Rams tweets … 7/16 thru 7/20

What is your expectation for Austin Corbett in his new role at center?

jrodrigue602 Jourdan Rodrigue
I’m approaching this move with a blank slate, because while I think Austin is a super talented lineman in general, I remain concerned about the Rams creating two questions via one position change. I think I was surprised that Blythe ultimately chose to go elsewhere – but my sense is that there was going to be a position battle at center with McVay wanting to shift philosophy/style of player a little bit there. Depth is a big question.

How has the linebacker group started to shape out

jrodrigue602 Jourdan Rodrigue
One cool thing about Ernest was that the Rams used their own data on him vs. some of the pre-draft testing measurables…and he kept getting comped to Jordan Fuller, in terms of being a steal/the public data not quite illustrating who the player is. I didn’t see a ton of him in the spring (he’s yet to sign his deal but it’s happening soon and nothing to be concerned about, just procedural) but in camp I’ll really get a better idea of how competitive he’ll be. One thing about the ILBs group – looks like they may continue to roll them in complementary pairs, with one player being bigger/more physical and the other being lighter/quicker.

What would you say are the biggest differences between the Rams and Panthers as organizations?

jrodrigue602Jourdan Rodrigue
Hmm that’s super tough, because each org is so different across the league…probably a whole dissertation to be had there…but one big difference is that the Panthers built to this amazing run in 2015, but then between injuries and attrition, couldn’t quite replicate it after that and by the time I left, between a new owner, new GM, new team president, new coach and new QB, were trying to figure out how to build a new foundation. The Rams went through that/something similar a couple of years ago and saw success VERY quickly in part because they found their coach and re-set the team-build model between coach and GM – and now have a foundation, but trying to figure out how to again take that next half-step forward…that half-step between goodness and greatness being one of the hardest things to accomplish in this league. They’ve almost got the boulder back up to the top of the hill, and are trying like hell to figure out how to keep it from rolling back down again – because this league is built to push it back down.

How do you see the Rams addressing the LT position when Whitworth retires? Do you think Joe Noteboom is the longterm option at LT?

jrodrigue602 Jourdan Rodrigue
I don’t think we have a large enough sample size to determine that, but I do know that Joe is certainly putting in the work to try to get there. It’s also better for the Rams if he is the option, because they won’t have a first-rounder to draft their next franchise

I’m of the opinion that if the Rams are worse this year then McVay has to be on the hot seat in 2022.

jrodrigue602Jourdan Rodrigue
I get asked this a lot – it’s a good question. And I know the TV guys are all talking about it here and there. But if I’m being honest and going with my gut, I don’t think McVay will be on the hot seat if this gamble fails. This entire new era of the org has been built with McVay at the helm, from the team-building model to so many of the decisions being made to some of the internal overhaul most people will never hear about. I don’t think you just get rid of a guy because he fails for the first time (not counting the SB, because getting there that quickly shouldn’t be considered “failing”). I’m not speaking like, to be on his “side” – it’s just my feel for how they do things. Demoff talks a lot about how one of their best weapons is continuity – having it builds a body of data to test all new decisions against, and helps make all phases more efficient/increases success rate when such tests can be conducted. If they aren’t allowed to fail here and there, they don’t have that continuity.

𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉@Jim_Everett
Gotta win in the trenches to CONSISTENTLY win games.
Anything else is a wrong answer.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/18/rams-cooper-kupp-stats-chart-open-yac/

On Kupp

Since 2017, no receiver has gotten open more than Kupp or gained yards after the catch at a higher rate than the Rams receiver….

Kupp has been deemed “open” on more than 50% of his targets, and he gains an average of 4-plus yards after the catch – the only receiver to eclipse both thresholds.

from NFL Head Coach Power Rankings
With training camps right around the corner, a look at how the veteran coaches stack up, and how the rookies rate heading into Year One.

Conor Orr

https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/07/16/head-coach-rankings

8. Sean McVay, Rams
Trending: Neutral
Staff strength: 9

McVay’s staff is becoming a hotbed of coaching activity, though some of the more talented names, like defensive passing game coordinator Ejiro Evero, remain a well-kept secret that allows the Rams to maintain their consistency. This year could go a long way toward defining McVay as a head coach. He has proven doubters wrong at every turn. Those who said he was too young to lead a veteran locker room. Those who believed he couldn’t venture out on his own beyond the Mike Shanahan incubator. Now, we wonder if his offense can take a step with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, giving the system a less rigid, pre-programmed feel and setting the Rams up with someone who can theoretically broaden the game plan. The Rams are perpetually a Super Bowl-or-bust team, which is fine until the moment the Super Bowl begins eluding them by larger and larger distances. McVay’s team is at a crossroads; maybe the pivot toward Stafford is McVay’s version of Sean Payton acquiring Drew Brees. Maybe the Rams have ensured their spot at the front end of a very difficult division

"[Matthew Stafford] is matched up with the perfect guy in Sean McVay… They're all in, in LA. It's Super Bowl or bust for Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams right now."@LRiddickESPN says there are nothing but high expectations for the Rams in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Fy4Y6gLH41

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 19, 2021