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znModeratorPractice Report 12/22: Keenum Preparing for Seattle Challenge
Myles Simmons
Quarterback Case Keenum has gone through plenty of ups and downs in his first few seasons in the NFL. But he may not have played better in a victory than he did last week against Tampa Bay.
The quarterback was efficient, completing 14 of his 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. That’s 13.76 yards per attempt, and a quarterback rating of 158.0 — just three tenths away from perfect.
Rob Boras said Tuesday he thought Keenum played outstanding in the coach’s second game since assuming the duties of offensive coordinator.
“I’m not sure what his numbers were, but the ball was complete. When it wasn’t there, he was smart and didn’t force it,” Boras said. “The whole offensive across the board — guys stepped up and it’s been that way, really, for the last two weeks.”
The more he plays, the more comfortable Keenum’s looked on the field. It’s a correlation that makes sense given the difficult nature of playing QB in the NFL.
“Game experience, especially at the quarterback position, is priceless in this league. You have to learn from it,” Keenum said. “You have to get better, and you’re going to go through tough times. It’s not a perfect science. Obviously, some guys have it figured out better than others and have had a lot more success. You try to take stuff from them and how they do the game, how they play the game, how they prepare, and you try to fit it to your own game and what works for you.”
“I hope he’s feeling more comfortable,” Boras said. “I don’t think the gameplan should take credit. It was a short week. He just believed what he saw. That’s what he kept telling himself, ‘I’m not going to overthink it. I’m going to see what I see, and I’m going to believe it and let it go.’ He did that.”
It looks like everything is coming together as Keenum has won both starts since getting back into the starting lineup. In his last two games, the Houston product has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 358 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. That’s good enough for a 106.6 rating and 9.18 yards per attempt.
“I’ve always concentrated on getting better,” Keenum said. “That’s what being a veteran is about, is accumulating experience and experience is priceless. It’s just a matter of keeping battling through the tough times and enjoying the good times.”
Plus, some of Keenum’s decisions don’t directly show up in the stat sheet. Head coach Jeff Fisher has complimented the signal-caller’s ability to make the proper checks in the run game, and Boras mentioned how Keenum taking a sack in certain scenarios is also the right call.
“Case, even those he had to take a sack twice, those were in situations where he didn’t force the ball and [had] something bad happen,” Boras said. “So, sometimes it’s the decision when the ball wasn’t thrown that are the ones you compliment him for the most.”
But this week will present a significant challenge as the Rams head up to Seattle for their second matchup with the Seahawks. Since starting out the year 2-4, the two-time defending NFC champions have won seven of their last eight to bring their record to 9-5. And looking at both squads, plenty has changed when it comes to their on-field makeup — Keenum being one of them.
“It’s been a really long time, a full season,” Keenum said. “A few different players, but it’s Seattle and they’re still a really good defense. They still line up and run what they run.”
Still, there’s plenty to take not only from the Rams’ 34-31 overtime victory, but also the games the two teams have played in the past few years.
“We know who they are. They know who we are,” Boras said. “It just comes down to us doing what we do better than they do what they do. They haven’t changed a whole lot.”
Seattle’s known for running plenty of Cover 3 with its secondary and excelling at it with leaders like cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas, and safety Kam Chancellor. But the Seahawks can be just as formidable up front with players like Michael Bennett, who has 9.5 sacks and can move all around the defensive line.
“They line up to it different ways and they mix it up,” Keenum said. “They tend to mix it up against us sometimes, too. Divisional opponents you play twice, so it helps sometimes to mix it up. You still have to line up and play. You still have to line up and beat them. They’ve got some great players over there.”
The other challenge will be the crowd noise. CenturyLink Field has been known for a while as one of the loudest stadiums in the league, and often presents communication issues.
“We’re not going to be able to hear very much of anything,” Keenum said. “This will be my first time playing at Seattle. I played at Kansas City though. My first start was at Kansas City when they were going back and forth who was the loudest outdoor stadium. So I have an idea of what it’s like, but I’m sure it’s going to be really loud. It’s something we’re definitely going to have to deal with.”
Though the plays go directly to Keenum’s helmet from quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke on the sideline, Boras said there are plans for if something goes wrong.
“That’s part of the preparation that we’re going through now,” Boras said, “is to try to make sure that we have the contingencies in place, so if he can’t hear, we can still get him a play and we can still hopefully be effective.”
And so as Keenum continues to progress in the offense, Sunday will provide another test for him to show what he can do as a quarterback in this league.
“I’ve said it before, anytime you step on the field I think it’s a statement,” Keenum said. “That’s how we accumulate resumes in this league — it’s what you put on film. Anytime you do that, especially against a team like Seattle, who’s for the last few years have been playing a lot of really good football, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
“This will be a big challenge for him,” Fisher said. “I mean, it’s not easy to go in there and play. But, he’s got the personality that I think it takes to go in there and be successful.”
INJURY REPORT
There was no official injury report released on Tuesday, but Fisher did provide an update on linebacker Alec Ogletree. Last week, the head coach said Ogletree’s practice window would likely begin this week with the idea of the linebacker possibly being active for Week 17 against the 49ers.
While Ogletree did not get on the field for the week’s first practice, Fisher said the linebacker did some work inside.
“He’ll be out over the next couple of days,” Fisher said. “We’ll see how he moves and then we’ll kind of push him as best we can, but not going to put him in a position where if he’s not ready, we’re not going to play him.
“But, I want him to have the opportunity to potentially get a few snaps against San Francisco,” Fisher continued. “We’ll know early in the week next week.”
VISITING BAILEY
A number of Rams went to visit wide receiver Stedman Bailey in Miami during the long weekend, including wide receiver Tavon Austin and safety Rodney McLeod.
“It felt good to see my man,” Austin said. “It’s hard to see him like that, but he is definitely positive about the situation.”
“Just to be there and encourage him and lift up his spirits, if they were even down — it didn’t look like they were,” McLeod said. “It looked like he was very positive. We just wanted to take some time out and show him our support, and that we’re rooting for him.”
For more on the visit to South Florida, we’ll have a full story on the site on Wednesday
znModeratorBruce is disappointing.
On Tavon–it’s clear Bruce hasn’t watched him much this year. When asked about Tavon, Bruce just resorts to ordinary generalities.
.
znModeratorBoras brings spark to Rams offense
Jim Thomas
Turns out Jeff Fisher wasn’t joking last week when he said Rob Boras vomited before his first game as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
Boras said he threw up “a number of times” before the Rams’ 21-14 victory last Sunday over Detroit — his first game after replacing Frank Cignetti as coordinator.
“Yes, I excused myself one time in the press box,” Boras confessed. “We all have a lot of pride in what you want to do. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. You want to do what’s right for everybody. You get nervous.”
How nervous?
“Other than maybe the birth of our first child, that might have been the most nervous I’ve ever been,” Boras said.
Boras isn’t the first coach, Rams or otherwise, to get a little, uh, queasy before a ballgame. Rich “Big Daddy” Brooks, the first head coach for the Rams in St. Louis, was known to have an unsettled stomach on game day. Same for Dick Vermeil.
Fisher jokingly offered Boras a bucket after the Detroit game. But also gave him a game ball for his role in ending the team’s five-game losing streak.
“I like living in anonymity,” Boras said. “You guys have been around — I try to get keep my head down. … To me, that was for all of us. The whole offensive staff was unbelievable. Obviously, personally there’s a lot of pride with that, but that’s just a compliment to everybody and how everybody stepped up.”
Five days later came another game, and by all accounts, things went a lot smoother for Boras on Thursday night against Tampa Bay, a 31-23 Rams’ victory.
“He was much better. Much better,” Fisher said, smiling. “He’s still agonizing over the first-and-goal at the 2; second-and-goal on the 2; third-and-goal on the 2. That we didn’t get it in. But I told him that’s football sometimes.”
That was the sequence early in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers after Benny Cunningham’s 102-yard kickoff return to the Tampa Bay 3. Three carries between the tackles by Todd Gurley advanced the ball only two yards. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Fisher opted for a Greg Zuerlein field goal — taking a 31-13 lead — instead of trying for a touchdown.
“I was not gonna give (Boras) the fourth-down shot,” Fisher said. “We needed the points. Beyond that, he was much more at ease. He was in rhythm. There were no issues from a play-calling standpoint.”
It’s just two games in, but things certainly have clicked with Boras at offensive coordinator and Case Keenum at quarterback.
“I made the change for that reason — because I anticipated that,” Fisher said. “They work well together. Coach (Chris) Weinke had a lot to do with this, too.”
Weinke is the Rams’ quarterback coach.
“Chris is doing a good job with Case, and Case is enthusiastic in the way he practices and prepares,” Fisher said. “He’s relaxed and he was making throws on time (against Tampa Bay).”
During the Rams’ five-game losing streak, the team averaged 10 points and 275 yards a game. In the victories over Detroit and Tampa Bay under Boras, the Rams have averaged 26 points and 318 yards per game.
“It’s the scheme that Rob has implemented and the mindset that Rob has implemented,” tight end Jared Cook said.
Simple as that?
“Yeah,” Cook said.
Seven of those points came via the defense, on Trumaine Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown against the Lions. But Boras wasn’t complaining.
“When I saw Trumaine get that interception, I would’ve been happy if we won 7-0 — if we got shut out (on offense),” Boras said. “All we needed was to win. The whole building needed to win.”
After going 41 days without a victory, the Rams have now picked up back-to-back wins in just five days. But gaining 318 yards per game in those two victories, isn’t great — the league average is 353 yards per game this season.
The team needs to do better in the so-called 4-minute offense — when the Rams are trying to run down the clock with the lead. And the Rams’ third-down conversion efficiency still needs work. Going 4-for-11 on third down against Detroit was OK. Going 2-for-10 against Tampa Bay was not.
The quality of the competition also must be taken into account before getting too wild and crazy about the offensive revival during the past two games. Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Arizona — who accounted for three losses during the five-game losing streak — have a combined 29-10 record. The Bengals and Cardinals both have top-10 defenses.
Meanwhile, the Lions and Bucs are a combined 10-17. Tampa Bay is ranked 11th in the league in total defense, but was beat up physically entering Thursday’s game.
The Rams have put together some efficient drives under Boras, and more often than not, taken advantage of opportunities. The league average for points per game is 22.8 through 13 games, so at 26 points against Detroit and Tampa Bay, the Rams are in pretty good territory.
Scoring in the 20s, particularly the mid-20s, usually gives a team a good chance to win.
Beyond the numbers, it’s clear that switching to Boras has provided a spark to an offense, and to an entire team.
“Right now he’s got the juice, man,” defensive end William Hayes said. “I’m out there and I’m looking at the product and the plays he’s calling. He’s got the guys believing. And they’re playing. He’s calling a solid game right now.’
The degree of difficulty increases this weekend, with the Rams traveling to the Pacific Northwest to face Seattle’s No. 2-ranked defense. Yards and points have been difficult to come by for the Rams and everybody else in recent years in CenturyLink Field.
If Boras and Keenum can get something going against that outfit, well, then the Rams might be on to something
znModeratorSeahawks opponent outlook: St. Louis Rams
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-opponent-outlook-st-louis-rams/
By Seattle Times staff
The series: Seahawks lead it 21-13 overall and have not lost to the Rams in Seattle since 2004. However, the Rams have won two of the past three meetings, both in St. Louis. That includes a 34-31 victory in the season opener Sept. 13.
Early line: Seahawks by 13½.
Key players:
QB Case Keenum: The 27-year-old from Houston has replaced the benched Nick Foles — who led the Rams to the season-opening win over the Seahawks — and is coming off maybe the best game of his career, hitting 14 of 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday. He is 28 of 39 for 358 yards and two touchdowns in his past two games, both wins. Keenum is 4-9 in his NFL career as a starter, which includes going 0-8 with Houston in 2013.
RB Todd Gurley: A rookie from Georgia, Gurley has been everything the team expected when it took him with the 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Gurley did not play in the opener against the Seahawks while still recovering from a knee injury. But since entering the lineup in Week 3, he has 1,023 yards, joining Jerome Bettis and Eric Dickerson as the only players in Rams history to top the 1,000-yard mark as rookies. Gurley also has nine touchdowns and is considered a leading contender for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
DL Aaron Donald: This season the second-year defensive tackle has enhanced his status as one of the best young players in the NFL. In fact, Donald this week has the highest grade for the season from Pro Football Focus for any player at any position. Donald has 11 sacks, the most for an interior lineman in the NFL, and 16 tackles for a loss. Donald made the key play in the opener against the Seahawks, teaming with Michael Brockers to bring down Marshawn Lynch on a fourth-down play that ended the game in overtime.
P Johnny Hekker: The Bothell High School grad is having another standout year, one good enough to possibly get him to his second Pro Bowl (he made it in 2013). Hekker leads the NFL in punts (85), is second in net punting (44.32) and is among the top four in percentage of punts inside the opponent’s 20- and 5-yard lines.
St. Louis’ keys to success: The Rams, regarded by some as a dark-horse NFC West contender when the season began (and especially after the season-opening win over the Seahawks) are finishing another disappointing season played against the backdrop of the uncertainty over their future in St. Louis. The Rams were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday and are playing only for the hope of winning the last two games to get to 8-8, which would be the team’s first non-losing record since 2006. Gurley’s addition and a good defensive front seven led by Donald had many thinking the Rams might break through this season. But the Rams have been waylaid by a typically tepid passing attack — they are last in the NFL in passing at just 176.5 yards per game. The Rams are 31st overall in total offense at 299.4. Gurley has helped the running game to 122.9 yards per game, seventh in the NFL. But scoring remains an issue — the Rams are 31st in scoring at 17.2 points per game. The Rams have not been great against the run, allowing 118.1 yards per game (23rd in the NFL) and they beat Tampa Bay on Thursday despite allowing more than 500 yards overall for the second time in three weeks (509).
znModeratorBump placeholder it’s technical
znModeratorbump, placeholder, technical
znModeratorBump. Placeholder. It’s technical.
December 22, 2015 at 3:54 am in reply to: Report: Patriots to sign veteran running back Steven Jackson today #35901znModeratorJackson gets deserved playoff shot with Patriots
Ben Frederickson
Steven Jackson always could make the impossible look easy. His latest act is another great example. He’s going to make us pull for the Patriots.
Yes, the Rams’ all-time leading rusher will now run for New England.
The man who logged 11 seasons, 2,743 carries and 460 receptions with just one playoff appearance to show for it will finally return to the postseason. And he didn’t even have to play a snap in 2015 to get there.
Jackson, 32, took to Twitter on Monday to confirm he has joined the running-back-depleted Patriots. He reportedly agreed to a one-year deal for the league minimum. Good for him.
When the Falcons in February released Jackson with one year left on his contract, many tried to force the workhorse into retirement. His 11,388 rushing yards rank third among active players, behind only Frank Gore (11,879 yards) and Adrian Peterson (11,504). He had nothing left to prove.
That doesn’t mean he had nothing left to offer.
His hope when he left St. Louis for Atlanta was that he would close his career carrying the Falcons toward trophies. It didn’t work out like that.
Injuries popped up. His touches went down. For the first time in his career, he averaged fewer than four yards per carry in back-to-back seasons. Mike Smith, the coach he signed to play for, was fired.
Jackson tried to tell us he wasn’t done.
“I can still punish a defense,” he wrote on his website after his release. “I still have a warrior’s heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs.”
Right now, the Patriots need legs, period. They’re 12-2 and first in the AFC East despite an injury bug that makes Jackson the 75th different player to appear on the 53-man roster, according to NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss. The running back position had become too thin after battering ram LeGarrette Blount went down with an injury. Insert the Battering Ram.
It makes a ton of sense. Jackson can still pound it. He doesn’t fumble. He is an outstanding teammate. This has the feel of a traditional Patriots reboot that will look brilliant when all is said and done.
Maybe Jackson was available in late December because teams questioned the tread on his tires.
Or, maybe he only wanted to return if it meant playing for a sure thing.
New England, winners of four Super Bowls since 2000, is the closest thing to a guarantee.
Jackson’s lone postseason experience came as a rookie, when the 2004 Rams (8-8) beat the Seahawks in the Wild Card before losing to Atlanta. He didn’t know back then that he would spend the next decade watching the playoffs from his couch. Now, finally, another shot.
Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley’s recent milestone reminded us just how good Jackson was here. Last Thursday, Gurley became the first Ram since Jackson to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season. Jackson did it from 2005 through 2012. Only three backs — Emmitt Smith (11), Barry Sanders (10) and Curtis Martin (10) — reached the milestone more consecutive times.
If that doesn’t justify Jackson jumping on board with one of the favorites to win it all, how about this?
His 158 regular season games were third-most in NFL history by a player who never played on a team with a winning record, according to Elias Sports.
If Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Co. seize another ring, Jackson’s presence will at least make it easier to swallow.
If Jackson helps carry the Patriots to glory, how could you not cheer?
znModeratorToo bad Quinn got hurt. This line will be hell on wheels with both of them in there.
TNF Storylines: Aaron Donald’s Domination
NFL Media’s Solomon Wilcots discusses the force Aaron Donald is creating along the defensive line for the Rams.
znModeratorJosh Norman vs. Odell Beckham Jr. (Week 15) | Panthers vs. Giants | NFL Highlights
znModeratorTavon Austin’s Awesome Catch-‘n-Run TD! | Buccaneers vs. Rams | NFL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obveYCMiENA
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Todd Gurley Highlights (Week 15) | Buccaneers vs. Rams | NFL
znModeratorCase Keenum Highlights (Week 15) | Buccaneers vs. Rams | NFL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNplfU6IPw
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Benny Cunningham’s Incredible 102-yard Return Comes Up Short! | Buccaneers vs. Rams | NFL
znModeratorBuccaneers vs. Rams | Week 15 Highlights | NFL
znModeratorNo we’re not. You claim Gurley can be good regardless of the supporting cast, because of his innate skills.
Bnw, no I did not claim that.
In fact, given how I view football, I would never claim that.
You misread something.
I was DESCRIBING his innate skills, compared to say Jackon’s and Faulk’s. Who has this skill, who has that skill. I never said he could thrive by himself without a supporting cast. You can see those skills, however, regardless of how well the player produces in a given game or season. Faulk had incredible vision and micro-gears that allowed him to shift his lanes and angles instantly. That’s just true of Faulk, AS A PLAYER. It doesn;t mean he can thrive without a supporting case. But you can still see the skills, even if the offense doesn;t support him. His skills are his skills. BUT that is not the same as saying he will always produce no matter what, which I did not say of any RB in this thread and have never said of any RB in any thread.
So yeah you’re misreading. Which itself is not big deal, misreading is common on the net. But I wasn’t discussing production, just innate skill sets.
…
znModeratorRams go wide receiver in Todd McShay’s first mock draft
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Yes, in a strictly mathematical sense, the St. Louis Rams are still in the playoff race. But while those faint hopes still exist, the reality is that we’re probably better off looking ahead to the NFL draft than its postseason.
So it was that ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay posted his initial mock draft late last week. It’s worth noting that McShay’s mock was posted before the Rams’ victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so while he has them slotted at No. 10 in his mock draft, they’ve actually already moved further down the list after that win. At 6-8, the Rams look to be headed right toward the middle of the draft pack once again.
In need of an impact receiver, the Rams could target Laquon Treadwell of Ole Miss in the 2016 NFL draft.
In this first attempt at a mock, McShay struck a familiar chord in once again slotting a top wide receiver to the Rams. This time, it’s Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell. Early returns indicate that Treadwell is the top wideout in this year’s class and many believe he has the tools to be an elite, No. 1 type of wide receiver in the NFL.Treadwell doesn’t come without concerns after a season-ending leg injury in 2014, but he has bounced back well this year. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Treadwell draws a comparison to Dez Bryant from McShay.
Undoubtedly, Treadwell would be a great addition to a Rams offense that is still searching for a true No. 1 option in the passing game. That has been a huge hole in the roster since the heyday of Torry Holt and it’s the reason that the likes of me have advocated for players like DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins in recent drafts.
Of course, with Treadwell looking like the clear-cut best receiver in the draft if he declares, there’s a good chance he won’t be available by the time the Rams pick. There’s also a strong chance the Rams would again choose to ignore the position in favor of something else. And even if the Rams added Treadwell or another top wideout, the biggest question would still be who is going to throw him the ball?
The Rams desperately need a franchise quarterback, but McShay has the two best players at that position — Memphis’ Paxton Lynch and California’s Jared Goff — going in the top five to Cleveland and San Francisco, respectively. Theoretically, the Rams could reach for the next best quarterback or move up to secure one of those two, but neither necessarily moves the needle as the instant quarterback solution the Rams need.
Such is life under coach Jeff Fisher, where the Rams have never been good enough to make the playoffs but never bad enough to be in position to find the answer at the game’s most important position
December 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm in reply to: Miklasz & Thomas: Offense Perks Up With Boras, Keenum #35852znModeratorBoras brings spark to Rams offense
Jim Thomas
Turns out Jeff Fisher wasn’t joking last week when he said Rob Boras vomited before his first game as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
Boras said he threw up “a number of times” before the Rams’ 21-14 victory last Sunday over Detroit — his first game after replacing Frank Cignetti as coordinator.
“Yes, I excused myself one time in the press box,” Boras confessed. “We all have a lot of pride in what you want to do. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. You want to do what’s right for everybody. You get nervous.”
How nervous?
“Other than maybe the birth of our first child, that might have been the most nervous I’ve ever been,” Boras said.
Boras isn’t the first coach, Rams or otherwise, to get a little, uh, queasy before a ballgame. Rich “Big Daddy” Brooks, the first head coach for the Rams in St. Louis, was known to have an unsettled stomach on game day. Same for Dick Vermeil.
Fisher jokingly offered Boras a bucket after the Detroit game. But also gave him a game ball for his role in ending the team’s five-game losing streak.
“I like living in anonymity,” Boras said. “You guys have been around — I try to get keep my head down. … To me, that was for all of us. The whole offensive staff was unbelievable. Obviously, personally there’s a lot of pride with that, but that’s just a compliment to everybody and how everybody stepped up.”
Five days later came another game, and by all accounts, things went a lot smoother for Boras on Thursday night against Tampa Bay, a 31-23 Rams’ victory.
“He was much better. Much better,” Fisher said, smiling. “He’s still agonizing over the first-and-goal at the 2; second-and-goal on the 2; third-and-goal on the 2. That we didn’t get it in. But I told him that’s football sometimes.”
That was the sequence early in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers after Benny Cunningham’s 102-yard kickoff return to the Tampa Bay 3. Three carries between the tackles by Todd Gurley advanced the ball only two yards. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Fisher opted for a Greg Zuerlein field goal — taking a 31-13 lead — instead of trying for a touchdown.
“I was not gonna give (Boras) the fourth-down shot,” Fisher said. “We needed the points. Beyond that, he was much more at ease. He was in rhythm. There were no issues from a play-calling standpoint.”
It’s just two games in, but things certainly have clicked with Boras at offensive coordinator and Case Keenum at quarterback.
“I made the change for that reason — because I anticipated that,” Fisher said. “They work well together. Coach (Chris) Weinke had a lot to do with this, too.”
Weinke is the Rams’ quarterback coach.
“Chris is doing a good job with Case, and Case is enthusiastic in the way he practices and prepares,” Fisher said. “He’s relaxed and he was making throws on time (against Tampa Bay).”
During the Rams’ five-game losing streak, the team averaged 10 points and 275 yards a game. In the victories over Detroit and Tampa Bay under Boras, the Rams have averaged 26 points and 318 yards per game.
“It’s the scheme that Rob has implemented and the mindset that Rob has implemented,” tight end Jared Cook said.
Simple as that?
“Yeah,” Cook said.
Seven of those points came via the defense, on Trumaine Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown against the Lions. But Boras wasn’t complaining.
“When I saw Trumaine get that interception, I would’ve been happy if we won 7-0 — if we got shut out (on offense),” Boras said. “All we needed was to win. The whole building needed to win.”
After going 41 days without a victory, the Rams have now picked up back-to-back wins in just five days. But gaining 318 yards per game in those two victories, isn’t great — the league average is 353 yards per game this season.
The team needs to do better in the so-called 4-minute offense — when the Rams are trying to run down the clock with the lead. And the Rams’ third-down conversion efficiency still needs work. Going 4-for-11 on third down against Detroit was OK. Going 2-for-10 against Tampa Bay was not.
The quality of the competition also must be taken into account before getting too wild and crazy about the offensive revival during the past two games. Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Arizona — who accounted for three losses during the five-game losing streak — have a combined 29-10 record. The Bengals and Cardinals both have top-10 defenses.
Meanwhile, the Lions and Bucs are a combined 10-17. Tampa Bay is ranked 11th in the league in total defense, but was beat up physically entering Thursday’s game.
The Rams have put together some efficient drives under Boras, and more often than not, taken advantage of opportunities. The league average for points per game is 22.8 through 13 games, so at 26 points against Detroit and Tampa Bay, the Rams are in pretty good territory.
Scoring in the 20s, particularly the mid-20s, usually gives a team a good chance to win.
Beyond the numbers, it’s clear that switching to Boras has provided a spark to an offense, and to an entire team.
“Right now he’s got the juice, man,” defensive end William Hayes said. “I’m out there and I’m looking at the product and the plays he’s calling. He’s got the guys believing. And they’re playing. He’s calling a solid game right now.’
The degree of difficulty increases this weekend, with the Rams traveling to the Pacific Northwest to face Seattle’s No. 2-ranked defense. Yards and points have been difficult to come by for the Rams and everybody else in recent years in CenturyLink Field.
If Boras and Keenum can get something going against that outfit, well, then the Rams might be on to something.
znModeratorFaulk excelled at everything. Gurley has a chance to be as good as Faulk assuming Gurley has the supporting cast Faulk had here. That is a tall order for this Rams front office.
I think Gurley can be good regardless of the supporting cast.
Besides I was talking about raw talents. Regardless who was around him Faulk had certain basic, innate skills. They showed up in losses and bad games as well as wins.
All RBs need a good O line to create holes to run through. Gurley doesn’t look that good with this supporting cast. Sometimes he breaks an occasional big run which reminds me of Jackson. Faulk had the ultimate supporting cast. Give that to Gurley and he will get his yards and more importantly the team will get wins. Get Gurley in open space and he will be as elusive as Faulk. Neither Faulk nor Gurley run over people like Marshawn Lynch, but even Lynch had a decent O line.
Again…we’re just talking about completely different things.
.
znModeratoralyoshamucci
Was moving last week so Im gonna go ahead and smash these together …
Couple things to note up front … I think Fisher and Snead aren’t going anywhere, I’ve been saying that a while, and when we play well I THINK it’s pretty clear the kind of talent they have put together over of the years. We still have a couple huge holes I think that could use some playmakers … and how we resign and manage this offseason is something Im looking forward to seeing … also … we’re not ruled out of the playoffs yet so I still have that in the back of my mind also.
The Great
1) Aaron Donald … I could probably put him up at the top every week but my expectations are high now so he gets up here when he’s really played lights out. 3 sacks on Detroit. 3 stuff and 3 bug hits in the FIRST HALF of the Detroit game. He single handedly took Jameis out of the game mentally … I have to say he’s simply the fastest football player for his size and maybe one the best players I’ve ever seen. He actually is physically as talented as Gurley, and that’s insane.
2) Barron’s shift to WLB. I saw on the stat sheet they posted for Donald that Barron, when combining “stuffs AND sacks” is tenth in the NFL … that’s crazy because he only has 1.5 sacks. That’s 15 TFL, more than one a game. Wow. I’m betting we can sign him for something that makes sense and keep him and Tree and have the fastest OLBs in football.
3) Trumaine … ugh it hurts to think of how many millions he makes each time he comes down with the ball or breaks up a play. But what a two game stretch for him too. Shutting down CJ and then coming back strong the following week. I think we can onl;y keep one of the two guys, and now the “who” I would keep may be even at 50/50 between the two. (I know many prefer him, but I see Jenks freak athleticism and hips and have been putting him above)
Thoughts? Jenks at 11 million a year and Tru at 8 … who would you keep? Any guesses on how much they get?4) Gurley … not at all upset by his slow games. His goalline awareness is some crazy Quantum theory superpositioning stuff … he knows the exact spot on the field he can get the nose over the endzone from … he’s like the Chris Carter of RBs. I am so impressed with his ability and his focus.
The Good
5) Case played within himself, made the right reads, and didn’t make any major mistakes … I have NO idea what our QB situation is going forward, but IM glad I get to watch him the rest of the year vs. Foles.
6) Mcleod is really solid. Watching him come up and play the face version of patty-cake with Doug Martin over and over was inspiring. I mean he’s giving up 30 pounds. Seriously. Contract #s? Ideas, thoughts? I’d love to keep him. Im finally all on board with that.
7) Cook played his best game as a Ram IMO. He made contested catches and and ran through tackles … I have no idea what to do with him at the end of the year if he keeps this up.
8) Britt is playing like he wants to keep his job. My bet is Quick walks and Britt stays to tutor and play his career out here as a slowly fading vet.
9) Roberson is solid depth, pretty impressive find with him.
10) Wichmann is the guy I want at OG next year rather than Saffold. He’s dependable with heavy hands and is developing better pass pro every game.
11) G Rob still has some lunges, but for the most part I’m seeing real improvement … and the holding calls are gone now. He also had a really sick pancake on the Austin TD.
12) Austin seems to have a home, 10 TDs is real.
13) Boras called a solid, imaginative game … gotta wonder why Cignetti was promoted over him, but hey, Boras still has a few more games to not do well and I could change my mind.
14) Backup line played pretty well …
The Bad
15) Barnes needs to be upgraded. I’m sick of seeing guys run all the way around him and through him. Garrett Reynolds too.
16) Quick has not come back from the injury, that’s just a bummer.
The Ugly
17) ST penalties. the guys need to get it in their heads that Austin can get away from the guys they hold.
18) Nick Foles’ contract going into next year.
December 19, 2015 at 7:13 pm in reply to: 101, 12/19 … Clayton, Wagoner, Casserly, Sean Salisbury #35839znModeratorIMO the Wagoner is good. Informative, covers a bit of ground.
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znModeratorfrom off the net
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Mitchhit234
Just a little video I put together to show support for Stedman.
Tribute to Stedman Bailey, great wide receiver who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pray for him to make a full recovery and hopefully play in NFL again one day.
znModerator
znModeratorAnd should be tied for 4th.
These are TA’s composite numbers:
Runs: 390 yards, 9.1 YPC, 4 TDs
Catches: 427 yards, 5 TDs
Returns: 249 yards, 1 TD
Offense only: 817 yards, 9 TDs
Total: 1066 yards, 10 TDsznModeratorRob Havenstein, Cody Wichmann and Tim Barnes shov[ed] the Bucs around and controlling them like riot police rounding up elderly nuns.
You should really consider including pictures with these reports.
znModeratorNo point to it.
If they were headed to the playoffs–fine.
At this point–save him for next year.
I think the whole point is to get him in quality condition going into the off-season.
I don’t think they really intend to use him much if at all.
znModeratorWhat Roger Goodell’s “Letter” Really Means
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.101sports.com/2015/12/18/roger-goodells-letter-really-means/
Let’s talk about “The Letter,” which you can read about through David Hunn’s report at STLtoday.com.
OK, what does this mean? It was a little startling to see NFL commissioner Roger Goodell drop a tough messag on St. Louis stadium task force co-chair Dave Peacock the day before the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is scheduled for a vote (Friday, 3 p.m.) on final passage of the city’s share of the funding for the proposed north riverfront stadium.
About that extra $100 million from the NFL to the St. Louis project?
Not so fast, Goodell warned. The NFL guarantees nothing.
On the surface, it seemed harsh. Ominous.
Another smackdown from a league that doesn’t hesitate to bully anyone to get what it wants.
But was this some horrible development that will bring down STL’s plans for a new football house?
Will it ensure an escape to Los Angeles for Stan Kroenke, the LA-obsessed Rams owner?
Two answers to those questions: (1) In this instance, no. It doesn’t mean the riverfront-stadium project is doomed, or that Kroenke will be set loose by the NFL, into the open field, running off with the Rams. (2) As always, and as I have said 1,000 times over the last year or so …do not trust the NFL under any circumstances. At the end of this game the league will do whatever the hell it wants to do. Actual rules — the relocation guidelines — don’t matter. And the general rules of decency do not apply, either.
After talking to multiple sources Thursday night (including one NFL owner), here’s my bullet-point analysis:
— The NFL just wanted to reaffirm — strongly — that no one at league headquarters guaranteed an extra $100 million to the STL project. (Beyond the normal $200 million that the NFL contributes to league-market stadium projects.) And that St. Louis shouldn’t count on the money. But we knew that already. I wrote it last week. Talked about it a bunch of times on my radio show. The NFL is in no position to guarantee any money at this point — not even the $200 million. The decision on the NFL’s financial commitment to a STL stadium won’t come until after the NFL votes on LA. That’s the first step. And the financial contribution won’t materialize unless the NFL rejects Kroenke’s relocation bid, which would open the next door — setting the terms attached to the new stadium in St. Louis. St. Louis. None of this has ever been guaranteed. That’s one thing I will say for the league: when asked many times if funding a new stadium would assure St. Louis of keeping the Rams (or securing another NFL team), Goodell or league executive VP Eric Grubman have always made it clear: No. There are no guarantees of anything. And there is no guarantee that Kroenke would agree to contribute $250 million to the project; ownership financial participation is custom in the league’s stadium-funding program. But not if the owner wants to reject public financing and walk away from a potential new stadium.
— Goodell wrote the letter to reaffirm that he runs the league, he’s the boss. It’s interesting. Goodell empowered the six-owner committee on Los Angeles to take charge of the process. Take a thorough look at the three markets that were at risk of losing their franchise — STL, Oakland, San Diego. Assess the probability of each market coming up with a viable plan for a new stadium. Study the financials. Evaluate Kroenke’s plan in Inglewood. Scrutinize the Chargers-Raiders stadium partnership in Carson. Do all of the hard work. Then tell us what you think we should do. Except: Goodell clearly felt motivated to put on a show of power. I think it’s safe to assume Goodell doesn’t like an owner (or owners) from the league’s influential LA committee and financial committee, making off-the-grid deals with Peacock and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. The connected Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal was a guest on our Friday-morning show, and said: “This was Goodell flexing his muscle, saying ‘How dare you offer St. Louis $100 million. I’m in charge.’ ”
— The Letter absolutely reflects the league’s anxiety: If the NFL had a plan to attempt to “fix” this process by setting it up to ensure a successful outcome for Kroenke, it won’t be easy to pull off. Not anymore. Not with the Board of Aldermen ready to pass the final bill to fund the stadium. Please understand this: the NFL never believed, for one second, that Peacock and Bob Blitz and Nixon and Greg Carey (of Goldman Sachs) had a realistic chance to come up with the $400 million in public money for a stadium here. It was a long shot. A joke. No chance. Now that Peacock is close to coming through with his long shot bid, the NFL seems to be agitated. It’s fascinating to watch. If at the beginning of the process the league wanted to rig this so-called competition for Kroenke — again, “if” — well, Peacock has them scrambling. And this letter, at least in part, was a frustrated Goodell throw an elbow at his old friend Peacock.
The Letter raises more question about the NFL leadership: In the letter, Goodell implied that Peacock ran a misdirection play — by not telling the Board of Aldermen the full story on the $100 million. (Which isn’t true. Peacock didn’t do that.) The NFL sought to clarify all of this during a conference call late Tuesday afternoon, but the league placed the call about 20 to 30 minutes after the Board voted to send the bill forward for final passage. It was yet another telling glimpse of the out-of-step direction from the league office. I don’t know how Peacock and Nixon and officials in San Diego and Oakland can keep their heads on straight … because who exactly is in charge?
On one side there’s Goodell, who has kept his distance since choosing a trusted committee to supervise the Los Angeles process. But after months of deferring to his hand-picked committee — with committee members dutifully tending to assigned business and offering guidance to the three markets –Goodell suddenly jumps in the middle of it. If you’re Peacock, then who should you deal with? Do you deal directly with the commissioner? Deal directly with Grubman? Deal directly with the committees? A couple of months ago, Grubman was instructed to back off; the LA committee would direct the NFL process in its final stages. But Grubman — who is absolutely in the pro-Kroenke camp — remains in the middle of everything. And now Goodell reappears with his “I’m in charge of the White House” spiel. It’s almost as if there are two separate governments inside the NFL nation. The New York office of Goodell and Grubman. And the LA and finance committee, with owners such as Bob McNair and Jerry Richardson taking an aggressive approach in shaping the process.
Peacock is told to deal with McNair and Richardson and the committees. And then when Peacock gets down to talking serious business with the committees as St. Louis begins to finalize its stadium-package proposal in time for the NFL’s Dec. 30 deadline, Goodell big-foots his way back into the situation. If the NFL would make up its confused mind — should the group in St. Louis deal with Goodell and Grubman, or deal with the committees — it would ensure a smoother process. But this isn’t happening. Not with the NFL arguing with itself over who has the power.
— The Letter is the NFL’s way of covering itself legally. The NFL didn’t want the Board of Aldermen to vote on the final stadium bill based, at least partially, on the belief that an additional $100 million guaranteed and by the league. And that final passage of the bill would automatically trigger the NFL’s contribution to the project. Being misled, and casting a vote on a false pretense, is the kind of thing that leads to lawsuits. The NFL was smart to aim for transparency here. Peacock doubled back to make sure that the Board understood the NFL’s formal position, as explained by Goodell.
— The Letter was intended to appease officials in San Diego and Oakland. First, you had this highly publicized misunderstanding, with many in the media rushing to judgment and assuming that the $100 million pledge to St. Louis was an official action taken by the NFL’s front office. And then McNair came out and spoke favorably of the St. Louis proposal and our city’s chances of keeping the Rams. And then McNair canceled a meeting with San Diego’s Mayor. Well, I have to assume Goodell received some irate phone calls from San Diego and Oakland.
Oh, so this has been decided. You’ve made up your mind. You’ve given St. Louis an extra $100 million. You’re keeping Kroenke in St. Louis, and you’re allowing the Chargers and Raiders to move to Carson. This is terribly unfair, Mr. Commissioner. You didn’t even wait until the Dec. 3o deadline to tip your hand, and identify the winners and losers.
By sending the tough-guy letter, Goodell was also trying to convince San Diego and Oakland that nothing has been decided, determined, or guaranteed — especially the $100 million gift to St. Louis.
— The timing of The Letter was curious, to say the least: Last week the NFL booked Grubman onto our radio show the day before a critical Board of Aldermen vote on the stadium. As you know, Grubman launched an attack on St. Louis in an obvious attempt to ignite controversy, create doubt, and disrupt the momentum of a Board vote to advance the stadium here. The tactic failed. Now, a week later — on the day before the final stadium vote — Goodell throws down with this ominous letter. Two consecutive weeks …. two prominent NFL executives placing themselves in the middle of a crucial Board of Aldermen vote.
Gee, does anyone see a pattern here?
You don’t think the NFL was trying to cause trouble in St. Louis — late in the game — to jeopardize the stadium bill on Kroenke’s behalf?
Did the NFL office — sensing that the committees were favoring Carson over Inglewood — realize that desperate measures were required to block the STL stadium bill from passing?
Is that what happened here?
Nah.
We all know that the NFL is more honorable than that.
Of course we do.
Whatever the motive, the final vote will pass.December 18, 2015 at 9:56 pm in reply to: the way Foles is right now they have a better chance with Keenum #35818znModeratorI’d put Jamie Martin before any of the ones you listed. I’d put Fitzpatrick ahead also.
Fitzpatrick was a rookie with the Rams and didn’t become as good for years.
Keenum has a lot of things Martin didn’t, and Martin had an offense Keenum doesn;t, including both top WRs and a good veteran OL.
I would take Keenum over Martin. Keenum is quicker in everything, Martin more methodical and less mobile.
That’s not a put-down on Martin. I thought he was a good #2. I just think Keenum is better.
Keenum is not the league’s next Warner and he is not the future. He will have streaks of dirtballs and mole-killer throws. That was true in Houston, it will still be true now.
But on a team with a top defenses, and one where opposing defenses have to think about Gurley, he can contribute to wins. He has some improv to him, and some very good game smarts. Give him a quick drop ball control passing game as a staple, and he should be fine. If they had gotten Keenum in there from the start, I think the Rams would have won 2-3 more games this year. Even with all the mayhem and youth on the OL.
.znModeratorFaulk excelled at everything. Gurley has a chance to be as good as Faulk assuming Gurley has the supporting cast Faulk had here. That is a tall order for this Rams front office.
I think Gurley can be good regardless of the supporting cast.
Besides I was talking about raw talents. Regardless who was around him Faulk had certain basic, innate skills. They showed up in losses and bad games as well as wins.
znModeratorPFF
St. Louis Rams
– After another stellar performance last night, Aaron Donald (+6.6) has surpassed Geno Atkins’ 2012 season, and now owns the highest single season grade for a defensive tackle in the nine years we have been grading games here at PFF.
December 18, 2015 at 9:21 pm in reply to: the way Foles is right now they have a better chance with Keenum #35812znModeratorI think some people took the Baltimore game as indicating absolutely who Keenum was. In contrast in the Baltimore game I saw that he could be a more consistent qb, it’s just that they had a bunch of unusual circumstances in that game.
Not that he will be as good against Seattle as he was against Tampa.
But the Baltimore game, IMO, had a bunch of people down on him when I thought you could see he was better than that game. That game, they had the worst OL of the season, and Keenum had not had the reps. He will always throw a share of dirtballs and he is just not consistently accurate and like a lot of Rams #2s over the years he does not have the arm, BUT he has more field smarts than any of the recent #2s and he can make opportunities by improvising a bit.
Keenum IMO is the best #2 or back-up caliber qb they’ve started for several years (I don’t count Warner in 99 and Bulger in 2002 as back-up caliber).
Better certainly than Hill, Davis, Clemens, Feeley, Boller, Null, Green II in 08, and Frerotte.
Is that what you want ideally? Obviously not. But with good defense it;s enough to win a fair share of games.
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znModeratorVID LINK
Jaws: No defensive player playing as well as Aaron Donald
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14393355&ex_cid=espnapi_internal
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