The Packers certainly exposed us and left plenty of clues for a ‘fix it’ list...

[Rams43]

First, Rams are a good team. Good enough to beat playoff teams the likes of the Seahawks, etc. But not ready to beat top level teams like the Packers, Saints, Chiefs, and Bills. The sooner we all accept that, the sooner we can take steps to make the necessary corrections. Warning. Some of my suggestions are gonna be hard for some posters to wrap their minds around. Lol.

Goff is now officially a question mark and seems to be headed in the wrong direction. Sorry. McVay must either figure out how to work around Goff’s limitations OR he must find another QB that can maximize McVay’s strategies. I’m thinking that it will be the latter but I don’t know how soon that will be. BTW, I’m not just talking about Goff’s last 2 games when injured. I’m talking about his last 40 games when he was he was 100% healthy.

McVay must look in the mirror and conduct an objective self evaluation. He is not blameless for our O woes. I addressed that in another thread today.

Our OL must be upgraded if we want to be a legit SB team. We’ve gotta be able to do to others what the Packers did to us. It may require only a stud C or it could require more. But status quo won’t get us beyond ‘pretty good’ and that means on the outside looking in every year when deep playoffs roll around. If simply making the playoffs satisfies you, then we’re there. But if you want to win a SB then this OL upgrade is a must, IMO.

Some feel that a ‘speed’ WR is needed. I’m not so sure. I mean, what good is a speed WR if one’s QB can’t see him OR won’t throw to him? That’s where we are with Goff right now, right? I’m fine with drafting such a WR, but I think upgrading the OL and/or ‘fixing’ our QB situation should come first and second. Chicken or egg kinda thing?

Might want to once again include Higbee in the O gameplan. C’mon, Coach! Hopefully, Hopkins can step up next year, too. A better blocking 3rd TE could be helpful, too.

That’s about it on O, I think. I love our RB room, now, btw.

On D...

Here again, Packers exposed us once AD was neutralized via injury. Not sure what they can do about that, frankly. I still think our DL beyond AD is pretty darned good although the Packers certainly abused them without a healthy AD, didn’t they?

Edge is a weak link, especially if we lose Floyd as we all fear. We’ve been rationalizing about the opposite edge all year but if we’re being honest they only rose to ‘pretty good’ on their best days. Fix it, Coach! That and maybe a stud ILB are keeping the Rams from having a SB caliber D. The good news is that it’s a short list on D but the bad news is that they are critically important AND quality Edge players don’t grow on trees.

I love our secondary even after losing JJ.

ST. Are you kidding me? McVay needs to hire a Coordinator there that’s at least competent. Not a high bar and I’m sure this is gonna happen. Duh...

So that’s my priority list. Not terribly long and probably only needed if Rams really want to advance to the SB. Don’t know about you, but I want to see Rams abuse their opponents like Packers abused us. Haven’t seen that since ‘99 and ‘01. I want to take that last step. How about y’all?

 

[Reddog99]

Yeah fix the OL and things should get better. The performance of the OL makes a huge difference on the rest of the positions. If we don't sign Floyd I hope we can find a center or guard in FA that can come in and settle the OL down a bit. Maybe trade ARob to make it happen?

Of course we need more weapons that will catch the ball or fight for it atleast unlike Reynolds and Everett. I think Van will emerge and compliment Woods and Kupp nicely. We need Higbee to step up and do a better job at getting open and hopefully Hopkins turns out to be a good pick.

It's time to get rid of the players that don't move the needle and reload with some that might. There's a big difference watching Woods and Kupp vs JRey and Everett. The latter leave much to be desired.

On D I dont think we're too far away from where we want to be. ILB and CB will be needed imo.

 

[NJRamsFan]

The sooner we all accept that, the sooner we can take steps to make the necessary corrections.

LOL these kinda statements are always funny to me...

 

[PhillyRam]

First, Rams are a good team. Good enough to beat playoff teams the likes of the Seahawks, etc. But not ready to beat top level teams like the Packers, Saints, Chiefs, and Bills. The sooner we all accept that, the sooner we can take steps to make the necessary corrections. Warning. Some of my suggestions are gonna be hard for some posters to wrap their minds around. Lol.

Goff is now officially a question mark and seems to be headed in the wrong direction. Sorry. McVay must either figure out how to work around Goff’s limitations OR he must find another QB that can maximize McVay’s strategies. I’m thinking that it will be the latter but I don’t know how soon that will be. BTW, I’m not just talking about Goff’s last 2 games when injured. I’m talking about his last 40 games when he was he was 100% healthy.

McVay must look in the mirror and conduct an objective self evaluation. He is not blameless for our O woes. I addressed that in another thread today.

Our OL must be upgraded if we want to be a legit SB team. We’ve gotta be able to do to others what the Packers did to us. It may require only a stud C or it could require more. But status quo won’t get us beyond ‘pretty good’ and that means on the outside looking in every year when deep playoffs roll around. If simply making the playoffs satisfies you, then we’re there. But if you want to win a SB then this OL upgrade is a must, IMO.

Some feel that a ‘speed’ WR is needed. I’m not so sure. I mean, what good is a speed WR if one’s QB can’t see him OR won’t throw to him? That’s where we are with Goff right now, right? I’m fine with drafting such a WR, but I think upgrading the OL and/or ‘fixing’ our QB situation should come first and second. Chicken or egg kinda thing?

Might want to once again include Higbee in the O gameplan. C’mon, Coach! Hopefully, Hopkins can step up next year, too. A better blocking 3rd TE could be helpful, too.

That’s about it on O, I think. I love our RB room, now, btw.

On D...

Here again, Packers exposed us once AD was neutralized via injury. Not sure what they can do about that, frankly. I still think our DL beyond AD is pretty darned good although the Packers certainly abused them without a healthy AD, didn’t they?

Edge is a weak link, especially if we lose Floyd as we all fear. We’ve been rationalizing about the opposite edge all year but if we’re being honest they only rose to ‘pretty good’ on their best days. Fix it, Coach! That and maybe a stud ILB are keeping the Rams from having a SB caliber D. The good news is that it’s a short list on D but the bad news is that they are critically important AND quality Edge players don’t grow on trees.

I love our secondary even after losing JJ.

ST. Are you kidding me? McVay needs to hire a Coordinator there that’s at least competent. Not a high bar and I’m sure this is gonna happen. Duh...

So that’s my priority list. Not terribly long and probably only needed if Rams really want to advance to the SB. Don’t know about you, but I want to see Rams abuse their opponents like Packers abused us. Haven’t seen that since ‘99 and ‘01. I want to take that last step. How about y’all?

Don't overreact to a game where one team was playing their 3rd road game in 4 weeks, all must win games, playing a well rested team playing at home off of a bye week.

Reverse roles and I guarantee the D plays much better and id glyibg around making kore plays.

The D looked tired and beat up. That's one big reason why #1 seeds rarely lose in this round.

Now not saying you don't have some valid points, but the situation exasperated those issues.

They need to be more physical on the OL. I said all year the offense is too much finesse and struggled with physical defenses. That is on Snead, McVay, and Kromer to fix.

And they need more explosive players on offense. Can't win with 12 play drives all the time.

Look at yesterday. The Rams hung around because the Pack couldn't hit a big play, then fittingly the big play was the knock out blow. We need that back in this offense.

 

[HellRam]

I'm still trying to figure out why McVay doesn't utilize the dynamic Akers and Hendo in the passing game more, or why we don't emphasize the TEs in the passing game, or why not do more hurry up in which Goff is excellent at. Heck even the jet sweeps disappeared.

What Lafluer did to us was masterful yesterday. It was the little things like motioning Adams on the goaline. Lafluer attacked our weaknesses superbly. We haven't seen McVay fool a defense like that in quite some time.

 

[Rams77]

How did Goff all of a sudden forget how to throw the accurate intermediate and deep pass like he did in 2017 and 2018?? A QB cant just suck all of a sudden because of no reason-McVay got away from Goffs strengths (no huddle, uptempo, fly sweeps, quick passing game) combined with a weaker OLine and run game. We need to upgrade a couple OLine spots this year and a couple next year OR completely get a new OLine coach to coach what personnel we have UP. We didn’t hand the ball off once to a wide receiver in motion yesterday to give the defense something to think about. Our offense when it turns into a predictable plodding offense is hard to watch. When we went uptempo Goff looked damn good. I mentioned this in another thread but why does McVay stray from whats working all the time? Why is he so hard headed to try and fit a square peg into a round hole? We cant deploy our tight ends in the pass game because they have to stay in to block because our Line cant sustain blocks consistently. We need to add another RB as well, because I dont think Malcolm is the answer and Henderson gets dinged up a lot. I still think Goff can be the answer at QB.
1) Build that OLine
2) Add another dog at RB
3) McVay has to realize Goffs strengths and call plays accordingly-I think he over corrected his gameplan/play calling following the last stretch of 2018 and all of 2019. He needs to get back to what made this offense special. Akers is pretty special as the lead back-maybe not quite as Gurley was in his prime but still damn good.
McVay is bottling up his own genius

 

[Deac]

I hear you with TE, after really going to it in 19, seems we forgot about it again.

We need more pure physicality on both sides of the trenches. We need to be able to impose our will, even against other elite units.

 

[blackbart]

Hard to believe that this team again needs help on the Oline. Supposedly we have a great coach who does a great job developing players. And we have spent some draft capital there, just not blue chip quality.

It would great great to pick a couple of studs who can step in right away and play together for a decade.

 

[ramfan46]

Need more speed on both sides of the ball. My shopping list would be:
WR with speed to stretch the field and take the PR job.
ILB with 4.5-4.6 speed to compete with Howard and Young.
C Bigger Center that can anchor on his own and be a plus in the running game.
RB 3rd down back that can catch and understands protection. James White type RB.
OLB Pass rush specialist, they need to get AD more help with Floyd a FA

 

[OnceARam]

Goff is now officially a question mark and seems to be headed in the wrong direction.

What are you even talking about? The QB does not function independently of the other 10 guys. You said yourself that the OL is an issue two sentences later. You're contradicting your own points man.

By your "logic" Russel Wilson should be replaced as well.

 

[dang]

So let’s review what GB did that far outshined the Rams:
1-great OL play-Rams need to keep investing in the OL starting in the middle - OC
2-running back by committee. Akers is very good but cannot carry the ball 20+ times per game. Henderson is injury prone.
3-excellent OLBs. Z Smith and P. Smith were brought in and turned the Packers defense around.
4- stud WR and a couple of burners. Rams have 3 solid possession receivers with great hands but no stud and no burner.

 

[Rams43]

What are you even talking about? The QB does not function independently of the other 10 guys. You said yourself that the OL is an issue two sentences later. You're contradicting your own points man.

By your "logic" Russel Wilson should be replaced as well.

Just to be clear, are you saying that you have no questions about Goff? Seriously?

And yeah, Ram OL needs upgrading, starting with C.

Those two areas are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah fix the OL and things should get better. The performance of the OL makes a huge difference on the rest of the positions. If we don't sign Floyd I hope we can find a center or guard in FA that can come in and settle the OL down a bit. Maybe trade ARob to make it happen?

I think Robinson needs to go. We don't need both him and Brock pulling in money on the DL when we already have so much tied up in Donald. I expect he is gone. Congrats on losing all that weight big fella and I'm sure some team will be very happy to have you.

They also might trade Rapp. There isn't room for a classic SS in this scheme and that's his best role. He's a smart young kid and a hell of a player but there's a reason they drafted two safeties in last year's draft who had film playing over the top and in quarters coverages.

Havenstein is another potential trade piece if they plan on spending draft capital on the line. He's quite affordable and a top run blocker and they have Evans entering his third year having shown he belongs a bit. He needs work on his pass pro but Evans has good feet and it wouldn't surprise me if they plan to move either him or Edwards to that RT spot.

I think one of Kupp or Woody may be traded. We have the possession side covered with one of those two guys plus Jefferson. Moving one of them to a team who needs possession options could free up a little space and allow for another young wideout who can stretch the field for us a bit.

Lastly I think Williams will be signed away. Which is sort of like a trade. So hopefully we tender him very high.

IMO this will be a busy offseason to build around those key spots (i.e. guys who are being paid big money) and saving some cash here and there with shrewd moves will be crucial. So I expect a lot of trades.

 

[Reddog99]

I think Robinson needs to go. We don't need both him and Brock pulling in money on the DL when we already have so much tied up in Donald. I expect he is gone. Congrats on losing all that weight big fella and I'm sure some team will be very happy to have you.

They also might trade Rapp. There isn't room for a classic SS in this scheme and that's his best role. He's a smart young kid and a hell of a player but there's a reason they drafted two safeties in last year's draft who had film playing over the top and in quarters coverages.

Havenstein is another potential trade piece if they plan on spending draft capital on the line. He's quite affordable and a top run blocker and they have Evans entering his third year having shown he belongs a bit. He needs work on his pass pro but Evans has good feet and it wouldn't surprise me if they plan to move either him or Edwards to that RT spot.

I think one of Kupp or Woody may be traded. We have the possession side covered with one of those two guys plus Jefferson. Moving one of them to a team who needs possession options could free up a little space and allow for another young wideout who can stretch the field for us a bit.

Lastly I think Williams will be signed away. Which is sort of like a trade. So hopefully we tender him very high.

IMO this will be a busy offseason to build around those key spots (i.e. guys who are being paid big money) and saving some cash here and there with shrewd moves will be crucial. So I expect a lot of trades.

As much as I hate it I think you're right about trading either Kupp or Woods. I dont want to lose either but Kupps injuries make me think it could be him. Hes been a big 3rd down guy for us so that will Sting a little especially for Goff

 

[Gandalf]

We have many of the same issues we had last off season.

 

[Ballhawk]

We already have a problem at wideout so letting Kupp or Woods go would just make that ten time worse!

 

[Merlin]

As much as I hate it I think you're right about trading either Kupp or Woods. I dont want to lose either but Kupps injuries make me think it could be him. Hes been a big 3rd down guy for us so that will Sting a little especially for Goff

Yeah it sucks to think about. Sort of expected it to happen last offseason and there were quite a few that felt that way in discussions. But now certainly with Jefferson looking like a cheap possession role fill it is more likely.

IMO last offseason they were so focused on Gurley and Cooks that it affected everything else. Maybe this offseason it will be easier to clean things up around the heavy hitter contracts.

 

[MachS]

We already have a problem at wideout so letting Kupp or Woods go would just make that ten time worse!

Kupp/ Woods/ VJ are all very similar and it makes sense to move one. I thought the Kupp contract was a bit of a head scratcher even though he's a great WR, given how he gets injured every year. He always gets nicked up and will be 28 next season. Plus he has great trade value, you know someone would want him and we could offload some of that cap space for elsewhere. I'm not against keeping him at all, but I would understand if we moved him.

I wouldn't be mad a rolling with Woods/VJ/ and a rookie speed WR. We have a great ability to evaluate and draft WRs so I think we could find one if we wanted to.

 

[Reddog99]

Yeah it sucks to think about. Sort of expected it to happen last offseason and there were quite a few that felt that way in discussions. But now certainly with Jefferson looking like a cheap possession role fill it is more likely.

IMO last offseason they were so focused on Gurley and Cooks that it affected everything else. Maybe this offseason it will be easier to clean things up around the heavy hitter contracts.

Hopefully. Im ready to be done with cap going to guys that aren't here anymore. Like you im thinking some big changes are coming but I hope we don't use our future 1st round picks to go after someone cuz im ready to see what McVay can do in the first round.

 

[Mojo Ram]

LOL these kinda statements are always funny to me...

It makes me feel like i have to agree and convince others to agree to complete the indoctrination.