Denver game reactions from around the net

This topic has 8 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by wv.

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November 16, 2014 at 6:16 pm #11988

zn
Moderator

from off the net

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aeneas1

the rams held the league’s 2nd highest scoring offense to just 7 points today, just 7. in fact it was just the second time in 168 starts, in 10+ years worth of starts, that a p.manning led team has been held to 7 points or less during the regular season, the last time was 58 starts ago, over 3 and a half season ago. and by completely shutting down manning, including allowing just 4 of 12 3rd down conversions, the offense was able to play with a lead all day and stay within the game plan.

had the broncos, as they typically do, jumped out to a big lead things might have gone quite differently for shaun and the o.

that said, i think hill did a great job, against a very tough broncos defense, as did the entire rams offense. a td or more would have certainly been nice, but scoring on 6 of 10 drives, while booking only two 3-and-outs, against a strong broncos defense, is nothing to sneeze at.

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jrry32

if Hill had started last week, I think we could have won that game. It was 17-14 due to the secondary doing the same thing they did this week and then Davis just melted down.

Best explanation I have for the defense today is this…you know how rookies tend to struggle early on with execution because they’re learning the scheme…well…you had that on the entire defense. It takes time to get a scheme down. Especially on defense where communication and understanding your assignment is so important. You can’t play at 100% speed if you’re thinking about what you have to do.

They just had guys struggling with assignments early on…especially outside the tackles. We’ve been gashed by QBs some but we’ve handled running games well. And as our defense has gotten more comfortable with their assignments and the scheme, they’ve clamped down on running games.

Just like last year, Rams defenders are setting into the new scheme about halfway through the season. Difference is that this is a much better scheme. I think many, including myself, were too hard on Williams.

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People are going to give Manning crap for “folding under pressure” but the truth is that Manning was getting the ball out so quickly and making such good decisions that he kept the Rams from sacking him 8 or so times. Can guarantee you that the Rams pass rush would have sacked most NFL QBs at least 6 times last Sunday. They were killing the Broncos OL. Every QB gets rattled when he can’t trust his OL and is getting hit. Manning missed a couple of throws that he hurried but I think that’s less an indictment of Manning and more telling you how good our pass rush was. They were so good that they knocked Manning off his game.

I’m not trying to excuse Manning’s bad game…but I am saying that the same thing that holds true of every other QB in the NFL, the same thing we note for Rams QBs also holds true for Manning. When you are constantly in a guy’s face with pressure, he’s not going to be at the top of his game.

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Greg Zuerlein earned major props today. This fan-base is too hard on the guy. He delivered two majorly clutch long FGs.

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RamsFanSince69

Props to GW on that 4th-and-4 call. JL blitzes the A gap to Quinn’s side, the DT takes the OT and Quinn comes roaring up the middle for the hot that allows Donald to finish Manning off. Thought that was one of the key stops in the game, and a perfect call for the situation.

TruJo’s pick, the big hits by TJ McD and McLeod and the inspiring play by Tree and the DL and this was a defensive performance to savor and build on!

November 16, 2014 at 9:07 pm #12008

zn
Moderator

from off the net

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rwillinnable

Peyton and Nationwide theme? You know those Nationwide commercials? I want to hear Peyton sing something like, “got my ass kicked by the Rams today” to the Nationwide tune.

November 16, 2014 at 9:23 pm #12013

zn
Moderator

CoachO

The biggest improvement IMO, the past few weeks has been the tackling. Very few missed tackles compared to earlier in the season. It’s amazing how much better the defense appears to play when they tackle.

The talent has been there, but now they are playing at a level that compares favorably to the better defenses in the league. And the common denominator in all of those defenses is tackling. What makes SF so good? They tackle. Same with Seattle, Arizona……..

All the schemes in the world won’t look good with the missed tackles this team has suffered thru in recent years. Say what you want about Williams and his scheme. This is the one area I felt would be the most improved in his defense. Now that they can “play fast” as Laurinaitis explained, they aren’t thinking as much, and the improved tackling is a result.

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ramssuperbowl99

I had a chance to drive down for the game. Never in a million years did I think we’d win. What a game.

Quinn was on fire. Ogletree was everywhere. McDonald and Jenkins looked like totally different players. Apart from the blatant mistake on Ware that resulted in the death of Hill, Robinson was really, really good.

Awesome experience.

November 17, 2014 at 8:50 am #12032

zn
Moderator

XXXIVwin

A few positive thoughts on Shaun Hill:

— Hill has looked terrific this preseason. Not sure about the unreasonably low expectations for him– if Hill were able to perform like he has this preseason, we’d have a great year.

— Statistics oddity: Shaun Hill has a higher QBR this preseason than did Sam Bradford. I’m not necessarily saying the QBR is such a great measurement or anything, but still…. just something to keep in mind

Shaun Hill in 3 preseason games: 8 of 17 for 143 yards 2 TD 0 INT, QBR of 115.5
Sam Bradford in 2 preseason games:13 of 21 for 178 yds 1 TD 0 INT, QBR of 104.8

–Went back and re-watched all of Hill’s throws in the games against NO and Cle… just reminded me how much confidence we can have in him. 2 TD drives against NO were things of beauty, he looked so efficient and in command. (His middle drive was blown up by the missed assignment from GRob for the sack)

–Against CLE had TWO dropped passes– to my eye the 3rd down pass to Kendricks looked pretty catchable. And mainly– his last throw in the Cleveland game was a STRIKE– a perfectly placed throw to Quick, low and well placed where only Quick could catch it, a VERY catchable ball. Quick has been a pleasant surprise so far in 2014, but that throw was definitely one he should have had. So, 2 TD drives against NO, and “should have had” a TD drive against CLE

–Love how smart Hill is as a QB. The audible on 3rd down for Benny’s wide-open run in the CLE game was beautiful, great call.

–Also took some time to read some old articles about Shaun Hill (yes, I am a Rams nutcase like so many of y’all on this board). Time and again, I saw a pattern where Hill was one of the “fan favorites”– both Niners fans and Lions fans seemed (for the most part) to be pretty high on the guy. Niners fans and Lions fans both seemed to think he was underrated and they were lucky to have him.

Here’s a link to a 2009 discussion on a Niners board (Shaun Hill or Alex Smith?)
http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/3/11/789229/alex-smith-vs-shaun-hill-s

a couple highlights in the comments section:

1. Hill makes quick decisions and gets the ball out fast, so sack rate tends to go down

2. Great leadership, tough, smart

3. Doesn’t look pretty but is a winner

article about Lions fans sad to lose Shaun Hill:

http://oplions.blogspot.com/2014/03/detroit-lions-shaun-hill-will-be-tough.html

November 17, 2014 at 9:20 pm #12087

zn
Moderator

Saguaro

It was still a 6 point lead with the 3rd Q more than half over. The Broncos were one big play away from leading, with whatever that might have done to Rams’ psyches.

But a well-designed play with the big rookie tackle leading the rookie RB brought the Rams into easy scoring position and kept the clock rolling. The subsequent field goal meant that Denver needed two scores, and the Rams’ confidence grew.

On Denver’s following possession, Manning threw the ball to Ogletree.

I liked having Mason following Robinson’s block. They know each other well from college, and have that timing and anticipation. And it takes advantage of Robinson’s athleticism.

That was a boost! #27 for 27!

November 19, 2014 at 1:02 pm #12159

zn
Moderator

fearsomefour

A couple of huge plays early in the third quarter.

Denver’s first possession they ran a well executed WR screen to Sanders. There were two well executed blocks and Sanders had a big play, likely a TD in front of him. Brockers ran the play down from behind and tackled him around the ankles. The Rams went on to get a D stop and remain ahead 13-7. Brockers has been a bit unsung this season but that play showed great hustle and “want”. Starting a pass rush, getting off the block and out of the traffic of the middle of the line and running down a WR on the outside to save a TD….big, big play.

Also, on the Rams possession that started at 12:29 in the third quarter Hill made two very good plays. First on the 3rd and 3 and under pressure from the pass rush Hill did not panic, he slid out to the his left (not a sprint….eyes downfield) and made a nice back shoulder throw to Cunningham to convert a third down.

Later in the same possession under major pressure, again on third down, Hill slid in the pocket and stepped up making an accurate throw to Cunningham before getting hit by two Broncos….again, Cunningham picking up the first down.

These are not big plays on the stat sheet, but, these kinds of plays that a vet QB can give you hold so much value for a team, especially for one that is playing very good D. The ability to remain calm under the pass rush, keep they eyes downfield and keep possession is huge. Instead of a three and out the Rams ended up punting at 8:19 of the third quarter. No points on the drive, but, changing field position (something not done in recent weeks) and holding the ball for 4:10 effectively took a possession away from Denver’s dangerous offense.

Also, Kendricks played a role in limiting the Bronco pass rush. He was schemed in a lot and helped block those quick outside rushers.

A great team win with a lot of contributors. We may look back and say this was the game that started the upward swing in the Fisher era.

November 19, 2014 at 4:18 pm #12163
Dak
Participant
fearsomefour

A couple of huge plays early in the third quarter.

Denver’s first possession they ran a well executed WR screen to Sanders. There were two well executed blocks and Sanders had a big play, likely a TD in front of him. Brockers ran the play down from behind and tackled him around the ankles. The Rams went on to get a D stop and remain ahead 13-7. Brockers has been a bit unsung this season but that play showed great hustle and “want”. Starting a pass rush, getting off the block and out of the traffic of the middle of the line and running down a WR on the outside to save a TD….big, big play.

Also, on the Rams possession that started at 12:29 in the third quarter Hill made two very good plays. First on the 3rd and 3 and under pressure from the pass rush Hill did not panic, he slid out to the his left (not a sprint….eyes downfield) and made a nice back shoulder throw to Cunningham to convert a third down.

Later in the same possession under major pressure, again on third down, Hill slid in the pocket and stepped up making an accurate throw to Cunningham before getting hit by two Broncos….again, Cunningham picking up the first down.

These are not big plays on the stat sheet, but, these kinds of plays that a vet QB can give you hold so much value for a team, especially for one that is playing very good D. The ability to remain calm under the pass rush, keep they eyes downfield and keep possession is huge. Instead of a three and out the Rams ended up punting at 8:19 of the third quarter. No points on the drive, but, changing field position (something not done in recent weeks) and holding the ball for 4:10 effectively took a possession away from Denver’s dangerous offense.

Also, Kendricks played a role in limiting the Bronco pass rush. He was schemed in a lot and helped block those quick outside rushers.

A great team win with a lot of contributors. We may look back and say this was the game that started the upward swing in the Fisher era.

Yes, I remember all of those plays he mentions here. And, they were all huge. Making a play here and there adds up big time. In past weeks, seems like the Rams were missing plays here and there, instead. So, we go from negative plays to positive plays, and voila, a great team win.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by Dak.
November 19, 2014 at 4:27 pm #12165
wv
Participant
I dunno what to think of Brockers.
He rarely seems to catch my eye.
He certainly doesn’t make many
splashy plays and he doesnt penetrate
or push the pocket. But i dunno
what his role really is.

I am just glad Mr Donald was there
to be drafted at no.13. I still
cant believe the Giants passed on him.

There were so many big plays in that Denver game
i lost count. Batted balls, deflected passes, great
tackles, pressures, hits, INTs…I dunno what to make
of it. Kinda reminded me of the playoff game
where the Bucs shut down the GSOT with pure…brutality.

w
v
- This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by wv.
November 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm #12168

wv
Participant

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Rams43 reposting a post by ‘Stel’

Here’s Stel…

Last three games:

SF 21 runs, 80 yards
AZ 22 runs, 28 yards
Den 10 runs, 28 yards

Total: 53/136 (2.6 avg) against teams with a combined 22-8 record.

Me: This pretty much says it all about how our run D has come together.

Plenty of credit should go to GW for finally figuring this thing out. Took longer than I expected, but the results are now looking awesome.
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