Awakening of Rams' offense under Case Keenum is reason for optimism

Awakening of Rams’ offense under Case Keenum is reason for optimism

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/game-732920-rams-offense.html

LONDON – One of the twisted ironies of the two-game losing streak the Rams carried with them on their trip abroad is the manner in which the losses were accumulated.

The Rams have made it pretty easy over the years to explain their frustrating shortcomings. You can’t win when you can’t consistently put points on the board, now can you?

The finger, then, was invariably pointed at the offense.

Not so this time around. In fact, it’s the defense that’s been the weak link.

That’s an alarming development considering the frequency with which the Rams have to lean on their defense to carry the day. And if it keeps up, the season is in danger of plunging into some dark and dangerous waters.

On the other hand, the Rams defense will eventually get back their injured players, of which there are many. And when Michael Brockers, Robert Quinn and Trumaine Johnson make healthy returns, there’s every reason to believe the entire unit will settle back into the dominating group they were during the recent three-game winning streak.

Quinn has a good chance to do that Sunday against the New York Giants. And while Brockers and Johnson have already been ruled out, both seem to be in line to return after the bye week coming up.

When they do, they might find a very different and capable offense to partner with.

Which brings up back to the rather ironic silver lining of the Rams’ two-game slide.

Believe it or not, an offense that laid dormant for most of the first month is suddenly showing signs of awakening.

Specifically, the performance they delivered in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions in which Case Keenum and the passing game were humming and Todd Gurley and the running game were more efficient than at any point this season.

If not underused, in Gurley’s case.

Point being, the offense played well for the second straight week.

But when the scoreboard glares down mockingly at you as it did against the Bills and Lions, it’s not always proper to talk about positives. The Rams are in the business of winning, after all. And the bottom-line nature of their business makes pointing out favorable aspects of otherwise losing efforts unbecoming.

But the facts are the facts.

Keenum had moments of excellence against the Lions, at one point completing 19 consecutive passes before finishing 27 of 32 for 321 yards and three touchdowns.

In fact, he was so much in the proverbial zone the consecutive completion streak escaped his attention.

“Nobody knew how well he was doing until after the game,” guard Rodger Saffold said. “He didn’t even know it, and he was the one throwing ’em.”

And they sprouted across the entire passing tree: Perfectly delivered long balls. Well-timed out routes. Midfield dimes. Slant throws into tight windows.

It’s easy to point out Keenum’s shortcomings. And we certainly have through the first four games when he and the offense seemed stuck in second gear.

It’s only right we point out when he does good.

“He’s been doing a great job getting better every week, as you can see,” Gurley said.

A big reason the offense hasn’t been to blame lately.

“Guys are playing hard,” Keenum said. “You saw (receiver) Kenny (Britt), the runs after the catches. From the first play of the game I thought we ran the ball really well. Really, look at the offensive line, I don’t think there were really any sacks and I wasn’t on the ground very much at all. They played extremely well, we have got to continue that. We have got to build on that.”

Points are up to 18 per game – still fifth-worst in the league but better by two points than this time two weeks ago. And certainly getting closer to the 21-point level they’ll need reach to marry offense with defense in a way that legitimately wins games.

No one from that side of the ball can come right out and say it – there’s that word unbecoming again – but the Rams have noticed what’s obvious to everyone else: The offense seems to have turned a corner.

“I think we’re building on confidence,” Keenum said.” I think confidence and momentum is a big deal in this league. I think the offensive line has confidence in each other. I have confidence in them. Todd’s growing in that as well. All aspects, with the receiving corps as well – those guys running their routes. I’m confident they’re going to be where they need to be and they’re going to go up and make plays, where I can throw the ball up at times and let them make a play.”

Added tight end Lance Kendricks: “We’ve been moving the ball around, getting it to everybody. We’ve been getting the run game going also. We’re kind of working on all phases.”

And while Gurley hasn’t gotten untracked in a manner befitting the reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year, a closer inspection reveals definite reasons to be optimistic.

He averaged 4.1 yards per carry against the Lions, albeit on just 14 carries. Ideally the Rams would like to elevate that number by 10 or so, but with the Lions stacking the line of scrimmage to stop him and Keenum clicking so well in the pass game, the decision to check out of run plays to passes wasn’t just as easy one, it was the right one.

“We’re just continuing to work,” Saffold said. “Last week against the Lions, we had one of the best run-efficient games of the season. We only had 14 rushes. We had more called, but when you load the box, we were able to throw outside. It was just a team game. At the end of the day, the offense definitely improved.”

The Rams hope that continues this week against the Giants.

And they wouldn’t mind boasting about it a little bit after a win.