on the Rams 2020 offense

ramsman34

Here’s how I watch a lot of the games: I focus on line play. Simply put, our zone scheme helps our OL perform better than their skill set, or lack thereof. The interior of our OL is (a) Not physically strong at the point of attack, and (b) not athletically gifted. That combination makes their combined/in-concert technique critical in the run game. Thankfully we have a couple shifty and instinctive runners in Hendo and Akers to offset deficiencies.

However, in pass pro the problems surface. None of our interior OL can anchor and stone or redirect quality inside rushers. That leaves JG no way to climb the pocket bc the pocket is gettin shoved down his throat. When your most athletic and strongest OL is a 41 year old big whit, ya might have some issues. A gap pressure coupled with DL who can set the edge create real problems for ANY QB, let alone a slow footed, pocket passer.

I personally think Goff can excel if the blocking and play calling are married up nicely. MCV has done what he thinks he can. I KNOW he thinks Goff is limited. And I KNOW he wants better interior OL players.

All the talk about a deep threat is fine. However, on a 7 step drop, it is critical that the rush be pushed out and around the pocket allowing the QB to “climb” and launch deeper throws. We simply did not have that last season or this season. Defenses compressed the field vertically forcing MCV to work horizontally. We all saw it, game after game. That was all he could call and hope to execute.

Goff may not be the long term answer. But, give him much better interior OL play and then judge him.

I will be shocked if the interior OL is not heavily addressed this off season, regardless of QB.

Even with a more mobile QB, creating a clean pocket is critical to creating more explosives in the passing game. Sure you can roll a guy out, run RPOs but that cuts your field in half or down to 2/3. Ya can’t live like that and expect to score a lot of points.

Next season will be a giant litmus test. IF JG has a clean pocket more often than not, will he be able to create deeper plays, secondary and tertiary reads that he can execute? If so, we will be better than fine. If not, expect more of the same slightly above average offensive play. And, not getting deep in the playoffs.

Ask AD about the importance of strong interior OL play. He knows what that does against the rush and for a QB.