Who should be the Rams starter at RB?

[LouisvilleRam]

Hot hand which really could be as simple as match up due to the contrast in running styles. SM will fight through a poorly blocked play to save a loss of yards or possibly pick up a couple. DH will get snuffed or possibly pick his way through with his nimble feet.
4.6 on 142 carries for DH
4.1 on 103 carries for SM
I would like to see DH run with the Jag game plan, we are fortunate to have two good backs. Neither are elite but both are starter caliber

Surprised voting is so one sided looking at those stats I guess it's a case of what have you done for me lately.

 

[Merlin]

I think it's about the way the defense perceives the threat too.

Back in 2018 when CJ came in the defenses had basically settled into this BS where they ignored the jet motion and stacked the LOS to disrupt run and pass. And the 6-1 worked because we didn't really have a run threat to bust through it and get into the second level. Gurley wasn't the same guy at that point and Hendy wasn't enough of a threat back then and he's still not, but CJ was. Defenses didn't want his big ass bouncing around in their secondary.

With the passing game if you watch offenses they all run similar shit because it's a copycat league. Some run it better than others, some are smarter than others irt the options on routes and whatnot but schematically it looks really similar in terms of the route combos. It's not like McVay invented routes in the WCO he's just really good at marrying them with the run game and teaching his players.

So when I see the stats Hendy always comes out looking good. But when I watch the games the offense is always stop/start when Hendy's the primary in the backfield. And I don't dislike him or anything I just detest watching this offense when we're trying to use him for what he's not because it's painful and stop/start. Efficiency for McVay's attack, like it or not, requires a good ground game. If he had a dominant OL or more pass game threats plus Stafford having a better grasp of shit/playing better maybe that wouldn't be the case but it is what it is.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Surprised voting is so one sided looking at those stats I guess it's a case of what have you done for me lately.

Grass is greener or backup QB syndrome in some cases.
They are both capable, we are lucky in that way

 

[TexasRam]

I don't think it's as much about Stafford's weakness as it is the offense was just getting predictable.

Showing teams that you're legitimately committed to running the ball changes their stance a little. Just enough, sometimes, to make that play-action really work.

Probably some truth there as well. And admittedly some of the dropped passes including Higbees pick 6 and Krupp’s slowing on a route for a pick 6 - it all comes into play. Stafford does have the ability to get hot for stretches but some of the high and behind WR throws really add up. His WR’s bailed him out in a number of off target throws vs the jags.

My point is anyway we slice it we need to really create a top notch run game that can not only setup favorable passing plays, but also a run game that can carry the load sometimes until Stafford can find his rhythm. Preferably run heavy early in games to give the defense a chance to keep it close and or get some turnovers.

 

[Merlin]

Probably some truth there as well. And admittedly some of the dropped passes including Higbees pick 6 and Krupp’s slowing on a route for a pick 6 - it all comes into play. Stafford does have the ability to get hot for stretches but some of the high and behind WR throws really add up. His WR’s bailed him out in a number of off target throws vs the jags.

My point is anyway we slice it we need to really create a top notch run game that can not only setup favorable passing plays, but also a run game that can carry the load sometimes until Stafford can find his rhythm. Preferably run heavy early in games to give the defense a chance to keep it close and or get some turnovers.

Yeah his throws being behind the receivers is driving me batshit. That seems like a timing thing but either way I'm confident McVay is all over that. McVay's pride and joy is that QB/WR timing and the pass game. So of course I figure it's a point of emphasis for them.

The fear of course is the run game not being prioritized enough. 3 losses seemed to have McVay hell-bent on fixing the run game, at least if you believe what the announcers were saying about their conversations the week prior to the game with him. But will he continue that for this very big game? Man I hope so because I think we can mash this Arizona defense on the ground. I think it's a matchup in our favor it just requires some patience by the play caller.

Before the season my biggest fear was Stafford throwing for a bazillion yards and the offense being unbalanced leading us to a quick playoff exit. It's still my fear but who knows maybe those losses recalibrated our young HC's perspective and he's about to go on a tear like he did in 2018 after CJ fixed our run game.

 

[thirteen28]

So when I see the stats Hendy always comes out looking good. But when I watch the games the offense is always stop/start when Hendy's the primary in the backfield. And I don't dislike him or anything I just detest watching this offense when we're trying to use him for what he's not because it's painful and stop/start. Efficiency for McVay's attack, like it or not, requires a good ground game. If he had a dominant OL or more pass game threats plus Stafford having a better grasp of shit/playing better maybe that wouldn't be the case but it is what it is.

This is what it really comes down to. Michel provides a certain steadiness that Hendo can't (Cam can do the same). I think Hendo has more of a chance to break one, but is much less likely to help the offense get into a rhythm. I liken Michel to a card counter playing blackjack; he may not win the spectacular big bet but he'll slowly, more steadily, and most important, more surely accumulate winnings because it's not as much of a gamble.

Hendo's best role as many of us here agree is as a change of pace, and I would put him in late game where we have a lead, have established a run game and good offensive rhythm behind Michel, and he (Hendo) is now going against a D that is somewhat fatigued.

 

[1maGoh]

Surprised voting is so one sided looking at those stats I guess it's a case of what have you done for me lately.

Henderson's production is really hit or miss. He'll break off a 15 yard run, then guy stuffed short on the next two. So now the team is at 3 and 12, but his average is over 4 yards per carry. As @Merlin said, it's very start/stop. Very inconsistent, even if the average of good. Hopefully Michel can teach him something about consistency the way Stephen Davis helped Steven Jackson (he had the same problem very very early in his career, although he's better than I usually give him credit for).

 

[Flint]

Anyone worried McVay will “forget” to run the ball this week after having success last week.

 

[Kupped]

I don’t think, when it comes to game planning, that there’s much of a discussion.
Henderson had been dinged in soooooo many games this year.
You build around the guy you can count on, even if less spectacular, then mix in the more explosive guy until he breaks again.

 

[Merlin]