Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › our reactions to the Giants game
- This topic has 28 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 11 months, 3 weeks ago by zn.
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December 30, 2023 at 1:03 pm #148072znModerator
That was needlessly nerve-wracking.
a Giants PR for a TD and 2 misssed extra points
protection was off
Stafford was off at key points
But fortunately the Giants were worse
So they have 9 wins and a winning season
- This topic was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by zn.
December 31, 2023 at 4:11 pm #148094InvaderRamModeratorwhat an ugly game. but it was gonna happen at some point. special teams was bogus. cost the rams 9 points was it?
actually it was 8 since the giants missed the extra point i believe.
- This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by InvaderRam.
December 31, 2023 at 4:16 pm #148098joemadParticipantThat’s right zn, the Rams choked, thankfully the Giants choked even more…
East coast road wins are never easy…
December 31, 2023 at 4:16 pm #148099JackPMillerParticipantWe need to play better than this. At this point of the season, we should not be playing down to our competition. Especially, against bad football teams. Granted we won, but we can not afford to play like this, in the playoffs, or we will get blown out.
December 31, 2023 at 4:59 pm #148109canadaramParticipantAll the areas of vulnerability looked vulnerable today. Special teams, the secondary, the offensive line when a starter doesn’t play are things that are why will either cost the Rams a playoff berth or cause a first round exit. Still super psyched about how this team continues to push on and find ways to win with som many young guys and late additions. A winning season? Wow. Interesting storyline with Crosby missing an extra point and the game winning field goal.
On another note I watched most of the second half from a beachside bar in Aruba. I am disappointed to say that I am an obnoxious football fan after only a couple of margaritas. I was very much a stereotype today. So I’d like to apologize to everyone for my behaviour.
- This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by canadaram.
December 31, 2023 at 5:15 pm #148111nittany ramModeratorAs zn often says, the Rams are terrible at tanking.
I would say they improved mightily in that regard, albeit not quite enough to pull it off today.
But it wasn’t for a lack of trying, that’s for sure.
December 31, 2023 at 5:20 pm #148112HramParticipantA win is a win.
December 31, 2023 at 5:35 pm #148113nittany ramModeratorIf the Rams clinch a playoff spot today with a Steelers win over the Seahawks, will they rest their starters next week? 🙂
December 31, 2023 at 5:44 pm #148116canadaramParticipantAnother thing (albeit an obvious thing), for the Rams to have any hope having a winning season they needed big moments from rookies. Today Kobie Turner had 2.5 sacks and Puka had 118 yards receiving and a great run for a first down. Those were two picks that I was excited about back in April, but I had no clue they’d have the types of years that they are having. This really has to be the best rookie class the Rams have ever had. Hope all of their careers are long ones.
December 31, 2023 at 6:00 pm #148120canadaramParticipantAnd another thing again…3 TD’s from Kyren! I love that guy.
December 31, 2023 at 7:17 pm #148125InvaderRamModeratoralso. congrats to kobie turner for tying donald’s record for nine sacks as a rookie!
and he’s got a chance to break it albeit with one more game than donald did.
i’d be interested to know how many pressures kobie generated vs donald his rookie year.
December 31, 2023 at 7:42 pm #148130wvParticipantGreat one point win on the road against a mediocre team.
I could criticize a million things. Don’t feel like it. Best team won.
Winning season. Awesome.
December 31, 2023 at 8:17 pm #148131ZooeyModeratorI can’t believe that with 8 billion people on this planet, there aren’t 32 of them who can kick a damn ball through the uprights.
That is all.
December 31, 2023 at 8:51 pm #148132joemadParticipantI can’t believe that with 8 billion people on this planet, there aren’t 32 of them who can kick a damn ball through the uprights. That is all.
indeed. a planet that’s filled with soccer players at every corner of the world.
There’s got to be someone much more capable than freaking Haver-sick
December 31, 2023 at 9:17 pm #148133ZooeyModeratorI can’t believe that with 8 billion people on this planet, there aren’t 32 of them who can kick a damn ball through the uprights. That is all.
indeed. a planet that’s filled with soccer players at every corner of the world. There’s got to be someone much more capable than freaking Haver-sick
Well, it’s interesting, isn’t it?
Kickers matter.
And there are, like, 2,000 college football teams, all with a placekicker. Plus all the soccer players who can kick the hell out of a ball, but can’t play soccer for whatever reason.
What the hell?
Gotta be a bartender somewhere who can kick the bloody ball. Right?
December 31, 2023 at 10:24 pm #148137znModeratorGotta be a bartender somewhere who can kick the bloody ball. Right?
As of today the Dallas kicker is 100% on all attempts. He was a soccer player who then played in the USFL.
From the wiki
After being released from the Bethlehem Steel FC in 2018, Aubrey decided to use the degree that he got at Notre Dame to become a software engineer. While watching an NFL game on TV in 2019, a placekicker missed a field goal and his wife told him: “You could do that.”From 2019 to 2022, Aubrey worked with a former Mississippi State kicker and kicking coach Brian Egan three times a week. Aubrey was drafted as a placekicker by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2022 USFL draft and made his debut as a professional American football player on April 16, 2022. The Stallions terminated Aubrey’s contract on July 3, 2023, allowing him to sign with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League on July 6.
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In the next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he set an NFL record for most consecutive field goals made to start a career with his 19th made attempt, beating the previous holder Travis Coons. During Week 14 against the Eagles, Aubrey became the first kicker in NFL history to make two field goals from 59+ yards in the same game (59, 60).
I pointed out the problem with Rams special teams personnel acquisition in another thread. Personnel scouting for Rams special teams is handled by coaches. Coaches can’t scout. For other positions they have dedicated “mini-GMs” who specialize in pro personnel scouting by position. They don’t do that for special teams.
January 1, 2024 at 12:51 am #148139InvaderRamModeratoravila, young, turner, and nacua. we won’t know the true impact of this year’s draft class for another five years maybe. but wow. what a first year it’s been. wow. just wow.
January 1, 2024 at 12:11 pm #148153wvParticipantIn many ways they played just-awful. But they have stars. Stafford. Donald. Kupp. Nacua. KW. Higby. They had more talent than Big-Blue.
And at the end, the Giant players could not quite make the big-clutch plays they needed to make. Cause they aint as talented.
Now, put Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp and Chuck Norris on special teams, and lets move on.
And what a weird F’ing situation in the last week of the regular season. 49ers dont need it. Rams dont need it. What will they do?
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January 1, 2024 at 1:57 pm #148159ZooeyModeratorAnd what a weird F’ing situation in the last week of the regular season. 49ers dont need it. Rams dont need it. What will they do?
That’s actually a good point/question.
The Rams might find more value in resting some guys before the playoff game than in going all out for the 6 seed. Maybe get Nacua the rookie records, and then put in the JV team.
January 1, 2024 at 2:37 pm #148162znModeratorThe Rams might find more value in resting some guys before the playoff game than in going all out for the 6 seed. Maybe get Nacua the rookie records, and then put in the JV team.
You guys don’t know the first thing about tanking.
If you want to tank, you play the starters so they all get injured.
That way you end up with higher draft picks in 2024.
Which would then give them a chance to build a team capable of going to the playoffs.
January 1, 2024 at 2:45 pm #148163JackPMillerParticipantMy concern is we could be one and out in the playoffs. Our field goal kicker is trash, and our secondary is trash. Derion Kendrick starting, means to me, no one else is as good as him, on the roster. It is sad, you look in free agency for 2024, it is not that good either, based on what’s out there.
January 1, 2024 at 3:14 pm #148167InvaderRamModeratorMy concern is we could be one and out in the playoffs. Our field goal kicker is trash, and our secondary is trash. Derion Kendrick starting, means to me, no one else is as good as him, on the roster. It is sad, you look in free agency for 2024, it is not that good either, based on what’s out there.
yeah. i would say it’s hard to see them going deep in the playoffs. and they very well could go one and out. but it’s a good step forward. then they’ll need a really good offseason.
January 1, 2024 at 3:32 pm #148173ZooeyModeratorYou guys don’t know the first thing about tanking. If you want to tank, you play the starters so they all get injured. That way you end up with higher draft picks in 2024. Which would then give them a chance to build a team capable of going to the playoffs.
LOL
I tell y’all what.
I’m fine with the Rams losing their first game in the playoffs. I will allow myself about 60 seconds to have a good cry about it, then I’m going to celebrate one of the most interesting and hopeful seasons I’ve experienced as a Rams fan.
Seriously, there was a LOT of talk – an Expectation, really – that the Rams were headed for Caleb Williams.
Now I never believed that. I said from the beginning I thought they were ~.500 team, but they are better than that when they have KW and MS healthy. And the defense, though weak in the secondary, is much, much better than I expected. ST is worse, but there ya go.
January 1, 2024 at 3:42 pm #148174znModeratorMy concern is we could be one and out in the playoffs. Our field goal kicker is trash, and our secondary is trash. Derion Kendrick starting, means to me, no one else is as good as him, on the roster. It is sad, you look in free agency for 2024, it is not that good either, based on what’s out there.
They don’t need free agency and are frankly better off just signing their own guys. In fact they really don’t have money to make a huge splash.
Remember what the naysayers predicted for this season. That it was an awful team, too young, and years away.
Will the 2nd youngest team in the league have some holes? Sure. But in the process of proving the naysayers wrong, the Rams either found or proved they had already found a long list of players:
Witherspoon (FA, vet minimum)
Lake (low pick, 2022, came through)
Young (2023 3rd rounder)
Jones (who we knew about but he stepped up to another level)
Turner (2023 3rd rounder)
Brown (another in a long list of Rams budget draft pick NTs)
Jackson (UDFA becomes a starting left tackle)
Avilla (expected of a 2nd round pick but still)
Dotson (budget trade)
Allen (very promising rookie)
Nacua (5th rounder competing for OROY)
Robinson (another vet minimum FA)
Williams (didn’t have much of a chance in 2022, stepped up in 2023)
They still have holes but not even the most optimistic observer predicted all of that. So why can’t they keep it up in 2024? Draft picks, UDFAs, “ronin” signings, budget trades.
They don’t need an expensive FA. This team is ahead of schedule and has already demonstrated that it knows how to find players. But you can’t expect the 2nd youngest team in the league to completely “there” yet so 2023 is just for starters.
They have 11 picks in 2024 plus enough cap space to keep a number of their own UFAs. Plus they have a number of top notch position coaches, including Ryan Wendell, who just might be the best OL coach they’ve had since Hudson Houck back in the 80s (and the Rams have had many good OL coaches, it’s just that Wendell very well may be the best of the lot outside of Houk).
And you fear they may be one and one in the playoffs? Well compare that to your predictions for this team before the season. Did you ever say at that point that they could have a winning season and reach the playoffs?
They exceeded your expectations in 2023 and can do it again in 2024.
But right now they’re the 2nd youngest team in the league and would absolutely have to catch fire to win more than 1 playoff game if that. I’m not disappointed though. I was optimistic before the season started and yet they exceeded my expectations too. I’ll take it. Great year.
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January 1, 2024 at 3:51 pm #148175znModeratorYou guys don’t know the first thing about tanking. If you want to tank, you play the starters so they all get injured. That way you end up with higher draft picks in 2024. Which would then give them a chance to build a team capable of going to the playoffs.
LOL I tell y’all what. I’m fine with the Rams losing their first game in the playoffs. I will allow myself about 60 seconds to have a good cry about it, then I’m going to celebrate one of the most interesting and hopeful seasons I’ve experienced as a Rams fan. Seriously, there was a LOT of talk – an Expectation, really – that the Rams were headed for Caleb Williams. Now I never believed that. I said from the beginning I thought they were ~.500 team, but they are better than that when they have KW and MS healthy. And the defense, though weak in the secondary, is much, much better than I expected. ST is worse, but there ya go.
Yeah it’s all true.
January 1, 2024 at 3:59 pm #148178ZooeyModeratorMy concern is we could be one and out in the playoffs. Our field goal kicker is trash, and our secondary is trash. Derion Kendrick starting, means to me, no one else is as good as him, on the roster. It is sad, you look in free agency for 2024, it is not that good either, based on what’s out there.
They don’t need free agency and are frankly better off just signing their own guys. In fact they really don’t have money to make a huge splash. Remember what the naysayers predicted for this season. That it was an awful team, too young, and years away. Will the 2nd youngest team in the league have some holes? Sure. But in the process of proving the naysayers wrong, the Rams either found or proved they had already found a long list of players: Witherspoon (FA, vet minimum) Lake (low pick, 2022, came through) Young (2023 3rd rounder) Jones (who we knew about but he stepped up to another level) Turner (2023 3rd rounder) Brown (another in a long list of Rams budget draft pick NTs) Jackson (UDFA becomes a starting left tackle) Avilla (expected of a 2nd round pick but still) Dotson (budget trade) Allen (very promising rookie) Nacua (5th rounder competing for OROY) Robinson (another vet minimum FA) Williams (didn’t have much of a chance in 2022, stepped up in 2023) They still have holes but not even the most optimistic observer predicted all of that. So why can’t they keep it up in 2024? Draft picks, UDFAs, “ronin” signings, budget trades. They don’t need an expensive FA. This team is ahead of schedule and has already demonstrated that it knows how to find players. But you can’t expect the 2nd youngest team in the league to completely “there” yet so 2023 is just for starters. They have 11 picks in 2024 plus enough cap space to keep a number of their own UFAs. Plus they have a number of top notch position coaches, including Ryan Wendell, who just might be the best OL coach they’ve had since Hudson Houck back in the 80s (and the Rams have had many good OL coaches, it’s just that Wendell very well may be the best of the lot outside of Houk). …
Yep.
I think the Rams need to add another CB, an effing PK, and depth everywhere else, and they’re in the SB hunt next season.
Health matters as much as talent, and there’s nothing you can do about the former. And we know the difference between a bottom unit and a top unit can be one guy. The Rams have a lot of picks next year, and they’re a pretty good football team as it is right now. They need another quality CB, and some dude who can kick the ball accurately.
January 1, 2024 at 8:06 pm #148194InvaderRamModeratorwell. i don’t think anyone could have predicted young, turner, and nacua would be THIS good THIS early. maybe avila. but certainly not the other three. without those three this team is a losing team. i don’t think caleb williams territory. but certainly top 10. not even mentioning dotson. and not even mentioning kyren williams. well. some may have predicted kyren williams to be good. i thought he could be decent. but what he’s produced has been beyond my wildest dream.
i thought avila would be a decent starter right away. i thought young and turner were a couple years down the road. nacua i saw him in training camp and liked what i saw, but never did i think he’d be challenging a 70 year old record.
but they don’t have to reproduce that kind of an offseason. i think they need a cornerback. i agree with everyone who says that. bring back most of their free agents. i do think they need one big fa signing on defense. maybe they can’t afford it. i don’t know. i think most of their needs they can accomplish through the draft. and then of course. the young players need to keep improving. i don’t see them not doing that. turner has donald as a mentor. nacua has kupp. i mean could you ask for better mentors? seriously. plus they just seem like the type of guys who are self-motivators anyway. kyren williams too. every time i hear that guy talk he just has this chip on his shoulder. this feeling that he’s always trying to prove himself. i don’t see success getting to these guys’ heads. they won’t just follow the leaders on this team. they are built to become leaders themselves.
January 1, 2024 at 10:17 pm #148203HramParticipantCB, kicker and I think they need an edge rusher. That and the extra year of experience for the younguns should make them dangerous next year.
January 1, 2024 at 10:32 pm #148204znModeratorWhat I would like to see them get. Either draft picks or bargain veteran FAs that can be coached up like Witherspoon or Robinson. I red-bold the top priorities.
A couple of CBs. That’s along with signing Witherspoon.
LB/edge.
Another ILB to complement Jones.
NT depth
DE, ie. a 3/4 style
OT depth
OC depth
Another 1A RB so it’s not all Wms.
Kicker
10 is a lot. The ones I prioritized? It is do-able if they come through both in the draft and in picking up a couple of bargain-but-coachable FAs.
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