Sam Bradford Key For St. Louis Rams Offense
by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 23, 2011 10:04 AM CDT
in 2011 NFL regular season
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The St. Louis Rams have scored exactly two touchdowns through two games. Offensively, they are averaging 14.5 points per game. That is at least a better number than the sub-12 point per game average from 2009, but below even last year's still poor 18.1 points per game.
As head coach Steve Spagnuolo said, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Even though there are 14 games left in the season, finishing should be primarily on the collective consciousness of an offense with the league's worst red zone percentage, second-worst third down percentage and goose egg for goal-to-go. In the middle of all that, Sam Bradford's stats are a long way from where many thought they would be.
Here are Bradford's stats so far:
He's on pace for completing 311 of 608 passes (assuming the same completion rate), 4,152 yards, 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Hey, no interceptions and over 4,000 yards. Obviously those numbers will change. We can expect him to improve on a poor 51.3 completion percentage; only Kerry Collins has a lower completion percentage.
Side note for the longer pass fans, Bradford is averaging 6.8 yards per attempt versus 6 last year.
Couple ways to look at this. First, you can take the alarmist stance. That's probably not realistic. Bradford's numbers are still suffering from a poor opener, and with just two games, it makes a difference. The stance I choose to take is my usual fence-sitting version of cautious optimism. Bradford's numbers are a sign that the Rams offense is underperforming right now. It has to get better.
As tough as the Ravens' defense is, if Bradford can get a little protection, he might be able to start beefing up his and the team's numbers. The Ravens have some weakness in their secondary. From the National Football Post preview:
The Ravens struggle somewhat on defense against the Rams due to vulnerability at cornerback. Domonique Foxworth's knee has been bothering him, and Chris Carr has a left hamstring problem. Rookie first-round pick Jimmy Smith is out indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain.
The Ravens have allowed an average of 370 passing yards per game. Hopefully, the Rams can do what they did to San Diego last year, surprising a favored team after limping in from a huge disappointment.
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Red Zone Offense
Remember Spags to use players who can catch (Hoom and DX) in the red zone! Problems will be solved…
by AlwaysARamsFan on Sep 23, 2011 10:15 AM CDT reply actions
I'm excited for this game
because unlike the last two games, my expectations are pretty low. If this game is even close, I will be happy. Shit, I’d even be happy if we just avoid making horrible mental mistakes and not shooting ourselves in the foot.
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
I thought I would add some other interesting stats to your post.
Sam Bradford 2011: NFL League Standings
Pass Attempts: Number 8 in the league with 76 attempts.
Longest Completed Pass: Tied for number 9 with Eli Manning with a 68 yard completion.
Sacked: Number 7, having been sacked 6 times.
Yards/Pass Completion: Number 8 with 13.3 yds per comp.
Pass Interceptions: Number 1, tied with Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton, and Drew Brees. Zero Interceptions.
Stats from Pro Football Reference: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/leaders.htm
Good stuff right there
Way to keep ‘em honest. We all know Sam’s better than those negative numbers were tilted to show. Considering the dropped balls he’s had to deal with from his receivers, and his #1 returned-receiver from last year (Danny A), he’s doing alright.
Still look forward to this season improving along with his stats overall though.
by SooneRams Fan on Sep 23, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
Figure in the dropped balls, and the 6 sacks, who knows how many pressures and the kid is actually way better than last year at this time. The rest of the team is in the back seat, but they will catch up eventually.
SAM's numbers are too heavily influenced by drops too.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 23, 2011 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Sam's numbers reflect more of those around him...
In the first game the running game was doing well. Also the multiple dropped passes all reflected poorly on Sam’s stats. Watching both games I think Sam has been playing well and improved from last year, but those around him are failing. Outside of DX against the Giants, the play from receivers has been just as bad as last year.
Sam can only do so much. I’m afraid the passing game will suffer until Clayton returns, unless DX can cause some scheme problems. Right now a defense doesn’t need to double team any of the Rams wide outs. DX showed against the Giants that he can burn them. If the Ravens scheme to double up on DX, someone else is going to have to step up.
MSW showed promise on monday.
and Gibson showed up for the 1st half of the game before performing a vanishing act. Our TEs really need to step it up. They haven’t been blocking or receiving well in the first 2 games. DX was by far our brightest spot at receiver on monday.
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
Sam is certainly looking better than last year
but the offense is looking worse. We need to improve in the red zone right away or we will probably have a top 10 pick instead of winning the division like we should.
"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now. "
Bruce Coslet
there's been about 9-10 drops in the 2 games
I’d say at least 1 or 2 of those drops should have been TDs. So give him those 9 catches, probably for around 100 YDs, and 1 more TD.
What Bradford’s stat line could be with better receivers:
48/76 – 63.2 comp. % – 619 yds – 309.5 yds/gm – 8.14 yds/Att – 2 TD – 0 INT
QB Rating – 97.4
Amazing what some decent receivers might do for Sammy.
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
The drops definitely hurt but...
I have seen Sam misfire on some balls as well, especially in the red zone. It is a much tighter window in the red zone and Sam needs to learn to fit the ball in those tight spaces instead of throwing the ball away. I think he also need to learn to lob the ball over the lineman instead of always throwing on a rope and getting it knocked down. The pass to DX at the end of the first drive of the 2nd half last week is a good example. There was also a screen play in the first half that was set up perfectly but a lineman knocked it down. It’ll come… Probably the hardest thing for a young QB to learn is how to score TDs in the red zone.
That's true too.
SAM does gotta get better. But qualitatively, guys like Brees, Manning, Rodgers, Brady, etc took a couple of years before they were money in the red zone. SAM’ll get there!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 23, 2011 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions
pass rush
the ravens do not have the pass rush of the giants or eagles so look for sam to do well. hopefully less dropped passes from wideouts too. hasselbeck looked real good against them.
Most disappointed with the rams TE's.
Of all the receivers, the TE’s need to step-up the most; they have done little for the team.
I think you can lay that egg on McD
I think he needs to find some plays that work for our butterfinger boys.
Avery
Once Donnie Avery heals,than people will realize why we picked him over D Jackson.
wait,cant find him on the roster wtf?
fixed that for you
wait,cant find him on any roster wtf?
by hex706f726368 on Sep 23, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
that was what i intended
was trying for that without changing his wording too much
by hex706f726368 on Sep 23, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Avery
Avery would have gave the rams good help on the outside along with DX. Speed with speed. It would have really open up our game. He looked good to me in the preseason showing off his speed. I never like our rooks. Salas have drop punts in our last two games and his pass catching looks really bad. Him and Pettis was a waste of draft picks.
His Preseason was not bad
He was better than our rooks. Most of his catches was for 17 yards or more. He is making almost 600,000 from the rams this year. I think its about the money.
Whats the real reasons behind the rams desisions ?
Why would the rams add a running back to the practice squad name Chase Reynolds ? He looked bad in college and in preseason. Avery looked better than Gibson and MSW . Something is wrong with him and I just do not know. I love him in that last preseason game when he made a catch on the right side and turned on the speed and really almost broke it all the way. We have one play maker on the wide outs and that is DX. With his knee, you know it is game to game. He may have to sit anytime.
Lets not forget
that the Ravens scored 35 points against the Steelers defense in week 1 and are averaging 16.5 points allowed per game right now. We’d better find a way to get into the end zone on goal to go.
Comments are writer's OPINION and are in no way are any type of divination, scrying or any other types of spiritual prediction.
the bounce of that........
is the Steelers had 7 turnovers. If we have that many it could be really bad.
"The only thing better than watching the Rams win is watching the Rams win with my wife."
The Pledge
I Pledge to stand firm as a true, loyal and eternal Rams fan
To write, Blog and share it all with my Ram Brothern
To read and absorb all the great material on TST
To discreetly comment, reply and be respectful in doing so
To accept and welcome the opinions of all fans from the other teams fan sites
To weigh all the facts given and explore new ones
And realize that being a Rams fan is a true blessing
although we're making mistakes
I like the new offense and bradfords game. At times we looked unstoppable until we decided to give the opponent 7. We will put together some good games and put up 30+ points as well. Minus the mistakes, we could be 2-0.
My two favorite teams, the St. Louis Rams and whoever's playing the winers.
Is Bradford's ability or talent really a surprise to anyone?
We need Bradford is good, we know he is an elite talent, a franchise QB, the face of the franchise. But what don’t know is how will the players around him play week in and week out. We get such inconsistent play from receivers that it’s almost impossible for him to know what to expect on any given Sunday. The running backs have been average, the offensive line is inconsistent and the tight ends seem to dissapear as soon as the game starts.
It’s very frustrating to watch him out there focused and doing every thing he can to get this team into position just to watch one of his lineman get a ridiculous penalty, his RB fumble, or one of his receivers dropping a crucial pass. Marc Bulger didn’t even get this kind of complete ineptness from his supporting cast. I’m very disappointed in Billy Devaney for not doing anything and everything to surround Bradford with as much top talent as possible.
I agree on everything except......
that Bulger never received the time Bradford has to throw the last couple years he was here. While not very good yet, this o-line is five fold better than in those years.
"The only thing better than watching the Rams win is watching the Rams win with my wife."
The Pledge
I Pledge to stand firm as a true, loyal and eternal Rams fan
To write, Blog and share it all with my Ram Brothern
To read and absorb all the great material on TST
To discreetly comment, reply and be respectful in doing so
To accept and welcome the opinions of all fans from the other teams fan sites
To weigh all the facts given and explore new ones
And realize that being a Rams fan is a true blessing
It seems that ....
who ever is making the personell moves are really making some doosies. Why did we not bring back Daniel Fells, ect. Where is Q Butler or why haven’t they played J Butler? What is Marquis Johnson doing these days?
Go RAMs !!!
been saying it all along -they are inept football people---get some brains to run this organization-----
if vermeil were ever back his catastrophe would not have happened and by next year we would have been bona fide contenders
we can still win dision at 6-10 if we win one of our first 7
even can host a playoff game at 6-10…….but the FO would probably forfeit and say ..4 pillars —stay the course……..and next year be satisfied with 5 wins……twilight zone
i also think
that when we get in the red zone we need to try and find more creative ways to run the ball —passing does not work with what we have…..1st and goal —if we can not run the ball in some creative manner and get one yard …..no one on the field should have a job
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