Greg Williams Guinta-fied the defense. That is the single biggest problem this season. I’m not sure we would be seeing articles about Fisher’s future with the Rams had the defense not imploded. If the Rams had hired a coordinator (or just promoted someone on the staff) who would have simply maintained status quo, the defense would be playing pretty well and they would have won a few more games. No one would seriously have playoff hopes due to the rash of injuries, but nobody would be questioning Fisher’s status as HC either.

The offense had been playing pretty well up until they lost 3/5 of the o-line in the Chiefs game. I think Schotty does a good job of play calling overall. I have no issue with the game plan. I think he knows how to get the best use out of the players he has (with one notable exception). I think he’s executing Fisher’s vision of the offense pretty well.

In the 2.5 seasons that Fisher has been the HC, the defense has played at its highest levels only when he had control over it. That was true his first season when B Williams was DCINO (Defensive Coordinator In Name Only) when they sorta took a “coordinate by committee” approach but with Fisher in charge. It was also true in his second season when Walton was DC. The defense improved greatly after Fisher took over, or at least was rumored to do so.

This is a lost season. Might as well see if the defense can begin to master Williams’ complex system for the rest of the year. Assuming that doesn’t happen, Fisher should fire Williams and go back to the DC by committee approach employed in is first season. There are a few good defensive minds on the staff including Dave McGinnis. That’s why the committee approach worked before and it’s why it could work again.

Well, nobody thought Ogletree was a bad player last year. Sure he had some flaws in his game (the same flaws he had in college so this wasn’t a surprise) but overall he looked like an up n’ comer. I just think Ogletree is struggling in GW’s system for some reason. It could just be a matter of experience in that scheme or maybe he just isn’t a good fit for it. Who knows…

Zooey wrote:

Hi. I’m late to this conversation, but saw the invite.

If it were me, I would write an email to the teacher. I would do that for two reasons. Number one, I could be completely in control of my tone. I would be able to communicate the entire picture without interruption, and without forgetting anything. That’s important to me, but isn’t important to everybody. Some people just like to let loose. That isn’t my style; I want a measured communication. I don’t want to fight with the teacher. I want to make him understand a point of view.

The second reason I would write an email is that I would have a written response from the teacher. If he didn’t give me satisfaction, or continued in the same vein, I would have concrete material to present to the administration, and a parent with written documentation will have the administration bending over backwards to satisfy them, believe me. If ANYTHING happens after the email communication, you forward the emails to the principal with an explanation of the recent event, and ask for his/her help. Your issue will be handled that morning.

I don’t know the guy, obviously. He may think he is being cool and funny, and may be embarrassed to learn he is offending your son. But no teacher with any brains would have made your son the target of class irritation over the number of countries on the quiz. I can’t believe it. That is an incredibly ignorant thing to do. Still, I would give him one chance. Handle it “out of court,” so to speak.

Yeah, I agree with this. I would initially give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. He may not realize what he is doing to your son in his attempts at being funny. Unfortunately there are teachers who may have forgotten what their primary purpose is and in their efforts at being liked or considered cool fail to maintain a professional demeanor. It could be that he has nothing personal against your son. He’s just a convenient target. Not that this should excuse his actions. He sounds like a real dick.

So do what zooey said to do. If that doesn’t work, wait for him after school. Come up behind him and inject a small dose of Etorphine into his carotid artery. Take his unconscious body to some hidden spot where you can work uninterrupted. Cellophane him to a table and make sure you are standing over him with a large knife when he wakes up. Then explain to him why he is there and what you plan to do about it.

wv wrote:

PA Ram wrote:
Seems about right.

One win does not a season make–especially one that involved some magic tricks. Hey–it’s great, I’m happy to get the win. But I just don’t know what would make me thinks the team has turned some sort of corner. I still see a team that can implode at any moment.

I expect the Chiefs to win this one.

I’m hoping they don’t.

Surprise me, Rams. Surprise me.

Yup. Not expectin a win, either.

It would be nice if AustinD showed
poise and composure early on, unlike
the roadtrip to Philly.

And it would be nice if Tre didnt fumble.

And it would be nice if the defense
stopped the Run.

And it would be nice if the Refs
didnt decide the game.

w
v

Well, I do expect the Rams to win.

But see, the difference is that unlike you two, I’m a fan of the Rams.

I don’t simply pretend to root for the Rams on this message board while secretly delighting in their missteps. I don’t feign pride in the Rams’ victory over the Seahawks while lovingly casting my gaze upon the Kansas City Chiefs like you two do.

So forgive me if I’m not shocked that you two have no faith in the Rams this week. The real fans have enough faith for both of you. Remember this when your beloved Chiefs are limping off the field bruised and bloodied around 4pm EST this Sunday.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by nittany ram.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by zn.

Herzog wrote:

Williams biggest sin is ruining Ogletree. Actually hate him for it

The hiring of Williams has been an unmitigated disaster. It has set this team back at least a year.

Zooey wrote:

Well, it figured to be either Givens or Pettis eventually. What Givens has to contribute (deep speed) is more unique to the WR collection than what Pettis contributes. Britt and Quick can do what Pettis does. And more. So….

I liked Pettis. He made more than a few clutch catches for the Rams over the last few years.

But the last time we saw him he was dropping two catchable passes that probably cost the Rams the game against Philly. Then he shows up late for a team function.

The last time we saw Givens he was catching a 30 yard pass that pretty much won the game against Seattle. Plus, he’s got more speed and athletic ability than Pettis. I’m not sure he’s a more reliable receiver or even better than Pettis nor am I sure he will be here for the long haul. But as you say the emergence of Quick and Britt make him expendable.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by nittany ram.

That was the first time the Seahawks had their way offensively against the Rams in the Fisher era. Even in the losses to the Seahawks the Rams defense always held their own. Wilson usually struggles against the Rams but today he set an NFL record – 1st QB to have 100 yds rushing and 300 yds passing in the same game.

Well, let’s say offenses are getting the ball out quickly. There’s got to be a way to for a defense to adjust to that, right? I mean, if all it takes to neutralize a great pass rush is to throw it sooner then why would an offense ever worry about any pass rush at all? Just use a 3 step drop and fire.

The way to defend against that is to not let the receiver get off the line cleanly. This disrupts the timing of the play and forces the QB to hold onto the ball longer. Are the Rams DB’s letting receivers release cleanly? I don’t know.

Although I wouldn’t be surprised if on average opposing QB’s are taking shorter drops and throwing sooner, I also agree with laram. I have seen many instances where the QB had all day to throw.

Jenkins takes blame, says ‘It won’t happen again’

Whew. I can breathe now. He won’t ever get burned again. Thank Christ. I was so worried this would happen again but now I can sit back and relax because he says it won’t.

Ok, so THAT problem is solved. What’s next?

Maybe we can get Davis to promise he’ll make better decisions when the game is on the line or get Cook to say he won’t drop anymore passes or sulk when things don’t go his way?

The Rams defense is rated 18th. Last year’s Titans defense finished 14th.

So I guess he’s pretty good at forging average defenses, no matter the talent level.

PA Ram wrote:

I don’t know, zn.

Fisher’s quote:

(On how much the long touchdown pass hurt before halftime)
“Yeah, well it was a double move and he (CB Janoris Jenkins) should stay on top. In retrospect we should probably not put him in that position. They were stalling a little bit, letting the clock run down. I even pondered using a timeout there to try to get the ball back, but it looked as if they were just going to take a shot. We have to get better than that as coaches and as players.”

A good coach–who should know anyway that Jenkins is susceptible there(know your players weaknesses)should not count on him making that play. They could have handled ANYTHING underneath at that point. The one thing that could not happen–the one thing they could not allow–they did. And I just feel that the coaches take a chunk of the blame there.

To me that just sounds like Fisher covering for JJ in public. I bet his tone and choice of words was a little different when he addressed this with JJ at Rams Park.

I think he could be a great possession receiver. He was easily the best WR on the roster at the end of last season and was having a great camp this past offseason. I think the 4 game suspension set him back a bit but I can’t wait to see him settle in with Quick and Britt.

Don’t they always use yellow horn decals when they wear their throwback unis? What’s different this time – unless the shape of the horn has been changed back to the way it was in 99. If that’s the case I wish they’d keep it that way.

I don’t like how skinny the horns are on the current helmets.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by nittany ram.

Yeah, I feel bad for Ray Ray but if, as Fisher said, his entire body of work was taken into consideration in this decision, then this is the right move.

Up to now his resume has been pretty bleak. He really hasn’t contributed anything to this team except personal fouls.

PA Ram wrote:

Yes–E.J. Gaines. That kid is fantastic. I’m sorry but he has, IMO, earned a starting corner spot.

I don’t envy you and your day at work tomorrow. 😉