- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Thomas on the NFL: Holt says Rams’ offense ‘tough to watch’
By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 13 hrs ago
Torry Holt still follows his former team closely. He’s watched every Rams game this season. Even goes back and takes a further look at the coaches’ or “all-22” film.
“I read up on on ’em, what the pundits are saying about them out in Los Angeles and around the National Football League,” Holt said. “So I’m still pretty in tune with the team and what they have going on out there.”
That being said, even Holt is astounded that it’s been nearly a decade since the Rams had a 1,000-yard receiver.
“When I think about it, it’s like ‘Wow,’” Holt told the Post-Dispatch from his home in North Carolina on Wednesday. “You think about all the receivers they’ve had come through there since myself and Isaac (Bruce) left. And they’re still looking for someone to break out and be that No. 1 elite receiver.”
It’s one of the strangest streaks going in the pass-happy NFL. Back in 2007, Holt caught 93 passes for 1,189 yards for a Rams team that featured Marc Bulger and Gus Frerotte at quarterback. Steven Jackson was in the backfield. An aging Bruce was in his 14th and final season with the club, which finished 3-13 under Scott Linehan.
Since 2007, pass-catchers have topped 1,000 yards 185 times across the league. In fact, 29 of the 31 other teams have had a 1,000-yard receiver either this year, last year, or in 2014.
For San Diego, you must go back to Keenan Allen in 2013. For Minnesota, it’s Sidney Rice in 2009. And then there are the Rams, with Holt all the way back in ’07.
Stranger yet, they haven’t been close to 1,000 since Holt in ’07. None of their annual leading receivers since then had even 800 yards, in a hodge-podge group that included Donnie Avery, Danny Amendola, Brandon Lloyd, Chris Givens, Jared Cook, and Kenny Britt.
But on Sunday against San Francisco, the drought finally should end. Britt enters the game with 987 yards on 67 catches. One little 13-yard slant over the middle, or maybe a quick out-pattern to the sideline, will end the 1,000-yard drought.
Although Britt was limited in practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, it will be hard to keep him off the field against the 49ers with 1,000 yards so near. Especially in a contract year. (He’s eligible for free agency after this season.)
“Kenny’s been the most consistent receiver of that group this year,” Holt said. “And he’s had his problems. He’s had his drops and some of his inconsistencies. But I think it’s a great testament to Kenny, and how he’s worked, in how he’s kind of resurrected his career being with the Rams.”
It’s also a testament to how inept the Rams have been on offense that it has been nine years between 1,000-yard receivers. Back in the day, Holt and Bruce would collect 1,000-yard seasons like Cam Newton collects hats.
Holt topped 1,000 yards eight consecutive seasons from 2000-07, including an NFL-record six straight seasons of 1,300-yards plus. Bruce also reached 1,000 eight times, spread over 12 seasons from 1995-2006.
“It became the norm for us,” Holt said. “We were brought there to be productive, we were brought there to make plays and to compile a bunch of yards. And we did that in our time there.
“So to have receivers going 500 yards, 600 yards, 700 yards a season — that’s a big part of why they haven’t had any success on the offensive side of the ball. They drafted Tavon Austin in the first round, I think eighth overall. They brought some guys in from free agency, they drafted Brian Quick — the list goes on and on.
“But none of these guys have been able to do what we were able to do. They haven’t been able to come close to sniffing or scratching — whatever way you want to say it — to what we were able to accomplish there as receivers for the Rams.”
Holt says this not to brag, but with a tone of frustration. Once a Ram, always a Ram. It’s mind-boggling to him how far the team has fallen since the glory days of the “Greatest Show on Turf” teams.
“As an offensive guy and a Ram guy, it’s tough for me sometimes to watch it,” he said. “With that defense playing as well as they’ve played in the last four, five years, and not having a complementary offense, it’s been tough to watch. Very frustrating.
“Our special teams have been special, but they’ve gotten nothing from the offense. And they’ve drafted offensive linemen, they’ve drafted receivers, they’ve drafted running backs, they’ve now drafted quarterbacks, and still no production.”
It’s enough to make Holt wonder if it’s the system, the coaching, or simply that the players aren’t good enough.
“And if you watch what they do offensively, it’s not complex,” Holt said. “It’s very simple. It’s very basic. Even with that being said, there’s still not a high level of production.”
Holt said he had nothing but respect for Jeff Fisher, who always made him feel welcome at Rams Park when the team was in St. Louis. But he realized the end was near after the 42-14 shellacking against Atlanta on Dec. 11.
“I knew the hammer was gonna come down pretty hard,” Holt said. “I knew they were gonna come down hard on Coach Fisher, and they did. At the end of the day, you’ve gotta win, man.”
Holt likes what he sees so far of No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff at quarterback.
“He competes. He has a very live arm,” Holt said. “Can go through his reads. Can make big-time throws. I think he has a career in the National Football League. They’ve got to continue to get more around him — he and his teammates — and put them in position to succeed. You’ve gotta have a running game. You know, (Todd) Gurley hasn’t been the best this year. The offensive line hasn’t been the best.”
And it always helps to have a 1,000-yard receiver. Or two.
Agamemnon
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
