Broncos coach Vance Joseph promises ‘changes’ ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Rams

link: https://www.dailynews.com/2018/10/09/denver-coach-vance-joseph-promises-changes-ahead-of-sundays-game-vs-rams/

Broncos tracker: Rams listed as 7-point road favorite at Denver

link: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/10/denver-broncos-practice-updates-los-angeles-rams-nfl-week-6-2/

Broncos vs Rams preview: How ugly will it get in Denver?

https://www.milehighreport.com/2018/10/10/17957214/broncos-rams-preview-nfl-week-6

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Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Steve

Goff analysis: one guy’s view

That was a good read. And I buy it.

I think Goff is on a trajectory to be the greatest Rams QB ever. This guy is good. This guy is special. Even if he doesn’t know where the sun sets. This is a Montana kind of guy. He may be good at nothing else his entire life, but he is good at football.

Some follow-up.

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Steve

He has an incredible delivery….i played baseball a bit, so I always watch timing and release and the like. Goff is feathery with throws, but he has some more velocity this year—and each throw has more consistent velocity than last year, without losing any accuracy.

I will take Goff of 2018-2022 over Brady, that is for sure—now, and in Brady’s previous 10 years. IN one year, he will be better than Brees….just wait.

Manning’s 7th, 8th and 9th years were awesome…and Goff will be there in a few years….he ain’t far away now. Manning was never tough, nor sooo pin-pointaccurate on 90% of his throws like Goff. I said Goff was on a Brees trajectory…that is conservative.

Heresy to say Goff is WAY ahead of Brees, Brady and Manning ever were in their first 6 years, but he easily is way ahead of their 3rd years….way ahead! And, I don’t mean just stats.

Regarding O line play: No one is touching Goff, almost ever, I don’t recall this in NFL history game after game— a QB standing there so unmolested as Goff—not Marino, who only was sacked 16 times a year for many years(or so). I watch 4-7 games a week and I am missing something about Ryan not being hit? IDK about that. I love seeing Matty getting hit!! When does Goff even get hit? He even said this himself.

Wentz was abused Sunday, tough guy…sorry to say, he is a going to be great. As great as Goff, no way. However, I do have to change a bit after watching the Eagles-Vikings game: Wentz looks more accurate than last year…though still can’t touch Goff.

Goff might be a top 3 QB this year…..certainly stat-wise he attain this status. Love what he is doing, but I get a ‘feeling’ (yes, a feeeeeling) that if you take away the superior O line play his play will drop precipitiously, while Manning in his 10th-15th years or Kurt Warner in 2008-2009 still had gaudy stats with very mediocre lines.

GOff has a good arm….but, can’t throw off his back foot..that comes from body strength and torque. I don’t think Brees can, either….This is just a reality. He has NOWHERE near the strength of Mahomes.

Some eye-popping numbers from QBs on PLAY ACTION snaps this season…#Seahawks #GoSaints #DaBears #FightForEachOther #LARams #Skol #DallasCowboys #Jets #GoBills #GoPats pic.twitter.com/id19twjZgA

— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 10, 2018

Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Keenum on Goff: “He’s doing such a good job of taking care of the ball and giving those guys chances… To be there that first year, to go through what we were going through… it’s been great to see him doing really well. It’s been fun to watch.”

Keenum says the Rams offense is “awesome to watch.”

Keenum says “I know the motors that those guys have.” He calls the Rams “explosive” and “disruptive” up front and says Denver has “our work cut out for us.”

alyoshamucci

Game 5 Seahawks

It was not a very satisfying game, because it showed that QBs that can keep the play alive are going to give us issues. That’s a lot of playoff QBs.

Without further ado …

The Great

1) Winning a game by going for it on 4th on our own side of the 50 … the script was written for them to comeback. I’m really glad the coach and players trusted each other and it paid off. There’s no words for building that kind of bond.

2) Gurley on 3rd and goal off tackle. Again, confidence.

The Good

3) Everett and Reynolds on the field … ohhh, and Hodge. Showed trust and they came through. There are more important things than having trust in your 2nd team players, but when there are injuries, I forget what those things are.

4) The Aaron Donald/Russel Wilson relationship continues.

5) Barron back on the field, even though he didn’t wake up until the 2nd half.

6) Littleton knocking footballs out of the air.

7) John Franklin Myers is moving a little faster now, he’s only slow off the ball every other rush instead of every rush.

8) Goff relentless 300 yard performances week after week.

The Bad

9) You have to scout tight window throwing. You can do it against most teams, but some teams? You better not. They’re taught more violence at the point of attack and the Hawks are one of those teams. Those picks should not have been thrown.

10) The TD call where he stepped out of bounds … whether they called that he didn’t step out of bounds or that he fully established himself, they were wrong. And it was visible. He stepped out after being pushed, and only got one foot to re-establish before being the first to touch the ball.

11) 2 concussions?

12) Playcalling the first 2 drives.

The Ugly

13) RUN DEFENSE. WHAT ON EARTH!?

14) Peters beat deep TWICE on double moves. Thanks, that’s definitely saving us a few million IF we resign you.

15) The no call on Cooks helmet to helmet.

Steve

Goff analysis: one guy’s view[/b]

Where he is better Goff: 2017 vs 2018 (small changes lead to big results)

Goff last year wasn’t throwing into tight windows I think because he was on a short leash because he didn’t know the system. Compared to Warner who was ripping it, and Martz didn’t care, because he knew the yards and TDs would also come because of this mentality. In my opinion, as a thrower, only Rogers tops him. I think he is much more accurate than Warner (throw after throw). Montana was accurate, but not consistent with distance and timing at 50+ yards like Goff is. Goff is soooo accurate that to not allow him to throw into tight windows is a HUGE reduction of his talent. Bulger was a mostly very accurate QB, but Martz was afraid in the 2003 playoff game to allow him that leeway. And, it cost the Rams the game. Bulger was in year 4 of the system….I mean, come on, right? This freedom has resulted in a 10 ypa average!! I also think that Goff is more accurate at 40+ yards down the field this year….but the same accuracy everywhere else.

The long ball accuracy: keeping the ball in the proper “east-west” location is as important as the right distance. Chris Miller was one of the best deep ball throwers ever. Goff, to me, is beginning to be like Miller. The Ball seems to be in the right ‘east-west’ location, not just distance (north-south). One of the worst right now is Matt Ryan (for comparison).

Related to tight windows:
Part of the reason he threw no endzone interceptions last year was because he wasn’t looking to be a super star. This year he is much more aggressive…and with this comes some interceptions. That int in the redzone against Seattle wasn’t “his fault” (it was, hold on); but, really he should know that there is a 10-25% of the ball being tipped in ithgt coverage at the goal line with 5 guys surround that receiver….yep, actually, it was his fault. The goal line defender is allowed to swarm the receiver—the refs allow it, and Goff should know this already.

When people improvise (in speaking, or throwing the ball, or hitting out of the rough in golf) the performance usually drops because the mind has to adjust to the ‘new’ environment. Some people thrive in improvisation, while most in fact fall or fail. Because Goff didn’t have the core strength to throw balls accurately, or with velocity when his feet weren’t right, he had many flutters last year— he wasn’t prepared in a split second, and his body couldn’t respond because it wasn’t strengthened enough.. This year he looks much more able to improvise—meaning his mind is ready, he can adjust his arm angle and probably his core strength is better because his throwing velocity is more consistent.

The ball looks like it is coming out ‘cleaner’, all the time, as compared to last year. He also has been throwing from more unique arm-angles this year—while, also having the ball on target. His throwing strength is soooo much better this year overall. And lastly, Goff has improved in pocket awareness and moving around, and running if needed.

Goff Strengths:
*Elite throwing accuracy at all levels (albeit, without elite velocity, but good enough velocity).
Some of his throws over LBs and to TE (Higs) vs Dallas and a few others are throws that no other QB makes. I am not sure Brady or Brees would think they could make those throws (based on the D-lineman coming at them, and angles etc.). Most QBs throw the ball too hard these days: they can’t take any velocity off, AND still release the ball in time. so most of them just throw the ball away. Goff’s anticipation helps him because he throws a bit softer, so he has to throw a millisecond faster—and his softer throws make for an easier completion at 1-8 yards of the LOS.
*He anticipates at probably near elite levels, too.
Even what looks like a bad throw, usually is a very good throw:
His back-shoulder to Kupp at the 2 yard line looks like a throwaway, but it is in the only place Kupp could catch it, and retain the ball so he wouldn’t fumble (as the defender was coming over). It hit Kupp’s hands. That ball travled 35 yards or so I think.
*Goff has timing and release at very good levels: He has room to grow here. He, one day, will be using his wrist even more when he needs to. He still has to build strength to do this.
*Intelligence: he is waaaay up there…and it is ‘functional’ intelligence, unlike Bradford who can’t seem to use that intelligence to produce anything. He knows when to dump off—and the ball is perfectly located, even though a hit is coming.
*Leadership: like Montana people will rally around him. Notice the entire Cal squad got I a room to see him drafted. What other college teams do that for their QBs??? Name them, please. This type of leadership builds a team. He respects people, and so people respect him—then they see him throw, and they are in awe, lol. His humbleness also could be at such a high level because he can’t be a jerk and have speech diction like he has—can’t say it any other way, sorry.
*Temperment: No ego, no yelling, no adrenaline rushes that say ‘look at me’, small pride, or so it seems. Who can’t like that? In football, liking who you play with is much more important than baseball and basketball (and prob hockey). By nature this causes team-building—even the biggest jerks have to like Goff, lol!
This provides an atmosphere of ‘learning’. Why? Because less intelligent players will build something with him because they aren’t afraid of him intellectually, even though he graduated at 3 yeas with a 3.6 GPA—unlike Brady and Manning who can’t stand people who aren’t perfect (lol) like them. By the way, Manning ain’t smart.
*Goff doesn’t throw the ball in the position where the defender can make a play—almost ever. Actually, this might be at the highest level in the NFL. (ya, he does have 1-2 really questionable throws a game, I know). This ability to not compromise the catch point, or the WRs health, is a spatial intelligence because he has to know that in the 1.5 seconds the ball gets to the WR, that the defender can’t make a play on it at knee or ankle level, and then he throws it exactly there! Few, few, few can do this. Marino did, I think. Elway never did this….he just ripped it. Though he was a great ripper!
*Adrenaline maintenance: Terry Bradshaw was saying that most QBs get so pumped up, and then the D-lineman add to that adrenaline level, and then the QB they can’t maintain calmness, thinking, processing—then they throw the interception. Montana was probably the all-timer in this; Phil Simms had a problem with this aspect of his game. Goff might be the best in the NFL at adrenaline reducement.
*He throws the most catchable ball in the NFL outside of Case K, lol (nose doesn’t dive with so much velocity)….this, IDK, might be more about the firmness/softness with which he throws—or the nose up. Bradford has the most uncatchable ball in NFL history in my opinion. Goff is an artist, he ain’t no TJ Rubley. ON short routes he throws the ball to the waist where the LB or safety can never hit it out when they are running over—-a ball at the waist is harder for the defender to knock out, or knock away. In these days, I see most all QBs doing this, but Goff is 100% doing this on every throw out of the backfield or on crossing patterns, when it is necessary. It is never random where the ball is arriving, unlike Dak Prescott, or Wentz for example.

Goff Weaknesses
*Core strength: it is very evident to me that he is weak compared to almost any QB in the NFL. Watch Jim Everett to see how many times he threw off his back foot. Everett was strong. Goff can’t do that. He will be able to do that some day because of his wrist action—maybe to probably. We all get stronger until 28-30, so he has 5 years to ‘get there’, lol.
*Scanning: he is probably just average, but an upgrade from last year; but, look at Brady and Ryan their first 2 years, and you will find the same thing. Brady was just ok in 2001….and look at his 90 yards passing at the 2 min drill in the superbowl 36…
*Small hands: yep, it ain’t going away, and it is real. And, Goff is making it look unimportant. Did you see the Seattle game when the ball slipped out? Small hands affect spiral mostly (that is why Brees has such clean looking throws—huge hands).
*Physicality: when you are slight build you need your whole body to throw. Rogers was 185 pounds as a fresh/sophomore at Cal—now he is 225. When you are slight of build, you can’t do things other QBs do. So, you have to set up perfect, get your feet right, understand what angles you can throw at depending on feet direction etc. Goff is doing this A LOT better this year, so we don’t notice it. But, he has the #1 pass blocking line in the NFL. IF he has a bottom 10 line would notice this big time.

Where he needs to improve:
*Pocket awareness- when someone isn’t afraid,like Warner, it is easy to not have pocket awareness; I wonder if this is Goff’s problem, too.
*Scanning: he is doing a great job for a 3rd year guy. But, he isn’t at Wentz-level, yet…..he will be.
*Core strength

Not a weakness, BUT:
My only ‘problem’ with saying Goff is the best:
He has the best pass blocking line in the NFL. He throws the ball without anyone coming at him to knock him down like it seems 70% of the time. What would Brady or Brees or Matilda Ryan or Wentz be like if they had that comfortability in the pocket? I want to see Goff play a game (like vs. Vikings in 2017) where he is uncomfortable all the time, but still putting up 8 ypa. He is at 10 ypa, which is Warner-like greatness. I actually believe he is better than Kurt already—though who was tougher than Kurt with that awful interior O line? Oh, and Goff has the best 3 route running WRs in the NFL….so, he has a lot that other QBs don’t have. For example: Went’z WRs are weak.

Conclusion:
I have watched between 4-7 full NFL games 52 weeks a year the last 7 years. Usually, 1980-1988 and current day stuff. I have studied football quite a bit, too.
And so I say:
Goff is soooo special. Rare special; HOWEVER, a good part of his success is related to the incredible O line play. I have not seen ANY QB ever have the protection that Goff has had in 2017-2018. IF Goff were to produce like he is now without this great O line, I will say it again, he is on a Brees trajectory (lol, many laughed when I said this in the off season—and now, you know it is true!!!!!).

If I were to ignore that beautiful aspect of our O line greatness that Goff enjoys, I would say Goff is a better pocket passing QB than anybody right now—even Rogers and Brady. But, you can’t ignore the fact of our O line supporting him. When Rogers lost his LT and one other guy a few years ago (2015?) his YPA was 6.7—that is below average. How can that be? IT is a team sport. Goff benefits from this more than any QB I have ever watched. Marino had a great line, but a lightening release. Marino was still hit a lot! Goff, no.

nittany ram wrote:

[Says a Denver fan]: Goff isn’t as mobile as Mahomes. He also has to get set to throw deep.

Mahomes is just from an entirely different planet. His arm strength is so good he can throw long (like LONG long) from anywhere in the backfield whether he’s set or not. There’s really no one like him. No one matches him as a pure physical talent.

But…Goff is more accurate deep.

Mahomes will wow people. He’s a Celtic warrior effortlessly swinging a broadsword.

Goff, you have to look to see it sometimes. He’s a skilled fencer. (“I know something you don’t know. I am not left handed.”)

Mahomes:

21-30 yard range, completion percentage: 53.8%
31+ yards, completion percentage: 18%
everything over 20 yards: 37.5%

Goff:

21-30 yard range, completion percentage: 85.7%
31+ yards, completion percentage: 50%
everything over 20 yards: 72.7%

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Week 7, Oct. 21, the 4-1 Bengals and 5-0 Chiefs are being flexed to Sunday night, per source. Rams-49ers, which was scheduled for that night, will be moved to 4:25 pm. So it’ll be two straight Sunday night games for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Bengals lone SNF appearance.

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"@robertwoods with track speed down the right sideline!"

All-22: Breaking down 17's 56-yard run vs. the Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/r68UkT7bad

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 9, 2018

Ride the surge to victory 🌊 pic.twitter.com/OWdYoANahN

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 10, 2018

Zooey wrote:

1. Marcus Peters was beat by a lot more than a strained leg on those TD passes. That was not the injury alone. He blew it. Dunno more than that, but I do know that much.

Yeah, he was gambling.

I think he was gambling even more than usual to make up for not being 100%.

from Rams Q&A recap: Vinny Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/578588/2018/10/09/rams-live-qa-vinny-bonsignore-answers-your-questions-on-tuesday-oct-9-from-noon-to-2-p-m-pt/

(this is in 2 threads but that’s okay, this is just a time when something belongs in 2)

…

My personal feeling is Peters isn’t totally healthy, and some of what he usually can do from an athletic standpoint he just isn’t able to do right now. I think he might have to make an adjustment to compensate – which I believe he has to some extent. But if I’m a fan, I remain patient. When it’s all said and done he’s going to be fine

The defensive struggles against the Seahawks, I felt, was related to honoring Russell Wilson and dealing with him and some guys trying to do too much. They got burned in the counter game as a result. Once they started playing more disciplined and focusing on their individual assignments it got better. That said they have to do a better job tackling. They were attacking much too high on runners I felt

They need to play the full game the way they play the fourth. They’ve only given up three points in the fourth quarter over the last three games. Only six all together.

No question the Seahawks were taking advantage of the Rams aggressive rush.

This is what Michael Brockers told me when I asked him basically about that very thing:

“Definitely got to have great assignment on your end because it’s like we have to squeeze a box on him. I said it before you have to kind of collapse on him and if you don’t collapse on him you leave that open and he’ll take advantage of it. His guys do a great job of doing the scramble drill and you know, getting open when he gets to moving around. It’s definitely a strategic way to rush Russell Wilson.”

“Yeah, because we got everything together. We got on the sideline, came together, and just talked about how we needed to improve as a defense and do better for our offense. Our offense did a hell of a job today and we just wanted to step up for those guys most importantly. It’s just about playing defense. Executing the defense, the way we should. Everybody tries to play the game within the game and I think that was a big deal with me today is trying to read what I’ve got and play off of it and stuff like that. As long as we do what we practiced and win our gaps, execute, and just dominate, I think we’ll be fine.”

“Personally for me. I feel like I was just trying to get out there and get to the quarterback or make plays in the back field, stopping the running stuff. Just doing way too much when I could’ve just been doing my job and everything would’ve handled itself.”

Their fourth-quarter defensive play shows what they are capable of when they lock down on their assignments and play disciplined. They just need to get off to better starts

Quarterbacks must be able to deliver in an imperfect pocket / under pressure in order to have sustained success in the NFL.#FightForEachOther #Skol #Browns #LARams #InBrotherhood #Texans #GoPats #GoBills #FinsUp #TitanUp #Jets pic.twitter.com/Mslyjh68x2

— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 9, 2018