jacktheripper85 said:

Sorry Mac, I was with you till you took a swipe at my Devils. Long time season ticket holder and was there for all those Cup games. The style may have been boring but watching Scott Stevens hits were one of the most memorable moments I lived as a sports fan.

One of my best sports moments was Game 2 of that series. Devils were huge underdogs and Stevens absolutely obliterated Koslov than calmly skated over to the Red Wings bench and said “who’s next”. Changed that whole series and led them to the cup. Outside of my Rams that team was my favorite.

Click to expand...

I'm not saying it wasn't effective, as they won the Cup and were relevant for years after that with that style and much of the league adopted it.

But coming from the Oiler's fast moving style, watching guys kick each other in the ankle hoping for a center pass while two or more other guys group hump in front of the net hoping to either take a shot on goal or clear it was boring AF.

And I don't mean that in the same way that people say watching someone pitch a no-hitter is boring or a defense pitching a shutout in football is boring. I appreciate technically sound defense.

But when half of a line's time on the ice is spent in the corners?

Yeah, not great.

But that's just, like, my opinion, man...

Victory!!!!!!!

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/10/04/nfl-offense-passing-records-through-four-weeks

Six Reasons for the NFL’s Early Offensive Explosion
By ALBERT BREER

When Jared Goff’s plant foot hit grass at the bottom of his drop with 1:30 left in the first half last Thursday, there were eight Viking defenders within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. When he let the ball go, there was only one within 20 yards of new Ram Brandin Cooks, sprinting to the post. And the rest, really, was academic.

We’ve seen this scene unfold everywhere in the NFL this fall.

First down. Receiver coming uninterrupted off the line, and unbothered by the threat of contact. Defense geared to respect the run. Offense raring to take a shot. Touchdown.

“They are playing aggressively on early downs,” said one rival quarterbacks coach. “And that’s a trend sweeping the league.”

It’s sweeping the league, mainly because it’s working—and just as the league wants it to. With an influx of gunslinging young quarterbacks, rules changes geared towards juicing offenses, unintended consequences of other rules changes and coaches more open-minded than ever before, passing numbers and scoring have exploded. It’s like money play after money play, straight out of Madden 98.

Explaining it is a little more complicated than just hitting buttons. But the statistics are crystal clear:

• There have been 228 touchdown passes through four weeks, breaking the previous high-water mark of 205 (2013).
• The league’s collective completion percentage (65.4) and passer rating (94.5) are also four-week records, topping marks set in 2014 (64.3, 91.5).
• Passing yards through four weeks (32,215) also ran at an all-time high, edging the mark set in 2016 (31,616).
• Eleven quarterbacks have more than 1,200 yards through four weeks. The previous four-week high there was seven, in 2011.
• Seven quarterbacks have double-digit touchdown passes, and 10 have a triple-digit passer rating. Both are four-week high water marks.
• There have also been more touchdowns (344) and points (3030) through four weeks than ever before.

So what gives? We’re going to get to your mail and to players to watch for the weekend, both in college and the pros, in a minute, but we’re leading off this week’s Game Plan by working to tell you why the NFL’s longstanding desire for Big 12-style scoring and pyrotechnics came together in a wild September (and spilled over in Patrick Mahomes’ crazy October 1).

And after hitting up a bunch of coaches, on both sides of the ball, as well as scouts, the one-line conclusion I came to is that there is no one thing you can assign all of this to. Instead, it’s a number of changes, some made to push this offensive shift, and some helping the NFL get there organically. So let’s dive into the reasons, in no specific order:

1. Rules changes: This is the most obvious, and goes back a decade to when the illegal contact rules were emphasized, handcuffing defensive backs. Now, with the helmet rule and body-weight rule in the spotlight, teams see apparent examples on film of safeties pulling up on potential kill shots, and linebackers lowering their target area. So naturally, that goes into coaching.

“The middle of the field is a danger-free zone,” one pro scouting director texted me. “You used to face certain teams, like Seattle, with certain players, and unless you wanted to lose guys, you stayed away. You don’t have to be as concerned about that, and even if you get hit, it’ll probably be a penalty.” Those flags extend drives and, at times, generate scoring chances and passing yards that weren’t there before.

2. College offenses: I’d refer back to the June 25 and July 23 editions of The MMQB, with Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley and Chicago’s Matt Nagy, to fully explain this one. In short, NFL coaches are far more open-minded than they used to be to implementing college-rooted concepts, which is most obvious in places like Philadelphia, New England, Kansas City and, yes, Chicago.

That’s created a schematic cat-and-mouse game, with defenses scrambling, and coverage busts like the ones we saw on the part of the Bucs against Nagy’s Bears last week becoming more and more common. NFL football is no longer played in a phone booth.

3. Analytics: Most teams these days are looking intently at data in how they run their operation. And, as one NFC assistant coach said, “a lot of teams are buying into the analytics [on] how it is important to throw the ball more on early downs. [There are better] overall success rates on passing plays on first down, compared to running on first down.” Want proof?

Through three weeks, Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was throwing more on first down than any other down (with former Oklahoma State OC Todd Monken calling the plays), completing 31 of 44 throws on those plays for 627 yards five touchdowns, a pick and a 141.3 rating.

We used a first-down play from Goff to kick the column off, and he’s been pretty good on those too—going 46 of 56 for 668 yards, six touchdowns, no picks and a 152.1 rating. Teams are also more aggressive on fourth down, which is a factor in extending drives.

4. Offseason emphasis: This relates to rules changes, but of a different nature. Teams can’t hit in the spring, and summer contact and practice time have been cut way down under the 2011 CBA. That leaves coaches and players hard-pressed to get real run-game work done, and over time it’s caused reallocation of some of that time to even more work on the passing game. “Sh--, all we get are non-padded practices,” said one AFC offensive coordinator. “So you are almost forced to throw the ball more because that’s what you’re getting good at.”

5. QB talent: We’ve had 11 first-round quarterbacks in the last three draft cycles, and three look like home runs (Goff, Mahomes, Carson Wentz), while all five of the 2018 rookies have flashed big-time potential. Of the 11, nine are now their teams’ starters, and many have been paired with creative coaches (most notably Goff, Mahomes and Wentz) who are tailoring the offenses to their skill sets.

That means opposing defensive coaches not only have to build a book on these guys, but they also have to learn to defend new concepts put in to unlock their talent. Again, it’s a cat-and-mouse game.

6. Talent elsewhere: I thought this comment, from an NFC offensive coordinator, was interesting: “Leaguewide, there’s more speed on the field. Teams are throwing it more often, and creating more space for these speed guys to run.” Part of that comes from the college concepts meant to stretch the field vertically and horizontally.

Part of it comes from the rules that have opened areas that were previously no-fly zones. Part of it is that smaller players can’t be knocked into oblivion anymore. And so the NFL has never been a friendlier place for the Tyreek Hills and Jakeem Grants of the world.

So then the question becomes simple: Will it continue?

The weather will get colder. Defenses will learn to better defend the young quarterbacks and newfangled schemes. And that cat-and-mouse will play on. Which is to say there’s plenty of unknown ahead.

But that’s the fun part. The series of offensive haymakers we’ve gotten to this point have been a blast to watch. And it sure will be interesting to keep an eye out for the counterpunch, whenever that comes.

12intheBox said:

Remember in the Fisher years when the Seahawks were way better than us year after year and we always managed to either beat them or play down to the wire with them?

I think this game could be a brawl. Yes, we are more talented, we have a better scheme, better looking fans, and should be able to beat them - but they are going to come out hangry.

I’m not looking past them one bit.

Click to expand...

Same. You just never know with a divisional game. We kicked their balls in last year in their house. Rams gonna get everything they have, and it still shouldn't be enough, but I am never comfortable with a divisional matchup unless Bradford's the other team's QB.

A.J. Hicks said:

I didn't even realize the Denver game is Goff's birthday! I'll be there to celebrate with him!

Click to expand...

Awesome!! I was supposed to be there!! My buddy's new GF has season tix to Bronco's games, and invited us, but I couldn't justify the airfare to my wife, lol. Was supposed to go to Dallas last year, but ended up going to MN, and we know how that went. I have seen 5 Rams games in person, all losses, so I'll take this one for the team.....

Elmgrovegnome said:

It's too early to be wowed by these results. The Bears played one good team. Ditto Dolphins. The Eagles and Vikings are still top of the league IMO, along with the Saints and Rams.

Good teams can turn it around and win their division.

Click to expand...

Bears lost to the Packers and had to rally to beat the Cardinals THE CARDINALS LOL. sorry but not impressed at all with the Bears

An El Camino is a "Cruck". Tought everyone knew that!!!

Well, he should know because David Carr made amazing throws like this:

LARAMSinFeb. said:

I was a big Watkins fan last year--I think he was a bigger part of our success than he got credit for. But of course now I'm ALL in on the Cooks train. While I thought we needed that different type of option SW provided us, the coaches are saying the interchangeability of the 3 identical style players we have now is a strength, and yeah I can see how that's the case.

Click to expand...

To defend Watkins in LA: Without Watkins the #1 corner would have been on Woods.....our whole season would have been different. No wins against Saints and Titans and maybe others. Sammy had his place. Giving up the # 2 to get a late #3 is more than good enough....Josh Reynolds won't be in the NFL in 2020, that is how good he is

Congrats to our guys. Keep it up!

I’m sure it’s just me. But I feel like McVay runs the same 15 plays every game. It works obviously. Just noticed we run a lot of the same stuff.

No. 16-0 won't be a psychological limit either. Probably won't be 16-0, but it won't be due to anything in the Ram's players or coaches psyches.

I suspect raising their prices for Game Pass was not a good idea with the timing of this age of proliferation of streaming sites. For myself there is just no way I'm going to pay a hundred bucks to stream games after they're over when I can get them free in real time.

Somebody in the NFL office needs to get their head around all this and come up with a way of providing a high quality stream that is LIVE for an affordable price. IMO.

WestCoastRam said:

@BonifayRam, that "beef" line was the line that was in on JFM's strip-sack. I don't have high hopes that that line could become the starting combo but it's a nice change-of-pace, for sure.

Ebukam has to be the biggest disappointment so far this season (Everett a close second) but can the guy really be a disappointment when he really didn't show us anything and it was really all talk that hyped him??

Edit: One of Donald's sacks and both Suh's and JFM's sacks came from that "beef" line. Maybe there's really something to it...

Click to expand...

If you analyze & break-down Rams DL vs Ram LB unit looking for pass rushing talent......the DL unit (at this time)has far better players with well-seasoned developed pass rushing skills in it. Need to keep those Rams pass rushing skills on the field when pass rush is needed most. Depending on a LB'ing unit whom has yet to unveal or brandish any effective pass rush sucess , will most likely disappoint & fail.

Ramstien said:

He is a whinny little bitch!

Click to expand...

Im not a violent man im prety much live and let live

but if someone said you can full force punch someone in the face with zero repercussions ...ol petey would be top of the list

Favorite play of his is easily that block on Matthews.

Favorite game is him just abusing the 12tards in Seattle.

I have 7 or 8 Bradford rookie cards that should be worth .10 cents .

I was thinking 9-7 for the Bears......but with the Vikings and Packers taking a 1/2 step back, maybe they go 10-6. That Dec 9 matchup is looking nice.

PressureD41 said:

Nothing would make me happier to see the attempted burglar meet my

Belgian Mainois

View attachment 26504

View attachment 26504 View attachment 26505

Click to expand...

I have a Carolina Dog, but he chews the furniture, so usually muzzle him.
Kind of defeats the purpose.

By Dominic DeAngelo

An Impolite Article About The Admirable Talent & Politeness Of Los Angeles Rams Quarterback, Jared Goff

Jared “The Pisss Missile Prodigy” Goff.

This dude murdered it all on Thursday night.

Even only two years into his role as a starter, Goff aired it out like a Marino veteran - he and his receiver corps full of Woods, Kupps and Cooks all played off one another’s skills and talents.

Goff became the top quarterback in history with the most passing attempts to have a perfect passer rating (that’s 158.3 if you’ve been smoking that ESPN QBR doobie for the past 7 years).

Remember when people were giving him hell on Hard Knocks because he didn’t know where the sun rose and set?

Geez, I just made the Japan “Land Of The Rising Sun” connection only after that became a news topic and thought “in lieu of” meant “in light of” up until a comments section lit me up at my freelance job.

I’m an idiot and you are too. This media world today I tell ya, all up in everybody’s twigs and berries.

I could give a late Gene Wilder if he believed that we had two moons (a flat earther is another thing, however), there’s talent behind that boy from Cal.

Coach “Makes Me Feel My Age” McVay and the athletes he put around Goff helped bring out his quarterback’s first overall auroa, and Goff in turn, has made those LA Rams one of the top NFL overall offenses this side of the greatest shows on turf - something not every franchise quarterback is capable of doing.

You can’t tell me 2016 MVP Matt Ryan would have even done that stuff.

Call me a prisoner of the moment, but guess what fellow football fan reading this?

This game lives and breaths off people saying stuff like that.

And all talent aside, you know my track record - I’m a writer who likes his quarterbacks old, weathered and on the Ensure, but I’m also a sucker for polite people.

Goff, after he threw the best game of his career had a post-game chat with Kristina Pink and the dude didn’t thank her just once, but twice for the interview - once on the stick and once off it.

Pre-$10 million Jon Gruden would have admired the X’s & O’s acumen of “PMPl” (like CM Punk - but again, Pisss Missile) I however, am a staunch believer that good manners scores just as many touchdowns as huffing whiteboard markers with a television personality if you ask me.

You want more “prisoner of the moment” hot takes?

I slept in until noon today folks, so I got ‘em flaming from my fingertips:

I bet Goff also tips at least 25%, holds the door for people despite age or gender, and plays moderator when friends with two abrasive political views make things awkward during a wholesome game of Cards Against Humanity.

Quality guy he is, I bet he even picks up stray trash when he goes for walks. Sip on that today, ya shittt heels.

And thank you for your time. Thank you.
https://www.keystonestatement.com/home/jared-goff-polite

Here they are, read these b/c you won't see these for 2 more weeks (read description...NBD).

https://ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/angry-ranks-week-5.29/

Akrasian said:

While he would have developed, would he have developed quickly enough?

The Rams would have had to decide whether to pick up his 5th year option after this season - if he was mediocre would they have felt like committing $25 million to him for 2020, or would they have tried to get a free agent veteran? Would Goff have finished his development with another team?

Click to expand...

He'd likely have been a grossly underperforming 1st overall who occasionally threw some amazing passes, thus revealing his talent. He'd have remained a diamond in the rough.

Rams43 said:

Forget the timed speed in shorts.

There are 2 players on this current Ram team that just jump off the screen with their football speed compared to the other players on my TV screen. And it’s a pretty dramatic difference, too. Worthy of this post.

One is Brandin Cooks and the other is JoJo Natson. Wow!

Click to expand...

We have a fast team, but I think you nailed the two who jump out at me. Some players look faster in person though. The camera does some funny things to quickness.

BonifayRam said:

Evening Ramrocket, I thought that Hager was our best Lb'er in TC & pre season by a far degree. I would prefer having a our most expereinced LB'er call the defense when playing Wilson myself. I would not want our 5th rd rookie involved with this assignment this early in his career. His time will come next season.

Click to expand...

Evening Bon, sorry I should have been more clear. I don't want Kiser calling the D. I want him there along side Barron, assuming he plays, allowed to dominate the middle with his brand of crushing D.

I'm not sure what to make of Hager. Every time I see him start well, I get wxcited that the light has 'switched on' then he seems to go off the boil so to speak. Not meaning he plays bad, but he plateaus a bit. Have no problem with him starting but just wonder if his absence from ST will be felt more than what he can give us at MLB. I won't lose any sleep if he starts there to allow Littleton to move to outside.