SF game reactions thread

[zn]

alyoshamucci wrote:

Holy cow … was not expecting that kind of show on a Thursday night in week 3 of a slow starting season.

I know there has not been a better, more hard fought game this year. Makes me happy. Just gonna start with that gratitude.

The Great

1) Jared Goff. Those were some good throws …

2) TG … that’s more like it. Running hard and dependable out of the backfield.

3) Sammy with his first statement game …

4) Troy HIll and Robey Coleman stepping up … just good enough to get the W.

The Good

5) Running Game blocking? Scheming? Pretty impressive YPC.

6) Great tackle by Barron on that screen, good lord that was important.

7) Sacks and pressure from Fox and Longacre? Excellent.

8) Donald getting back up to regular speed.

9) I like seeing Ebukam getting snaps …

10) Woods with a nice comeback game.

11) The first goal line stand … almost the second.

The Bad

12) Run Defense … guessing we don’t get the system yet.

13) Higbee needs to hang on to that ball.

14) Sammy’s Concussion.

15) I want to see Johnson in Joyner’s spot rather than Cody Davis …

16) Jamon Brown is still the weak link.

The Ugly

17) Pharoh … dude … WHAT ARE YOU THINKING. Just some basic math … to break even, you have to get to the 25. During that trip to the 25, you can have 3 things go wrong …
1) Getting stopped by a great special teams play.
2) Holding penalty
3) Fumble.

How much further than the 25 would make that risk worth taking? I may like it at the beginning of the game to energize the special teamers and wake people up if they are lethargic … but other than that I have a hard time justifying it.

Now, at the end of the game when you’re up by two scores and have control as long as you eat clock … is there any way that risk is worth taking?

[InvaderRam]

probably pointing out the obvious here but just rewatched the first half. 10 of their first 13 points were directly off special teams mistakes. and while you could argue the first touchdown could have been avoided had the defense stayed mentally tough, the second score which was a field goal couldn’t be helped short of getting a turnover.

so the game very well could have been 24-3 by the end of the half. that’s still no excuse for what happened in the second half.

i’ll say this though. i might be reading too much into it, but sonofbum looked pissed at the end. even during mcvay’s locker room speech, he looked very displeased. hopefully with the long week he can iron out some things cuz dallas will be a much tougher test.

[Agamemnon]

The Bad

12) Run Defense … guessing we don’t get the system yet.

I am going to trust Wade to get the defense going. I blame most of their problems on the starters who didn’t practice or play much in preseason and training camp, some because of injuries, some because the starters just didn’t play in preseason. This slowed down the install of Wade’s defense. Although it can be considered close to their old system, it is still new. I expect them to do much better against Dallas.

Agamemnon

[zn]

Agamemnon wrote:

I am going to trust Wade to get the defense going. I blame most of their problems on the starters who didn’t practice or play much in preseason and training camp, some because of injuries, some because the starters just didn’t play in preseason. This slowed down the install of Wade’s defense. Although it can be considered close to their old system, it is still new. I expect them to do much better against Dallas.

Remind me who missed time. It includes Barron, Quinn, Donald obviously, and I think Alexander.

[Agamemnon]

zn wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

I am going to trust Wade to get the defense going. I blame most of their problems on the starters who didn’t practice or play much in preseason and training camp, some because of injuries, some because the starters just didn’t play in preseason. This slowed down the install of Wade’s defense. Although it can be considered close to their old system, it is still new. I expect them to do much better against Dallas.

Remind me who missed time. It includes Barron, Quinn, Donald obviously, and I think Alexander.

I think Barwin rested alot and it seems that Webster had some kind of nagging injury. I would count them to some extent even though they have played for Wade before. Easley went to IR? Does that count?
Ebukcam just now got healthy.
Walker was cut because of domestic violence problems and just recently cleared and brought back.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by Agamemnon.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by Agamemnon.

Agamemnon

[Agamemnon]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-20170820-story.html

But what about the Rams defense?

Though generally pleased after two preseason victories, coach Sean McVay on Sunday acknowledged concern because many key players have not been on the field together in a game in Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 scheme.

Lineman Aaron Donald, seeking to become the NFL’s highest paid defensive player, remains a holdout. There is no indication that he will report before Saturday’s game against the Chargers at the Coliseum, or by the Sept. 10 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Linebackers Robert Quinn and Mark Barron and cornerback Kayvon Webster did not play against the Dallas Cowboys and the Raiders because of unspecified issues. Slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman was held out against the Raiders.

“It does make it a little more difficult because of the importance of those guys playing together — the calls, the communication,” McVay said during a news conference. “Just like anything else on offense, you talk about those defensive guys having that continuity, being able to play together.”

McVay praised other players for making the most of their opportunities. But he and Phillips have been unable to fully evaluate the defense because of the missing parts.

With the exception of Donald, those players have at least been on the field together during offseason workouts, a June minicamp and training camp practices.

“But it’s still not a game,” McVay said.

Agamemnon

[Zooey]

I don’t know why they would do better against Dallas. They could play better against the run than they have all season, and still have a worse overall performance against Dallas. Dallas allegedly has the best offensive line in the league, and they have Ezekiel Elliott.

[Herzog]

Zooey wrote:

I don’t know why they would do better against Dallas. They could play better against the run than they have all season, and still have a worse overall performance against Dallas. Dallas allegedly has the best offensive line in the league, and they have Ezekiel Elliott.

Dallas is one of the best teams in football in my opinion. I think it’ll be a good measuring stick, but I don’t believe we can beat that team. Hope I’m wrong.

[PA Ram]

Trumaine Johnson had an awful game. Garcon destroyed him. 7-142. I worry about what Dez might do.

And yes–the run defense needs to be fixed before then.

As for offense–I can’t say enough about the offensive line of the Rams. Those guys were the stars of the game in many ways. They protected so well. And what a difference when Goff has protection as opposed to when he’s rushed. He still doesn’t have complete feel for the rush and he’s uncomfortable with it. That will come with time, hopefully and he’s getting better but that line really made his life easy. I hope Sullivan is okay.

If they continue to give him time and a running game this offense has too many weapons not to put up points.

At some point we are going to see a bad game from them and Goff is going to have to figure that out, not drift back, and find a way. But for now–kudos to that line. Great game.

And yes–special teams disasters. That can’t happen.

Unless a kick is short–or you’re behind and trying to create SOMETHING–just take a knee in the endzone. Take it at the 25. Most times you won’t get beyond that anyway–and you risk turnovers and penalties. Be smart.

On punt returns–Tavon has to pull his head out. He’s been sloppy and he can’t keep doing that.

Gurley seemed to play with more vision. He seemed to bounce more outside if it wasn’t there–and I liked seeing that. That’s a good sign.

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

[zn]

BobCarl wrote:

The game is slowing down for Goff … this is my favorite play of the SF game.

It is 2nd and 6 from the 33yrd line (1st quarter) score tied 7-7

Woods and Watkins to run deep 30 yrd hitches, TE Carrier to run a 15 yrd curl up the left seam, and TE Higbee to run a 20 yard curl up the right seam. One of the LBs are expected to rush up the middle to stop a run by Gurley, which will leave Carrier or Higbee with a seam to turn into. The play is designed for Goff to throw to the TE that gets the the open seam.

Pre-snap … Goff looks left hoping to lure the deep safety towards Watkins.

Three things go wrong …

(#1) During the 3 step drop both LBs keep the seams zippered shut, (#2) Gurley doesn’t chip the rushing DE, and then (#3) the pressure from stunt blows up the pocket and Goff has to scramble.

Time to throw it away or take a sack, right? … except …

Four things go incredibly right… (#1) Goff doesn’t panic during the pressure. (#2) He throws it up to his final checkdown hoping that Woods does what he is supposed to do. (#3) Woods hits his route timing and spot on the field perfectly and makes his hitch well after the ball is thrown. (#4) Woods makes a great back-shoulder catch while being harassed by the CB.

31 yard gain … a play that takes both an elite WR and Qb to make. Great confidence builder for a QB to be able to trust his WR on future plays.

[zn]

Something that has not been noted. Run defense.

Because of the SF game, I am assuming that the Washington game and its abysmal run defense was a 1 time event. I am not predicting a great run defense but most likely it is not going to be THAT bad again.

Look at the SF game—the 9ers ran on Seattle to the tune of 159 yards, and then managed 113 against the Rams but that was on 33 carries for 3.4 a carry.

So I notice that in a few days, they contained the run better than they did against Washington.

And that was against a team that had just run all over Seattle (to the tune of 8.36 a carry).

It’s too soon to make safe predictions about an unsettled unit, but it’s fair to assume that they won’t repeat how bad they were against Washington.

,,,

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