McVay's run game

[PARAM]

We've all heard McVay's offense is based on the run game. It's what makes the passing game go. And definitely the run game depends on the OL. We've had some OL problems but we've also had some good RBs and well rounded WRs, who can block very well. Here's a breakdown of the team's per season averages with Gurley, without Gurley (Akers, Henderson, Michel) and with Kyren.

Gurley (2017-19) 438 att ; 1894 yds ; 4.3 avg ; 20 TDs
Without G (2020-2022) 435 att ; 1787 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 14.7 TD
Kyren (2023-24) 463 att ; 1905 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 16.5 TD

Here's a look at the breakdown of RBs who've seen significant time (games played/rush attempts) for McVay and their receiving numbers. And something that has been lacking since Gurley left.

Gurley (2017-19; 44 GP) 758 att; 3413 yds; 4.5 avg; 42 TDs......217 Tar; 154 Rec; 1575 yds; 10.2 avg; 12 TDs
Brown (2017-20; 53 GP) 276 att; 1132 yds; 4.1 avg; 11 TDs.......57 Tar; 39 Rec; 283 yds; 7.3 avg; 1 TD
Hendo (2019-23; 54 GP) 442 att; 1854 yds; 4.2 avg; 15 TDs......106 Tar; 75 Rec; 577 yds; 7.6 avg; 4 TDs
Akers (2020-22; 29 GP**) 338 att; 1414 yds; 4.2 avg; 9 TDs.........35 Tar; 27 Rec; 250 yds; 9.3 avg; 1 TD
Michel (2021; 17 GP) 208 att; 845 yds; 4.1 avg; 4 TDs...................33 Tar; 21 Rec; 128 yds; 6.1 avg; 1 TD
Kyren (2022-24; 38 GP) 579 att; 2582 yds; 4.5 avg; 26 TDs.........100 Tar; 75 Rec; 464 yds; 6.2 avg; 5 TDs
Rivers (2022-24; 34 GP) 63 att; 249 yds; 4.0 avg; 0 TD....................16 Tar; 15 Rec; 85 yds; 5.7 avg; 0 TD
Freeman (2023; 14 GP) 77 att; 319 yds; 4.1 avg; 2 TDs....................2 Tar; 1 Rec; 13 yds; 13.0 avg; 0 TD
Corum (2024; 17 GP) 58 att; 207 yds; 3.6 avg; 0 TD...........................8 Tar; 7 Rec; 58 yds; 8.3 avg; 0 TD

We don't throw to the RB as much as when Gurley was around. Clearly he had superior receiving skills, much more than the others, though Akers 9.3 avg was pretty good. And he had a nice catch or two in SB56. It's going to be interesting to see Kyren's 3 year total after this season. Maybe they'll throw more screens, maybe not.

 

[Merlin]

Some QBs are better screeners than others. And I have to say that as great as Stafford is he's on the shitty end of that particular spectrum. He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.

Doesn't mean we can't become a good screen team of course. If McVay wants to prioritize that I am sure he is more than capable of getting the offense there. But I think it is instructive how potent our screen game was when Yimmy came in. Also note that this doesn't mean I think Stafford is shit. He's just not a good screening QB.

To the run game we'll see. May be that we don't have Jackson this year, and if not then by God we'd better be balanced or by extension Stafford won't survive.

 

[dieterbrock]

He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.

I cant say I saw enough of him in Detroit but for sure this is exactly what I see as a Ram.
Love the guy, wouldnt want any other QB, but IMO he seems to throw a bullet or a more panicked type throw.
Maybe its the play design or the RB but dayum the screens he throws border on disaster at times

 

[PARAM]

I'd love to see more screens but if it's a Stafford tick to overthrow them, then no. I'd settle for passes to the RBs like we used to see with Gurley. Get the ball to the RB already on the move.

 

[fearsomefour]

Some QBs are better screeners than others. And I have to say that as great as Stafford is he's on the shitty end of that particular spectrum. He just doesn't have good instincts on selling it or when to pull the trigger, nor does he have good touch on short throws in terms of placement or arc on the ball.

Doesn't mean we can't become a good screen team of course. If McVay wants to prioritize that I am sure he is more than capable of getting the offense there. But I think it is instructive how potent our screen game was when Yimmy came in. Also note that this doesn't mean I think Stafford is shit. He's just not a good screening QB.

To the run game we'll see. May be that we don't have Jackson this year, and if not then by God we'd better be balanced or by extension Stafford won't survive.

I have noticed him throwing to the wrong side of the receiver on. a lot of screens....so the receiver has to spin part way around to catch the ball. Its a strange bug a boo for a HOFer to have.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I always speculated that when McVay arrived in LA he wanted a Jordan Reed-type that he had in Washington, and found he could get that kind of production from Todd Gurley.

 

[Ramstien]

Welcome, Terrance Ferguson!

 

[PARAM]

It's also interesting to see how starting QBs did under McVay

Cousins (2015-16) 32G (17-14-1; 0-1 PS) 785 of 1149 (68.3%) 9083 y (7.91) 54 TD (4.7) 23 Int (2.0) 99.3 QB Rating
Goff (2017-20) 62 G (42-20; 3-3 PS) 1424 of 2216 (64.3%) 17082 y (7.71) 102 TD (4.6) 48 Int (2.2) 94.1 QB Rating
Stafford (2021-24) 57 G (34-23; 5-2 PS) 1276 of 1942 (65.7) 14700 y (7.57) 95 TD (4.9) 44 Int (2.3) 95.2 QB Rating

Ages playing under McVay: Goff 23-26, Cousins 27-28, Stafford 33-36.

Not too shabby. And yet despite all the numbers, Stafford is clearly the best of the 3.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://x.com/BrkfstBallOnFS1/status/1943314398728126535?s=19

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Good article and the primary reason I don't see Kyren resigned.

Why Kyren Williams is Odd-Man Out in 2026 negotiations

When an NFL franchise becomes as good as the Los Angeles Rams or Detroit Lions have become, the team must pick and choose who they want to extend and who they m

www.si.com

 

[El Chapo Jr]

View: https://x.com/BrkfstBallOnFS1/status/1943314398728126535?s=19

That bald dude is a dumb fuck. Whiners a threat? Fuck up dumbass! We are the threat as long as we stay healthy.

 

[Memento]

Good article and the primary reason I don't see Kyren resigned.

Why Kyren Williams is Odd-Man Out in 2026 negotiations

When an NFL franchise becomes as good as the Los Angeles Rams or Detroit Lions have become, the team must pick and choose who they want to extend and who they m

www.si.com

Agreed with the article...but they're forgetting names like Steve Avila in that category. I think he's done more than enough to be re-signed. Ethan Evans should be re-signed as well, but he'll be cheaper.

Either way, I think the smart move would be to move K-Will for a mid-round pick at the trade deadline and roll with Corum and Hunter as a tandem.

 

[TheTackle]

We've all heard McVay's offense is based on the run game. It's what makes the passing game go. And definitely the run game depends on the OL. We've had some OL problems but we've also had some good RBs and well rounded WRs, who can block very well. Here's a breakdown of the team's per season averages with Gurley, without Gurley (Akers, Henderson, Michel) and with Kyren.

Gurley (2017-19) 438 att ; 1894 yds ; 4.3 avg ; 20 TDs
Without G (2020-2022) 435 att ; 1787 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 14.7 TD
Kyren (2023-24) 463 att ; 1905 yds ; 4.1 avg ; 16.5 TD

Here's a look at the breakdown of RBs who've seen significant time (games played/rush attempts) for McVay and their receiving numbers. And something that has been lacking since Gurley left.

Gurley (2017-19; 44 GP) 758 att; 3413 yds; 4.5 avg; 42 TDs......217 Tar; 154 Rec; 1575 yds; 10.2 avg; 12 TDs
Brown (2017-20; 53 GP) 276 att; 1132 yds; 4.1 avg; 11 TDs.......57 Tar; 39 Rec; 283 yds; 7.3 avg; 1 TD
Hendo (2019-23; 54 GP) 442 att; 1854 yds; 4.2 avg; 15 TDs......106 Tar; 75 Rec; 577 yds; 7.6 avg; 4 TDs
Akers (2020-22; 29 GP**) 338 att; 1414 yds; 4.2 avg; 9 TDs.........35 Tar; 27 Rec; 250 yds; 9.3 avg; 1 TD
Michel (2021; 17 GP) 208 att; 845 yds; 4.1 avg; 4 TDs...................33 Tar; 21 Rec; 128 yds; 6.1 avg; 1 TD
Kyren (2022-24; 38 GP) 579 att; 2582 yds; 4.5 avg; 26 TDs.........100 Tar; 75 Rec; 464 yds; 6.2 avg; 5 TDs
Rivers (2022-24; 34 GP) 63 att; 249 yds; 4.0 avg; 0 TD....................16 Tar; 15 Rec; 85 yds; 5.7 avg; 0 TD
Freeman (2023; 14 GP) 77 att; 319 yds; 4.1 avg; 2 TDs....................2 Tar; 1 Rec; 13 yds; 13.0 avg; 0 TD
Corum (2024; 17 GP) 58 att; 207 yds; 3.6 avg; 0 TD...........................8 Tar; 7 Rec; 58 yds; 8.3 avg; 0 TD

We don't throw to the RB as much as when Gurley was around. Clearly he had superior receiving skills, much more than the others, though Akers 9.3 avg was pretty good. And he had a nice catch or two in SB56. It's going to be interesting to see Kyren's 3 year total after this season. Maybe they'll throw more screens, maybe not.

I have always wondered why we don’t throw the ball to the RB in the flat more which at least was a staple of the west coast offense

Can someone explain why? It had puzzled me for a while

 

[So Ram]

Agreed with the article...but they're forgetting names like Steve Avila in that category. I think he's done more than enough to be re-signed. Ethan Evans should be re-signed as well, but he'll be cheaper.

Either way, I think the smart move would be to move K-Will for a mid-round pick at the trade deadline and roll with Corum and Hunter as a tandem.

Just like the Rams should release Colby Parkisian? It’s funny how some Rams Fans are ? Fair enough we all have players we like & don’t like. Just upsetting.

My point in Kyren Williams & The Rams was in a DEEP RB class you protect yourself as a TEAM against these situations.

We can look at the HISTORY of The MCSNEAD ERA & see how they work.I don’t always AGREE,but certain Players Earn Better & there Right to BE RAMS !!!

Kyren Williams deserves better than he gets as a Player!! There is gamesmanship that goes on with NEGOTIATIONS.

I’ll just say Right Now both are in a sweet spot.I’d say a 3 year contract would be nice!! It’d workout real well for The Rams.

Anyways I’ve got more on this subject which gets deeper.

 

[So Ram]

BTW - Merlin imo is digging when it comes to Matthew Stafford.

IMO - he is an Older QB who is limited to what he is asked to do.

What he can do is make all the throw.Some days are better than others,but he’ll always give you a chance.

I’d say there’s a fine line.

 

[So Ram]

If we’re talking Jimmy G verse Stafford there was a difference in how The Rams offense was was run.

Lmao- we saw the same thing the season before with Carson Wentz.
Yes we’re not asking Mattew Stafford to run it every play either.

What I will say is agree The Rams have an excellent backup QB,but not sure how good he is at throwing the ball downfield.He sure sets up screens well.

 

[So Ram]

My point on Kyren Williams is that if he signs a 3 year deal with The Rams it could prolong his career.

IMO he is an excellent RB,but The Rams depth at RB isn’t going to help him as much when it comes to carries in 2025.

It’s not The Rams fault they keep drafting & developing players well.
Especially with Ron Gould as The RB coach.

I’ll give Memento credit that if Kyren Williams plays games then maybe he should be gone or traded.

We all saw that with Cam Akers in 2023 & EJ53 in 2024.

Then again just go back & look at The Rams 2022 Draft Class.There are going to be some Tough Decisions the next few years.

Let’s just hope for the best on both sides.

 

[fanotodd]

I have noticed him throwing to the wrong side of the receiver on. a lot of screens....so the receiver has to spin part way around to catch the ball. It’s a strange bug a boo for a HOFer to have.

Seeing the same thing.
I remember, despite disliking the cowboys, when Aikman used to throw those screens to the flat he was near perfection.

For the last two seasons the Rams occasionally had successful screens when the pass was to Nacua and kupp sealed the edge.
That combo is now gone.

 

[PARAM]

Agreed with the article...but they're forgetting names like Steve Avila in that category. I think he's done more than enough to be re-signed. Ethan Evans should be re-signed as well, but he'll be cheaper.

Either way, I think the smart move would be to move K-Will for a mid-round pick at the trade deadline and roll with Corum and Hunter as a tandem.

That article lost my attention the second they put Bobby Brown and dilemma in the same sentence. That was a dilemma? In what fooking world?

 

[snackdaddy]

That bald dude is a dumb fuck. Whiners a threat? Fuck up dumbass! We are the threat as long as we stay healthy.

Whiners have one thing in their favor. Weakest schedule in the league. But they won't have the horses to keep up with the upper echelon teams. McCaffrey says he feels better. But they always say that. He's probably gonna be battling injuries during the season. I seriously doubt he'll be anywhere near the 2023 version.

Deebo's gone. Aiyuk won't be available till midseason. And he'll need time to get in football shape. If he ever does. He missed most of camp last year and wasn't very good the 7 games he played.

Aside from Trent Williams their offensive line was a weak spot. And they didn't do anything to improve it. They were bad in run defense and they're counting on rookies to change improve it. That's always a risk. Some think their first round pick was a reach.

Bottom line, their roster is not what it was a few years ago. Core players are aging or gone. More than half their defensive starters are gone. I have a hard time buying into the idea they're still an elite team. With the schedule they might win 9 or 10 games. But they won't last long if they make the playoffs.