Rich Hammond Q&A

Rams Q&A: Rich Hammond
https://theathletic.com/1411199/2019/11/26/live-qa-with-rams-writer-rich-hammond-on-tuesday-from-1-to-2-p-m-pt/?source=twittered

Wade Phillips came out the next day and said he had never shared info after his firings. Most of the stuff is on tape anyway. I’m not exactly sure what game-changing secrets Weddle could have imparted. And he’s not going to be able to tell them how to stop Lamar Jackson.

People understandably are frustrated and upset with the underachievement right now, but to talk about blowing it up and firing people…that’s just too far out there right now. Not only are they in a loaded NFC but they’re in a loaded division, arguably with the conference’s two top teams. There is certainly a lot of reasonable concern about the future, but to declare it “over” is a step too far. They now face a challenging offseason and must be smart and sharp.

Football is a game of constant adjustments, re-adjustments and adjustments to those re-adjustments. It never ends. The challenge for McVay (and for any coach) is to stay ahead of curve with that type of thing. It’s a chess game. I think Sean got caught a little behind this season, so his readjustment in 2020 will be fascinating to watch.

The genius of McVay and the Rams in 2017 and 2018 was not that he ran 11 personnel. The genius what that he ran 11 personnel and did so many different things with it, made everything look the same but then worked wonders in the pass game. It’s not as simple as saying, oh, now they’re running 61 and he doesn’t know what to do against it. Every week is a chess game and Sean’s job is to make those re-adjustments. Thus far, I would not give him a passing grade in that area, but it doesn’t mean it can never happen.

The run blocking has been an issue throughout the season, complicated by some of the personnel issues and injuries. One of the things that was most surprising to me last night was the push the Ravens’ offensive line got. Obviously I knew that was a strong unit, but I did not expect to see the Rams’ front seven handled like that.

Do you think McVay would ever consider an offensive coordinator?

I don’t think he has any particular desire to bring one in. Do I think it’s a good idea? Yes, I increasingly do. Do I think he could be influenced/talked into bringing in someone? Perhaps, yes. I think he could benefit from having an experienced play-caller next to him, even if just for collaboration. Everyone (rightfully) praised him for hiring Wade Phillips. A similar hire (although probably not someone of Wade’s stature) might bring benefit.

I don’t know that the penalties and clock issues are any more pronounced than they’ve been in previous seasons, but when the team is 6-5, compared to 11-1 last season, everything is going to get a closer look and every flaw is going to seem more serious.

I don’t know about “letting” top assistants go. Everyone who has left has gone on to a bigger job, and no coach wants to be in a position where he’s blocking his assistants from moving on to bigger things. That’s a good way to NOT attract quality assistants to begin with.

What’s Goff’s work ethic REALLY like? Brady, Lamar Jackson are truly first in, last out of the building. Is Goff?

There are no issues there at all. The decision-making is an issue, particularly when the pocket breaks down or when Goff seems to sense that it is going to break down. He’s going to have to make some improvements with his reads and pocket awareness and they’re going to have to improve the line in front of him.

With a lot of cap space dedicated to a declining Gurley and an overwhelmed Goff and the loss of 2 first round picks are the Rams done?

No, you’re never “done.” And, respectfully Russell, you’re making some leaps when it comes to “declining” and “overwhelmed.” If the Rams get some of their other issues — offensive line, play-calling, etc. — figured out, there’s every reason to think both of those players (and the offense in general) can return to successful form (if not the great success of 2017 and 2018). But even in a worst-case scenario with those two guys, no, they’re not done. You can still build a winning football team around Goff. The problem is, by giving a lot of money to players who aren’t performing to that level, they’ve significantly increased their degree of difficulty. A lot of draft picks have to be “hits” rather than “misses.” Same goes with some of those mid-level free-agent signings.

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Peters also got into it with Robert Woods, who might be one of the five least-confrontational people on Earth.