A few notes on re-watch of Rams Raiders....

[XXXIVwin]

Bruss is essentially still a rookie even though he recovered from the knee in a great program.

I don’t see how he can be fully recovered just yet, he needs time. Having a complete evaluation on him right now is impossible.

I don’t see how any fans could possibly think they know enough about him after less than a full preseason combined, a different position and a new Oline coach.

He certainly isn’t ready to start but, there is no way he makes it to the PS.

There are some other bright spots, Allen looked really good catching the ball didn’t really notice his blocking but if it is as good as @XXXIVwin reported that could move him to TE2 quickly.

Hard to judge some of these guys in preseason but unless the AD Factor is huge, they will not get enough pressure.

This is going to be a long season and wins will be far and few between.

Just to elaborate and clarify about Allen's blocking...

What I saw was Allen doing a great job on the second level. Not sure if he engaged a DB or an LB, but he held his block for several seconds with real tenacity and kept his head on a swivel to keep an eye on Rivers and make sure the defender was out of the play.

My point is-- I can't say for sure Allen has a huge amount of power (yet), it's not like I saw him blow up a DE or anything. But he showed a high amount of effort and "want to" in his blocking, real competitiveness and situational awareness. Kinda reminded me of Robert Woods-- just a smart player who actually ENJOYS blocking and creating opportunities for his teammates.

 

[Merlin]

My point is-- I can't say for sure Allen has a huge amount of power (yet), it's not like I saw him blow up a DE or anything. But he showed a high amount of effort and "want to" in his blocking, real competitiveness and situational awareness. Kinda reminded me of Robert Woods-- just a smart player who actually ENJOYS blocking and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Agreed.

In fact if you watch tape of a good defense like say the shitters you will see ILBs like Warner that are very hard to seal out of the play. Usually by the time our second level block arrives his ass is already on the way to make the stop. When those defenses do get gashed typically there's someone sealing them. So you don't need to be knocking guys on their asses to make a big difference in the run game, rather consistently being in the right spot to even divert their path can be very valuable.

The way these TEs can get more 12 sets going is by being good at their jobs. If they're winning in either the run or pass game consistently that would invite more usage. Problem is to date going with 12 is a big dropoff in the pass game without offering shit in the run game because even when we had Everett we got better run blocking and better pass threat from Woody.

 

[blackbart]

Yeah he really did play well. Kid put on a clinic on how to get noticed from the depth chart in preseason. His outing was that good. To the point where I expect he'll get some early snaps in this third game. Hope he makes the most of them too.


The problem here is that rookie OGs tend to translate and play quickly. Not only has that not happened with him, but he has had his ass handed to him on most snaps he's seen going back to day one.

This past offseason I disregarded any sense of alarm with the kid. I was confident he would factor in to that RG spot in year two, at the very least be a strong competitor for it. But he is nowhere near factoring in. And no matter how you slice that shit it ain't good. No way in hell a year 2 draft pick taken where he was taken should be that far off the pace.

I have nothing against him but this is a big boy league. He was expected to start year one by McVay. Was not anywhere near to that. Same deal year two in camp, I mean they made that call on him sliding to OT really early and before shit got padded. Basically what we've seen so far statistically spells out where this is going and it ain't good.

College OT trying to move to RG where he never played. Completely destroyed knee rehabbing in less than a year to OTAs. Going back to tackle.

He may never recover from that knee injury but I think it is worth giving him time to figure it out. He’s still in his rookie contract.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Just to elaborate and clarify about Allen's blocking...

What I saw was Allen doing a great job on the second level. Not sure if he engaged a DB or an LB, but he held his block for several seconds with real tenacity and kept his head on a swivel to keep an eye on Rivers and make sure the defender was out of the play.

My point is-- I can't say for sure Allen has a huge amount of power (yet), it's not like I saw him blow up a DE or anything. But he showed a high amount of effort and "want to" in his blocking, real competitiveness and situational awareness. Kinda reminded me of Robert Woods-- just a smart player who actually ENJOYS blocking and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Yeah the one clip I saw of him with a DE, he got put on his ass. Glad to hear his other blocks were tenacious.

 

[Liberator]

Whit sure is convinced that Boom is a starter. We'll see.

good notes

i wonder how much of this is a professional courtesy since people said he was supposed to replace whit. I know he won’t want to say anything negative about him, just not his personality

 

[majrleaged]

Avila bullying a Chargers DL gif

I love that. Unfortunately, I can't take my eyes off of Bruss's utter failure at tackle. From the beginning of preseason last year to now, the only thing I ever see is him getting his ass kicked. I know he was hurt, blah blah blah. He got hurt cause he was getting his ass kicked and then again this year, he gets hurt getting his ass kicked. A scout jumped in the pool he was so happy they picked him. What a wiff.

 

[fanotodd]

What about Ethan Evans? Punters are people, too.

I have to say I’ve been impressed with his leg. He’s been booming them. Placement is still a process he has to learn though. Kicking it 60 yards into the end zone is a waste too. Don’t get me wrong, I love the pick. He’s just got to iron out a couple things. Our shitty coverage isn’t gonna do him any favors either, so he might want to start aiming at the sidelines more.

 

[jjab360]

Yeah, Ethan definitely looks like one of the top rookies in this class. I have faith in his ability to pooch kicks inside the 20-- his very first punt against the Chargers was lofted perfectly for a Fair Catch at the 8 yard line.

IMO he just needs some better help from the punt coverage, which has been pretty terrible. Hope it gets better with the normal personnel. But he is booming the big punts with consistency.

Evans has a massive leg. I don't think it's just on the punt coverage though, he's outkicking them. And if they're slow getting there he should be adjusting for less distance and more hang time. Just my two cents.

 

[muggmeister]

Yeah he really did play well. Kid put on a clinic on how to get noticed from the depth chart in preseason. His outing was that good. To the point where I expect he'll get some early snaps in this third game. Hope he makes the most of them too.


The problem here is that rookie OGs tend to translate and play quickly. Not only has that not happened with him, but he has had his ass handed to him on most snaps he's seen going back to day one.

This past offseason I disregarded any sense of alarm with the kid. I was confident he would factor in to that RG spot in year two, at the very least be a strong competitor for it. But he is nowhere near factoring in. And no matter how you slice that shit it ain't good. No way in hell a year 2 draft pick taken where he was taken should be that far off the pace.

I have nothing against him but this is a big boy league. He was expected to start year one by McVay. Was not anywhere near to that. Same deal year two in camp, I mean they made that call on him sliding to OT really early and before shit got padded. Basically what we've seen so far statistically spells out where this is going and it ain't good.

He may never recover from that knee injury but I think it is worth giving him time to figure it out. He’s still in his rookie contract.

We don't need a repeat of Bobby Evans just because he's on a rookie contract, haven't we learned our lesson on that?

 

[blackbart]

We don't need a repeat of Bobby Evans just because he's on a rookie contract, haven't we learned our lesson on that?

No where close to the same situation.

 

[PhillyRam]

I have to say I’ve been impressed with his leg. He’s been booming them. Placement is still a process he has to learn though. Kicking it 60 yards into the end zone is a waste too. Don’t get me wrong, I love the pick. He’s just got to iron out a couple things. Our shitty coverage isn’t gonna do him any favors either, so he might want to start aiming at the sidelines more.

If Hekker were to retire, would love to see him come back as a kicking coach/ ST assistant

 

[fanotodd]

If Hekker were to retire, would love to see him come back as a kicking coach/ ST assistant

Could you imagine what Hekker could do with this guy? Those kicks into the center of the field? Uh, no.

 

[PARAM]

You know you're Jonesing for football if you're rewatching preseason games!!!! Kudos!!!

 

[Faceplant]

No where close to the same situation.

You're right. At least Evans was able to get on the field. To date, Bruss is a total bust. There is just no way around it. Can't make the club from the tub.... Or if you get dominated on almost every snap you take in practice and preseason. It is what it is.....and it sucks.

That was as premium of a draft pick as the Rams have had in a while and it sure looks like they got it wrong at this point.

 

[Loyal]

Just to elaborate and clarify about Allen's blocking...

What I saw was Allen doing a great job on the second level. Not sure if he engaged a DB or an LB, but he held his block for several seconds with real tenacity and kept his head on a swivel to keep an eye on Rivers and make sure the defender was out of the play.

My point is-- I can't say for sure Allen has a huge amount of power (yet), it's not like I saw him blow up a DE or anything. But he showed a high amount of effort and "want to" in his blocking, real competitiveness and situational awareness. Kinda reminded me of Robert Woods-- just a smart player who actually ENJOYS blocking and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Allen homer!

 

[Allen2McVay]

Allen homer!

Nothing wrong with that!!! I appreciate the love.

 

[Ramstien]

I feel like Bruss does not deserve a lot of the hate he has been catching. Give him this year to show something along with Noteboom and if they do not perform up to expectations, then adios.

 

[Ramstien]

To be honest I am more upset by Noteboom making all that money and being hurt all the time.

 

[blackbart]

You're right. At least Evans was able to get on the field. To date, Bruss is a total bust. There is just no way around it. Can't make the club from the tub.... Or if you get dominated on almost every snap you take in practice and preseason. It is what it is.....and it sucks.

That was as premium of a draft pick as the Rams have had in a while and it sure looks like they got it wrong at this point.

Disagree

To this point the Rams have picked him for a position he didn’t play, he got a major knee injury trying to play that position and then they switched him to another position when he returned from that injury.

He is not missing any time this week.

 

[Faceplant]

To this point the Rams have picked him for a position he didn’t play, he got a major knee injury trying to play that position and then they switched him to another position when he returned from that injury.

How is this disagreeing with me? Sounds like you are saying that the Rams drafted him to play, what we are now supposed to believe, was the wrong position. So far, the move to LT has not gone any better. Knowing all of that, how is that not them getting this wrong...at least from what we know so far? Not trying to pick a fight, I am just asking, because it sounds like we kind of agree?