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znModeratorJanoris Jenkins, Todd Gurley up, Greg Zuerlein down for Rams
Nick Wagoner
ST. LOUIS — A look at St. Louis Rams players who were “up” and those who were “down” in Sunday’s 24-6 win against the Cleveland Browns:
UP
CB Janoris Jenkins: One could make the argument that Jenkins is among the best players on the Rams right now, an argument only bolstered by his performance against the Browns. Jenkins got the game started right for the Rams defense by reading a receiver screen to receiver Taylor Gabriel, breaking on the ball and hitting Gabriel at the right time to jar the ball loose and force a fumble that safety Rodney McLeod returned 20 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Jenkins added five tackles and two pass breakups. With each passing week, the price for the pending free agent seems to be rising.
DT Aaron Donald: The reason Jenkins isn’t in the discussion as the team’s best player is because of this guy, who has clearly staked a claim to the title and continues to find ways to impress every week. In one first-half sequence, Donald showed his power by driving guard Joel Bitonio into quarterback Josh McCown for an incompletion and followed it by showing his burst with a quick first step to get in the backfield for a tackle for a loss of 5 yards. Donald finished with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries.
RB Todd Gurley: The tally is now at three weeks as the starter and three 125-plus-yard games. Gurley finished with 128 yards on 19 carries and scored his first two NFL touchdowns. In surpassing 125 yards again, Gurley became the first rookie to rush for at least that many yards in his first three NFL starts since Cadillac Williams in 2005. Donald holds the crown as the Rams’ best player based on sample size but Gurley is quickly gaining.
DOWN
TE Jared Cook: The drop-prone tight end actually had the Rams and their fans wishing he’d dropped a pass thrown to him in the red zone in the second quarter. That would have just been a run-of-the-mill incompletion. Instead, Cook caught it and promptly fumbled it, which killed the Rams’ best drive of the game to that point. He finished with just two catches for 19 yards.
K Greg Zuerlein: In a close game with points at a premium before the Rams put it away late, Zuerlein needed to be on point but he missed a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter that would have extended the Rams’ lead to seven. He also missed a 63-yarder, which can be forgiven but there’s no excuse for missing a kick just a few yards further than an extra point. Especially in the friendly indoor kicking confines of the Edward Jones Dome.
znModeratorIt may be the best in the league when you consider how little help they get from the offense. Think of what they would look like if they were paired with an offense that could stay on the field.
Ain’t that the truth.
.
znModeratorTodd Gurley, defense deliver first true glimpse of what Fisher wants Rams to be
Nick Wagoner
ST. LOUIS — As St. Louis Rams fans rained down chants of “Gur-ley, Gur-ley” at rookie running back Todd Gurley tearing through the Cleveland Browns and the team’s defense dominated again, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher probably couldn’t help but think of the heyday of his Tennessee Titans.
A stout defense and a dynamic young running back capable of closing out a game? That’s precisely what Fisher wants his team to become. That “Gur-ley” and “Edd-ie” (as in George) sound alike is pure coincidence but the Rams’ formula for a 24-6 win against the Browns on Sunday was far from it.
Despite a struggling offense that has offered little help in the first five weeks, Rams defenders have continued to point the finger at themselves about not finding ways to score themselves. It’s an unfair self-criticism but one that the unit has focused on correcting.
It didn’t take long for the defense to finally break through on Sunday. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins forced a first quarter fumble that safety Rodney McLeod scooped up and ran 20 yards into the end zone for a touchdown on Cleveland’s first possession. The Rams forced three more turnovers with three of them leading to 17 points.
From there, it was Gurley who handled most of the heavy lifting to finish the job. Gurley rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries, including his first two career NFL touchdowns to put the Browns away.
What it means: The Rams finally took care of business against an opponent they were expected to beat. After a disappointing loss at Washington in week 2, the Rams looked like they could be on their way to another year in which games they are “supposed” to win don’t go their way. At times in Sunday’s game, the Rams had the look of a team that might give this one away but it didn’t happen. At 3-3, the Rams still have to prove they can be consistent regardless of opponent but they’ll get a chance to do it next week against another beatable opponent, the San Francisco 49ers.
What were they thinking?: The Rams haven’t had much production from other members of the offense during their first five games. So it would stand to reason that when they reach the red zone, they’d want to get that duo touches. But on their first drive of the third quarter, when they finally found some offensive traction and ventured inside Cleveland’s 20, they gave it to backup back Benny Cunningham twice, allowed a sack and tried a pass to tight end Jared Cook. They settled for a 35-yard field goal try, which kicker Greg Zuerlein missed.
One reason to panic: The Rams offense had a week off with the bye, time that was supposedly spent working out some of their many kinks on offense. But that unit looked worse for the lack of wear in the first quarter. The Rams had 3 yards of total offense in the first 15 minutes and though they picked it up a bit in the second quarter, their best drive died on a fumble by tight end Jared Cook in the red zone. They need players other than Gurley and Austin to contribute if they’re to make a push toward the postseason.
Fantasy watch: Much was expected of Gurley in this game against Cleveland’s porous run defense and he delivered. But for those playing in a PPR league, he also chipped in four catches for 35 yards to put a little more icing on the cake.
Ouch: The Rams had a couple of minor scares with cornerback Trumaine Johnson and linebacker Akeem Ayers leaving the game briefly for injuries but both returned and finished the game.
znModeratorHighlights: Todd Gurley vs. Browns
Rookie Todd Gurley rushed 19 times for 128 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns in Sunday’s 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
znModeratorI just can’t imagine this team coming out with a clunker today. What would that say about them?
And if they have a winning season anyway it won’t say anything about them.
It’s funny to me how these conversations go. The Rams often beat teams they shouldn’t. Does that say anything about the teams they beat?
It;s the NFL, teams lose sometimes when they shouldn’t.
Fact is until 2014, Rams won more of those games than they lost.
znModeratorAnd of course there’s the great neglected theme of all Rams discussions.
How about another neglected theme in these discussions:
The fact that, with the QBs and OL you mention, the Rams lost games from winning positions 3-4 times last year. Often because the defense broke down.
We’re just thinking of different things. By neglected themes in Rams discussions, I mean going back years. this is an old old issue of mine and it goes back to several coaches, GMS, and owners ago. I was debating people about the effects of extensive OL injuries back in 2007, when they lost 10 linemen to injury (4 for the season) yet some were blaming Bulger for the losses. It—meaning neglecting the effects of multiple simultantaneous OL injuries— hasn’t gotten much better since. It’s just like Miklasz to completely overlook that kind of thing, again.
In terms of the defense, to me that’s a standard issue problem—new coordinator, system changes, adjustment period. I contend that if they at least had Bradford and a relatively healthy OL in 2014, they would have won more anyway.
For example I said last year that if the cut back on the communication issues and breakdowns that led to big scores last year, the D would automatically improve. They did, it did.
So I don’t think anyone forgets or doesn’t realize the defense took a while to get going. I just don’t think they all interpret that fact the same way you do.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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laram
The Rams have run the ball on first down 78% of the time, most in the NFL.
They avg 7.3 ypa on 1st down,1st in the NFL. League avg is about 5.5 on 1st down.
Yet they are at 31% on 3rd down conversions, bottom of the league.
znModeratorRams inactives: QB Mannion, RB Mason, LB Ogletree, LB Dunbar, OT Donnal, TE Kendricks, DE Long.
Sign of progress: something like that USED TO BE the IR list.
.
znModeratorell, my own interpretation of what you just wrote
is, “wv ram, you are even more brilliant
than Hal, the computer on 2001.”So should we call you “Daisy”?
znModeratorI like the ending of Plan9
better than 2001’s ending,
btw.Not sure what has to do with Miklasz.
znModeratorSung to the tune of American Pie
Bye bye
Old injured up guy
If they did it again
Would he fall to the 10
Those 1st down runs
were yielding 5 per pop
The day the brace came offznModeratorThey need to be intense, motivated,
hit hard, play their asses off. And They need to win.You make sense, Miklasz doesn’t. I don’t think you translated him, I think you hit re-set and overwrote him.
Cause, you know, 2001: A Space Odyssey is not Plan 9 From Outer Space, just cleaned up a bit.
znModeratorLast chance, officers and gentlemen.
Remember, get the prediction right, and you are guaranteed good karma for at least an hour.
That means you have a good chance of finding a 10 dollar bill on the sidewalk in front of the grocery store. That kind of thing.
Plus there’s pie.
znModerator. So the second time they went in all the way. It was said often that the war was about oil but I didn’t think of it in this way before–the oil(dollars)standard–not quite the oil itself.
Interestin.
znModeratorAlso, Abel was a “keeper of flocks” i.e., a sheep fucker. No children. No human race. No overpopulation. Problem solved.
I don’t think you can genuinely do all that. I mean, near as I know, retroactive species cleansing is not really possible.
If it were…no John Shaw. Is all I’m sayin.
znModerator(Could we please stop pretending that the Rams would have gone on some dynamic, unstoppable run with a healthy Bradford at QB?)
Nittany’s right. Yeah cause what everyone said and believed was that they would go on an UNSTOPPABLE RUN.
Actually what most people asserted was that they would be better. Better, at any rate, than a team that starting 2 back-up qbs including one who got benched and then later cut.
And of course there’s the great neglected theme of all Rams discussions. The OL was a mess starting in training camp (with both Long and Wells missing time). Then got worse when Long went out, GR shifted his green on the job training self to LOT, Wells and Saffold both played hurt, and they had to start Joseph.
Given all that it is actually reasonable to say they would have done better if the starting qb
znModeratorfrom off the net
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aeneas1
this isn’t a bad offense, personnel wise, certainly not bottom of the barrel bad, yet that’s where the offense currently is, bottom of the barrel…
but guess who currently ranks 1st in average yards gained on 1st down? that’s right, the rams. not only do the rams rank 1st in average yards gained on 1st down, but they also rank 1st in average pass yards gained on 1st down, and 1st in average rush yards gained on 1st down, so the rams clearly have the ability to move the ball…
then the wheels come off on 2nd downs… the rams rank 32nd, dead last, in average yards gained on 2nd down, dead last in average pass yards gained on 2nd down, and 27th in average rush yards gained on 2nd down. the 2nd down fall of is so steep that the rams rank 30th in average distance to go on 3rd downs…
interestingly foles’ 1st and 2nd down numbers are very similar – his completion rate is 62.5 and 63.0% respectively, while his qb rating is 86.8 and 92.3 respectively. however there is a huge difference in his average yards per attempt, his 1st down average is more than twice as much as his 2nd down average – his first down average ranks 1st in the league, his 2nd down average ranks 32nd, dead last.
one explanation for the difference in average yards per pass attempt could be the element of of surprise, i.e. play action – the rams have passed the ball just 34% of the time on 1st down, teams expect run, which has made them susceptible to play action. conversely the rams have passed the ball 62% of the time on 2nd down. this also probably helps explain why foles has been sacked just once on 41 dropbacks on 1st down pass plays vs 6 times on 52 dropbacks on 2nd down pass plays.
October 25, 2015 at 1:18 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32850znModerator7 things to watch: Rams vs. Browns
Jim ThomasThe Rams are facing QB Josh McCown for the third year in a row but he’s been in a different uniform every time. In 2013, it was Chicago; last season, Tampa Bay; and now, Cleveland. McCown is extremely competitive. He will stand in the pocket and take hits, avoid sliding on scrambles to get the extra yard, and take chances with throws. If the Rams get consistent pressure, “Bad Josh” will make some ill-advised decisions. But give him time and “Good Josh” can shred defenses. Just ask Baltimore.
WHO IS THIS GUY?
Unless you’re a fan of the reality television show “Total Divas,” you probably didn’t know who Gary Barnidge was until this season. On the TV show, Barnidge dated a couple of WWE Divas in 2014. On the football field, he’s putting up Gronkowski-like numbers at tight end, with 27 catches for 413 yards and five TDs. He’s the first Browns TE with at least one TD catch in four consecutive games since Ozzie Newsome in 1981. Barnidge never had more than 13 catches or two TDs in any of his six previous NFL seasons.
TRACKING TRAVIS
It was supposed to be the Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline Show at WR for Cleveland. But both free-agent pickups have been major disappointments. Bowe, who had three 1,000-yard seasons for Kansas City, has been inactive in four games and doesn’t have a catch. Hartline has only nine receptions. Filling the void has been unheralded Travis Benjamin, a fourth-round pick in 2012 who never had more than 18 catches or 314 yards in any of his three previous seasons. The speedster already has 31 for 528 and four TDs in 2015.
BY COMMITTEE
The plan was for Cleveland to be a “run-first” offense, but that hasn’t been the case. The team ranks 25th in rushing offense, and has used Isaiah Crowell, rookie Duke Johnson Jr., and now Robert Turbin at RB. Keep an eye on Johnson catching passes out of the backfield — he’s third on the team with 24 catches. After three seasons backing up Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Turbin was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Sept. 10. Turbin’s a power runner who made his season debut last week vs. Denver after an ankle injury.
LINE DANCING
Four of the top six players on Cleveland’s offensive line are either first- or second-round picks, so the Browns have invested in this unit. More mobile than straight-ahead blockers, the group has been better in pass protection than run-blocking. One of the day’s best matchups pits LT Joe Thomas, an eight-time Pro Bowler, against Rams DE Robert Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowler. Starting LG Joel Bitonio paid a “top 30” pre-draft visit to the Rams in 2014. Starting RG John Greco was a Rams third-round draft pick back in 2008.
ON THE BACK END
Cleveland boasts three Pro Bowlers in its secondary, but two of them probably won’t play against the Rams. CB Joe Haden (concussion/finger) was ruled out Friday; FS Tashaun Gipson (ankle) is doubtful after missing the Browns’ two previous games. But this unit has pretty good depth, and Broncos receivers weren’t running free all over the place last week. Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir (Francis Howell Central) played well in place of Haden last week and is expected to start in his hometown Sunday.
FAMILIAR FOE
Less than two weeks shy of his 34th birthday, LB Karlos Dansby is still making plays. He had two interceptions of Peyton Manning last week, returning one 35 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter. Dansby leads the Browns in tackles (46) this season, and leads all active NFL linebackers in career interceptions (18) and career INTs returned for touchdown (five). This marks his 15th start against the Rams, with 13 of them coming during the seven seasons he played for NFC West rival Arizona.
October 25, 2015 at 12:20 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32849znModeratorAre the Rams (finally) ready to roll?
Jim Thomas
It was duly noted at Rams Park that the NFC West standings have tightened up. Since the last time the Rams played a football game, all three rivals in the West have lost.
Coach Jeff Fisher also pointed out to his players that in seven games over the Rams’ bye weekend, the outcome was decided by a touchdown or less.
The moral of the story?
“Really it’s up for grabs right now,” tight end Cory Harkey said. “So we need to figure out a way to just take it and run with it.”
Funny, there’s about 20 other NFL teams that feel the exact same way. Every year in the league, there are about a half-dozen teams clearly better than everybody else. And maybe a half-dozen team that are clearly worse than everyone else.
And in between — the great middle class. As the NFL enters its seventh week and November beckons, there are a ton of teams hovering around .500, give or take a game or two.
“Just struggling to find their identity, and really just looking to stack games and get on a roll,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “And you can either stack games and get on a roll, or you can lose multiple games and start to sink.”
And so here come the Rams, fresh off their bye week at 2-3, having gone through a crucible of contending teams, high-powered offenses, and marquee quarterbacks.
But their schedule now lightens up noticeably, with their next five opponents a combined 10-20. Six of their next nine contests take place at the Edward Jones Dome, starting with Sunday’s noon kickoff against the Cleveland Browns (2-4).
Stack or sink? What’s it gonna be?
“I really feel we’re at a breaking point right now,” Laurinaitis said. “We’re at one of those moments where it’s let’s go out there, let’s get our stuff together, let’s play good, consistent football and see if we can stack a couple together.”
“Exactly,” Harkey added. “We just need to get one. Put two together. Put three together.”
Combine the more favorable schedule with the fact that the NFC West appears less formidable in 2015, and well, opportunity is knocking. Are the Rams listening? Are they capable of answering the door?
Let’s face it, the Rams have been at similar junctures during the Fisher regime, only to disappoint a fan base aching for a taste of success. What was once referred to as the Lost Decade is now the Lost Decade-Plus.
No playoff berths since the 2004 season. Nary a winning record since 2003. (The Rams last made the postseason as an 8-8 wild card in ’04.)
But now, in Year 4 with Fisher as head coach and Les Snead as general manager, the Rams have to feel like they are capable of making a run in the NFC West, and a run at the postseason.
“I think everybody knows and feels it,” Harkey said.
“I think that’s something we’ve never lost sight of,” tight end Jared Cook said. “That’s something that’s been the goal ever since we stepped on the field during camp. And it’s something that’s gonna continue to be the goal as we take each week head on. And the next team is the Browns.”
Funny thing about the Browns. They’re probably thinking the same thing. They’ve had only one winning record since 2002. Until last season, they had gone six consecutive seasons without winning more than five games.
Under new head coach Mike Pettine, they started 7-4 last season … only to lose their final five contests. This year, three of their four losses have been by seven points or fewer, including last week’s excruciating 26-23 overtime loss to unbeaten Denver.
At face value, they seem oh-so-close to escaping the great middle class, and as Laurinaitis puts it, stacking some wins.
“You can see it falling into place,” Fisher says of the Browns. “This is a legit team that’s playing in a very difficult division and has played three consecutive 3-point games.
“They’ve lost two (of those games) and they won one, so it doesn’t take a lot to convince your team about the opponent that you’re facing.”
Two weeks ago, the Browns rallied from a 21-9 third-quarter deficit to win a 33-30 overtime game at Baltimore. With journeyman quarterback Josh McCown throwing for a franchise-record 457 yards, it marked only the second time the Browns have defeated Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in 15 tries.
It looked very much like one of those launching-pad games but the Browns couldn’t quite pull it off last week against a vulnerable Denver team.
“Knowing some of the guys on their team, they’re fighting to figure out what they are,” Laurinaitis said. “But they’re close. Not too dissimilar from us.”
It would be totally understandable if the Browns viewed the Rams as an inconsistent team that hasn’t been able to get much going on offense, even with rookie running back Todd Gurley bursting onto the scene lately.
Jump out early on the Rams, and things could go Cleveland’s way in a building where there figures to be thousands of empty seats, and thus not much of a home-field advantage.
In fact, the Browns could be viewing the Rams as the easy part of their schedule.
Like many of the Rams, Laurinaitis has been diligently ignoring talk about a softer schedule.
“I’ve been on one of those teams early in my career here where we were the ‘quote-unquote’ easy part of the schedule,” Laurinaitis said. “And New Orleans came to town (in 2011) and we whooped them.
“I’ve been on that side of that. So as a team, we can’t think about, ‘Thank goodness we’re past the tough part of our schedule.’ This is the NFL. Every Sunday’s tough. And from what I’ve seen on film with the Browns, this team, if we don’t bring our ‘A’ game, they will come into town and whoop us.”
October 24, 2015 at 4:23 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32843znModeratorRams’ must fare well in red zone to beat Browns
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/22702/rams-must-fare-well-in-red-zone-to-beat-browns
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Here are three things to watch for the Rams to come away with a win:
1. Ruling the red zone: In the Rams’ win against the Arizona Cardinals earlier this season, they were able to hang on for a win largely because of their ability to stand tall when the Cardinals offense got inside their 20. As Arizona settled for field goals, the Rams managed enough touchdown to escape with a victory. In order to beat Cleveland, the Rams will need to continue that ability to limit teams to three points but also get some improvement when they get close to the Browns’ end zone.
Entering Sunday’s game, the Browns have scored a touchdown on just seven of their 19 red zone trips. That’s second-worst in the league and should be a good sign for the bend but don’t break Rams defense.
Josh McCown and the Browns are scoring a touchdown at a rate of about once out of three trips to the red zone. Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Rams haven’t been all that good in their own right when driving deep into opponent territory. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Rams have had just five drives reach goal-to-go situations. On those five trips, they’ve managed only a touchdown and a field goal with quarterback Nick Foles completing none of his five pass attempts with two going for interceptions. It’s been enough of a struggle for the Rams to get down there but when they do, they must start scoring points, particularly touchdowns.2. Getting after McCown: It’s a known fact that the Rams defensive success relies greatly on getting after all quarterbacks but it might be even more true this week against Cleveland’s Josh McCown, especially on third down. McCown is first in the league in passing yards (616), passer rating (127.6) and completion percentage (71.7 percent) amongst quarterbacks who have started all of his team’s games.
That means McCown has a knack for keeping the Browns on the field even in the face of pressure on third down. But McCown can also be had by the pass rush. Opposing defenses have sacked McCown at least four times in each of Cleveland’s previous four games this season. The Rams are tied for the third-most sacks in the NFL so far this season with 19.
But Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to have to pick and choose his spots when it comes to blitzing. The Rams have the third-highest blitz percentage in the NFL at a rate of 42 percent of drop backs. That could be asking for trouble against McCown, who has six touchdowns and only one interception when blitzed so far this season.
Without Chris Long and with Robert Quinn missing time because of a knee issue this week, the onus falls on the front four to generate pressure. The Rams have the talent to do it but will need contributions from backups like William Hayes and Eugene Sims to make it work.
3. Staying on the field: This has been a common refrain in this space this season but it remains a point of contention in the Rams’ plan until they prove they can do it consistently. The Rams average 1.35 points, 4.8 plays and 26 yards per possession, all of which ranks last in the NFL. Simply put, they haven’t been able to sustain drives and thus put points on the board on a regular basis.
Running back Todd Gurley has given them hope of an offensive breakthrough and against Cleveland’s 32nd ranked defense, the matchup appears favorable. However, one way for the Rams to sustain drives is to establish Gurley early. In his three games, he’s averaged just 2 yards per carry in the first quarter and 3.3 in the first half with the bulk of his success coming in the second half.
Getting Gurley rolling early should allow the Rams to establish a much-needed offensive rhythm.
October 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32837znModeratorou seem to be very invested in the Rams not getting better at receiver?
Why?
I am a very longterm Ram fan going back to the days of Pat Ferragamo and Vince Haden and Deacon Youngblood.
I don’t like what you’re insinuating. I bleed Rams maroon and blue.
On the grave of Trent Warner, I swear my longterm diehard-ism.
There that good enough for you Mr. Insinuations?
October 24, 2015 at 1:20 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32836znModeratorfrom off the net
==
thehammer
when the Rams rush the passer they win when they don’t they lose….which is bad news this week. Thomas will dominate Quinn, Schwartz who shut out Von Miller will dominate Hayes and Westbrook? Greco, Bitonia and Mack will easily shut down Donald who has had 5 straight games of declining pff scores…
Cleveland’s an elite 3rd down team that features rb Duke Johnson, 2nd best receiving rb in last years draft, and te Barnridge…vs our poor covering lber’s and safeties….Rams are 27th in the league in pd even with that pass rush. have a hard time seeing the Rams holding Cleveland under 28 points
IMO game comes down to how many points do the Rams offense score…better be more then 28. Shelton will manhandle Barnes. Rams moved Garrett Reynolds to lg to help the hapless Robinson. Kirksey has the speed to get outside vs Gurley. Nate Orchard is getting more snaps over Kruger….like the Rams lot of young talent.
lot of bad matchups.BUT a home game after a bye week…a test of the coaching staff..good coaches will dominate opponents after the bye..especially in a home game. Fisher moved Reynolds to lg. We will see what other changes they made. IMO this game IS the season. Fisher and the Rams have to win to have any credibility
going forward…for the sack of argument lets say the feckless Rams win 31-28 to keep fans dreams alive BUT the end of all pro Fisher threads if they lose
October 24, 2015 at 11:07 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32834znModeratorEven if some guys do return to form getting another WR may not be a bad idea. As Cosell says somewhere below, the Rams receiving group is pretty average and they lack a true number one WR.
Except it looks better when Kendricks and Quick are performing, Cook gets his career average, and there’s pass protection.
(Career avg. on Cook isn’t good but he’s worse now. In 2013 it was 0.375 drops per game, in 2014 it was 0.3125 drops per game, in 2015 so far it’s 0.6 drops per game…his avg. has doubled over what it was the last 2 years.)
Cosell, remember, is not a Rams historian. Last year he didn’t complain about the receivers. This year, he doesn’t recall what he said last year about the Rams receivers, though. It’s a thing where recent impressions become more absolute.
I am not against getting a receiver, but I am interested in the fact that so many look worse than usual at the same time. Honestly, what are the odds that 4 WRs/TEs all show career worst problems all at the same time? What that suggests to me is that the problem may not be the players. There’s something else going on.
And I don’t have any idea what that could be, except that last time there was a drops epidemic involving several players was in 2011. New system and not feeling comfortable.
It may also be that catching passes from Foles in practices and in games isn’t the same, which hints at an adjustment period as they all get on the same page.
.
.
October 24, 2015 at 10:39 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32831znModeratorMaybe draft a WR high next year?
Maybe sign a solid Vet WR ?Unless, as I suggested, a guy or 2 returns to form. For example, Kendricks led them in catch percentage for 3 straight years (2012-14). This recent drops thing is actually unusual for him.
There is not doom in EVERYTHING.
Sometimes, some stuff gets better.
.
October 24, 2015 at 1:32 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32820znModeratorI don’t think Bailey and Austin have any drops.
Correct. Bailey and Austin have no drops.
.
October 24, 2015 at 1:23 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32819znModeratorWill Rams DBs press the issue vs. Cleveland?
Jim Thomas
Predating even the arrival of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams last season, the sight of Rams cornerbacks playing off coverage on opposing receivers in recent years has frequently driven fans and observers crazy.
The reasoning for the strategy is obvious. With a young secondary, the idea is to keep the play in front of you to avoid the big strike, the quick 60- or 70-yard touchdown pass.
But the more skilled and savvy quarterbacks around the NFL have been able to exploit the soft coverage by simply playing pitch and catch underneath and methodically picking the defense apart.
With that background in mind, it was eye-opening to see the Rams come out Oct. 11 at Lambeau Field and play press coverage against mighty Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Not on every play, mind you, but on the vast majority of plays there was Janoris Jenkins right in Ty Montgomery’s face at the line of scrimmage, or Lamarcus Joyner doing the same with Randall Cobb, or Trumaine Johnson getting face time with James Jones.
They were all trying to contest a free release off the line and disrupt the rhythm of the pass play.
“It worked a lot,” Jenkins said. “We took away some guys that we wanted to take away. Me and Tru, we had to hold up the outside by ourselves. And I feel like we did a pretty good job of that.”
“We were pretty successful,” Joyner said. “We looked at the film and thought that we could have success doing it, so we went with it.”
The Rams had seen enough of Rodgers on film, and in person in recent years, to know that if they sat back in coverage he would dissect them underneath. It would be a slow, painful death.
Coach Jeff Fisher liked what he saw of the press coverage in Green Bay.
“Yes, with the exception of two plays,” Fisher said. “But when you’re playing Aaron, he’s gonna find somebody. We had a slip, and then we had a technique error on the pick (play).”
Joyner slipped in coverage against Jones, with the result being a 65-yard touchdown catch and run. The technique error that Fisher referred to came when Johnson lost inside position, leaving Montgomery free on a 31-yard TD catch.
But those were the only two offensive TDs for Green Bay that day, and most opponents will take that against the Packers’ high-powered offense. Rodgers committed three turnovers and just about every pass he threw was contested.
“That was our philosophy, to go in and challenge them,” Fisher said. “Make them hold the football knowing that the risk, the down side of that, is that once (Rodgers) recognizes that … then he can escape.”
Press coverage can leave mobile quarterbacks with plenty of running room if the QB can escape the pocket. Rodgers ended up leading the Packers in rushing that day, but as Fisher pointed out: “I’d probably rather have Aaron running the football than throwing it.”
The even bigger down side, as evidenced in Green Bay, is that if the receiver escapes press coverage, it can lead to a big play if there’s no help from behind.
“You see how deep we play our safeties?” Williams said. “Deeper than anybody in the National Football League. That’s Rodney (McLeod)’s job and that’s T.J. (McDonald)’s job, whoever it is depending on our press alignments.
“When you press and when you’re very physical with press, you’ve got to have an ‘angel’ back there in the secondary. We call it the angel. The angel player has got to be out there to help you out.”
More specifically, the angel is the deep safety help, usually McLeod at free safety. McLeod took a bad angel, uh, angle, on the Jones TD; otherwise he might have been able to tackle Jones after a moderate gain. For the most part, Williams said McLeod has done “a phenomenal job” of playing the angel.
In a copycat league, Williams said other Packers opponents may try more press coverage given the Rams’ relative success. In fact, he indicated that was the case from San Diego, which played Green Bay last week while the Rams were on their bye.
What about Rams opponents, starting with Cleveland on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome? Should they expect more press from the Rams?
“Yeah, absolutely,” Browns quarterback Josh McCown said. “I think we’ll see press. I think it was effective for them, so we absolutely expect them to press. … We’ll have our hands full with that and what’s expected of us as far as that goes, and trying to get guys open and how disruptive it can be in the passing game.”
Cleveland’s top three wideouts are all smaller, quicker players, so it may be more difficult for Rams cornerbacks to get their hands on them. Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins, and Taylor Gabriel range in height from 5 feet 7 to 5-10 and in weight from 167 pounds to 180. But if you do get your hands on such smaller receivers, you can easily knock them off their routes.
But there’s no guarantee the Rams will stick with the heavy dose of press coverage. That’s because Williams’ game plans tend to change from week to week, from opponent to opponent.
“We pick and choose our times to (play press),” Williams said. “But we’re going to press parts of all ballgames, but some games more than others.”
Ask a cornerback, however, and almost invariably they’ll vote for press coverage.
“That’s what I love,” Jenkins said. “I like zone every now and then, but I like (press) man-to-man because I don’t like to play off that much. That’s just a pitch and catch as you look at the game.
“I hope we play it a whole lot. But at the same time, you’ve got to play within the scheme and stay within the defense. So whatever they call, I’m gonna be ready.”
znModeratorI didn’t see your Cosell was there. I took mine out. It is the law of the jungle–duplicates die.
.
znModeratorHe’s played well and he’s vital to our success. He was very vital in this last ball game. And as you guys watch how he played on (Packers WR Randall) Cobb, wow. That’s a testament to getting it.
Williams on Joyner.
Just a bit I liked.
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October 23, 2015 at 9:23 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32801znModeratorPractice Report 10/23
Myles Simmons
INJURY REPORT
The Rams had good news along much of the injury front with the final report on Friday.
While Quinn (knee) did not practice earlier in the week, he was a full participant on Friday and is listed as probable. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins has passed the concussion protocol, was a full participant in practice and is also listed as probable.
After sitting out earlier in the week, wide receiver Tavon Austin (thigh) was a limited participant on Friday and is listed as questionable. Tight end Lance Kendricks (hand) similarly did not practice earlier in the week, but was limited on Friday and is questionable.
Running back Tre Mason (ankle) did not practice all week and is questionable.
Chris Long (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday. Alec Ogletree (ankle) remains on the active roster, and has also been declared out.
ROSTER MOVE
With Mason questionable for Sunday, the Rams promoted running back Trey Watts to the active roster from the practice squad and waived safety Christian Bryant.
The Rams signed Watts as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 2014, and the running back was a major contributor on special teams last year. Prior to serving a four-game suspension to start the regular season, Watts flashed in the 2015 preseason. He rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries and had eight receptions for 58 yards in the four exhibition matchups.
FILLING IN FOR OGLETREE
The Rams will be without Ogletree for an extended period of time, and on Friday, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he was pleased with the way St. Louis filled in for the linebacker in Green Bay.
“We managed a lot of different personnel packages and managed a lot of different people through there and it worked out pretty good,” Williams said.
One of the players involved in the process is Mark Barron, who has been utilized both as a safety and linebacker within Williams’ scheme.
“We have 42 ways to add up to 11,” Williams said. “We have 42 packages of defense that we’ll trot 11 guys out there. We play the same kind of a defensive structure, but we have different people playing different spots. He fits in that very well. I’ve been real proud of him, too.”
And with Barron moving primarily to linebacker, Lamarcus Joyner has become all the more entrenched as the team’s nickel corner. Williams said Friday he’s proud of the Florida State product for how far he’s been able to come along over the last year.
“I’m so proud of his adapting to the National Football League and all of the sudden becoming a student of the game,” Williams said, adding he may have been a little hard on the defensive back last year. “He has reacted very well to that type of coaching and mentoring. I’m proud of him. I really am proud of him. He’s played well and he’s vital to our success. He was very vital in this last ball game. And as you guys watch how he played on [Packers wide receiver Randall] Cobb? Wow. That’s a testament to ‘getting it.’”
October 23, 2015 at 8:25 pm in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32795znModeratorLooking just at drops now (not catch percentage)…Kendricks, Britt, and Cook all fell off from where they even were last year.
If even one of them steps back up, it gets better.
The positive thing is that they WERE better last year, there’s something there.
Just one example: drop percentage. The difference between 2014 and 2015 is just eye-catching bad.
Britt
2015, 9.1%
2014, 2.4%Cook
2015, 10.7%
2014, 5.1%Kendricks
2015, 14.3%
2104, 2.6% -
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