Q & A with the Rams: Seattle Seahawks - St. Louis Rams Open Fan Thread
by Douglas M on Nov 19, 2011 12:26 PM PST
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It's an NFC West "day of days" once again for the Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams. After the way you played the Baltimore Ravens - who pretty much physically violated the Rams earlier this season - I'm not all that sure I believe those that say we are getting into the "soft" part of our schedule. There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, about a Seattle - St. Louis game that is "soft".
I just read an excellent post here on Field Gulls about the history of Rams - Seahawks games. Great read! It covered the current record between the two teams over the last 6 years or so, and it wasn't pretty from our point of view. But that was then, and this is now. All I know is that if we score only 13 points again like last week against Cleveland, it's going to be a long day in St. Louis for the home team.
I'm an author over at Turf Show Times, and I thought I'd drop by to answer any questions you may have about the Rams. I'll be inviting the TST faithful to drop by because I know they have questions for you as well.
I have a few questions for you too. The first one that comes to mind is regarding the Sidney Rice acquisition. Given what you have seen so far from Rice, is he worth the small mountain of money he's being paid? Is a WR in the 2012 NFL draft a priority going forward? What's the deal with Golden Tate? I thought the 'Hawks snagged an ace when you picked him, but thus far..? I read a post not long ago about coaches the players DON'T want to play for, and was shocked to see Pete Carroll's name on the list? Why?
Here's to a great game this Sunday, and please don't hesitate to let me know if any TSTer forget they are guests here.
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Thanks for coming by!
Just curious how you guys feel about Bradford year 2. You haven’t been scoring a lot of points, and his completion percentage is way down. He’s been able to find Lloyd a little bit, but his numbers seem underwhelming overall. Injuries affecting him? Sophmore slump? Really missing Amendola?
We were discussing Sam last night in the Thursday Night Foot ball Thread
Most lean toward the “Murphy’s Law on Steroids” argument. My own opinion is that due to the beating Sam has taken this year (sacked 26 Times!), he is having shoulder issues that originated during his time at OU. If you look at his throwing motion this year compared to last season, you’ll see a lower, almost sidearm release point.
This would explain virtually all Sam’s throwing miscues. His passes are “flat”, so any touch pass is almost out of the question. The passes blocked by DLs this year can even be explained by his shoulder for the most part.
Me and another TST author are compiling data to try and prove the point in an article we hope to post next week.
As far as missing Amendola – Danny was an almost guaranteed short completion for Sam last year. That the passes were anywhere from 1 to 3 yards gains really doesn’t matter as much as the “safety blanket” aspect Danny had for Sam.
Until Brandon Lloyd showed up, our WRs couldn’t catch a cold, so that didn’t help Sam much either. He is calling his own protection schemes for the first time, and he has had trouble adjusting. I also think McDaniels’ offense is about to set off the “Bust-o-meter”. If McD is a genius, he’s doing a good job hiding it.
Interesting
I hadn’t noticed the side-aremed throws. I will definitely look for that this week. Maybe that is the reason so many are getting tipped at the line.
Sam also has not look good in the pocket until last week. He seemed to get anxious if the D-line got behind him. He always wants everyone in front of him. He needs to step up in the pocket or shift. I say if the quick throws that Feeley was doing work, by god lets try them. Then, work in the longer throws to Lloyd or someone else. Not saying we should go back to the West coast offense, but to do thing Bradford is comfortable with.
by crashoveride01 on Nov 18, 2011 9:54 AM PST up reply actions
Funny, I thought Pocket Presence was one of Bradford's better attributes last season.
It was a primary reason I thought he’d do well in the NFL going forward.
We decided that Pete getting a few votes for
coach who they wouldn’t want to play for came from disgruntled victims of roster churn, and Taylor Mays.
70% of space is covered by dark matter, the rest by ET.
To answer your questions:
Rice has been fantastic. You’ll hear people say (erroneously) that he ‘stretches the field’. Not really. He’s not actually that fast. But he runs great routes, and is usually able to get a step on a cover man and enough space to make great catches. What he does do is command safety help on just about every passing play.
That opens it up for guys like Baldwin, Mike Williams, and others over the middle. It explains the majority of Doug Baldwin’s success. Tate hasn’t got a ton of play time because he came into the league without any clue on how to run a route. He didn’t need to run routes in college and he thought he could get away with it in the NFL. He even said so at the beginning of this year. He’s starting to play more disciplined football and has made a few very nice plays this year. This is a guy that’s growing – the prototypical ‘3 year receiver learning curve’ guy.
We’re so deep at WR, there’s no way we draft one within the next few seasons barring disastrous injury or something. Rice, Williams, Baldwin, Obomanu, Butler, Tate, Durham are all young, mostly healthy guys and lockup under contract.
There are probably ‘tough guy’ NFL players out there that aren’t turned on by Carroll’s more enthusiastic coaching style. And I’m sure there are players that aren’t interested in tough-guy coaching styles. It is what it is.
Always up for some Twitter action @nandron. I only talk NW sports, though.
Great answer.
I’d give you an A for answering everything at once, and a sad face for not leaving anything for me. I’d only differ by saying the addition of Rice has not helped out big Mike Williams. Of course that’s picking nits. Damn I want to scream “Big Mother Fucking Mike Williams” again.
by brugg on Nov 18, 2011 11:44 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
BMW's lack of production doesn't have much to do with Rice
and everything to do with Jackson.
For most of the year, Jackson has shied away from throwing to receivers that don’t have a lot of separation from coverage (with the exception of Rice, because he trusts Rice to win matchups).
Mike Williams doesn’t get much separation because he isn’t the fastest guy in the world, but he’s arguably better at getting the ball in tight coverage than Rice.
We’ve seen more throws and catches his way as the season progresses and Jackson’s trust in Williams grows.
In sum, Rice’s presence is helping Mike Williams – he’s usually single covered which is almost always favorable to the Seahawks with the exception of some great man-cover corners out there. The Seahawks offense simply hasn’t take advantage of that.
Always up for some Twitter action @nandron. I only talk NW sports, though.
by Nick Andron on Nov 18, 2011 12:04 PM PST up reply actions
I mostly agree.
I just think if Rice wasn’t’ out there grabbing Jackson’s attention would have forced him to feed Mike and see that it’s ok that there is not much separation. I don’t think we would be better by any measure, just that Tavaris doesn’t need BMW and that has hurt his production.
by brugg on Nov 18, 2011 12:58 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yep. Could be that, too.
I’m bummed BMW isn’t utilized more, but I don’t think it’s any fault of BMW’s. It is what it is.
Always up for some Twitter action @nandron. I only talk NW sports, though.
I think it's more BMW's fault than TJ's and Pete's demand for ball security probably plays a role.
Pete wants his QB to take what’s given him, not to try to force the ball. BMW isn’t getting much separation this year and isn’t doing a lot to win the ball in tight coverage when he is targeted. This is all before we take into account the drops he had in critical situations last year. I think it’s an issue of effort that goes at least as far back to the lazy routes he ran in the Chicago playoff game.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Nov 18, 2011 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
You are probably right, I just don't want to believe it.
BMW was such a great story and his love of the 12th man seems so sincere that I just love rooting for the guy. I don’t want to believe his lack of production is effort related, but it could very well be.
By the way what ever happened to the “what the hawks are tweeting” fanposts? Those were great.
by brugg on Nov 18, 2011 2:51 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Our WRs have had something akin to postpartum idiocy when it comes to separation this season...
… When Brandon Lloyd arrived, all the WRs seemed to awaken, and realize catching a pass was indeed possible.
Because it would be silly to think that Danny Amendola, Greg Salas, Donnie Avery et al are bad receivers, or anything.
Brandon Lloyd has changed EVERYTHING.
I definately agree that BMW is not separating.
I think BMW would be used more along the lines of Tony Gonzalez. He is big, has big catch radius and can use his body to shield the defender away. he loves ins and outs . Last year he ran a lot of deep routes as well, but Rice is just better at that. I honestly think Williams may be looking at slipping out of the top three recievers, if Obo starts to string games together.
He quits on routes early too, which really drives me insane.
It was especially noticeable seeing the Baltimore game live.
Thank you for the kind words sir. I will be rooting for the Hawks to win obviously, but on that note, I will be rooting for a game that doesn't suck.
Let’s hope to see at least one of the teams put on a show and not some 7-6 final score.
follow @casetines
by Kenneth Arthur on Nov 18, 2011 11:19 AM PST reply actions
Joked with the Browns fans before the game about the final score being 6-4
We lost our TENTH cornerback to injury on Thursday. Anyone have an idea why this position has been so cursed for us this year? I’m thinking lack of fiber or too much Madden?
From one fan to another we had that happen with left tackles one year, then the next with WR.
So I can feel your pain, The first few were seemed like a fluke, but after that you have to realize you are picking up players that are sub par on talent and usually if not out of shape are out of “football” shape. The ball starts rolling and it doesnt stop once you hit that floor of talent.
Two questions for you.
One: How do the rams fans think Llyod will do vs Browner/Sherman this week?
Two: With the seahawks having a pretty good run defense can we expect to see Jackson catching a lot of passes out of the back field or do you think they will try a different game plan?
To answer your question, I felt there was a huge potential switch that was turned on the second Rice made it on the field. Rice is a deep threat with great hands and a large catch area. He is a threat that generally needs to be doubled. He has not been punishing though, but he does make the rest of the offense much better. His deep threat has deffinately helped keep teams from stacking 8 in the box. Other WR get one on one coverage on short to intermediate routes.
As for drafting a WR i highly doubt we will. Infact it seems we might just have an over abundance of capable WRs on the roster. Rice, Baldwin and Obomanu all seem to have built chemistry with TJ. Williams has not had a lot of big games, but I feel soem of that is our game planning to run the ball in the middle, keeping the LBs right in William’s wheel house. We also have several promising young ones besides Baldwin. Golden Tate hasnt had the break outwe all hoped for but he is still a quality receiver. Durham, Lockette, and Pat williams are all exciting youngsters. In short we should not draft a WR, unless we are presented an opportunity to draft a very high quality WR at a very low draft pick.
As for Pete, there are several reasons. 1. He gets a lot of attention, even for a head coach. He has written books, interviews a lot, and can be seen as a face of the organization, some players think a coach shouldnt grab the media attention like that. 2. The reggie bush scandal. A lot of players might think he abandoned his team when he jumped to the NFL. Honestly i think any college coach looking at the Seahawks would probably jumped at the opportunity. 3. He is a College coach, sure he was an nfl coach before USC, but its a stigma. 4. His perpetual energy and possitive attitude can seem false for anyone who isnt really keeping an eye on him.
From a fans point of view, i think he is just what the Hawks need right now. someone who can keep positive during a few losing seasons, has a great eye for talent, and can keep the media attention off the losing.
to clarify.
Rice Does present a deep threat, not from elite speed but from body control/catch radius matched with good speed. He runs great routes, has QB chemistry, and his biggest downfall seems to be that the offense is geared to run, and spread the ball around to everyone.
Interesting points about Carroll.
As for Lloyd chances against the Seahawks secondary, I think he’ll have a decent game 5 or 6 catches for 50 to 70 yards. Whether any of those catches translate into scores is another thing altogether.
To me, this game will be won or lost based on your DL vs. Jackson, and our DL vs. your running game, which has been the Achilles heel of the Rams D all season. I’d honestly be shocked if either team’s QBs topped 250 passing yards. If T. Jackson has a big passing day, you guys will win in a walk away.
Sadly, one of our rookie WRs, Greg Salas, was just starting to shine before he broke his leg. If he were on the field with Lloyd, I think bigger passing numbers from the Rams would have been possible. Pettis, Gibson, and Kendricks have yet to do well, let alone inspire
Just in case you haven't heard, the Seahawks have a pretty good running D.
Not making any declarations on the game tomorrow, or anything…..just putting it out there.
Right now? He looks like he's out for the season from a weight lifting injury he suffered on Thursday.
He’s been in a “sophomore slump” this year. Last year he was being raved as super draft find, this year he’s responsible for most of the times Sam Bradford has been sacked. Combine this with the latest injury, and I think 2011 is a year young Rodger would like to forget… Me too!
Ouch. Brutal.
I know it’s early for this, but who might you favor with your early first-round pick next April?
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."
yeah, he's OUT, sad panda face
Beating off the dog is never appropriate when we have company over...... I mean EVER!
Don't have any questions, just wanted to say that was a quality post.
They usually aren’t so…literate? Glad to have you stopping by the blog!
Thank you - I am actually a regular visitor for Danny Kelly's C&C
If you’ll allow an honest observation – You have the most talented writing staff of all the SBN NFL blogs I visit. The “Football I.Q.” of the Field Gulls members is reeeeally impressive.
well it helps that you're an actual writer too...with the hole litracy theeng
Beating off the dog is never appropriate when we have company over...... I mean EVER!
HA! If I may quote a famous TSTer:
“my keyboard won’t corporate, neighter will my smell check.” – Knoxfan
by Douglas M on Nov 19, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'd like to thank you all for letting me visit your amazing site. Here's to a great game and may the injury demons stay away!
The very best to you and yours this holiday season!
Turf Show Times Crew
by Douglas M on Nov 19, 2011 9:48 PM PST reply actions 7 recs
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