Rams Q&A: Rich Hammond

Rams Q&A: Rich Hammond
https://theathletic.com/1446993/2019/12/09/live-qa-with-rams-writer-rich-hammond-on-tuesday-from-1-to-2-p-m-pt-3/?source=twittered

Do you think that the Rams were willing to lose games in order to have a fresh Gurley? Or do you think that they thought that they had enough pieces in place to win even with limitations on his touches?

By no means were they willing to lose games. But yes, I think they had a plan and, on some level(s) overestimated what they had with a) their offensive line, b) their ability to handle defenses that had altered their schemes to slow down the Rams’ attack and c) the impact all of this would have on Goff. In cutting back on Gurley, the Rams changed their entire offensive identity, and the entire offense suffered because of it. Maybe it had to happen, but it certainly impacted things.

Who would you say this team’s MVP is? For the first 8 weeks it was obviously Kupp. Now it’s not as obvious. Could it be Fowler?

That’s a great question. It certainly was Kupp at midseason. Now, you’re right, it must be someone from the defensive side. I’d probably still go with Aaron Donald — how’s that for an easy answer? — because while Fowler has indeed been very productive, it’s the noise made by Donald up front that allows Fowler to have a lot of that time and space. Fowler has been stellar in some games but quiet in others. Donald brings it every week and that Rams’ defense revolves around him at all times.

do you believe the OL can be further built despite the team’s draft capital and cap situation?

There’s just been so much instability and movement along the line that it’s hard to say anything declarative at this point. But, all positives of late. I’m a fan of Bobby Evans and I’m bullish on his future. Blythe appears to be settling in at center. The big question they’ll have is at left tackle. Will Whitworth come back for another year at a lower salary? If not, as you noted, they don’t really have the picks or money to go out and get a top-level replacement, and I’m not sure any of the internal guys are completely ready to slide into that spot. A year ago at this time, it looked as though Blythe would be the long-term answer at RG. Then he struggled early this season, moved to center and thrived there. Corbett has been a positive surprise and I definitely think he will be in the mix for a position next season.

How much has Jalen Ramsey impacted this Rams defense? Statistics-wise and scheme-wise?

Huge. It’s not just the secondary. In fact, it might not even primarily be the secondary. Ramsey allows the Rams to play a much more aggressive type of defense and that benefits the front seven and gives them those extra half-seconds they need to get to the QB. So you’re probably not seeing it show up in the “obvious” areas, such as interceptions, but this is the type of defense the Rams prefer, and I guarantee that if you asked a guy like Fowler or Matthews, they would tell you that they love playing with Ramsey.

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I thought the Seattle game presented a very interesting and revealing contrast. In the first half, [Goff] looked calm in the pocket (or even on the move, when McVay rolled him out), he kept his eyes downfield and he stepped into throws with confidence. Things got a little skittish in the second half, although he righted himself in the fourth quarter during that big 95-yard TD drive. I think the rollouts have helped Jared a lot and, while he certainly has not been perfect, we’ve seen some true improvement in the second half of the season.

Troy Hill has been really great. I’ve been a critic of his consistency in the past, but the man has done the job. Full marks to him.

Flowers was ready to make that tackle and he was in good position, and Gurley just dropped him without hesitation. One of the better I’ve seen.

The Rams got a lot of people excited in Henderson because of the way they talked about him right after the draft, but all things considered, I think Malcolm Brown remains the better option for when it’s not Gurley’s time.

Havenstein is an interesting one. I think we will start to get some hints over the last couple weeks of the regular season here, because he will be able to return at some point, but Bobby Evans has been playing well. I don’t really think either of those linemen is in position to slide over to left tackle, and I don’t see either of them going to guard either, so if the Rams have confidence in Evans, then things get interesting with Havenstein. He carries more than $6 million in dead-cap money for 2020, so that’s not a cut.

We’ve seen all season how important it is to have a cohesive, successful offensive line. The Rams finally seem to be getting there, so I don’t think this is the time to make a change. And that’s not a knock on Havenstein. I just don’t think you mess with something until there’s a reason to do so.

The field goals have been an issue. I can’t remember the last one I saw get blocked, and as I’ve noted on social media, Zuerlein has been spotty with those mid-range field goals. Haven’t noticed any real issues in kickoffs or on punt coverage. I don’t want to speak ill of the injured but I wasn’t a big fan of Natson as a punt returner.

The Rams held the 49ers to 20 points the first time and the offense is better now, and the 49ers also are going through some real injury difficulties right now. I easily could see this game going 24-21 in the Rams’ favor. That said, I still think the 49ers will be favored, and deserve to be favored. But I’ve said for the last couple weeks now that the Rams have the template for success. They might not be able to follow it the way they’d like every week, but the formula is there on both sides of the ball.

[cooks] will continue to be a part of things. It just hasn’t been a part of the offense to get those deep routes involved. Going forward, he can still be a big part of the attack, but the Rams are going to have to decide what their identity is as a team in 2020. Right now, it’s working — and by “right now” I mean the last two weeks — but it looks very different than it did in 2017 and 2018. Will it continue that way?

I’ll cut off something at the pass here, though. Cooks has an enormous dead-cap figure for 2020. If you think the Rams are going to cut him, or even be able to trade him for anything of real value, I wish you well with that.