A few random thoughts this morning…

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

Rams43

Hall of Fame
Joined
Jun 20, 2014
Messages
4,195
I just woke up and consequently haven’t read every thread before posting this so if I repeat another’s thoughts, my apologies in advance.

Here goes…

Well, nobody is laughing at Snead’s team building strategy this morning, huh? Draft picks are nice but proven stars are better IF one can find gems in the mid to late rounds plus FA. Bet Snead can’t stop smiling this morning.

There were some doubters among the pundits but many of us were convinced that Rams were among the top 4-5 NFC teams long ago. As such, they deserved to be in SB conversations all along.

Something to think about. Both the Bengals and the Rams had to overcome substantial deficits to achieve their respective come-from-behind wins. I think that speaks well for the character and leadership on both teams. There’s no quit in either team.

Zack Taylor and Sean McVay, Two under-40 HC’s, good friends, both obviously from the same coaching tree and from the same staff now meeting in the SB. Can you imagine how McVay must feel like a proud papa? Wow!

The final 8 field in this year’s playoffs was as fine as I can remember. The exciting games were confirmation of that perception, imo.

I’ve been a critic of Morris through the first 10-12 games, heaven knows. And even now we could nitpick certain things if we wanted. Such as not putting Ramsey on opponent’s biggest weapon, going too soon back to soft zone after Rams get a 2 score lead, starting Rapp over Scott, DW’s regression, Burgess’ regression, etc. However… Morris DID start to make meaningful adjustments in the last third of the season (possibly after McVay ‘suggested’ them?) and the results were dramatic. I loved the ‘new’ aggression Morris suddenly revealed. About the same time as Rams went on their winning streak. Cough, cough.

Morris focused on clamping down on 49er run game and he succeeded. This forced JimmyG to beat us and, as expected, he couldn’t quite do it. I’m a huge results oriented person and Morris got the desired results. The 49ers are a quality team and they deserved to be in this game. Hell, they were leading by 10 points late. My point is that Morris deserves monster kudos for this D effort. This was Rams 1st win against these guys in 7 tries, something that Phillips and Staley couldn’t do.

Having said all that, it wouldn’t break my heart if Morris left if promoted to HC somewhere else. If he stays I will look forward to the 2 comp picks when he does inevitably leave. It’s a win-win situation for me whether Morris stays or goes, IOW. Here’s the thing, imo ANY competent DC could achieve Top 5 ranking with the personnel on this D roster. And I trust McVay to hire a very competent DC if Morris gets promoted.

Blanton had a very good game, but I’m hoping that Higbee will be healthy by kickoff time. I want our ‘beast’ back for the SB. Fingers crossed.

I was surprised and pleased to see Akers able to return. Shoulder injury on a RB is no small thing. Akers must be one tough Mofo. He just keeps impressing me.

I’m thinking that Stafford has entered some kind of ‘playoff zone’ kinda level. Three straight quality playoff performances in a row. If Skow makes that catch and Gay makes that FG this game would have been a MUCH more comfortable 4th quarter for us fans. One more quality game from Stafford and I think we’re gonna be very happy campers after this SB.

Both OBJ and Miller have exceeded my expectations as to positive impact for our Rams. I’ll admit it. I seriously doubt that we make it to SB without both of them, especially after the Woods injury. Can Rams afford to extend them? At least one of them? I dunno…

Nick Scott has earned the starting position don’t you think? In fact, I now wonder why he wasn’t starting sooner.

I’ll admit rolling my eyes when Weddle was signed. Boy, was I wrong. He’s not the player he once was, of course, but he’s as smart as ever and has been able help this D with both tangible and intangible benefits.

Howard has been a breath of fresh air, hasn’t he? Hope he can stay healthy for one more game.

Reeder, OTOH, is our weakest link. He will always be the one that opponents will first attack. Here’s hoping that Jones can be effective in the SB. I don’t want to think what a QB like Burrow could do to Reeder in the big game.

There’s been something ‘wrong’ with Gay last 2 games. Sure hope he’s back to normal by gametime. This could come down to a last second FG in the SB. I mean, that’s the way it’s been going throughout these entire playoffs, right?

I want to encourage everybody not to underestimate these Bengals. They are legit and deserve to be here. They survived a murderers row of AFC teams in the process. Their QB is looking like a generational talent with ice water in his veins and they have talent sprinkled throughout their roster. Plus, they are resilient and resourceful, quite capable of overcoming a monster lead held by the Chiefs, obviously. Truly a worthy opponent.
 

KJD_Ram

Rookie
Joined
Aug 24, 2014
Messages
424
Normally we only see Snead on Zoom calls...when I saw him last night on the podium I was amazed at how you couldn't even see his wheelbarrow...
 

RhodyRams

Insert something clever here
Rams On Demand Sponsor
SportsBook Bookie
Moderator
Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
12,263
The final 8 field in this year’s playoffs was as fine as I can remember. The exciting games were confirmation of that perception, imo.
every single game was decided on the last play except for the NFCC
 

OntarioRam

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
3,621
I would concur on all points. Really good post.

I would add that McVay was up to his old tricks again - wasting timeouts, randomly making very questionable play calls at huge moments after moving the ball so well, seeming to make panicked decisions at times and "chasing" the game (Troy Aikman, of all people, even caught on and commented on it!), etc.... but despite all of that, actually called a good game on balance IMO. This 49er team is no joke, especially their defensive line. I still might be the self-proclaimed leader of his critics. I'll never understood how everyone wants to fawn over him and blow smoke up his behind. But he has slowly, ever so slowly, been winning me over this playoff run. It seems to have "clicked" for McVay. He seems to be learning. I could not say the same going into the 2018 Super Bowl vs. the Pats, but I feel quite comfortable with McVay at the helm now. I anticipate starting a thread in the coming days/weeks to explain why I am changing my mind on the Boy Wonder. So bring the popcorn because I am sure there are many on this board that will relish seeing me eat the humble pie that I have oh-so-patiently been begging to eat for years now! McVay is finally serving it up. It has long ago went cold, but I'll gladly take it!
 

TheTackle

Pro Bowler
Joined
Apr 3, 2015
Messages
1,268
To think people were writing Howard off around here following preseason! It’s time to start watching the Bengals games, where they struggled and lost, to see how we should attack them

I don’t think they have the personnel to alter their game plans too drastically. Yet, we have that flexibility which will be huge if we can execute a clean game
 

AvengerRam

Benevolent Troublemaker
Joined
May 9, 2018
Messages
5,390
You do realize that if you use the phrase “random thoughts” you have to pay me royalties! :)
 

RamBall

Legend
Camp Reporter
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
5,734
Name
Dave
To think people were writing Howard off around here following preseason! It’s time to start watching the Bengals games, where they struggled and lost, to see how we should attack them

I don’t think they have the personnel to alter their game plans too drastically. Yet, we have that flexibility which will be huge if we can execute a clean game
The 1 thing we do know about the Bengals is they have a good coach that was part of the McVays staff.
 

Jacobarch

Legend
Joined
Mar 28, 2016
Messages
5,330
Name
Jake
mcVay has to stop empty sets. It just doesn't work for us. Everytime we ran one the opposing teams seem to know how to beat it.

Hope.higs is back. Blanton just earned a starting role tho. The dude can play and has reliable hands. That can't be underestimated in the SB hope they continue to feed him.
 

RAMSinLA

Hall of Fame
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Messages
3,082
I want to give a shout out to the Ram fans in So Fi yesterday, they were smaller in number than the niner clad fans but much louder. So a big hand for the fans.
 

99Balloons

Pro Bowler
Joined
Mar 28, 2016
Messages
1,380
Name
G
My thoughts:

1. Eric Weddle is the stabilizing force in the secondary. He's the one that's pointing to the CBs what to expect and anticipate with opposing offense are about to run.

2. This win is special because it means so much for Whit, AD, OBJ, Akers, Stafford, Floyd, Von, McVay, Stan Kroenke, Les Snead, Ramsey and especially the 2021 rookie class as it makes them hungrier to win it all in the Super Bowl and looking forward to be in the playoffs for many years to come.

3. AD is the heart and soul of the Defense. I hope AD, Whit, Woods, OBJ, Kupp, Ramsey and VonMiller can beat the Bengals to ensure the status as first time ballots in the HOF.

4. Don't overlook the Bengals defense. Their stats might not look good. But they made the plays when it counted. SO DON'T SLEEP ON THE BENGALS. McVay and Morris need to run up the scores and tighten up the Defense on them.

5. If the Rams win the Super Bowl in Sofi, the Rams will own the L.A. and Southern California market for new generations of Rams fans. It won't be anymore of this "Fight for L.A." with Dean Spano's Chargers and having Raider fans coming from Las Vegas. It will be ALL Rams from Baja California all the way up to Santa Barbara and the Central Coast.
 
Last edited:

ArkyRamsFan

Pro Bowler
Joined
Apr 6, 2016
Messages
1,956
mcVay has to stop empty sets. It just doesn't work for us. Everytime we ran one the opposing teams seem to know how to beat it.

Hope.higs is back. Blanton just earned a starting role tho. The dude can play and has reliable hands. That can't be underestimated in the SB hope they continue to feed him.

Jacobarch,
I also have a strong revulsion for empty sets (goes all the way back to GSOT days) but correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Kupp's second TD on 3rd and 1 was in the empty set formation.
I almost hope I'm wrong as I would love for Coach Mac to have this formation ripped out of the playbook and have it ritually burned in the cauldron of death or something.....

~ArkyRamsFan~