and then consistently get beat for TDs over the top because the coverage isn't now giving the pass rush time to get home?

They keep everything in front of them and then constantly rotate the coverage shells post snap. The QB is never seeing the same thing twice in a row from our defense.

They go as far as to follow the motion player across the field to look as if they are in man coverage to then actually be in zone or match zone once the ball snaps... Completely negating the pre-snap read that by all accounts and purposes should have indicated man coverage.

It is much better to give yourself a better statistical chance at forcing a turnover or punt to give the ball to your offense an extra one or two times per game than it is to invite quick strike plays that get you down quick and make you one dimensional.

Or strategy works for us because of the simple fact that our offense absolutely can consistently put together along methodical drives without making a mistake while ALSO having that big play ability.

 

[kmramsfan]

What offensive minded head coach thinks like that.... Or any sane NFL head coach for that matter.

I guess our insane head coach does.
You know ...... the winningest head coach in Rams history.

 

[duanevalle22]

Get the damn ball in Stafford hands as often as possible.....

Letting the defense stay on the field for long periods means a completely gassed defense in the 4th quarter.

Where did some of you guys play football???? Devry University????

 

[OldSchool]

The opposite of that is to then do what? Gamble with being super aggressive and then consistently get beat for TDs over the top because the coverage isn't now giving the pass rush time to get home?

They keep everything in front of them and then constantly rotate the coverage shells post snap. The QB is never seeing the same thing twice in a row from our defense.

They go as far as to follow the motion player across the field to look as if they are in man coverage to then actually be in zone or match zone once the ball snaps... Completely negating the pre-snap read that by all accounts and purposes should have indicated man coverage.

It is much better to give yourself a better statistical chance at forcing a turnover or punt to give the ball to your offense an extra one or two times per game than it is to invite quick strike plays that get you down quick and make you one dimensional.

Or strategy works for us because of the simple fact that our offense absolutely can consistently put together along methodical drives without making a mistake while ALSO having that big play ability.

His response is pure comedy omg haven't laughed that hard in a long long time The complete lack of understanding comes out now in his posts for the last 2 days.

 

[Ramit]

The opposite of that is to then do what? Gamble with being super aggressive and then consistently get beat for TDs over the top because the coverage isn't now giving the pass rush time to get home?

They keep everything in front of them and then constantly rotate the coverage shells post snap. The QB is never seeing the same thing twice in a row from our defense.

They go as far as to follow the motion player across the field to look as if they are in man coverage to then actually be in zone or match zone once the ball snaps... Completely negating the pre-snap read that by all accounts and purposes should have indicated man coverage.

It is much better to give yourself a better statistical chance at forcing a turnover or punt to give the ball to your offense an extra one or two times per game than it is to invite quick strike plays that get you down quick and make you one dimensional.

Or strategy works for us because of the simple fact that our offense absolutely can consistently put together along methodical drives without making a mistake while ALSO having that big play ability.

As A further side note to this point, I can remember a time when this entire forum was ragging on McVeigh for not committing to the run.... Are exact team philosophy allows for us to be able to run the ball consistently and wears on the opposing defense because of it.

 

[PARAM]

So wanting to have the other teams offense have long methodical drives so the Rams elite offense has less time / possessions to score points...... oh and in hopes they (other teams offense) makes a mistakes because the Rams defense is giving them more plays to do it..... really? What offensive minded head coach thinks like that.... Or any sane NFL head coach for that matter.

How much football do you really watch? Come on. Fess up. A game a week? Every other week? Occasionally?

 

[OldSchool]

How much football do you really watch? Come on. Fess up. A game a week? Every other week? Occasionally?

Not sure he really watches Rams games hahaha

 

[PARAM]

His response is pure comedy omg haven't laughed that hard in a long long time The complete lack of understanding comes out now in his posts for the last 2 days.

Oh for sure. It's been obvious.

Not sure he really watches Rams games hahaha

Yeah, one word comes to mind

Troll

 

[duanevalle22]

Not sure he really watches Rams games hahaha

I know enough about football that if you have one of the best offenses in the NFL you want it on the field.... Not some hair brain game plan of keeping your defense on the field so the opposing offense can get in as many snaps as possible so we have chance at a turnover...... High School coaches don't even think like that..... My Pop Warner coaches didnt think like that. My college coaches didn't think like that...

 

[PARAM]

I know enough about football that if you have one of the best offenses in the NFL you want it on the field.... Not some hair brain game plan of keeping your defense on the field so the opposing offense can get in as many snaps as possible so we have chance at a turnover...... High School coaches don't even think like that..... My Pop Warner coaches don't think like that. My college coaches didn't think like that...

Nobody suggested keeping the defense on the field was the game plan. You must have missed the nuanced part of that approach. But it's probably a little too complicated for you, despite your years of Pop Warner, High School and College Football? What college was that? Immaconman Tech? Fulloshyte State.