from around the net, previewing the BILLS game

off the net from Wildflecken

The Bills do match up favorably with Rams. The great thing about the Bills game is the fact they are traveling coast to coast. But they can go power effectively with that oline as well. I assume Ryan has spent some time watching the Skins strategy against a WIlliams defense last season. I don’t expect Buffalo to be as successful but it is concern going into contest. I expect the Rams line to be able to win the trenches but they did not against SF?

The defensive line is key. Even with a stout defensive line, teams built offensively to go power effectively will give the Rams fits this season. Why SF was successful in Week 1.

Rams have to get Gurley going this week to keep the defense off the field or it could be a long day.

Rams offense showing glimpses last week a good sign, a very good sign. The defense simply has to get some help from the offensive side of the ball to keep putting up W’s. Rams simply have to get run game going. Bills, like SF, have an offensive line and running attack that can expose this defense and wear them down if offense does not shoulder their share of the load. Largest factor Rams have in their favor is Bills travel and warm weather.

These olineman were drafted due to their run blocking abilities. Time for them to produce. Second largest issue is the play at LOT. Here’s to hoping this is a one week anomaly, with Jones a tough individual matchup for Grob. On the bright side, Keenum had enough clean pockets against Arizona to be effective. The current offense is picking up steam minus the run attack. Case continues to prove he is a gamer. Rams are playing as a team. everyone blocking, everyone supporting one another. Last season they would not of survived those self destruct drives with penalties and moving backwards by any means possible. This season they believe. But as we put more on film for opposing defenses to observe in the air attack, the box should begin to soften while the team is perfecting its running schemes and blocking assignments. It will soon be a focus weekly now that the offense is picking up the new passing schemes.

Britt has been underrated. Amazing what he accomplished last season while opposing defenses keyed on him. Rams had no other threat beyond LOS and TA has not proved this season he can be consistent in wr role opposite Britt. Quick deserves a shot to regain starting role lost due to injury. Rams fielding two capable wr’s in base offense will open up running attack. TA not being a threat beyond LOS makes the field that much smaller in an already stacked box for running attack. TA should be used sparingly from backfield and as a wr when Rams go 3 or four wide only. Replacing TA with Quick would have an immediate impact on the run blocking performance of oline.

Its not a true cover 2 scheme GW runs although his back 7 concepts were influenced by the cover 2 defense. The linebackers being former defensive backs with adequate coverage skills is what makes this defense successful against the opposing passing game. But GW/Fisher use an interchangeable safety concept and the back 7 packages are determined opponent to opponent based upon matchups. And what allows them to do this without a negative impact on the run defense is the fact they employ multiple defensive backs capable of being box safety’s and capable of playing run defense similar to a yesteryear linebacker, in McD, Alexander, and Barron. Ogletree himself is a former defensive back. Williams can move these parts around based off matchups and disguise who is coming on the blitz. The pieces are interchangeable and the players can switch responsibilities in coverage without having to chase receivers in their pre snap movement.

I expect the Rams to rest Donald more and decrease his snaps in the non divisional contests. We all know the emphasis Fisher puts on winning division contests.

Hoping Easley continues to develop and contributes to this defenses success much more than Fairly last season.

Gaines has been the missing piece at cornerback. Lets hope Rams made right decision going Hill over Roberson. Hill did have the better preseason, but was exposed quickly once it counted. Roberson never showed that poorly when his number was called in regular season. Rams have a depth issue at cb if Hill does not develop.