The McVay thread

[badnews]

McVay needs to be better.
His offense gets in these predictable funks and some teams just seem to know what we want to do when we want to do it.
His play calling on 3rd down hasn't been good enough.
Everybody could see outside zone isn't working, hasn't been working for weeks, but we keep putting our QB in bad spots by running it twice and setting up 3rd and difficults..
He can't keep wasting TOs and using them in weird times.
He literally kept the 9ers alive with a bad TO.
Everyone knows Goff does better on roll outs and in up tempo. How many games do we have to fall behind by two scores before McVay starts calling those. Also, if I can guess what were doing on 3rd down 1/2 the time, thats a problem.
I'm sorry, I love McVay, think he is a great coach and I am glad to have him... that said, it would be cool if while we're all finally "being honest about Goff" maybe we should be "honest" about McVay too?

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I really wanted to beat the Whiners.

But after wondering why McVay stopped bootlegging Goff after it was so successful, and stopped running Akers after he owned the only good drive on offense, it dawned on me.

He saw the NFL making the Broncos play the Saints with no QB, looked at our remaining schedule vs theirs, and decided 1st seed was not realistic. Without the bye for winning the NFCW, he’d rather have the 5 seed and go play the NFCE champ.

Next level thinking Sean.

 

[HellRam]

The Rams were 12th in ppg last year. This year we are 19th despite improved oline play. I love McVay as well but it shouldn't be taboo to acknowledge the fact his offense isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. It was awsome when it was new. But McVay hasn't really added any new dimensions or major schematic changes to it and it seems we damn near run the same game plan week after week with very few exceptions. McVay rarely sways away from his tendencies and it really shows.

Goff became the number 1 overall pick for his play in the shotgun in the air raid offense and yet under McVay Goff is under center more then any QB in the league. It's just not a very diverse offense. Nevermind the fact we don't use RB's much in the pass game and our TE's are not really utilized to their abilities.

Goff hasn't played great but as the OP stated. If fans can predict and see what we're doing on offense. It's completely understandable how some defenses in the NFL can straight shut us down.

 

[ProGen]

Also, if I can guess what were doing on 3rd down 1/2 the time, thats a problem.

There is an air of predictability about McVays play calling.

It clearly isn't an easy job - there is a thin line between giving up on a tactic/plan, and not giving it time.......and not being quick enough to recognise when something isn't working, and switching it up.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

mcvay's playcalling and design is magnificent every down. when it doesn't work it's all because of goff. the media and many posters in here told me.

.

 

[TexasRam]

I feel about Mcvay the same I do with Goff. I am damn glad they are Rams. At the end of the day wins are what counts. There is going to be an ebb and flow to offensive productivity every year due to injuries, personnel change and schedule.

These guys will never be perfect and it's best to accept that. They will get outcoached or outplayed at times. Overall they are really good at what they do though. That is why we are a very successful team thus far with these two.

Having said that, there is some growing process both will go through, if we are lucky enough to see them here for a decade or two. Hopefully we don't run them out of town when they have down years. We did this with Warner and Martz and got to deal with the Linehan, Spags, Fisher years.

We didn't have a playoff game for 13 YEARS!! Until 2017 when Goff and Mcvay had their first full season. Some of you have a short memory how hard it is to find a franchise coach and QB.

We could question Mcvay every game really. But he always seems to find ways to keep our team at a high overall winning percentage.

I will offer a few critiques from yesterday though.

First, roll the QB out more. Goff is the best in the NFL at this. More importantly, it offers some desirable options against a tough defense. Getting out of the pocket allows for throwing the ball away if everything is covered. It also forces the Niners to play the whole field. It also gives Goff a clear view of the field on one side away from those pesky dropping DL an Linebackers that have been hard to see. It also opens up an option for him to pick up some yards and opens the run game when its defended. I don't understand why he goes away from it when we used it vs the Niners for 30 points last year.

Second, stop the predictable plays and the 3rd and 1 runs vs a Niners type defense. That kills too many drives.

Third, get the timeouts figured out. If Jefferson doesn't screw up the punt coverage and Mcvay doesn't help the Niners with stopping the clock, there is no way they kick a FG at the end yesterday.

 

[badnews]

I feel about Mcvay the same I do with Goff. I am damn glad they are Rams. At the end of the day wins are what counts. There is going to be an ebb and flow to offensive productivity every year due to injuries, personnel change and schedule.

These guys will never be perfect and it's best to accept that. They will get outcoached or outplayed at times. Overall they are really good at what they do though. That is why we are a very successful team thus far with these two.

Having said that, there is some growing process both will go through, if we are lucky enough to see them here for a decade or two. Hopefully we don't run them out of town when they have down years. We did this with Warner and Martz and got to deal with the Linehan, Spags, Fisher years.

We didn't have a playoff game for 13 YEARS!! Until 2017 when Goff and Mcvay had their first full season. Some of you have a short memory how hard it is to find a franchise coach and QB.

We could question Mcvay every game really. But he always seems to find ways to keep our team at a high overall winning percentage.

I will offer a few critiques from yesterday though.

First, roll the QB out more. Goff is the best in the NFL at this. More importantly, it offers some desirable options against a tough defense. Getting out of the pocket allows for throwing the ball away if everything is covered. It also forces the Niners to play the whole field. It also gives Goff a clear view of the field on one side away from those pesky dropping DL an Linebackers that have been hard to see. It also opens up an option for him to pick up some yards and opens the run game when its defended. I don't understand why he goes away from it when we used it vs the Niners for 30 points last year.

Second, stop the predictable plays and the 3rd and 1 runs vs a Niners type defense. That kills too many drives.

Third, get the timeouts figured out. If Jefferson doesn't screw up the punt coverage and Mcvay doesn't help the Niners with stopping the clock, there is no way they kick a FG at the end yesterday.

Im with you, Texas. On all of it.
I don't want to create a thread to bitch about McVay, he's my guy. So is Goff.
They both have plenty they can improve on and they should both have plenty of time to do it. The cool thing is they will get us 2 out of 3 wins when they're not at their best.
If they can get hot, get something clicking late and keep it up, we can beat any team in our conference and will give ourselves another shot at a championship - all while still learning and growing.

Goff is reminding me of a guitar player right now. You can practice full on every day but not necessarily improve any for long stretches. You hit slumps, start flubbing more notes than you used to and nothing seems to change. Then you pick up your guitar one day and play the right thing the right way and bam! All of that practice shows up and suddenly you seem noticeably better. Its weird, but progress is rarely neat like how we would want it.
Goff used to be much better with taking care of the ball. He can and will probably do that again and eventually it will just click. Same with his accuracy and completion streaks. When this slump ends, it will likely be in a flurry of great passes and better decisions and we will all say "where was this Goff!?"
Sometimes shit happens. Sometimes the other guys make a play. Sometimes the QB screws up. Imo Goffs own bad play if late has been magnified by bad luck and good plays by the Ds. Thats how it goes.

 

[TexasRam]

Im with you, Texas. On all of it.
I don't want to create a thread to bitch about McVay, he's my guy. So is Goff.
They both have plenty they can improve on and they should both have plenty of time to do it. The cool thing is they will get us 2 out of 3 wins when they're not at their best.
If they can get hot, get something clicking late and keep it up, we can beat any team in our conference and will give ourselves another shot at a championship - all while still learning and growing.

Goff is reminding me of a guitar player right now. You can practice full on every day but not necessarily improve any for long stretches. You hit slumps, start flubbing more notes than you used to and nothing seems to change. Then you pick up your guitar one day and play the right thing the right way and bam! All of that practice shows up and suddenly you seem noticeably better. Its weird, but progress is rarely neat like how we would want it.
Goff used to be much better with taking care of the ball. He can and will probably do that again and eventually it will just click. Same with his accuracy and completion streaks. When this slump ends, it will likely be in a flurry of great passes and better decisions and we will all say "where was this Goff!?"
Sometimes shit happens. Sometimes the other guys make a play. Sometimes the QB screws up. Imo Goffs own bad play if late has been magnified by bad luck and good plays by the Ds. Thats how it goes.

Yea good points. Progress can often be non-linear. And often the addition or subtraction of one player on offense can affect the production and our impression of a QB. As I stated Brady went from 24 TD 12 Int in 2006 to 50 TD 8 Int the very next year. He added Randy Moss. This was Brady's 7th year in the league and he never had a 100 QB rating before that. The post Gurley prime years are showing us Goffs floor so to speak. This is what it looks like without a superstar or dynamic player that can supplement Goff's game.

Goff has areas of improvement. Vertical passes need to be worked on. Protecting the ball and taking less risks. The high throw to Woods on the sideline on our last possession shows he needs to a little more cool under pressure, though he is usually really good in those spots in my book. But also, the Higbee drop, the Brown fumble, The play calls, lots of things were out of his control in this particular game. In the losses vs SF 2x (Kupp, Higbee) and vs Miami (Everett) he had huge drops by WR's that could have changed the end result. He also had no run gain to support him. So, the entire team needs to keep working.

 

[OnceARam]

What were the Whiners DL doing that we couldn't convert a 3 and short (repeatedly)?

It looked to me like some kind of weird slant concept, where the DL would mush things up. Thoughts?

 

[FrantikRam]

If Goff plays an NFL average QB game we win by 7-10 points - it's hard to take this thread seriously when:

None of the turnovers were on McVay

Goff missed Henderson wide open for a TD (great play call)

Goff missed Woods open on the sideline on 2nd and 5 of the last drive


He did some things I didnt like in this game, such as the timeout usage - but it pales in comparison to the "Quarterback" play yesterday.

It's a valid thread but, wrong week IMO. McVay easily coached well enough to win the game.

 

[badnews]

If Goff plays an NFL average QB game we win by 7-10 points - it's hard to take this thread seriously when:

None of the turnovers were on McVay

Goff missed Henderson wide open for a TD (great play call)

Goff missed Woods open on the sideline on 2nd and 5 of the last drive


He did some things I didnt like in this game, such as the timeout usage - but it pales in comparison to the "Quarterback" play yesterday.

It's a valid thread but, wrong week IMO. McVay easily coached well enough to win the game.

This is a McVay thread. There are umpteen other threads where the points you're making have been discussed ad nauseum.

It doesn't matter what Goff does when evaluating McVay. I'm not interested in judging McVay by Goffs mistakes, just like nobody gives Goff credit for McVays wins. Goff doesn't get to take the blame for McVays time out usage, his predictable and sometimes stale play calling, his 3rd down play calls etc.

 

[FrantikRam]

This is a McVay thread. There are umpteen other threads where the points you're making have been discussed ad nauseum.

It doesn't matter what Goff does when evaluating McVay. I'm not interested in judging McVay by Goffs mistakes, just like nobody gives Goff credit for McVays wins. Goff doesn't get to take the blame for McVays time out usage, his predictable and sometimes stale play calling, his 3rd down play calls etc.

Okay.

McVay coached well enough to win yesterday, so the timing of this thread is odd.

Better?

 

[kurtfaulk]

Okay.

McVay coached well enough to win yesterday, so the timing of this thread is odd.

Better?

but you've been telling us how awful goff was in the game. why did mcvay call only pass plays on that last drive? was that good coaching? why lean on the guy that was playing horribly? does that make sense? they just ran the length of the field for a td. why not stick with it and take time off the clock? great coaching?

disclaimer - i love coach mcvay and wouldn't swap him with any other coach in the league. just trying to make a point.

.

 

[badnews]

Im just playin'
McVay is great and as I've said all along, we're lucky to have him.

But he needs to bring a killer instinct against these bastards. The 9ers are comfortable talking shit on AD for Christ sake. They think they have our number and that Shanny owns McVay and thus far they are not wrong.
I don't care who McVay has at QB. He can't drop that many to our biggest rival.
Sometimes I am reminded that both our HC and our QB basically grew up as 49er fans. I will never feel 100% okay with that tbh, so I need to see some wins against these douchenozzles.

 

[badnews]

Okay.

McVay coached well enough to win yesterday, so the timing of this thread is odd.

Better?

I guess, but he was far from perfect.
Goff cost us the game but he wasn't helped much by his coach.
Maybe had he been better, we don't lose by 3?
Maybe if he didn't get scared and waste a time out right before a big stop on 3rd down, the 9ers punt and we get the ball and hold on for the win. But that isn't what happened.
His early 3rd down playcalling and choice to go pass happy when we needed to run the clock was just flat out as unforgivable as fumbling a ball.
Thats fumbling a ball game.

 

[nighttrain]

one reason we lost is that without big Whit and Saffold this offensive line is just ordinary, barely
train

 

[OntarioRam]

McVay is a really good coach. I am glad we have him. But Shanahan is an amazing coach. That's the difference. The better coach won, as they usually do against us (obviously, Goff had a lot to do with yesterday's L). I do not see why this is surprising. Our best hope at this point is Saleh goes to Detroit. We won't be beating the 49ers for the foreseeable future IMO. They matchup very well against us. Similar to how we match up well vs Seattle. But when you add SF having what might be the best coaching staff in the league, it creates serious problems. God help us if they get a QB. I've said this a few times on this board and gotten heat for it. But this is what i see.

 

[badnews]

one reason we lost is that without big Whit and Saffold this offensive line is just ordinary, barely
train

Agreed and it doesn't help that when the run game doesn't work, McVay seems to be less creative and Goff has to play perfect throwing to two good but not exceptional targets. No jump ball guy, no speed threat, just route runners with good hands. Woods and Kupp are both great but thats a difficult way to win for a QB playing against defenses that know our tendencies.

 

[FrantikRam]

but you've been telling us how awful goff was in the game. why did mcvay call only pass plays on that last drive? was that good coaching? why lean on the guy that was playing horribly? does that make sense? they just ran the length of the field for a td. why not stick with it and take time off the clock? great coaching?

disclaimer - i love coach mcvay and wouldn't swap him with any other coach in the league. just trying to make a point.

.

Run game wasn't working, as others have pointed out. Have to call some plays to try to move down the field, and I think he wanted to try to get Goff into a rhythm and give him a chance to redeem himself.

 

[FrantikRam]

I guess, but he was far from perfect.
Goff cost us the game but he wasn't helped much by his coach.
Maybe had he been better, we don't lose by 3?
Maybe if he didn't get scared and waste a time out right before a big stop on 3rd down, the 9ers punt and we get the ball and hold on for the win. But that isn't what happened.
His early 3rd down playcalling and choice to go pass happy when we needed to run the clock was just flat out as unforgivable as fumbling a ball.
Thats fumbling a ball game.

I disagree on the 3rd down play calling. Won't know the reality of that until someone breaks down all the plays using the all 22.

As for getting pass happy - didn't you say that the run game wasn't working? On our last two drives we ran five plays - if we go run/run/run its probably a 3 and out