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znModerator@wyche89: Spoke to Rams Coach Jeff Fisher. RB Todd Gurley is playing today
znModeratorLet’s keep this thread active. If this chat room is uneven, we replace it. The goal is a chat room we all like. So feedback is useful. Like I said, if we don’t like this one, we’ll fix things.
If necessary, we will even call in Tony Stark.
We will. We’ll do it.
znModeratorWe’re working on the chat room situation so let us know if this one is okay cause if not we will keep looking.
znModeratorI’ve been completely distracted by real life lately, so I don’t know exactly what’s been said about the Quick situation. But, it is very, very disappointing that this guy is not even dressing lately. I have to believe that he is in Fisher’s doghouse, and these tryouts sure seem like they must be directed at him. I wonder how Quick would have gotten into Fish’s doghouse.
No there are very strong reasons to believe he’s just coming back slow, and it has been addressed a lot.
But then there are those little clouds on the horizon, and that could be anything or nothing. It could be that he’s really not back yet. It could be that they just happened to work out receivers and it got reported even though it meant nothing.
“Dog house” does not sound likely to me.
znModeratorIan Rapoport @RapSheet 2h2 hours ago
More evidence #Rams RB Todd Gurley is expected to play for the 1st time in his career: He’s flying in his people to STL to watch him.Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Rams RB Todd Gurley, the first RB picked in this year’s draft, is highly likely to make his NFL debut today vs. Pittsburgh.
znModeratorIs Gurley Ready to Go? Jeff Fisher Won’t Say
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.101sports.com/2015/09/25/is-gurley-ready-to-go-jeff-fisher-wont-say/
If the Rams are planning to give rookie running back Todd Gurley his NFL roll-out in Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, don’t expect coach Jeff Fisher to blab about it.
And why should he? This is the NFL, where a head coach’s true plans are kept as hush-hush as highly sensitive state secrets that impact national security.
You couldn’t get the KGB or CIA to break Fisher on this one.
The coach will keep the Steelers guessing until shortly before the noon kickoff at The Edward Jones Dome.
When the Rams released their official NFL injury report on Friday, Gurley was listed as “questionable” despite going full throttle in practice over the last two weeks (at least.) Fisher once again has stated that he’s “really pleased” by Gurley’s progress. And Gurley has fully participated in the Rams’ practices this week.
But since Gurley is still technically making his way back from surgery to repair a torn knee ligament that ended his collegiate career at Georgia, the Rams have the leeway to be as vague as they want to be. Besides that, Fisher clearly enjoys playing this parlor game with the media and the team’s next opponent.
Courtesy of the Rams’ outstanding media-relations staff, here’s a play-by-play of the exchange between Fisher and the STL media on Friday afternoon:
On Gurley’s status and the chances of him playing Sunday:
Fisher: “Well, he’ll be…we have him listed as full participation all three days. We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
On if the decision of making Gurley’s status known at game time is a strategic move:
Fisher: “Well, I think around the league everybody would prefer not to tip their hat, and that’s kind of where we are right now. But if he doesn’t go, he doesn’t go. And that’ll be a decision we’ll make Sunday.”
On if he promised to (privately) reveal Gurley’s true status to the team:
Fisher: “I’ve already told them and you missed it. (Fisher laughed.) No, I don’t remember saying that.”
On if the decision is already made not to play Gurley or if it will be determined Sunday morning:
Fisher: “Well the decision was made last week. It’s not made this week. We made the decision last week on Friday. But right now, honestly, it’s a game-time decision, so we’ll see how he is.”
On how difficult the decision is as a coaching staff to judge when Gurley’s ready to play:
Fisher: “It’s not that hard. We’ve seen the reps. That was our point the last couple of weeks was to get him back in the offense and running with the starters, and he’s done so. I think we split those reps probably 50/50 between he and (RB Tre) Mason. As a tribute to (RB) Benny (Cunningham), Benny doesn’t need a lot of reps. Benny’s get it and he can do it.”
On how much it will lift the team when Gurley plays:
Fisher: “Well if he plays, it really would have to do with production. If he’s productive, which we expect him to be productive when he plays, now granted we’re playing a very talented defensive front. Then that becomes a big lift of the team. I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
September 27, 2015 at 9:23 am in reply to: Feeling good about Sunday…the "will Rams beat Steelers" thread #31218znModeratorThis would be a bigger upset than Denver last year.
But I ain’t ruling it out.
znModeratorRams-Steelers: 7 For Sunday
Jim Thomas
Go ahead, just try to sack Ben Roethlisberger. Opposing pass rushers look like kids climbing on a playground Jungle Gym — with Roethlisberger in the role of the Jungle Gym — trying to get the big fellow down. Pressure from the edges doesn’t seem to make him antsy. Your best chance is trying to disrupt him with pressure up the middle. That’s your cue, Pittsburgh native Aaron Donald. Roethlisberger was out when the teams met in 2011, so this marks the first time he’s played the Rams since 2007.
PROTECTING BIG BEN
Despite Roethlisberger’s penchant for standing firm in the pocket, and waiting — and waiting some more — for receivers to get open, he has been sacked only twice and barely got touched last week by San Francisco. Even with four-time Pro Bowl C Maurkice Pouncey out with an injury, the Pittsburgh offensive line has been surprisingly effective. Cody Wallace has filled in for Pouncey. The Steelers have been able to run the ball without Le’Veon Bell and scored three rushing TDs vs. the 49ers.RING THAT BELLBell missed the first two games of the season while serving an NFL suspension. But he’s cleared to go and Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin says Bell is ready for a full load in St. Louis. Although he’s trimmer than his college days at Michigan State, at 225 pounds Bell is still a power back. After making Washington rookie Matt Jones look like a star last week, the Rams are stepping up in class against Bell, who had a franchise record 2,215 yards rushing and receiving in 2014. Huge challenge.
BROWN & CO.
Opponents are completing an astounding 80.9 percent of their passes against the Rams so far this season, so when it comes to the Rams’ secondary vs. the Steelers’ receiving corps, it looks like a big mismatch. Antonio Brown is the NFL’s top WR, and he can beat you in all ways — long, short, and in between. Darrius Heyward-Bey is among the league’s fastest players, running a 4.25 in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Rams have to keep Brown and Heyward-Bey from getting behind them. That’s Job 1.LINEBACKER CENTRALYes, the Rams have five first-round draft picks on their defensive line. Well, the Steelers have four former first-round picks at linebacker. It’s a physical, fast-flowing group that can press the point of attack but also go sideline to sideline to run down perimeter plays. Second-year LB Ryan Shazier is an emerging star, but has been scratched for Sunday’s game because of a shoulder injury. Rookie Bud Dupree, who paid a pre-draft visit to Rams Park, already has two sacks coming off the bench.
THE BACK END
If the Steelers have a weakness, it’s their secondary. Granted, they drew Tom Brady in Week 1, and Colin Kaepernick got some garbage yards in Week 2, but the Steelers are 27th in passing defense, yielding 289.5 yards per game. Through injury or sub par performance, four DBs the Steelers had starting hopes for are either on the bench or not contributing much. So it’s a patchwork group, but an aggressive unit, with veteran William Gay and former street free agent Antwon Blake starting at corner.OH, BY THE WAYWhen he’s not catching a zillion passes, Antonio Brown still finds the time to shag punts for Pittsburgh. Actually, he does more than just catch them — he has averaged 10 yards-plus per return in three of his five previous NFL seasons and has three career punt return TDs. The Rams have tightened up their punt coverage considerably since allowing a TD against Seattle’s Tyler Lockett on Johnny Hekker’s first boot of the season, but can’t afford to take Brown lightly.
znModeratorRams brace for Steelers’ juggernaut
Jim Thomas
The Rams know they let one slip away last week in Washington. And watching an 0-2 New York Giants squad easily dispatch Washington on Thursday night only brought back the sickening feeling of dropping a game they should’ve won.
There’s only one way to get that one back. Namely, by winning a contest that no one expects them to win, such as Sunday’s noon kickoff against Pittsburgh at the Edward Jones.
Don’t let Pittsburgh’s 1-1 record fool you. The Steelers were never really stopped by New England in a 28-21 opening-day loss; they stopped themselves. Last week, the Steelers stomped San Francisco 43-18 in a contest that wasn’t as “close” as even that final score might indicate.
Coach Mike Tomlin’s crew comes to the Gateway City simply sizzling on offense. The Steelers have the league’s topped-rank team in total offense, and that’s with three of their top five offensive players missing in running back Le’Veon Bell, wide receiver Martavis Bryant, and center Maurkice Pouncey.
Bryant (suspension) and Pouncey (injury) won’t be on hand Sunday. But Bell, the team MVP from 2014, is back from a two-game suspension. Wide receiver Antonio Brown has been unstoppable and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger arguably is playing the best football of his 12-year NFL career.
Asked specifically about the return of Bell and the strong overall Pittsburgh running game, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said: “I’m concerned. Our defense is concerned. We have respect for them. We know that it’s going to start there.”
But it doesn’t end there.
“Other than that, they have an outstanding passing game,” Fisher said. “They have a quarterback that can throw it all over the place. They have a couple of the best receivers in ’ball.”
Based solely on what took place last week against Washington, the Rams’ offense will try to match Pittsburgh’s Star Wars attack with … a popgun.
The Rams managed only 213 yards against a so-so Washington defense, marking the sixth-lowest offensive output in 50 games of Fisher football in St. Louis. The Rams may or may not have highly-touted rookie running back Todd Gurley available for Pittsburgh, with Fisher labeling his status a game-time decision.
Gurley would help, but even if he plays it’s not like he’s going to stroll out of the locker room and get 25 touches in his NFL debut. After all, he hasn’t played in a competitive situation since suffering his knee injury last November at Georgia.
Overall, the promise shown during a strong offensive outing against Seattle was replaced by a unit stuck in neutral against Washington.
“We just didn’t get into a rhythm,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “That’s on me. I’ve got to make sure to get some easy completions here and there. Football’s such a rhythm game that if you can’t get into a rhythm, it’s very difficult to sustain a drive, convert on third down, keep your defense off the field.”
The strength of the Steelers’ defensive unit in their 3-4 alignment is the front seven, with most of the star power at linebacker. Even with young talent Ryan Shazier out with a shoulder injury at inside linebacker, they are formidable up front.
“Everybody knows about their history with their defense,” Foles said. “Their front seven are among the best in the league. They do a really good job of stopping the run.”
So the Rams worked on their running game and their third-down game on offense during the practice week. It was a mirror image on the other side of the ball, where the Rams’ biggest concerns coming out of Washington were run defense and third-down defense.
Compounding matters Sunday is the fact that the Dome will resemble Heinz Field West. As was the case the last time Pittsburgh played here, in 2007, the place will be swarming with Steelers fans waving Terrible Towels.
A crowd of about 50,000 is expected to be in the stands, and up to 20,000-25,000 of them could be Steelers fans. It doesn’t happen very often, but the Rams’ offense could have trouble hearing in its own house. That means Foles may be forced to use a silent count to get plays called.
“I’m not really thinking that way, but if we have to, that’s something that we’ve practiced,” Foles said. “We’re going to be at home, and I want to use our home-field advantage and have our fans loud.”
Every little bit would help. Embarrassed on both sides of the ball last week, the Rams want to show that last week wasn’t really who they are.
“Absolutely,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said, speaking specifically of a defense gashed for 182 yards rushing. “It hurts the whole defense’s pride when you give up that many on the ground.”
“We love the challenge,” safety T.J. McDonald added. “They’re coming into our house. We want to protect our home field, and do what we’re supposed to do as a secondary. You want to make sure no balls get over your head. That’s the biggest thing.
“And our pass rushers have to get after the passer. And when you get your chance on Big Ben, he’s a big dude, so you want to be able to get him down when you get a chance.”
Last week’s pratfall against Washington illustrated a recurring theme of Fisher’s Rams, an inability to maintain the consistency, execution, and intensity needed to be successful on a regular basis in the NFL. In that sense, the Rams have shown a tendency to play down to the level of their competition.
That shouldn’t be the issue this week, or the next three Sundays for that matter. Because after Pittsburgh comes Arizona. And after Arizona, Green Bay. The Arizona and Green Bay contests are road games. In terms of quarterbacks alone, you’re talking Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, and Aaron Rodgers back-to-back-to-back.
“So we’re gonna find out a lot about what kind of club we have in the next three (games),” Laurinaitis said. “But it starts with this offensive machine that’s coming to town Sunday.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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-X-
Playing off and giving your corners the ability to read the 3-step drop allows them to be able to break on the ball instead of making them stay in phase with the WR and mirror his moves. You want them to be able to read the QB, and not the WR. It’s also predicated on the front 4 generating enough pressure to allow the corners to make plays. I wouldn’t complain as much about the coverage in as much as I’d be wondering why we can’t generate enough pressure with our front 4. We also do alternate who plays man in zone coverage. Usually it’s Jenkins on their #1, but sometimes it’s the other side as well, or both. It’s constantly changing to give different looks, and I don’t really have a problem with the cushions they give. I’d rather get nickel and dimed all day and get tight in the red zone than take the chance that one slip-up, bad read, or miscommunication during a CB-S pass-off will result in a 14 second drive culminating in a score.
If you play press man, take the inside shoulder and run the WR up the sidelines, what happens when it’s a run? You’re already in full sprint mode away from the play. Conversely, if it’s a run play and you’re in off coverage, the WR has to run block, can’t get hands on you right away, and you can crash top down towards the RB. I mean, there are inherent weaknesses in all coverage shells, and that’s why offensive coordinators try to exploit those weaknesses with what typically works at the time. In the meantime, defensive coordinators are constantly making in-game adjustments to what they think the OC is gonna do and vice-versa. It’s a chess match. Williams shows blitz just as much as he actually does blitz too. That forces a quick decision by the QB who didn’t really have to make one.
The way Williams’ defense is set up, he relies on 4-man pressure to allow his back 7 to play zone coverage and clog the throwing lanes while giving his corners the latitude to play the QB and the ball. Those cushions you see are designed, in some cases, to account for dropping linemen after showing blitz during pre-snap. Takes away slants. Sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn’t. If coordinators could predict (cough, NE, cough) what an offense is going to do with 100% accuracy, there would be pure dominance out of any defensive unit. As of now, our pass defense really isn’t a huge issue. Now when the run defense sputters, that’s gonna effect everything. ESPECIALLY pass defense. Because now you have to commit to stopping one thing which produces vulnerabilities in the other.
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Some follow-up to a post already posted, above.
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CoachO
* If you look closely at the actual yardage you will find they are not 12 yards off the ball. Regardless. If you use the example of 3rd and 8, the CBs will close ground so you can’t assume that in the 2 seconds the QB has to get the ball out that the distance is still somehow 8-10 yards between the receiver and the CB.
* This defense is designed to force the check downs and throws in front of the defense. Williams screams about flying to the football and tackling. Everything is to be funneled underneath and then come up and tackle. When you look closely at the types of completions, there just aren’t many in that intermediate (15-20 yard) throws. That’s not to say there aren’t plays that result in those gains. But again, it mostly the byproduct of missed tackles.
* Not every play call is designed to end up in a sack. And when opposing offenses scheme to get the ball out quickly, as most do against the Rams, the pass rush, no matter how good the front four are, is not “getting home”. In fact, sometimes the plan is to force a bad read or better yet a bad throw resulting in a turnover. It’s not always about getting sacks.
znModeratorI’ve been defending the Quick situation, but this is strange, I admit.
On the other hand it may have nothing to do with Quick.
znModeratorRams’ first order of business: Corralling Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at the Edward Jones Dome. Here’s three things to watch in that matchup:
1. Wrangling Roethlisberger: Surrounded by talent all over what is perhaps the league’s best offense, it’s still quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that drives the Steelers’ car. And Roethlisberger is playing as well as he’s ever played two weeks into the season. This week, Roethlisberger is looking to pass Terry Bradshaw as the winningest quarterback in Steelers history.
At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Roethlisberger is as big as most NFL linebackers and is completely unafraid to stand in the pocket and take hits or get on the move and make something happen with his feet while keeping his eyes open to get the ball down the field. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has even given Roethlisberger permission to switch tempo and go no-huddle, letting the quarterback call all the plays along the way.
Rams defenders marvel at Roethlisberger’s willingness to simply stand in the pocket, almost flat-footed at times, knowing that if the pass rush comes, he can use his size and strength to escape and make something happen. Which is why when the Rams get in the backfield — and they will — they have to be extra-diligent about wrapping up and bringing Roethlisberger down.
There’s no quarterback in the league better at breaking away from a would-be sack and turning it into a big play. The Rams have a bad habit of allowing big plays. Too many in this one and they’ll be out of it before it ever gets started.
2. Keeping pace: The Steelers offense is so dynamic that they offer another case of the best defense against it being a good offense. It sounds simplistic and it is in theory but not in execution. For the Rams to slow down Roethlisberger & Co., the best thing they can do is keep them on the sideline as much as possible.
That could be a big problem for the Rams, who have been among the worst offenses in the league when it comes to sustaining drives. Through two weeks, the Rams’ average time of possession is 25 minutes, 24 seconds, which is 30th in the NFL. They’re 31st in first downs (30).
This is an offense that is supposed to lean on a strong running game to move the chains and control the clock. So far, it’s done neither. Even getting rookie running back Todd Gurley back in the mix, which looks possible if not likely, probably won’t be enough to serve as a magic potion as the Rams work him back into shape.
The hope for the Rams lies in Pittsburgh’s vulnerable secondary, which is 27th in the league in passing yards allowed per game at 289.5. There will be some chances for Rams quarterback Nick Foles to make some plays and he must take advantage but the Rams don’t want to get into a shootout with the Steelers, either.
Instead, for the Rams to have a chance to win, they need an offense that gets some traction in the run game, keeps drives going by converting on third down and hitting on the occasional big pass play to supplement the run.
3. Going for two: If this game is close, the new extra point rule and the decisions teams make because of it could turn the outcome in either direction. Specifically, the Steelers’ penchant for going for two-point conversions could be especially important in a close game.
Through two weeks, the Steelers have embraced the two-point try instead of the longer extra point to the tune of converting all three of their two-point attempts. The Steelers practice the conversions every day and have made it clear that they intend to keep doing it.
The Rams, meanwhile, have yet to attempt a two-point conversion under the new rules, which could be a disadvantage if they find themselves in position to have to try it this week.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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Ramsey
These articles can’t be copy/pasted. Click the links below to read.
Offense
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/09/st-louis-rams-offensive-scouting-report/
Defense
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/09/st-louis-rams-defensive-scouting-report/
znModeratorNext three games will define Rams defense
Ben Frederickson
Gregg Williams was back in good spirits Friday, joking with William Hayes after the 6-3, 278-pound defensive end tiptoed behind a pop-up partition the team uses for interviews and mimicked the defensive coordinator’s comments to reporters.
It’s no secret Williams and his players, the Mob Squad according to their T-shirts, like to have fun.
The unit’s status as one of the best in the NFL is supposed to be just as certain.
Washington’s 17-point first-half lead and game-clinching second-half touchdown drive in Sunday’s 24-10 loss challenged the theory.
And that was before Washington lost by 11 to the New York Giants on Thursday.
No one was horsing around in the Rams’ film room Monday.
“I was not disappointed, I was (upset),” Williams said, spelling the word for added emphasis.
“Everybody felt the same way he (Williams) did,” nose tackle Michael Brockers said.
Hayes and linebacker James Laurinaitis settled on the same phrase: “That wasn’t us.”
Is this the defense that clinched a season-opening win by stopping Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch on a fourth-and-one, or is it the defense that turned Washington rookie running back Matt Jones into Christian Okoye circa 1989?
Maybe it’s a defense that will fluctuate between the former and the latter all season, driving fans batty as they ride the Rams Roller Coaster.
We will know soon enough, thanks to upcoming games against Pittsburgh, Arizona and Green Bay.
“We’ll find out how good we are,” Laurinaitis said.
Sunday brings the Steelers and their NFL-best average of 458.5 offensive yards per game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger just won AFC player of the week. Running back DeAngelo Williams leads the AFC in rushing yards (204), but his carries could decrease since All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell, last year’s AFC rushing leader, is back from a two-game suspension. And don’t forget receiver Antonio Brown, who led the NFL in receiving yards last season and already has 121 more than second-place Rob Gronkowski this season.
Arizona, led by the trio of quarterback Carson Palmer, running back Chad Johnson and receiver Larry Fitzgerald, ranks first in points per game (39.5) and 11th in yards per game (363.5).
Green Bay, the safest Super Bowl bet thanks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is averaging a fifth-best 29 points per game.
“You look at our schedule, and see the teams we have, people are counting us out,” Brockers said. “We look at it as, we are up there with those guys, too. They shouldn’t look past us either.”
Beat Seattle and SportsCenter has your players on for an interview. Get ran over by Washington and you start thinking like an underdog. Sometimes hard lessons are learned in bad losses.
After its what-the-heck performance against Washington, this defense is kicking itself for its slow start, a trap it warned itself about all offseason. Seattle’s first three offensive drives against the Rams ended in punts. Washington punted its first, snapped off a 39-yard touchdown run on its second and kicked a 46-yard field goal on its third.
Stopping the run is now Priority No. 1. After the Rams held Lynch to 74 yards and never let him find the end zone, Washington churned out 182 yards, an average of 4.9 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
“Until you put that fire out, it’s going to burn a little bit,” Laurinaitis said.
There’s also a sense that the defense needs to play smarter as a whole. Getting off the ball is great. Ending up so far in the backfield you create lanes for the offense isn’t.
Make no mistake. The Rams will keep attacking. Williams wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We can’t sit, read and react,” he said. “We are always behind in that situation. How do you keep the offense on edge, so they have to react to us? We are not going to react to them.”
But better gap assignments, and better tackling, would have made it harder for Washington to turn the Rams’ penetration into a positive. Other opponents would be wise to make the Rams prove they are fundamentally sound.
“Those are things we learn from,” Brockers added. “Sometimes, we can’t just shoot up the field and make running lanes, make big creases between the defense. From that loss, we did gain a little bit of confidence, knowing we can fix the problems that happened in that game. We can get better.”
“We just have to play more sound football,” added Hayes. “That product we put out there on the field (against Washington), we can’t be doing that week in and week out. That will lose us some games. Guys just have to lock in a little bit more this weekend. Play good, solid football. Don’t try to do too much. Just do our job.”
The Rams’ defense has a hard job. It has to carry this offensively-challenged team. The next three games will show us if Williams and his guys are up to the task.
znModeratormore often than not teams are not going to sustain 10 play drives against them.
And I might add, they tighten up in the redzone.
Even if there is a drive they’re supposed to limit scoring.
Of course none of this works if teams run all over you the way Washington did.
I will be watching this Sunday if I can get a feed.
Good luck with that. Check in on the chat room, usually someone knows something about that.
znModeratorfrom the net
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CoachO
When you bring as much pressure (blitzes) as Williams is known to, you are risking giving up the home run by playing press coverage.
The concept is to force them to get to ball out fast. Underneath and fly to the ball. This is the very foundation of his defense. They work on it more than any other facet of their defense.
If you play press coverage and are isolated in man coverage, all it takes is one missed chuck at the line of scrimmage and the QB throws a quick fade and its bye bye.
Whether you agree with the the concept or not, this is the reason they do it. Completions are not the thing that matters. It’s closing on the receiver and tackling that is the key to limiting the damage. When they went on their run last year over the last 8 games of the season, they didn’t change the design, they improved (dramatically) their tackling.
You force them to throw underneath and jump the route. Johnson already has one INT from this design. And Jenkins is one of the best at it. It’s also where they miss Gaines. As he may have been the best of the CBs at reading and closing on the receiver.
More often than not, they are going to be in some sort of zone coverage when they utilize this concept. So playing tight “in your face” coverage is asking for trouble. It’s nothing more that “risk vs. reward”.
Some people say, I’ve seen this team get crushed on too many 3rd and mediums and 3rd and longs in the passing game with that stupid off man coverage
And when that happens, its usually because someone either missed a tackle at the point of attack or missed an assignment allowing for a big play.
A lot of people think that this front four will “get home” every time a QB drops back. When teams are game planning a ton of 3 step drops, the pass rush just isn’t going to be a factor on every play.
Again. It’s risk vs. reward and the odds say that if they tackle, more often than not teams are not going to sustain 10 play drives against them.
znModeratorJohnny Hekker is well on his way to being the best in the game. His amazing 5.6 second hag time illustrates how high is booming punts blast into the sky.
Well, it’s only 2 typos.
znModeratorPractice Report 9/25: Defending the League’s Best
Myles Simmons
With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers have arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver-running back trio in the league. And all three will be on display Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome when Pittsburgh comes to town.
“They do a good job with not only the performance and the production of those guys, but I think as a coaching staff, those guys utilize those guys the right way,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Friday, crediting Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “I think Todd has done a really, really, good job as he’s adapted into that personnel pattern. The way those guys are playing, it’s going to be fun for us to get a chance to stop them.”
“They have a couple of the best receivers in football,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “At least this far this season, [they] will be our biggest offensive challenge from the defensive standpoint.”
Roethlisberger led the league with 4,952 yards passing last year, adding 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He’s off to another roaring start in 2015, having racked up 720 yards and four touchdowns while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.
“Ben can throw you open,” Williams said. “You can be one-on-one perfect, but then he’ll put the ball on the back shoulder, back hip, front shoulder and he’ll throw you open. And those are the kind of guys that you win championships with, and they have, and he’s won them.”
Though Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week the running back is in for a full workload on Sunday. There is plenty involved with that, as Bell is just as effective catching passes as he is running the football. Last year — his second in the league — Bell tallied 1,361 yards rushing and 854 yards receiving on 83 receptions. That’s 2,215 yards from scrimmage — second to only DeMarco Murray’s 2,261.
“One of the most complete backs that I’ve seen on tape,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “When this guy motions out of the backfield to a no-back set, he can run the whole route tree.
“A lot of times, you see a guy motion out and they’re going to run a stop, a comeback, or they’re going to run a vertical. They’re trying to open up space for the receivers underneath. Not Le’Veon,” Laurinaitis continued. “He’ll run option routes, he’ll run whip routes — he’ll run everything.”
To round out the trio, the Steelers have wide receiver Antonio Brown, who led the league in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (1,698) last year. He’s picked up right where he left off, amassing a league-leading 328 yards receiving through the team’s first two games.
“He’s just a quick, crafty guy,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “He kind of catches everything that comes his way. So we’ve got to do a great job at the top of the routes, playing through his hands, and not allowing him to get on top of us.”
Preventing Pittsburgh’s receivers from getting over the top has been a point of emphasis from Williams all week.
“The one thing we can’t do is let the ball get over our heads,” safety T.J. McDonald said.
The defensive coordinator was not happy with last week’s performance against Washington, and said he let the team know it. But Williams has also been pleased with the way the unit responded this week.
“They’re greatly accountable,” Williams said. “From the staff and everything, they’re a great group to be around.”
And though it’s a prolific offense coming this week, the players say they’re up to meeting it head on.
“We love the challenge,” McDonald said. “They’re coming into our house. We want to protect our home field and do what we’re supposed to do. As a secondary, you want to make sure no balls go over your head — that’s the biggest thing. And as pass rushers, get after the passer.”
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a fun game for us, it really is.”
GURLEY WATCH
Come Sunday, the wait could be over, or it could continue for running back Todd Gurley. Fisher said following Friday’s practice the running back is questionable for Sunday.
“We have him listed as full participation all three days,” Fisher said. “We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
If he does play, Fisher expects the back to be productive.
“Then that becomes a big lift of the team,” Fisher said. “I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, running back Chase Reynolds (knee) and defensive end Eugene Sims (knee) have been declared out for Sunday. Additionally, punter Johnny Hekker did not practice Friday with an illness, and is listed as probable.Practice Report 9/25: Defending the League’s Best
By Myles Simmons
With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers have arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver-running back trio in the league. And all three will be on display Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome when Pittsburgh comes to town.
“They do a good job with not only the performance and the production of those guys, but I think as a coaching staff, those guys utilize those guys the right way,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Friday, crediting Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “I think Todd has done a really, really, good job as he’s adapted into that personnel pattern. The way those guys are playing, it’s going to be fun for us to get a chance to stop them.”
“They have a couple of the best receivers in football,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “At least this far this season, [they] will be our biggest offensive challenge from the defensive standpoint.”
Roethlisberger led the league with 4,952 yards passing last year, adding 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He’s off to another roaring start in 2015, having racked up 720 yards and four touchdowns while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.
“Ben can throw you open,” Williams said. “You can be one-on-one perfect, but then he’ll put the ball on the back shoulder, back hip, front shoulder and he’ll throw you open. And those are the kind of guys that you win championships with, and they have, and he’s won them.”
Though Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week the running back is in for a full workload on Sunday. There is plenty involved with that, as Bell is just as effective catching passes as he is running the football. Last year — his second in the league — Bell tallied 1,361 yards rushing and 854 yards receiving on 83 receptions. That’s 2,215 yards from scrimmage — second to only DeMarco Murray’s 2,261.
“One of the most complete backs that I’ve seen on tape,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “When this guy motions out of the backfield to a no-back set, he can run the whole route tree.
“A lot of times, you see a guy motion out and they’re going to run a stop, a comeback, or they’re going to run a vertical. They’re trying to open up space for the receivers underneath. Not Le’Veon,” Laurinaitis continued. “He’ll run option routes, he’ll run whip routes — he’ll run everything.”
To round out the trio, the Steelers have wide receiver Antonio Brown, who led the league in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (1,698) last year. He’s picked up right where he left off, amassing a league-leading 328 yards receiving through the team’s first two games.
“He’s just a quick, crafty guy,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “He kind of catches everything that comes his way. So we’ve got to do a great job at the top of the routes, playing through his hands, and not allowing him to get on top of us.”
Preventing Pittsburgh’s receivers from getting over the top has been a point of emphasis from Williams all week.
“The one thing we can’t do is let the ball get over our heads,” safety T.J. McDonald said.
The defensive coordinator was not happy with last week’s performance against Washington, and said he let the team know it. But Williams has also been pleased with the way the unit responded this week.
“They’re greatly accountable,” Williams said. “From the staff and everything, they’re a great group to be around.”
And though it’s a prolific offense coming this week, the players say they’re up to meeting it head on.
“We love the challenge,” McDonald said. “They’re coming into our house. We want to protect our home field and do what we’re supposed to do. As a secondary, you want to make sure no balls go over your head — that’s the biggest thing. And as pass rushers, get after the passer.”
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a fun game for us, it really is.”
GURLEY WATCH
Come Sunday, the wait could be over, or it could continue for running back Todd Gurley. Fisher said following Friday’s practice the running back is questionable for Sunday.
“We have him listed as full participation all three days,” Fisher said. “We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
If he does play, Fisher expects the back to be productive.
“Then that becomes a big lift of the team,” Fisher said. “I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, running back Chase Reynolds (knee) and defensive end Eugene Sims (knee) have been declared out for Sunday. Additionally, punter Johnny Hekker did not practice Friday with an illness, and is listed as probable.
znModeratorPractice Report 9/25: Defending the League’s Best
Myles Simmons
With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers have arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver-running back trio in the league. And all three will be on display Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome when Pittsburgh comes to town.
“They do a good job with not only the performance and the production of those guys, but I think as a coaching staff, those guys utilize those guys the right way,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Friday, crediting Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “I think Todd has done a really, really, good job as he’s adapted into that personnel pattern. The way those guys are playing, it’s going to be fun for us to get a chance to stop them.”
“They have a couple of the best receivers in football,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “At least this far this season, [they] will be our biggest offensive challenge from the defensive standpoint.”
Roethlisberger led the league with 4,952 yards passing last year, adding 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He’s off to another roaring start in 2015, having racked up 720 yards and four touchdowns while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.
“Ben can throw you open,” Williams said. “You can be one-on-one perfect, but then he’ll put the ball on the back shoulder, back hip, front shoulder and he’ll throw you open. And those are the kind of guys that you win championships with, and they have, and he’s won them.”
Though Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week the running back is in for a full workload on Sunday. There is plenty involved with that, as Bell is just as effective catching passes as he is running the football. Last year — his second in the league — Bell tallied 1,361 yards rushing and 854 yards receiving on 83 receptions. That’s 2,215 yards from scrimmage — second to only DeMarco Murray’s 2,261.
“One of the most complete backs that I’ve seen on tape,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “When this guy motions out of the backfield to a no-back set, he can run the whole route tree.
“A lot of times, you see a guy motion out and they’re going to run a stop, a comeback, or they’re going to run a vertical. They’re trying to open up space for the receivers underneath. Not Le’Veon,” Laurinaitis continued. “He’ll run option routes, he’ll run whip routes — he’ll run everything.”
To round out the trio, the Steelers have wide receiver Antonio Brown, who led the league in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (1,698) last year. He’s picked up right where he left off, amassing a league-leading 328 yards receiving through the team’s first two games.
“He’s just a quick, crafty guy,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “He kind of catches everything that comes his way. So we’ve got to do a great job at the top of the routes, playing through his hands, and not allowing him to get on top of us.”
Preventing Pittsburgh’s receivers from getting over the top has been a point of emphasis from Williams all week.
“The one thing we can’t do is let the ball get over our heads,” safety T.J. McDonald said.
The defensive coordinator was not happy with last week’s performance against Washington, and said he let the team know it. But Williams has also been pleased with the way the unit responded this week.
“They’re greatly accountable,” Williams said. “From the staff and everything, they’re a great group to be around.”
And though it’s a prolific offense coming this week, the players say they’re up to meeting it head on.
“We love the challenge,” McDonald said. “They’re coming into our house. We want to protect our home field and do what we’re supposed to do. As a secondary, you want to make sure no balls go over your head — that’s the biggest thing. And as pass rushers, get after the passer.”
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a fun game for us, it really is.”
GURLEY WATCH
Come Sunday, the wait could be over, or it could continue for running back Todd Gurley. Fisher said following Friday’s practice the running back is questionable for Sunday.
“We have him listed as full participation all three days,” Fisher said. “We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
If he does play, Fisher expects the back to be productive.
“Then that becomes a big lift of the team,” Fisher said. “I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, running back Chase Reynolds (knee) and defensive end Eugene Sims (knee) have been declared out for Sunday. Additionally, punter Johnny Hekker did not practice Friday with an illness, and is listed as probable.Practice Report 9/25: Defending the League’s Best
By Myles Simmons
With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers have arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver-running back trio in the league. And all three will be on display Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome when Pittsburgh comes to town.
“They do a good job with not only the performance and the production of those guys, but I think as a coaching staff, those guys utilize those guys the right way,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Friday, crediting Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “I think Todd has done a really, really, good job as he’s adapted into that personnel pattern. The way those guys are playing, it’s going to be fun for us to get a chance to stop them.”
“They have a couple of the best receivers in football,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “At least this far this season, [they] will be our biggest offensive challenge from the defensive standpoint.”
Roethlisberger led the league with 4,952 yards passing last year, adding 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He’s off to another roaring start in 2015, having racked up 720 yards and four touchdowns while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.
“Ben can throw you open,” Williams said. “You can be one-on-one perfect, but then he’ll put the ball on the back shoulder, back hip, front shoulder and he’ll throw you open. And those are the kind of guys that you win championships with, and they have, and he’s won them.”
Though Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week the running back is in for a full workload on Sunday. There is plenty involved with that, as Bell is just as effective catching passes as he is running the football. Last year — his second in the league — Bell tallied 1,361 yards rushing and 854 yards receiving on 83 receptions. That’s 2,215 yards from scrimmage — second to only DeMarco Murray’s 2,261.
“One of the most complete backs that I’ve seen on tape,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “When this guy motions out of the backfield to a no-back set, he can run the whole route tree.
“A lot of times, you see a guy motion out and they’re going to run a stop, a comeback, or they’re going to run a vertical. They’re trying to open up space for the receivers underneath. Not Le’Veon,” Laurinaitis continued. “He’ll run option routes, he’ll run whip routes — he’ll run everything.”
To round out the trio, the Steelers have wide receiver Antonio Brown, who led the league in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (1,698) last year. He’s picked up right where he left off, amassing a league-leading 328 yards receiving through the team’s first two games.
“He’s just a quick, crafty guy,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “He kind of catches everything that comes his way. So we’ve got to do a great job at the top of the routes, playing through his hands, and not allowing him to get on top of us.”
Preventing Pittsburgh’s receivers from getting over the top has been a point of emphasis from Williams all week.
“The one thing we can’t do is let the ball get over our heads,” safety T.J. McDonald said.
The defensive coordinator was not happy with last week’s performance against Washington, and said he let the team know it. But Williams has also been pleased with the way the unit responded this week.
“They’re greatly accountable,” Williams said. “From the staff and everything, they’re a great group to be around.”
And though it’s a prolific offense coming this week, the players say they’re up to meeting it head on.
“We love the challenge,” McDonald said. “They’re coming into our house. We want to protect our home field and do what we’re supposed to do. As a secondary, you want to make sure no balls go over your head — that’s the biggest thing. And as pass rushers, get after the passer.”
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a fun game for us, it really is.”
GURLEY WATCH
Come Sunday, the wait could be over, or it could continue for running back Todd Gurley. Fisher said following Friday’s practice the running back is questionable for Sunday.
“We have him listed as full participation all three days,” Fisher said. “We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
If he does play, Fisher expects the back to be productive.
“Then that becomes a big lift of the team,” Fisher said. “I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, running back Chase Reynolds (knee) and defensive end Eugene Sims (knee) have been declared out for Sunday. Additionally, punter Johnny Hekker did not practice Friday with an illness, and is listed as probable.
znModeratorIs Gurley Ready to Go? Jeff Fisher Won’t Say
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.101sports.com/2015/09/25/is-gurley-ready-to-go-jeff-fisher-wont-say/
If the Rams are planning to give rookie running back Todd Gurley his NFL roll-out in Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, don’t expect coach Jeff Fisher to blab about it.
And why should he? This is the NFL, where a head coach’s true plans are kept as hush-hush as highly sensitive state secrets that impact national security.
You couldn’t get the KGB or CIA to break Fisher on this one.
The coach will keep the Steelers guessing until shortly before the noon kickoff at The Edward Jones Dome.
When the Rams released their official NFL injury report on Friday, Gurley was listed as “questionable” despite going full throttle in practice over the last two weeks (at least.) Fisher once again has stated that he’s “really pleased” by Gurley’s progress. And Gurley has fully participated in the Rams’ practices this week.
But since Gurley is still technically making his way back from surgery to repair a torn knee ligament that ended his collegiate career at Georgia, the Rams have the leeway to be as vague as they want to be. Besides that, Fisher clearly enjoys playing this parlor game with the media and the team’s next opponent.
Courtesy of the Rams’ outstanding media-relations staff, here’s a play-by-play of the exchange between Fisher and the STL media on Friday afternoon:
On Gurley’s status and the chances of him playing Sunday:
Fisher: “Well, he’ll be…we have him listed as full participation all three days. We have him listed as questionable, which means, implies that there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll play. It’ll be a game-time decision. So really, really pleased with the progress this week.”
On if the decision of making Gurley’s status known at game time is a strategic move:
Fisher: “Well, I think around the league everybody would prefer not to tip their hat, and that’s kind of where we are right now. But if he doesn’t go, he doesn’t go. And that’ll be a decision we’ll make Sunday.”
On if he promised to (privately) reveal Gurley’s true status to the team:
Fisher: “I’ve already told them and you missed it. (Fisher laughed.) No, I don’t remember saying that.”
On if the decision is already made not to play Gurley or if it will be determined Sunday morning:
Fisher: “Well the decision was made last week. It’s not made this week. We made the decision last week on Friday. But right now, honestly, it’s a game-time decision, so we’ll see how he is.”
On how difficult the decision is as a coaching staff to judge when Gurley’s ready to play:
Fisher: “It’s not that hard. We’ve seen the reps. That was our point the last couple of weeks was to get him back in the offense and running with the starters, and he’s done so. I think we split those reps probably 50/50 between he and (RB Tre) Mason. As a tribute to (RB) Benny (Cunningham), Benny doesn’t need a lot of reps. Benny’s get it and he can do it.”
On how much it will lift the team when Gurley plays:
Fisher: “Well if he plays, it really would have to do with production. If he’s productive, which we expect him to be productive when he plays, now granted we’re playing a very talented defensive front. Then that becomes a big lift of the team. I think it helps us in a lot of areas.”
OK, then.
September 25, 2015 at 7:28 pm in reply to: Feeling good about Sunday…the "will Rams beat Steelers" thread #31157znModeratorCabbage rolls –(aka Halupki)– Beef, pork, rice, green pepper, wrapped in cabbage and baked with sauerkraut and tomato soup or juice
To this day because of my ukrainian heritage I cook holubsti, though the recipe (and spelling) are slightly different.
znModeratorRamBill: Tweets listed in reverse order: Read from the bottom up
MMQB’s Andy Benoit’s Film Breakdown: Rams vs. Washington
Andy Benoit @Andy_Benoit
https://twitter.com/Andy_BenoitFilm: Overall, #Rams pass designs did not prosper. Receivers were not consistently open and Foles not calm or mobile enough to extend plays.
#Rams Film: LT Robinson remains a bit of a work in progress in pass pro. Inconsistent in mechanics.
Film: too many instances where #Rams, often due to penalties, had to play behind in down and distance. Not built for that.
#Rams Film: RT Havenstein not quick twitch. Must rely on football IQ and mechanics. Showed improvements in these areas as game progressed.
#Rams #Redskins film on Britt 40ydTD, Cover 3 FS Robinson not lined up right (he and Goldson disagreed on positions). Hall horrible coverage
#Rams #Redskins Film: Britt 40-yd TD was shot play built off the end-arounds Rams had been showing.
Film: #Rams a highly scheme offense. They rely on play design and deception, they don’t simply outperform opponents.
Film: #Redskins played Cover 2 in pass situations.
#Rams #Redskins Film: Austin had success on end-around concepts. DE’s Murphy and Kerrigan both had problems with contain against it.
#Rams Film: Foles frenetic in pocket. Tendency to anticipate pressure and lacks a good feel for subtleties of movement.
Film: #Rams first PA deep shot on 1st down (they did well last week vs. Seattle) worked perfectly, but WR Austin ran lazy route. Overthrow.
Film: #Rams behind 17-0 midway through second quarter. They’re not at all built to play catch-up.
Film: like last week, #Redskins played Cover 3, rotated to it postsnap in various ways. DC Barry saw this under John Pagano in SD.
#Redskins Film: LB Riley flashed into backfield multiple times in run game. Play recognition.
Film: #Rams OL – Barnes, Saffold, Brown – struggled to take command on outside zone run concepts early on. #Redskins physically strong DL.
Film: #Rams continued to deploy Austin in variety of ways, often involving him in backfield in some fashion.
#Rams Film: Foles tendency to predetermine some throws. Saw it on 3rd-5 incompletion mid first qtr.
#Redskins Film: Kerrigan played WOLB, Murphy SOLB.
Film: #Redskins primary package was “big nickel” with 6th round rookie Kyshoen Jarrett.
znModeratorfrom off the net
—
-X-
Foles had what appeared to be a bad game against Washington. Here’s what I saw as the problem after re-watching the game. Twice.
1. His protection was not very good. He didn’t get sacked a fraction as much as he was pressured, hurried, and hit. He couldn’t get comfortable in the pocket, so his reads were taken away in an effort to get the ball out. That’s an O-line thing.
2. Drops. How many balls have to hit receivers in the hands and count as an incompletion for the QB before people realize it’s an issue on this team?
3. Defense. What the hell was that all about? A defense as vaunted as this one is supposed to be, with the luxury of having that team (WSH) on tape, should have been way more prepared to counter what they were doing in the run game. Too many issues with over-pursuit and not getting off of blocks put them in a hole and amped up the pressure on our offense.
4. Route-running (supporting cast). It kind of goes hand-in-hand with the drops issue, but I took it a step further because I’m interested in the team aspect of this team game. How much would Foles’ QB rating and YPA have improved if Austin actually ran this route with 100% effort instead of quitting halfway through it?
Answer: Quite a bit. It also could have turned the tide of the game. You couple that with the interception that Trumaine dropped deep in WSH territory, and that game could have actually been a W instead of an L.
So that’s my Foles analysis of the team and the game.
znModeratorWhere was THAT Washington team when the Rams played them?
Last year there was the little stunt with the coin flip, then they shut them out at home while—according to Washington players—doing things like running reverses while up 21-0. Frankly that last bit (“running up the score” sorta thing) doesn’t mean anything to me but it’s clear the coaches used it to motivate the team.
IMO it was a perfect storm. The Rams go on the road against a revenge-minded, motivated team after playing Seattle tough, suffering Seattle hangover, and of course pulling the Rams “slump after a win” act and could not get the offense going against a team that knew all about Foles.
And it couldn’t have happened at a better time. Now maybe they will put their own press clippings away and realize how demanding their schedule is, and how far behind they are getting a young OL and sputtering offense in gear.
Washington IMO had the same effect dogging them. On the road after an emotionally high game, they let down too, in turn.
So far, win or lose, both teams that played the Rams have lost the following game.
If that happens all 16 games, could mean a superbowl.
.
znModeratorLet a thousand flowers bloom.
I don’t agree with letting that occur. A thousand? That’s way too many.
znModeratorAntonio Brown presents many problems for Rams
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams have no misconceptions about what Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown can and will do when they meet on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
Ask any Rams defender and they’ll admit Brown is going to make some catches and gain some yards. That’s pretty much a given considering Brown’s vast skills. But the key isn’t about shutting Brown out so much as it is preventing him from making the type of game-changing plays that have become his hallmark.
“Exactly,” safety Rodney McLeod said. “You know a guy like that is going to make some plays but you just challenge him, make everything hard for him and just try to frustrate him. Obviously he’s going to make some catches but just don’t make them explosive plays that can change the game.”
On paper, the pairing of the Rams secondary versus Brown is a major mismatch. Brown has at least five receptions and 50 yards in an NFL record 34 straight games. For perspective, Denver’s Demaryius Thomas is next with five such games.
While the Rams are a respectable 10th in the league in passing yards allowed in the first two weeks, that number is deceiving considering they rank 30th in run defense and 31st in completion percentage allowed (80.9 percent). Easy completions have been an issue for the Rams under coach Jeff Fisher, too, as they finished 31st in 2014 (68.1 percent), 32nd in 2013 (68.1 percent) and 30th in 2012 (66.2 percent).
Obviously, the current rate of almost 81 percent won’t continue, but it has been clear that the Rams defense is willing to give up completions and try to make quick tackles to limit yards after the catch. That might be a dangerous approach against Brown, who since 2013 is seventh in the NFL in yards after catch with 336.
“He’s a dynamic receiver,” McLeod said. “He can pretty much do it all. Deep threat, they throw him a lot of screens. You know he’s going to be targeted a lot and obviously we have some work on our hands. We’re up for the challenge.”
One way to limit Brown’s production? Well, a strong pass rush would be a good idea but the Steelers use Brown in so many ways that it can be hard to keep him from shaking loose. Having a quarterback such as Ben Roethlisberger, running backs DeAngelo Williams and Le’Veon Bell and tight end Heath Miller around him doesn’t hurt, either.
“He has a great complement around him,” Fisher said. “When you’ve got a run game, you’ve got a quarterback that’s experienced and can see and make the throws down the field, they work really well together. He can really run. They’re in sync. Rarely is there a throw where they’re not on the same page. They back-shoulder fade, he catches the deep ball, he catches the shallow cross, he catches the bubble screens. He’s just a really good player. You have to know where he’s at.”
znModeratorChip Kelly’s Good Ideas Have Gone Bad for Eagles
By Mike Tanier, NFL National Lead Writer
In the NFL, being a maverick will either get you glory or get you fired. And there’s not a lot of glory to go around.
Going 0-2 is always bad, but most teams can do it without sparking some kind of philosophical crisis. The Saints can bungle badly against the Bucs, then point to their track record. The Seahawks can gut their offensive line, play inconsistent defense and cite the salary cap and challenges of staying on top as reasons for their slow start. Nearly everyone can invoke a “play here and a play there” and claim they were a bounce or a flag away from 1-1 or 2-0.
But the Eagles are different, because Chip Kelly made them different. He put a bull’s-eye on his team and himself this offseason. So far, opponents are looking like Robin Hood.
If you are having a hard time putting your finger on the Eagles’ problem this season, try using your whole hand, or just belly flop on top of the last six days of Eagles football like it’s a fumble in the end zone. The Eagles have been close in both of their losses, the 26-24 opener Monday night and the 20-10 defeat at the hands of the Cowboys on Sunday. But the Eagles cannot point to a play here or a play there. Because of Kelly, they must point to an entire offensive system here and an organizational culture there.
The Eagles are supposed to be the team that changes the way football teams are assembled, how they practice, how they call plays, what plays they run…everything down to the lengths of team meetings and the contents of the cafeteria. Everything is supposed to work in harmony. Right now, there is nothing but cacophony, and the whole Chip Kelly program—the “culture”—looks ridiculous.
That’s a shame, because Kelly has many great ideas. Perhaps too many. If the Eagles fail, the ideas will suffer more than the coach.
The Eagles only possessed the ball for 19 minutes and 30 seconds against the Cowboys. Eight of their possessions lasted fewer than two minutes of game time and weren’t much longer in real time. The Eagles, employers of a three-headed backfield you’d expect to see in an eight-team fantasy league, rushed for seven yards. They gained 21 net yards and netted one first down in the first half.
Sam Bradford committed three turnovers. DeMarco Murray rushed 13 times for two yards. Ryan Mathews touched the ball once. Byron Maxwell is bringing back bad Eagles fan memories of Nnamdi Asomugha of the infamous 2011 “Dream Team.” The Cowboys committed 18 penalties and Tony Romo fractured his left clavicle while the Eagles still had the game within reach, but Philadelphia steadfastly refused to do anything with any opportunity but squander it.
The no-huddle looked bad. The new acquisitions looked bad. The defense played fairly well but cracked under the strain of 40 minutes of field time. The Eagles line blocked terribly, reminding us that Kelly released veteran guard Evan Mathis in a fit of pique in June.
The Cowboys had zero concern about option fakes: In a league where even Peyton Manning pretends to run outside after handoffs, Bradford does not dare risk a hit. The Eagles’ only 3rd-and-long play appears to be a screen to Darren Sproles, which gets called back for holding as often as not. The uptempo three-thrills-a-minute offense is bogged down in micro-passes and stuffed runs. The team built to play smarter football commits stupid penalties and makes foolish mistakes.
Kelly doesn’t have a safety net after his offseason of coups and trades. The Lions can go 0-2 without a wholesale indictment of Jim Caldwell’s philosophy. The Texans can putter around without a quarterback and call it careful regime building. The Giants can make the same dumb mistakes week after week and year after year because they are traditional NFL mistakes, a little clock mismanagement here and a prevent defense there. Heck, we almost expect the Ravens to start out ugly. Only Kelly threatens to take a whole ideology down with him.
Conservative tactics stave off skeptics. They buy coaches benefits of the doubt and votes of confidence. Kelly must worry about non-believers not just in the owner’s box but in a locker room full of guys who did things a different way in the past, with more success.
It’s easy to buy in to fast-paced practices and massive personnel changes when you are marching up and down the field. It’s not so easy to buy in if, for example, you’re Murray or Maxwell and you go from Offensive Player of the Year to 0.5 yards per rush or a pair of Super Bowls to 40 minutes per week of chasing receivers all over the field.
If the Eagles don’t turn things around, Kelly will lose his locker room, which will be the first step toward losing his job. If Kelly leaves the NFL, it could all leave the NFL with him: the full-time no-huddle offense, uptempo training techniques, aggressive offseason overhauls and even some of the cutting-edge tenets of sports science.
Some of those ideas can be written off as a failed experiment. A few deserve a longer look, especially after some success in 2013 and 2014. Some may be quietly succeeding in the background of all of this early Eagles failure.
The NFL needs many of the innovations Kelly is trying to introduce, ideas that can keep players healthier, make football more fun and shake up the status quo. But if the Eagles go in the tank this year, only the boldest, safest coaches—Bill Belichick, primarily—will dare adapt a Kelly concept without disguising where it came from.
Did you ever have a boss that just made too many changes too fast? Someone who refused to account for the fact it takes large groups of people time to adjust to even a few changes, let alone a dozen new radical ideas, implemented in a hurry on a tight deadline?
That’s Kelly. All of his ideas are getting in each other’s way, and his own. He created a big, brilliant mess. He can still recover to clean things up: Romo’s injury clouds the NFC East picture and makes the Eagles the healthiest, most talented team in the division. Despite the ugly start, Kelly’s Eagles still have a clear path to the playoffs.
If they don’t make it, the whole heap will get hauled away, treasure and trash alike.
znModeratorhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/page/2/
Steelers at Rams
MDS’s take: The Rams have a great defensive front, with defensive player of the year candidate Aaron Donald leading the way. But the running back committee of Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams will have a big game as the Steelers roll.
MDS’s pick: Steelers 24, Rams 10.
Florio’s take: The up-and-down Rams get up for the good teams. Throw in coach Jeff Fisher’s history with the Steelers from his time in Tennessee and this one has “good Rams” written all over it — especially with Todd Gurley no longer on the injury report.
Florio’s pick: Rams 30, Steelers 22.
September 24, 2015 at 10:15 am in reply to: Quick working his way back into receiving mix for Rams #31106znModeratorfrom off the net
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Quick was recovering from surgery and hadn’t worked his upper body or practiced with the team well into OTAs.
He’s just behind by a few weeks. He’ll be back when he’s fully up to speed.
It will probably be Givens who gets deactivated (shame, because we’re not seeing him get involved much). They’re not going to weaken special teams by deactivating Marquez. What’s funny to me is how special teams seems to be an after-thought for some. Like you can just mix and match players and the results will always be the same. I guess people don’t remember how horrible our special teams were a few years back before Fassel took over. You’d no more want to freak up his personnel than you’d want to freak up Cignetti’s. One-third of this team’s success depends on that.
September 24, 2015 at 9:37 am in reply to: Feeling good about Sunday…the "will Rams beat Steelers" thread #31103znModeratorSteelers: very good offense, below avg. defense.
Both teams 1-1.
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