Rams roster and coaches… My thoughts

[GroundPounder]

Who cares???!!! We got the RING BOYS!!!

 

[Riverumbbq]

Rams OL, even when healthy, hasn’t been good at run blocking. This is not just a ‘22 problem. It’s been going on for years. Is McVay’s preferred zone blocking types still the best way to go? I haven’t seen a strong consistent run game since Gurley’s heyday. That’s way back in mid-2018. I think McVay might want to reconsider his OL draft profile strategy because recent results have sucked. They simply ain’t working, Sean. To the point that you now lack confidence in our running game and it shows in your play calling. Opponents have noticed, btw. And scheme accordingly to the point that they practically ignore our run threat. It’s a vicious circle.

Perhaps Rams OL is suffering from being on the back burner too much while McVay focuses too much on skill positions? Recent examples include the Atwell pick over Humphrey, declarations about bringing back OBJ, apparent interest in trading for Cooks. It smacks of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic while Rams are struggling on OL and RB. OL should be officially Job One, Sean.

Which brings me to our pathetic RB situation. When was the last time you felt confident that Rams could run for a 1st on 3rd and short? Michel last year, maybe? Not to mention that our top 3 RB’s are notoriously unable to stay healthy. One RB, maybe. But all 3? There’s something else going on. McVay needs to self scout to determine whether he’s even seeking optimum effective RB’s with his current draft profiles. Rams have been hampered too long by too many RB’s to call themselves unlucky there. There’s something else going on that’s hurting our RB situation. Rams should leave no stone unturned in their RB examination.

Let’s talk TE. We currently have an inconsistent Higbee and a couple of nobodies. Is it coaching or is it drafting? Or both? I vote for both. And the maddening thing is that TE has been an orphan for years, too. SOMEONE should have noticed these trends at OL, RB, and TE and gotten into the ears of both Snead and McVay.

Now let’s talk Edge. It’s been a weakness opposite Floyd for years. Von Miller fixed that nicely last year but at a very high price for 6 months of work. Point being Rams have been deficient at edge for years. This is another core position and yet weakness there has been tolerated for far too long. Are Snead and his scouts incapable of finding just one quality Edge player? Or is the problem coaching? Including scheming those edge players. Maybe all 3 are at fault simultaneously?

Now I have a couple of coaching questions. Why is Evans starting on this crippled OL? Hell, why is he even on the roster? Insert either Skura or Brewer and bench Evans until Shelton returns. To do otherwise seems incompetent. Gawd!

Why is Rapp starting? Give Yeast a shot for crying out loud. Burgess. Or somebody off the street, dammit! Does Rapp have incriminating pictures of Morris? I’m only half joking. Starting Rapp is a self inflicted wound.

Thoughts?

One question I haven't been able to get answered is about our latest 3'rd round recruit, Logan Bruss, ... did he most specialize in pass-pro or as a run blocker in college ? Has McSnead at least attempted to transition to another OL theme ? Thank goodness both Edwards & Evans will soon be gone as we enter free agency, so our future OL rebuild will be determined shortly. Aboushi, Skura & Brewer are also entering free agency, but they could remain as inexpensive practice squad depth if given 'futures' contracts. Our one bright spot this season has been the UDFA Alaric Jackson, and whether he is even declared a starter next year is up in the air as the disappointing Noteboom will return from his injury. Coleman Shelton & Tremayne Anchrum are only contracted thru the 2023 season, and then they too become eligible for free agency. If Brian Allen suffers any more prolonged injuries, he might easily become a CAP casualty after the 2023 season. Noteboom is almost as vulnerable as Allen, he could become trade bait after next year. The Rams have put themselves into the unenviable position where they are virtually forced to draft for the OL, and for this I am very happy we haven't traded away our 2023 2'nd & 3'rd round picks.

If I'm truly to be upset by our neglect of the trade deadline, it's that we didn't at least nail down a competent RB with one of our 6'th round draft picks. Now we will enter 2023 needing 2 RB's, one to replace Akers and the other to replace the likely departed Henderson to free agency. Williams is set to become our savior, although currently without ever even had an NFL snap. I'll guess that the Rams will address this position fairly high in the draft, perhaps a 3'rd rounder, with another coming by way of free agency or a lower cost trade.

Don't get me going on whatever is happening at TE, I'm still fuming that Roger Carter sits on a bench while Blanton remains a jag and Hopkins appears to have lost the coaches confidence.

Edge is another position where we need two new bodies, one which is elite to eventually replace Floyd, the other to replace the likely departed Hollins as a free agent. The Rams still have their 2024/25 top draft picks, and these can be used to secure a trade for a top Edge going forward imo.

Not much we can do at Safety with the coaching love affair for Rapp, although he'll soon be gone as a free agent himself, but it's nice that another of our unused draft picks from 2022 is returning, so watching the development of Quentin Lake is a hopeful reminder of new things to come.

jmo.

 

[Kupped]

So you're saying there's a chance!

Clear you hated the pick from the start. I did too, but held out hope he'd be Tyreek and make me look foolish. My point is he may not be Tyreek, but it's the staff that looks foolish if they can't take advantage of what he brings deep. And I've seen him cut off those routes and be wide open.

Dropping the subject. Feels too weird defending a pick I hated...

No, I didn’t.

I was just finishing the Tavon comp.

In fact I watched clips and believed he’d be helpful.. though I was a little thrown by them drafting a speed guy who couldn’t return kicks.. or who hadn’t.

Just looking at how it’s played out.

 

[PARAM]

We haven't had an OL with the likes of Whitworth, Saffold, Sullivan, Blythe and Havenstein since 2018. But we haven't had a RB like Gurley since then either. And once Gurley was dinged...late 2018....even that line couldn't open up holes big enough for 30. CJA did pretty well though. So maybe it's a combination of quality OL/ quality RB? McVay thought he had that in Akers. Didn't work out. The original 5 OL this year? No telling because they dropped like flies starting in week 1.

 

[Jacobarch]

It's hard to assess the Oline as a whole because of the injuries that started before the season even began. When you're on your 3rd string Center, and both RG and LG, I don't many teams finding success under those circumstances. With our Starting Oline, well they didn't look competent early on either. As of right now they get a pass because they didn't even get to complete one game together before the injuries started piling up, and we know it takes time to gel when you have a new LT and RG. I will say however, that I think a lot of our injuries are due to our guys getting driven back and not being able to anchor in pass pro and drive when running. We've seen all of these guys in the middle of the Oline get blown the F up and it's inexcusable. This has been happening for years btw this isn't a new problem. Problem is we have Tackles playing Guard positions. It just doesn't work like that, and the proof is in the puddin as they say.

One shinning light is it looks like we might have found our Future LT.

As far as Evans is concerned. I don't know what the Rams are doing there. The dude was picked in the 3rd round. Okay, not a super high pick but you expect a guy that was picked in the 3rd round as a potential starter or somebody that would contribute when called upon. Maybe he's playing out of position, I don't know. He definitely didn't look as terrible when playing RT when Hav was injured. Eithe last year or the year prior.
Anyways, GM's and HC's often get their asses in the hot seat doing what Sean and Les are doing. Holding onto players solely on draft status rather than results. Mind boggling.

 

[AvengerRam]

Seems like a “Stone Soup” analysis to me.

Here’s what I know…

This coaching staff and the majority of the starters and key reserves from this year’s opening day won a Super Bowl just 8 months ago.

What’s been exposed is the rather obvious fact that if four starting OL and two key reserves end up on the IR before the halfway point in the season, you’re hottie have major problems (particularly against Top 10 defenses - which have accounted for all 4 losses).

 

[PARAM]

Now let’s talk Edge. It’s been a weakness opposite Floyd for years. Von Miller fixed that nicely last year but at a very high price for 6 months of work. Point being Rams have been deficient at edge for years. This is another core position and yet weakness there has been tolerated for far too long. Are Snead and his scouts incapable of finding just one quality Edge player? Or is the problem coaching? Including scheming those edge players. Maybe all 3 are at fault simultaneously?

What????? In 2018, they went out and got Dante Fowler. Went to the Superbowl. He only had 2 sacks in 8 games but made the play in the CCG forcing a Brees pick. The following year he had 11.5 sacks. After they let Fowler walk, they signed Floyd and he had 20 sacks in 2020 and 2021. They brought in Miller and he helped a lot but take a look at the numbers. But we don't need somebody opposite Floyd...that's Donald already.

Prior to Miller arriving the D had 28 sacks on 378 drops or a sack every 13.5 drops. They had 12 picks on 350 passes thrown or 1 every 29.1.
After Miller arrived the D had 22 sacks on 297 drops or a sack every 13.5 drops. They had 7 picks on 275 passes thrown or 1 every 39.3.

They got Miller for the Big Games, the postseason and he did what they wanted. In the postseason, they had 12 sacks on 164 drops (1 every 13.6) They had 4 picks on 152 passes thrown (1 every 38). And if you take out the Superbowl, with Cincinnati's terrible OL giving up 7 sacks on 41 drops, it's 5 sacks on 93 drops (1 every 18.6). He came up big in big moments but as far as consistent pressure, he didn't make much difference, number-wise. He made big plays in big games and that's why they got him.

 

[Merlin]

So maybe it's a combination of quality OL/ quality RB?

Yes. Both matter. Rams have had OL that waiver between solid to good. But their RB position has been poor.

 

[Faceplant]

Humphries would have been nice, but it's time to let it go.

From your keyboard to God's ears.....that there is nothing left of that poor dead horse to beat....yet people continue to swing on it....

 

[Angry Ram]

 

[brucebruce]

exposed? good lord what a crock.

 

[Riverumbbq]

exposed? good lord what a crock.

 

[oldnotdead]

IMO the biggest issue with the run game is that it looks like an afterthought in McVay's scheme. Most aren't clearly thought out or executed like the passing game. I think the run game is poorly designed. Why? Because I've watched good run attacks with the Chargers with Tomlinson and with the Niners. When both wanted to run inside they ran a power blocking scheme. The center doubles with one of the OGs and they create a run lane in one of the A gaps. The lead blocker is a FB, not a WR or TE. This FB blows out the MIKE opening the hole for the RB to break into the secondary. Yes, it's s simple explanation but you get the picture.

McVay tries to run a power scheme without a lead blocker and of course the small RBs they have get stuffed because there is no way a WR is going to blow a big strong MIKE LB out of the gap. Even on his perimeter runs, they are outgunned because there is no lead blocker. So the Rams are left with running zone concepts inside and out and they have been poorly executed because of the makeshift nature of the OL.

What I'm saying is that it's not just the RBs, it's the design and execution of the play that is the problem. Benny Skow has become nothing but a prop at FB. No one respects his blocking so they are still playing pass. If McVay was serious why hasn't he elevated the only FB on the roster, Roger Carter? Why is he on the roster if they aren't going to use him? This OL needs help and the easiest way to help them is with a FB. Give that run attack a 6th blocker. Geez they have two road graders on the active roster in Jonah Williams and Michael Hoecht. Williams is 6'5" 275 and runs a 4.6 40 yd and showed good hands as a receiver at his pro day as a possible TE. If you aren't going to use him as a DE then use him as a FB.

C'mon Man McVay your supposed to be a genius, why don't you get creative with your roster. There is talent there if you simply use it. It's the damn coach's tunnel vision. Too many trees that they can't see the forest.

 

[Ellard80]

It's the same ol same ol honestly

I remember when we lost 3 straight games last year and "Mcvay was on the hotseat" according to some people.

anytime adversity hits some colors start to show.

Mcvay isn't perfect but 2 Superbowls in 5 years and playoffs 4 out of 5 - hard for me to argue with the historically good results to this point.

I get the frustration but consider the big picture.

 

[Rams43]

What????? In 2018, they went out and got Dante Fowler. Went to the Superbowl. He only had 2 sacks in 8 games but made the play in the CCG forcing a Brees pick. The following year he had 11.5 sacks. After they let Fowler walk, they signed Floyd and he had 20 sacks in 2020 and 2021. They brought in Miller and he helped a lot but take a look at the numbers. But we don't need somebody opposite Floyd...that's Donald already.

Prior to Miller arriving the D had 28 sacks on 378 drops or a sack every 13.5 drops. They had 12 picks on 350 passes thrown or 1 every 29.1.
After Miller arrived the D had 22 sacks on 297 drops or a sack every 13.5 drops. They had 7 picks on 275 passes thrown or 1 every 39.3.

They got Miller for the Big Games, the postseason and he did what they wanted. In the postseason, they had 12 sacks on 164 drops (1 every 13.6) They had 4 picks on 152 passes thrown (1 every 38). And if you take out the Superbowl, with Cincinnati's terrible OL giving up 7 sacks on 41 drops, it's 5 sacks on 93 drops (1 every 18.6). He came up big in big moments but as far as consistent pressure, he didn't make much difference, number-wise. He made big plays in big games and that's why they got him.

If the Rams had had any significant success drafting Edge players then they wouldn’t have needed to bring in Fowler, Floyd, and Miller in the first place.

Let’s face it, Snead has struggled to draft quality Edge players since I can’t remember when.

He’s been forced to bring in expensive players there at great cost. And this year he struck out at even that strategy due to lack of ammo. Sigh…

 

[BuffaloRam]

I don’t think any team is prepared, to have 4 of 5 starters on the oline go down.

This.

 

[PARAM]

If the Rams had had any significant success drafting Edge players then they wouldn’t have needed to bring in Fowler, Floyd, and Miller in the first place.

Let’s face it, Snead has struggled to draft quality Edge players since I can’t remember when.

He’s been forced to bring in expensive players there at great cost. And this year he struck out at even that strategy due to lack of ammo. Sigh…

From 2017-2022 they've drafted 9 DE/Edge and all but 2 were in the 5th round or later, 4 in the 7th alone. Seems like they just "take fliers" on that position.

 

[Wisconsinram]

Rams43- Admire the hell out of you as a poster. You summed it up best when you said "Yeah, I’m angry, frustrated, and upset."
The Rams "All-in, F-them picks" worked wonders in bringing us a Lombardi. We have as many elite, high-priced and proven players on our roster as any in the NFL. The concern with the approach, aside from cap-management (Demoff is awesome here), is the increased need to hit on picks AND stay healthy.
Injuries have exposed our depth and in some key areas. No need to question or doubt every pick that doesn't work out- the NFL is FULL of them. From the outset, our roster wasn't constructed on tremendous depth at every position. Large investments were made at key positions, leaving fewer resources for the rest of the roster. Injuries bit us and in some cases, "misses" from prior drafts contributed to our lack of depth.
Oh, and parity. It's why I love the NFL.
I'm frustrated, too. But given our circumstances this year (i.e. injuries, Akers, etc.), let's not start eating the coaches/organization that provided us the ever-so-rare Lombardi that we get to enjoy just 8 months ago. They have a clue.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

First, let me stipulate that the OL injuries are the root of at least 90% of Rams woes on O. I seriously doubt that ANY other team could have survived them any better. Just catastrophic.

I will further stipulate that Morris has managed his own player injuries rather well. I hate watching his soft zone D but it was both pretty darned effective and appropriate while dealing with so many inexperienced rookies he was forced to start. I do have issues with his scheming vs the 49ers, though. But that’s for a different thread.

Here’s why I said Rams roster and coaches have been exposed.

These are things that have been creeping up and yet have been ignored while I hadn’t noticed. I was too busy enjoying that SB winning season. But our opponents have noticed them and are attacking our weaknesses relentlessly.

Rams OL, even when healthy, hasn’t been good at run blocking. This is not just a ‘22 problem. It’s been going on for years. Is McVay’s preferred zone blocking types still the best way to go? I haven’t seen a strong consistent run game since Gurley’s heyday. That’s way back in mid-2018. I think McVay might want to reconsider his OL draft profile strategy because recent results have sucked. They simply ain’t working, Sean. To the point that you now lack confidence in our running game and it shows in your play calling. Opponents have noticed, btw. And scheme accordingly to the point that they practically ignore our run threat. It’s a vicious circle.

Perhaps Rams OL is suffering from being on the back burner too much while McVay focuses too much on skill positions? Recent examples include the Atwell pick over Humphrey, declarations about bringing back OBJ, apparent interest in trading for Cooks. It smacks of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic while Rams are struggling on OL and RB. OL should be officially Job One, Sean.

Which brings me to our pathetic RB situation. When was the last time you felt confident that Rams could run for a 1st on 3rd and short? Michel last year, maybe? Not to mention that our top 3 RB’s are notoriously unable to stay healthy. One RB, maybe. But all 3? There’s something else going on. McVay needs to self scout to determine whether he’s even seeking optimum effective RB’s with his current draft profiles. Rams have been hampered too long by too many RB’s to call themselves unlucky there. There’s something else going on that’s hurting our RB situation. Rams should leave no stone unturned in their RB examination.

Let’s talk TE. We currently have an inconsistent Higbee and a couple of nobodies. Is it coaching or is it drafting? Or both? I vote for both. And the maddening thing is that TE has been an orphan for years, too. SOMEONE should have noticed these trends at OL, RB, and TE and gotten into the ears of both Snead and McVay.

Now let’s talk Edge. It’s been a weakness opposite Floyd for years. Von Miller fixed that nicely last year but at a very high price for 6 months of work. Point being Rams have been deficient at edge for years. This is another core position and yet weakness there has been tolerated for far too long. Are Snead and his scouts incapable of finding just one quality Edge player? Or is the problem coaching? Including scheming those edge players. Maybe all 3 are at fault simultaneously?

Now I have a couple of coaching questions. Why is Evans starting on this crippled OL? Hell, why is he even on the roster? Insert either Skura or Brewer and bench Evans until Shelton returns. To do otherwise seems incompetent. Gawd!

Why is Rapp starting? Give Yeast a shot for crying out loud. Burgess. Or somebody off the street, dammit! Does Rapp have incriminating pictures of Morris? I’m only half joking. Starting Rapp is a self inflicted wound.

These are shortcomings of our current Rams that have been glaringly exposed already this season.

Yeah, I’m angry, frustrated, and upset. All the above are creeping problems that were never identified and addressed for several years. And now, even though we are defending SB champions, these things are killing us.

I’m sure I missed a few, but these are the ones off the top of my head this morning.

Thoughts?

I agree on all counts. I remember when McVay got to LA. All of the talk was about his entire offense is based off of a strong running game. It seems like he’s working against his own judgement by not emphasizing a good run blocking Oline and drafting or signing a good RB each year. His preferred style of back has not panned out. These smaller built, shiftier guys are not tough enough. He could learn a lot by studying what Shanahan looks for in Olinemen and RBs.

Here’s a big problem that has stung the Rams mode of roster management. They have had some key misses in crucial spots in the draft. Rochelle, Atwell, Aker, Noteboom, Edwards, Evans, Fuller, etc…. Some of them don’t contribute at all and others that play are not playing well. They are crucial misses for a team build that requires getting the most out of mid round picks. These players just have to play at league average levels but they are mostly below that.

I don’t know how much input McVay has on these pick, but Jourdan has stated more than once that McVay really wanted Atwell. That was his guy. Maybe he needs less input.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Seems like a “Stone Soup” analysis to me.

I have some herbs to contribute.