Why am I so optimistic about the Rams, you ask?

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Rams43

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Other than their perfect 4-0 record, that is?

Well, here are a few reasons, and I’ll start with the O...

There is no defense against a well placed and perfectly thrown ball. Goff has been doing quite a few of those in his last 2 games. Jar dropping throws, actually.

Ask yourself what does one get when mixing the following:

A creative play designer that consistently exploits specific weaknesses in his opponents and never takes his foot off the gas pedal.

A football smart QB that can place the ball in tiny windows short, medium, and deep.

A world class RB that puts teeth into play action because he can kill you running inside, outside, and catching passes. Great in pass pro, never has to come off the field except for breathers. Once again an MVP candidate.

An OL that excels at both run blocking and pass pro from Big Whit all across to Hav. They open the entire playbook for the crafty McVay to utilize.

Three very football smart outstanding route running WR’s that seem to have flypaper hands and can snatch the ball out of the air. All three on the same page as Goff at all times.

There have even been TE sightings recently, as if the opposing D’s didn’t already have enough to worry about. Lol.

The result of the above is a highly combustible mixture that is already producing scoring averages in the mid thirties and it’s rising.


As to the D?

The run D has really clamped down and made opponents somewhat one dimensional. Advantage Rams.

Peters was back sooner than expected and should be close to 100% by the Seahawk game.

Shields seems to have shaken off the rust already and should more than hold the fort until Talib can return.

Wade continues to tinker with his front 7 and started getting better results by moving Suh and Brockers around.

Littleton has impressed me and I look forward to Barron’s return.

If Wade can somehow improve the edge rush, we are in business on D.


Gotta get an upgrade to Ficken. Hate to say “I told you so”... So I won’t. Anyway, GZ should return in a few weeks, I think. He’s only the league’s best kicker.

JoJo might be back by Seahawks game and Cooper should be back by midseason. If so, ST are back to top 5 status.


Bottom line? Unless we experience a devastating injury, I see no reason not to expect a 14-2 season and HFA throughout the playoffs. I mean, doesn’t this team look like the league’s best to y’all? And I honestly don’t think they have yet peaked. Probably won’t until late in the season.

No one enjoyed the GSOT more than yours truly. But I’ve gotta say that I think this new concoction might result in catching lightning in a bottle for the second time. And THIS time it’s built to last for maybe years and years.

THESE are the reasons that I’m happy this morning.

Hot Damn!
 

bubbaramfan

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4-0 has us all optimistic 43. I watched Goff thread the needle, drop balls into tight windows, and unload 60 yd bombs to WR's in TC, so I'm not too surprised.

I've also been to all three home games and have watch the D closely. Something I 've noticed that no one has commented on. I have seen Suh and Donald pull up while closing in on a QB and I have a theory why.

Bare with me here.

Due to the new "falling on the QB" rule, and how no one is sure how to clearly enforce it, Wade Phillips, being the smartest and most experienced DC in the NFL, has his defense pressuring the QB, but laying off direct sacks. I'm not suggesting Wade is telling them not to sack the QB, but don't get a sack on 3rd and long and end up giving a 1st and 10.

There is a huge game swing form a 3rd and long to a 1st and ten = 15 more yds, that could result from a roughing the QB penalty. Why risk the penalty when the chances on 3rd and long when they won't convert anyway?
VeteranRamFan and I talked about it at the Viking game, and early on it looked like they could have had sacks if they had kept pursuing but ended up just getting their hands up. Then in the 4th qtr when they really needed a sack they turned it on and got them.


Rams next 3 games are very winnable without current injured players.

Sheilds a huge upgrade of Hill. (Hill zero snaps vs Vikes)


Rams go from Neaderthal HC to Savant HC. McVay understands football at the molecular level.
 

Mackeyser

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Is it weird that one of my big prayers for the week is that McVay get some sleep?

Cuz I'm seriously praying for him to get some rest. You can't sleep 2 hours a week for 4 months...it's not healthy.
 

Rams43

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
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4-0 has us all optimistic 43. I watched Goff thread the needle, drop balls into tight windows, and unload 60 yd bombs to WR's in TC, so I'm not too surprised.

I've also been to all three home games and have watch the D closely. Something I 've noticed that no one has commented on. I have seen Suh and Donald pull up while closing in on a QB and I have a theory why.

Bare with me here.

Due to the new "falling on the QB" rule, and how no one is sure how to clearly enforce it, Wade Phillips, being the smartest and most experienced DC in the NFL, has his defense pressuring the QB, but laying off direct sacks. I'm not suggesting Wade is telling them not to sack the QB, but don't get a sack on 3rd and long and end up giving a 1st and 10.

There is a huge game swing form a 3rd and long to a 1st and ten = 15 more yds, that could result from a roughing the QB penalty. Why risk the penalty when the chances on 3rd and long when they won't convert anyway?
VeteranRamFan and I talked about it at the Viking game, and early on it looked like they could have had sacks if they had kept pursuing but ended up just getting their hands up. Then in the 4th qtr when they really needed a sack they turned it on and got them.


Rams next 3 games are very winnable without current injured players.

Sheilds a huge upgrade of Hill. (Hill zero snaps vs Vikes)


Rams go from Neaderthal HC to Savant HC. McVay understands football at the molecular level.

An intriguing theory, bubba.

I, too, had noticed that tendency by Suh and AD and puzzled over it. You and Vet might well be onto something.

Did you notice that Wade seemed to swap positions for Brockers and Suh late in the game? About the time that the Rams got their 4 sacks?
 

PressureD41

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Ya Brockers back to NT, and Suh to DE.. Lookout fellas!!! :mrburnsevil::fuelfire:
 

bubbaramfan

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yes we did 43, and we were not the only ones talking about it. The Viking fans around us thought their D was pulling up too.

Wade had all his DL guys moving around in the 2nd half, and in the 4th, Brockers at NT, with AD and Suh switching back and forth from LDE to RDE, and that when the most pressure and sacks happened.
 

bubbaramfan

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Vetramfan and RamBall think there is merit to my theory. We should watch closely the other teams DL's Sunday. If the sack rate drops considerably across the league, It might be telling of a trend. I really hope I'm wrong.