The Rams’ center typically calls and sets the initial protection but Stafford has the power to supersede the call if he wants — an important detail especially in 2024 as the team went from former starter
Coleman Shelton (who departed in free agency last spring) to second-year lineman
Steve Avila, to rookie
Beaux Limmer (with a Week 10 game in which veteran free-agent acquisition
Jonah Jacksonplayed center, before the coaching staff moved back to Limmer). Stafford has played with four centers over the past calendar year.
Limmer, a sixth-round pick last spring, has secured his role as a starter. Stafford said that it remains Limmer’s responsibility to get up to speed on his calls (and to lean on guards Avila and
Kevin Dotson for cross-checks), but against more complex or aggressive defenses, Limmer noted his appreciation that the veteran quarterback can take over:
2024, Week 8, Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams, :53 remaining in the first quarter, first-and-10
After shifting Kupp inside, Stafford used multiple dummy counts. Broadcast microphones picked up his “ready-set-hut” — an actual count frequently starts with the word “turbo.” After noticing both overhang defenders jump, he knew the Vikings would blitz. Stafford “canned” the original call, meaning of the two plays McVay called into his headset, Stafford canceled the first play so the offense would run the second call.
The second play was a pass, so Limmer wanted to slide the protection to the inside linebacker.
Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 43) typically plays on the edge but on this play, he was inside, which likely alerted Limmer of the possibility that Van Ginkel could have been in that position to blitz.
However, Stafford had a better read on the defense and adjusted the protection. Microphones captured it:
“Out to 22!”
Stafford’s call overruled the center and slid the protection out to safety
Harrison Smith (No. 22).
Stafford was correct: Smith blitzed while Van Ginkel dropped. Sometimes dropping non-traditional players out of certain exotic pressures leaves them vulnerable in coverage. Stafford attacked Van Ginkel, throwing to Nacua running a dig behind him.
“It gives me the most confidence,” Limmer said. “Obviously I’m a rookie this year, so coming in I didn’t know really anything about the offense. So if I ever make a wrong call or anything — I mean, he hears it right away and he’s flipping the protection or whatever it is. It gives me a lot of confidence not to make the wrong call, because he’s going to make it right if I do.”
