[AvengerRam]

I think its pretty clear that teams have found ways to slow down the Rams' preferred style of offense. Its equally clear that the Rams have not consistently found ways to counter these tactics.

My question is, do you think its a case of McVay:

A. Stubbornly clinging to his system and hoping that better execution will solve the problem; or

B. Trying, but failing to adjust (perhaps, in part, because he doesn't have the "horses" to do so)?

At first glance, the first option would seem to be an indictment of McVay's ego as a HC. I'm not so sure. If McVay believes that, by staying the course, the offense will eventually get back on track and impose its will, who am I to say he's wrong (we are, after all, 3-0).

If its the second option, should we be supremely worried? Again, I'm not certain. I have seen teams evolve in a positive way over the course of a season. One could argue that the key is to solve these issues in November, December and beyond (again, particularly when you can win games early while going through the learning curve).

How do you see this issue?

[moklerman]

I think its pretty clear that teams have found ways to slow down the Rams' preferred style of offense. Its equally clear that the Rams have not consistently found ways to counter these tactics.

My question is, do you think its a case of McVay:

A. Stubbornly clinging to his system and hoping that better execution will solve the problem; or

B. Trying, but failing to adjust (perhaps, in part, because he doesn't have the "horses" to do so)?

At first glance, the first option would seem to be an indictment of McVay's ego as a HC. I'm not so sure. If McVay believes that, by staying the course, the offense will eventually get back on track and impose its will, who am I to say he's wrong (we are, after all, 3-0).

If its the second option, should we be supremely worried? Again, I'm not certain. I have seen teams evolve in a positive way over the course of a season. One could argue that the key is to solve these issues in November, December and beyond (again, particularly when you can win games early while going through the learning curve).

How do you see this issue?

Not sure what I see as issues fit into A or B.

I don't know what order these should go in but I see the o-line not gelling yet as an issue. That affects Gurley's effectiveness, especially with how limited and fragmented his touches have been.

Second, I see Goff's learning curve as an issue. As illustrated in the Bears game and basically since the bye last year, Goff is not processing efficiently and he isn't taking what the defense gives. On the interception last night for example, forced a ball downfield when Gurley was wide open underneath. That is a QB experience issue more than it's a McVay playcalling issue IMO.

Third, the preserve Gurley experiment isn't working IMO. I realize it could potentially pay dividends later on in the year but I don't think Gurley is buying into it. He's is a shadow of his former self and "fresh legs" aren't amounting to much from him. I would much rather see them ride Gurley as much as necessary to build a lead or big lead and then bring in Brown to finish the game off.

Gurley seems detached and moving toward disinterested or even disgruntled.

[max]

I think its pretty clear that teams have found ways to slow down the Rams' preferred style of offense. Its equally clear that the Rams have not consistently found ways to counter these tactics.

My question is, do you think its a case of McVay:

A. Stubbornly clinging to his system and hoping that better execution will solve the problem; or

B. Trying, but failing to adjust (perhaps, in part, because he doesn't have the "horses" to do so)?

At first glance, the first option would seem to be an indictment of McVay's ego as a HC. I'm not so sure. If McVay believes that, by staying the course, the offense will eventually get back on track and impose its will, who am I to say he's wrong (we are, after all, 3-0).

If its the second option, should we be supremely worried? Again, I'm not certain. I have seen teams evolve in a positive way over the course of a season. One could argue that the key is to solve these issues in November, December and beyond (again, particularly when you can win games early while going through the learning curve).

How do you see this issue?

I vote B.

I think he tried to protect his weak/young interior OL. I think he expected more from his big horses, Goff and Gurley.

If I’m worried long term it’s more to do with Goff and especially Gurley not being what we expect them to be. We tied up a huge amount of cap space in those two over the next few years. That’s the biggest issue to me. I think McVay will get better, he still a baby in HC years.

If Gurley was the early 2018 Gurley and Goff just didn’t make those few bad decisions, we wouldn’t be worried. At least I wouldn’t.

[Mr. Sparkle]

I think the fact this question is being asked and we are asking this with our 29-10, Conference Champ, current 3-0, sub 40 year old, taking over the dumpster fire 2016 team, shows how high he has set the bar.
In other words we have gone from "if only this or that or a bad call we would have won!" to "We are not winning by enough dang it!"

[AvengerRam]

I don't know what order these should go in but I see the o-line not gelling yet as an issue. That affects Gurley's effectiveness, especially with how limited and fragmented his touches have been.

Agreed.

Second, I see Goff's learning curve as an issue. As illustrated in the Bears game and basically since the bye last year, Goff is not processing efficiently and he isn't taking what the defense gives. On the interception last night for example, forced a ball downfield when Gurley was wide open underneath. That is a QB experience issue more than it's a McVay playcalling issue IMO.

Goff has made some mistakes, no doubt. When he has time and either makes the wrong throw or misses, you can't blame McVay, or even the OL.

On the plus side, I've seen Goff use his feet and legs effectively in the last two weeks. Those are positive signs of growth.

Third, the preserve Gurley experiment isn't working IMO. I realize it could potentially pay dividends later on in the year but I don't think Gurley is buying into it. He's is a shadow of his former self and "fresh legs" aren't amounting to much from him. I would much rather see them ride Gurley as much as necessary to build a lead or big lead and then bring in Brown to finish the game off.

Gurley seems detached and moving toward disinterested or even disgruntled.

I think these comments are pretty tangential to the point of this thread.

Getting back to the original point, though, do you think McVay is more often thinking "this isn't working, I need to change" or "this isn't working, you guys need to execute better"?

[AvengerRam]

I think the fact this question is being asked and we are asking this with our 29-10, Conference Champ, current 3-0, sub 40 year old, taking over the dumpster fire 2016 team, shows how high he has set the bar.
In other words we have gone from "if only this or that or a bad call we would have won!" to "We are not winning by enough dang it!"

Absolutely, and we shouldn't lose sight of this.

Right now, the defense is playing really well, and we're winning. That affords us the luxury of fixing the problems in the midst of a successful season (as opposed the dreaded rebuilding years pre-McVay).

[moklerman]

Agreed.


Goff has made some mistakes, no doubt. When he has time and either makes the wrong throw or misses, you can't blame McVay, or even the OL.

On the plus side, I've seen Goff use his feet and legs effectively in the last two weeks. Those are positive signs of growth.



I think these comments are pretty tangential to the point of this thread.

Getting back to the original point, though, do you think McVay is more often thinking "this isn't working, I need to change" or "this isn't working, you guys need to execute better"?

If I had to pick, I would say the latter because McVay HAS changed. I don't think he's being stubborn. He's been trying new things and has specifically talked about them. Gurley has been scaled back and Goff has things to learn and experience. They've moved on from Jet Sweeps and RB screens and have Kupp back. Execution needs to improve.

[max]

I think the fact this question is being asked and we are asking this with our 29-10, Conference Champ, current 3-0, sub 40 year old, taking over the dumpster fire 2016 team, shows how high he has set the bar.
In other words we have gone from "if only this or that or a bad call we would have won!" to "We are not winning by enough dang it!"

Yes, the bar is raised. And that’s a good thing.

We are now in the conversation with the top teams, the SB contenders.

Given that, what is there to discuss?

For me, I’m not satisfied with saying look how bad it used to be.

I’m interested in discussing what we need to do better to get back to the SB.

[ramsman34]

Goff didn’t see Gurley bc he doesn’t look for his check downs, at least not as I. Reading through his progressions quickly and ending up st the check down before he gets hit/sacked. I stated in another post that he is greedy. He wants chunk plays all the time. He will learn.

The run game isn’t working bc A. We throw a lot more than we run - at least in the first 3 games. We have actually been behind and have not created a big enough lead to puns people consistently. Also, the defensive schemes we are seeing now are better at taking away A. The outside zone and B. The longer developing routes. Lastly, the o line is not as cohesive as it was last year. The loss of Stafford is bigger than I thought. Not bc Boom can’t hang, he just isn’t as savvy nor as powerful as Saff. The right side was never great at pass pro. They were at run blocking but something is off there. Perhaps Allen factors in to that part.

All in all these things are correctable with time and experience. And that means for everyone involved.

This is just what I am seeing on the broadcasts.

At the end of the day, we are 3-0. But we dont look like we would fare well against the chiefs, pats, cowboys, and maybe the ravens. The whiners and shesquats might be tougher outs as well. We will soon find that out. Other than those teams. The Bears seem like another D that will make life difficult for our O. Steelers and Falcons are a mystery.

[actionjack]

Yeah I don't think is fits into A or B necessarily .

IMO the Rams still look a bit off, I think it is some rust, play calling, some o-line issues and some defenses they are facing. The o-line has been revised and dealing with a newer lineup due to injury. Goff looks a bit off but also making some great plays.

McVay play calls have been uneven. In the game last night, we come out super conservative all short passes etc. Start of the second half they attack the middle of the field with 15-20 yard passes and soon they are in the endzone. I would like to see more aggression early. McVay needs to figure out a way to get the screen game going, defenses have totally neutralized this weapon.

The running game was successful on the perimeter against the Saints, but had trouble against the Browns last night. TG looks about the same to me, but just lack of running room, would like to see more Malcom Brown too.