The Defense

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Is there an opportune time for a penalty?
Well if that's a question.... and keep in mind I'm prefacing my answers with a maybe.....

Maybe: An offsides penalty on the first play of the game.

Maybe: A taunting penalty for celebrating a TD that puts the team up by 35 points.

Maybe: A delay of game penalty with 10 seconds left when trying to run out the clock before the last kneel down.
 
I do think offensively we are bad on 3rd and 4th and short.. but we are bad on 3rd and long. Not because we can't convert.. but on about half of those we concede the down and punt by either throwing a screen or running a draw. I wish mcvay would trust Stafford more to go for it. When he was in Detroit he lived in 3rd and long.
I am not sure thats completely accurate. If anything we seem to go for the longer and more difficult chunk play even when we only need 10 yards. I am not complaining because Stafford has completed some brilliant long passes but its frustrating at times when we would, IMO, be better off being a little more conservative and manage the clock a little better; take what the defense gives us, and keep our defense off the field longer. How many times have the defense ended up looking gassed? A little too many for my money

Maybe someone can explain but perhaps its down to metrics rather than common sense?
 
I am not sure thats completely accurate. If anything we seem to go for the longer and more difficult chunk play even when we only need 10 yards. I am not complaining because Stafford has completed some brilliant long passes but its frustrating at times when we would, IMO, be better off being a little more conservative and manage the clock a little better; take what the defense gives us, and keep our defense off the field longer. How many times have the defense ended up looking gassed? A little too many for my money

Maybe someone can explain but perhaps its down to metrics rather than common sense?
My guess is that when the opponents are defending the sticks there are bigger holes deeper than that.

BC
 
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How often were the Rams in 3rd and Long? Very rarely in my recollection.
Judging by how often they get into 3rd and 1, probably not much. Good problem to have but still…

I’m asking our RB’s…could ya get just one more yard on that carry?
 
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"Whodat?!?"
~ Deeblo

YEAH - on that play I can tell you where I was.Actually in Bay Area.Said out loud & meant it.

That’s BS the NFL is SO weak,but said at least to myself if they don’t pick up that Flag I’m NEVER going to watch The NFL AGAIN!!

Boy I’m I lucky !! Still it would’ve been ugly.The niners would’ve went to the Superbowl.It was like that DB who missed that INT right through his hands.Would’ve been tough if that happened as well.The difference was that DEBO went home crying & Nick Scott’s play saved the game.
 
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Somewhere in this thread, somebody suggested the defensive theory of bend but don't break was not a good strategy. We all know the theory behind that strategy. Make them run enough plays, they've got more chances to screw up. Here's the numbers.

The Rams defense has faced 177 possessions.
44 of them (24.9%) lasted 4:00 minutes or more.
13 of those ended in a TD (29.5% of the 44).
17 ended with a FG (38.6%)
3 ended with a turnover, 4 ended with a turnover on downs, 7 ended on a punt (32.8% ended with nada)

Consider the Rams D allowed 34 total TDs, 21 came on shorter drives. They allowed 27 FGs. So on 61 possessions the opponent scored (34.5%). Not too shabby.

And if we take out special teams TDs and picks 6's or fumble return TDs (at the expense of offensive turnover) the Rams are #8 in points allowed (18.8). Granted, they were allowing 24 PPG since Lake went down but it's not like they're terrible. Let's see how they play tomorrow.
 
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Speaking of trading 1sts, would anyone offer the 13th pick to KC for Trent McDuffie? It looks like they're struggling to sign him to an extension.
 
So basically you're trading 2 first? BY plays like a 1st round talent. He's no Maxx C. but that's a pretty steep price.

What does Maxx have left on his current contract?
4 years, signed a 3 year extension before the '25 season. Very tradable deal, would save the Raiders some $$
I imagine it would take at least 2 1st round picks though
To match up to the Dallas to Green Bay trade, it would be 2 1st round picks (1 in '26 & 1 in '27) AND BY
 
During the Carolina game, Shula's defensive philosophy was explained. With the bend but don't break theory, the justification is that the offense will eventually make a mistake, suffer a penalty or something, or the defense will make a play and the defense will have stopped the drive. In general I agree, except when we play the whiners because rat boy is perfectly happy to take 4-5-6-7 yards a play and go all the way down the field to score. Adjustments need to be made, IMO, when we play teams that are willing to take what you give them, or at least mix it up. IMO, this is why the Rams struggle with the whiners although I'm no defensive genius.
Totally agree. For example, when we play Seattle, the focus should be on smacking the shit out of Darnold with creative blitzes or even coverage concepts (not that soft zone bullshit) to get him to hold the ball longer. There's some players where if you rattle them, you know you'll get a turnover or get them to see "ghosts". Definitely would love to see gameplans that can adapt more.
 
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Speaking of trading 1sts, would anyone offer the 13th pick to KC for Trent McDuffie? It looks like they're struggling to sign him to an extension.
Our original 1st would be my offer with maybe an additional pick (4th or 5th). If we did that, I'd pray for another CB to fall to 13 and jump all over that.....CB room re-done just like that lol. However, we could opt for any blue chip player to enhance our offense as well dependent upon how the Rams navigate free agency.