tweets & other bits … 2/7 & 2/8

Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore

They didn’t have a whole lot of 1st downs to utilize but of them, the Rams ran it eight times between Gurley and Anderson and once more with Woods. So they definitely tried to run it on first down. They threw it 15 times on first down. It wasn’t like it was completely out of whack. They just couldn’t get any traction no matter what they tried to do. They averaged 3.7 yards per carry on those first down runs. That’s not going to get it done.

I was surprised about the lack of screen passes and adjustments. I think that kind of stuff will eat at McVay for awhile.

And yes, the Patriots offense was not that much better. Which is why you have to be careful about over-reacting.

I think the way both teams were playing defensively it really came down to who could make the two or three plays necessary to win it. Schemes had nothing to do with Jared not seeing Cooks in time on that pass to the end zone. Or the DB breaking up a very well thrown ball to Cooks near the goal line. Or the bad throw Goff made up the sideline that got intercepted. That was all about execution. Sean is smart enough to make some adjustments to have the sort of in-game options he can turn to if a similar situation comes up. But again, it was one game that literally came down to a couple of plays that the Patriots could convert and that the Rams didn’t.

I do not think Gurley was 100 percent. But I do think he was fine enough to play. The Rams couldn’t block consistently, and even when they did get him off or get off a positive play, it always seemed a penalty or sack or negative play soon followed. Important to remember, too, it was one bad game against a very good team being coached up at the highest level. Can’t get too freaked out that you make dumb decisions out of overreactions.

I think the biggest concern is how the offensive line got handled and the response from Jared Goff to throwing against a zone defense. Goff has some work to do in that regard,Goff definitely needs to sharpen up against the zone. But also, he has to play better under pressure. Of his 42 dropbacks he was pressured 18 times and, in those situations, he was 4 of 14 for 47 yards, a pick, and sacked four times. Part of that is Goff maybe holding onto the ball too long – also credit the Patriots, their coverage was incredible – but part of it was the offensive line got their lunch eaten both on pass blocks and run blocks. From coaching to blocking to throwing the Rams got beat on Sunday. But I do think they’ll learn from it and be better off for it

24 years old. Has gotten better every year. Just helped get his team to the Super Bowl in his third season. Two straight division titles. He’s a keeper. And yes I do believe he gets even better

I still wonder how much of all that was the result of Gurley simply not being able to do some things he normally can, and how much it really affected the game plans. I think the splitting the carries part is a clear sign that, while Gurley was physically fit to play, he probably wasn’t fit enough to carry the whole load.

I don’t see a lot of bg changes offensively – unless Whitworth retires and Saffold leaves via free agency – but I do see changes defensively considering there are so many FA’s. I think Joyner is gone. I could see Barron leaving too in order to direct his money elsewhere. It’s going to be a busy offseason defensively

Noteboom and Allen are future starters – Noteboom potentially this year at left guard or tackle depending what happens with Whitworth and Saffold. But yes, they definitely need to add more pieces to the line for development purposes.

Rodger Saffold@Rodger_Saffold
Every failure I’ve had has made me stronger. It’s a lesson learned and the hunger I have to be better for my teammates for myself and for the city! Must be patient tho get a little rest and then get after it like I’ve never done before! I just wanna go back to the Super Bowl!

from PFF: https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-top-101-players-from-the-2018-nfl-season?utm_source=cj&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=cjaff&cjevent=75be073e2bc311e9810801130a1c0e11

The top 101 players from the 2018 NFL season

1. AARON DONALD, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Top 101 appearances: 5

In the 2018 NFL season there really is no question who the best player in the game was, and what is remarkable is that he took his game to another level from an already ridiculous starting point. Aaron Donald was the single most destructive force in the game from his interior alignment on the Rams defensive line, earning an overall PFF grade of 95.2 and recording a staggering 113 quarterback pressures, both the best marks of any player in the league.

Doug Farrar@NFL_DougFarrar
Dan Reeves of the Rams made Eddie Kotal the first true bird-dogging scout in 1946. Before then, draft prep consisted of reading Street and Smith’s & Stanley Woodward’s College Football mags & occasional scouting trips.

And NFL teams weren’t scouting black colleges. Ban and all.

Gil Brandt@Gil_Brandt
On this date in 1936, the very first NFL draft took place at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia. Like every other team, the Eagles had 9 picks. Not a single one, including top overall pick, QB Jay Berwinger, ended up playing in the NFL.

ProFootballTalk@ProFootballTalk
Dak Prescott, who hopes for a new deal this offseason, on Tom Brady’s team-friendly contract: “Nobody’s wife makes as much money as his wife does either”

==

“I don’t think it’s any surprise that I want to be back.”

Longest-tenured Ram @Rodger_Saffold on upcoming free agency 📰 » https://t.co/zVJJunrEKh pic.twitter.com/0DUu8YWJTu

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 8, 2019

RamBill

Kirwan today on NFL Radio

Here’s some of what Kirwan said–

The Rams got out coached and out played…..between Brady and Belichick they have references going back 15 years….there is nothing they haven’t seen…..they have a whole library….the Rams don’t have that….they have a couple of notebooks…..with all that being said…..for 56 minutes no one knew who was going to win that game….not until the Goff INT.

Regarding Goff–

Jason McCorty said to Kirwan: We rolled through coverages: Man, Zone, Combo…Man, Zone, Combo…..and Goff had a really hard time deciphering what he was looking at….and he’s a young guy…in a Super Bowl…I think he’ll get much better…I think he’s going to be a very good player. Welcome to the big leagues.