Tensions mounting at Rams Park?
by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 20, 2010 11:54 AM CST
in 2010 St. Louis Rams season
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PrintUh oh. The St. Louis Rams had a chance this week to put themselves in the driver's seat for the NFC West title, and cement their name in the NFL playoff picture. Instead they lost an ugly one to Kansas City.
Just as troubling as the results on the field was this quote from head coach Steve Spagnuolo following the game:
Basically for us our regular season is over. Now it's a playoff mode for us.
Maybe you can argue the semantics of it. Technically, it's true. If the Rams lose next week, they're out of it. But it's not the technicality that should bother you. Why wasn't that the mentality before the Rams took the field this week?
The follow up quote from Steven Jackson is even more troubling:
We should have been in playoff mode today.
Jackson, an essential team leader, is absolutely right. Given the state of things with the Rams in the last two weeks, it was clear the team was woefully unprepared for the Chiefs this week.
I wondered earlier today about the impact of the team's frustrations in the locker room and the delicate mix of team chemistry. To hear such a disparate view of the Rams' game yesterday underscores my concern. Keep a close on this situation throughout the week as well as on the field when the Rams play the 49ers next week.
There could be a storm brewing.
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Kudos to SJ39. It's about time someone said something.
This team hasn’t been prepared properly for weeks and something major needs to change. They didn’t play like this game mattered. They played soft like it was a practice game. The playcalling was so predictable the lady sitting next to me was calling the plays before the Rams snapped the ball.
And for all of you who say to calm down since it was just one game, how about last week, how about the Atlanta game, how about how lousy the offense looked against Arizona? It isn’t just one week and one loss,. It’s been going on for weeks and it’s getting worse. One first down in more than two quarters of play. Cassel standing back there all day waiting for someone to get open. Charles going 80 yards against a defense that knew they were going to run the ball. There are no excuses. This team tries to win by using fancy schemes instead of hard nosed football. The Chiefs were quoted as saying once they figured out the schemes the Ram defense was using, they had no trouble moving the ball.
I’m done ranting, and I’m done believing the Rams will make the playoffs. I’ll be very surprised if they win either game they have left.
+1
They should have played the whole game like they played that one drive that led to the TD. If they don’t get their act together and play aggressive football, we have NO chance at winning the next two divisional games.
What has been really bothering me lately is our play calling. I’m so tired of seeing Sam pass it 3 yards from the line and seeing the receiver get stuffed by a defender right away. CLEARLY it’s not working. Do something different for the love of God.
Play calling
At some point,Spagnoulo and Shurmur need to realize that running on 1 & 2 down for 4 yards then throwing a 3 yard pass does not equal to first downs.Our offensive scheme has been woefully inept and for some reason those two don’t get it.Why is it that when they run a no huddle offense they no trouble running the ball.
I have been telling you all that Shurmur has to go since last year ,thats what you get with him
and if Spagnolo cant see it ,he must go too simple as that
Much ado about nothing.
There’s no trouble brewing in the locker room or among management.
On the other hand, the play calling in the past couple of games (e.g., the lack of blitzing and the conservative play calling upping it a notch to ultra-conservative) has got me miffed too.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 20, 2010 12:17 PM CST reply actions
The Rams had 48 yards of total offense in the 2nd and 3rd quarters
Between the first drive of the game and the TD drive in the 4th quarter, the Rams had 10 offensive drives for a total of 44 yards. That’s 4.4 yards per drive. On average, we couldn’t get half of a first down. In fact, throughout those 10 drives, we were able to get just three first downs. Compare that to KC, who in the 2nd and 3rd quarters racked up 15 first downs. Pathetic, pathetic offensive output. This is a return to formula production, and everyone on offense from the top to the very bottom needs to look at how poorly they played as a unit. We won’t beat anyone playing as badly as we did with the ball yesterday.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
Maybe there should be some tension
This team has been given a lot of praise based off their 6 wins but maybe not enough criticism for it’s regressions. The baby gloves should be off – this team is capable. So there’s really no excuses now
+100
I don’t care where they were last year but rather were thet are this year AND were they could/should be.
The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!
by DevsLaRams on Dec 20, 2010 4:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
out coached?
talent wise this team is completely over achieving. we can easily see that when we go up against teams that are playoff bound. this is a passing league! and when we have an O line that’s not blocking right and receivers that can’t get open what do you expect? i was predicting 5 wins MAX for this season. we’ve made great progress this year and i think part of it can go towards coaching.
but i also think coaching is a huge part of our losing streak now. conservative playing calling on both sides of the ball, preparation, half time adjustment, discipline are all things that falls in the responsibilities of the coaching staff. i know spags is learning on the job still and i like what he’s instilled into the players philosophy wise, but as a coach i’m beginning to have doubts.
outcoached is right - every week darn near
This is a huge problem – too bad Cowher does not like the Rams.
While we're talking about technicalities....
“Maybe you can argue the semantics of it. Technically, it’s true. If the Rams lose next week, they’re out of it.”
Not technically the case. If the Rams lose to the Niners and beat the Seahawks, while the Niners lose to the Cardinals in week 17, the Rams would still win the division.
Yep
They’re not technically out until Week 17. Although, winning these week keeps the Rams in control of their own destiny. If they lose, they have to rely on the Cardinals showing up (which they won’t).
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
LOOK, if the Rams cant beat the hapless teams on their schedule i`d rather see them lose out
Then maybe I could get excited about the draft AND their homecoming to LA. Honestly Spags , its ok to lose a game but at least TRY TO WIN. What a dick.
The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!
by DevsLaRams on Dec 20, 2010 4:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
look buddy
You’re obvious unaware of Stl’s current stadium arrangements or that new owner Kroenke is lead chaiman on "LA Stadium" commitee. It would appear he has his eyes set on the NFL’s 2nd largest market. Ignorance isn’t as bliss as you thought it was but hey don’t wake me I’m dreaming. Oh don’t mix a faultering franchise to that list because I’d rather see my Rams win and stay in the Lou.
The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!
by DevsLaRams on Dec 20, 2010 6:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
an osterich puts its head in a hole to hide from its preditor
Do you really think works. I still root Rams regardless of their location, how about you? You can see pics of stadium online just google LA Stadium. Yeah its purple to match the Staple center but don’t let that fool you, Vikes aren’t the ones.
The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!
by DevsLaRams on Dec 20, 2010 8:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Nothing I read (except your comments)
say that Kroenke is chairman of the LA Stadium Committee. Please present your evidence to back that claim up.
He's referring to "this link":http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/apr/16/balzer-kroenke-nfl-working-committee-new-la-stadiu/
Kroenke was/is on the committee, but he’s not the chairman.
Take from this what you will.
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
Link fail
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
? ? ?
That’s EXACTLY why I don’t smoke pot.
The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!
by DevsLaRams on Dec 20, 2010 8:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
If there is a defining week this season....
….this is it. We play you know who. We lose we’re out. We separate the men from the boys. Everyone needs to learn from their mistakes, and quickly, because there’s work to do. No lapses in concentration. No Bullshit gameplanning.
For lack of a better analogy, we need to treat this as a homecoming game. If the pillars thing is gonna work, it should be on display this week in the form of character, because it sure as hell wasn’t against KC. Any one can be a good teammate when your team is improving. We’re not and we’re playing the Niners. I know we’re rebuilding and better than we were last year and so on, but we’ve given this team enough praise for that. It’s time for some to be called out and step up.
We may not belong in the playoffs, and it may hurt us draft wise, but thats all moot. We can and we should make the playoffs. We can beat both the Niners and Shehawks and should. Anything less and there should be a heap of ass-kicking going on.
Rams don't want playoffs this year
Rams want better players for future SB contentions. Rams need draftees who are IMPACT PLAYERS. Rams need TALENT.
you wouldn't think...
that a fan based blog would be trying to brew some beef or a rift within rams camp…
i am a big fan of all of the key contributors work but this is basically what media do when something goes wrong… look for different people saying different or slightly different things and create an issue that is not there.
let’s forget about this admittedly painful defeat and look at what we CAN do to beat those pricks and get some revenge for the robbery at candlestick.
Bradford to Onobun!
You are absolutely correct
Although WE have no control over game plan and motivation. That would be up to that piss poor coaching staff.
Hopefully we can move on and make the necessary adjustments
Bradford needs to calm down a bit and the recievers need to pour clue on their hands or something. I am feeling positive about this week, how nice would it be to top off my Christmas weekend with a huge win against the 9ers. Stay Positive guys and girls, we can do this!
"We start wit straight--shots then get the bottle poppin!"
2 W's
This is all part of being a young team. Penalties at the wrong time(at Oak & KC), missed blocking on FG attempt(Oak & Ari), missed cover assignment on 4th & 18(SF). PO teams don’t make too many of these mistakes.
The Rams played flat against a KC team that needed a W to stay in the PO race. If the Rams are a PO team they will win final 2 games. A handfull of players(coaches ?) are playing for spots next year, a poor showing will qualify you for 99 weeks of unemployment.
Thank You "V" for truth, facts and ultimately reality
I am a Rams Fan and I want another team to win the Division so Rams have a higher draft position. Selfish, I know.
No one likes the draft better than me
But I just can’t wrap myself around the idea that not making the playoffs would result in a draft position, so significantly different, that it would outweigh the positive affect of play-off experience to this young team.
Maybe it’s because you draft to make the playoffs. You don’t miss the playoffs to improve your draft. Draft position should affect only one pick a year, and not even that if we do a little horse trading. Playoff teams attract free agents that more than make up the difference. We’re not drafting our way to success, with our picks anyway, nor with our team building strategy.
Like it or not this is the base of our team for a while and we need to find a way to make this team successful without depending on future components to bring us success. Sure we’ll have picks but 21st instead of 15th? C’mon man. Playoffs… where anything can happen.
Kinda funny now that you mention it
“…. that it would outweigh the positive affect of play-off experience to this young team.”
……this is still the piss ant NFC West that will continue to be ridiculed this season no matter who takes division crown. Not so sure that is the type of “positive affect” a cruddy team wants to have as a label.
Nah, much rather draft no less than 7-8 slots higher in the draft order since all those 500 teams that don’t make the play-offs (like Tampa, Oakland, Jacksonville, Miami, Green Bay, Seattle, Giants, etc.) would choose before the NFC West Division winner (#4 seed). At least now, the two wild cards are not automatically choosing higher in the draft order compared to the seeded playof teams – now it is when a playoff team loses (tie-breaker is overall record, donference then division, I believe
Dude
It was really great when you stayed away. Let’s go back to that, eh?
I am ashamed...
…to root for the same team that you do. Well, when you actually do root for them, anyway.
Why have shame in getting better talent through the draft
NFC West Division Winner will be hurt hard in the next draft, that’s all. Unlike short-term thinkers, I believe long-term success is better.
Building A BETTER, STRONGER FOUNDATION, will give you plenty of playoff opportunities to root for Rams starting next season.
Where are the Fans?
The Chiefs game was dreadful to watch, and I hope the team can rebound from it. I am from Canada, and was excited to see the game on national television (normally I have to watch it online). My main concern is not so much with the play in the game, but the lack of fans in attendance. How can we call the Chiefs game a home game when all I noticed were red jerseys in the seats. This team needs the support of its fans more than ever right now, so where are they? Imagine playing a playoff game at home with more Saints fans then Rams…
Where do you people come up with this stuff?
The Rams fans far outnumbered the Chiefs fans in the stadium. That’s a fact. I was there. In my section of about 100 seats, there were two people with Chiefs jerseys and maybe another four who were Cheifs fans, although there was no way to tell for sure since they weren’t wearing red or anything that said Chiefs and they weren’t making noise when the Chiefs scored. Don’t forget, most of the seats in the stadium are red, so when you see a bunch of red in the stands you are seeing all the empty seats from people who weren’t there, who went out to get some food or to go to the john, etc. I can guarantee you there were far more Rams fans than Chiefs fans there.
I can accept that in the sections that are normally not season tickets, maybe 10-15% of the seats, there were a lot of Chiefs fans, but in the sections that are mostly season ticket holders, there were not that many Chiefs fans. That’s the facts. You can believe me, or you can go on believing the fairy tale. That’s up to you, but I’m tired of hearing all this bull hockey about how there were more Chiefs fans at the game.
It looked like a Chiefs game on tv
Seats behind the endzones were filled with red jerseys, and that’s what you see when field goals/extra points are kicked.
"I have something 95 percent of all those All-Stars only wish they had: a World Series ring. If I had to choose between that and being an All-Star, it would be no contest. I’d grab the gold ring and never look back." -Tim Salmon
Did Jackson say playoff mode?
well you have to be a playoff team first then you can get in the mode lol
the Rams suck in this order, G.M. is first followed by H.C. and then the O.C.
THE TEAM I BLAME LAST
The Rams OC is the leagues worst and should be fired asap, and if Spags can’t call a better defensive game then maybe he should step down to DC
If practice makes perfect....
Yet nobodies perfect.....
Then why practice ???
I would be all for that
If Bradford was a veteran, but since this is his first year, it may screw him up for the future (Alex Smith). The only one I would hire in an instant even considering these conditions would be Mike Martz, I love that man and he would help Bradford soo much. But too bad hes with the Bears and Lovie.
"We start wit straight--shots then get the bottle poppin!"
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