We need to experiment and get right

[majrleaged]

A Monday post-loss thread with ideas and solutions. Critical thinking instead of knee jerk finger pointing. I like it.

But I need to knee jerk finger point or the loss stays with me much longer. I think better after blow up. Notice no blue font.

 

[-X-]

Our DBs have been terrible at handing off WRs this year. I can't explain it.

That's been a glaring problem, yes. Are the corners just trying too hard to make a play by biting on the underneath stuff and prematurely evacuating their zones? Is there not enough film-study to determine what the tendencies are, and what the offense likes to do in certain situations/coverages? Are the safeties just not where they're supposed to be? I'd sure like to hear *someone* explain it.

 

[Merlin]

That's been a glaring problem, yes. Are the corners just trying too hard to make a play by biting on the underneath stuff and prematurely evacuating their zones? Is there not enough film-study to determine what the tendencies are, and what the offense likes to do in certain situations/coverages? Are the safeties just not where they're supposed to be? I'd sure like to hear *someone* explain it.

The biggest dysfunction is at safety. No doubt about it to my mind at least. The earlier probs we had were so related to Talib not being in there and Peters not being able to play the call or discipline himself from freelancing that I don't know we can even form real opinions from them. Just guys losing matchups all over the joint but now with Talib back in there you can see Peters doing a better job.

IMO we're going to need a young corner in this draft who is a fit for the scheme. This scheme can make a corner look really good when dudes are doing their jobs. Wade needs another guy he can count on opposite Talib.

And safety. Jesus we need a safety. At this point I'd take anything that is an improvement.

 

[FrantikRam]

Some great suggestions. But first and foremost McVay needs to stop with exclusively running the 11 personnel.

I love the idea of running the ball more - with someone other than Todd. He has too many touches as it is.

And IMO we need to reel Goff in a bit. I don't want him to stop taking risks, but if you told me Blake Bortles was our QB the past three weeks I would believe it.

 

[jrry32]

That's been a glaring problem, yes. Are the corners just trying too hard to make a play by biting on the underneath stuff and prematurely evacuating their zones? Is there not enough film-study to determine what the tendencies are, and what the offense likes to do in certain situations/coverages? Are the safeties just not where they're supposed to be? I'd sure like to hear *someone* explain it.

I have no idea. Our guys just don't seem to be on the same page.

 

[BonifayRam]

Outstanding thread topic.

I, for one, would enthusiastically support any and all suggested moves to try during these final 2 games.

I mean, look at us. WTH do we have to lose by experimenting?

I will go so far as to say that if Wade is unwilling to even try some shuffling, then I would question whether he is really fit to be DC next year.

Changes on both sides of the ball have to be made if this team thruthfully expects to make a run here in the playoffs.

Problems & issues seem to be popping up in every unit even with a complete healthy master roster before last nights game. Both sides of the ball are trending downward fast. Rams have never had a smooth running operation ongoing on both sides of the ball, at the same time in any game, against a good opponent.This team has 11 past pro bowl players on it. There is player leadership all over this roster. Most of the same issues that this team came into this season with still remain & in many instances have got worse.

Are you all sure we have been building a good defense here after this season?. let's see who have we developed the last 2 seasons??? Littleton ?

I see only 2 DL'ers that have a future here(Donald/Franklin-Myers). Same can be said about our LB'ers (Littleton/ Ebukam). Rams have 5 LB'ers involved in free agency.

The secondary will have 6 DB's involved in free agency excluding Talib & Peters & only 1 appears to have a future here & it s JJ III. Was Talib worth $11 million this season? Will Peters be worth the $9 million it will take to have him here for one more season?

On the OL th Rams have 2 legit OL'ers for the future in Havenstein & Blythe, We simply have no ideal what we have in OL'ers Noteboom & Allen yet. Old worn Sullivan & Whitworth are in the very twilight of their careers with Saffold headed for a departure thru UFA'cy.

I do not believe McVay nor Wade will make any changes.

Thus I truly believe I will see a repeat of what I saw in 2017 playoff ...a very early exit loss.

 

[BriansRams]

All I know is I no longer want to hear the following statements:

"Wade will get it figured out..."
"Wade has decades of experience, he know's what he's doing..."

It's week 16 and he has loads of talent on the defense and he has NOT figured it out.

 

[badnews]

I dont think the Bears game changed anything other than the gameplan for the Eagles.
I bet there are serious efforts by everyone to get better quick now.

I think the team took the loss to the Bears as "hey, they are great, but we were just sloppy and on the road."
I dont think anything about the schedule, the meetings, the practice, the energy - any of it changed at all.
The only change was McVays gameplan to build with the run and give Jared more underneath (which was scrapped when we fell by 2 scores and Gurley got banged up.) When things are going good, bad habits can form that slide by for a while... until they bite you in the ass and you correct it or adapt.

Right now everyone on the team has some stink on them. Everyone knows its serious.
McVays kid gloves have to be coming off now I imagine. There is some real talk behind closed doors now. T
If Wade has to start calling more blitz packages to get pressure on 3rd down, time to polish those plays in practice. Rams offense isnt the one that can give Goff a full drop and 5 seconds anymore. Time to work on draws, quick screens, whatever.
No Cooper Kupp means the 11 personnel preference is a liability.
Use our entire RB bench and use the mismatches Higbee and Everett create. Use the leagues best P/K combo and win with field position and field goals if necessary.

I think McVay is great... but honestly, I think we got too cocky, then too tired... and got a little LAZY.
The whole team. Its pretty understandable considering the season they have had.
The good news is that cocky and lazy are not in this teams DNA. That has never been the story with this staff or the leaders on the team.

 

[LesBaker]

A Monday post-loss thread with ideas and solutions. Critical thinking instead of knee jerk finger pointing. I like it.

Yeah well don't get to used to it biznatch

Are the corners just trying too hard to make a play by biting on the underneath stuff and prematurely evacuating their zones?

It's like there are two Janoris Jenkins out there..........taking a gamble on a move to get the ball and hoping that there is a FS or maybe a SS behind to help if they misstep.

Look at the play where two WR's were behind the entire defense. Both CB's had no idea where S help was, NO idea, and there actually wasn't S help they were up front.

That means both of the CB's weren't aware.

This is not a good defense overall, coming into the second year into the system with "major additions".

The playoffs are around the fucking corner. They need to be more aware and more ready.

IMO it isn't talent or ability it's coaching and scheme.

There is little time to figure it out.

 

[jrry32]

Yeah well don't get to used to it biznatch



It's like there are two Janoris Jenkins out there..........taking a gamble on a move to get the ball and hoping that there is a FS or maybe a SS behind to help if they misstep.

Look at the play where two WR's were behind the entire defense. Both CB's had no idea where S help was, NO idea, and there actually wasn't S help they were up front.

That means both of the CB's weren't aware.

This is not a good defense overall, coming into the second year into the system with "major additions".

The playoffs are around the freaking corner. They need to be more aware and more ready.

IMO it isn't talent or ability it's coaching and scheme.

There is little time to figure it out.

I'd have to go rewatch the play on the All-22, but it looked like Talib and Joyner screwed up. Agholor and Jeffery were lined up next to each other, and each ran 9 routes. It looked like a C-3 sky shell. That means that Joyner and Talib should have each been deep on that play. Neither stayed deep.

 

[TexasRam]

Mark my words, Mcvay’s biggest weakness is his Loyalty. He won’t win a super bowl until he changes this.

I love Mcvay and would not want any other coach but a few changes need to happen yesterday. Mcvay will never
make these moves.

1 Bench Sullivan. Replace with Blythe, insert Noteboom at RG.

2. Bench Barron. Replace with Kiser.

3 Direct Wade to implement a blitz heavy scheme. Wherever Donald lines up we need to be heavily Blitzing that area. It will either Free up Donald from double teams or allow a free runner Blitz.

 

[yrba1]

With the way our O-line has been playing, I'd like to see more 2 TE, maybe even 3 TE formations. I know Johnny Mundt is on the depth chart but I don't think he's ever been activated.

Just want to see McVay run different looks with different personnel the same way he does with the 11 personnel sets; Everett has the versatility to move on the WR and TE post.

Gotta evolve your offense faster than opposing defenses adapting against it.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Look at the play where two WR's were behind the entire defense. Both CB's had no idea where S help was, NO idea, and there actually wasn't S help they were up front.

It's like the secondary thought they were playing soccer and tried to execute an offside trap, the wrs being the strikers. The three of them stopped dead on the same line and the wrs ran straight by them and were offside before the ball left the qb's hand.

.

 

[AllGasNoBrakes]

Why don’t we blitz more? Eagles got in Goff’s head with the constant pressure while Foles was mostly comfortable all game. Seeing Joyner create pressure on that last Eagles drive looked so foreign, I forgot what it looked like to see a safety come up and blitz.

Donald was neutralized (as much as he could be) and everyone else failed to step up. Wade should’ve seen this and changed up the play calling, its not like we were beating them with the coverage anyways.

 

[LesBaker]

Wherever Donald lines up we need to be heavily Blitzing that area. It will either Free up Donald from double teams or allow a free runner Blitz.

It doesn't seem to be complex, but why isn't it occurring at least a handful of times a game.

 

[Rainram]

I mean, look at us. WTH do we have to lose by experimenting?

First of all I’m on record as wanting to see some of these changes. But to play Devil’s Advocate to your question...

We can lose the 2 seed. If we lose one of our last two and Chicago wins out, we are the 3 seed. Which means a path to the Super Bowl would be:

- No BYE week
- 1 home game to probably Seattle or Minnesota
- On the road possibly to Chicago in January
- On the road to New Orleans

So we do need these wins. Which is one reason why I think our staff will be reluctant to make big changes.

Sully is overmatched often. But his experience, brains and continuity on the line is something we won’t replace.

I could see us using Everett more and think that might actually happen.

On defense, who the fuck knows what’s going on there. But I doubt we see major personnel changes. Hope I’m wrong.

The Cards are the worst team in football and if there’s a game to rest some people (Gurley, Sully) or make some changes (Barron) this would be the game.

San Fran is likely our dress rehearsal for the playoffs, and might be critical to keeping that 2 seed, so I doubt we see changes in that game. They are still a dangerous team.

 

[I like Rams]

IF I was the coach, I'd do more rotating than straight subing. Whit and Sully are getting beat and making stupid penalties that can can be avoided. Id rotate Allen and Sully as well as Noteboom and Whit. Allen had very limited snaps last Sunday but i thought he did pretty well in the small sample size we got to see. He wasn't bulldozed around by Cox who is a nightmare. If he can handle Cox, he can handle anyone we face from ARI and San Fran. Kelly needs to have more playing time. We cant play scared at RB position. If you dont like the thought of Kelly running it up the middle, the dude can catch. Hes a multi purpose back. Also put Kiser in intead of Barron. Thats the only real sub I'd do for the remainder of the season and possibly post season.

But since im not the coach, i have no idea how these players are doing at practice. Thats what sucks about this. All we have to go off of is college and preseason tape, which means almost nothing.

 

[Liberator]

Considering that almost EVERYTHING went wrong last night, it is almost amazing that we had a chance to tie that game at the end

I said "The Rams played like a CFL team and were still a Jo Jo Natson fumble away from probably winning."

 

[BonifayRam]

I would suggest that Wade consider going with more than 5 active DL's from this point on. I would make changes in 2 DL post with starting rookie JFM @ 5 tech DE post & Brockers starts @ NT with a heavy rotation of Suh & rookie Sebastian Joseph-Day so this NT post remains fresh, strong & rested. Move Westbrooks back to the 5 tech post behind JFM as it's main relief.Main purpose is to keep the NT middle post fresh with 2 veteran DL'ers.

DE- Franklin-Myers/ Westbrooks
NT-Brockers/ Suh/ Joseph-Day
DT-Donald/ {Suh/ Brockers/Westbrooks}

Activate Og Okoronkwo & use him as a pass rusher on both sides. Young is also known as a pass rusher time to get him some heavy duty action too. Wade only uses 2 ER's during the game in his defense.Lack of a break might be preventing them from getting pressure on the QB which is not happening. Get two new rookies involved in these 2 posts.

ER's-Ebukam/Okoronkwo
ER's-Fowler/ Young

Make the necessary changes inside NOW! Deactivate Barron slid Littleton over into Barron's post & start veteran Hager @ MLB'er with a rotation of rookie Kiser on rn downs. Use Joyner in numerous positions up near the LOS. He can play SS, ILB, ER, FS & the Nickle if needed but use him as a main disruptor up close cloaked.

MLB- Hager/ Kiser (Rotation with Kiser in on first downs)
WSLB-Littleton/ Joyner (move him around up close to LOS)

One change in the secondary....Fastest defensive player is our 8 yr veteran DB Sam Shields.In HS he was Fl top sprinters & timed recorded of 10.47 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Before the draft ran a 40 of 4.30 seconds. Spent his first 3 seasons as a WR before switching to CB. His vertical is over 39 inches. Sam played in pro bowls & started on the 2014 Super Bowl championship team. It's time to see what he can do as a veteran high deep safety to help out Peters & Talib deep.

CB-Talib/ Hill
CB- Peters/Williams
NK-NRC/ Joyner
SS-JJ III/ Christian
FS-Shields/ Countess

 

[Merlin]

MLB- Hager/ Kiser (Rotation with Kiser in on first downs)
WSLB-Littleton/ Joyner (move him around up close to LOS)

One change in the secondary....Fastest defensive player is our 8 yr veteran DB Sam Shields.In HS he was Fl top sprinters & timed recorded of 10.47 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Before the draft ran a 40 of 4.30 seconds. Spent his first 3 seasons as a WR before switching to CB. His vertical is over 39 inches. Sam played in pro bowls & started on the 2014 Super Bowl championship team. It's time to see what he can do as a veteran high deep safety to help out Peters & Talib deep.

CB-Talib/ Hill
CB- Peters/Williams
NK-NRC/ Joyner
SS-JJ III/ Christian
FS-Shields/ Countess

I'd sit Barron, first off. THAT is the first move that needs to happen. Barron has been a problem for us since we signed him, over two different staffs. His only good season was the contract year where Williams allowed him to "see ball get ball." He's not a fit, and not a good team guy either, Jeff Fisher type player IMO. My replacement for Barron would be Ramik Wilson. He's still not ideal but he'll be more consistent in his run fits which we're going to need in the playoffs.

The second guy who needs to sit is Joyner. He should not have a starting job. There has to be an effect for poor play. Sit him and put Christian in there, then adjust scheme as much as you can to have Johnson play deep. IMO Christian has played very well in what the Rams ask of him and deserves a shot.

Another consideration here is Peters. His complete disregard for tackling on that one play is concerning. Dude is lucky we don't have better talent behind him. But I'd be working the creative muscles for consideration of what the team will need to do if and when sitting him becomes necessary.