I rewatched the game last night - twice. IMO, Clemens had a few really bad throws but the majority of his passes were fairly decent and some even quite good. There was not a lot of space or time within which to throw. The pocket was not something he could stand in and he IS a pocket passer - that yes - can use his feet. He continually had to move to buy time. The running game was being helped by not simply running it up the gut. Lots of stunts and pulling guards along with Kendricks and Cook having nice blocks on a few plays. It also seemed that unless it was a designed play to go only to Austin, Clemens didn't even look his way. Austin had a LB on him on a couple plays and if Kellen looks his way he sees that there was a big play in the making. Those plays would have been the definition of getting Austin in space as there is no way the LB catches up and I don't think there was a DB anywhere near him to make the play.
For most of the game, the offensive play calling was pretty good with the exception of a few really obvious plays that really could have been bad if Seattle was able to take advantage of them. What really bothered me was how many times it looked like players were confused or out of position. I would think that after half the season, it should virtually be habit. I have a hard time buying that our receivers (all of them) have far less of a clue than all the other starting receivers in the league. Even Pettis looked like he had no idea where he was going at times. It just looks like a poorly coached squad. Put that on Schotty or the receivers coach, whatever, but it sure seems to lay at the feet of the coaching staff.
I watched that last series four times though. I seriously cannot fathom the play calls EXCEPT for the pass to Givens. The first play had virtually no chance without a miraculous throw even without pressure. A TE underneath might have at least confused the defense. The run up the middle with DR was just a mess. And that last play? I just don't get how they could come out of the timeout and have it seem like NO ONE knew where they were supposed to line up. It wasn't just Quick. It also looked like the defender simply picked the right position and Quick ran into him. No chance to hit that fade. Put that on Quick or the play calling - five on this hand half of ten on the other.
The missed FG was huge. You never know what happens if he hits that. Play changes depending on the score but our defense was playing lights out. I like our chances if GZ hits that. The long pass to Taint was pretty bad. It didn't look so much like Jenks mis-timed the pass as much as he thought he was the only one in the picture and then stumbled right when the ball got there. It was a mistake but not one where he was trying to be the superstar of the game by going for a risky INT.
All in all it was a good game and probably the best of the season played by virtually everyone but Quick and Cook. I really feel bad for the defense.
Obviously I get very emotional when it comes to my Rams. I have been watching them for 45 years and have never in all those years figured out a way to hide those emotions. I apologize for what I am as a fan at times and especially in that the creators of this forum have put so damn much work in to make this such a great place. I often use the analogy that this is a site where it is like Ram fans having a beer together and talking about our team more so than a bunch of guys sitting at keyboards. As this is the case, everything I said, I would have said to a fellow fan over a beer. I've never been good with losing and I am rarely quiet about it. I also think that anyone in the organization that is familiar with this site knows that most of the fans here are staunch Rams fans. Maybe I am way off but it may be good that they see us really pissed at times.
I still think Schotty either has to figure out how to put the talent we have amassed in position to win games or he needs to be replaced. I just don't like what I have seen from his offense and how the players are responding. At one point I saw Tavon and Pettis look at each other with the disgusted look I saw in Torry's eyes during the Linny years. Not good.