Still no run game

[Rams4life]

I mean you're playing a guy that was a free agent a month ago ahead of you starter but no matter who's back there they can't get anything going.

 

[Ellard80]

o-line is just not good... but this team is riddled with issues on both sides of teh ball.

 

[Da-Rock]

This is a fundamentally flawed scheme to personnel issue on both sides of the ball. Add in a coaching staff that is stuck in the wrong gear.

 

[OntarioRam]

McVay is the problem.

He abandons the run game early and often, and often does not stick with it even when it is working.

Even when he had a prime Todd Gurley, he would rather go pass-happy with Jared Goff. Come on. I still think Goff is a much better QB than people give him credit for, but prime Gurley was a generational talent.

It appears that McVay does not even care enough about the running game to put in the requisite effort to try and scheme something up on the ground, because if he did, the Rams would be doing much better than their current league-laughing-stock running attack. The o-line with Allen back at center should now be good enough to run the ball a bit. The narrative of "we are down to all backups!" was reasonable weeks ago. It is not any longer. Especially considering that Jackson is easily among our best 5 lineman. So his insertion into the lineup is actually an upgrade.

Look at how Shanahan schemes up runs for the 49ers, and how damning that contrast is.

Even McVay's personnel and roster-building decisions disrespect the running game: a general neglect of o-line investment, featuring Rivers of all RBs today (!), and when he does address the o-line, leans very heavily to pass protection abilities over run blocking prowess. He and Snead won't even draft a true guard (Bruss notwithstanding)! And then fans wonder we why can't get push inside. This o-line is overwhelmingly stocked with tackles by trade, often converted to play guard.

I am not saying that the Rams' running game should be dominant with this RB room and o-line room. Perhaps even league average might be unrealistic, as even our better offensive linemen are more so built for pass protection. But we are in the absolute basement. There is no excuse for that. Especially as teams should still have to respect the Stafford and Kupp connection. We have enough weapons that McVay should be able to make teams respect the pass and not stack the box. Our o-line is healthy enough that injuries cannot be a crtuch. Everyone has injuries in the trenches. Henderson is a capable albeit mediocre back. He can hit some holes and has in the past.

Cam Akers apparently had some choice words for Sean McVay regarding the running game approach. Perhaps, he was not incorrect, even if he was out of line.

McVay has only himself to blame, and his hot pursuit of McCaffery tells me he lacks self-awareness and is looking for a scapegoat. "If only I had the pieces!". "My RBs and o-line just are not good enough". Excuses, excuses. Look around the NFL. Does any team make less with more on the ground than the LA Rams?

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Hasn’t been a run game since going back to last year, and all we’ve done to solve it is lose players. We don’t even try to replace them, much less upgrade.

 

[Giles]

McVay is the problem.

He abandons the run game early and often, and often does not stick with it even when it is working.

Even when he had a prime Todd Gurley, he would rather go pass-happy with Jared Goff. Come on. I still think Goff is a much better QB than people give him credit for, but prime Gurley was a generational talent.

It appears that McVay does not even care enough about the running game to put in the requisite effort to try and scheme something up on the ground, because if he did, the Rams would be doing much better than their current league-laughing-stock running attack. The o-line with Allen back at center should now be good enough to run the ball a bit. The narrative of "we are down to all backups!" was reasonable weeks ago. It is not any longer. Especially considering that Jackson is easily among our best 5 lineman. So his insertion into the lineup is actually an upgrade.

Look at how Shanahan schemes up runs for the 49ers, and how damning that contrast is.

Even McVay's personnel and roster-building decisions disrespect the running game: a general neglect of o-line investment, featuring Rivers of all RBs today (!), and when he does address the o-line, leans very heavily to pass protection abilities over run blocking prowess. He and Snead won't even draft a true guard (Bruss notwithstanding)! And then fans wonder we why can't get push inside. This o-line is overwhelmingly stocked with tackles by trade, often converted to play guard.

I am not saying that the Rams' running game should be dominant with this RB room and o-line room. Perhaps even league average might be unrealistic, as even our better offensive linemen are more so built for pass protection. But we are in the absolute basement. There is no excuse for that. Especially as teams should still have to respect the Stafford and Kupp connection. We have enough weapons that McVay should be able to make teams respect the pass and not stack the box. Our o-line is healthy enough that injuries cannot be a crtuch. Everyone has injuries in the trenches. Henderson is a capable albeit mediocre back. He can hit some holes and has in the past.

Cam Akers apparently had some choice words for Sean McVay regarding the running game approach. Perhaps, he was not incorrect, even if he was out of line.

McVay has only himself to blame, and his hot pursuit of McCaffery tells me he lacks self-awareness and is looking for a scapegoat. "If only I had the pieces!". "My RBs and o-line just are not good enough". Excuses, excuses. Look around the NFL. Does any team make less with more on the ground than the LA Rams?

This is it.

 

[Zodi]

We have not had a run game since Kevin Carberry become OL coach. His scheme is weird. OL gets no push into the second level and just seems to stay at the point of attack, latching onto defenders.

 

[XXXIVwin]

What's amazing to me is that the Rams made their amazing playoff run with no run game.

Against the Bucs: 30 rushes for only 73 yards, a measly 2.4 average.

Against the Niners in NFC Champ: 29 rushes for 70 yards, again a measly 2.4 average.

In the Super Bowl: 23 carries for 43 yards, a horrible 1.9 average.

[Even against the Cards they were only decent (38 for 140 and 3.7 average).]

Anyway: Rams made amazing playoff run with a crappy run game.

But this year, the lack of run game is really hurting them.

 

[IBruce80]

Olsen said, regarding the running game, something along the lines that a team doesn't need a great running game, but to line up showing a run to keep opposing teams scheming against it. Keep them guessing.
I agree with that.

However, at the best of times, our run game is pretty much non-existent so it's putting zero worry into the defence whatsoever.
I'm almost at the thought of don't bother running it because it just wastes a down.

 

[Spider2YB]

What's amazing to me is that the Rams made their amazing playoff run with no run game.

Against the Bucs: 30 rushes for only 73 yards, a measly 2.4 average.

Against the Niners in NFC Champ: 29 rushes for 70 yards, again a measly 2.4 average.

In the Super Bowl: 23 carries for 43 yards, a horrible 1.9 average.

[Even against the Cards they were only decent (38 for 140 and 3.7 average).]

Anyway: Rams made amazing playoff run with a crappy run game.

But this year, the lack of run game is really hurting them.

And Sony busted a 35 yarder on the first play of the game vs Arizona. You take that run away and that game looks similar to the others.

 

[rdlkgliders]

We run on obvious run-downs, and only run a couple of different plays. We don't stick with a back, our best back Henderson has 5 carries in 2 games and he averages about 4yd a carry which is respectable.
Our run game is an enigma from coaching to execution. It feels like we need a more creative approach not more new RB's. I would like to see some new blood take over the run game duties, whoever is scheming it isn't adjusting philosophically and is changing backs too often and sticking to a failing game plan too long. Obviously, they know better than we do but our run game is bizarre top to bottom

 

[thirteen28]

McVay is the problem.

He abandons the run game early and often, and often does not stick with it even when it is working.

Even when he had a prime Todd Gurley, he would rather go pass-happy with Jared Goff. Come on. I still think Goff is a much better QB than people give him credit for, but prime Gurley was a generational talent.

It appears that McVay does not even care enough about the running game to put in the requisite effort to try and scheme something up on the ground, because if he did, the Rams would be doing much better than their current league-laughing-stock running attack. The o-line with Allen back at center should now be good enough to run the ball a bit. The narrative of "we are down to all backups!" was reasonable weeks ago. It is not any longer. Especially considering that Jackson is easily among our best 5 lineman. So his insertion into the lineup is actually an upgrade.

Look at how Shanahan schemes up runs for the 49ers, and how damning that contrast is.

Even McVay's personnel and roster-building decisions disrespect the running game: a general neglect of o-line investment, featuring Rivers of all RBs today (!), and when he does address the o-line, leans very heavily to pass protection abilities over run blocking prowess. He and Snead won't even draft a true guard (Bruss notwithstanding)! And then fans wonder we why can't get push inside. This o-line is overwhelmingly stocked with tackles by trade, often converted to play guard.

I am not saying that the Rams' running game should be dominant with this RB room and o-line room. Perhaps even league average might be unrealistic, as even our better offensive linemen are more so built for pass protection. But we are in the absolute basement. There is no excuse for that. Especially as teams should still have to respect the Stafford and Kupp connection. We have enough weapons that McVay should be able to make teams respect the pass and not stack the box. Our o-line is healthy enough that injuries cannot be a crtuch. Everyone has injuries in the trenches. Henderson is a capable albeit mediocre back. He can hit some holes and has in the past.

Cam Akers apparently had some choice words for Sean McVay regarding the running game approach. Perhaps, he was not incorrect, even if he was out of line.

McVay has only himself to blame, and his hot pursuit of McCaffery tells me he lacks self-awareness and is looking for a scapegoat. "If only I had the pieces!". "My RBs and o-line just are not good enough". Excuses, excuses. Look around the NFL. Does any team make less with more on the ground than the LA Rams?

Maybe this will prove to be a blessing in disguise.

McVay is smart, but he's stubborn as fuck, especially about the run game. But these numbers we're getting now - less than 70 yards per game, are getting to the point of being historically bad. And if this season goes south because of it (and that certainly is the trajectory at the present), maybe, just maybe that will be the hard kick in the nuts with a steel-toed boot that makes him wake up and realize "hey, I really need my offense to be able to run the ball well" and make some changes that have needed to be made for several years now. And maybe he'll start doing more to prioritize OL that include good run blocking as part of their resume.

 

[Spider2YB]

I’ve been highly critical of McVays playcalling in the past, especially during the Gurley years, but he is literally throwing everything he can at the run game problem. It’s just that none of it is working. It’s not like he’s ignoring a bunch of stuff in the playbook. There’s no magical set of play calls that’s gonna open holes. Your guys have to move their guys to create space. We are incapable of doing that right now. So McVay is trying everything. We’ve tried Skowronek at fullback, we’ve put Brandon Powell in the backfield, we run jet sweeps. Akers, Henderson, Rivers, and Brown have all gotten reps. None of them have been good. We started running from shotgun more (which McVay wasn’t doing for a reason—it only works with running QBs), we’ve gone to unbalanced lines…none of it has worked. Bill Callahan is one of the best run game/o line coaches in the league…we could hire him tomorrow and I suspect the improvement would only be slight. We’ve had a bunch of backup linemen blocking for backup running backs. Tough to beat elite defenses like SF, Dallas, and Buffalo with that recipe.

 

[jrry32]

McVay isn't the problem. The problem is we have an OL missing three of our five starters and multiple top backups with HBs who don't break tackles. I'm not sure what y'all expect when you combine a bad OL with a bad HB group.

 

[XXXIVwin]

McVay is the problem.

He abandons the run game early and often, and often does not stick with it even when it is working.

Even when he had a prime Todd Gurley, he would rather go pass-happy with Jared Goff.

I tend to disagree.

When McVay has a run game, he's *mostly* inclined to have an effective balance.

For example-- I attended the Rams Cowboys playoff game in 2019, and we had a great run game that day. Both CJ and Gurley had over 100 yards. As a team the Rams rushed 48 times for 273 yards, a 5.7 average. And Goff only threw 28 times.

I think if McVay has the pieces, he could have an effective run game, and an effective overall offense. But yards, McVays offenses the last five years have been ranked: 10, 2, 7, 11, 9. But this year they've dropped to 26th.

Bobby Evans? Oday Aboushi? Ronnie Rivers? Marginal talent yields a marginal run game. IMHO.

 

[raised_fisT]

Mcvay sprinkles in a few runs just as afterthoughts. And when he does run we get the same 3 run plays every. single. time.

I've been begging for a few tosses/pitchouts for like 3 years now.

I think I might shit myself if I ever do see one from this team

 

[Oregonram]

This is it.

I spoke of this after McVays first playoff game loss to Atlanta. A healthy Todd Gurley got 11 run attempts…check me…memory not as good as it used to be….Sean has brought us to 2 Super Bowls…Michele was more important last year, and Sean ran a much more balanced attack. I thought he finally had the light come on. Kelly Stafford is going to demand that her husband retire if we don’t give him a reasonable run game.

 

[TexasRam]

What's amazing to me is that the Rams made their amazing playoff run with no run game.

Against the Bucs: 30 rushes for only 73 yards, a measly 2.4 average.

Against the Niners in NFC Champ: 29 rushes for 70 yards, again a measly 2.4 average.

In the Super Bowl: 23 carries for 43 yards, a horrible 1.9 average.

[Even against the Cards they were only decent (38 for 140 and 3.7 average).]

Anyway: Rams made amazing playoff run with a crappy run game.

But this year, the lack of run game is really hurting them.

Good point.

Mcvay's entire offensive philosophy is centered around the passing game and always has been. He gets these smaller mobile Olinemen that can get out on screen plays. Uses 11 personnel dam near exclusively and uses TE's that can catch and run but often suck at run blocking such as Higbee. He uses his WR's way too much in the run game so he can sneak in his "WR block" into the pass game. No fullback ever to be seen except a "WR" this year.

It's hard to be mad at a guy that constantly puts out a top offense, this year withstanding. And of course past years we saw dropoffs when the injuries hit the Oline hard. 2019-2020. He's a creative offensive playcaller with the pass game and really knows how to coach his guys up to a high level of execution.

But the lack of prioritizing the Oline is his downfall. It's more then just the Tutu over Humprey pick. We have known Whitworth was aging for years. Players like Evans, Edwards and Allen and even Noteboom were showing some potential but None of them ever looked like plus starters or Pro Bowl level players. So, Mcvay was OK with a Mediocre line at the end of the day. It was like pulling teeth to get them to spend some capital to make a trade for a player like Corbett and then once his contract expired he wasn't prioritized. Saffold was able to walk etc.

I don't blame Mcvay for not being run first. He is not Shannahan. He is pass first and it can work. Many, Many games we have come out blazing on offense with pass after pass and beaten teams that way. But to go into the season with a mediocre starting 5 and very weak depth was a mistake and now he is paying the price.

Our best 5 will be Jackson, Edwards, Allen, Shelton and Havs. It might be serviceable as a pass protecting Oline but I don't see it ever being much better in run blocking.

 

[PhillyRam]

Good point.

Mcvay's entire offensive philosophy is centered around the passing game and always has been. He gets these smaller mobile Olinemen that can get out on screen plays. Uses 11 personnel dam near exclusively and uses TE's that can catch and run but often suck at run blocking such as Higbee. He uses his WR's way too much in the run game so he can sneak in his "WR block" into the pass game. No fullback ever to be seen except a "WR" this year.

It's hard to be mad at a guy that constantly puts out a top offense, this year withstanding. And of course past years we saw dropoffs when the injuries hit the Oline hard. 2019-2020. He's a creative offensive playcaller with the pass game and really knows how to coach his guys up to a high level of execution.

But the lack of prioritizing the Oline is his downfall. It's more then just the Tutu over Humprey pick. We have known Whitworth was aging for years. Players like Evans, Edwards and Allen and even Noteboom were showing some potential but None of them ever looked like plus starters or Pro Bowl level players. So, Mcvay was OK with a Mediocre line at the end of the day. It was like pulling teeth to get them to spend some capital to make a trade for a player like Corbett and then once his contract expired he wasn't prioritized. Saffold was able to walk etc.

I don't blame Mcvay for not being run first. He is not Shannahan. He is pass first and it can work. Many, Many games we have come out blazing on offense with pass after pass and beaten teams that way. But to go into the season with a mediocre starting 5 and very weak depth was a mistake and now he is paying the price.

Our best 5 will be Jackson, Edwards, Allen, Shelton and Havs. It might be serviceable as a pass protecting Oline but I don't see it ever being much better in run blocking.

I think its scheme. SF have had OL injuries yet they always seem to be able to run the ball well.