GAME DAY Pre-Season Game 2 - Raiders & Rams

[TexasRam]

If you're into watching young players improve quarter of a season by quarter of a season (it sure won't be game to game), you can have a good time this year. But if you want the Rams to beat the 6.5 over/under this year, you're gonna have a bad time.

I predict it will be painful at times. A lot actually. Think of all the postgame thread meltdowns we have, lol. Me included.

That's why I am setting my expectations low and realistic. We just had a fire sale so to speak. Lots of rookies about to learn a whole bunch as they fail and learn from those failures.

I do think the offense can get the Mojo back behind a healthy improved Oline. The defense will probably be ugly early and probably improve as we go. There is some young talent in the secondary and then there is Donald.

I do see 6 possible wins on the schedule with a high of maybe 9.

 

[Londoner]

with a high of maybe 9.

If we finish above .500 this season, it’s going to be a huge boost for all the young guys on this roster and give us a great base to build on for 2024.

 

[TexasRam]

I rewatched the game focusing on the left side of our line.

First off it was good to see Avila and Jackson get a full half of football.

I thought Mcallister and Jackson played solid ball.

But I really focused on Avila each play. It's so refreshing to see such a powerful guy with great hands and balance that can move his feet so quickly. He also makes a quick transition from bumping the inside guy then doubling down on the edge rusher. In one case he knocked him on his ass.

I do think this will be one of our best draft classes in a long time with Avila, Evans, Tomlinson, Puka, Bennett, Z. Evans and maybe even one of these pass rushers if we are lucky. Lots of rookies delivering in preseason and camp.

 

[PhillyRam]

I thought he showed, once again, lots of promise. Compare him to these other Rookie QBs and he is way ahead.

Way ahead? Have you been paying attention to the rookie QB stats this yr? Most have been pretty good. I think it's a factor of better prepared NFL style college QB's, and NFL rules favoring offenses so much that these kids dice up 3rd string defenses.

I mean look at the kid we played against tonight. He easily outplayed Bennett.

The Eagles fans think Tanner McKee is the next good young QB that they can trade for a high pick in a few yrs.

The ex UCLA QB looks great in Cleveland.

So you need to look around and see what these other guys are doing even if a few high profile guys like Bryce Young struggle. Most QBs have done pretty well.

 

[Corbin]

Way ahead? Have you been paying attention to the rookie QB stats this yr? Most have been pretty good. I think it's a factor of better prepared NFL style college QB's, and NFL rules favoring offenses so much that these kids dice up 3rd string defenses.

I mean look at the kid we played against tonight. He easily outplayed Bennett.

The Eagles fans think Tanner McKee is the next good young QB that they can trade for a high pick in a few yrs.

The ex UCLA QB looks great in Cleveland.

So you need to look around and see what these other guys are doing even if a few high profile guys like Bryce Young struggle. Most QBs have done pretty well.

Very accurate.

In all honesty it seems that the slow but eventual proliferation of spread offenses in the NFL and ample time to get assistant offensive coaches, QB coaches etc. etc. on that same page and mindset outside of the old guard has really helped as well.

I still think Tune for the Cards will turn out pretty damn good.

 

[TexasRam]

Way ahead? Have you been paying attention to the rookie QB stats this yr? Most have been pretty good. I think it's a factor of better prepared NFL style college QB's, and NFL rules favoring offenses so much that these kids dice up 3rd string defenses.

I mean look at the kid we played against tonight. He easily outplayed Bennett.

The Eagles fans think Tanner McKee is the next good young QB that they can trade for a high pick in a few yrs.

The ex UCLA QB looks great in Cleveland.

So you need to look around and see what these other guys are doing even if a few high profile guys like Bryce Young struggle. Most QBs have done pretty well.

Fair point. I did notice at the Raiders QB but in all fairness we had zero pass rush and scrubs at that point.

I haven't seen Mckee or the Cleveland guy so have no context what kind of starters they played with or what kinds of defenses they played. But I definitely wouldn't be looking at preseason stats for those reasons and others. Such as Vanilla defenses etc.

I would be more interested in quick decision making, the ball coming out and accurate passes such as we have seen with Bennett.

I do know the big name rookies have been bad, but in fairness haven't seen the others, nor do i see a need to.

Hell, one play the Raiders QB had zero pass rush and threw to an uncovered guy down the field for 40 yards. Looks good in the stats doesnt it? Doesn't mean anything whatsoever in reality.

 

[Allen2McVay]

And where the hell is EDGE OLB Ochaun Mathis ?

Injured a knee in early-August. McVay said he would miss a few weeks.

 

[Faceplant]

Fair point. I did notice at the Raiders QB but in all fairness we had zero pass rush and scrubs at that point.

I haven't seen Mckee or the Cleveland guy so have no context what kind of starters they played with or what kinds of defenses they played. But I definitely wouldn't be looking at preseason stats for those reasons and others. Such as Vanilla defenses etc.

I would be more interested in quick decision making, the ball coming out and accurate passes such as we have seen with Bennett.

I do know the big name rookies have been bad, but in fairness haven't seen the others, nor do i see a need to.

Hell, one play the Raiders QB had zero pass rush and threw to an uncovered guy down the field for 40 yards. Looks good in the stats doesnt it? Doesn't mean anything whatsoever in reality.

Exactly. Raider rookie might as well have been wearing a red jersey and playing 7 on 7. No comparison to what our rookie faced. But alas.... Stetson is the new Tutu for some around these parts...

 

[OnceARam]

I would hope he is capable of doing good things otherwise why would he be here? The question is can he consistently be very good? Will he be limited somewhat? Can he see the field? Can he make all the big time throws needed? Can he hold up when under duress?

He's a backup, nothing more. He'll be in the league for a while because he can throw with anticipation. I heard someone say a comp is Bulger, but he's nowhere near Bulger. Maybe in terms of limitations but not in terms of demeanor or consistency or football IQ.

He's a solid 4th round pick. If he starts we're fucked though.

 

[Faceplant]

He's a solid 4th round pick. If he starts we're fucked though

Agreed. Not too many 4th Rd QB2s are gonna win ya games....especially in their rookie season.

 

[den-the-coach]

Maybe in terms of limitations but not in terms of demeanor or consistency or football IQ.

He's a solid 4th round pick. If he starts we're fucked though.

FWIW why cannot I find any information about Bennett's GPA or his S2 score that they now do for QB's instead of the Wonderlic. Just seems odd because the S2 they have every QB listed with the exception of Bennett.

Also cannot find his grade point average at Georgia. Very odd IMHO.

The S2 Cognition test results for the 2023 QB Draft class.
Bryce Young - 98%
Jake Haener - 96%
Will Levis - 93%
Jaren Hall - 93%
Clayton Tune - 84%
Anthony Richardson - 79%
Hendon Hooker - 46%
CJ Stroud - 18%

 

[den-the-coach]

I do think the offense can get the Mojo back behind a healthy improved Oline. The defense will probably be ugly early and probably improve as we go. There is some young talent in the secondary and then there is Donald.

I do see 6 possible wins on the schedule with a high of maybe 9.

I concur, which IMHO, will lead to several changes on the defensive staff, however, if the defense does show growth with winning 8 to 9 games then they will stay the course.

 

[OldSchool]

Been battling a cold that's kicking my ass so didn't watch the game, slept through it tbh.


View: https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1693115609909997633

 

[CGI_Ram]

Been battling a cold that's kicking my ass so didn't watch the game, slept through it tbh.

 

[den-the-coach]

Some Great Game Notes from JimYoungblood53 off the old Herd Board, here's JY53.

Kelechi Anyalebechi barely played --- Woodbey played quite a bit ... the opposite of last week, maybe taking turns fighting for one ST/ILber spot

Desjuan Johnson flashed vs backups... he's a player. Didn't notice Kobie Turner do anything---take it back one play on the Rochelle PBU got a good rush on a inside game, hit the QB ...

Bobby Brown III was good. If people say he had a bad game make them show you the play. Make sure he was actually in the game. People don't always know, don't always see the number ... he was not perfect but he played well.

Brown IV a couple of good and then so-so. Jonah Williams started, was on the shaky first drive...he didn't do anything last week, really. Not sure he makes the team. Might as well keep the young guys. Much, Vincent and Carter were kind fo there...they didn't stand out like Johnson but didn't seem to make any mistakes either...again, based on one watching of the game.

Quindell Johnson made a really special play. Got more snaps this week than last.
Torrence also played but Ingle played less...at Star. Again maybe switching it up

Didn't see Jason Taylor play. He played quite a bit last week. Maybe Q. Johnson got his reps
or maybe he's dinged.

Will be interesting when snap counts come out to see how even younger guys are after 2 games

The backup offensive line--Thomas, McAllister, Grant Miller, Sean Maginn didn't shine. Maginn got beat on the Tex game
while playing right guard. Bruss was okay until he wasn't. Got beat on inside power rush, so nervous about outside move all
his momentum going back and dude just long-armed him to the QB and then hurt again.

Always have to watch again but didn't notice anything bad on the other guys I didn't mention but have only seen.

A lot of rotation in the CBs... hard to evaluate -- the backups I mean, THT was excellent. McCutcheon made a few good plays.

Remember Lake, Jones and maybe Gray do a little something.

run defense---no one got the edge... a little shaky on first drive but nothing after that... guys hit the blocker, did their technique shed
and make tackle or forced RB to go elsewhere. 4 yards a carry in today's NFL is fine even if it's 2s and 3s vs 2s and 3s

Avila missed a Texas stunt but got away with it. He's not playing much. They must be confident in him. Would like to see the starters
play some next week...at least the first half --- starting 5

Everybody's already talking about Allen and Johnson... always easy to spot WRs...that is why they are the "hot" commodity, McCutcheon, Spruce
and so on..

Freeman had a good short yardage play--as his role ... Rivers looks to make the team but at the expense of who?

Punt coverage is a problem...Evans great leg---he'' halfto learn.. but has had some really good punts in 2 games and
a few poor ones ... tonight the near TD was IMO on coverage... but his a 37 net on a 55 gross nees to be tightened up.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Hate that we don't play our 1s at times.

Remember when we would be4-0 or 3-1 during Jeff Fisher's regime?
And then 6-10 in the regular season?

I like that McVay saves the sure starters for the regular season.
It obviously is not worth risking a starter on a preseason game and I noticed that other teams are starting to do it too.

 

[Soul Surfer]

AHEM. WHAT IS YOUR TEAM?

Los Angeles Rams!!!

Is this a trick question?

 

[PhillyRam]

Exactly. Raider rookie might as well have been wearing a red jersey and playing 7 on 7. No comparison to what our rookie faced. But alas.... Stetson is the new Tutu for some around these parts...

He diced up the Niners the week before going 15-18. And some really nice throws last night. Throwing on roll outs, stepping up in the pocket, and just being pretty damn accurate overall regardless of pressure.

 

[PhillyRam]

He's a backup, nothing more. He'll be in the league for a while because he can throw with anticipation. I heard someone say a comp is Bulger, but he's nowhere near Bulger. Maybe in terms of limitations but not in terms of demeanor or consistency or football IQ.

He's a solid 4th round pick. If he starts we're fucked though.

Agree, but I think there were better options that had a better chance to eventually become a starter with fewer limitations and more upside.

 

[den-the-coach]

Remember when we would be4-0 or 3-1 during Jeff Fisher's regime?
And then 6-10 in the regular season?

I like that McVay saves the sure starters for the regular season.
It obviously is not worth risking a starter on a preseason game and I noticed that other teams are starting to do it too.

I have not seen that from other teams, most play their guys at least one series. For example the Giants did that on Friday night, they played their first string offense & defense and the offense put together a 78 yard drive for a TD.

The defense stonewalled the Panthers on the first series. Again, if a player is not injured I embrace that philosophy just to give that first unit some real game reps. Other teams will keep injured players off the field like Kupp for example, but most will give their guys at least one series.