Two areas we need improvement.

[Ellard80]

These are issues I've seen this year and the last few in general.

Fringe area play calling/scoring -

#1 When we get around the opponent's 40-35-yard line we have an issue with getting negative plays. We end up not getting points in drives we should at least get 3 in. It's been an issue. McVay needs to do some deep diving into this issue and come up with some ideas. One key focus area is not getting or taking sacks in these areas of the field.


#2 Letting teams flip the field after we pin them deep. We commonly let teams move the ball from inside their own 10 to midfield or borderline FG range. They do not always score, but we are not taking advantage of pinning them deep. We need to find a way to get an advantage in field position when we have the opportunity.

 

[Neil039]

The field flip is frustrating with the bend don't break Defenses IMO. It felt like the teams timing was off by just a bit. IMO I think the Defense will click in a few games and they will be ending plays behind the line.

 

[Spider2YB]

If I could snap my fingers and improve one single area of this team it would be pass pro. I know Houston is a top 5 defensive front with some certified freaks, but we graded out in the late 20s in pass pro last year and graded out at like 27th on Sunday.

It obviously extends Stafford’s shelf life but it also unlocks certain aspects of the passing game. When you hold up in pass pro you can squeeze every ounce of Stafford’s arm talent out, and activate every part of the field. Longer developing routes that turn into chunk plays. It would turn this offense from good to great.

 

[dang]

If I could snap my fingers and improve one single area of this team it would be pass pro. I know Houston is a top 5 defensive front with some certified freaks, but we graded out in the late 20s in pass pro last year and graded out at like 27th on Sunday.

It obviously extends Stafford’s shelf life but it also unlocks certain aspects of the passing game. When you hold up in pass pro you can squeeze every ounce of Stafford’s arm talent out, and activate every part of the field. Longer developing routes that turn into chunk plays. It would turn this offense from good to great.

Gotta tighten up the OL pass protection if the Rams are to be a contender this year.

 

[OntarioRam]

Defence is about as good as you could ask for right now. If you exclude the Seattle game late last year when we rested our starters in preparation for the playoffs, 5 of the past 6 games we have held opponents to under 10 points. And that includes some really good rosters. That defies NFL reality. And with Landman and Poona Ford, the LB corps and run defence both seem much improved, so at this point, it's really the offense that needs work - which is wild to say, as we spend more than anyone else in the NFL on that side of the ball, and have an elite offensive coach.

We could use more red zone efficiency out of the offense. I do think that will improve with Adams in the fold.

We could also use more explosive runs when there is a big hole that opens up. That would help unlock things. Gurley was home run hitter, but you don't even need a back with that generational type of running ability. Even Tre Mason could take it to the house. With Kyren for some odd reason eating 90%+ of snaps, the lack of ever having big play potential on the ground is definitely a limiting factor for this offense. And I really like KW.

Offensive line depth needs improvement. But it feels like every team in the NFL is searching for that year in, year out. So a more realistic ask might just be better pass pro from the starters. It feels like most of our linemen are better at run blocking than pass blocking. Not ideal with an aging, injury prone QB.

 

[TSFH Fan]

Even Tre Mason could take it to the house.

I'm not disagreeing with anything in the post. But, this ^^^ sounds like it could be implying that Tre was just some sort of bottom-barrel scrub. I've posted his house call against the Raiders a couple of times. He was a physically talented, but psychologically disadvantaged individual. Tre was faster and more explosive than KW, which probably accounts for Tre being drafted in the third round while KW was drafted in the 5th.

Check the combine numbers:

40 time: Tre 4.5 / KW 4.65
10 yd split: 1.55 / 1.62
Vert: 38.5" / 32"
Broad Jump: 10'6" / 9'8"

Sure, he was part of a mega-crappy era of Rams football, but as far as the physical ability to run the football, Tre had that.
[*I am not related to Tre Mason.]

Tre Mason Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

Kyren Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

 

[Memento]

I'm not disagreeing with anything in the post. But, this ^^^ sounds like it could be implying that Tre was just some sort of bottom-barrel scrub. I've posted his house call against the Raiders a couple of times. He was a physically talented, but psychologically disadvantaged individual. Tre was faster and more explosive than KW, which probably accounts for Tre being drafted in the third round while KW was drafted in the 5th.

Check the combine numbers:

40 time: Tre 4.5 / KW 4.65
10 yd split: 1.55 / 1.62
Vert: 38.5" / 32"
Broad Jump: 10'6" / 9'8"

Sure, he was part of a mega-crappy era of Rams football, but as far as the physical ability to run the football, Tre had that.
[*I am not related to Tre Mason.]

Tre Mason Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

Kyren Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

Tre Mason had the talent to be a number two/borderline number one. We just happened to have Todd Gurley drafted a year after Mason's rookie season, and Mason had mental health problems that were undiagnosed. I'm not excusing Mason for his actions, but a mental health crisis can make you do things you normally wouldn't or haven't done. As far as physical comparisons to him, Hunter is a very similar back to Tre Mason, even with the team he played for. I hope Hunter has Mason's talent, but not his mental health problems.

 

[majrleaged]

The pass pro sucked this week. I hope it gets better or their will be no improvement in explosive plays from last year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I doubt we saw this team with all cylinders firing against the Texans. I doubt we see that next week as well.

There was a lot of poor week one performances around the league. It’s par for the course. McVay is always more concerned with how they finish rather than how they start. If they have any glaring holes, I’m sure they will at least try to fill them by the trade deadline.

 

[RamWoodie]

I doubt we saw this team with all cylinders firing against the Texans. I doubt we see that next week as well.

There was a lot of poor week one performances around the league. It’s par for the course. McVay is always more concerned with how they finish rather than how they start. If they have any glaring holes, I’m sure they will at least try to fill them by the trade deadline.

Well...it seemed to me McVay needs to check himself!!! In the first half, he got "pass happy" as he often does until the Rams scored on the last drive.

That's what I call his "Martz syndrome", because it seems that "offensive genius" tag, gets the best of him.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Well...it seemed to me McVay needs to check himself!!! In the first half, he got "pass happy" as he often does until the Rams scored on the last drive.

That's what I call his "Martz syndrome", because it seems that "offensive genius" tag, gets the best of him.

McVay tried running but KW was getting stuffed at the LOS most of the day. We can’t run it every second and long.

However I do feel like we’re telegraphing our runs. I would like to see more misdirection and pulling linemen.

 

[OldSchool]

These are issues I've seen this year and the last few in general.

Fringe area play calling/scoring -

#1 When we get around the opponent's 40-35-yard line we have an issue with getting negative plays. We end up not getting points in drives we should at least get 3 in. It's been an issue. McVay needs to do some deep diving into this issue and come up with some ideas. One key focus area is not getting or taking sacks in these areas of the field.


#2 Letting teams flip the field after we pin them deep. We commonly let teams move the ball from inside their own 10 to midfield or borderline FG range. They do not always score, but we are not taking advantage of pinning them deep. We need to find a way to get an advantage in field position when we have the opportunity.

We held them to 260 yards and 4.5 yards per play. There wasnt much field flipping with that little offensive production from Houston

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Defence is about as good as you could ask for right now. If you exclude the Seattle game late last year when we rested our starters in preparation for the playoffs, 5 of the past 6 games we have held opponents to under 10 points. And that includes some really good rosters. That defies NFL reality. And with Landman and Poona Ford, the LB corps and run defence both seem much improved, so at this point, it's really the offense that needs work - which is wild to say, as we spend more than anyone else in the NFL on that side of the ball, and have an elite offensive coach.

We could use more red zone efficiency out of the offense. I do think that will improve with Adams in the fold.

We could also use more explosive runs when there is a big hole that opens up. That would help unlock things. Gurley was home run hitter, but you don't even need a back with that generational type of running ability. Even Tre Mason could take it to the house. With Kyren for some odd reason eating 90%+ of snaps, the lack of ever having big play potential on the ground is definitely a limiting factor for this offense. And I really like KW.

Offensive line depth needs improvement. But it feels like every team in the NFL is searching for that year in, year out. So a more realistic ask might just be better pass pro from the starters. It feels like most of our linemen are better at run blocking than pass blocking. Not ideal with an aging, injury prone QB.

Been saying it for awhile, like KW but need a home run hitter. Maybe Hunter will get activated and have a few plays? A lil extra speed never hurt anyone unless your light in the pants like Tutu

 

[RamWoodie]

McVay tried running but KW was getting stuffed at the LOS most of the day. We can’t run it every second and long.

However I do feel like we’re telegraphing our runs. I would like to see more misdirection and pulling linemen.

He runs Williams inside entirely too much ignoring the pitch out and even screen plays. When he pitched out to Williams it was a TD. Hes,gonna wear down Willams constantly running inside.

McVay also ignores the TE too much for my taste and he has talent at that position.

Having said that, McVay is a very good coach. Those are just things I've noticed

 

[Jacobarch]

Offensive game planning is my biggest gripe right now.

McVay over the last several years has become somewhat stagnate on the offensive side of the ball. It's not that the Rams lack playmakers, but I think we're lacking the general wherewithal of offensive flow throughout a game, especially in the first half.

For example; there were several times that the Rams drove down the field only to get pass happy on the 20 or so yard line. I don't get McVays mind set on going away from what's working that got him there. He does get better at setting things up as the game progresses. But our inability to put points on the board in the first two quarters is and has been a problem for a couple of seasons now and it's going to limit our ability to compete at an elite level if this trend continues.

Creativity has been lacking for sometime in this scheme and I really think it's our biggest hindrance atm, I think McVay has to bring in some new coaches to start whispering in his ear.

 

[Jacobarch]

He runs Williams inside entirely too much ignoring the pitch out and even screen plays. When he pitched out to Williams it was a TD. Hes,gonna wear down Willams constantly running inside.

McVay also ignores the TE too much for my taste and he has talent at that position.

Having said that, McVay is a very good coach. Those are just things I've noticed

One thing I'll say to this, is we don't know if McVay ignores TE's or if it's Stafford

 

[Jacobarch]

The field flip is frustrating with the bend don't break Defenses IMO. It felt like the teams timing was off by just a bit. IMO I think the Defense will click in a few games and they will be ending plays behind the line.

This ^^

Do you think we have the players / scheme to run more of a break an offense philosophy? We don't play a lot of Man 2 Man coverage and w/ all the running and mobile QB's in todays NFL I can understand why. But needless to say, the Rams Defense does give up flipping the field far too often, and I don't think it's a player thing, I think it's a scheme thing. Not sure what we could do to fix this issue.