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November 12, 2014 at 5:06 pm #11718
znModeratorRams going back to Shaun Hill a logical move
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13610/rams-going-back-to-shaun-hill-a-logical-move
EARTH CITY, Mo. — St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher’s endorsement of Austin Davis as his starting quarterback earlier this week could be classified as lukewarm at best.
“He didn’t have his best half,” Fisher said. “He missed some opportunities, he made some bad decisions, had difficulty seeing at times. And over the last couple of weeks he’s thrown four interceptions but we’re going to hang in there. He’s working real hard. So we’ll see where it goes.”
Fisher went on to tick off a handful of opportunities Davis missed and mentioned his propensity for holding on to the ball too long. When I wrote about it Monday night, I wrote the following:
“If that doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement it’s because it probably isn’t.”
Of course, nobody could know just how tepid that endorsement was. At least not until Wednesday morning when Fisher informed his team at a meeting that Shaun Hill would be reclaiming the starting job this week against the Denver Broncos.
In the big picture, it probably doesn’t matter much who starts at quarterback for the Rams because it’s probably too late for them to make a postseason run at 3-6 with Denver and a trip to San Diego up next.
But going back to Hill now makes sense for one primary reason: The Rams’ defense is starting to live up to expectations and they can’t afford to have a quarterback who gives points away, especially in the fourth quarter.
That’s been one of Davis’ biggest issues since he became the starter in Week 2. Davis has thrown nine interceptions this season with four of those returned for touchdowns (all in the fourth quarter). He also has coughed up a pair of fumbles that have gone for scores.
Those instant points have prevented the Rams from winning games that were there for the taking with no better example than the most recent against Arizona last week. He threw two interceptions and fumbled once in the fourth quarter of a game the Rams led with less than 10 minutes to go. One interception and the fumble turned a 3-point deficit into a 17-point losing margin.
Since the Rams beat Seattle on Oct. 19, Davis is 45-of-79 for 481 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions for a passer rating of 61.2 and a QBR of 7.3. That isn’t to excuse the struggles of the offensive line and others but clearly those numbers aren’t good enough to win consistently.
After the loss to Arizona, the always honest and professional Davis pointed to his inability to keep his eyes downfield and go through his progressions as the reason for his recent struggles. It’s something he’s battled with since entering the league in 2012 and was a primary reason the team released him in 2013.
“I think the thing you have to do is just kind of let it all play itself out,” Davis said Sunday. “They are putting guys everywhere and moving them from everywhere. The ability to learn from this and get your eyes downfield and not on the rush is something that I’ve got to do.”
In turning to Hill, the Rams are going with the veteran hand that was supposed to guide them after losing Sam Bradford in the third preseason game. Were it not for a thigh injury in the season opener and Davis’ big performances against some weaker defenses early in the year, Hill probably would have reclaimed the job when he got back from the injury.
The hope now is that Hill can be the steady leader for an offense in dire need of a boost. And, if nothing else, manage the games effectively so that the recent yeoman’s work of the defense isn’t for naught.
Over the past two weeks, the defense has allowed an average of 299 yards per game, including just 54 per game on the ground. And the pass rush has revved up to the levels expected at the beginning of the season with 11 sacks in those two games.
In other words, the defense is playing well enough for the Rams to win. With Hill back in the mix, the Rams are betting he can help the offense play well enough not to lose.
November 12, 2014 at 5:10 pm #11720znModeratorBernie: Rams’ QB change doesn’t solve bigger problem
Bernie Miklasz
Good afternoon…
As you probably know by now, Rams coach Jeff Fisher has changed his mind and will start Shaun Hill at quarterback against Denver on Sunday.
Austin Davis is benched.
I don’t know how much this move will help the Rams, but it figures to be good for the young quarterback’s health. Davis has absorbed a lot of physical punishment this season, especially in recent weeks. His confidence has taken a beating, too.
That left the Rams with a young, increasingly flustered QB that became a slot machine for opposing defenses.
Pull on his arm, and a turnover would pop into the tray.
Davis has had four interceptions and two sack-fumbles returned for touchdowns this season.
Fisher offered support of Davis during Monday’s media gathering at Rams Park, and it appeared that Davis would remain in place as the starter. But as our Jim Thomas pointed out, Fisher did hedge a little when pressed about Davis on Monday. So we probably shouldn’t be surprised by the coach’s verdict.
Fisher is allowed to do a flip-flop here, and in this case it was the right double move by the coach.
There’s no good reason to stand and do nothing and watch a young QB drown. Rescue Davis now, let him catch his breath, and maybe throw him back in the water for another try later.
The hope/belief is that the ol’ veteran Hill will be more efficient. He’ll get rid of the ball sooner to avoid sacks, he’ll throw it away to avoid sacks, and he won’t haphazardly toss the ball downfield when under pass-rush fire.
It’s worth a try, though I’m still thinking Denver will have the edge at QB this week. Slight advantage, Peyton Manning.
Anyway …
The QB switcheroo makes sense right now but it doesn’t settle the more significant issues:
• Over the last three seasons, the Rams have lagged offensively under the leadership of the current regime, never ranking better than 22nd in the league in offensive points from scrimmage. GM Les Snead, Fisher and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have been unable to move this offense forward in a meaningful way. The identity of the starting QB hasn’t really mattered. Bradford, Kellen Clemens, Hill, or Davis. The Rams offense doesn’t score enough points. Period.
• The Rams offensive line has done a poor job in pass protection, ranking 30th among the 32 teams in pass-blocking efficiency by Pro Football Focus. Rams quarterbacks have been pressured 113 times in nine games, the league’s fifth-highest total. According to PFF, Davis has been under pass-rush pressure on nearly 43 percent of his dropbacks this season. That’s tied for the highest percentage of pass-rush heat endured by regular NFL quarterbacks this year. And Hill isn’t as mobile as Davis. He started one game this year, the opener, and got hurt. How will Hill hold up physically when swarmed by the pass rush? Big question.
• The Rams failed to adequately address the QB position before the season. Even with Sam Bradford coming off knee surgery that cut short his 2013 season — and with Bradford entering the final two years of his Rams’ contract — the team didn’t use an early-round draft choice to select a developmental QB that could be groomed to take over. The Rams waited until the sixth round to draft SMU’s Garrett Gilbert, a wasted pick. And when Bradford’s knee blew up again during the preseason, putting him out for the year, the Rams’ choice came down to Hill and Davis.
• And that’s the more prominent issue. It isn’t a matter of Hill vs. Davis; it’s more about not having a more attractive, forward-thinking alternative in place. Unless the Rams bring Bradford back in 2015 to attempt another comeback in what would be the final year of his contract, the team doesn’t have a viable quarterback lined up for next season.
• Some would argue — with abundant merit — that the Rams already have lost the Bradford gamble, so they should cut their losses instead of stubbornly staying the course with Bradford as their designated No. 1 QB for a sixth consecutive year. Bradford is due $16.58 million in 2015. By releasing him, the Rams would save more than $12 million against the ’15 cap.
Again, the Hill appointment may help reduce the mistakes and lead to enhanced efficiency. But Hill is 34 and hasn’t played much football in recent years, starting one regular-season game since the end of the 2010 season. It’s difficult to know what to expect from him at this point.
The Rams can line up Hill or Davis the rest of the way this season, but it won’t change the daunting reality here. The St. Louis Rams don’t know who their quarterback will be in 2015, and that uncertainty will likely prolong a rebuilding project that never seems to end.
Thanks for reading …
November 12, 2014 at 9:17 pm #11743znModeratorFisher reverses field, names Hill starting QB
By Jim Thomas
Two days after saying he was not contemplating a quarterback change, Jeff Fisher has reversed field. To wit, Shaun Hill will start at quarterback Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome against Peyton Manning and the Denver Bronco.
When all is said and done, this is a move to get more experience in at the position. Fisher informed the players of his decision during a team meeting earlier this morning.
Signed away from Detroit in free agency during the offseason, Hill was brought in to provide a veteran backup for Sam Bradford. And when Bradford went down for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee in an Aug. 23 preseason game in Cleveland, Hill moved in as the starter.
But Hill’s tenure as the starter ended after only one half of the season opener. He suffered a thigh injury in the first half of the opener against Minnesota. Austin Davis took over in the second half of that game, and proceeded to start the next eight games.
After an impressive beginning, Davis’ production began sliding and his turnovers mounting in recent games, including a murder’s row of top 10 defenses that included San Francisco (twice), Seattle, and Kansas City.
Fisher gave him what came off as a lukewarm endorsement on Monday. He cited several areas that Davis needed to improve on, including getting the ball out more quickly. He said there were several opportunities to connect with open receivers in Sunday’s 31-14 loss at Arizona.
In that contest, Davis threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He had a lost fumble returned for another TD, turning what was a nip-and-tuck game into a 17-point loss.
Fisher seemingly left the door open a bit Monday in discussing Davis by saying: “He’s working real hard, so we’ll see where it goes.”
In his first three starts _ against Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Philadelphia _ Davis completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards, six TDs, and two interceptions for a passer rating of 100.6.
In five games since then, Davis has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 869 yards with six TDs, six INTs, and a passer rating of 73.4.
Hill, meanwhile, has played only one snap since that first half against Minnesota. He handed the ball off in the Rams’ Nov. 9 game at San Francisco after Davis needed to readjust and refit a knee brace after a hard slide on a scramble.
November 12, 2014 at 10:05 pm #11746
ZooeyModerator• The Rams failed to adequately address the QB position before the season. Even with Sam Bradford coming off knee surgery that cut short his 2013 season — and with Bradford entering the final two years of his Rams’ contract — the team didn’t use an early-round draft choice to select a developmental QB that could be groomed to take over. The Rams waited until the sixth round to draft SMU’s Garrett Gilbert, a wasted pick. And when Bradford’s knee blew up again during the preseason, putting him out for the year, the Rams’ choice came down to Hill and Davis.
• And that’s the more prominent issue. It isn’t a matter of Hill vs. Davis; it’s more about not having a more attractive, forward-thinking alternative in place. Unless the Rams bring Bradford back in 2015 to attempt another comeback in what would be the final year of his contract, the team doesn’t have a viable quarterback lined up for next season.
• Some would argue — with abundant merit — that the Rams already have lost the Bradford gamble, so they should cut their losses instead of stubbornly staying the course with Bradford as their designated No. 1 QB for a sixth consecutive year. Bradford is due $16.58 million in 2015. By releasing him, the Rams would save more than $12 million against the ’15 cap.
You know, a bright side to a Rams’ move out of St. Louis would be no more Bernie.
November 12, 2014 at 10:43 pm #11748znModeratorGordon: Hill gets second chance with Rams
By Jeff Gordon
The first Shaun Hill Era lasted one half of one game with the Rams.
The well-traveled veteran quarterback was all set to replace injured starter Sam Bradford this season. His coaches and teammates expressed total confidence in his ability to take charge.
Then Hill suffered a strained thigh muscle against the Minnesota Vikings, threw a bad interception at the end of the first half, spent a couple weeks on the injury list and lost his starting job to the temporarily dynamic Austin Davis.
“Austin did a great job,” Hill said. “He was playing very well. I understand why they did it.”
Was it hard to lose that opportunity so quickly?
“It was a little bit,” Hill said. “At the same time, I still had a job to do.”
Now Hill’s job gets a whole lot bigger. Rather than run the scout team offense this week, he is preparing to face the powerful Denver Broncos defense.
“Every NFL defense is very good,” Hill said. “These guys are exceptional at it, though.”
Oh, and pizza pitchman Peyton Manning is throwing for the other side. Manning is posting stupid numbers again this season, odds are the Rams will be playing catch-up in this game.
“For me, it’s getting the ball dispersed to where it needs to go in a timely manner,” Hill said.
He learned of this latest Rams quarterback switch from coach Jeff Fisher in a phone call. Or rather during a call back, after he missed the first one.
“Obviously, the excitement kicks in,” Hill said. “Now it’s back to business as usual.”
Was he surprised to be back in the hot seat? The low-keyed Hill shrugged off the question.
“There is not a whole lot that surprises me any more, to be honest with you,” Hill said.
After Davis hit some predictable turbulence at Kansas City, San Francisco and Arizona, Fisher opted to “lean on the experienced quarterback” as he put it after Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s never an easy decision when you make a change in the middle of the season,” Fisher said.
This decision was easier than most. Davis threw five interceptions and just three TD passes in those three road games.
He posted passer ratings of 75.4, 44.6 and 62.6 in those games — with more telling “QPR” ratings of 9.5, 13.7 and 3.4.
Against the Cardinals, Davis threw two interceptions — one that Arizona returned for a TD — and lost a fumble that also was returned for a TD.
Worse, he became indecisive under pressure and held on to the ball too long time after time. That was one reason why the Cardinals were able to sack him six times for 42 yards in losses.
After throwing for 702 yards in two games — against Dallas and at Philadelphia — he has averaged just 174.4 yards passing in his last five games.
“The last two weeks have been difficult for him,” Fisher said. “The defenses he faced were especially good.”
Now Hill will try to do better. “We’re going to give Shaun an opportunity to do what we brought him in to do,” Fisher said. “For all intents and purposes, he lost his job due to an injury.”
While Hill lacks the mobility Davis brings to the offense, he has a deeper and more accurate arm.
Perhaps he can stretch defenses enough to open up some room for the run game. Lately the run game hasn’t done much against loaded boxes that dared the Rams to throw over the top.
This is a huge opportunity for Hill. The Rams face an uncertain future at quarterback with Bradford recovering from a second knee operation.
If Hill can excel the rest of the way, he could factor into next year’s plans or earn a good back-up gig elsewhere. Had he stayed on the bench the rest of this season, he might have struggled to find work next season.
Such is the fate of a seldom-seen veteran QB in the NFL.
As for Davis, he advanced his career this season while completing 180 of 286 passes for 2,0001 yards and 12 touchdowns. And he may yet get another shot with the Rams after using this quiet time to regroup.
At worst, Davis has made himself into a solid candidate for QB work down the road. That is a big step for a player who seemed close to getting cut before Bradford went down again.
“He is a much better quarterback now than when he started,” Fisher said.
November 13, 2014 at 2:24 am #11759znModeratorBernie: Hill move the right way to go
Bernie Miklasz
Rams coach Jeff Fisher made the right move in calling veteran righthander Shaun Hill out of the bullpen to relieve the frazzled young starter, Austin Davis.
Fisher had to stop the bleeding. Davis has been overrun and overwhelmed as of late, and the low-scoring Rams can’t afford to have a quarterback who serves as a slot machine for opposing defenses. You know: Pull the arm, hear the cha-ching of a turnover and collect your winnings.
With the Rams defense cranking it up and tormenting quarterbacks in a manner befitting a unit coordinated by the überaggressive Gregg Williams, it’s imperative for the Rams to have an efficient (if not exciting) offense.
Davis provided an early boost, enlivening the inherent dullness with energy and big-play jolts. But defenses adjusted, the pass protection unraveled, and the quarterback’s play deteriorated. The mishaps included six defensive touchdowns on interception and fumble returns.
That’s damaging for any offense, but it’s a downright disaster for an offense that frequently malfunctions on a good day.
The turnover count is usually the tipping point that determines the outcome of NFL games. And this is all you need to know: In their three wins the Rams gave the ball away three times, total. And in their six losses, the offense coughed up 13 turnovers.
The Rams aren’t going to win any point-scoring shootouts, but at minimum must avoid shooting themselves in the football.
In theory, Hill has a better chance to cut back on the number of donations made to the opposing defense. But really now … how do we know?
Hill hasn’t experienced a lot of live action over the last five seasons, starting one regular-season game since the end of the 2010 campaign. That start was made in this season’s opening game against Minnesota, and Hill threw an avoidable and costly interception late in the first half. He had an awful 47.3 passer rating before departing with a strained quad.
Let’s face it: The identity of the starting quarterback has become increasingly irrelevant at Rams Park. Since the new regime of Fisher and GM Les Snead took charge of the program in 2012, the Rams have dragged near the bottom of the NFL in offensive points scored from scrimmage. (That doesn’t include points scored by the St. Louis defense or special teams on returns.)
The Rams ranked 28th in offensive points in 2012, averaging 16.3 a game. That improved slightly in 2013, when the Rams ranked 22nd at 19 points a game from their offense. But they’ve regressed this season, ranking 30th with an average of 16.5 points.
This offense hasn’t moved forward with Brian Schottenheimer as the offensive coordinator. That isn’t an opinion. It’s a fact.
Sam Bradford’s record as a starter under Fisher is 10-12-1. Kellen Clemens was 4-5 as the injury replacement for Bradford last season. And Davis was 3-5 as a starter after taking over for Hill. In terms of bottom-line record and point totals, the difference among the three quarterbacks is marginal.
That’s why I’m reluctant to write Davis off. He demonstrated an ability to play in this league. He may not be what this team needs or wants for a full-time starter. I’m not disputing that.
But the 2014 Rams have a shaky offensive line and a below-average running game, and haven’t established a receiver who can consistently wreck a defense.
I’m not sure why we’d expect Davis, after eight NFL starts, to overcome the disorder that surrounds him.
The issues are more significant than the game-to-game performances of Austin Davis.
The Rams rank 30th in the NFL in pass-protection efficiency by the analysts at Pro Football Focus. Rams quarterbacks have been pressured 113 times in nine games, the league’s fifth-highest total.
Davis has been under pass-rush pressure on nearly 43 percent of his dropbacks this season – tied for the highest percentage of pass-rush heat endured by a regular NFL quarterback.
That represents a big jump – in the wrong direction – for the O-line. According to PFF, Bradford was under pressure 33 percent of the time in 2012, and Bradford and Clemens faced pressure on 36 percent of their dropbacks in 2013.
Because of the faulty pass protection, Davis was at more of a disadvantage than Bradford or Clemens in past seasons. I’m not saying Davis handled the pass rush as well as he should have – obviously he didn’t – but a team can’t realistically expect positive results when the quarterback is setting up under extreme duress.
Hill, 34, isn’t as mobile as Davis. So how will Hill hold up physically when swarmed by the pass rush? Hill should be able to do a better job of getting the ball out on time, and to the right receiver. But even if Hill can stay on the field without getting maimed, and even if he plays reasonably well, he doesn’t project as the starter for 2015.
The problem isn’t that Fisher must decide between Hill and Davis.
The real problem is that the choice came down to Hill or Davis.
The Rams failed to adequately address the QB position after losing Bradford to knee surgery after seven games in 2013. Snead and Fisher disregarded Bradford’s extensive injury history, which dates back to his final season of college ball at Oklahoma. And sure enough, the same knee blew up again during the third preseason game this year.
There was also Bradford’s contract status; going into the 2014 cycle he had two years remaining on his exorbitant six-year rookie deal. One way or another, the Rams soon would face a tough decision regarding Bradford’s future.
Instead of spending an early-round draft choice to select a QB who could be developed to succeed Bradford, the Rams waited until the sixth round to draft SMU’s Garrett Gilbert. A wasted pick. With extra draft choices in hand, the Rams passed on the opportunity to find a future passer.
The Rams have Hill lined up to face Denver on Sunday at The Edward Jones Dome.
Problem is, the Rams don’t know who will line up at quarterback in 2015.
Unless the franchise wants to invest another year and $15 million in the rehabbing Bradford, the Rams will be starting over at the position.
And the seemingly endless rebuilding project will continue.
November 13, 2014 at 6:41 am #11761
nittany ramModerator• The Rams offensive line has done a poor job in pass protection, ranking 30th among the 32 teams in pass-blocking efficiency by Pro Football Focus. Rams quarterbacks have been pressured 113 times in nine games, the league’s fifth-highest total. According to PFF, Davis has been under pass-rush pressure on nearly 43 percent of his dropbacks this season. That’s tied for the highest percentage of pass-rush heat endured by regular NFL quarterbacks this year.
No one will confuse the Rams offensive live with the Hogs or anything, but I think some of that poor pass blocking efficiency can be laid at Davis’ feet. Defensive coordinators know Davis struggles against the blitz so they blitz him a lot. That leads to a lot of QB pressures. If Davis could recognize a blitz was coming and check out of the play called and/or find his hot receiver, then DC’s would be forced to dial back the blitzing a little bit. Then you would have fewer QB pressures and an o-line that’s ranked better than 30th in this regard.
November 13, 2014 at 9:00 am #11762znModerator• The Rams offensive line has done a poor job in pass protection, ranking 30th among the 32 teams in pass-blocking efficiency by Pro Football Focus. Rams quarterbacks have been pressured 113 times in nine games, the league’s fifth-highest total. According to PFF, Davis has been under pass-rush pressure on nearly 43 percent of his dropbacks this season. That’s tied for the highest percentage of pass-rush heat endured by regular NFL quarterbacks this year.
No one will confuse the Rams offensive live with the Hogs or anything, but I think some of that poor pass blocking efficiency can be laid at Davis’ feet. Defensive coordinators know Davis struggles against the blitz so they blitz him a lot. That leads to a lot of QB pressures. If Davis could recognize a blitz was coming and check out of the play called and/or find his hot receiver, then DC’s would be forced to dial back the blitzing a little bit. Then you would have fewer QB pressures and an o-line that’s ranked better than 30th in this regard.
Well if that works, Hill should see a decline in sacks, or more to the point, a decline in sack percentage.
Should take 4 games to tell?
November 13, 2014 at 10:20 am #11763
wvParticipantIf u want to read some dum
comments, you can find them
at the link below.w
v========================
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/extra-points/2014/rams-bench-davis-shaun-hill
Football Outsiders
12 Nov 2014
Rams Bench Davis For Shaun HillAustin Davis’ stint as a starting quarterback in the NFL is over after eight games. The St. Louis Rams have benched the second-year player in favor of veteran Shaun Hill, who started in Week 1 but was knocked out of the game with a thigh injury.
Davis’ greatest weakness was a propensity to give up sacks. Among qualifying quarterbacks, only Colin Kaepernick had a higher sack rate than Davis’ 9.3 percent this season. Hill struggled with the same issue in the start of his career in San Francisco (8.3 percent sack rate in three seasons), but improved drastically in his four years in Detroit (3.8 percent sack rate).
Posted by: Vincent Verhei on 12 Nov 2014
====================November 13, 2014 at 10:30 am #11764znModeratorAmong qualifying quarterbacks, only Colin Kaepernick had a higher sack rate than Davis’ 9.3 percent this season.
It’s higher than 9.3%. PRF lists it as 9.3%, which is doubtless where he gets the number from, but it’s actually 29 sacks on 284 attempts, which is 10.2%.
Off the top of my head, it looks like 10.2% is the worst sack percentage of any starting Rams qb since they kept the numbers on this. Bradford was at 9.2% in 2011, but that was 2011 and all that implies. Even in the OL Injury Apocalypse of 2007, Bulger was at 8.3%. Kyle Boller in the Third OL Injury Apocalypse of 2009 was at 8.8%.
10.2% is worse than Clemens behind more or less the same OL, and Clemens had issues handling pressure too.
November 13, 2014 at 10:39 am #11766wvParticipantAmong qualifying quarterbacks, only Colin Kaepernick had a higher sack rate than Davis’ 9.3 percent this season.
It’s higher than 9.3%. PRF lists it as 9.3%, which is doubtless where he gets the number from, but it’s actually 29 sacks on 284 attempts, which is 10.2%.
Off the top of my head, it looks like 10.2% is the worst sack percentage of any starting Rams qb since they kept the numbers on this. Bradford was at 9.2% in 2011, but that was 2011 and all that implies. Even in the OL Injury Apocalypse of 2007, Bulger was at 8.3%. Kyle Boller in the Third OL Injury Apocalypse of 2009 was at 8.8%.
10.2% is worse than Clemens behind more or less the same OL, and Clemens had issues handling pressure too.
The sacks aren’t even the thing that bothered me about AustinD.
It was the turnovers and the inability to be poised in the pocket.w
vNovember 14, 2014 at 5:45 pm #11836
GreatRamNTheSkyParticipantI don’t see how its not Bradford back for the final year of his contract. I really don’t. There is no other choice.
It for real will be Bradford’s make or break season. You know what the ironic thing is? If Sam for the first time in his career finally plays like he gets it and has a big year, then he’s a free agent and how much you wanna bet the Dallas Cowboys wouldnt come calling? Why not? Dallas is big time in Bradford’s home town and he probably grew up a Dallas fan.
He’ll still be a young 27 or 28 and in his prime.Might be the best thing for the Rams to draft a top college QB, Mariotta, Hundley etc., and get an offensive coordinator that understand progressive exciting offense. Something Schottenheimer never clued into.
Could you believe it the other night when Mark Sanchez called Shurmur a great offensive mind? Shurmur? Really?!
You know, the Rams could do a lot worse for a coach but why not a Jim Mora as coach. He has pro experience and was a DC on very good Niner teams under Walsh and Siefert. His Bruins team are very exciting on offense too.
Jon Gruden? Nope, he loves his TV gig too much. Same with Cowler. How about Todd Bowles the Cardinal DC?
How about anybody who will finally turn this team around. Here is something to think about. If he gets canned in Chicago, Mark Trestman is not a bad offensive coordinator. Pretty damn good in fact. How about Mark Trestman as the OC replacing Schittenheimer?
Grits
November 16, 2014 at 1:35 am #11904znModeratorNo one will confuse the Rams offensive live with the Hogs or anything, but I think some of that poor pass blocking efficiency can be laid at Davis’ feet. Defensive coordinators know Davis struggles against the blitz so they blitz him a lot. That leads to a lot of QB pressures. If Davis could recognize a blitz was coming and check out of the play called and/or find his hot receiver, then DC’s would be forced to dial back the blitzing a little bit. Then you would have fewer QB pressures and an o-line that’s ranked better than 30th in this regard.
Well I think all that too.
Couple of games from now…we’ll see if it’s right.
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