20 Random It Just Keeps Getting Worse Thoughts

[AvengerRam]

1. I never thought we'd be here again this soon.

2. Three games under .500. Seriously?

3. Intellectually, its not difficult to understand what has happened this year.

4. Injuries to the OL have been catastrophic. There's no way to overstate how insanely impactful the loss of starters and backups has been.

5. This game revealed another problem. John Wolford is not an NFL quarterback. Not as a number 2 guy. Probably not even a number 3 guy.

6. Here's the profile I want for our backup: a smart, experienced, NFL veteran. Like... say... Colt McCoy.

7. Or, if you want a different look, how about a young, athletic QB who can provide a dual threat.

8. Wolford isn't either of those things. He's inaccurate from the pocket, he's not a quick release guy, and he's not athletic enough to pressure the defense with his legs.

9. Going into this Wolford as the No. 2 was irresponsible. There, I said it.

10. Looking at the defense, I'm torn. They are being put in an impossible situation due to the lack of offense, but I can't fully absolve them when they continue to miss key tackles, allow big catches on third down and in the Red Zone, and fail to produce turnovers.

11. I still think that part of the defense's problem is Raheem Morris' continual reluctance to let the defense pressure opposing offenses with press coverage. I know that Jalen Ramsey has backed Morris recently, but can every observer who has made this point be wrong?

12. Cooper Kupp's nightmare afternoon ended early. I'm expecting words like "high ankle sprain" and "IR" to be heard this week. Injury added to insult added to injury...

13. Can this season get any worse?

14. So here's my random potential overreaction thought: the Rams may need to part with one of their prize superstars this offseason to allow for a rebuilding of the foundation of the team (i.e. the OL and, to a lesser extent, the RB position).

15. So who would I consider sacrificing? Scratch Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald off the list. Same with Cooper Kupp.

16. Ramsey, maybe? Not out of the question. He's a great player, but he could be a luxury we can't afford. Not when a 28 year old all-pro CB (who has a market value contract in place) could fetch multiple premium draft picks. And not when his talents, vast though they are, are arguably being wasted.

17. I'm not even sure I believe what I just wrote. I'm just frustrated. Perhaps, though, it's not entirely crazy.

18. As I look back at last year, I realize just how many things went right. Overall, we had good health. We found amazing replacements for those who did get hurt. The ball bounced our way in many key moments. That's how a championship season happens.

19. This year is the polar opposite. Our karma has run out, Murphy's Law has taken over, and its hard to see any light at the end of this year's tunnel.

20. I'm still here, though. And I'll be here every week.

 

[Varg6]

Tough game. Even tougher season. The only thing I can think of that will be beneficial is the idea that McVay will be ANGRY all offseason. He doesn’t strike me a someone who will walk away when things get tough. This season will be a very teachable moment for him. This is a losing season, guys. Let’s face it, it’s over. But I think there’s a good chance we right the ship during free agency and the off-season. Let’s see.

 

[tempests]

16. Ramsey, maybe? Not out of the question. He's a great player, but he could be a luxury we can't afford. Not when a 28 year old all-pro CB (who has a market value contract in place) could fetch multiple premium draft picks. And not when his talents, vast though they are, are arguably being wasted.

17. I'm not even sure I believe what I just wrote. I'm just frustrated. Perhaps, though, it's not entirely crazy.

Rams might return to playoff contention in 2023. If there's confidence in that, then I'd keep him.

If the belief is that the Rams are in for a difficult season next year too, then I'd trade him. Could still get a sizeable haul and help the offense.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

1. I never thought we'd be here again this soon.

2. Three games under .500. Seriously?

3. Intellectually, its not difficult to understand what has happened this year.

4. Injuries to the OL have been catastrophic. There's no way to overstate how insanely impactful the loss of starters and backups has been.

5. This game revealed another problem. John Wolford is not an NFL quarterback. Not as a number 2 guy. Probably not even a number 3 guy.

6. Here's the profile I want for our backup: a smart, experienced, NFL veteran. Like... say... Colt McCoy.

7. Or, if you want a different look, how about a young, athletic QB who can provide a dual threat.

8. Wolford isn't either of those things. He's inaccurate from the pocket, he's not a quick release guy, and he's not athletic enough to pressure the defense with his legs.

9. Going into this Wolford as the No. 2 was irresponsible. There, I said it.

10. Looking at the defense, I'm torn. They are being put in an impossible situation due to the lack of offense, but I can't fully absolve them when they continue to miss key tackles, allow big catches on third down and in the Red Zone, and fail to produce turnovers.

11. I still think that part of the defense's problem is Raheem Morris' continual reluctance to let the defense pressure opposing offenses with press coverage. I know that Jalen Ramsey has backed Morris recently, but can every observer who has made this point be wrong?

12. Cooper Kupp's nightmare afternoon ended early. I'm expecting words like "high ankle sprain" and "IR" to be heard this week. Injury added to insult added to injury...

13. Can this season get any worse?

14. So here's my random potential overreaction thought: the Rams may need to part with one of their prize superstars this offseason to allow for a rebuilding of the foundation of the team (i.e. the OL and, to a lesser extent, the RB position).

15. So who would I consider sacrificing? Scratch Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald off the list. Same with Cooper Kupp.

16. Ramsey, maybe? Not out of the question. He's a great player, but he could be a luxury we can't afford. Not when a 28 year old all-pro CB (who has a market value contract in place) could fetch multiple premium draft picks. And not when his talents, vast though they are, are arguably being wasted.

17. I'm not even sure I believe what I just wrote. I'm just frustrated. Perhaps, though, it's not entirely crazy.

18. As I look back at last year, I realize just how many things went right. Overall, we had good health. We found amazing replacements for those who did get hurt. The ball bounced our way in many key moments. That's how a championship season happens.

19. This year is the polar opposite. Our karma has run out, Murphy's Law has taken over, and its hard to see any light at the end of this year's tunnel.

20. I'm still here, though. And I'll be here every week.

If McVay told Kingsbury that he’s stupid if he doesn’t sign McCoy, after watching Wolford play, doesn’t that make McVay stupid for not signing McCoy?

Why didn’t we see more of Williams in this game?

 

[AvengerRam]

Rams might return to playoff contention in 2023. If there's confidence in that, then I'd keep him.

If the belief is that the Rams are in for a difficult season next year too, then I'd trade him. Could still get a sizeable haul and help the offense.

Make no mistake… I’d like to see the Rams solve their personnel issues this offseason without sacrificing a guy like Ramsey. But…from a pure cost/benefit analysis, I can’t help but wonder “what if?”

 

[OntarioRam]

In today's NFL you need a good secondary. It's a passing league. Our secondary is mediocre as it is. I don't want to imagine it without Ramsey. If Ramsey goes, we better be finding a way to replace him.

 

[SteezyEndo]

If McVay told Kingsbury that he’s stupid if he doesn’t sign McCoy, after watching Wolford play, doesn’t that make McVay stupid for not signing McCoy?

Why didn’t we see more of Williams in this game?

I literally spit my beer out hearing that shit. Like bro if you want to consult people that we are competing against. Maybe you shouldn’t be a HC for a specific team. Ridiculous

 

[OldSchool]

11. I still think that part of the defense's problem is Raheem Morris' continual reluctance to let the defense pressure opposing offenses with press coverage. I know that Jalen Ramsey has backed Morris recently, but can every observer who has made this point be wrong?

I asked in the vent thread I'll ask again in reply to this one. Who was the last edge rusher that McSnead draft that was worth a damn? The defense was amazing last year once we added the pass rusher in Von. We let him go, didn't replace him and now everybody thinks Morris is stupid. When was the last time McSnead drafted an edge that turned out to be worth a damn?

 

[OntarioRam]

Wolford is not it. We need a real backup QB. That and RB should be something the front office should be able to upgrade this off-season without too much trouble, IMO. If they do not I will be severely disappointed. Pass rusher will be a tougher nut to crack. It seems, at all times, the entire NFL is looking for an edge.

 

[Loyal]

I asked in the vent thread I'll ask again in reply to this one. Who was the last edge rusher that McSnead draft that was worth a damn? The defense was amazing last year once we added the pass rusher in Von. We let him go, didn't replace him and now everybody thinks Morris is stupid. When was the last time McSnead drafted an edge that turned out to be worth a damn?

In McSnead we trust (in drafting edge rushers) ~ OldSchool and Me

 

[AvengerRam]

I asked in the vent thread I'll ask again in reply to this one. Who was the last edge rusher that McSnead draft that was worth a damn? The defense was amazing last year once we added the pass rusher in Von. We let him go, didn't replace him and now everybody thinks Morris is stupid. When was the last time McSnead drafted an edge that turned out to be worth a damn?

The Rams’ pass rushers have a pretty high win rate, but they can’t get to the QB if he’s taking two steps back and throwing 5-8 yard throws to wide open receivers. So…yes, the Rams could use another pass rusher who commands double-teams, but this soft coverage has a price, even if the pass rushers are doing their job.

 

[OldSchool]

The Rams’ pass rushers have a pretty high win rate, but they can’t get to the QB if he’s taking two steps back and throwing 5-8 yard throws to wide open receivers. So…yes, the Rams could use another pass rusher who commands double-teams, but this soft coverage has a price.

Horse shit. Edge rushers around the NFL get sacks when their DB's are playing soft coverages. Who was the last good edge rusher the Rams drafted? The only guy that I can think of that was even close to good was Ebukam. He was wildly inconsistent. As far as I can remember they've only taken two on day two Ebukam and Lewis.

 

[AvengerRam]

Horse shit. Edge rushers around the NFL get sacks when their DB's are playing soft coverages. Who was the last good edge rusher the Rams drafted? The only guy that I can think of that was even close to good was Ebukam. He was wildly inconsistent. As far as I can remember they've only taken two on day two Ebukam and Lewis.

No, its not horse shit. As of last week, Aaron Donald was No. 2 in the league at his position in pass rush win rate, and Leonard Floyd was No. 8. As a team, the Rams were second at 52%.

Now explain to me why, with such high win rates, the Rams are getting to the QB so infrequently? If you have a better answer than soft coverage allowing for quick throws to open receivers, I'm all ears.

 

[Flatlyner]

@AvengerRam you made a lot of good points, ones I've thought of as well. Just sticking with Wolford, especially with Staffords reported elbow issues, is just utter incompetence. We could have certainly signed a vet that has actual experience in NFL games. Might even get one on the cheap since we are the defending champs (that shine has run its course clearly).

Injuries are what they are. They tried to address interior OL with Bruss, but, injuries. Who knows, he could have been the anchor inside that we lack. Can't blame them for the plethora of injuries we have endured, mostly at the OL. But, can certainly blame them for not upgrading the back up QB, which cost us a win today.

 

[blackbart]

Rebuilding the OL has got to be the highest priority. Bringing in proven free agents, spend the entire draft on OL, Whatever it takes you can’t continue with players who wouldn’t be in the league if it wasn’t for the Rams.

 

[OldSchool]

No, its not horse shit. As of last week, Aaron Donald was No. 2 in the league at his position in pass rush win rate, and Leonard Floyd was No. 8. As a team, the Rams were second at 52%.

Now explain to me why, with such high win rates, the Rams are getting to the QB so infrequently? If you have a better answer than soft coverage allowing for quick throws to open receivers, I'm all ears.

Pass rush win rate is a subjective stat created by ESPN. QB pressures QB sacks matter and we don't do that. I watch other games watch DB's playing off the WR's and they get sacks. Because they have more than one guy capable of rushing the passer. I get it this board has a hard on for shitting on Morris and calling him all kinds of names. We saw more press coverage today than we had seen yet this year, because Hill is getting back in to game shape. We had 2 sacks one on a blitz from Wagner and one because McCoy tripped with Floyd behind him as he was getting ready to throw the ball. We need pass rushers.

 

[AvengerRam]

Pass rush win rate is a subjective stat created by ESPN. QB pressures QB sacks matter and we don't do that. I watch other games watch DB's playing off the WR's and they get sacks. Because they have more than one guy capable of rushing the passer. I get it this board has a hard on for shitting on Morris and calling him all kinds of names. We saw more press coverage today than we had seen yet this year, because Hill is getting back in to game shape. We had 2 sacks one on a blitz from Wagner and one because McCoy tripped with Floyd behind him as he was getting ready to throw the ball. We need pass rushers.

I’m not sure how your observations are any less subjective than ESPN’s pressure rate data gathered techniques.

That said, I don’t disagree with the notion that we could use another pass rusher. While we could try to draft one, rookies (particularly those taken after the first round) don’t often make an immediate impact rushing the passer. I’d favor picking up a specialist in FA. Yannick Ngakoue is a guy I’d make a run at this offseason.

Of course, if you think it’s more productive, you could just continue calling other people’s opinions “horse shit” and responding with passive aggressive laughing emojis when someone politely disagrees with you. Those are very helpful ways to respond.

 

[Oregonram]

Well, on the bright side, Williams had one rush for 9 yards…

 

[OldSchool]

I’m not sure how your observations are any less subjective than ESPN’s pressure rate data gathered techniques.

That said, I don’t disagree with the notion that we could use another pass rusher. While we could try to draft one, rookies (particularly those taken after the first round) don’t often make an immediate impact rushing the passer. I’d favor picking up a specialist in FA. Yannick Ngakoue is a guy I’d make a run at this offseason.

Of course, if you think it’s more productive, you could just continue calling other people’s opinions “horse shit” and responding with passive aggressive laughing emojis when someone politely disagrees with you. Those are very helpful ways to respond.

I think the pass rush win rate is horse shit. I don't think you are horse shit. I do think our pass rush is horse shit.

2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

Go to the team advanced defense sort by prss%. That's the Rams with the 2nd worst number in the NFL. The reason why that stat you cited is as high as it is for the Rams is because of one man #99. Truth is somewhere in the middle of the discussion. Soft coverages hurt our sack/pressure numbers. Lack of assistance to AD hurt our numbers. Soft coverages hurt our numbers but like with pass rush we really don't have the corners to play a more aggressive coverage. Changing with Hill coming back there was a lot more pressing tonight. But that doesn't matter to some because if there are 4 people lined up on WR/TE and one is of people were screaming about it in the GDT. Not all of our DB's and most certainly none of our LB are capable of playing press coverage right now.

We need pass rushers, we need another CB who can play man coverage and press. We're not going to find either during the season unless somebody has a revelation on how to play their position. I'm still going to watch the games unlike what we both read a lot in the GDT and Vent thread. But there are a lot of people who won't have a good time the rest of the year because the defense is what it is. McVay and the players think they're doing the best they can with the defense they're calling. Honestly people should be backing Morris and hoping for the best so he gets a HC job otherwise he'll be here as long as McVay is.

There's nothing passive aggressive about me laughing at a post. I've been asked that question dozens of times. Given this same answer dozens of times. Talked about the need for somebody to step up along side 99 dozens of times. And I found it funny that for the 2nd time today I was asked the same question.

 

[AvengerRam]

I think the pass rush win rate is horse shit. I don't think you are horse shit. I do think our pass rush is horse shit.

2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

Go to the team advanced defense sort by prss%. That's the Rams with the 2nd worst number in the NFL. The reason why that stat you cited is as high as it is for the Rams is because of one man #99. Truth is somewhere in the middle of the discussion. Soft coverages hurt our sack/pressure numbers. Lack of assistance to AD hurt our numbers. Soft coverages hurt our numbers but like with pass rush we really don't have the corners to play a more aggressive coverage. Changing with Hill coming back there was a lot more pressing tonight. But that doesn't matter to some because if there are 4 people lined up on WR/TE and one is of people were screaming about it in the GDT. Not all of our DB's and most certainly none of our LB are capable of playing press coverage right now.

We need pass rushers, we need another CB who can play man coverage and press. We're not going to find either during the season unless somebody has a revelation on how to play their position. I'm still going to watch the games unlike what we both read a lot in the GDT and Vent thread. But there are a lot of people who won't have a good time the rest of the year because the defense is what it is. McVay and the players think they're doing the best they can with the defense they're calling. Honestly people should be backing Morris and hoping for the best so he gets a HC job otherwise he'll be here as long as McVay is.

There's nothing passive aggressive about me laughing at a post. I've been asked that question dozens of times. Given this same answer dozens of times. Talked about the need for somebody to step up along side 99 dozens of times. And I found it funny that for the 2nd time today I was asked the same question.

It’s not an either/or question, though. We could have a shortage of pass rushers AND also be playing too soft in coverage.

Indeed, I’ve seen both. I’ve seen plays in which AD gets double or triple teamed, the QB takes his time, and nobody else breaks through.

I’ve also seen a lot of plays in which a QB takes two steps back and fires a pass to a WR who, due to the CB lining up 10 or more yards off the LOS, never is challenged.

Our offense needs the help of turnovers. I think Morris needs to be more aggressive and try to force some.

AND we should get more pass rushers this offseason.