Overanalyze this: Random Ramsdom, 10/26

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 26, 2010 6:32 AM CDT in St. Louis Rams news

St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo doesn't want to overanalyze his team's loss to Tampa Bay last week. Fine. That's what Turf Show Times is for. Let's start overanalyzing with some links, shall we?

Yes, the game came down to a play or two, like any close game, but is that really the problem? When your offense isn't able to move the ball for an entire half, not just a series here and a series there, it's a larger problem than just a missed opportunity or a bad bounce. The Rams played the first half like a good team, a much better one than their opponents, but good teams close out strong, add points and finish the job. It's mostly a young team learning to find its sea legs, so to speak, and will get better. But the sooner they can learn to make that happen, the sooner they'll be winning the games that the should win, on the road or in the Dome.

Of all the things and people taking heat for this loss, ESPN's Mike Sando points out one of the Rams biggest problems in the second half that goes beyond scheme or play calls: an inability of Sam Bradford to find a receiver he could trust with the game on the line, a guy who could make tough catches with a fired up Buccaneers teams closing things off around them.

More info on the Quincy Butler addition yesterday. Stay tuned for news today about Ron Bartell.

More than one comment during the game wondered again why the Rams didn't take a chance on RB LeGarrett Blount when he was released by the Titans prior to the season. Though it's a bit too late to really matter much, it does raise a question: when will talent be considered a fifth pillar? Besides Blount, the Buccaneers took a chance WR Mike Williams, a fourth round pick who came into the draft after being suspended at Syracuse. He's the top rookie receiver this season. I have high hopes for Mardy Gilyard, but for a team needed receivers who can make an impact, it kind of makes you wonder.

I feel for the Bills a little bit. Their loss to the Ravens last weekend reminded me very much of the Rams near miss against the Saints last year.

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don't understand why everyone is obsessed with the backup RB position

SJax hates a two back system, he wants to be THE guy. It’s not like he’s out for large chunks of the game. He was out for a little bit cuz he got banged up. Darby and Tolston combined got 6 carries. Are we really that upset that Blount wasn’t here to take those 6 carries?

And why don’t people like Darby? Did you see the run he had in the first half out of the split back formation? Talk about explosion, he hit that hole as hard as Jax does. He’s got two touchdowns this year, he’s a more than serviceable backup, and Blount doesn’t seem to be a good receiver nor a pass blocker, so he seems to be the last thing a west coast offense needs.

by jb22 on Oct 26, 2010 7:13 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

With all the other problems that the team has, a backup RB really is not that pressing of a need. Darby has looked pretty good at times this year, too. I would definitely rather have Darby than Blount.

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Oct 26, 2010 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions

i would almost prefer Blount

but keep in mind, I don’t think Tampa even knows if they want Blount or not… I picked him up in my fantasy league 2-3 weeks ago based on Cadilac just not running all that great. He had a really good game against the Steelers… in fact, he was the only bright spot for the Bucs. They showed their appreciation by making him “inactive” last week and then were forced to let him play against us due to injury!

You watch, it won’t be long and Caddy will be warming that bench and Blount will be punching his way thru defenses!

by Rams Homer on Oct 26, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 26, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Interesting what Belichick has to say.

The Patriots committed seven penalties at San Diego and nearly gave away all of their 23-6 lead in the last half of the fourth quarter. But a penalty by the Chargers _ a false start by Louis Vasquez _ moved Kris Brown back 5 yards and he missed the 50-yard field goal attempt with 22 seconds left.

San Diego also lost three fumbles and an interception, all in the first half, but New England managed just a touchdown and field goal on the ensuing possessions.

Still, the Patriots improved to 5-1, tied with the Steelers and New York Jets for the best record in the NFL.

“It’s good to win, but also we know we’re one or two plays away from that being the other way, like most teams in this league are. 5-1 could easily be something else,” Belichick said. “We know how fragile that is.”

A week earlier, the Patriots came back from a 20-10 fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Ravens. Against the Chargers, they managed just 179 yards of offense, less than half of San Diego’s total of 363.

“We missed opportunities in all three phases of the game,” Belichick said. “Certainly, a lot of room for improvement, no question about it. We could’ve done just about everything better at some point or another.”

So, considering we could play with San Diego for an entire game, it looks like our team of misfits and practice squad guys are actually doing pretty well!

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/article_14b95470-dd28-5b83-93e9-85e179df35b1.html

by OakCityRam on Oct 26, 2010 10:20 AM CDT reply actions

interesting post...

makes ya wonder why, after a loss, everybody goes into panick mode and analyzes how much is wrong with their own team… yet after a win, they are play-off bound. But the truth sits more in the middle where 1-2 plays can make or break a game.

Look at the Lions, they are actually a really good team (not just for the beat down we recieved), they could have easily won 3-4 of their games.

The there’s the Cowboys. I grew up with the St. Louis Football Cardinals…. so, the Cowboys.. they just suck. ;-)

by Rams Homer on Oct 26, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

panic mode?

I wouldn’t say panic mode. The Rams came out and dropped a turd in the second half for the second straight week. I would say it is certainly something to be concerned about. While some may say we are a rebuilding team and thats good and all but I see us with a chance to compete for the division and hit the playoffs…. thats right playoffs! NOW… thats just not going to happen when we go dropping turds like that. WHERE IS OUR KILLER INSTINCT….. let us not be satisfied with our foots on their throat… CUT THE FRICKEN HEAD OFF !! ok… I vented

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Oct 26, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL!

I would rather give up losing the first game in the playoffs for better draft picks.

by OakCityRam on Oct 26, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

by kswiss on Oct 26, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Since we're fine-tooth combing...

It used to be that anytime a pass got deflected up into the air, the announcer would talk about the tip drill. I don’t know if they still do that sort of thing at NFL practices these days? But if they do, the Rams definitely need to be doing it.

by CFB_fan on Oct 26, 2010 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

I dont feel for the Bills what so ever

They have drafted terrible and made terrible decisions in really all phases of the franchise including hiring Chan Gailey. Back to the draft picks, why draft CJ Spiller 9th overall when you seem to really like Lynch and Fred Jackson? Also, why draft Spiller and only have him in maybe 5-10 plays a game including returning kicks? It’s said that the easiest transition to the NFL is running back and I saw him do really well in the preseason and even named him the starter but then week one he gets like 10 touches.

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Oct 26, 2010 3:30 PM CDT reply actions