[snackdaddy]

2022 was a total disaster. I said they recovered from their slow starts in 2023 & 2024 but all 3 years were slow out of the gate. I agree, McVay won’t play starters in pre season. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

Last year they took the eventual number one seed to overtime in the opener. In 2023 they went into enemy territory and beat the Seahawks 30-13 in the opener. I wouldn't say they started that slow out of the gate. Injuries hit and the offense struggled to protect Stafford. The young defense was still trying to find their way. I don't believe the 3-6 and 1-4 starts had anything to do with not playing starters in preseason.

[ramsman34]

Totally agree, Snack. And you won’t see starters or players planned to have significant roles get any reps. Now, certain rookies who they have some plans for might get reps as they need some experience at this level. But, MCV doesn’t mess around protecting his players from injury in meaningless games. So we will see who get what during preseason.

As we all know, MCV uses preseason to let guys compete at the back of the roster for final spots on the 53 and for the PS.

[PARAM]

Weird stat.......

This season is McVay's third attempt to take the Rams to the postseason three consecutive years.

It certainly looks like the stars may have aligned to get that done for the first time. And I'd bet it won't be because he does or doesn't play starters in the preseason.

[ramsww]

Weird stat.......

This season is McVay's third attempt to take the Rams to the postseason three consecutive years.

It certainly looks like the stars may have aligned to get that done for the first time. And I'd bet it won't be because he does or doesn't play starters in the preseason.

Not that I want them to play starters in pre-season but how many times have we seen a win even a tie, matter in the NFC West and we started slow the last 3 yrs in a row regardless of what some think of the 2022 disaster. Do we come out of the gate 3-1 instead of 1-3? We’ll see but I don’t know if you can ever narrow it down to one reason why.

[Elvis]

Not that I want them to play starters in pre-season but how many times have we seen a win even a tie, matter in the NFC West and we started slow the last 3 yrs in a row regardless of what some think of the 2022 disaster. Do we come out of the gate 3-1 instead of 1-3? We’ll see but I don’t know if you can ever narrow it down to one reason why.

Not to quibble but why is starting 2-1 in a season that ended up 5-12 considered a slow start?

[PARAM]

Do we come out of the gate 3-1 instead of 1-3? We’ll see but I don’t know if you can ever narrow it down to one reason why.

Sure you can. 2022 wasn't about the lack of preseason reps. It was ALL about devastating OL injuries. We didn't start the same 5 in back to back games until week 13 or 14.

And our fast starts in 2018 and 2021 weren't affected by the lack of preseason reps.

IMHO success is based on 2 things. Roster talent and good health. And since in most years under McVay the roster talent has been there, it's been about good health or mainly lack thereof. The two years we didn't make the postseason our OL was a MASH unit.

[Elvis]

Rams started fast the first 5 years under McVay.

We're debating 2022.

The last 2 years were slow starts.

Is preseason playing time for starters a factor? I'm inclined to say no...

[AltiTude Ram]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/453 ... low-starts

It sounds like Zac Taylor is going to play starters more in the preseason due to "slow starts". He learned under McVay but seems to be switching it up.

As with each season, the Bengals eventually made amends for their slow start. But even with a 9-8 overall record, those early losses were a major reason why Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second straight year, despite career years from several top players.

Last week, Taylor suggested the way the team will handle preseason games will change in 2025.

"The one thing I do feel good about is playing our guys in the preseason," Taylor said. "That's always subject to change, depending on health and how things go with our team during training camp, but that's one thing that we've openly talked about with our players, and I think will help us as we do it."

[actionjack]

Rams started fast the first 5 years under McVay.

We're debating 2022.

The last 2 years were slow starts.

Is preseason playing time for starters a factor? I'm inclined to say no...

Yeah IMO it was def more injury related then anything else. The Ram starters are getting live reps in practice with other teams. I dont think its a an issue. If we start slow this year with few injuries than I think you could argue the point...

[ramsww]

Not to quibble but why is starting 2-1 in a season that ended up 5-12 considered a slow start?

.

Weren’t we under water after the 5th game? I’m talking 3-0, 4-0, 4-1. Anything teetering on .500 is a slow start. Maybe I expect too much. lol