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September 27, 2019 at 3:28 pm in reply to: around the league (+ some college) tweets… 9/23 thru ? #105786
znModeratorJust week 4, but the clock is already ticking for a whole bunch of NFL head coaches. Jay Gruden probably needs a miracle at this point. Guys like Kitchens, Marrone, and even Rivera may have more time, but not much. How hot are those seats going to get @WillBrinson and @evansilva?
— Bill Krackomberger (@BillKrackman) September 26, 2019
znModeratorGame-by-game receiving leaders for the 3-0 @RamsNFL.
atCAR: @robertwoods 70yds
vsNO: @CooperKupp 120yds
atCLE: @brandincooks 112ydsWho will it be this Sunday? #TBvsLA pic.twitter.com/Xf7MkEhfTU
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) September 27, 2019
September 27, 2019 at 2:42 pm in reply to: McVay, Phillips … 9/26 … vids & transcripts … + McVay 9/27, transcript #105784znModeratorRams Head Coach Sean McVay, Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, September 26, 2019
***
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening Remarks)
“Injury wise, we’re in good shape. (TE Tyler) Higbee’s on pace to be able to play (on Sunday), as is (OL) Austin (Blythe). Those guys will be participants today. (DL) Michael Brockers is sick, so he won’t participate today, but hopefully it’s just a 24-hour bug and he’s feeling better. Other than that, we’re feeling pretty good.”(On if Wednesday was a veteran’s rest day for CB Aqib Talib)
“It was. Especially just having as much travel as we’ve had in the first couple weeks – you said it – a veteran’s rest day is the best way that I would describe it.(On if RB Darrell Henderson Jr. is closer to receiving more playing time and what the reasoning has been for him not receiving many carries)
“He (RB Darrell Henderson Jr.) has done a good job. With practice settings, things like that, it’s really just a matter of, ‘Okay, when you’ve got (RB) Todd (Gurley II) and (RB) Malcolm (Brown), who you do feel good about – and really, the narrative is that it’s hard to get those guys enough touches – how do we find a way?’ I think naturally, as the season progresses, those things have a way of working themselves out. (Running Backs Coach) Skip (Peete) has done a good him, as have the offensive coaches, just kind of bringing him along. We’re very confident that he’s got a very bright future with us. Those are things that we always talk about, we look at and it’s one of those deals where you kind of are always trying to find that best solution. But, I do believe at some point he’s going to make an impact on this team this year.”(On his impressions of Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston when he came out of Florida State and how he thinks Winston has evolved over his career)
“I didn’t really, truly, dive into the evaluation part of it, just because I was in Washington – we had a pretty stable quarterback situation. I just remember with them (Florida State) being such a good, competitive team, seeing him (Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston) in nationally televised games, elite competitor. I always respected the fact that if something didn’t work out – I remember watching when (Packers Head Coach) Matt LaFleur was at Notre Dame, watching when Notre Dame and Florida State had a great back and forth game. Watching the way that he responded from a couple turnovers says as much as anything. He can make all the throws, you can see guys believe in him – his teammates kind of rally around him. He’s a guy similar to (Browns QB Baker) Mayfield in terms of you can create off-schedule, he can make some really impressive plays. He’s got the talent around him to be able to do that as well.”(On if the team is doing anything different in its preparation with a game on Thursday night next week)
“Nothing different this week. Obviously, next week will be a modified schedule where we’ll immediately start that recovery process right after the game (this Sunday). Because the Thursday night game is occurred so early in our seasons over the last couple of years – Week 3 two years ago and then Week 4 last year – kept a similar kind of approach. Really, next week you don’t practice at all. You just kind of walk-thru and it’s a mental (week). The physical reps, we’re able to get all the same kind of normal rhythm and routine that we’ve had up to this point.”(On when a game comes down to a defensive stand if it is difficult for him to watch the game unfold as if it is out of his control as an offensive coach)
“No, not at all because you still are on the headset. We’re talking, we’re talking through what call and different things like that. The beauty of what’s been great about getting a chance to have a couple years is you’re able to spend a lot of time with the defense as well. While being able to learn football, be able to talk to our defensive guys, work in unison with our defensive coaches and that’s kind of part of your job in my role. With the way that the game had played out, the confidence that we had in that sequence especially with what we were able to do on first down, force the ball to come out. Then, over the next three calls, it was fun. The players ultimately make those plays. I’ve really enjoyed being able to spend some more time with our defensive coaches and players. Then, seeing the success they’ve had through the first three weeks and the way that they’ve played and some of the improvements we’ve made has been encouraging.”(On what is different about Buccaneers WR Mike Evans compared to the other tough receivers he has faced in previous games)
“Very similar in terms of the same threat that (Saints WR) Mike Thomas and that (Browns WR) Odell (Beckham Jr.) posed. These guys are big plays waiting to happen and he’s such a big receiver. Does a great job tracking it down the field. (Buccaneers QB) Jameis (Winston) does a nice job of recognizing the looks when they’re high percentage plays and he’s kind of one-on-one. You see the production. He’s in elite company when you look at just a guy that over the first five seasons where he’s had over 1,000 yards. I want to say that (Former 49ers WR) Randy Moss and (Bengals WR) A.J. Green are the only other guys to be able to do what Mike Evans has done in the first five years of his career in terms of the production. He’s a great player, he’s somebody we’ve got to be aware of. It’s a great challenge.”(On the defense not giving up a pass play of 30+ yards all season despite the receivers they’ve previously faced and how much of that is attributed to having a sound, tackling secondary)
“It’s that, it’s being sound in your coverage principles, it’s being able to hit home whether you bring four or five guys as part of the rush. I think we’ve consistently done an excellent job with the communication. All 11 on the same page, you see the sense of urgency, how intentional our defensive guys go about the way they walk-thru, the way they practice. You’re seeing those practice performances translate into game reality. They’re in a good place and we talk about it all the time, they’ve had a really good start to this season and let’s see if we can continue to stay on this upward trajectory as we go into Week 4 against the (Buccaneers) Bucs.”(On his perspective as the coach and having players like S Eric Weddle making adjustments to help the team and giving them the freedom as players to make those adjustments)
“He’s got great command. What I think is nice about some of the variety that we have on the backend is they really have tools that they can activate within the framework of whatever coverage concept that we’re running. (S) Eric (Weddle) always has a reason why he’s doing it. As long as everybody is on the same page, it’s sound. I think it’s important to be able to give our players ownership. He doesn’t at all take advantage of it. He’s so smart and the thing that’s so impressive really about our players, on defense and then Eric especially because so much of that communication comes from him. It’s one thing for (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Wade Phillips) and for me to hold the clicker and be able to say it. It’s another thing when you’re processing it live action, real adjustments, when that play clock is ticking down and making sure that all 11, or whoever you’re making that call with, you guys are on the same page. He’s done a great job of that and I think that’s one of the things that makes him so special and unique.“***
Rams Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips
(Opening Remarks)
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their offense, you don’t want to sleep on this team. They could easily have the same record as we do. Last year, they were toward the last (place) in rushing game, now they are at the top of the league. They had 499 yards last week. I think eight out of the last 19 games, they’ve been over 450 yards, they’ve got a really good offensive team. We know the weapons they have (QB Jameis) Winston, certainly at quarterback and (Buccaneers WR) Mike (Evans), (Buccaneers WR Chris) Godwin is a good receiver for them. They’ve been able to move the ball up and down the field on a lot of teams.”(On with the longest pass reception given up on the defense being 28 yards)
“That’s too much.”(On what has the secondary done well to not let allow big plays)
“I think we are playing well, No. 1. I think it started last year, toward the last part of the year I thought we played really well. I think It’s kind of carried over some, but we’ve added a few guys that have really played well for us, defensively too, so that helps.”(On How quickly S Eric Weddle has been able to contribute)
“(S) Eric Weddle’s communication skills are outstanding and his ability. He’s come in and he’s kind of the quarterback on defense, in the secondary. We’ve got all of them that are really smart guys that adjust well to things. Our coaches have done a great job, our secondary coaches are outstanding in putting them in the right position to make plays.”(On how important tackling is when slowing down the passing game)
“People are going to throw the ball and catch the ball on you no matter what. You’ve got to make the play when the ball is thrown down the field, make the tackle at eight yards, instead of 15, or 20, or 25, whatever. We have some good tacklers on defense. (S) John Johnson (III) is an outstanding tackler on, (S Taylor) Rapp has come in, he’s got the right name, he wraps up. Weddle, they ran the draw on fourth-and-9, everybody said, ‘Wow’ but he came up and made a great tackle, his one-on-one tackle with their best back. We’ve tackled well.”(On how Winston is different than the three guys he’s faced at the QB position)
“Of course he’s got the receiver to do it, but he’ll throw the deep ball a lot. He moves in the pocket well, buys some time, not really a scrambler, but scrambles, good feel in the pocket and he finds people open. Sometimes the plays take a little longer because of that, but he finds the guy open or he just chucks it deep to Evans and he catches it. That’s a problem for you. He throws the quick pass too, I don’t mean that, but he can extend plays long enough to try to bomb you. Also, they run the ball a lot better this year, first-down especially, they will take a shot on first down.”(On How much growth has he seen from Johnson III since he’s started as a rookie)
“When John Johnson came in, we knew he could play pretty quick. He started pretty early in his career and he’s just gotten better and better. He made a couple of big plays lately, one in the New Orleans game in overtime for an interception and then fourth down in the last game. He’s got a knack for making big plays. I think the great thing about him, is he’s an outstanding tackler. He’s an outstanding open-field tackler, he makes a lot of tackles that could of gone for more yardage if they had a lesser guy.”(On how he’s gotten to know his personality over the years)
“He’s matured like any younger guy would, but he’s a personable guy, he’s a fun guy. We’ve got some personalities and I like that about him. As long as they play the way that they do and focus on what they need to focus on, but they have fun too.”(On the defensive stand against the Browns at the end of the game)
“Yeah it was my favorite part of the game, certainly, after the fact. (laughs) I just think you find out about your team those ways. I though last year’s team played great under pressure I say that all year. Our stats weren’t as good, but under pressure, I thought they played real well .Then this team there couldn’t be any more pressure, foul plays, you know they are going to go for it every down and you’ve got to stop them. I think you got to feel, ‘Hey we got them where we want them.’ That’s got to be your feeling, that we’re going to win the game here if we make our plays.”(On his experience on goalline stands)
“380 something games. I’m not Sean McVay, now. (laughs) We did stop the Giants on fourth down on the goalline when we were playing against, (Former Head Coach Bill) Parcels in Denver, fourth-and-goal and we went for it and we stopped them. That was in 1989.”(On the difference between CB Marcus Peters in the second half of last year and this year)
“I’ve said it before, It was really my fault, we didn’t play to his strengths. Our coverages are better toward his strengths, not that he can’t do almost everything. In certain situations, we let him play leverage on a guy more so than we did before rather than having to take a guy both ways. Still plays man, but he knows where his help is. He’s a smart guy. I just think I didn’t do a good enough job.”(On subtle adjustments like that allowing players to flourish)
“I mean it’s all our philosophy, which is do what the players do best. Sometimes the coaches think they know better.”(On LB Clay Matthews stats last year and how he was being used last year)
“Like I said you’ve got to look at yourself first. You can draw a lot of things up that look great on the chalkboard, we don’t have chalk anymore, but whiteboard. You can draw a lot of things up that look good, but it’s the players you have and how they can play. I’ll say this, he worked and worked at it and got better himself too over some of the things we were still doing. It wasn’t like we just changed our whole defense. Some of the things we’re doing with him I thought we finally hit it right.”znModeratorWhat’s wrong with the Rams’ offense? Nothing, at least in the second half
Vincent Bonsignore
This is my favorite and (IMO) best article on the Rams 2019 offense & its issues.
I think it makes the most sense.
‘
I think it’s must read-ish.znModeratorThanks BT.
.
September 27, 2019 at 11:02 am in reply to: podcasts week 4 … Bonsignore & Hammond … Long & Farr … Coach McVay show #105768znModeratorRams All Access
It’s a week 4 edition of Rams All Access with JB Long & D’Marco Farr as the Rams welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Coliseum. Can Goff & Gurley finally get the offense going in the right direction? Will the Rams defense continue to be the dominant force they have been since the start of the season? Plus, who is the biggest threat in the NFC to contend with the Rams this season?znModeratorTo see how TG is being productive, look just at his stats after the 1st quarter. In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters combined, he has 34 carries for 181 yards which is just over 5.3 yards per carry.
The problem is that as VB says none of the defenses they face are doing what was expected and the offense has to adjust to how they’re being defended. Once they do that, even with all the other visible little problems they have that are keeping them from being optimal on offense, they are still productive enough to win.
Brown btw has no carries in the 1st quarter. In quarters 2-4 he has 20 carries for 97 yards for 4.85 YPC.
Combined that’s a running game after the 1st quarter that has gotten 278 yards for 5.15 YPC. Taken in itself, 5.15 would rank 6th in the NFL.
znModeratorJachai Polite signs with Rams after release from practice squad
Polite, an edge rusher out of the University of Florida, was considered a potential first round pick at the conclusion of the college football season, even getting mocked to the Seahawks by Mel Kiper.
However, a poor performance at the combine saw him fall to the Jets in the third round, and an ugly performance in training camp and the preseason, marred by attendance issues at practice, lead to him getting released before the season started. (He was fined a total of $100K by the Jets during training camp.)
Seattle snapped him up on the practice squad, but evidently they felt his presence was no longer needed.
==
The talented pass-rusher, who racked up more than $100,000 in Jets fines before being cut just months after being drafted, was released from the Seahawks’ practice squad Monday after a three-week stint.
It’s unclear what led to Polite’s release, as practice squad players are axed all the time without fanfare.
But Polite’s fall from potential first-round pick last fall to unemployed in Week 4 of his rookie season is astonishing.
znModeratorSam Farmer@LATimesfarmer
No two guys walking around a Rams game are friendlier or more happy-go-lucky than Vince Feragamo and Jackie Slater. It’s like they walked off the set of a buddy cop movie.Chris Spooner@CSpoonerPFN
I don’t know if I’d say he’s been forgotten about, but I think Steven Jackson is severely underrated. We don’t talk enough about how his 2006 season is one of the greatest RB performances of all-time. Over 1500 yards rushing, 13 TDs, 90 receptions and over 800 yards. IncredibleznModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Three remaining undefeated, untied teams in the NFC after the Packers fall at home to the Eagles.49ers (bye)
Cowboys (at NO)
Rams (vs TB)—
from: https://www.therams.com/news/rams-pro-football-focus-tidbits-heading-into-week-4
Per PFF, Gurley is the highest-graded pass blocker of all Rams offensive players who have seen snaps through the first three games. He’s posted the best pass blocking grade in each of the last two weeks, too.
DT Aaron Donald’s run defense grade of 87.7 is the highest out of 150 interior defensive linemen evaluated by PFF through the first three weeks of the season. The attention he commands is also creating opportunities for his teammates – Michael Brockers had the second highest run defense grade of any interior defensive lineman in Week 3.
znModeratorWhat’s wrong with the Rams’ offense? Nothing, at least in the second half
Vincent Bonsignore
Given the difficulty the Rams have experienced scoring in the first half this season, it might be surprising to hear how calm things are in their locker room at halftime.
Based on the dominance they’ve enjoyed in the third quarter — a period they’ve used as the foundation for their 3-0 record — you’d assume the 12-minute break would be a chaotic scene of coaches yelling at players and trying to motivate them to drop a hammer on the opponent as soon as possible.
It’s actually the complete opposite.
“It’s very professional. Very locked in,” right tackle Rob Havenstein said.
“It’s an understanding of, hey, this is what (the other team) is doing and now let’s fix it as soon as we can,” center Brian Allen said.
The approach contains a belief that things will improve, rather than a mandate to make things better.
“Whether it takes a series or two, just trust our coaches and trust each other that we’re going to start moving the ball,” Allen said.
By every measure, that is exactly what has happened. The Rams have been a much more efficient, potent and effective team in the second half compared to the first, and that’s important to remember during the ongoing discussion of “what’s wrong” with the Rams’ offense.
They’ve scored 55 combined points in the second half compared to 22 in the first. Jared Goff has thrown for 395 yards and compiled a 92.2 passer rating in the second half, 315 yards and a 78.5 rating in the first. All four of his touchdown throws have come in the second half.
Todd Gurley also has been at his best, by far, in the second half. More on that later.
The third quarter, in particular, is when the Rams have done their best work. Goff has produced a 104.7 passer rating on 22-of-32 passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns, and the Rams have scored 31 of their 77 overall points in the third quarter (compared to six points in the first, 16 in the second and 24 in the fourth).
Hence the 3-0 record, even though they’ve sputtered in the first half in all three games. And that’s why, in spite of all the hand-wringing, the Rams are averaging 25.7 points, which is eighth-best in the NFL.
“Again, (the slow starts) is not something that’s stopped us,” Allen said. “It’s slowed us down, but we keep figuring things out.”
There is an asterisk next to that bottom line, though.
“We’re not a 3-0 team that’s satisfied,” Allen said. “We’re going to keep working. We might be the only 3-0 team in the NFL that’s not happy being 3-0 right now. But at the same time, we’re 3-0.”
“It’s not ideal to start slow, but there hasn’t been a team that’s slowed us down yet in the second half so that’s a positive,” Allen continued. “I think it’s encouraging to know that we’ve fixed it, we’ve adjusted to it. But at the same time, like everyone thinks, we know we need to start faster and that (the) first half hasn’t been (up to) our standard.”
The question is, what’s up with the first-half struggles and why can’t the Rams simply start games the way they finish them?
It’s a complex issue that involves a number of dynamics.
It touches on everything from the surprise defensive structures opponents are ambushing them with (and the prolonged adjustment period that has created), Gurley’s new usage pattern, a young offensive line with two new starters (plus an injury to right guard Austin Blythe) and some frustrating moments of inefficiency and mistakes.
The answers are simple.
“Just adjusting quicker, figuring things out quicker,” Allen said.
“We just have to do a better job of adjusting at the beginning of the game,” Havenstein said.
“We just need to be better offensively,” Goff said. “I think that’s the bottom line.”
Sounds easy, right?
Which begs the question: Why does it keep happening?
Let’s take a closer look at two big factors.
Opponents’ smart game plans
The Rams understand that they are being hunted after advancing to the Super Bowl last season and winning the most games and scoring the most points in the NFL over the last two years. That led to opposing teams coming up with game plans specifically to stop the Rams’ high-powered offense.
It didn’t help that the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots used effective schemes last season that gave the Rams fits and created a blueprint for future opponents. As Ted Nguyen of The Athletic brilliantly wrote this week, it comes in the form of a 6-1 defensive front intended to take away the Rams’ bread-and-butter outside-zone runs, fly sweeps and boots, with a soft Cover 3 or 4 zone concept behind it to limit big pass plays.
“A couple of teams have played it against us … yeah.” Havenstein said.
And it’s been employed by teams — specifically the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 and the Cleveland Browns last week — that previously had not shown that defensive structure on film. So while the Rams prepared for one base look in practice, they saw something completely different to start the game, be it the 6-1 front or something else.
“We really haven’t played a team yet who’s done what we’ve game-planned for,” Allen said. “People are playing not their normal defense against us, and I think that’s a compliment to last year’s team and coaches and how well they can manipulate defenses and how well they can put game plans together.”
Said Havenstein: “We’ve seen a couple of looks that we haven’t necessarily, I guess, explicitly talked about in numerous reps throughout the week.”
That isn’t unusual, of course. The NFL has always been an evolving game of cat and mouse from season to season, week to week, quarter to quarter and even play to play. And no matter what defensive looks the Rams have surprisingly seen this year, it’s not like they’ve never studied those looks or practiced against those schemes.
In other words, it’s not like the 6-1 came falling out of the sky.
“That’s something we’ve seen, and it’s something we should know,” Havenstein said. “And we as an offense have to do a better job of adapting to it right away and not letting this (cause) mental errors or the different things we’re seeing. We have to execute to the best of our standards.”
True.
But the difference this year, compared to the last two, is that the Rams no longer have the luxury of a veteran offensive line that can quickly and seamlessly make adjustments to combat what they are seeing to start games.
Allen is in his first year as the starting center. Joe Noteboom is starting for the first time at left guard. And for most of the last two weeks, Jamil Demby — a second-year player who didn’t have a regular-season snap before this season — has been at right guard in place of Blythe. By any measure, that’s a disruption to the operation. Ideally, the impact would have been minimal. But that might have been expecting too much.
Not that some tough love and accountability isn’t warranted.
“It comes down to doing your job,” Havenstein said. “Doing your job with technique and knowing who to go (block). And that’s something that’s done through preparation and practice. And honestly, we have to do a better job.
“Speaking especially for the O-line, we have to do a better job preparing throughout the week. Whether that’s in the film room or — and it’s 100 percent on the players, (because I) think we have a good plan that’s been sent down from our coaches — but you know, especially, we’ve got a lot of young guys right now and we need to take that next step and not have any surprises and not knowing assignments. We need to make it a technique game. Which is when we’re very good.”
Rams coach Sean McVay has praised Allen for how he’s handled the communication part of the center position. Allen pointed out that it is only three games into the season. There is no reason to think this offensive line can’t improve as the year goes on, and that should lead to crisper starts.
For now, though, that falls into the “hopeful” category.
The Todd Gurley factor
McVay has been careful not to back himself into a corner when it comes to acknowledging an official plan for Gurley’s usage, as the Rams attempt to preserve the health of the running back’s left knee and avoid some of the wear-and-tear issues he experienced late last season.
When McVay talks, his audience isn’t the media or the fans. It’s the rest of the NFL. Specifically, the Rams’ next opponent. Reporters can ask or press him about what the plan is or even the existence of one. Just don’t expect him to oblige with a definitive answer.
It’s been clear since the beginning of the offseason that the Rams were aware of their overuse of Gurley the last couple of years, and that a plan needed to be formulated to avoid a similar situation this season.
That’s why Gurley didn’t get on the field during OTAs or minicamp. It’s why he had periodic days off during training camp. And it’s why his usage rate has dropped this season compared to the last two.
No matter what you call it — or how McVay explains it — Gurley is on a workload program right now. And as I’ve written and said many times, the key to the Gurley plan is discipline in carrying it out. You don’t draw up a plan only to immediately abandon it.
McVay has been disciplined in managing Gurley so far. The Rams hope that diligence will preserve Gurley for later this season and for seasons beyond.
But as we’ve also seen, there might be some ramifications.
It’s clear after three games that the Rams are slowing Gurley down early in games in order to put him in optimal position to be effective in the second half.
He has played a total of 75 first-half snaps so far, but with just 17 carries for 55 yards. He’s played 67 second-half snaps with 27 carries for 148 yards, so his usage rate has been much higher.
And while Havenstein, Allen, Goff and McVay acknowledge that the offense as a whole has done a better job with assignments and execution in the second half, it’s no coincidence that the whole operation runs smoother when Gurley is getting more carries and gaining more yards.
It literally changes everything.
Is there something the Rams can do to get Gurley more involved earlier in games? Obviously, that comes down to a decision on McVay’s part. The question is how much would that compromise the workload management plan. And can the Rams make up the difference elsewhere in games in order to maintain the balance?
The last thing they want to do is end up in the same predicament as last year, when Gurley simply was not as effective in December, January and early February.
It’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
It really comes down to this: The Rams are likely to stick with the Gurley plan through at least the first part of the season, so it’s on them to work around his usage rate in the first half.
And to successfully do that, they need the offensive line, as Havenstein said, to take that “next step” by being a cleaner, more efficient, more mentally prepared unit earlier in games. Doing so will help maximize the carries Gurley does get and create a safer environment for Goff to operate in. When Gurley is churning and Goff is standing tall and confident in the pocket, good things tend to happen.
The Rams have displayed that in the second half of all three games, specifically in the third quarter.
Now it’s a matter of doing it earlier and more consistently.
As Allen said: “Once we put it all together, it’s going to be pretty dangerous.”
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
More important than name of plan is or how it’s explained is the discipline to execute it. Key is making sure Todd Gurley is physically fit enough to carry biggest load when it’s most needed – Dec. & Jan. Being disciplined w/plan helps achieve that objective. That’s the hope.September 26, 2019 at 10:18 pm in reply to: media folk & posters set up Tampa game & Rams v. Suh #105750znModeratorfrom Week 4 PFF Preview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams
NFL Players to Watch
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs’ two highest-graded players on the offensive side of the ball through Week 3, need a big game on Sunday to even have a chance at taking down the undefeated Rams on the road. Evans leads the team in yards per route run at 2.61 after an absolutely stunning performance against the Giants this past week. Godwin, meanwhile, has impressed with his contested-catch ability and already has seven receptions of 15-plus yards.
Of course, it’ll be tough sledding for Evans and Godwin going against Aqib Talib and the rest of Los Angeles’ secondary. The Rams currently rank sixth in EPA per play allowed and yards per reception allowed when opposing offenses target wide receivers.
Fantasy Football Preview
Through three weeks, only the Patriots (who have faced Pittsburgh, Miami, and the Jets) have a better run-defense grade than the Buccaneers’ 81.9, and Tampa Bay has faced a much more competent slate of backs (San Francisco, Carolina and a few plays of Saquon Barkley). Tampa Bay has 21 tackles for a loss or no gain, two more than the second-most team and five more than third. Todd Gurley could be in for a rough week.
Greenline Preview
After Tampa Bay’s offensive display last week, both teams now rank in our top 10 for offensive rankings. This total has moved up at least a full point if not 1.5 points in some spots. Greenline sees some value on a certain side of the total with the spread falling right in line with market consensus.
September 26, 2019 at 9:50 pm in reply to: around the league (+ some college) tweets… 9/23 thru ? #105747znModeratorLittle old school in the moment stuff..Some pretty 👀 by @cj_wentz to move the safety and come back to @TheWorldof_AJ for the tuddy. @Eagles reaaalllyy needed some points here—eyes as a weapon get it done. #TNFonPrime #TNFonFOX pic.twitter.com/ilb7wcKOWf
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 27, 2019
September 26, 2019 at 9:49 pm in reply to: around the league (+ some college) tweets… 9/23 thru ? #105746znModeratorDavante Adams 🔥🔥🔥#PHIvsGB
(via @NFL)
— PFF (@PFF) September 27, 2019
September 26, 2019 at 9:30 pm in reply to: media folk & posters set up Tampa game & Rams v. Suh #105744znModeratorCan Gurley get going when Rams host Bucs?
Since Sean McVay took the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching job before the 2017 season, the offense has been based around the rushing and receiving of running back Todd Gurley.
Over the two previous seasons, Gurley has rushed for 2,556 yards and caught 123 passes for 1,368 yards, scoring a whopping 40 touchdowns. That Los Angeles has won consecutive NFC West titles and earned a controversial NFC title last season is no coincidence.
But Gurley, whether because the team is trying to manage a sore knee or because of other factors, hasn’t been a big difference-maker during this year’s 3-0 start. He’s rushed for 203 yards on 44 carries while managing only four catches for eight yards. And he has scored only once.
Asked about a lesser workload for Gurley prior to Sunday’s afternoon visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McVay told reporters it’s a matter of getting more snaps from scrimmage.
“Being efficient on those early drives and being able to sustain drives,” McVay said. “The more plays we get, the better it is for everybody because the more opportunities and the more of a rhythm that we can get in where we’re able to do a handful of different things.”
Yet the Rams actually rank tied for ninth in plays run with 197, and may get a chance to match or eclipse their average of 65.7 snaps per game against a Tampa Bay defense that’s allowing nearly 26 points per game. Last week, the Buccaneers were carved up for 336 yards and two touchdown passes (and another two touchdowns rushing) by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones in a 32-31 loss to the New York Giants.
Yet Tampa Bay (1-2) probably should be packing a 2-1 record for its trip across three time zones. The Buccaneers used the last 1:16 after Jones’ go-ahead scoring run to position rookie kicker Matt Gay for a game-winning 34-yard field goal attempt from the field’s middle, but Gay pushed it wide right.
A few hours after Tampa Bay lost a game in which it led 28-10 at halftime, Los Angeles was grinding out a 20-13 win in Cleveland, thanks largely to its defense. The Rams came up with a goal-line stand in the last minute, stopping the Browns on four plays from the 4-yard line as their defensive line forced inaccurate back-foot throws from Baker Mayfield.
Los Angeles’ front four faces an interesting challenge this week. Under first-year coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, the Buccaneers have established an identity of power runs on first down to set up play-action throws from Jameis Winston.
Tampa Bay ranks eighth in the league in rushing at 121.7 yards per game, just two yards behind the Rams, and has controlled the ball for more than 32 minutes per game.
“I just think it’s such a positive when you’re able to run the football, no matter if it’s first down or what,” said Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. “The more effective we are and if we continue to be efficient, eventually it will open up some big play-action shots for us. As long as we keep running the ball effectively, I’m happy.”
znModeratorTed’s Film Room: The Rams still haven’t quite figured out the Fangio Blueprint
Ted Nguyen
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Ted’s Film Room: The Rams still haven’t quite figured out the Fangio Blueprint
This season, McVay has some answers against the 6-1 that he didn’t have in the SB but the Rams’ O still hasn’t quite looked like the explosive unit we’ve been accustomed tohttps://t.co/DInUFGhzCU pic.twitter.com/i0rNoKaGdq
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 25, 2019
znModeratormax
Some tidbits from Vinny…Source is my texts from Vinny and my notes from his podcast 11-personnel.
On why Rams getting off to slow starts: The Rams have seen three defensive front looks that they hadn’t seen those three teams play on film.
You always have to leave open the door that it can change at any moment
On Henderson: I think a combination of things, but definitely partly due to he’s still making the transition. They feel like it’s getting closer for him
Blythe wasn’t able to do all the drill last week. He was testing ankle up to Sunday. Appears better this week. If he starts, they won’t platoon him with Demby..
Last pick was mostly poor situational football by McVay.
Vinny predicts score by Defense/STs on Sunday.
znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
#LARams Thursday injury report:• OL Austin Blythe (ankle) – Full
• TE Tyler Higbee (chest) – Full
• Aqib Talib (not injury related) – Full
• DL Michael Brockers (illness) – DNP
• T Andrew Whitworth (not injury related) – DNPznModeratorNFL owners are pushing for a 17-game season:https://t.co/yXqikcr3ee
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) September 26, 2019
September 26, 2019 at 7:12 pm in reply to: around the league (+ some college) tweets… 9/23 thru ? #105720znModeratorWillie Anderson@BigWillie7179
@NFL former and current Offensive Lineman that are on Twitter . Who is the Strongest DLineman you’ve ever faced? I’m not saying “the best “ cuz we all know best don’t equal strongest! Who is that guy you could not move at all? My 3 were Bobby Hamilton, Aaron Smith &Reggie WhiteJoe Staley@jstaley74
Justin Smith. No question.Willie Anderson@BigWillie7179
Hell yes! I told him practice don’t rush hard against me ! He could literally bang into me and hold me up at same time . I was old man . Wednesday practice I’m still dead from Sunday . I tried to lift with Justin 1 day . He told me Lift dumbells they get Uright . He had 150s🤦🏿♂️Brandon Thorn@BrandonThornNFL
Geno AtkinsWillie Anderson@BigWillie7179
They say “ you can’t move him !” Whitworth told me years back “he’s the strongest dude in the league !znModeratorAs Todd Gurley gets fewer touches, Rams try more explanations
Is Gurley a cause of some of Rams’ inconsistencies on offense, or a symptom of them?link: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/09/25/as-todd-gurley-gets-fewer-touches-rams-try-more-explanations/
THOUSAND OAKS — Todd Gurley’s lighter workload has been explained in various ways by Rams coach Sean McVay this season: It’s a function of game situations. It’s a result of wanting backup ballcarrier Malcolm Brown more involved. It’s the fault of play calling, for which McVay always is quick to shoulder blame.
It’s definitely not, McVay insisted earlier this week, “load management” for a hard-ridden and gimpy-kneed star, even though the Rams acknowledge holding him out of practice one day a week to save wear and tear.
Wednesday, McVay offered an explanation that hadn’t been heard in 2019: Gurley’s reduced role and lower production so far this season is a symptom of the Rams’ general offensive slump — as opposed to, as some might assume, a cause of said slump.
“I think the big, underlying theme is let’s just be more efficient offensively, and I think everybody will end up benefiting from that,” McVay said.
If the explanations can be head-spinning, at least the numbers tell a consistent story about Gurley:
• He’s carrying the ball or being targeted with passes on about 25% of the Rams’ plays this season. That’s way down from more than 35% of plays in the games Gurley played in the 2018 regular season (and down even from slightly over 30% during his late-season slide). And down sharply from nearly 40% of plays during his NFL Offensive Player of the Year run in 2017.
• It’s not that the Rams are running less and having Jared Goff pass more. Running backs Gurley, Brown and Darrell Henderson Jr. are carrying on 44% of plays, about the same as 2018 (43%) and 2017 (45%). Gurley’s share of rushing plays is 51%, down from more than 65% the past two years.
• After three games — all Rams wins — Gurley is 12th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (67.7) and 20th per attempt (4.6), after ranking second in the per-game category and eighth and 11th in the per-carry column in his first two years in McVay’s offense.
Gurley’s game in Cleveland on Sunday (43 yards on 14 carries, 0 receptions) was his worst since the Rams’ loss to the Chicago Bears last December.
Between the lines of McVay’s explanations is this implication: Gurley, at age 25, is not a superstar who takes over a game but a player who is subject to its whims and circumstances.
If Gurley is limited in some way, everybody involved is even more limited in what they can say about it. McVay can’t let other teams know his plans for using No. 30, or the extent of his knee problem. Rams coaches and players would never say if one problem is the offensive line, with three young players in its interior in Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen and Jamil Demby (filling in for injured Austin Blythe). Nor would they get specific about what defenses are doing differently, which might include stifling passes to Gurley on the outside.
At Gurley’s regular Thursday appearances in the press room, he has promised he’s “fine” and refers questions about his usage to coaches.
Opposing coaches say they prepare to face peak Gurley.
Bruce Arians, who brings the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) to the Coliseum on Sunday, was asked about Gurley in a conference call with L.A. reporters on Wednesday.
“I think Todd is one of those guys that can break out for 200 (yards) at any point in time,” Arians said. “I’m sure Sean is using him wisely, and they’ve got a couple young backs (Brown and Henderson) they like, so they’re keeping him fresh.”
McVay was asked if he can see Gurley carrying 25 times in a game this year, the way he has done six times in his 65 regular-season and playoff games.
“That’s the hope,” McVay said, and he harkened back to the Rams’ victory at Denver nearly a year ago, when Gurley ran 28 times for a career-high 208 yards against the Broncos’ 21st-ranked rushing defense.
“We love Todd. Todd’s been extremely important. He still is, and he’s going to be as the season progresses,” McVay said.
Gurley has been most productive in the second half in the first three games. Not coincidentally, the Rams’ offense has been most fluid in the second half, scoring seven of its eight touchdowns.
Cause or effect? The question lingers.
znModeratorLMU93
The Rams have surrendered a league-high 49 quarterback pressures on 115 pass-blocking snaps. Per PFF.znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Reporter: “Wade, the longest pass reception your defense has given up this year to a receiver is 28 yards, and that’s in spite of the fact of facing the likes of Michael Thomas–”#LARams DC Wade Phillips: “Yeah, that’s too much. Too much.”
Sam Farmer@LATimesfarmer
When the Rams play Thursday night game, they construct the massage tables in the locker room after Sunday’s game and immediately start working on players.znModeratorThe leader of one of the best special teams units in the league. @NFLFilms x #LARams pic.twitter.com/wxWrb32LT0
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 26, 2019
znModeratorThe Freddie Kitchens 4th-and-9 call? Almost certainly an audible.
1. QB adjusts cadence.
2. OL communicates to each other.
3. (Most telling) head coach throws up hands in bewilderment and stares at QB (left side of screen near end of video). pic.twitter.com/R2jk2Q1GJN— Andy Benoit (@Andy_Benoit) September 26, 2019
September 26, 2019 at 12:13 pm in reply to: around the league (+ some college) tweets… 9/23 thru ? #105707znModeratorMike Golic@espngolic
The last time Aaron Rodgers played with a Top-10 scoring defense, the Packers won the Super Bowl (2010).Around The NFL@AroundTheNFL
Drew Brees on six-week rehab timetable: ‘I think I can beat that’znModeratorIt's nice to have a go-to receiver you can count on. Here are the receivers who have the highest reception rate per route run so far this season: #RavensFlock #BoltUp #Colts #Saints #GoNiners #Skol #TakeFlight #Seahawks #Bears100 #LARams @gregcosell | @MattBowen41 pic.twitter.com/S2oa1tKtCm
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) September 26, 2019
znModeratorInjury report for Rams has Higbee returning to practice
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/9/26/20884859/los-angeles-rams-news-roundup-9-26-qb-jared-goff-early-season-struggles-undefeatedGood news for fans of Hygz, or TE Tyler Higbee if you prefer his birth name. He returned to practice on Wednesday after coughing blood two weeks ago. OL Austin Blythe was limited in practice, but the fact that he was on the grass is a good sign.
znModerator#Rams Cooper Kupp's target are abnormally high (26%, 29%, 32%) in offense that typically distributes evenly (~20%) to WRs
Kupp working closer to LOS and usurping Gurley targets
Woods & Cooks on pace for norms (22% & 19%)
2019 left; McVay history right (slot aDOT highlighted) pic.twitter.com/jAS7dlPtOF
— Context Matters (@dwainmcfarland) September 26, 2019
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