Hey guys!

I would like to know which players on the Rams roster are your favorite players and please explain why.

(I hope such a thread does not already exist. If so, just close this one)

Greetings from Germany,

G-Ram-#1

Rams’ offense is built from the ground up in 2020

THOUSAND OAKS — As the Rams near the midpoint of their season, there’s nothing halfway about how they run the ball.

That’s the biggest difference and the most pleasant surprise in this year’s offense so far.

“It’s great when the things you emphasize as coaches start to show up on the grass,” said Kevin O’Connell, the first-year offensive coordinator.

The Rams (5-2) go into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins (3-3) in Miami with similar NFL rankings to last year in overall offensive production – middling in points, above average in yards per game.

But they’ve gotten there a new way, with the running backs trio of Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers gaining yards on the ground at a rate comparable to pre-knee trouble Todd Gurley.

The running back committee is getting the ball more, and the team is averaging a much-improved 4.4 yards per carry.

That means quarterback Jared Goff isn’t having to throw as much, and he’s more efficient too with 8.0 yards per pass attempt.

Some of that is because the Rams have been ahead on the scoreboard more than they were last season – leading at the end of 64% of quarters, up from 50% in 2019 – and have been running to keep the clock moving. Some of it is improved execution, starting with the offensive line. Some of it is that the coaches planned it this way.

“I think every offense in this league wants to be able to run the football and have the rest of their offense kind of sprout out from there,v O’Connell said. “Our identity coming into the season (was that) we really wanted to focus on running the football, staying efficient on early downs, which would then lead to the entire offense being at Coach McVay’s disposal when he’s calling it. I think as a whole we’ve been able to do that.”

Sounds simple, but simplicity is another thing that has changed in McVay’s play-calling, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said.

“Before, you heard criticism that ‘They’re giving a bunch of different (pre-snap) looks but it’s all the same play,’ ” Whitworth said. “I think our running game now is very diverse. That diversity only helps you, because a defense can only prepare for so many things during the week.”

What seemed to please McVay most is what it says about the whole team when the ground game improves from 26th in yards per game last season to seventh this season.

“That’s a team thing. That’s because we’re playing with leads and our defense is playing so well. It’s not exclusive to what the offense does,” McVay said.

The goal remains “balance,” McVay said.

“We want to continue to find ways to create explosives (long plays) whether that be through the run or the pass,” he said.

“But ultimately it’s about winning as a team. I think we’re figuring out the best way to put all three phases together.”

Sunday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have a lot in common. They both play in the NFC East. Neither of them is very good. Both teams are riddled with injuries. And now, they both could have FCS quarterbacks leading their offenses. Oh yeah — and they both have only two wins apiece halfway through the season but can still win their division with a win on Sunday night. Isn't the NFC East just so fun!?

Despite having the goofiest looking record in football, the Eagles (2-4-1) are currently atop the NFC East standings. They're coming off a dramatic, come from behind, 22-21, win against the Giants last Thursday night in which they scored 14 points in the game's final four and a half minutes. Philly's injury luck this season has been nothing short of decimating, but coming to the halfway point of the season, they seem to be getting healthier, which could set them apart from the rest of the division.

Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Cowboys (2-5) this season. They've lost four of their last five games, their starting quarterback for the season, and likely their backup quarterback for this week. Their defense is arguably the worst in the league. There's already dissension in the ranks in Mike McCarthy's first year coaching the team. And they just got embarrassed by Kyle Allen and the Washington Football Team last week, 25-3. But somehow, a win on Sunday against the Eagles would still put the Cowboys in first place in the division. The NFC East, man.

Sunday Night Football: Dallas at Philadelphia

Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 1, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Eagles -11

Three Things to Watch

1. Wentz on the rebound?

This year has been unkind to pretty much everyone, Carson Wentz included. The former North Dakota State Bison is in the midst of the worst statistical season of his career. He's 30th in completion rate (58 percent), 28th in passer rating (74.3), and last in both interceptions (10) and sacks taken (28). For a little bit more clarity, 21 percent of Wentz's throws have been rated as bad passes by Pro Football Reference. The only other quarterbacks to have a higher percentage of poor throws are Dwayne Haskins Jr., who isn't even dressing for games right now, and Drew Lock. Not quite the bronze medal you want to be wearing if you're a franchise quarterback.

But not all of this poor play directly falls on Wentz. Several receivers — Jalen Reagor, Alshon Jeffrey, DeSean Jackson, and Travis Fulgham — have missed multiple games, as has starting running back Miles Sanders and tight end Dallas Goedert. All the while, 80 percent of the Eagles' starting offensive line has missed significant time due to injury.

But there may be hope on the horizon for Wentz. Both Reagor and Goedert, along with left tackle Jason Peters, all practiced earlier this week and could be removed from injured reserve in time for Sunday night. If so, having all three back would be huge boons for Wentz and the Eagles' offense.

Wentz's performance last week against the Giants also offered some optimism. He posted his first 300-yard game (359) and passer rating over 90 (91.1) for the season. He was exceptional on the Eagles final two drives, completing five of his seven throws for 121 yards and two touchdowns, including the 18-yard game-winner to Boston Scott with 40 seconds left in the ballgame.

With the offense slowly but surely getting healthier, especially the offensive line, Wentz has another opportunity for a big game against the lowly Cowboys defense. More on them later.

2. Ben DiNucci?

No, I'm asking you. Who is Ben DiNucci? Because before last week, I'm not sure if anyone else on the Cowboys roster knew who he was either.

DiNucci is likely going to make his first start in a game since he led the Dukes of James Madison to the FCS National Championship Game in 2019. The rookie seventh-round pick was thrown to the wolves — well, the Washington Football Team — last week when Andy Dalton suffered a concussion after taking a dirty hit to the head from Washington linebacker Jon Bostic with six minutes left in the third quarter. DiNucci completed two of his three passing attempts but was sacked three times and fumbled twice in his debut. Welcome to the League, rook.

Dalton has not yet been cleared to play this week and probably won't (although Mike McCarthy hasn't ruled him out yet either), likely giving DiNucci his first NFL start. The good news for DiNucci is he still has some of the best weapons in the league in receivers CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup, plus running back Ezekiel Elliot. He just has to find a way to get them the ball. Also, All-Pro guard Zack Martin is likely back after dealing with a concussion of his own. However, Martin will likely be playing out of place as both starting Cowboys tackles, Tyron Smith and La'el Collins, are on IR.

DiNucci inherits a Cowboys offense that has only scored 13 total points (1 touchdown, 2 field goals) since Prescott's injury two games ago, and an O-line that allowed six sacks and eight quarterback hits against Washington. He'll also be staring down an Eagles defensive front that's pretty good at getting to opposing quarterbacks, ranking third in the league in sacks (26) with defensive end Brandon Graham (6 sacks) leading the way.

Best of luck to our new buddy, Ben.

3. Dallas' offensive defense

There's no other way to say it — the Cowboys defense is flat out bad. Coming into this season, the Dallas D was thought to be a potential force, but this year, they've been anything but. And it's not like they have one fatal flaw that continuously does them in. They're bad all around.

For starters, they give up more points per game than any other team in the league (34.7) and have forced the least number of turnovers (3). Against the pass, they're middle of the road in terms of yards allowed (229.9, 11th) and completion percentage (61.1 percent, 4th) but 26th in passer rating allowed (106.7) and 28th in touchdowns surrendered (16). In seven games they have intercepted one pass. One. A JV defense can pick off more than one pass in 221 attempts, even by accident.

When it comes to stopping the run, the Cowboys are against it. They've allowed the most rushing yards this season (1,248) and rank 31st in average per carry (5.2) and 30th in touchdowns allowed (11). Opposing teams have rushed for more than 100 yards in all but one game this season. Dallas has allowed three games of 200-plus yards rushing, including 307 against the Browns in Week 4. Over the last two games, the Cowboys have allowed 469 total rushing yards to Washington and Arizona. That's more than the Buccaneers and Steelers have allowed all season long.

As the Eagles offense starts to get healthier, the only silver lining for Dallas is that Philly has given up more sacks than any other team this season (28). The Cowboys were able to muster a couple of sacks last week against Allen, but their 13 sacks for the season rank 18th and their 32 QB hits are tied for 22nd.

Final Analysis

The Cowboys are no longer favored to win a single game for the rest of the season. How's that for encouragement? Despite the tight-knit race to the bottom in the NFC East, the loss of Prescott has proven to be a death blow for the Cowboys, and they might actually be the worst team in the division. If Wentz can continue to improve as the positions around him get healthier, I think this division is Philly's for the taking and so is Sunday night against the Cowboys

Prediction: Eagles 25, Cowboys 17

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. on CBS

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. on Fox

New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. on Fox

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Los Angeles Rams at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

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Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles;we always show respect for our team and each other.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and others.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

A more loosely moderated atmosphere can be found in the chat room.

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

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OK streamers, can we get some links for Rams-Dolphins please. I put the last one on favorites but they do not last for whatever reason.
But thanks in advance.
Help a Ram Brother out !

well, here I am just trying to give you guys money, but not a single person out there seems to want it. So what's a guy to do?

How about upping the bounty? How does a 5k prize per 1/4 sound?

That sounds great Rhody!!! How do I win?

Click to expand...

Well its simple. Just guess what the score will be at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters. Easy as that!

WOW !!! That does sound easy, where do I sign up?

Click to expand...

No need to sign up anywhere. Simply post your predictions in this thread before kickoff and I will handle the rest

so for those of you at the top of the sportsbook ( @Corbin , @HX76 ,@BriansRams ,@nighttrain @RamFan503 ) @rdlkgliders )leaderboard here is a chance to build up on your lead, or close the gap, without the risk of losing any money.


So have at it and good luck

Congrats to @RamWoodie for winning last weeks contest. Your funds should have been tranferred to your sportsbook account already.

on to this weeks contest

The Rams are coming off a BIG win on MNF over da Bears led by All World punter Johnny Hekker, TE Johnny Mundt and of course Johnny Donald ( let's see who is actually reading this LOL)


Meanwhile the 'fins are coming off a bye week after thrashing the 9ers, and then surprisingly making the announcement that Tua T would be starting his 1st NFL game after the bye.

Does Tua have what it take to overcome the Rams defense? Will DC Brandon Staley dial up some exotic blitzes to confuse the rookie.

What will the final score be? You guys know the rules by now.

Get to guessin

Night the Kids bring the youngens by.

Now if I can just get them to stop being afraid of my dog.

My one niece was being disaplined by her dad for misbehavior, he pointed his finger and went towards her.

Lol Ah No, my Pit said.

My wife has learned how to make english muffins so we will be having eggs benedict with the game.

Bonus tonight for Halloween I'm making a loaded baked potato soup.

My wife is going to try making these rolls

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Thats why he's wearing Seahawks colors!
Seriously, I love our QB.
Talking heads can debate his ranking among QB's but he is definitely #1 when it comes to sense of humor!



Happy Halloween!!!

Terrible news.

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WARNING - there is video of sloman kicking a fg. some member's eyes might explode if they watch it. stay clear sloman haters.

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PRE-GAME THREAD

• Tweets about the game, leading up to the game, players, writers, etc.
• Stats, tidbits
• Weather conditions
• Pregame stuff, quips, articles, previews, prediction stuff (some times there seems more than normal of this type of stuff)
• “Things on the web” that don’t feel they stand alone, but maybe fit here
• Excited about something with the game, maybe you want to shout it here
• Trash talking, general smack
• Unsure where to put something game related, maybe try here
• Going to the game? Tell us! (at least in the future)

Cameron DaSilva's interview with Sean McVay:
" Sean McVay was asked on Tuesday whether Sloman’s lower trajectory was something the Rams scouted before the draft, and he indicated that they were aware of it. It’s definitely something that, especially now with just some of the technology that you have in terms of measuring the apex of these kicks or even just once it gets to the line of scrimmage – what’s that height compared to the norm? Those are things that typically I haven’t had to look at over the last couple of years, but that is something that we were in tune with,” he said. “It was a little bit lower than what is the average and I think that’s where we’ve seen that reflected in kicks getting blocked. "

Okay, so why did they draft him? Anyone who knows kicking knows that inaccuracy is one thing but low kicks are an animal of a completely different nature. It reflects a far more difficult flaw to correct. One that simply can't be corrected in a shorten camp and during the season. It proves beyond all doubt that Sloman didn't win the competition. That some other pressure was in play to keep Sloman.

Cameron DaSilva (regarding Austin MacGinnis)
Sean McVay “He was a guy that it was really closely contested, between all three of those guys throughout camp, but Austin had consistent accuracy,” McVay said. “And then you talk about some of the things that have led to us getting things blocked this season, he gets great height immediately on his kicks, especially when you’re in some of those ranges that we want to be smart about – deciding to be able to kick field goals there and so, that was more of a reflection of some of the things that he had done... "

Okay so tell me again how Sloman won the competition with consistently low kicks and only 55% accuracy in TC? Bonamego has experience in coaching kickers. He of all people understands exactly what I've been saying all along. If he didn't want Sloman he should have argued against him. But all the fingers point to him actually being the motivation to keep Sloman.

This plays into things I've been critical of the coaching staff. Where subordinate coaches seem to have a lot of sway with McVay. From Kromer's simplistic o-line schemes which have subsequently been rectified by O'Connell to this whole Sloman debacle. It's clear McVay knew of Sloman's issue all along but was poorly advised about the true meaning of that kind of kicking flaw.

On a side note, the offensive line has a really bad flaw that IMO will be picked up SOON by DC's. Their execution of the fake sweep with a naked boot in the opposite direction isn't played the same as their actual outside zone on a run play. This flaw also extends to the jet sweep when it's actually handed off. It's why that action is increasingly being stuffed. The flaw is that a normal outside zone with a handoff to the RB is executed differently. I made this observation weeks ago but it's clear from the way Chicago played the jet sweep handoffs that they have noted the difference.

The blocking execution on a normal RB outside zone handoff is executed with a vertical concept. Both the jet sweep handoff and the bootleg are executed with a horizontal concept. Chicago generally played the jet sweep handoff like they knew it was coming. In fact, IMO it was a factor (besides Mundt's blown block) in Wood's fumble. In a vertical concept, the linemen push the defenders off the LOS while the horizontal concept is simply sweeping them horizontally in the desired direction. The vertical creates holes, the horizontal depends upon the d-line, and the LBs losing gap control.

A SS or LB observing that will begin to cover that naked boot if they don't change it's blocking execution. Frankly, I'm amazed they haven't done it thus far. Again it comes down to coaching. That's the way Kromer is coaching it and it's simply wrong. O'Connell needs to clean that up quickly.

Since they can't BOTH lose, I'll pull for 9ers as much as that pains me greatly.

Why? Even though they have the heads-up tiebreaker having beaten us, we get them one more time to even it out, and are a game up in the standings as well. I say bring the Seadogs back to the pack at this "halfway point". Then (figuring a split with all our NFCW rivals) we're right in the hunt for a division title and it comes down to our Fins/Cheatriots/Jets/Bucs results. I'd take our chances on 3-1 there, giving us 11-5 finish.

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One of the things I would love to see Sunday is what I think the Ram's projected starting D-line of the future is going to be.

DE Lewis
NT Robinson
DT Donald
JACK Floyd

Robinson gives them a player at NT that can be a force much in the way Suh was. That type of play in the middle will pay dividends for AD. With Floyd and Lewis they have speed off the edges. I loved the way Lewis showed how he can set a hard edge Monday and IMO Brockers doesn't make that play because he lacks the athleticism to do it. With Robinson and AD collapsing the interior o-line and with speed off the edges (both sides for the first time) this could be far better than 2018's version. I think AD's production will again soar. I don't see a 5 man o-line being able to protect on passes and running will be very difficult especially inside. If they unleash this d-line against Miami, Tua won't stand a chance and Gaskin will have to try to run on the perimeter.

That D-line and their secondary can make this defense very special, a true top 5 unit. Everyone keeps harping about the ILB position. With that D-line and the way it's going to force teams to pass to win, the Rams are only going to play their MIKE. Kiser and with Reeder in rotation have shown they are fine. Staley can use a SS instead of Young. Young isn't being used as an ILB anyway. He's playing as a 3rd safety. So he can simply use a 3rd safety in the box to play that role. Just play Rapp in the box with Johnson and Scott (until Burgess returns) behind.

My only concern is that Staley will revert to his soft defense if he gets complacent. His scheme on Monday was exactly how this defense should be played. He used his personnel well and played to their strengths. It showed he knows how to game plan in that manner. He simply needs to build upon it (because I'm tired of yelling at him).

I want to see McVay come out on fire, and pound at a weak defense with the run game. But most of all to quit going away from what works and simply outsmarting himself which leads to those dead possession. In keeping with that Sean must never take his foot off the gas, if it turns into a 40-0 blowout so be it. He needs to quit trying to be "honorable" and understand the NFL is a take no prisoners BUSINESS not a friendly game among friends. He needs to stomp on that pedal and not let off until there is nothing but zeros on the clock.

Opposing View: Dolphins head coach Brian Flores on the challenges the Rams defense presents, Jared Goff's growth

Before becoming head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores served in various roles on the New England Patriots' defensive coaching staff.

In 2011, he was a defensive assistant who helped that unit finish second in the NFL in interceptions (23) and tie for third in the NFL in takeaways (34). During his tenure as safeties coach from 2012-15, New England was sixth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 20.3 points per game. As defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2018, the Patriots finished fifth in the league in takeaways (28) and tied for third in interceptions (18) on their way to a Super Bowl LIII victory.

In other words, Flores can recognize a strong defense when he sees one, and he thinks highly of the Rams' unit this season.

"Defensively, they pose a lot of problems," Flores said during a video conference with Rams beat writers Wednesday afternoon. "Talented, fast, disciplined. They tackle well."

Naturally, the attention of a former linebackers coach first draws toward the line of scrimmage, bringing up defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year is second in the NFL in sacks with 8.0 and leads the Rams in tackles for loss with nine.

Flores also highlighted the play of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who snagged his first interception of the season, and linebacker Leonard Floyd, who received a game ball after tallying two sacks and three quarterback hits against his former team Monday night.

"The first name that comes to mind is Aaron Donald, and he's a tremendous player," Flores said. "Michael Brockers is good. (Leonard) Floyd is playing well. Jalen Ramsey, as you know. I mean, they've got a lot of good players."

As for how that impacts the Dolphins' gameplan for their rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Flores reiterated his response to a previous question about it being a team game.

"Again, it's football, so it's never a one-man show. Eleven guys playing on one accord," Flores said. "And I see that, being a defensive coach and watching them defensively. I see a lot of good things. And that's kudos to their coaching staff and their players for putting the work in. They're seeing the fruits of the work they're putting in obviously."

Speaking of quarterbacks, Flores is familiar with the Rams' Jared Goff, having been on the opposite sideline in Super Bowl LIII.

Goff's 2020 season has more closely resembled his 2018 performance compared to 2019. So far, he's completed 67.7 percent of his pass attempts for 1,790 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Entering Week 8 in 2019, he had a 61.8 percent completion percentage and had thrown for 1,995 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions; at that same juncture in 2018, 69.7 percent, 2,130 yards, 14 touchdowns, five interceptions.

"He was a very good quarterback then, he's a very good quarterback now. You've seen improvement on a yearly basis – getting the ball out quicker, making good decisions, just basically overall have command of the offense and leadership on that team. He's been very productive. He can stand in the pocket and make throws, he can get outside of the pocket and make throws. He's just a very good player on a very good offense."

Good. Edwards is a guard, Noteboom is a tackle.

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