What did we learn?

[Mackeyser]

Ok, but tell me which of our tight ends has ever matched what Cook just did? or the playoff catches he had with Green Bay? Sure he’s flawed, but he is still a playmaker.

He's not untalented.

He's worse.

He's a talented player that will break your heart at the worst possible time. He'll dazzle with his athleticism and then do what he did at the end of the game... he quit his route, Peters jumped it and we got a Pick 6 instead of the Raiders getting at worst an incomplete.

His inconsistency is worse than someone who does less, but consistently because which Cook shows up? The career day Cook or the guy who quit on his last route putting the game out of reach Cook.

Thing is, after this week, most people will just look at the box score and not realize that as much as Cook helped the Raiders, he also ended the game directly as a result of his play. But he played for the Rams and we know what to expect from him all to well.

As far as I'm concerned, guys like that are radioactive. The only thing worse than their irregular production is how perfectly timed their failures are.

 

[Ramhusker]

We all of a sudden have one of the best OLs and WR corps in the league. Goff looks confident. Gurley looks like Gurley. Hekker is the best in the league. GZ is right there too. The D is biding it's time to be the best in the league. This is going to be an epic season!!!!

 

[FarNorth]

He's not untalented.

He's worse.

He's a talented player that will break your heart at the worst possible time. He'll dazzle with his athleticism and then do what he did at the end of the game... he quit his route, Peters jumped it and we got a Pick 6 instead of the Raiders getting at worst an incomplete.

His inconsistency is worse than someone who does less, but consistently because which Cook shows up? The career day Cook or the guy who quit on his last route putting the game out of reach Cook.

Thing is, after this week, most people will just look at the box score and not realize that as much as Cook helped the Raiders, he also ended the game directly as a result of his play. But he played for the Rams and we know what to expect from him all to well.

As far as I'm concerned, guys like that are radioactive. The only thing worse than their irregular production is how perfectly timed their failures are.

Right, I agree he's inconsistent. But more so that our current tight ends? Not so sure. Since leaving the Rams he has made a lot of big plays which we are not getting from our roster at that position. Also not sure that the last interception was Cook's fault-- maybe you know what route he was supposed to run, I don't. Carr could have had something to with it too. As Payton Manning used to say, every interception has a long backstory which no one outside the players involved fully understands. I also get that Cook is not a prototype for a McVay player. McVay is looking for smart, precise, reliable, technical route runners who, if they have great athleticism, so much the better. Except for the last that's probably not Cook.

But notwithstanding his flaws, Cook is a matchup problem who is making a lot of plays and likely will continue to do so with Oakland. I would imagine that Gruden is happy to have him. IMO he deserves some actual credit for his performance, not just being dismissed because of his past problems in a problematic Rams offense. Meanwhile, we have been getting nothing much out of our tight ends except blocking.

 

[UKram]

I'm still trying to find the game somewhere to watch in full! lol

I may have a solution .... i could give you my gampass login for a bit ... but being welsh im not so sure your trustworthy

 

[Karate61]

My current rankings for THIS year are: (players who haven't played or rookies aren't on this list)

1) Aaron Rodgers - That comeback showed he's at the top of his game
2) Tom Brady - So much for receivers making a difference
3) Philip Rivers - Playing at the top of his game. He won't face Tyreek Hill every week.
4) Jared Goff - Makes all the throws. Only a slight timing issue prevented this from being a massive blowout
5) Drew Brees - Still a top QB, loses a few spots due to not having the long ball.
6) Russell Wilson - One of the most dangerous overall QBs in the league. Only a very good DL contains him.
7) Ben Roethlisberger - One iffy outing in the rain against a MUCH improved CLE team doesn't diminish him.
8) Kirk Cousins - Like Goff, won't win any yardage titles in MN, but his accuracy is on display.
9) Matt Ryan - Hot and cold, like an early Philip Rivers. Inconsistent.
10) Andrew Luck - Tremendous outing against a Bengal team seemingly intent on retiring him.
10) Ryan Fitzpatrick - Saints D was touted as among preseason best. Carved them up with every throw.

If you're really going by THIS year:

1) Aaron Rodgers - Agreed
2) Tom Brady - Agreed, but move to #9
3) Philip Rivers - Agreed, but move to #10
4) Jared Goff - Disagree. Raider game was good, but not top 10 for just Week #1
5) Drew Brees - Maybe #3. Saints defense lost that game, not Brees.
6) Russell Wilson - Disagree. Not top ten. Was sacked I think 6 times.
7) Ben Roethlisberger - Disagree. I watched the Browns/Steelers whole game because of the Hard Knocks connection. Roethlisberger stunk it up! No top 10!
8) Kirk Cousins - Agree
9) Matt Ryan - Disagree. Really shaky outing, and the whole game!
10) Andrew Luck - Kinda Agree. He did have a lot of completions and a couple tds, but I don't know.

I think you twisted in past performance and history instead of just THIS season. Roethlisberger is best example of that.

Anyway, there's my two cents!

 

[shaunpinney]

I may have a solution .... i could give you my gampass login for a bit ... but being welsh im not so sure your trustworthy

That Sir, is one heck of an offer - thank you - I'm trustworthy BECAUSE I'm Welsh I'm currently watching it though, managed to find a replay of it Thank you again

 

[UKram]

That Sir, is one heck of an offer - thank you - I'm trustworthy BECAUSE I'm Welsh I'm currently watching it though, managed to find a replay of it Thank you again

Well let me know if you ever need to see a game ,,,after I've watched it first of course

 

[shaunpinney]

I thought we were OK in the first half, we showed composure and patience.

McVay - So pleased he won this one over his old mentor.
Wade - love his halftime adjustments!!
Goff - dude has some zip to his pass doesn't he! I'm sure a couple of those early passes (Cooks & Cupp) bounced out of their hands. I still think there's chemistry to develop with his receivers. He looked like he was assigning into smaller windows too...
Gurley - looking good, he's picking up where he left off last year
Hekker - He's absolutely awesome - stunning performance
Peters & Talib - damn our CBs have some swagger now!!

Raiders
Carr - dude looked scared in the second half, he really didn't want to get hit!
Cook - Impressive, lets see if he follows history now and is non-existent for the next few games!
Their D Coach is good
Holding Penalties - I thought he Raiders Oline were particularly awful

 

[Ramlock]

That's okay. You'll see.

Goff is already doing things that seem subtle, but are the difference between good and great QBs.

And I'm granting that this includes the Raiders missing a bunch of opportunities to intercept him.

He's very close to being one of the top QBs in this league. And no, he's likely not going to win any yardage titles because we have a kickass defense and an offense that spreads the wealth. Plus, the HC isn't about running up the score.

That said, this won't be the only time we win by 20 and Goff will have greater canvases to show how far he's come and how good he is compared to the other QBs in this league.

Goff's a top 5 QB.

My current rankings for THIS year are: (players who haven't played or rookies aren't on this list)

1) Aaron Rodgers - That comeback showed he's at the top of his game
2) Tom Brady - So much for receivers making a difference
3) Philip Rivers - Playing at the top of his game. He won't face Tyreek Hill every week.
4) Jared Goff - Makes all the throws. Only a slight timing issue prevented this from being a massive blowout
5) Drew Brees - Still a top QB, loses a few spots due to not having the long ball.
6) Russell Wilson - One of the most dangerous overall QBs in the league. Only a very good DL contains him.
7) Ben Roethlisberger - One iffy outing in the rain against a MUCH improved CLE team doesn't diminish him.
8) Kirk Cousins - Like Goff, won't win any yardage titles in MN, but his accuracy is on display.
9) Matt Ryan - Hot and cold, like an early Philip Rivers. Inconsistent.
10) Andrew Luck - Tremendous outing against a Bengal team seemingly intent on retiring him.
10) Ryan Fitzpatrick - Saints D was touted as among preseason best. Carved them up with every throw.

I fully expect that it's possible that either Darnold or Mahomes could make this list. Guys like Cam Newton and Matt Stafford aren't on the list because they continue to have issues with consistency.

I really wouldn't expect much to change in the top 5, but the 6-10 slots could have some volatility as the season progresses.

I base my rankings on footwork, accuracy, ball placement, decision making, pocket awareness, game awareness and situational execution (i.e. completing a pass on a critical 3rd down gets a ton more weight than throwing an incomplete on a 2nd and 5. Also, throwing the ball away instead of taking a sack or getting picked is a positive).

It's just the way I see it. I said we were a bad team in 2016 because we were. I said we had the potential to be a playoff team in 2017 and we were. I think we can win the Super Bowl this year and I think we're going to.

Oh, and also, I think and see Goff being a top 5 QB. His progress is remarkable.

You make a good case...there is a lot of hair-splitting being done on Goff and his performance Monday night, both here at ROD and elsewhere.

He looks Top 10 to me.

 

[The Ramowl]

What I learnt is that only superior football minds can top that duo. You can bet Gruden spent waaaay too much time game planning this game and his plan worked well for 10 minutes, ok for the next twenty, didn't work after the break.
We had issues on third down, we have to get that conversion rate up.

That was also a reminder that the NFL is a homogeneous league and that getting to 12-13 wins won't be a walk in the park.

Of the SB contenders we probably had the best season opener alongside with New England

 

[Rmfnlt]

Aaron Kromer is a Football God

Yup... I know many were sold on Boudreau.. I was always suspect.

Kromer is the real deal!

 

[Rmfnlt]

Sure he’s flawed, but he is still a playmaker.

Yup... every 8th game, he decides to play hard.

But more so that our current tight ends? Not so sure.

I was thinking about that... is it that our TEs aren't up to speed yet? Of is McVay fine with their limited role right now? If he's not... and one rises to the surface, imagine what another dimension to this offense can do? Scary stuff (for opponents)

likely will continue to do so with Oakland.

Well, you can save this thread if you'd like and throw it up in my face when the season is over - if Cook actually performs consistently.

 

[Ken]

I don't know what 'we' learned, but I learned I'm going to have a lot of fun watching the Rams this season.

 

[VegasRam]

I learned that we should have kept Jared Cook.

I'm on record (several times) with my opinion of Jared Cook. And I know he was up against green linebackers, and I still don't like him, but got to thinking Monday Fisher may need to get part of the blame.
Still wonder why Green Bay let him go though.