Los Angeles Rams Vs. Indianapolis Colts: Stock Up, Stock Down

Stock Down

WR Tavon Austin

I mean, this one basically writes itself. A total on seven snaps on offense, he’s clearly been basically phased out of the offense completely, other than a trick play or two. He also only averaged five yards per punt return, fumbled a punt, and was out-snapped by both rookie WR Josh Reynolds, and second-year WR Pharoh Cooper.

ILB Alec Ogletree

This isn’t a “major stock down” for the Rams leader on defense, but he didn’t have a great game by any means either. First, he was exposed badly in coverage by Colts TE Jack Doyle. Secondly, he also missed a big tackle on Frank Gore where he went far too high and allowed Gore to gain multiple yards because of the miss. Lastly, how can the Rams allow a 34-year old Frank Gore to average 4.2 YPC when they have no ability to threaten through the air?

OL Run Blocking

As nicely as I can put it, the Rams running game as a whole, was awful. The offensive line continually let penetration into the backfield, and rarely opened up any holes for RB Todd Gurley. According to NFL Network’s next gen statistics, the right side of the OL (Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein) had by far the most success run blocking.

Stock Up

CB Trumaine Johnson

For a guy playing on a franchise tag as the highest paid CB in football, he’s started the season off just right. In just the first quarter yesterday, Tru racked up one INT, one FF, one FR, and one TD. He rarely surrendered anything in coverage either, only allowing two catches to pro bowl WR T.Y. Hilton.

DL Tyrunn Walker

No Aaron Donald, no problem. Right? Kidding, but Tyrunn Walker had a really solid day. As a first-time Ram, Walker logged two tackles, one TFL, and even a sack on the day, though his presence in the run game was also effective.

FS Lamarcus Joyner

As the TST following likes to refer to Joyner as “Shorty Joyner”, you know he’d make it on the list on nickname alone. In terms of game though, Joyner looked super impressive, and was probably the best player in the entire game. He lined up at FS and nickel CB, and was effective in both man and zone coverage. As a zone defender, he read the eyes of the QB the entire way, leaped a high vert, and registered his first NFL INT, but not only that, he returned it for a TD. This is his PFF game blurb:

DB LAMARCUS JOYNER, 93.1 OVERALL GRADE

Joyner had a stellar outing against Colts’ backup QB Scott Tolzien. Joyner was targeted four times in coverage, and he came away with an interception returned for a touchdown, a pass breakup, and allowed just one catch for a measly three yards.

Impressive.