20 Random Wonderful Week 1 Thoughts

[AvengerRam]

1. Wow... that was fun!

2. After months of departures, changes and uncertainty, Rams football is finally back, and it was a beautiful thing behold!

3. There's only one Cooper Kupp, but Puka Nacua did an impression worthy of Frank Caliendo. He is such a mature player, even if his face looks like it belongs in a High School yearbook!

4. Puka had a lot of help, though... Tutu Atwell just played his best game as a pro. He found success, not as gimmick/mini-WR, but as a true, well-rounded WR (albeit in a small package).

5. Matthew Stafford looked comfortable, confident, and in control. He made some great throws (the 30 yarder to Tyler Higbee was particularly impressive).

6. We finally learned who is starting on the OL. Who had Jackson/Avila/Shelton/Noteboom/Havenstein in the pool?

7. The OL did a great job in pass protection. The only stains on Stafford's jersey resulted from running plays!

8. Run blocking was not as strong, but...

9. I don't think you can fully evaluate the effort in the running game by looking at the box score. Yes, there were a lot of unsuccessful running plays. There were enough successful ones, though, to allow for a balanced, ball controlling, clock burning attack.

10. I was particularly pleased with our success running the ball in the Red Zone. The credible threat there will allow us to keep defenses guessing where it counts.

11. The defensive effort was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, we didn't force a single punt, edge-setting was nonexistent, and Geno Smith was way too comfortable.

12. In the second half, we absolutely shut down Seattle, giving up 3 yards before the final, meaningless snaps.

13. Perhaps the turnaround was due to a unit that saw no live action in preseason needing a few reps to warm up, but I think you need to give some credit to Raheem Morris, who clearly made the right adjustments (did I actually see CBs pressuring receivers?).

14. Great contributions from the rookie class. Avila held up nicely in pass protection. Nacua, of course, was stellar. Young adjusted well in the second half and provided some timely pressures. Kobie Turner got into the act. Great start for the newbies!

15. Brett Maher was okay, and Ethan Evans only had to punt once! (Need to shore up that coverage.)

16. It was great seeing the Seahawks unravel in the end!

17. Offensive Player of the Game. I'm not usually a fan of co-players of the game but, in this case, I have to split it between Nacua and Atwell.

18. Defensive Player of the Game: Ernest Jones. 8 tackles and 3 TFL. He has taken the reigns of the defense.

19. Bring on the parade of Crow-Eating Talking Heads, Bloggers and Commentators!

20. Its just one game, I know. But I'm going to enjoy it and smile all week. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[Memento]

Great post. I'll add a 21: D.K. Metcalf is a little bitch baby. He has all the talent in the world, but he acts like a spoiled toddler, whining for the ball, even when he's doing nothing with it, taking stupid penalties, and basically being such a fucking baby door (and yes, I know that said word going to be altered to "baby-door", but jeez, we have fucking breast, ass, and leg threads; we're all adults here.) that Seattle would probably be better off without him.

 

[Rams43]

1. Wow... that was fun!

2. After months of departures, changes and uncertainty, Rams football is finally back, and it was a beautiful thing behold!

3. There's only one Cooper Kupp, but Puka Nacua did an impression worthy of Frank Caliendo. He is such a mature player, even if his face looks like it belongs in a High School yearbook!

4. Puka had a lot of help, though... Tutu Atwell just played his best game as a pro. He found success, not as gimmick/mini-WR, but as a true, well-rounded WR (albeit in a small package).

5. Matthew Stafford looked comfortable, confident, and in control. He made some great throws (the 30 yarder to Tyler Higbee was particularly impressive).

6. We finally learned who is starting on the OL. Who had Jackson/Avila/Shelton/Noteboom/Havenstein in the pool?

7. The OL did a great job in pass protection. The only stains on Stafford's jersey resulted from running plays!

8. Run blocking was not as strong, but...

9. I don't think you can fully evaluate the effort in the running game by looking at the box score. Yes, there were a lot of unsuccessful running plays. There were enough successful ones, though, to allow for a balanced, ball controlling, clock burning attack.

10. I was particularly pleased with our success running the ball in the Red Zone. The credible threat there will allow us to keep defenses guessing where it counts.

11. The defensive effort was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, we didn't force a single punt, edge-setting was nonexistent, and Geno Smith was way too comfortable.

12. In the second half, we absolutely shut down Seattle, giving up 3 yards before the final, meaningless snaps.

13. Perhaps the turnaround was due to a unit that saw no live action in preseason needing a few reps to warm up, but I think you need to give some credit to Raheem Morris, who clearly made the right adjustments (did I actually see CBs pressuring receivers?).

14. Great contributions from the rookie class. Avila held up nicely in pass protection. Nacua, of course, was stellar. Young adjusted well in the second half and provided some timely pressures. Kobie Turner got into the act. Great start for the newbies!

15. Brett Maher was okay, and Ethan Evans only had to punt once! (Need to shore up that coverage.)

16. It was great seeing the Seahawks unravel in the end!

17. Offensive Player of the Game. I'm not usually a fan of co-players of the game but, in this case, I have to split it between Nacua and Atwell.

18. Defensive Player of the Game: Ernest Jones. 8 tackles and 3 TFL. He has taken the reigns of the defense.

19. Bring on the parade of Crow-Eating Talking Heads, Bloggers and Commentators!

20. Its just one game, I know. But I'm going to enjoy it and smile all week. Nothing wrong with that!

This was one of your very best Random Thoughts lists, Avenge.

Take a bow, sir!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

1. Wow... that was fun!

2. After months of departures, changes and uncertainty, Rams football is finally back, and it was a beautiful thing behold!

3. There's only one Cooper Kupp, but Puka Nacua did an impression worthy of Frank Caliendo. He is such a mature player, even if his face looks like it belongs in a High School yearbook!

4. Puka had a lot of help, though... Tutu Atwell just played his best game as a pro. He found success, not as gimmick/mini-WR, but as a true, well-rounded WR (albeit in a small package).

5. Matthew Stafford looked comfortable, confident, and in control. He made some great throws (the 30 yarder to Tyler Higbee was particularly impressive).

6. We finally learned who is starting on the OL. Who had Jackson/Avila/Shelton/Noteboom/Havenstein in the pool?

7. The OL did a great job in pass protection. The only stains on Stafford's jersey resulted from running plays!

8. Run blocking was not as strong, but...

9. I don't think you can fully evaluate the effort in the running game by looking at the box score. Yes, there were a lot of unsuccessful running plays. There were enough successful ones, though, to allow for a balanced, ball controlling, clock burning attack.

10. I was particularly pleased with our success running the ball in the Red Zone. The credible threat there will allow us to keep defenses guessing where it counts.

11. The defensive effort was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, we didn't force a single punt, edge-setting was nonexistent, and Geno Smith was way too comfortable.

12. In the second half, we absolutely shut down Seattle, giving up 3 yards before the final, meaningless snaps.

13. Perhaps the turnaround was due to a unit that saw no live action in preseason needing a few reps to warm up, but I think you need to give some credit to Raheem Morris, who clearly made the right adjustments (did I actually see CBs pressuring receivers?).

14. Great contributions from the rookie class. Avila held up nicely in pass protection. Nacua, of course, was stellar. Young adjusted well in the second half and provided some timely pressures. Kobie Turner got into the act. Great start for the newbies!

15. Brett Maher was okay, and Ethan Evans only had to punt once! (Need to shore up that coverage.)

16. It was great seeing the Seahawks unravel in the end!

17. Offensive Player of the Game. I'm not usually a fan of co-players of the game but, in this case, I have to split it between Nacua and Atwell.

18. Defensive Player of the Game: Ernest Jones. 8 tackles and 3 TFL. He has taken the reigns of the defense.

19. Bring on the parade of Crow-Eating Talking Heads, Bloggers and Commentators!

20. Its just one game, I know. But I'm going to enjoy it and smile all week. Nothing wrong with that!

I’ll eat crow on Tutu. No, he was not dominant, but he played well and was schemed to get off the line untouched a few times and it worked beautifully. He had reliable hands when the ball came his way. (wtf VJ)

I recall an article quoting a player saying that halftime adjustments are a myth. I disagreed then and think this game was proof. The first half game plan was very conservative. The Seahawks were clearly selling out to stop the run. So, in the second half, the Rams opened things up with a lot of downfield passes to punish them for it. I felt the same thing defensively. It was playing conservatively in the first half and got much more aggressive in the second. Bravo.

I’ll be happy to see this style of play every week. I hope that they continue the trend.

 

[OntarioRam]

Great summary.

Between Puka and Tutu, it sure does not look like Stafford is having any problems connecting with the young guys on the roster. Hopefully those stupid rumours can be put to rest now.

 

[fanotodd]

1. Wow... that was fun!

Yes it was!

3. There's only one Cooper Kupp, but Puka Nacua did an impression worthy of Frank Caliendo. He is such a mature player, even if his face looks like it belongs in a High School yearbook!

He had a fantastic catch on sideline and probably 3 times he caught a pass in front of the sticks and bulled his way to a first down. He’s the real deal.

4. Puka had a lot of help, though... Tutu Atwell just played his best game as a pro. He found success, not as gimmick/mini-WR, but as a true, well-rounded WR (albeit in a small package).

He’s got great hands and he’s fast enough to get by anybody. He looks confident.

5. Matthew Stafford looked comfortable, confident, and in control. He made some great throws (the 30 yarder to Tyler Higbee was particularly impressive).

He made some brilliant throws today despite looking a little rusty on a few. As usual though, he made the $$ throws to crush the seahawks. He was just starting to get a rhythm with Atwell but under threw him on that big gainer. Atwell was behind the defense waiting on that duck. When Atwell and Stafford develop a bit more…LOOK OUT! They are gonna hit on some big plays.

6. We finally learned who is starting on the OL. Who had Jackson/Avila/Shelton/Noteboom/Havenstein in the pool?

Actually, I did! I called it yesterday on the seahawk pre-game thread (page 8).
What do I win?

7. The OL did a great job in pass protection. The only stains on Stafford's jersey resulted from running plays!

Wasn’t that scramble a thing of beauty? I don’t care if it looked like it was in slow motion.

8. Run blocking was not as strong, but...

It was in the red zone. This is a bigger group of maulers than we’re used to seeing. You put big bodies in their faces and it’s no problem. Between the 20’s was rougher with all the movement.

11. The defensive effort was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, we didn't force a single punt, edge-setting was nonexistent, and Geno Smith was way too comfortable.

12. In the second half, we absolutely shut down Seattle, giving up 3 yards before the final, meaningless snaps.

Cannot say enough about that inexperienced secondary. They battled the whole game, getting more tenacious as the game went.

13. Perhaps the turnaround was due to a unit that saw no live action in preseason needing a few reps to warm up, but I think you need to give some credit to Raheem Morris, who clearly made the right adjustments (did I actually see CBs pressuring receivers?).

Yes, he’s been beaten up pretty good. Today he deserves his due.

14. Great contributions from the rookie class. Avila held up nicely in pass protection. Nacua, of course, was stellar. Young adjusted well in the second half and provided some timely pressures. Kobie Turner got into the act. Great start for the newbies!

Nacua and Avila stepped right in. Turner and Young flashed of promise.

15. Brett Maher was okay, and Ethan Evans only had to punt once! (Need to shore up that coverage.)

Someone needs to work with Evans. I don’t know if he’s out kicking the coverage and needs to work on hang time to help the coverage because it stinks.
Rough start for Maher, but 3 kicks over 50 yards? He did good enough today.

16. It was great seeing the Seahawks unravel in the end!

Best part.

17. Offensive Player of the Game. I'm not usually a fan of co-players of the game but, in this case, I have to split it between Nacua and Atwell.

No complaints here.

18. Defensive Player of the Game: Ernest Jones. 8 tackles and 3 TFL. He has taken the reigns of the defense.

I’m gonna go with Kendrick for bouncing back after getting roasted for that early TD and then shutting down metcalf to the point of a meltdown. Did you see him starting to get in metcalf’s face after a breakup?

19. Bring on the parade of Crow-Eating Talking Heads, Bloggers and Commentators!

Can’t wait to heat their takes.

20. It’s just one game, I know. But I'm going to enjoy it and smile all week. Nothing wrong with that!

1-0, what’s not to smile about?
Cheers!

 

[FaulkSF]

18. Should go to Coach Rah. 3 yards in the second half. U kidding me? Game of a lifetime.

 

[snackdaddy]

I was one who predicted gloom and doom. Especially for the defense. After thinking we would start 1-4, watching the Bengals I'm thinking 3-2 is a possibility. Yum, yum, yum. That crow is tasting especially good tonight.

 

[rdlkgliders]

9. I don't think you can fully evaluate the effort in the running game by looking at the box score. Yes, there were a lot of unsuccessful running plays. There were enough successful ones, though, to allow for a balanced, ball controlling, clock burning attack.

10. I was particularly pleased with our success running the ball in the Red Zone. The credible threat there will allow us to keep defenses guessing where it counts.

I agree, It isn't always about how it reads in the stats. Our running game was just much different this game and to me it was the timing of when we ran and whether it was gap or outside. The rhythm was good and the affect will get better as we go. It was good enough to where teams have to respect it and that keeps the passing game on track.

 

[oldnotdead]

My take aways, were the OL and the defense.

The OL got better as the game went on. They were gelling before our eyes. IMO this is probably going to be the best OL Stafford has ever played behind. If so he's going to stay healthy and it really makes the playoffs a reachable goal.

The defense played aggressively as I had hoped they would. After watching Morris' version for two years, it's clear that Pleasant has had the desired effect upon how the players play the scheme. This is going to be a better than average defense if they stay healthy. Just like the OL the defense improved as the game progressed.

So much for downgrading the team due to youth. I knew from the talent on the team that this year's roster was going to be good. I still think the defense is a work in progress but this game showed how good they could be. It was very similar to how it was played under Staley. A base zone with a man coverage component. That's exactly how a zone scheme should be played, not passive or static as Morris had been playing them for two years. What I especially liked was that they didn't back off once they had a lead.

If they stay reasonably healthy this is a playoff team.

Also, I don't think they dare risk putting Maher back on the PS. They do that and he won't last 24 hours and the Rams would have no kicker again. He needs to be signed to the active roster. He will only get better. He looks like money up to 50 yds and he gives you a chance to win with an over 50 yd kick. Sign the guy.

 

[thirteen28]

Lotta great thoughts.

Couldn't be more pleased with the way both Puka and Tutu stepped up in the absence of Kupp. They both looked really good. Puka looks as advertised, and Tutu looks like more than just a fast guy, but a complete NFL receiver. He showed flashes in a few games last year, but today was the most that was ever put on his shoulders and he came through with flying colors.

A healthy, rested Stafford with decent protection is the best QB in the NFC. Period.

Love the way the OL looked, and was thrilled that we scored three times on the ground in the red zone. Nice change from most of the post-Gurley days where we struggled in that area. Loved watching Kyren Williams, he was great at being patient, setting up his blocks, and getting through the hole once it developed.

I kind of knew the O would be good if the OL was good, but I thought they'd take a hit without Kupp. It was hard to tell if they did or not. On the flip side, if Puka and Tutu keep playing this way and then Kupp comes back? DC's on the Rams schedule are going to have ulcers.

As happy as I am with the O, it was the D that really shocked me today. I thought they looked kind of like I thought they would in the first half. But good lord, whatever Raheem did in the 2nd half worked like a charm. All those young guys and yet they just slammed the door shut on the Seahawks. Raheem must've learned something from last season, he definitely appeared to change his approach today. Loved seeing Kobie Turner get a sack at a critical time in the game to help snuff out Seattle's hopes of mounting a comeback. And I think we might have got a steak with Byron Young, man is he fast of the edge. Get him a little seasoning and experience and we may have a real stud on our hands.

While I felt like this was a winnable game going in, I though it would be tough and I thought it would be a close one if we did pull it out. Instead, the Rams went out and, after a relatively even first half, absolutely dominated in the second half and made those fuckers lose their cool and sent their pathetic "12th man" to an early exit. I'd be hard pressed to say how it could have gone any better. What a great start.

Fuck yeah!!!

 

[Ramstien]

Don't tell my wife but that was better than sex!

 

[norcalramfan]

Kudos to the secondary coaches. Special teams need a lot of work.

 

[HitStick]

I’d like to just add that our rookies look promising.

Obviously Puka, and Avila…

But when Byron Young learns an effective swim or spin move, he’s going to be an absolute problem for teams.

Turner flashed.


If we can get some pressure, this secondary will continue to do what they just did.

This game showed what the Rams want to be

 

[WestCoastRam]

I’ll eat crow on Tutu. No, he was not dominant, but he played well and was schemed to get off the line untouched a few times and it worked beautifully. He had reliable hands when the ball came his way. (wtf VJ)

I recall an article quoting a player saying that halftime adjustments are a myth. I disagreed then and think this game was proof. The first half game plan was very conservative. The Seahawks were clearly selling out to stop the run. So, in the second half, the Rams opened things up with a lot of downfield passes to punish them for it. I felt the same thing defensively. It was playing conservatively in the first half and got much more aggressive in the second. Bravo.

I’ll be happy to see this style of play every week. I hope that they continue the trend.

Let's not forget the best halftime adjustment... injuring both their starting tackles!

 

[Steve808]

What I also liked was how the O-linemen went and tried to push the backs forward after contact and helped to get extra yards.

I like that aggression.

 

[8to12]

2 things stood out to me ....

1) Time of possession : Rams 40 minutes ; Seahawks 20 minutes ..... 2 to 1 ratio ....that is incredible
2) 3rd Down conversions: Rams 11 of 17 ; Seahawks 2 of 9
*** Rams young defense only allowing 2 first downs on 9 attempts is arguably the most important stat of the game.

 

[MachS]

14. Great contributions from the rookie class. Avila held up nicely in pass protection. Nacua, of course, was stellar. Young adjusted well in the second half and provided some timely pressures. Kobie Turner got into the act. Great start for the newbies!

This rookie class looks pretty special no doubt. Byron Jones really impressed me. Throw Tutu in with these youngins and there's a lot to be excited about.

 

[WestCoastRam]

This rookie class looks pretty special no doubt. Byron Jones really impressed me. Throw Tutu in with these youngins and there's a lot to be excited about.

Lot to like about Jones but want to see him play all game against a starting tackle.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Lot to like about Jones but want to see him play all game against a starting tackle.

Jones or Young?