All IMO but it ain’t based on nothing.

Since 2018 the Rams have had issues with certain fronts that attack the OL, limit outside zone, exploit weak links in the OL (in 2018 it was Sullivan and Blythe at guard), pressure the qb…among other things. Run game is part of this too. BOTH McVay and Goff (along with the OL) respond poorly against those defensive attacks and then what we’re left with is fans putting it all entirely on the qb–and to come up with all these theories about why he has regressed, how he’s thinking not reacting, and so on.

This qb and this OL and this coach have problems when they face certain defensive attacks and that has not changed since Chicago in 2018.

Good example of that? Last Seattle game. Before that, the last Jets game.

Football outsiders on the last Seattle game:

“Seattle’s secret weapon in this game against the Rams was linebacker K.J. Wright, whom they threw on the line of scrimmage as a walked-up SAM…. Against the Rams, specifically, getting Wright on the line of scrimmage helped Seattle align in odd fronts while still playing from their base 4-3 or nickel 4-2-5 personnel. The Rams’ wide zone offense notoriously struggles with odd-front defenses that load up players along the line of scrimmage.”

That’s a change up by Seattle v. how they defended the Rams the 1st game. In the first game their defense was still a mess and they tried blitzing the Rams, thinking that’s what worked for Miami. Wrong. Rams are tough against the blitz and Goff has a high qb rating against the blitz (–101.0 to be exact). In the first game Seattle blitzed 21 times (PFR numbers) which is the 2nd most all year.

Last game they blitzed 11 times and instead used the LBs on the DL to do the traditional “attack the Rams OL” thing the Jets did too (and SF both games).

Rams still have an achilles heel against certain kind of defensive attacks and that is not just a qb problem, it’s a game-planning/play-calling problem plus an OL problem.

I will leave out 2019 because the OL was a mess that year, and it is difficult to judge what the real issues are if your OL is that out of sync.

But we’re talking about the Chicago game in 2018, the superbowl, both SF games this year, and the Jets and 2nd Seattle game.

In terms of their EFFECTS those games all pretty much look the same.

There’s your problem, fix that. B)

Marcus Arbery — is the father of Ahmaud Arbery.

Marcus says we can finally achieve an "anti-racist majority" if his fellow Georgians vote today:

"If my son's life mattered to you, I'm asking you to get out & vote.”

Poweful…pic.twitter.com/RkvC4A51Li

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) January 5, 2021

Herzog wrote:

I liked the 2018 version of Goff. This version isn’t even close. I feel like you are in denial about his TURNOVER problem.

This version is in a different situation. They don’t have a healthy Gurley and often don’t have a consistent running game. 2019 the OL was a mess that needed to be fixed; in 2020, the OL holds up for long stretches and then implodes when the right kind of defense attacks it. Goff can’t do anything about that–that has to be McVay’s fix. We can’t keep having games like Chicago in 2018 and the Jets in 2020 where the OL is being dominated yet the response to that is too slow at the play-calling level.

I am not in denial here–I am looking closely at the facts. The facts say that the massive turnovers happened in 2 games. Outside of those two games, there are INTs but no “fumble issues.” That means they confronted the fumble issues and handled them. Warner had more of an INT issue than Goff does. Kurt threw 3 INTs in the 99 championship game and bounced back from it. Exclude Goff’s 2 bad turnover games, which I see as special circumstances, and Goff has 9 INTs in 13 games. Depends on whether you believe the 2 bad turnover games are big reveals and the problem continues, or if they are isolated moments they learned from.

…

Head coaching candidates with multiple interview requests already include:#Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy#Panthers OC Joe Brady#Bills OC Brian Daboll#Colts DC Matt Eberflus#49ers DC Robert Saleh#Titans OC Arthur Smith#Rams DC Brandon Staleyhttps://t.co/HYDrSIGpMj

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 5, 2021

This asshole doesn’t think he work for us. Shitty person in a shitty suit. https://t.co/7LWwtVYk2a

— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) January 5, 2021

BearlyThere

Background: Longtime Cal fan here with deep roots with the Rams from my Father and Grandfather. I’ve become a big fan watching almost every game since Goff was drafted.

Note: I also follow all the Cal players into the pros like Goff and Rodgers. Did a stint as a sideline reporter at Cal during my time there when we were lucky enough to have Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch at the same time.

As someone who has watched Goff over the last 8 years I want to peel apart what is Goff versus what is McVay.

Overall I think McVay is a VERY good coach that builds a strong culture and team. Is he a perfect fit for Goff? Probably not, with the caveat that there probably aren’t too many better places for Goff and the Rams would likely have a tough time getting a QB as good as I think Goff can be.

Goff Background

I agree that Goff has taken a step back the last several games. He is playing more tentative and is forcing bad throws. Has Goff peaked? I don’t believe so. It looks to me like he is overthinking and suffering from mental lapses. How do I know?

1. At Cal, Goff was awesome at both the quick pass game and deep game. He was never a “Check-down Charlie”.
2. He led us on so many 4th quarter comebacks with ice in his veins. If we lost, it was our defense or the receiver missing a catchable ball.
3. Countless times he led 50 second drives when we needed a quick score. This is very rare under McVay…(see below)
4. At Cal, Goff was often a slow starter but would get stronger as the game wore on. He didn’t suffer from mental breakdowns in the 4th quarter like previous quarterbacks or the competition.
5. His offensive line at Cal was horrible. They ran a vertical set and he rarely had time. He would maneuver and get the ball out quickly. Something he did well in 2018 but not as well this year.
6. Goff was money against pressure in college. Someone can look up the stat. All I could find was this espn article Jared Under Pressure Meaning Goff at one time was good against pressure: https://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/28783/pocket-presence-performance-under-pressure-make-jared-goff-a-fit-for-rams

McVay Observations

Once again, I think he is a VERY good coach! Rams are lucky. 4 straight winning seasons. Superbowl appearance. Should he be OC too? Maybe not.

1. Under McVay, the rams have been mostly poor in the 2 minute drill. Goff was terrific at 2minute. No Huddle? No problem! It also shows when the Rams are down that they struggle to score quickly. Is this intentional? Does McVay want to keep time of possession to protect the defense? All short-route YAC receivers? Is the goal 10 play drives all the time?

2. He always spends every second talking to Goff until the 15 second mark. Part of what makes McVay a top coach is that he prepares his team very well. He has notes for all players all the time. He drafts/recruits football junkies that care like he does about the nuances. Is this too much for Goff to process 60 plays a game every game? Is he overcoaching Goff to the point of analysis paralysis? I tend to think this is the case. The way to confirm would be to see if Wolford or whatever future QB suffers the same climb then drop after a few years of McVay. Anyone who has followed McVay with Griffin/Cousins, did the same climb and drop-off occur?

3. Redzone problems. Goff was never Rodgers in the redzone but he was pretty good at Cal. McVay on the other hand was not at Washington. I think this is more play calling and formation. If you have a huge TE/possession WR you can throw those fades. Gives you more power-blocking options as well or add another lineman.

4. Control freak? One of the most interesting things I thought to happen was Matt LaFleur leaving after one season. I think I read it was because he wanted to call plays? Now he is HC at Green Bay and they have done very well. Aaron Rodgers appreciates him overall especially versus that hack McCarthy. There’s been a different Offensive coaching staff aside from McVay every single year at the Rams. That could explain some of the inconsistency for Goff.

How much of losing coaches is McVay’s Personality versus guys getting poached like Zac Taylor?

Overall I suspect that McVay is over-coaching at times. He struggles to manage the clock and it results in a lot of penalties/delay of game. It doesn’t give Jared a lot of freedom to get a play, go the line and take advantage of what he sees. He often has about 10 seconds to get the play out, look around and go. Sean’s primary goal on every play appears to try and take advantage of matchups. The problem is that great defensive coaches have learned how to disguise the matchups and trick the rams.

Goff with another team next year?

I feel like there are very few places where Goff would do better simply because of the team Snead and McVay have built. The OL is mostly young and getting better. They have good playmakers. Defense is awesome. Hope we keep Staley.
Coaches where he would probably do better:
– Payton New Orleans (hate that guy but a good coach).
– Shanahan SF (he puts his players at physical risk but a darn good coach)
– LaFleur GB
– Reich Indy
– Daboll Bills (Not sure but I feel like Allen was way more raw and playing very well).

Rams better without Goff?

Very hard to say. I enjoyed Wolford very much this week and had a feeling he was a hidden gem based on AAF performance and preseason. He looks like more of a gamer and his feet obviously add a dimension. OTOH, Three times in that game he took a HARD hit to the head while diving forward (once he was sliding). He won’t last a season if that keeps up. Teams will also adjust to his running abilities making him less effective over time.

If it were me, I’d play Wolford against the Seahawks as he will change the playbook and make it harder on the Seahawks. McVay can’t over-coach him much yet. He only has one game of film. Re Goff, I don’t see how anyone that had both a fracture and dislocation on their throwing hand could be ready in ~12 days to play a professional football game. Sit and rest Goff unless Wolford hurt. Heck if you have Bortles he could be your backup to Wolford for a game or two.

My hope for this year is Goff is back for the NFC title or Super Bowl and wins!
My hope for next year for is McVay to find an OC that he trusts to give the reigns to and they keep Goff and win a back-to-back Super Bowl!

🐺🐺🐺

John Wolford's best plays from his first NFL game! pic.twitter.com/cq5UEDVxq4

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 5, 2021

The Rams need to give Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) an end-zone fade 😂. Look at him high-point this ball! One of the dopest INT's that didn't count. pic.twitter.com/afQzREh1ac

— Sosa K (@QBsMVP) January 4, 2021

wv wrote:

I say, we go with Bulger.

Bulger’s the one they traded to the Chiefs after Martz came out of retirement and took their head coaching job, right?

Bulger’s okay, but I never liked the phantom sack.

..

LMU93

Just looking at their final team stats. Some notes:

– Rams made the postseason for the 30th time, tying Minnesota for 5th most in league history (behind GB, DAL, NYG and PIT).

– Rams finished with a positive Points Differential (+76) for the 4th consecutive year, the first time they have done that since 1983-86. If they can do it for a 5th time next year it would be the first since 1976-80.

– Rams finished 7-1 when they had an even or positive turnover differential and 3-5 when it was negative.

– Goff set a career high with 67.0% completions and most all his numbers were improved over 2019. But his YPA (7.2) and yards/completion (10.7) were his lowest under McVay.

– Cam Akers 625 yards rushing were 8th most by a Rams rookie RB. The Rams 2,018 rushing yards were 2nd most under McVay and also only the 5th time they have surpassed 2,000 as a team in the last 30 years.

– Rams finished with two 90+ reception WRs in Kupp and Woods but without a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2017. Their yards/reception were both career lows. Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett, both 2021 UFA, each set career highs in receptions and yards.

– Rams 53 sacks as a team were among their most ever (4 behind the franchise record of 57 in 1985 and 1999).

– Kudos to Matt Gay who came in and steadied the Rams’ poor kicking situation. 14/16 FG including 7/8 from 40+.

– Johnny Hekker had a better year for punts downed inside the 20 (41.2%) than 2019 but his gross and net punting average were both the lowest of his 9-year career. Opposing punt returners averaged 12.9 yards/return, by far the most in Hekker’s career.

zn wrote:

Chris Mortensen@mortreport
This is the most negative barrage of comments I have received about a game’s lack of integrity and that’s not even counting Giants-related bias.

Cameron Wolfe@CameronWolfe
Confused at the outrage about the Eagles. They said during the week they planned to play Nate Sudfield & did exactly that for a Q. He happened to be bad. Steelers rested more players with more to play for. Every team manages their own personnel. Why should Philly care about NYG?

Eternal Ramnation wrote:

Goff loses that game. With the OL sleep walking Wolford saved the day with his wheels. Goff without Kupp behind A slumping OL with a broken thumb when he was already struggling with ball security seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Let the hags game plan for Wolford. Another week with the ones could only help.

Against ARZ, Wolford was able to convert a couple of third downs running. Against ARZ, the Goff-led Rams converted 60% of their third downs, a rate that across 16 games would lead the league by a wide margin. Meanwhile, in his last 4 games, Goff has had 3 INTs. In his only game, Wolford had 1 INT. Against a much tougher defense, Seattle, Rams scored 9 offensive points. Same with Wolford against the comparatively less challenging Arizona defense.

My own feeling is this. If Goff is physically able to play against Seattle, he goes. In which case I root for him. If Goff is not physically able to go against Seattle, Wolford goes. In which case I root for him.

What I hope improves is the goal line offense, which was a problem in both of the last 2 games.

…

PFF ReFocused: Los Angeles Rams 18, Arizona Cardinals 7

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2020-week-17-pff-refocused-los-angeles-rams-18-arizona-cardinals-7

The Los Angeles Rams leaned on their defense and special teams to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 18-7, sending Sean McVay back to the postseason for the third time in four seasons. The Cardinals are going home after skidding to 2-5 in their last seven games.

STORY OF THE GAME

Sloppy execution by both offenses kept the game close through the first half. Rams QB John Wolford threw an interception on his first career pass, which led to a Cardinals touchdown on a short field. Cam Akers fumbled on the verge of reaching the goal line, but the Cardinals’ offense committed a holding penalty in the end zone for a safety on the following drive.

Kyler Murray exited the game in the first quarter with an injury, and backup Chris Streveler threw a pick-six right before halftime. Troy Hill returned the interception 84 yards for a touchdown.

Wolford looked adequate, considering he has not taken a single NFL snap since the 2019 preseason. He flashed during his stint as the starting quarterback of the Arizona Hotshots in the short-lived AAF, leading the league in passer rating from a clean pocket (114.0).

The Cardinals’ pass-rush put Wolford through the ringer today with pressure on 35.7% of his dropbacks. The Rams’ signal-caller found a way to nullify some of the heat he faced with his mobility, scrambling for 24 of his 56 rushing yards. The Wake Forest grad finished his college career with more than 1,100 yards on the ground.

The Rams defense is the second-highest-graded unit in the NFL (83.1), and it is the main reason this team could make a run at the Super Bowl. Jalen Ramsey continues to be a bad matchup for DeAndre Hopkins, spanning all the way back to their time in the AFC South. For the season, Ramsey has allowed three receptions for 20 yards on 11 targets as the primary defender in coverage against Hopkins.

Despite the Rams’ pass-rush failing to affect Streveler, the Cardinals’ QB committed three turnover worthy plays upon first review. Wherever he went with the ball, he had a difficult time finding completions. Not a single Rams defender surrendered more than 35 yards in coverage.

ROOKIE WATCH

Akers may have finished the game with only 34 yards rushing on 21 attempts, but his role appears to have changed — he functioned as a dynamic pass-catcher out of the backfield. Akers caught every single one of his targets, including a huge chunk play for 38 yards. Teammate Van Jefferson played 42 snaps on offense with four receptions for 40 yards.