tweets (on the Rams) … 9/30 thru 10/2

from RB Index, Week 4: Five most physical rushing teams

Maurice Jones-Drew

https://www.nfl.com/news/rb-index-week-4-five-most-physical-rushing-teams

1. Los Angeles Rams

Last year, the Rams struggled to find an offensive identity. This year, it’s clear Sean McVay wants his team to be physical — and it is. The Rams lead the league in rushing attempts through three weeks, averaging 37 carries per game, and their committee approach — featuring Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown — allows them to trot out fresh legs on nearly every play, from start to finish, even if one player (Henderson, lately) ends up with more carries than the others. Akers missed Week 3 with a rib injury, but when he’s healthy, he’ll rejoin Henderson and Brown in wearing defenses down behind an offensive line that has the second-highest run-blocking grade (79.0) by Pro Football Focus. Furthermore, the Rams lead the league in forced missed tackles with 26 (five more than any other team). You might expect that kind of performance with a high-profile star like Todd Gurley in the backfield, but Gurley is gone — and this unheralded group is putting the league on notice.

Look at 38-year old Andrew Whitworth just casually moving DT Vernon Butler (330 lbs.) with one arm over 5 yards downfield pic.twitter.com/aV54a65wpm

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 30, 2020

Rams to wear yellow pants with royal jerseys for first time vs. Giantshttps://t.co/P8Lw6otJFg

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) October 1, 2020

(1) We've never had an NFL season open with this level of scoring. There are multiple explanations, from high-level QB play to the loss of home-crowd advantage. But in plain sight, an artificial (and largely welcomed) manipulation is underway. COLUMN: https://t.co/6wIMFFlwGR

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 30, 2020

The last time the Rams and Giants met, Aaron Donald started out the game with a strip sack resulting in a turnover! Just AD being AD pic.twitter.com/KCHz9Qb5nJ

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) October 1, 2020

Dick Bass was a good combination of power and elusiveness for the Rams of the 1960s. Here Bass picks up a big gain against the New York Giants pic.twitter.com/zdRT7e2rhJ

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) October 1, 2020

PFF@PFF
Jared Goff has used play action on over 50.0% of his dropbacks.

Since 2012, no QB has finished the season over 43%

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What has been OC Kevin O’Connell’s role during game day? Does he sit in the booth and help watch for defensive trends…?

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
O’Connell warms up the quarterbacks and gets them through the pregame activation process (my favorite topic!) and then stays on the field during games. This is in part because he, as a former NFL journeyman backup quarterback, is used to analyzing a game from the sideline. This is not a joke, or O’Connell being self-deprecating. He said this seriously. Throughout the game, O’Connell is in constant contact with both Goff and McVay in the headset, not only to diagnose the defense alongside the staff but also to get a sense of what Goff is seeing and feeling. He describes their communication as extremely collaborative.

Only QBs without a turnover worthy play this season:

🔹 Aaron Rodgers
🔹 Russell Wilson
🔹 Jared Goff pic.twitter.com/z4gcb0J4sH

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 2, 2020

Kurt Warner finds Torry Holt for a first down and more as he sets up Marshall Faulk for the touchdown run! 2002 against the Giants pic.twitter.com/10cPx0NwnK

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) October 2, 2020

Just like we've all come to expect: Those pass-happy Seahawks and the ground & pound Rams. What a contrast in styles between the cutting edge Brian Schottenheimer and the old school Sean McVay, amiright? https://t.co/nfmkcdyylA

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) September 29, 2020

Cooper Kupp comes in T-2nd for highest-graded WR in 2020 so far 👀#RamsHouse https://t.co/KpMJNmb1FX

— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) October 1, 2020

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Sean McVay, when asked if he was aware that Johnny Hekker didn’t punt in Week 3: “Yes, because normally if we do have to punt, I’m pissed.” Face with tears of joy

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams HC Sean McVay says RB Cam Akers (ribs) is OUT for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

S Jordan Fuller (shoulder) is questionable. They’ll continue to monitor him over the next 48 hours, McVay said.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Jared Goff was on the move in Rams’ first two games. Against Bills, he stepped up in the pocket and showed improved strength.

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams WR Cooper Kupp on QB Jared Goff’s performance against Bills, which HC Sean McVay has said was Goff’s best of the season so far: “He kept us in efficient plays, he kept us in premiere plays to make sure we were in the right looks.”

Kupp also said Goff’s movement in the pocket is better than it ever has been.

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Los Angeles Rams@RamsNFL
#LARams transaction: Terrell Lewis has been designated for return.

J.B. Long@JB_Long
This starts the clock on his 21-day window to be activated. Based on comments from McVay in past 48 hours, the rookie edge is unlikely to debut this week.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
The Rams – including Terrell Lewis – will practice in pads today. They are going to be looking closely at how his knee will respond to an increasing workload.