nittany ram wrote:

I know stuff like this depends on the “flow of the game”, but how did Gurley only end up with 15 carries? He should have gotten the ball a lot more. However, I don’t have a problem with the offense.

The defense though is really struggling. Last week they couldn’t stop the run and this week it was the pass. No one other than Donald can generate a pass rush but he’s being doubled every down. Looks like Brockers came back too early but he’s too fragile anyway. Without Quinn and TruJo this defense has no teeth.

I really expected to see TG with 25 carries as they were gashing them with the run and that also keeps Stafford off the field.

They decided to get in a shootout and play their game and they came away with a L…I put that on the coaches.

InvaderRam wrote:

I would say the blocking schemes and responsibilities sit squarely on Boras and Boo.

that’s what i’m curious about. are they playing to the strengths of their players or forcing them into a scheme to which they are not suited?

i have no idea. but i wonder.

Yea…and it could be new assignments they aren’t 100% comfortable with. In other words thinking instead of playing.

I can’t quite put my finger on it yet but I’m leaning some towards Zn’s theory and some to the players aren’t up to par and replacements will need to looked at for the future.

nittany ram wrote:

wv wrote:

Good. I think thats a good fit for them. I usually dont much like moves, but I’d actually like to see this one.

w
v

A move to Vegas means they aren’t moving to LA so I’m good with it.

Now we just got to make sure the Chargers either stay in San Diego or move somewhere other than LA.

I don’t want the Rams to share a city, let alone a stadium with some other team.

Agreed

Although it sure looks like they aren’t getting anything done stadium wise in San Diego, so….

nittany ram wrote:

Although I’ve seen things I like I’m not sold on the Groh, Boras offense yet or on their ability to run it.

I won’t be sold until the Rams no longer field the worst offense in the league (and yes, I’m aware they aren’t statistically the worst if you eliminate the 9’ers game).

Fix the running game…then I’ll start to believe.

I would say the blocking schemes and responsibilities sit squarely on Boras and Boo.

Right now, the Rams O-line is just flat getting beat. I thought it was stacked lines, but apparently that’s not the case. The defenders are still close in but the line really isn’t helping TG out

Well….the rushes per yard should improve this week. Detroit is already bad in that category and add they are banged up and it leads to TG getting over the 100 hump this week.

That would be a good thing because controlling the clock will be key against Stafford and Co.

TG also has to protect the football. 2 fumbles last week was something he has to shake off. I don’t remember him having fumbleitis so it was just the way the game went, IMO.

All in all….I expect to see the TG from last year this week.

joemad wrote:

“””””Quick, Britt, and Austin have all done better than I expected.”””””

In fairness to Britt, he really had no one at QB to compliment his ability while a Ram… he’s got the tools and strength that the Rams have lacked for the past dozen years….

Quick, historically had the dropsies….. he has been a pleasant surprise this year…

Austin, at 5′ 7″ (I don’t believe that he’s 5′ 9″) is a tough sell for me….I still don’t get him being drafted #8.

I want Stedman Baily back…..

I liked Sted…but he was a possession guy n ot a over the top type. He had very good hands and gave great effort…overall a lot to like.

The little I have seen of Spruce makes me think he can fill that void and then some. I’m anxious to see him get a shot.

zn wrote:

Yards per Pass Attempt
Season: 18th
Last 3 Games: 5th

Yards per Pass Completion
Season: 7th
Last 3 Games: 2nd

First…Thanks for the stats, I enjoy looking those over but know full well it’s not the end all be all.

Are either of those calculating strictly ball in air time or is adding the YAC? I would like to see the average throws CK is feeling comfortable with if you have that.

I have noticed the last 3 games the receivers are getting more YAC than I have seen in the previous 3-5 years….I wonder if that is a Groh influence? I like it because it seemed our pass plays were 5 and stop then get tackled.

Great thread

Thanks to all who shared your thoughts, I enjoyed them all

InvaderRam wrote:

yeah but is it a high ankle sprain? those can linger.

They sure can…I have read where it was said it would have been better to have a break than a sprain.

Just depends.

Tru is the leader of the DB’s and was showing last season was no fluke….they need this guy and EJ together for stretch.

1) CK had a 68% completion percentage and is getting better each game
2) Gurley started finding some room
3) The receivers did a great job catching the ball and were getting a lot of YAC
4) The O had some chemistry

PA Ram wrote:

Come to the Los Angeles Rams–where quarterbacks go to melt down!

Ugh.

Heard some on the radio earlier, watched what I could through RedZone.

I am not happy but I think the game represents more of what the team really is–more a .500(perhaps wild card prospect if things go well) team than a division leading team.

Case with a bad game.

Quick looks great.

The team simply can’t afford the injuries on defense.

The coaching decisions? Questionable, for sure.

All adds up to some 7-9 bullshit, perhaps.

If Johnson is out they have a MAJOR problem.

Honestly, I appreciate Case, I like Case but if this team is going to need offense to carry the defense for awhile, they can’t do it with field goals and pick sixes.

Do you wait for a total meltdown and a 3-5 or even 4-4 midway mark before you move on to Goff? Or do you just say, screw it and start the Goff era now? If you lose with him, at least he’s getting experience. If you lose with Case? I’m not sure what that gives you.

If Goff is hopelessly unprepared right now he should not be the #2. To me, that says he’s ready.

Maybe it’s time.

I don’t think CK really had a bad game. That pick 6 hurt but CK was very accurate today, the missed bomb to Quick aside, and was helping the O-line buying time.

I really think the O was finding a rhythm in this game. TG got going some, but the line still is not where it needs to be.

Zooey wrote:

sanbagger wrote:

I liked Fox watching him this pre-season. Good for him if he gets some game action. My biggest concern would be Donald.

I was wondering if they were going to make a move with Sens after he went from starter to not even activated.

Sanbagger?

I don’t know you.

Were you given a breathylizer test before you posted here??

Welcome. To the Island of Misfit Toys.

HAHA…yea, I’m a new guy…just lookin for some Rams buds to discuss with.

What was it? Weed?

That’s a good article…and have to say, I agree.

Right now, I don’t think they’re a playoff team. The D is ready the O isn’t.

I will addd…Read an article about how Groh has changed the passing attack more than I thought. CK was talking about the changes to protections and hot reads is leading to him thinking more than just playing (paraphrasing)…so, I would expect the O to be a little better each week as they get more accustomed.

Kenny Britt, a go-to Rams receiver, especially wants to go to the playoffs

Gary Klein

He is the most experienced player on the Rams’ offense, an eighth-year pro seeking what thus far has proved to be an unattainable goal.

“Hopefully,” receiver Kenny Britt said. “I’ll get to the playoffs this year.”

Britt has helped the Rams to a promising start.

They are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West heading into Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at the Coliseum.

It’s the first of nine games against non-division opponents before the Rams finish the season against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

Like Britt, the Rams are experiencing a postseason drought. They have not been to the playoffs since 2004.

Britt, 28, is determined to end the streak.

“I have responsibilities and try to be a leader,” he said, adding, “The guys are doing everything correct. Everyone is coming in on off days, looking at film, taking care of their bodies.

“You can tell there’s determination on this team to get to the playoffs.”

The Rams began the season with major questions about a receiving corps that did not undergo a significant upgrade from 2015, when the Rams ranked last in the NFL in offense and passing offense.

Reggie Bush was once a king at USC, but he returns to the Coliseum as an asterisk in the record books
Reggie Bush was once a king at USC, but he returns to the Coliseum as an asterisk in the record books
They drafted receivers Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round and Michael Thomas in the sixth. Cooper has not played because of a shoulder injury and Thomas has played mainly on special teams.

Through four games, the Rams rank last in offense and 30th in passing offense.

But there have been bright spots.

Brian Quick has been the biggest surprise, catching three touchdown passes. Tavon Austin has one.

But Britt has a team-best 18 receptions and is averaging 15.6 yards per catch.

He also has been a go-to receiver on third downs.

“He’s been productive. Made some big plays for us,” Coach Jeff Fisher said. “He has overcome some drops, like the whole group has, but he’s been productive.

“He pushed through — he’s fighting through some nagging little injury things. But he shows up. He shows up and he’s emotional and he plays hard.”

In last weekend’s 17-13 victory at Arizona, Britt was targeted four times, had four receptions and averaged 20.5 yards per catch.

In the second quarter, his 34-yard gain on a third-and-12 play helped set up a field goal. He also converted a third down with an 11-yard reception in the third quarter.

“Both mentally and physically, it’s as good as I’ve seen Kenny,” offensive coordinator Rob Boras said. “His preparation out here, his focus, and it’s carried over.

“He’s playing extremely hard, he’s made plays for us in every game — and critical plays on third down, which has been our challenge as an offense, to try to stay on the field.”

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Britt has remained a threat through multiple knee surgeries.

Fisher was coach of the Tennessee Titans when they selected Britt with the 30th pick in the 2009 draft out of Rutgers. In his second season, Britt caught 42 passes, nine for touchdowns.

But in 2011 he suffered torn ligaments in his right knee.

He had surgery again on the same knee before the 2012 season and also had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee.

He caught 45 passes and scored four touchdowns in 2012 but caught only 11 passes and did not score a touchdown in 2013.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald carries a clear memory of a Rex Ryan comment
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald carries a clear memory of a Rex Ryan comment
The Rams signed him in 2014 and, reunited with Fisher, Britt responded with a career-best 48 catches, three for touchdowns. Last season, he averaged 18.9 yards a catch and scored three touchdowns.

Britt sat out off-season workouts after undergoing shoulder and knee surgeries, but he said he has not lost speed and still feels young.

“I’ve been taking care of my body a lot better,” said Britt, who is earning about $4.5 million in the final year of his contract. “The first two or three years in the NFL, you don’t really know what to do off the field to take care of your body.

“This is my eighth year and I’m doing better than before.”

During training camp, quarterback Case Keenum said that he and Britt had developed “non-verbal communication” that enabled him to anticipate the receiver’s moves. Keenum said this week that they remained on the same wavelength.

Britt concurred.

“Case trusts me out there,” he said. “When we need a first down, he trusts me to do it.”

With opponents crowding the line of scrimmage to stop running back Todd Gurley, the Rams have been unable to run effectively. But if Austin’s production increases and Britt continues his pace, defenses will have to adjust, Boras said.

“We’re going to continue to run the ball and we’re going to get better running the ball,” Boras said. “When they’re loading the box, we’re going to try to take advantage of it and get the ball out in the perimeter in the pass game and let those guys make some plays.”

Like all receivers, Britt said, he wants to score touchdowns.

But a run to the postseason would be even better.

“We’re winning,” he said, “so it really doesn’t matter who gets them as long as we’re putting points on the board.”

gary.klein@latimes.com