The Running Game

[madrid311]

It seems this year our running game is more important than ever. we know you have to have a running game for balance, and we know we have a qb who can sling it all over the field. But because of Stafford's injury status this year it seems we really need to rely on our running game and defense this year so Stafford can sling it all over at the end of the year through the playoffs and hopefully the Superbowl. we need to be a team that teams are afraid of our run game.

let's hope this year we get that running game we need, and coach realizes that he is only going to win as well as Stafford elbow holds up. go rams.

 

[OldSchool]

Rams aren't worried about his arm and will treat it just like last year.


View: https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1566523587883778048

 

[madrid311]

what else are they supposed to say. go rams

 

[fearsomefour]

Whitworth was a better run blocker than Noteboom.
How will Shelton fare compared to Corbett?
40% of the starting OL is new.
Im sure McVay would love a good power running game. However, espcially early, I don't have big expectations.
Plus McVay, like all offensive coaches, wants big plays. If the match ups favor the passing game, which they likely often will, I expect a lot of passing this year.
I would like to see McVay to use the RBs in the short passing game as a way to expand the "running" game.

 

[OldSchool]

I do love the great flip flop that happens when people agree or disagree with the coaches and players. He said something you like oh look this is the truth or facts! Something you might not agree with? Meh that's just coach/gm/player speak.

 

[Kupped]

Whitworth was a better run blocker than Noteboom.
How will Shelton fare compared to Corbett?
40% of the starting OL is new.
Im sure McVay would love a good power running game. However, espcially early, I don't have big expectations.
Plus McVay, like all offensive coaches, wants big plays. If the match ups favor the passing game, which they likely often will, I expect a lot of passing this year.
I would like to see McVay to use the RBs in the short passing game as a way to expand the "running" game.

I feel like “misdirection” will be the key word in the running game. They ain’t blowing anyone off the line.

 

[RamBall]

It seems this year our running game is more important than ever. we know you have to have a running game for balance, and we know we have a qb who can sling it all over the field. But because of Stafford's injury status this year it seems we really need to rely on our running game and defense this year so Stafford can sling it all over at the end of the year through the playoffs and hopefully the Superbowl. we need to be a team that teams are afraid of our run game.View attachment 56266 let's hope this year we get that running game we need, and coach realizes that he is only going to win as well as Stafford elbow holds up. go rams.

What injury? If you are talking about Staffords elbow it is not an injury or new. It is the same thing he dealt with last season and in his interview it sounded like he has been dealing with it for some years now. Staffords arm is fine.

 

[Malibu]

The run game will be an issue I can't see how it can be better than last year with the line changes. Except we will have Cam and Henderson back full force.

The brain trust will need to figure clever ways like throw first and run when they add an extra DB creating lighter boxes. I seriously doubt we are going to have a strong bully type line. There will be other ways to scheme up to create better run opportunities. Maybe it's through end around, screen passes, light boxes, draws and using Perkins like Saints do with their running QB creating confusion.

The Rams will need to get creative. I am sure they will come up with something. I am not a believer in a great RB being effective with a mediocre OL. OL opens up the holes and a good running back gets through them. When they don't open holes where is that rb supposed to go?

There is a stat that defines OLs which is the amount of feet before first contact. In the Gurley area with a strong line he 1 yard before contact that dwindled down to 6" before contact after Sullivan retired and we shifted around our line. If a Rb is being hit almost as he gets the hand off how can he see the field. When he has a solid line push his options open up.

 

[snackdaddy]

Stafford's arm issues are overblown in my opinion. They approached it differently this year and the sky is falling. It's nothing new for him.

The run blocking is another thing. They weren't very good at it last year. I hope there was more focus on that this year.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I agree. Putting every tight situation all on Staff is a fool's gambit that will likely derail us at some point. It'd be nice to have a capable run-blocking line, but then again you can't have every thing I realize. McSneed seems to like this calculated strategy. It really only burned us in 2019 thus far.

 

[leoram]

The Rams averaged 4 YPC last year. They also produced 99 rush yards per game. Both stats indicate an average to below average effectiveness level. I believe McVay stuck with it during the playoffs even though it was not working because too much of the offense is predicated on using the threat of a run to create advantages.

We will see more 4 receiver sets and varied formations this year. But there will be an emphasis on improving the running game. It will be a grind and probably not come together all at once, but I think 4.4 ypc and 115 rush yards a game is attainable. Once they break out with good runs, defenses will adjust and so will the Rams but they won't abandon the task. McVay proved that in the Super Bowl.

 

[sloramfan]

what leoram said...
the rams are gonna run... the offense is built to do so because of playaction... no threat?no success with PA...

you have to run, win or lose....

and what does mcvay do?... not sure exactly which playoff/SB game it was last year, but he was miced up and said" that's it, We're not doing another run play"... that's not a direct quote, but it is what he said, or close to it....

but the run sets up the pass for the rams... so they gonna run.... until mcvay says enough...lol

go rams

slo

 

[rdlkgliders]

The Rams averaged 4 YPC last year. They also produced 99 rush yards per game. Both stats indicate an average to below average effectiveness level. I believe McVay stuck with it during the playoffs even though it was not working because too much of the offense is predicated on using the threat of a run to create advantages.

We will see more 4 receiver sets and varied formations this year. But there will be an emphasis on improving the running game. It will be a grind and probably not come together all at once, but I think 4.4 ypc and 115 rush yards a game is attainable. Once they break out with good runs, defenses will adjust and so will the Rams but they won't abandon the task. McVay proved that in the Super Bowl.

As long as we are running the defense has to play closer to the LOS. If we run well it really puts pressure on opposing teams but just having a commitment to the run game helps the passing game. I have no idea how well we will run the ball but I am remaining optimistic.

 

[TSFH Fan]

Putting every tight situation all on Staff is a fool's gambit that will likely derail us at some point.

This is correct. The Rams need to be able to run the ball effectively enough that Stafford doesn't get the feeling that it's all on him. Sure, Stafford could single-handedly win a game here or there, but a long stretch, or 10+ games of that, would probably burn him out and/or otherwise mess him up mentally. From earlier this off-season:

They were true friends -- McVay not only went to Stafford's house for Easter but even brought his parents -- but both felt insecure, and were internalizing the pressure, almost afraid to acknowledge its existence.

"This isn't too much," McVay told Stafford. "But it's a f---ing lot.

Stafford spoke, and as he did, McVay realized that he had lost sight of an important tenet as a playcaller: to simplify the quarterback's job. Stafford's presence had given McVay a passer whose talent was equal to the coach's play innovation, but both men felt enough outside pressure, and the constant throwing on offense added to it. McVay promised Stafford that they'd run the ball more, then added: "Who gives a f--- what everyone else says? Let's enjoy it, let's compete to the best of our ability, let the chips fall where they may, but nobody is going to get more criticism and scrutiny than we are."

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Extremely concerned. Not going to lie.

How would a mediocre run game effect the defense?

Unfortunately the only way to have a good run game is to have a good O-line.

 

[jap]

I just want to see the 2020 Cam Akers return and take things to higher levers - as a runner, as a receiver, and as a blocker. Hendo also needs to expand his game to the point where he can protect himself better from injury and become more explosive as a runner, receiver , and blocker. If Rookie RB Kyren Williams comes into his own early on, the 2022 opponents are going to have a very long game when they line up against the Horns. A viable rushing attack will maximize the Stafford passing attack like nothing else will. Hopefully, the OL will gel early on to allow the offensive show to come together early on.

 

[RamFan503]

The run game will be an issue I can't see how it can be better than last year with the line changes. Except we will have Cam and Henderson back full force.

The brain trust will need to figure clever ways like throw first and run when they add an extra DB creating lighter boxes. I seriously doubt we are going to have a strong bully type line. There will be other ways to scheme up to create better run opportunities. Maybe it's through end around, screen passes, light boxes, draws and using Perkins like Saints do with their running QB creating confusion.

The Rams will need to get creative. I am sure they will come up with something. I am not a believer in a great RB being effective with a mediocre OL. OL opens up the holes and a good running back gets through them. When they don't open holes where is that rb supposed to go?

There is a stat that defines OLs which is the amount of feet before first contact. In the Gurley area with a strong line he 1 yard before contact that dwindled down to 6" before contact after Sullivan retired and we shifted around our line. If a Rb is being hit almost as he gets the hand off how can he see the field. When he has a solid line push his options open up.

Except if the linemen we have been grooming are more run blocking aside from our blind side lineman.

It's quite possible that McVay wanted pass blockers for Staff's first year. Now that he has a better grasp, we may be looking at a bit different type of O-line and being able to run and pass more efficiently.

Just winging this out there. I could be way off. But I'm not as concerned as many of you over our O-line.

 

[Faceplant]

This is correct. The Rams need to be able to run the ball effectively enough that Stafford doesn't get the feeling that it's all on him. Sure, Stafford could single-handedly win a game here or there, but a long stretch, or 10+ games of that, would probably burn him out and/or otherwise mess him up mentally. From earlier this off-season:

Where is that excerpt from??

 

[fearsomefour]

I feel like “misdirection” will be the key word in the running game. They ain’t blowing anyone off the line.

Run that zone blocking scheme and let the back find a hole.

 

[blackbart]

It seems this year our running game is more important than ever. we know you have to have a running game for balance, and we know we have a qb who can sling it all over the field. But because of Stafford's injury status this year it seems we really need to rely on our running game and defense this year so Stafford can sling it all over at the end of the year through the playoffs and hopefully the Superbowl. we need to be a team that teams are afraid of our run game.View attachment 56266 let's hope this year we get that running game we need, and coach realizes that he is only going to win as well as Stafford elbow holds up. go rams.

Not sure why you are worried about this, it’s been covered to death. Stafford’s good to go. But, it would be nice to get more from the RB room.