- Joined
- Apr 16, 2016
- Messages
- 233
A couple interesting points...yesterday we faced the same offense we'll see next week. Although Shanahan has proven to be a better play caller than Sarkisian, the coach's preparation from last week should carry over quite a bit to this week. Our QB coach, Matt Lafleur, was Atlanta's QB coach last season so he should know a bit about Matt Ryan's strengths and weaknesses, their play-calling tendencies, etc.
Should we be fortunate enough to win on Saturday, it's back to Minnesota for a rematch. I'm excited for this game. I rewatched the first Rams-Vikings game over the weekend and came away with a couple thoughts. 1) We need to treat Keenum a bit like Russell Wilson. Keenum beat us with his feet the last time, almost more so than his arm. 2) Cover the short passes. Keenum doesn't throw deep often or very well. He likes to hit shallow crossing routes and dumps to the RBs. Occasionally, he'll hit Rudolf over the middle. Keep him in the pocket and don't let him out. Cover Thielen with Trumaine Johnson, not Dominique Hatfield. Enough said. 3) Run block better and feed the beast. We didn't run block very well the first game. Gurley had 15 carries and 3 catches in the first game. He needs at least ten more touches. I've been watching football for almost 50 years and honestly don't remember a RB running the screen better than Gurley has this season. He needs to be the focus of the offense, not Goff. I think McVay realizes that now. 4) Gang tackle. Watching the Vikings defense week in and week out, you see how they fly to the ball as a team. I think it was Lovie Smith who said something like he wanted 11 men meeting at the football every play. Watching the Rams defense, you'll always see a few guys STANDING around the ball carrier near the end of the play. Standing, not tackling. Re-watch our games and you'll see what I mean. The Vikings are all there TACKLING. That's a coaching point, not a reflection of how much better their players are than ours. 5) Realize that ANY play during the game could be the key play that makes or breaks the game. As Tom Landry once said, "Do what I say and we'll win the game." Go Rams!
Should we be fortunate enough to win on Saturday, it's back to Minnesota for a rematch. I'm excited for this game. I rewatched the first Rams-Vikings game over the weekend and came away with a couple thoughts. 1) We need to treat Keenum a bit like Russell Wilson. Keenum beat us with his feet the last time, almost more so than his arm. 2) Cover the short passes. Keenum doesn't throw deep often or very well. He likes to hit shallow crossing routes and dumps to the RBs. Occasionally, he'll hit Rudolf over the middle. Keep him in the pocket and don't let him out. Cover Thielen with Trumaine Johnson, not Dominique Hatfield. Enough said. 3) Run block better and feed the beast. We didn't run block very well the first game. Gurley had 15 carries and 3 catches in the first game. He needs at least ten more touches. I've been watching football for almost 50 years and honestly don't remember a RB running the screen better than Gurley has this season. He needs to be the focus of the offense, not Goff. I think McVay realizes that now. 4) Gang tackle. Watching the Vikings defense week in and week out, you see how they fly to the ball as a team. I think it was Lovie Smith who said something like he wanted 11 men meeting at the football every play. Watching the Rams defense, you'll always see a few guys STANDING around the ball carrier near the end of the play. Standing, not tackling. Re-watch our games and you'll see what I mean. The Vikings are all there TACKLING. That's a coaching point, not a reflection of how much better their players are than ours. 5) Realize that ANY play during the game could be the key play that makes or breaks the game. As Tom Landry once said, "Do what I say and we'll win the game." Go Rams!
