What question do you want answered in OTAs?

[majrleaged]

Poor decision? I dont know about that. Remains to be seen how things would be different if if hadnt gotten hurt week 1. I think having a vet like Shelton helps both Limmer and Avila to possibly fill the gaps they have in their game and that one can take over the C.
If there was a decision which was less than ideal it was the signing of Jonah Jackson. I foresee both Limmer and Avila being key members of the team for quite awhile, both played exceptionally well initially and that seems to be taken for granted. Learning curve happens for everyone, just in some cases takes longer than others

The Avila move and the Jackson signing were part of the same poor decision.

 

[AZRams]

I love Limmer and appreciate him. I think he'll win the Center job this year too over Shelton. But he was the weak link there at the end.

Does not matter that it was a good season for a rook, as it pertains to the post and conversation. Does not matter that it is understandable that a rook would fuck up vs an elite DL either. The point was that the Rams' decision making on the OL has continued to haunt McVay during his time with the Rams and it did again as recently as last year.

KC has been the bets organization in the game over the last 6 years and injuries, poor depth and bad play on the OL killed two of their post-season runs and legitimately likely cost them one SB victory.

Nobody gets the OL perfect.

 

[Merlin]

Nobody gets the OL perfect.

OL is not a weakness for Reid as it is for McVay.

Reid usually gets it right because his background and knowledge of the unit. McVay has struggled with it and often has to gameplan around it.

And next someone will swoop in like I am a McVay hater. But again in context of the original post it is a truth that OL is his biggest problem area on offense.

 

[OldSchool]

OL is not a weakness for Reid as it is for McVay.

Reid usually gets it right because his background and knowledge of the unit.. McVay has struggled with it and often has to gameplan around it.

And next someone will swoop in like I am a McVay hater. But again in context of the original post it is a truth that OL is his biggest problem area on offense.

This past year the OL was a weakness and could be the main reason they got their ass kicked in the SB. This years changes are TBD

 

[Merlin]

This past year the OL was a weakness and could be the main reason they got their ass kicked in the SB. This years changes are TBD

Yes and now we get back around to the point I was in fact making that was first quoted. It is hard to make observations, even true ones, without the nuance of it ending up spiralling into other shit that isn't part of the original point.

To break from all that though... I would say that this year's line should be better, because this year they didn't do something stupid like try to shuffle roles and miss on the attempt. Of course if Avila had been a hit at Center they'd be geniuses and we may have won McVay's second title last season.

But this season in game one there won't be any BS where the boys are affected by an attempted shuffling of roles, so they should be able to polish up their games in the scrimmages and finally have a season where they start game one in good form. Which in turn should lead to the QB and skill positions being more likely to have career or high production seasons, as they will be accruing stats over the full schedule at their best production levels.

However all that aside re: Shelton I don't think the dude is the right piece at Center for a playoff run. He might be good enough, as one thing we have talked about on many occasions is that if your Guards are strong you can get away with a weak Center. They can protect him to large extent. And we are strong at Guard, or should be this season with Avila and Dotson both being focused in their main role with no bullshite distractions. Down the road, though, and as we get primed for the playoff run in those December games, my hope is Limmer will take the role.

So basically what this means is ideally Shelton will show Limmer what it looks like to nail the calls. It will show him the standard. And then his burly ass should be able to slide into the role at some point and help our line grow into a greater overall unit. That's my hope at least. If not, and if the interior of the line lets us down again, then it's going to be time to make Center a priority in the draft in 2025.

 

[dieterbrock]

The Avila move and the Jackson signing were part of the same poor decision.

Avila is a developing player. Did they plan on him getting hurt in game 1?
I guess it was a poor decision in not expecting that

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

I suspect it's pretty well accepted around here that Shelton will be the starter (whether people agree!) but I guess we can probably get that confirmed in OTAs.

Nope. It's going to be Mr. Limmer who holds on to the job and continues to start. Many forget that he didn't necessarily get first string snaps in TC last year. But he will this year and I'm anticipating his line calls to improve exponentially.

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[JonRam99]

Yes and now we get back around to the point I was in fact making that was first quoted. It is hard to make observations, even true ones, without the nuance of it ending up spiralling into other shit that isn't part of the original point.

To break from all that though... I would say that this year's line should be better, because this year they didn't do something stupid like try to shuffle roles and miss on the attempt. Of course if Avila had been a hit at Center they'd be geniuses and we may have won McVay's second title last season.

But this season in game one there won't be any BS where the boys are affected by an attempted shuffling of roles, so they should be able to polish up their games in the scrimmages and finally have a season where they start game one in good form. Which in turn should lead to the QB and skill positions being more likely to have career or high production seasons, as they will be accruing stats over the full schedule at their best production levels.

However all that aside re: Shelton I don't think the dude is the right piece at Center for a playoff run. He might be good enough, as one thing we have talked about on many occasions is that if your Guards are strong you can get away with a weak Center. They can protect him to large extent. And we are strong at Guard, or should be this season with Avila and Dotson both being focused in their main role with no bullshite distractions. Down the road, though, and as we get primed for the playoff run in those December games, my hope is Limmer will take the role.

So basically what this means is ideally Shelton will show Limmer what it looks like to nail the calls. It will show him the standard. And then his burly ass should be able to slide into the role at some point and help our line grow into a greater overall unit. That's my hope at least. If not, and if the interior of the line lets us down again, then it's going to be time to make Center a priority in the draft in 2025.

You made my point for me, thanks @Merlin

As for the OP:
1. will the offense shift to more 12 usage w/ the arrival of Ferg, or will they ease him back in?
1a. how does Higgs look, returning from his injury? is he all the way back?
2. how tight will 9 & 17 look together? OTA's already indicate they will be a deadly combo. when they were still in the NFCN they were prolly looking from the sideline goin maaan I'd love to work w/ that guy someday lol & here we are
3. what will the ILB room shake out to be? we've got 5 now, and here's hoping Reeder is looking up at them. Landman, Paul & Dolac are complete unknowns, so here's hoping at least one of them can take Reeder's place next to Speights. But this is crucial if we're going to do any better against the iggles & be able to stop long runs.
4. speaking of runs: what will the RB room look like, will we see a committee approach or keep rolling w/ KW and use BC & JH only for relief? Here's hoping we do more committee work. Excited to see what JH has to offer.
Gotta stop typing lol, but here's a bonus: just how insanely good will our DL get with the additions of Ty & Josiah? and of course Poonah? getting stouter in the middle is a must, and more speed on the edge is crucial as well. A DL of Verse - Turner - Ford - Fiske - Young w/ Stewart at ILB3 looks amazing, with Hamilton & Davis available for 1st downs & tush pushes. Lots of lineup possibilities here depending on down & dist.

 

[majrleaged]

Avila is a developing player. Did they plan on him getting hurt in game 1?
I guess it was a poor decision in not expecting that

then why didn't they put Avila in at center when Jackson was healthy. Why didn't they plan to do this year what they planned to do last year instead of going out to sign Shelton? Shelton, who we all know even the McVay knows he is lacking in physical ability or they wouldn't have let him go and tried to fill the hole with Avila. The injuries didn't help, but they got over the injuries still thought Limmer making line calling errors was better than their original plan.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Has the committee RB thing worked since Gurley left? Kyren stabilized the rushing attack but we have yet to see a true RB by committee approach.

My view is either truly manage it by committee or find and stick to the elite bell cow approach.

Kyren seems to have been getting the bell cow treatment….so what are we really doing with Corum and now Hunter?

I admit I don’t understand McVay’s approach to the RB room.

 

[Merlin]

then why didn't they put Avila in at center when Jackson was healthy. Why didn't they plan to do this year what they planned to do last year instead of going out to sign Shelton? Shelton, who we all know even the McVay knows he is lacking in physical ability or they wouldn't have let him go and tried to fill the hole with Avila. The injuries didn't help, but they got over the injuries still thought Limmer making line calling errors was better than their original plan.

Precisely correct.

What surprised me was that our OL Coach survived. Because the combination of a failed strategy that set this offense back early on, not to mention what's-his-name moonlighting as a consultant as an additional OL influence, it all seemed like a situation ripe for a firing. But maybe Hagrid (Wendell) was against that plan. Or maybe McVay is tired of changing out his OL coaches.

 

[OldSchool]

Precisely correct.

What surprised me was that our OL Coach survived. Because the combination of a failed strategy that set this offense back early on, not to mention what's-his-name moonlighting as a consultant as an additional OL influence, it all seemed like a situation ripe for a firing. But maybe Hagrid (Wendell) was against that plan. Or maybe McVay is tired of changing out his OL coaches.

Imo McVay and Wndell wanted it and agreed it was wrong. I think Shelton is 100% McVay.

 

[dieterbrock]

then why didn't they put Avila in at center when Jackson was healthy. Why didn't they plan to do this year what they planned to do last year instead of going out to sign Shelton? Shelton, who we all know even the McVay knows he is lacking in physical ability or they wouldn't have let him go and tried to fill the hole with Avila. The injuries didn't help, but they got over the injuries still thought Limmer making line calling errors was better than their original plan.

Avila missed half the season, did you not notice? Good grief. Avila was hurt, Jackson was hurt, Alaric suspended, Havenstein was hurt. How many different lineups/position switches were the Rams forced to try?
Olines need to play together to become cohesive as a unit, Limmer played well at times, as did Dedich. But you get what you get with 1st year players, nobody is turn key/pro ready.
Despite all that they still had a successful year and if bringing Shelton in to provide a Veteran Center in the mix to support the young guys, Im here for it.
Cant plan for injuries

 

[snackdaddy]

Can McVay actually complete a sentence without moving onto a different topic?

Will McVay finally switch to decaf?

 

[bubbaramfan]

Simple for me. I'd rather they start a dumbass who can halfway block and keep his guy off the QB most of the time, than a rocket scientist who can make all the calls, but can't block for shit and let's his guy hammer the QB.

 

[Merlin]

I think Shelton is 100% McVay.

Concur. He's always had a soft spot for certain dudes, and Shelton was one of them.

 

[fanotodd]

Has the committee RB thing worked since Gurley left? Kyren stabilized the rushing attack but we have yet to see a true RB by committee approach.

My view is either truly manage it by committee or find and stick to the elite bell cow approach.

Kyren seems to have been getting the bell cow treatment….so what are we really doing with Corum and now Hunter?

I admit I don’t understand McVay’s approach to the RB room.

Agree. That is why I questioned the Hunter pick and the Corum pick.
Either you’re drafting the next #1 bell cow RB, or you should not spend that high of a pick on just another horse in the stable.

 

[majrleaged]

Avila missed half the season, did you not notice? Good grief. Avila was hurt, Jackson was hurt, Alaric suspended, Havenstein was hurt. How many different lineups/position switches were the Rams forced to try?
Olines need to play together to become cohesive as a unit, Limmer played well at times, as did Dedich. But you get what you get with 1st year players, nobody is turn key/pro ready.
Despite all that they still had a successful year and if bringing Shelton in to provide a Veteran Center in the mix to support the young guys, Im here for it.
Cant plan for injuries

I noticed the same cluster you did. Doesn't mean it was a good idea. Did it work. Are they sticking with it?

 

[Flipper]

I think it is pretty clear Stafford wants Shelton as his center and that is why he is back and most definitely will start.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Stafford looking-up at Limmer and Dotson; and saying ...
"Really Guys? Most important play of the Season, and neither of you think it's a good idea to Even TRY to block This Guy. He's their best defensive player. Are you guys kidding me?! Are you Fucking Kidding Me!?!?!"