RamsFanSince82 wrote:It wasn't Goff or the other starters decision to take week 17 off. McVay is the one that told Gurley, Goff and other starters they weren't going to play in week 17.
Brady and the other Pats starters played in week 17 because they had a bye during the wildcard weekend. If they took week 17 off, they would go three weeks before playing again. If the Rams had a bye during wildcard weekend, the starters would've played most of, if not the entire game against SF.
#1 I did not say it was the Goff’ decision to rest, because everyone who followed Rams knew it was McVay’s decision, but I faulted both of them, more on the Coach, because I believed he would float the resting idea to his prized student Goff to get his feedback and went from there. It was highly unlikely that if Goff was against his idea and McVay still overrided Goff . Please read on and you understand. If Goff told McVay “Hey Coach, I need to play, because I still need to learn when and when not to telegraph my passes (remember my int that ended the game vs Redskin). We just lost our #1 kicker and #1 scorer, so I still need to release balls quicker, avoid sacks, or get more yards, more TDs hopefully to make up for the kicker lost. I still need to spread my passes more, because Gurley catches more than 50% of my passes and if they stop Gurley, we could be in trouble. Season ticket holders, fans would not be happy if I do not play (Not made this up. As soon as they announced “resting”, ticket prices went south). Others more seniors could rest, but put me in 1 or 2 quarters.” I doubted that McVay still overrided his prized student’s desire, and focus to improve his repertoire, to better prepare for his BIGGEST test when both knew the stakes were at the highest. Goff, still a student of the game, should not rest.
#2 People said Rams’ resting decision is the same as teams with a playoff bye week, because they rest too. I don’t think so: There is a big difference: The 2 teams that earn the bye are at TOP of the food chain and for a REASON, but Rams was not. Eagles beat Rams at home. Vikings beat Rams. Rams need to get better and resting would not make them better, unless ... their next opponent get hurt. That leads to another take: Rams rest decision sent a wrong message to their next opponent: While we quit one game to enjoy the beach, you duke it out and by the way you may get hurt, so when we play you next, we could take advantage of you, kind of ‘cheap advantage’. No team likes that message and consequently, Rams just added more fuel to their next opponent (the Falcons this time), made them stronger, worked harder to prove Rams wrong. Bad strategy for this Rams and McVay blew it. When Rams email me next survey, I would vent this.
One of my friends questioned me 4 weeks ago:
He: Rams is suddenly good. Why? I doubt their ability to maintain their level.
I: I have to say thank you to many people like you who doubts the Rams, so Rams continue to try to get better, continue to be good.
Look like he was right.