Chiefs game, reactions

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  • August 21, 2016 at 8:56 am #51284
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    I will start it off with some random thotz.

    First, some good stats.

    In 2 ps games now the Rams have run the ball 54 times for 278 yards, or 5.15 a carry. That includes running 29 times for 139 yards against a tough KC defense (which is 4.8 a carry). I think we have seen enough in 2 weeks to know that the Rams have keepers in Cunningham, Brown, and (IMO) also Green. In fact I cannot think of the last time the Rams were THIS deep at RB. What makes this even more fun is that each of those 3 has a completely different style, AND they did not spend a draft pick on any one of the 3. PS McGee got some time too and he is mediocre. That’s their depth here. It takes all the way down the roster to back #5 before you come up with the kind of mediocre back who used to be what the Rams would have at #2 some years.

    In 115 attempts, the Rams offense has 3 sacks and therefore a sack percentage of 2.6%. I don’t know how solid or longlasting that is, but last year in the regular season, 2.6% would have ranked higher than 1st (Ravens were first in 2015 with 3.4%). But…Denver will be a much bigger test for this.

    In the redzone, the Rams are 7-7. 7 trips inside the 20 in 2 games, and 7 TDs. That’s regardless of the qb…Keenum, Mannion, Goff.

    Bad stat:

    They were penalized 9 times in that game (most of which came during a 3rd quarter defensive meltdown though there were special teams penalties too). The good part of this is that very few of those are offensive penalties–false starts, holding, procedural stuff. I think they can fix the problem with eager second string defensive linemen getting called for offsides. Anyway fwiw at this point last year after 2 ps games the Rams had 19 penalties, and this year they have 11.

    They also have a pretty low YPA (6.1, 3 qbs 2 games).

    Observations

    Goff was a mess early on but I just think that gets worked out. He had some throws there where you go the last time I saw a ball thrown like that it was for a great qb on a different team. He has a much livelier, quicker arm than Warner and a stronger arm than Bulger. To my eye he is smoother and quicker in everything than Bradford. But that’s just physical stuff. I think based on his college career he has the mindset and game smarts and instincts to be a good one. But…that stuff, right now, is slower to reveal itself.

    Keenum has made himself into this confident, efficient machine. He knows his limitations and knows how to work around them just by being smart and dedicated. I have no problems with him holding down the fort until Goff is ready. (On the other hand if Goff is ready week 1 I have no problems with that either.)

    #35, the rookie safety Jordan, single-handedly won the game with 2 heads-up, instinctive plays in a row. Jordan got a lot of post-draft buzz as a good UDFA signing.

    I thought Robinson was fine but as a rule I am not a dedicated OL minutia junkie. He just seemed to be fine.

    Rams are going to have a rabble at WR. I bet they rotate them all season. Looks to me like they have enough to help sustain a good play action offense, but if they have a 1000 yarder on the team, we won’t know it this year.

    The Rams are so deep at DL it’s almost ludicrous. There were whole years where the Rams D could barely scrape together having one top starter, and now their 3rd string is better than entire starting units from some years past.

    Okay enough. I mean I thought of more but that’s enough. I look forward to reading others.

    August 21, 2016 at 9:38 am #51295
    NewMexicoRam
    Participant

    Thanks for the taking the starting block, zn.
    Good comments.
    My short thoughts:
    1. The O-line will be fine. I’m an O-line first type of guy and I think they are showing what we need to see.
    2. RB’s are solid. I hope they keep Gurley, too! 🙂
    3. The offense does need more consistency on drives, but I’m more certain they will more this year than I’ve seen in the recent past. The one’s have not been out there much and we see some rising stars who will help immediately.
    4. D penalties. What was up with all the offsides? It looked like they were starving and the meat was hanging from the QB. And Ayers, a vet at that?
    5. The passing game has pretty much been kept under cover so far. Not much with longer passes yet. Keenum will not be a threat to air it out. That pass to Brit with the PI was way under thrown. Once Goff gets up to speed, the longer passes will return.
    6. Goff struggled. Obviously. But I think he is the answer we’ve been waiting for. We just have to wait longer. I’m fine with that.
    7. WR is still a work in progress. I hope time helps, as we don’t have a #1 pick next year. I just hope the Rams can keep their defense strong while we wait on the O to gel, as that is the key to a SB team.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by NewMexicoRam.
    August 21, 2016 at 9:48 am #51298
    Avatar photowv
    Participant

    Didnt see the game, just the highlites. Goff looked ultra-talented to me.
    Just looks like the mental-game is not there yet, but he looked like a no.1 pick to me. Just a matter of time.

    Thing is, he needs reps. I don’t think he’s gonna learn much on the bench behind Keenum. So, do you lose games with Goff, while he learns, or scratch out wins with Keenum, while Goff doesnt get the reps?

    Brown is a surprise to me. He looks like this burly-beast, but he’s kinda nimble
    and showed good soft hands. Inter esting.

    w
    v

    August 21, 2016 at 10:03 am #51301
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    wv wrote:

    Didnt see the game, just the highlites. Goff looked ultra-talented to me.
    Just looks like the mental-game is not there yet, but he looked like a no.1 pick to me. Just a matter of time.

    NewMexicoRam wrote:

    Goff struggled. Obviously. But I think he is the answer we’ve been waiting for. We just have to wait longer. I’m fine with that

    +1, as they say.

    I did see the game and Goff is just all rookied up. But you can still see the bright lights shining through all those temporary clouds.

    August 21, 2016 at 10:49 am #51306
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
    Participant

    I don’t see anyone stopping this run game. The D doesn’t look right just yet. I watched live on Game Pass and had to listen to K.C announcers just awful . It was like they wouldn’t even mention a Rams player’s name and holding interviews during the game completely ignoring the Rams play.Worse than the infamous preseason Browns game a few years back.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:00 am #51309
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator

    I agree on Goff. He has the physical tools, and the mentality, as far as I can tell. But he is a boy. I think when he starts to grow whiskers, he could be a good one. My concern at this point is that they start him too soon, and he gets mentally damaged – loses confidence. Let’s hope Weinke is a good psychologist.

    I am also in the School of Not Caring whether it’s Keenum or Goff this year. I was perfectly content to go with Keenum and Mannion this year, and spend the #1 on a WR. Keenum is not a Pro Bowl guy, but he is steady and reliable. He doesn’t make bonehead mistakes. Like someone said, he knows who he is, and he plays with that knowledge. So I woulda been fine without Goff. But there are signs in that green, green boy that he can play the game.

    I thought it was a good sign that the second TD drive (10 plays, 79 yards) was executed without Gurley on the field, and without Tavon touching the ball even once.

    I like what I see of Cooper. He looks like another Little Engine that Could.

    Speaking of which…no Spruce sighting last night. I was a bit surprised by that, and also by the lack of time for Green and Mannion. On the QBs, they may have been compensating for the Cowboys game when Goff didn’t get the time they wanted for him, and Mannion got more, but why didn’t we see Spruce or Green? Maybe Spruce was there, and Goff never targeted him. I dunno.

    Brian Quick. I’m not sure when the sand runs out in that glass, but the guy better start catching the ball soon. Not every throw to him is going to be perfect, but sometimes you just gotta go Malcolm Brown on the throw, and catch it. I would think we are approaching Now or Never with Quick.

    Hope Westbrooks and Marquez are okay. Neither one looked very good. Marquez let out one of those yells that is usually bad news.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:06 am #51312
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator
    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    I don’t see anyone stopping this run game. The D doesn’t look right just yet. I watched live on Game Pass and had to listen to K.C announcers just awful . It was like they wouldn’t even mention a Rams player’s name and holding interviews during the game completely ignoring the Rams play.Worse than the infamous preseason Browns game a few years back.

    Yep, and yep. Watching the D give up opening drive TDs in both games is disappointing. No Quinn sightings yet, but still. And Ogletree has been largely invisible, though I don’t know if that’s a bad sign, or not. I just know I saw a lot of him last year up until his injury.

    Yeah, the KC announcers obviously did not care enough to prepare for the game. Seemed like they knew the names and numbers of about 10 – 15 Rams. The highlight of their coverage was the interview with the Modern Family guy. He was pretty funny. But I started muting the game at times because of the announcers.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:17 am #51313
    PA Ram
    Participant

    I followed the game on a very delayed radio broadcast, the NFL.Com highlights and the chat room so take that for what it’s worth.

    But here are some thoughts:

    First of all–I miss Steve Savard on the radio broadcasts. He was very good. J.B. Long is just another guy–but Savard was really good. Farr is reduced to sideline reporter. So he’s there, but he isn’t. Maurice Jones-Drew is the other guy and he is…okay. Nothing special. Not terrible. I’d rather have a former Ram there.

    NFL.Com is okay for some stats and highlights.

    The chat room was fine. Ag brought his “A” game as usual and “as usual” ZN could barely contain his cheerleading efforts. Explaining away the dismal time of possession–ZN insisted that the Rams “wanted to get a look at the defensive guys”. When Goff fumbled he explained that this was simply a “new passing style they were trying out”, something that LOOKS like a fumble but would have gone for a touchdown if only Quick was where he was supposed to be at the time. The penalties were for “pre-season” infractions–just stuff the NFL was trying out and would not have been penalties during the regular season.

    I was brilliant of course and correctly predicted the Rams would win this one 21-20 when the last three seconds were running off the clock. It’s a gift I have for these kind of things. I can’t explain it.

    As for the team–I do agree with ZN about the running game–very impressive. Mason picked the right time for his meltdown. The Rams are loaded.

    Wish I could say that about wide receiver–but once again–Quick shows his inconsistency. I hope the young guys come through.

    The secondary has me a bit concerned but Troy Hill had a nice game I hear. They need some guys to step up.

    Next game is the BIG pre-season game, I guess. #3. Good test.

    They certainly need to make sure that Keenum is ready because he is obviously going to be the starter for a little while. I expect him to play the first half. Goff the second. Mannion will see some more time in Game #4.

    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

    August 21, 2016 at 11:20 am #51314
    Avatar photojoemad
    Participant

    Brian Quick. I’m not sure when the sand runs out in that glass, but the guy better start catching the ball soon. Not every throw to him is going to be perfect, but sometimes you just gotta go Malcolm Brown on the throw, and catch it. I would think we are approaching Now or Nevwe

    I think I’ve had it with this guy.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:21 am #51315
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    i did not get to see keenum. only saw goff.

    really just paid attention to goff and the oline.

    my impression is that the oline will be fine. in the pass and the run. i think grob will be fine although i would like to see him against that denver defense.

    goff looked bad that second quarter but picked it up in the third. i think he’s rushing himself. he’s feeling the pressure a little bit of trying to beat keenum for the starting job week one. but i also saw him settle down and make some wicked throws. now i don’t know if he meant to throw it to the receivers outside shoulder on the touchdown but if he did it was brilliant. throw it to the inside shoulder and he leads the receiver into 2 defenders. throw it outside and he leads the receiver away and into the endzone. again i don’t know if he did that on purpose but if he did it was brilliant.

    i also felt that his receivers let him down on a couple throws.

    as far as his confidence? i don’t know. part of me thinks he would take off if they just handed him the reigns. i don’t worry that it would damage him unless i felt the oline was in shambles. but i think the oline is fine.

    but part of me feels they should make him earn it. nothing wrong with either choice.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:28 am #51316
    sdram
    Participant

    Direct TV had the Rams listed as a 9 PM CST start on NFL network – I checked the channel at 8:30 PM or so and it was already about the end of the first quarter – and about when Goff entered the game. Not the end of the world but still – made me whine a little bit. Had a hard time understanding Marshall, Eric D, and Rutigliano’s broadcast – most of the time they seemed to be talking about Golf and his development but with my 75% hearing loss it was difficult to understand what they were referring to. The switching back and forth to the indi game was a pain in the butt too.

    I thought I noticed that the Rams seemed to play their starting secondary much later in the game than the starting front 7. It will be interesting to see this weeks snap count listing. The secondary looked to be a bit under manned and disorganized to me. Tru got beat again down the sidelines.

    I was happy they kept Goff in most of the game. He looks to me like he needs the reps just to acclimate to his teammates\receivers and real time situations. What about Quick? Another drop or two and then what looked like a few solid catches. Seems like he wasn’t ready for the speed or quick pitch nature of a couple of Goff’s passes I thought Goff did fine except for the half ass scramble to his left that could have resulted in another pick and the fumble. Should have tucked and ducked both times. But, you know, a competitor never gives up easily.

    So, when I woke up at 5:30 AM with a quad cramp, those are so much fun. Anyway after I was able to breathe again I watched the first quarter that I had taped again at 4 AM. Rams run d looked better than last week, pass d looked kind of shitty. Alex Smith played most of the first half as did the Rams secondary from that I could tell. Smith won that battle. Tru is allowing receivers to get behind him. That’s not a good thing.

    Anyway – onto week 3.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by sdram.
    August 21, 2016 at 12:09 pm #51318
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I just wrote down a couple short notes after the game.

    Quick had 2 drops. Goff had 2 fumbles. Thomas is not a kr guy. Goff to Brown, good pass and catch for the winning TD. The offensive line looked good. We have 4 RBs that can run and catch. Hemingway had a good catch and run. We still need to sort out the WRs and decide on a backup Center. imo

    Hill #32 and Jordan #35 are making a bid to make the opening day roster. C’mon Ayers, make a play.

    Spruce is injured, zooey. We don’t think it serious, but he is in a knee brace. It happened last game. Goff needed the work worse than Mannion. Green has his time last week, it was Brown’s turn. imo

    Agamemnon

    August 21, 2016 at 3:34 pm #51332
    Ozoneranger
    Participant

    I watched the game- Goff is like a bone in chicken after 30 minutes in the oven. You know it’s going to be good, but he’s just not ready yet. I really hope they don’t start him at Levi’s. Too often teams throw a kid in there too early and wind up destroying him. The Rams now have a talented roster and can be patient, unlike the Bradford era.

    I was impressed by Keenum- usually I’m not. He’s Blaine Gabbert. But I now agree with the consensus- He can guide this offense efficiently until Goff is ready take the reigns. I really wanted to see more of Mannion, though. We know what we have in Keenum.

    After two games, I think it’s clear the guy they hired to design the passing game knows what he’s about. We won’t see the offense go all Chuck Knox this year. The Rams mixed things up really well.

    Now let’s see how the D goes next week.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:08 pm #51349
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    keenum has an offensive line that appears to be solid. a running back with potential for superstardom. he just needs to find a couple reliable receivers and i think they’ll be in good shape.

    August 21, 2016 at 11:10 pm #51350
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    they also have tavon to provide unpredictability.

    they’re close. i don’t think a rams qbs has enjoyed this kind of supporting cast in some time.

    August 22, 2016 at 12:13 am #51355
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    PA Ram wrote:

    The chat room was fine. Ag brought his “A” game as usual and “as usual” ZN could barely contain his cheerleading efforts.

    Remember, that was me responding to your statements about the soul-sucking empty pit of despair that yawns like an abyss beneath the feet of Rams fans everywhere, robbing them of all joy and sense of life. If I recall that was your response to a Brian Quick drop.

    GUNN: Elevator just opened up into a howling abyss. You ever heard a howling abyss? Terrible.

    August 22, 2016 at 10:47 am #51374
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    zn wrote:

    In the redzone, the Rams are 7-7. 7 trips inside the 20 in 2 games, and 7 TDs. That’s regardless of the qb…Keenum, Mannion, Goff.

    For a bit of a comparison. Last year after 2 ps games the Rams were 3-7 in the redzone.

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