Bonsignore: Analyzing 4 biggest storylines for Rams’ 2019 season

Analyzing the four biggest storylines for the Rams’ 2019 season

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1188827/2019/09/06/analyzing-the-4-biggest-storylines-for-the-rams-2019-season/?=twittered

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Toward the end of OTAs, it struck me that the Rams were acting nothing like a team trying to recover from the hangover of a heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

I approached the Rams’ offseason looking for any little clue that the loss had broken their spirit. Not permanently, mind you, but enough to leave a lasting wound that might take a season to fully heal.

“Imagine spending two whole weeks anticipating the most euphoric professional feeling ever, only to have to deal with the most unimaginable pain,” is how an NFL insider who experienced a devastating Super Bowl loss explained the deep and painful valley the Rams would have to climb out of.

Yet as I observed the Rams flying all over the field during OTAs with focus, purpose and ambition, their demeanor was all high-energy. Almost like they were more focused on using the pain of the Super Bowl to fuel a follow-up run rather than letting it suffocate them.

Just to be make my eyes weren’t deceiving me, I texted a Rams coach to pass along my observations.

“Am I on the right track?” I asked in conclusion.

“Absolutely,” was the gist of immediate response. “Look, I’m not going to guarantee we’ll win 13 games like we did last year, but the way everyone has attacked this offseason, from the players and the coaching staff, we have a chance to eventually be a better team this year than last year.”

In the three months since then, nothing has altered that perception. And while the Rams kept their key players in protective wrap through the four preseason games, leaving only images from training-camp practices to glean information, they certainly appear in a good place spiritually, mentally and physically.

It would be a shock if any hangover from the Super Bowl lingered long enough to compromise their 2019 objectives.

That said, as their regular-season opener rapidly approaches there are questions that need to be answered. Both micro and macro.

“I think there’s a curiosity just about our team,” coach Sean McVay said. “How are we going to play? How are we going to adjust? What are some of the things we’re going to see from them, offensively, defensively, special teams? So I think there’s a curiosity and excitement and anticipation of just getting a chance to play real football.”

We have a few questions and thoughts, too. So here is what we’ll be focused on Sunday when the Rams open their season against the Carolina Panthers.

Todd Gurley and his knee

McVay said Thursday that Todd Gurley is not on any pitch count or play count Sunday. Nevertheless, given the Rams’ objective of managing Gurley’s workload with an eye on avoiding the knee-injury pitfall he experienced last season, I expect some sort of modified usage plan to be baked into the game plans this year, especially early in the season.

The fascinating question is, what exactly will that look like on game day?

Gurley played 825 snaps across 14 games last year — 86 percent of the Rams’ total in those games — and averaged 18.2 carries and six pass targets per game. Of those 825 plays, 30 percent resulted in a run carry and 10 percent in a pass target. He was second only to quarterback Jared Goff in touch percentage and utilization percentage.

In order to preserve Gurley for the long haul and protect his surgically repaired left knee, the Rams appear intent on lowering some of those numbers.

On Sunday, we will finally get some idea what that actually means in terms of carries and targets, and how much more playing time Malcolm Brown and rookie Darrell Henderson will get as a result.

But it will be a surprise if there isn’t a tangible difference in how McVay utilizes his star running back.

It might not guarantee that Gurley will get through a full season completely healthy, but it should put him in a better position to deal with the bumps and bruises of a grueling NFL season.

Remember, Gurley was in contention for a second straight NFL Offensive Player of the Year award before getting injured against the Eagles in early December. The thinking is, the combination of a couple of big hits he absorbed against the Eagles and his heavy usage over the previous 13 games created a situation in which the injury took longer than normal to heal. It’s that sort of scenario the Rams hope to avoid.

Gurley has looked healthy and active throughout training camp and in practice preparations for the regular season. And the Rams helped him along — and will continue to do so — by giving him regularly scheduled practice days off during the season.

Upheaval on the offensive line

The Rams benefitted from an exceptional amount of good fortune and continuity on their offensive line the last two years. That, combined with the overall talent of the group, resulted in the line grading out among the best in the NFL the last two seasons.

That can’t be understated when explaining the Rams’ two straight division titles, their appearance in last season’s Super Bowl and the growth and success of Goff, Gurley and the NFL’s highest-scoring offense from 2017 to 2018.

It’s indisputable that it all started up front.

That is about to change in a big way, at least in terms of the names, but that group remains as pivotal to the Rams’ success as any on the team.

The Rams are breaking in two new starters this year, with Joe Noteboom replacing long-time veteran Rodger Saffold at left guard and Brian Allen taking over for John Sullivan at center. And while there is hope they can seamlessly step into two big pairs of shoes — and perhaps provide an upgrade, in Allen’s case — that remains to be seen.

Bottom line, while the Rams are confident Noteboom and Allen are up to the challenge, it remains TBD. And given the way the Rams handled their preseason — no offensive starters played — it’s cause for a bit of angst.

“I think they’re ready to go,” said Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. “It’s going to be a work in progress throughout the year, I’m sure, like any offense. Even when we had veterans last year, it was still a work in progress from Game 1 to the end. I’m sure that’ll be the same situation here, but I think Joe and Brian working against our defense (in practice) is very game-like. The players they have to play against, the intensity that our defense plays with, as well as practicing against the Chargers, practicing against Oakland, gave them two different schemes and two different techniques they could work against. I think they got a lot of work and we’re looking forward to the game.”

Jared Goff’s development (and high expectations)

The Rams made it abundantly clear this week they are ready to ride with Goff as their franchise quarterback well into the future. His new four-year contract extension keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2024 season and fully guarantees him $110 million. He is the unquestioned face of the franchise — in the present and future — and the Rams view this contract both as an investment in his potential and as a reward for past achievements.

“It’s just the start,” McVay said. “This isn’t a finality. This is just the start of him continuing to grow, continuing to lead us. What he’s done over the last couple years, it’s been a blessing for me to be able to work with him and I think all of his teammates are excited about that.”

The more Goff grows, the more responsibility he will assume in the Rams’ offense. The transition began last year, and as Goff approaches the prime of his career — and his third, fourth and fifth years working with McVay — his understanding, command and control of the offense and the line of scrimmage will emerge more and more.

“I know we’ve become monotonous, but the more that your quarterback can become an extension of the coaching staff, the more ownership he has, the better off you are,” McVay said. “I think you always want to strive to have a situation where the players have the true ownership over what’s getting done, and the coaches work in unison with them to figure out the best ways to operate. That’s not exclusive to offense, that goes both ways. Naturally, the quarterback position is thrust into that leadership role where you’re running the communication, based on your command of the huddle and all those things. To really make a simple answer in what you asked, he does have a lot more control based on his ownership as he continues to gain confidence, and really, ownership of the system.”

Goff has taken decisive steps forward in each of his two seasons under McVay and has shown a strong penchant for fixing problematic issues from one year to the next. As has McVay.

Remember how Goff struggled two years ago in the playoffs against the Atlanta Falcons, leaving some people to wonder if he simply couldn’t handle a Cover 3 defensive look?

McVay, Goff and the Rams worked all last offseason on improving against the scheme, and in 2018, Goff shredded the Seahawks, Cowboys, Chargers and 49ers, all of whom utilize it.

Similarly, there is no doubt Goff struggled last year operating under pressure and against zone coverage looks — the Super Bowl against the Patriots being the glaring example — which created a narrative that both factors are the keys to slowing him down.

The Rams spent a lot of time this past offseason and training camp simulating those situations and defensive looks, and the hope inside their building is that, much like the work they put in against Cover 3, Goff and the Rams will be much better prepared to face the type of defenses the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions and Patriots used against them last year.

If so, expect Goff to take another step forward.

The new veterans on defense

The Rams went outside their building for reinforcements just three times during the offseason, once to add backup quarterback Blake Bortles, the former Jacksonville Jaguars starter.

They also netted two savvy and experienced defensive starters in safety Eric Weddle and outside linebacker Clay Matthews, both of whom are being counted for major contributions.

The Southern California natives instructed their agents to work out deals with the Rams after their stints ended in Baltimore and Green Bay, respectively. And while both are on the back nine of their careers, both believe that the shot in the arm provided by a return home to play on a Super Bowl contending team will supply the necessary juice.

Both looked good in training camp, and judging by the way defensive coordinator Wade Phillips lined them up at various spots on the field, he’s got a vision for how he plans to deploy and utilize them.

Weddle will now be the defensive play-caller and will be a big factor in pass, run defense and rushing the passer. Expect Matthews to get plenty of chances to do what he does best — rush the quarterback.

“One of the things I noticed is, he puts his guys in positions to succeed,” Matthews said of Phillips. “You can’t help but, for me personally, look at what he was able to do in Denver with (Broncos OLB) Von (Miller) and (former OLB) DeMarcus (Ware). DeMarcus serving nine, 10 years with Dallas and then going over there and having the same amount of success.

“One of the things he allows us to do as playmakers is to play to our ability. Sometimes when you’re in certain defenses they want you to do certain things, but here, it’s all about making plays and playing to your ability and making plays. He allows us to do that and I think that’s what allows his defenses to be so successful.”

The Rams are counting on these veteran signings to pay big dividends as they attempt to identify and acquire talent that fits under their growing payroll. There’s a good chance that when we look back at these signings, they will be seen as sneaky, shrewd moves.

The bottom line

The Rams will kick off their season by earning a tough road win over the Panthers. I’m thinking somewhere along the lines of 27-17.

I do not expect them to match or exceed their 13-win total from 2018. Too much has to go perfectly right — including health — and they face some tough teams on the road like the Panthers, Steelers, Falcons and Seahawks. Perhaps even include the Browns.

But I do expect the Rams to be a better overall team than they were last year.

Will that be enough to get them back to the Super Bowl?

Stay tuned.