Why the NFL hasn’t figured out McVay just yet

[So Ram]

He also ended the season with a different looking offense that was humming more, why wouldn’t he be looking to build off that?

I think that is what is going on ??

Add Akers at RB was of course key to what The Rams anticipated in 2020 draft.. was pretty obvious to some.

 

[Corbin]

McVay was exposed. It’s no secret, it took him a long while to actually adjust to it. Which is why I think this year we have a breakout year again after he got it under control last year finally.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

I still can't believe he didn't have a plan b in the superbowl.

And that he didn't have an answer to what the bears showed him earlier in the season before that, which was copied by the cheats.

.

 

[Merlin]

McVay was exposed. It’s no secret, it took him a long while to actually adjust to it. Which is why I think this year we have a breakout year again after he got it under control last year finally.

Nah. He simply didn't have the players who are capable of making adjustments. That 6-1 BS isn't rocket science, it's stacking the outside zone area to take it away. To think that McVay started looking at that and couldn't "figure it out" from the midpoint of the 2018 season through the 2019 season is insulting IMO. Media types can beat that drum all they want but I'm not buying that shit.

What did this draft bring? Improvement at RB to allow for inside zone and running into traffic which will help beat defenses who align to stop outside zone. Improvement at WR to give Goff another weapon who can get open quickly here and there (Cooks was terrible last year and JRey isn't any better).

As to the Rams rolling the dice on the OL, well, we're going to know pretty early in the season if they fucked that up. That's gonna be the season too btw, and if the line plays well people will be acting like McVay suddenly solved the insurmountably difficult adjustment required for the dreaded 6-1 defense. If the line doesn't play well McVay will be the village idiot instead, which what can I say that's the world we live in.

This is why I say Snead is playing with more than his own job by standing pat on that OL. He's playing with the jobs of the staff too, even that of McVay. It's amazing how quickly your prestige can be eroded in the NFL when you don't have the players to do what you need to do.

 

[dieterbrock]

That 6-1 BS isn't rocket science, it's stacking the outside zone area to take it away. To think that McVay started looking at that and couldn't "figure it out" from the midpoint of the 2018 season through the 2019 season is insulting IMO. Media types can beat that drum all they want but I'm not buying that shit.

Well said man, well said.
If the players would have executed better, they would would have performed better...

 

[Corbin]

Nah. He simply didn't have the players who are capable of making adjustments. That 6-1 BS isn't rocket science, it's stacking the outside zone area to take it away. To think that McVay started looking at that and couldn't "figure it out" from the midpoint of the 2018 season through the 2019 season is insulting IMO. Media types can beat that drum all they want but I'm not buying that shit.

What did this draft bring? Improvement at RB to allow for inside zone and running into traffic which will help beat defenses who align to stop outside zone. Improvement at WR to give Goff another weapon who can get open quickly here and there (Cooks was terrible last year and JRey isn't any better).

As to the Rams rolling the dice on the OL, well, we're going to know pretty early in the season if they fucked that up. That's gonna be the season too btw, and if the line plays well people will be acting like McVay suddenly solved the insurmountably difficult adjustment required for the dreaded 6-1 defense. If the line doesn't play well McVay will be the village idiot instead, which what can I say that's the world we live in.

This is why I say Snead is playing with more than his own job by standing pat on that OL. He's playing with the jobs of the staff too, even that of McVay. It's amazing how quickly your prestige can be eroded in the NFL when you don't have the players to do what you need to do.

You down play the 6-1 but how long did it take for McVay to adjust to it?
Its not rocket science it’s football. Adjustments over series, halves, weeks and seasons happen or don’t happen.

The facts are that every single team we played adjusted to this scheme until we could beat it consistently and this didn’t happen for a while until when McVay went from 11 to 12 personal packages.

I base opinion on facts, McVay has gone on record as such that he should have adjusted scheme due to multiple opponents mimicking the Defensive game plan a lot sooner.

Amazing how people move away from facts because it doesn’t fit the narrative that you choose to want to be true.

 

[kurtfaulk]

You down play the 6-1 but how long did it take for McVay to adjust to it?
Its not rocket science it’s football. Adjustments over series, halves, weeks and seasons happen or don’t happen.

The facts are that every single team we played adjusted to this scheme until we could beat it consistently and this didn’t happen for a while until when McVay went from 11 to 12 personal packages.

I base opinion on facts, McVay has gone on record as such that he should have adjusted scheme due to multiple opponents mimicking the Defensive game plan a lot sooner.

Amazing how people move away from facts because it doesn’t fit the narrative that you choose to want to be true.

i gotta agree 100% with this.

all you have to do is look at the cowboys game last season. stuck out like a sore thumb.

that's what it looked like when mcvay wasn't adjusting to defenses that had challenged his 11 personnel sets.

.

 

[Merlin]

You down play the 6-1 but how long did it take for McVay to adjust to it?
Its not rocket science it’s football. Adjustments over series, halves, weeks and seasons happen or don’t happen.

The facts are that every single team we played adjusted to this scheme until we could beat it consistently and this didn’t happen for a while until when McVay went from 11 to 12 personal packages.

I base opinion on facts, McVay has gone on record as such that he should have adjusted scheme due to multiple opponents mimicking the Defensive game plan a lot sooner.

Amazing how people move away from facts because it doesn’t fit the narrative that you choose to want to be true.

There are high school coaches who could break down how to counter that look Corbin. It's run the ball up the gut (good chance in a 6-1 to give up a big gainer if you get seamed in the middle) or attack the edge out wide. McVay had to elect for the latter because of personnel. Because our OL was shit.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I don’t think McVay is in any danger, poor offensive line play or not.

They stood because they didn’t see anything available that would make an impact this year, so no need to force it. Possibly a mistake, but I trust them to get there, the line play was significantly better towards the end of the season, and we have guys who are back now.

 

[Corbin]

There are high school coaches who could break down how to counter that look Corbin. It's run the ball up the gut (good chance in a 6-1 to give up a big gainer if you get seamed in the middle) or attack the edge out wide. McVay had to elect for the latter because of personnel. Because our OL was shit.

I agree 100%, it’s Am old school D with good traits and bad traits and ways to defeat it.

McVay was just having a hard time acknowledging to himself he needed to switch it up.

I’d imagine being the analytical guy he is after the season doing self analyzing realized he need to get an OC so he can focus more on the big picture.

 

[ramsince62]

The National media sheep have colluded to a familiar narrative due to the 2019 downturn of the Ram’s offense, Sean McVay has been figured out and Jared Goff has been exposed as a system quarterback too heavily dependent on his coach’s adjustments in his earpiece. Between Fangio and Belichick in ‘18, the blueprint was laid for the end of McVay’s tenure as boy genius. Sure, they back it up with stats galore. Why not? Easy and simplistic explanations that the average reader can grasp are the norm for all media in sports and even politics.

But as Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”

2020 will be the year McVay takes his insight, phenomenal memory, and creativity to a different level. He’s not only capable of digesting and reciting every play he’s called, he can recount hundreds of plays by other teams in other schemes. He was written off as too young and naive by the media when he took his first head coaching assignment. Now he’s being portrayed as a two hit wonder. But Sean McVay is just getting warmed up.

What so many miss in their lamentations over the losses of Gurley and Cooks is that this organization made their adjustments not only to manage their salary cap, but also to realign their offensive philosophy. The drafting of Akers, Jefferson, and Hopkins are clues to what is in store. Akers is adept at getting yards even if OLinemen miss assignments. Where Cooks loosened the defense vertically, the replacement of Jefferson means they can be more effective horizontally in a quicker hitting scheme like the one Tom Brady dealt successfully for many years. The Hopkins acquisition indicates a heavier usage of 12 personnel. By choosing these players over road grading linemen, Sean tipped his hand to the discerning observer. The offense will be more multiple in design and defensive coordinators will once again have a more difficult assignment in figuring out what they will get from week to week.

Further evidence of this revolution in McVay’s approach comes from the addition of Brandon Staley as the new defensive coordinator. A disciple of Vic Fangio, the man most frequently credited with “figuring out” the wunderkind, Staley has been touted as the little known defensive deep thinker that can match McVay schematically. Where the Ram head coach used to lean on the experience and wisdom of the legendary Wade Phillips, he now has taken the approach that iron sharpens iron with youthful forward thinking.

Those who discount McVay’s mantra that he’s always learning from adversity as mere coachspeak do so at their own peril. This is the very type of challenge that gets this particular coach excited, not deflated. As Ram fans, we shouldn’t expect our coach to fall into the trap of Mike Martz who stubbornly refused to adapt when it became necessary to do so. Sean hasn’t fallen in love with his successes. He leans on the processes and philosophies of tried and true greats while he adjusts with the help of like minded strategists and teachers. It’s truly a collaborative effort that involves surrounding himself with true professionals that deliberately move the needle forward.

Yes, this is the year we witness something special, provided there is actually an NFL season to be played.

Bet

Well written and expressed....although I don't necessarily agree with your premise as I currently lean towards the camp that suggests a strengthening at both skill and support positions remain a priority. They rolled the dice in 18 and must now pay the bill. Let's be honest, at this moment what takes the field this season is a complete mystery. Until proven otherwise, I'm afraid our Rams are essentially a middle of the pack unit and likely 3rd in their division.

That said, there's always hope, sometimes the stars align despite the obvious metrics and analysis.

 

[ramsince62]

Lol - injuries & rookies last season only gave up 22 SACKS !!!

Glad your not the owner

Yup, the sack thing was a real surprise at the time. The question remains, can this team run the ball and average probably 7 more points a game than last season?

 

[8to12]

Nobody is going to "figure him out".

They may not figure him out completely, but they can make in game adjustments to counter the Rams offensive play calls. Against the 49ers last season, the Rams worked the reverse Boot play successfully enough to outscore the 49ers in the First half. However, in the Second half, the 49ers caught on to the Reverse Boot action and rolled their coverage so that the (2) receivers at low and intermediate levels were covered. McVay / Goff never adjusted to it ; they kept trying to run it over and over in the second half without the same success as the First half. Why Goff and McVay can't see that happening and make adjustments is mind boggling to me.
McVay is a Savant about developing an Offensive scheme and mindset, but until he learns how to react on the fly, the Rams will have a hard time getting back to the Superbowl.

 

[So Ram]

Yup, the sack thing was a real surprise at the time. The question remains, can this team run the ball and average probably 7 more points a game than last season?

Simple answer is YES !!! Just look at The Rams depth at Offensive Line vs. 2019 ??? Who is the starting RT & Center ??

 

[Selassie I]

They may not figure him out completely, but they can make in game adjustments to counter the Rams offensive play calls. Against the 49ers last season, the Rams worked the reverse Boot play successfully enough to outscore the 49ers in the First half. However, in the Second half, the 49ers caught on to the Reverse Boot action and rolled their coverage so that the (2) receivers at low and intermediate levels were covered. McVay / Goff never adjusted to it ; they kept trying to run it over and over in the second half without the same success as the First half. Why Goff and McVay can't see that happening and make adjustments is mind boggling to me.
McVay is a Savant about developing an Offensive scheme and mindset, but until he learns how to react on the fly, the Rams will have a hard time getting back to the Superbowl.

I had a flashback to my playing days when I read this. I can't tell you how many times I've heard coaches of mine say (or scream) - "RUN IT AGAIN". If the other team can't stop something... you'd almost be foolish not to run it again. Opposing coaches usually don't expect the same thing to come right back at them... they expect a different play coming even if the formation is identical... they're preparing for the trick, not the same thing. You can really dictate play like that. Then... when you finally get the other team to fully commit... you can really burn em with a trick.

Sticking with something that is working makes a tremendous amount of sense if you think about it. It's also demoralizing to the opponent. It can wear them out mentally and physically. Play calling is a cat and mouse game.

It's already been posted earlier in the thread... but players usually determine the outcome of plays more than the play call. Think about it... how many times does AD destroy a perfect play called by the offense even though the offense had him accounted for with 3 players. Execution of the play is what results in success... regardless of the play call. All eleven players have to execute their assignments. We all know that doesn't always happen.

McSlay always takes the blame after losses. That doesn't mean he's really the reason the team didn't come out on top though.

 

[den-the-coach]

I had a flashback to my playing days when I read this. I can't tell you how many times I've heard coaches of mine say (or scream) - "RUN IT AGAIN".

Well, I remember in my Sophomore Year of High School actually playing Varsity double sessions saying after hearing that for the 5th straight time, do you think we could actually throw the ball? Ran the bleachers the rest of practice and the Head Coach came over to me and again asked if I had anything to say and I quipped, I really think we can throw the ball Coach......I ran for another hour after practice....The Military was good for me to teach me discipline, however, that High School Head Coach lasted that year and a new coach came in and opened it up with passing and our team was much better.

 

[Selassie I]

Well, I remember in my Sophomore Year of High School actually playing Varsity double sessions saying after hearing that for the 5th straight time, do you think we could actually throw the ball? Ran the bleachers the rest of practice and the Head Coach came over to me and again asked if I had anything to say and I quipped, I really think we can throw the ball Coach......I ran for another hour after practice....The Military was good for me to teach me discipline, however, that High School Head Coach lasted that year and a new coach came in and opened it up with passing and our team was much better.

Were you the QB or WR by any chance?

Just curious

Cause that could've been a factor


If you mean what I know.

 

[den-the-coach]

Were you the QB or WR by any chance?

Just curious

Cause that could've been a factor


If you mean what I know.

Nope, Center, Nose Guard & Deep Snapper (Why I made Varsity early) but I knew what we had at Quarterback, which was rare at that time, he could make every throw and actually received a full scholarship to Holy Cross. Guess I was coaching at a young age, but in fairness the Quarterback and I were good friends and are still till this day.

He feels that I should thank him because I never got fat sticking up for him, running all the time made me enjoy cross country running and I still run and enjoy it, but it started with the bleachers way back in the Summer of 82.

 

[Oregonram]

I am not sure Sean likes to run the ball. I’m not so sure that part of the reason the Rams traded Gurley was because Sean got tired of management telling him, why are we only running our RB 10 times a game while paying him millions? If he uses Akers to wear down opposing defenses, and establish a believable play action game, I will be happy. If some of you are going to tell me that the reason for the light usage was Todd’s knee, and a poor offensive line, what happened in the playoff loss to the Falcons in 2018, when we had Saffold and a healthy Todd? I hope Sean will let our big hogs Road grade for Akers, and open up Goffs options. Throwing 45 times a game is not a winning strategy for any team.

 

[Zaphod]

I am not sure Sean likes to run the ball. I’m not so sure that part of the reason the Rams traded Gurley was because Sean got tired of management telling him, why are we only running our RB 10 times a game while paying him millions? If he uses Akers to wear down opposing defenses, and establish a believable play action game, I will be happy. If some of you are going to tell me that the reason for the light usage was Todd’s knee, and a poor offensive line, what happened in the playoff loss to the Falcons in 2018, when we had Saffold and a healthy Todd? I hope Sean will let our big hogs Road grade for Akers, and open up Goffs options. Throwing 45 times a game is not a winning strategy for any team.

McVay wants to move the chains consistently with his rushing attack complimenting those long play action bombs with intermediate routes. That was certainly the narrative prior to last year - Gurley was the real engine behind the offense (except - oops he does need a decent offensive line to open holes for him).

But the problem has been the addiction to outside zone. When teams adjusted with the 6-1, the offensive line wasn't able to run block consistently enough to support McVay's play action scheme, and we all wanted to see Gurley burn teams up the middle, but the execution clearly wasn't there and his passing counter was only slightly more succesful due to pass blocking up front.

Everyone knows that the key to slowing down a Shannahan or McVay offense is limiting the effectiveness of that outside zone run. We also know that teams like to mask poor pass blocking with play action, and we know that the outside zone preferrs smaller, faster offensive linemen, so the Rams are kind of where they are by design.

I just don't realistically expect more consistent success with run blocking until they fix the offensive line.