A few random thoughts after sleeping on this fubar of a game…

[Elmgrovegnome]

They drafted Akers and another RB this year.

They brought in Jackson last year.. and we see how that's working.. and drafted Bruss this year. They year before that they drafted Anchrum and, to me, he looked like he had figured it out at guard and was the primary backup.

These are developmental Olinemen and it seems they were headed in the right direction. The only guy on the roster who you'd say is just bad is Evans... and I don't know why Edwards isn't improving.

Jackson is great, they got lucky that he was not drafted. If the interior were healthy I’d put him at OLT. Anchrum? He’s a seventh rounder. How long has he been a Ram and couldn’t crack the lineup? Bruss apparently wasn’t getting it since he was not beating Shelton for his starting position. I’m talking about prioritizing a lineman to get a difference maker. Hopefully locate one in the draft worthy of a second round pick.

Akers was drafted with Jefferson. How long do most teams keep trotting out injury prone runningbacks before they either sign a healthy vet or draft another one. It’s not a strong Runningback duo even when they are healthy. I actually think Henderson is better than Akers. It’s hard to count Williams since he is supposed to be the third down option and lacks size. They looked the best with Michel running the ball. He was consistent.

 

[Kupped]

Jackson is great, they got lucky that he was not drafted. If the interior were healthy I’d put him at OLT. Anchrum? He’s a seventh rounder. How long has he been a Ram and couldn’t crack the lineup? Bruss apparently wasn’t getting it since he was not beating Shelton for his starting position. I’m talking about prioritizing a lineman to get a difference maker. Hopefully locate one in the draft worthy of a second round pick.

Akers was drafted with Jefferson. How long do most teams keep trotting out injury prone runningbacks before they either sign a healthy vet or draft another one. It’s not a strong Runningback duo even when they are healthy. I actually think Henderson is better than Akers. It’s hard to count Williams since he is supposed to be the third down option and lacks size. They looked the best with Michel running the ball. He was consistent.

I do get confused at some responses.
Anchrum is in his third year... and, yes, was a 7th rounder.. why would it be a bad thing that he's ready to go now? Jackson was a UDFA and this is his second year.... so.. what's the problem?
I watched Anchrum really closely in preseason.. he was the best Lineman on the Rams offense in those games and looked much better than last year.. he figured it out and that's why he was the primary backup for Shelton.. not Jackson.

Again.. the Rams literally drafted another RB this year and have Henderson on the roster. This is the first year we see Akers back.. what, exactly were they supposed to do? Write him off?


They could use Michel.. but it's pretty obvious McVay is looking for RBs who can produce some explosive plays.. that's not Michel.

They've OBVIOUSLY made some mistakes.. but I don't think it's as simple as "they ignored the line" or "they ignored the RBs"... I think there's been some injury misfortune, for sure. Could they throw more resources at those areas? Sure... but, no one is perfect in drafting, so mistakes will happen.
I'm actually very encouraged by what the line *could* be when it gets healthy. They better keep Jackson in .

 

[Tano]

I'm actually very encouraged by what the line *could* be when it gets healthy. They better keep Jackson in .

I agree with you totally on this statement. But as I stated, I was completely worried before the season started that if we got down to Evans and/or Kolone that we would suck on the OL. i wanted just a little more depth in the OL and 2 more picks in either 2019 2020 or 2021 probably would have been a big help. Is that asking for too much?

There were 3 picks in those 3 drafts that confused me with why we really didn't go OL at that spot for at least one of them

And you know the 3 picks I am talking about since I have stated it in other responses.

 

[Kupped]

I agree with you totally on this statement. But as I stated, I was completely worried before the season started that if we got down to Evans and/or Kolone that we would suck on the OL. i wanted just a little more depth in the OL and 2 more picks in either 2019 2020 or 2021 probably would have been a big help. Is that asking for too much?

There were 3 picks in those 3 drafts that confused me with why we really didn't go OL at that spot for at least one of them

And you know the 3 picks I am talking about since I have stated it in other responses.

I've been thinking about the Tutu pick..

The Rams, obviously, picked. the wrong guy.

Was the concept really wrong? What's missing from this offense? Any real juice.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

I agree with you totally on this statement. But as I stated, I was completely worried before the season started that if we got down to Evans and/or Kolone that we would suck on the OL. i wanted just a little more depth in the OL and 2 more picks in either 2019 2020 or 2021 probably would have been a big help. Is that asking for too much?

There were 3 picks in those 3 drafts that confused me with why we really didn't go OL at that spot for at least one of them

And you know the 3 picks I am talking about since I have stated it in other responses.

Tano,
I've got Atwell over Creed and Hopkins over Biadacz.
And I could be talked into taking any OL over Harris.
So who's your 3?

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I do get confused at some responses.
Anchrum is in his third year... and, yes, was a 7th rounder.. why would it be a bad thing that he's ready to go now? Jackson was a UDFA and this is his second year.... so.. what's the problem?
I watched Anchrum really closely in preseason.. he was the best Lineman on the Rams offense in those games and looked much better than last year.. he figured it out and that's why he was the primary backup for Shelton.. not Jackson.

Again.. the Rams literally drafted another RB this year and have Henderson on the roster. This is the first year we see Akers back.. what, exactly were they supposed to do? Write him off?


They could use Michel.. but it's pretty obvious McVay is looking for RBs who can produce some explosive plays.. that's not Michel.

They've OBVIOUSLY made some mistakes.. but I don't think it's as simple as "they ignored the line" or "they ignored the RBs"... I think there's been some injury misfortune, for sure. Could they throw more resources at those areas? Sure... but, no one is perfect in drafting, so mistakes will happen.
I'm actually very encouraged by what the line *could* be when it gets healthy. They better keep Jackson in .

Somewhat predictable injury misfortune in some cases.

The problem is what makes good lines really good is a few really great Olinemen. Now Jackson may be that. Havenstein is pretty good. Aside from them, ( and Jackson was not pencilled in to start), they seem to be content to roll with average Joe’s. Then the coach keeps trying to figure out how to get the run game going.

Maybe I expect too much. Maybe they need a first round pick to land that dominant guy who can make everyone around him better.

 

[Tano]

Tano,
I've got Atwell over Creed and Hopkins over Biadacz.
And I could be talked into taking any OL over Harris.
So who's your 3?

~ArkyRamsFan~

the first two are the same as mine

The third is the DE that they got in 2021 draft - I forget his name

 

[1maGoh]

What’s his option with Rapp? Burgess?

I’m adding… it would be great if Burgess could step up.

I would honest to God just go with 10 guys on the field. At least then you're planning on Rapp not contributing anything instead of assigning him a job he's not going to do.

 

[Merlin]

Again.. the Rams literally drafted another RB this year and have Henderson on the roster. This is the first year we see Akers back.. what, exactly were they supposed to do? Write him off?

They should have kept Michel and drafted a RB that has power in his game. If they had done those two things this offense would look very different. It would do much better vs the bigger fronts.

Michel put on a clinic right away even in pass pro for us. He grounded the offense and helped us crawl out of that dark place the offense was in.

But look at what we have right now: Akers, Hendy, Brown. Talk about the definition of fucking insanity.

 

[Jacobarch]

They should have kept Michel and drafted a RB that has power in his game. If they had done those two things this offense would look very different. It would do much better vs the bigger fronts.

Michel put on a clinic right away even in pass pro for us. He grounded the offense and helped us crawl out of that dark place the offense was in.

But look at what we have right now: Akers, Hendy, Brown. Talk about the definition of fucking insanity.

Brown should in theory give us that push...

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

the first two are the same as mine

The third is the DE that they got in 2021 draft - I forget his name

I believe that you are referring to Chris Garrett. I didn't have any issue with that selection as he was a stellar and dominant pass rusher (albeit at a micro college) but if a guy like that hits you've really got something.
But I agree with your overall assertion, we need to draft more and better OL. And keep on drafting them....

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Tano]

I believe that you are referring to Chris Garrett. I didn't have any issue with that selection as he was a stellar and dominant pass rusher (albeit at a micro college) but if a guy like that hits you've really got something.
But I agree with your overall assertion, we need to draft more and better OL. And keep on drafting them....

~ArkyRamsFan~

Nope not that guy

Earnest Brown IV

Never thought much of this pick

Is he still even on the team or is he on the practice squad

I haven't seen him make a play ever

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Nope not that guy

Earnest Brown IV

Never thought much of this pick

Is he still even on the team or is he on the practice squad

I haven't seen him make a play ever

Yeah, Brown IV got cut at the end of training camp and that's the last I've heard anything about him.
I'm going to agree with you on this pick because he really wasn't much of a pass rusher in college so in my mind his upside was quite limited.
This is a great example of how a developmental OLer might have been a much wiser pick here.
Hopefully Snead and Co will learn from stuff like this....

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Tano]

Yeah, Brown IV got cut at the end of training camp and that's the last I've heard anything about him.
I'm going to agree with you on this pick because he really wasn't much of a pass rusher in college so in my mind his upside was quite limited.
This is a great example of how a developmental OLer might have been a much wiser pick here.
Hopefully Snead and Co will learn from stuff like this....

~ArkyRamsFan~

I don't mind upside picks in the 5th round but as you say this guy had such limited upside that they should just go with the best developmental OL that is in the draft for these types of picks.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Jackson is great, they got lucky that he was not drafted. If the interior were healthy I’d put him at OLT. Anchrum? He’s a seventh rounder. How long has he been a Ram and couldn’t crack the lineup? Bruss apparently wasn’t getting it since he was not beating Shelton for his starting position. I’m talking about prioritizing a lineman to get a difference maker. Hopefully locate one in the draft worthy of a second round pick.

Yeah. They were smart enough to acquire Whit to build around, and it's obvious to the whole world how much that paid off. Yet now that resoundingly successful strategy doesn't seem to be anywhere on McSnead's own radar.

 

[Malibu]

Ot sure I agree with the OPs points.

The lack of OL continuity is killing our offense as well as Robinson poor showing so far.

I assume if we do not get any additional injuries to the OL and we get Edwards and Allen back soon that will straighten itself out.


I saw some site saying Wagner was rated #2 ILB after 3 games. Not sure on OPs point. The run D has been great held SF in check minus the one gash.

The team needs to get by Dallas and Carolina and hit the bye and get all it's short term injured players back minus Shelton and we will be fine. 4-2 going into the break will be great.

Look I get it some of the points seem valid but we have a several of the best players in the NFL and a really solid QB we will right the ship.

I know most feel we didn't look good against Buffalo and SF but truthfully both games had 2 major plays that turned the game around and in SF the int on the final big drive stopped us cold.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Yeah. They were smart enough to acquire Whit to build around, and it's obvious to the whole world how much that paid off. Yet now that resoundingly successful strategy doesn't seem to be anywhere on McSnead's own radar.

I abhorred Fisher’s regime and the way he addressed the Oline. It was very frustrating. Once McVay showed up he immediately added to the Oline. It was such a relief. Goff had time to throw. I thought that finally we have a coach who respects the idea of winning in the trenches. But he would rather draft unneeded or poorly fitting position players.

I envy watching teams that can run the ball when they want to, or at least have the run as a respected weapon.

 

[Tano]

I abhorred Fisher’s regime and the way he addressed the Oline. It was very frustrating. Once McVay showed up he immediately added to the Oline. It was such a relief. Goff had time to throw. I thought that finally we have a coach who respects the idea of winning in the trenches. But he would rather draft unneeded or poorly fitting position players.

I envy watching teams that can run the ball when they want to, or at least have the run as a respected weapon.

The Lions are a perfect example of how they focused on the OL in the draft the last few years. Theyhave a very good offense now because of it even with injuries to the OL due to the good depth.

Now if they could fix the defensive side lol

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Starting to believe Stafford is a system QB. He needs a lot of parts around him to succeed.

 

[Tano]

Starting to believe Stafford is a system QB. He needs a lot of parts around him to succeed.