Turf Show Times - 2016 Week 1: LA Rams At San Francisco 49ershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2016-09-14T15:45:03-05:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/125895372016-09-14T15:45:03-05:002016-09-14T15:45:03-05:00LA Rams Film Room Review: Week 1
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/boUk6aFegkRxg1WoKjgPu38-JfU=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50844601/603568328.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Everything is on fire. </p> <p id="j1ylzL">Monday night was a nightmare. It was fair to assume that there would be growing pains from a mediocre team moving halfway across the country, but this was more than that. The players were not prepared to execute and the coaching staff did a poor job of setting players up for success. It was not an entertaining, funny form of bad football, it was simply horrendous football. </p>
<h1 id="ynYcKK">Rams Offense vs 49ers Defense</h1>
<p id="au3dtd">There is too much to cover in one article. This could go on and on for about ten or twelve thousand words because of the abundance of incompetency, lethargy and unpreparedness. But I’m not going to do that to myself and I’m not going to do that to all of you. Before jumping in to the All-22 film, there are a few notes that should be brought up that are important, but do not quite deserve a full blown review. </p>
<ul id="qLoftj">
<li><em>The right guard situation is an absolute mess. Cody Wichmann and Jamon Brown split reps, and neither of them knew their assignments or had the physical ability to hold up against the 49ers front. </em></li>
<li id="j7Jluc"><em>Aside from Rob Havenstein, who did not have a great night either, the entire offensive line was overrunning their assignments on zone plays. Too many defenders were able to slip through the A-gaps without much trouble. Center Tim Barnes was especially slow getting to the second level. </em></li>
<li id="vbp7WK"><em>Case Keenum might have had more passes hit the ground five yards away from his target than he had passes that were completed to Rams players. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="EqBv4N">Running Game (or lack thereof)</h4>
<p id="vV0gEA">The ugliest aspect of all of the Rams ineptitude is how poorly the offense was set up to fool the defense. It was as predictable and vanilla as it could have been. Both the formations used and the way players were motioning were almost dead giveaways as to what the Rams were about to do on a given play. </p>
<p id="bhSRHs">49ers defenders followed the fullback or the motioned tight end in the running game, and they were right almost every single time. The Rams employed a fair amount of 21-personnel (two running backs, one tight end and two receivers) and 22-personnel (two running backs, two tight ends and one wide receiver) in the running game. If the Rams went to either of those formations, it was fair to assume that they were going to run the ball. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U218MR0xDD4E9L7nlADlzVdKkRs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100033/LA%40SF-R3.gif">
</figure>
<p id="YGSL1q">This play is the most obvious example of how well the 49ers were able to foresee the Rams plays before they happened. Inside linebacker Navarro Bowman sees fullback Corey Harkey sliding over to the weakside of the formation and knows that the Rams are going to follow him. Instead of waiting off the ball and letting the play develop just in case, Bowman acts on his instinct and demolishes the play immediately. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WdaSk44RLpvDIFanueC9r11kjGk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100037/LA%40SF-R6.gif">
</figure>
<p id="ahMqVl">Co-offensive coordinators Rob Boras and Mike Groh called this sort of stuff all night. If the fullback was on the field, the Rams were running the ball through him. If the Rams motioned a player, they were running through him. The Rams did run one sort of counter play that bent to the opposite direction of the fullback’s alignment, but he was still the lead blocker. By and large, the running game was largely predictable. </p>
<p id="1854uK">The Rams play callers heavily favored 21 and 22-personnel when running the ball. In the few times they opted to run out of the shotgun, it was still easy to see the play before the ball was snapped. The Rams ran inside zone to the tight end’s side of the formation almost without any deviation. Nothing the Rams were doing from a schematic standpoint forced the 49ers to think. When defenders don’t have to think, they act and they make plays. The Rams can not allow that to happen every week, especially against better defenses. </p>
<h4 id="AgV9Gi">Passing Attack (or... well you get it)</h4>
<p id="z8xCt4">Much like the running game, the Rams passing attack was easy to read. Their favorite passing formations were trey sets and trips bunch sets, usually to the right side of the field. Between the Rams receiving personnel and Keenum’s lack of ability, there were only so many concepts the Rams could run and the 49ers defense knew it. </p>
<p id="FdnyEw"> </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/r0Fd6Z3x3WoPz4LEdqFfYX5MB7A=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100319/LA%40SFO1.png">
</figure>
<p id="u4V0UE">Differentiated by color, these are the two route concepts that the Rams ran out of trips/trey sets. The yellow route combination is a simple four verticals concept. It is as bland as four verticals comes. Granted, it can work with the right personnel and the ability to catch the defense off guard, but the Rams didn’t show either of those things in Santa Clara. With howe smoothly the 49ers were able to identify the route concept and pick everyone up, the Rams best bet was for the far boundary receiver to either win in 1-on-1 coverage over the top or on his option to break back to the ball for a comeback route. </p>
<p id="mkYpnz">In red is an even simpler route concept. The two outermost receivers burst up the field to force the defensive backs to respect an intermediate-to-deep threat, while the innermost receiver shoots out to the flats behind them, theoretically giving him some space to make a play. That was not the case on Monday night. The 49ers were all over the short route and sniffed it out time and time again. </p>
<p id="1hPp4E">The only real variation that the Rams made to this was to have the outermost receiver play farther off the ball instead of the innermost receiver. Of course, when doing so, all they did was run an inverse of the same concept, so then the outermost receiver was running under the two innermost receivers. A blind monkey could have seen these plays coming. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PFUrWmBCLN_FuqKLZn1mCMz165A=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100433/LA%40SF-R1.gif">
</figure>
<p id="GSGy2l">Again using a trey set, the Rams beat themselves on this play. Keenum made a nice throw and the offensive line did a good job of getting out into space to block for the screen, but Tavon Austin dropped the ball. But even then, a catch from Austin may have resulted in negative yardage because of Bradley Marquez. Marques was responsible for kicking out the outside cornerback, but he carried himself too far up the field and was hesitant in attacking the cornerback. As a result, the defender was able to shoot past him and put himself in position to tackle Austin (had he caught the ball). </p>
<h1 id="AC8ndy">Rams Defense vs 49ers Offense </h1>
<p id="hzT6NX">Enough about the offense. For most weeks in the future, it’s fair to assume that the defense will be noticeably better than the offense, but that was not the case this week. As was the case with the offense, the defense was so poorly constructed that it was tough for the players to execute well, but the players also failed in their own rights. </p>
<p id="4yTHeq">For whatever reason, the Rams rid themselves of linebacker Akeem Ayers. Ayers was supposed to be the team’s strong side linebacker. He was the best linebacker on the Rams in terms of taking on blocks, holding the line of scrimmage, and being able to flex out to the edge and be able to hold down the fort over there. But now he’s gone and his lack of presence was felt on Monday night. The Rams desperately needed a strong side run defender. Though, as I did earlier, I’d like to knock out a couple of quick notes before digging deeper into things, like the absence of Ayers. </p>
<ul id="onFglP">
<li><em>Aaron Donald was the only consistently good run defender over the course of the game. Cam Thomas stepped it up in the second half, but Donald was the only reliable player in that aspect all game. </em></li>
<li id="XJSb6j"><em>Michael Brockers had an off night. He was playing abnormally aggressive and guessing wrong too often. He took himself out of too many plays. Thomas outplayed him. </em></li>
<li id="dZnmSk"><em>The second half was better for run defense overall. Players made better run fits and better run blitzes were being called. </em></li>
<li id="w5436N"><em>Mark Barron and Lamarcus Joyner - while liabilities in the run game - were surprisingly effective in coverage for most of the night. Each of them had a blunder or two, but they were largely impressive and Joyner almost had an interception at one point. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="h0wE1Y">Defensive Structure: Run Defense</h4>
<p id="ZFJRwQ">Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is outsmarting himself. Over the past two or three years, defenses have gotten smaller up front, namely at the linebacker position. The Arizona Cardinals fetishized this idea and the rest of the league tried to follow suit. While that fad has had its moment, the league is slowly creeping toward countering smaller second level players with more interior running and the rejuvenation of the fullback position. If you run at these smaller linebackers who are best served in space, you put them in a situation that most of them are not equipped to handle. </p>
<p id="yBSEiP">Defenses have a response for that, though. Around the league, teams are slowly starting to use more ‘TNT’ fronts. ‘TNT’ fronts have defensive linemen lined up over both guards and the center (tackle, nose guard, tackle; hence ‘TNT’). In theory, this blows up interior running plays and plugs up the A-gaps entirely, allowing linebackers to flow into the wider gaps and make plays there. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EPMwm4pLyqYOmz49A6lBuaEfQOg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100829/CardsBear.gif">
</figure>
<p id="aOtvCx">Here is an example of the Cardinals using a ‘TNT’ front. Right off the snap, they are able to get 300 pound bodies in all of the interior gaps and takeaway interior rushing. After that, the defense has to count on players moving over to fill those gaps and for the edge defender to force the play inside, and Arizona’s defense does that on this play. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8VBypmXJ3Vs5MI6twjoQYNLo8q8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100881/LA%40SF-RPic1.png">
</figure>
<p id="WR5JsR">The Rams have two small players in their front here (Lamarcus Joyner and Mark Barron) along with Alec Ogletree, who struggles with play strength despite his size. The appropriate way to mask with would be to clog the interior and hope that the smaller, weaker second level players can get out into space and make plays there. Instead, Williams spreads out the defensive line and forces the smaller players to hold their own over the middle of the field. That’s poor common sense. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HWcLKMXiPiJESc5KPhZyL0n5hm8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7100909/LA%40SF-R5.gif">
</figure>
<p id="ZMDJh1">Similar to the still shot above, the Rams used a spread out defensive line here and expected the small, weak second level players to handle power. The Rams were wrong to do so. Barron got killed by the pulling tight end. Ogeltree got ran out of the play by left tackle Joe Staley. Joyner was kept away from the play by a tight end. On this particular play, only Barron showed any sort of aggression, but he was not strong enough to handle the pulling blocker at all. This play was a disaster and opened up a running lane that not even Trent Richardson could have botched. </p>
<h4 id="oqEjnx">Coverages and Pass Defense</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NiBRPOsWIi0UYnsVBqGddJ-hRR8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7101015/LA%40SF-R4.gif">
</figure>
<p id="KweIvN">Coverage does not get any simpler than this. Williams called for a basic Cover 2 zone with four down linemen being the only pass rushers. The cornerbacks have the flats areas, the linebackers have the middle of the field and the two deep safeties cover the back end. Coverage can not get an easier to execute, but the Rams players still messed it up. </p>
<p id="2f1c3Y">On the far side of the field, cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (who had a miserable night in coverage) carried up the field immediately without accounting for the possibility of a running back leaking out of the field. A running back did, in fact, leak out of the backfield into Sensabaugh’s vacated area, but the struggling cornerback was bailed out by an even more egregious error from the three defenders over the middle of the field. </p>
<p id="p3xQuo">Seeing as the slot receiver to the left is coming from Joyner’s side, it should be his responsibility to carry the receiver up the field. Instead, Joyner passes the receiver off, likely because he thought there was a centerfielding safety behind him instead of split coverage. Whatever the reasoning was, it was a critical error that would have been a big play if Blaine Gabbert were even a sort of competent quarterback. </p>
<p id="zjepcT">No matter the coverage, the Rams pass rush was failing to get home. Donald was creeping closer and closer to the quarterback as the game went on, but he was ejected before he got his opportunity to finish a play. Fellow defensive tackle Dominique Easley also provided some nice pressure, but could not finish the job. The edge rushers, whoever they may have been on a given play, were not able to get around the edge and get to Gabbert. Even Pro Bowl caliber defensive end Robert Quinn had a rough night matched up against Joe Staley. The Rams ended the game with zero sacks despite their defensive line and pass rush being their most heralded area. </p>
<h1 id="Ovo1yi">Conclusions</h1>
<p id="NAm008">The Rams were bad on Monday night. The stress and instability of moving cities certainly played a part, but they were a bad team in every sense of the phrase. There is too much talent, especially young talent, on the Rams roster for them to be getting shutout 28-0 by a miserable 49ers team. </p>
<p id="0BWVI3">It’s tough to determine how much of this is reality and how much of this is the illusion of a team that is relocating. The coming weeks will spill the truths to all of us, but the Rams did not start the year off by displaying much reason to believe in them for this season. The Rams may have a very, very, very long season ahead of them. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/14/12912296/la-rams-tape-study-scouting-report-film-room-review-week-one-san-francisco-49ersQBKlass2016-09-14T10:00:03-05:002016-09-14T10:00:03-05:00Week 2 Jeff Fisher Approval Poll
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0kEB0OrxEBVrXkoLrncD9nT8_RU=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50833887/GettyImages-603568714.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This should be interesting.</p> <p>Now that the dust has settled a bit and we have all had an extra night to stew on the <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12899682/los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-recap" target="_blank">blowout loss</a> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>.... let's go ahead and rip that band-aid off and throw some salt in the wound.</p>
<p>In the eyes of fans, Jeff Fisher ended camp with a pretty typical bell curve in the <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/8/30/12712884/2016-los-angeles-rams-jeff-fisher-approval-poll-after-first-round-of-cuts" target="_blank">post-camp approval poll</a>. That didn't last long though. After announcing <span>Case Keenum</span> was his starting QB and <span>Jared Goff</span> was third string, his approval rating <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/5/12797932/los-angeles-rams-head-coach-jeff-fisher-approval-poll-week-1-hot-seat" target="_blank">jumped to the negative side pretty damn quick</a>. Have a look at the final poll numbers from last week's poll below.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="JFAP Week 1 Results" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ank4MIKP1B_ERb4Iyb7G2DHN-Gk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7097663/JFAP.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>It's clear that the honeymoon period has ended for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> and their new following in Los Angeles.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stan Kroenke just walked into Rams’ locker room. I wouldn’t say he looked pleased.</p>
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rich_Hammond/status/775568082580348928">September 13, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>It's hard to envision this getting any better for Fisher.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/14/12912068/2016-los-angeles-rams-jeff-fisher-approval-poll-hot-seat-week-2-what-the-fuck-is-going-on-hereSean Wilkinson2016-09-14T08:51:59-05:002016-09-14T08:51:59-05:00Week 1 NFC West Roundup
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j1vEz5AjSlFK9y6Vy0wR8aKn50g=/0x0:3064x2043/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50834515/usa-today-9538980.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Taking a look around the NFC West after every team's season opener.</p> <p>Week 1 in the NFC West wasn't what some of us expected......</p>
<h3>Game Results</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12899682/los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-recap" target="_blank">Rams 0, 49ers 28</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2016/9/11/12882598/seahawks-dolphins-final-score-russell-wilson-injury-update-doug-baldwin" target="_blank">Seahawks 12, Dolphins 10</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2016/9/11/12884670/arizona-cardinals-lose-23-21-to-new-england-patriots-on-sunday-night-football" target="_blank">Patriots 23, Cardinals 21</a></p>
<h3>Standings</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>W</td>
<td>L</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Rams</a></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Needless to say, I don't think many Rams fans saw San Francisco sitting atop the division after Week 1.</p>
<h3>Top Storylines</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2016/9/11/12882518/russell-wilson-injury-update-ndamukong-suh-ankle-seahawks-dolphins-video-gif" target="_blank">Russell Wilson's Injured Ankle</a></p>
<p>I never root for injuries. Period. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, if Wilson isn't able to make it to 100% the Rams chances of winning Sunday clearly go up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12905186/report-la-rams-michael-brockers-agree-3-yr-extension" target="_blank">Rams DT Michael Brockers gets contract extension</a></p>
<p>This is good news for the Rams. Maybe Snead and Fisher learned from their mistakes last year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000701840/article/jeff-fisher-case-keenum-is-still-the-starting-qb" target="_blank">Sorry Rams fans, Keenum is Still Starter</a></p>
<p>Silver lining? <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000702262/article/fisher-jared-goff-could-be-rams-backup-qb-week-2" target="_blank">The Rams might Actually Dress the #1 Overall Pick in Week 2</a></p>
<h3>Week 2 Schedule</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Seattle at Los Angeles</td>
<td>San Francisco at Carolina</td>
<td>Tampa Bay at Arizona</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The Rams have an opportunity to jump right back into the thick of things in the NFC West in Week 2. The 49ers will likely struggle against the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> and the Cardinals will be motivated to avoid an 0-2 start. If the Rams can pull off an upset, they won't be ahead of anyone. But at least they won't be trailing the pack either.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/14/12912046/2016-los-angeles-rams-week-1-nfc-west-summarySean Wilkinson2016-09-14T08:03:42-05:002016-09-14T08:03:42-05:00Rams HC Jeff Fisher On Protest, Donald’s Ejection
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams QB Case Keenum" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E6mqFAS-nS99x5ZB59MZ8AQU_i0=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50835929/603574768.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams QB Case Keenum | Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here’s what Fish had to say in his day after press conference.</p> <h3 id="XL9z8G">Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher</h3>
<p id="yyaDn6"><strong>(Opening remarks)</strong></p>
<p id="VrOrNz">“You’ve heard of the 24-hour rule. If you haven’t, and you’re new to this, I’ll explain to you what it is. We basically have this philosophy, and everybody does, that you get 24 hours to get this thing over with, and corrected, and done. In this case, I gave them a 22-hour rule, because we got a short week. We’re just wrapping up with the players now at 5:00 p.m. We’re correcting things and looking at tape, and see what happens, and then we go on; we have to move on. Everybody is sleep deprived, but that’s a part of the<em>Monday Night</em> game. So, the coaches have already got a good start on our next opponent. I did ask the players, just to take an extra half hour…so maybe it’s an 22.5-hour (rule), and go back and reflect; make sure that we did everything possible that we possibly could do last week. That’s about preparation, and everything. Players are resilient, they bounce back. They’re excited about this challenge this coming weekend.</p>
<p id="2rTPAF">“As far as the game is concerned, you don’t win games converting 3-of-15 on third down, You don’t win games with 10 penalties, seven on defense. Not rushing the football, not scoring points, giving up too many big plays. There were some really good things in the game. Great, tremendous efforts, tremendous plays, in all three phases. Let me remind you, this is not a preseason game. This is a regular season game, and we didn’t do enough to win the game. So, you learn from it and you move on. From an injury standpoint, we came through it healthy, which is encouraging. Everybody is in good shape.</p>
<p id="QPiNcO"><strong>(On what disappointed him the most about last night’s game)</strong></p>
<p id="A50D6V">“It was the constant inability to get back into the game. We had opportunities. When we were third-and-3, we called a timeout, avoided the delay of game, got the first down, and then we get the penalty. We get (RB) Todd (Gurley) has the penalty. So now, we’re back out 15 yards, and we throw the interception. We had opportunities to get back in the game; we just never capitalized on it.”</p>
<p id="X1orlJ"><strong>(On his thoughts regarding last night not looking like a Jeff Fisher coached team)</strong></p>
<p id="Jy0kHX">“We didn’t. We expected to go in there and compete, and win the football game. I didn’t expect to go in there and get beat 28-0. Yes, you have to go back and look at it. Offensively, we couldn’t make plays. It’s a combination of bad decisions at the quarterback position, and drops at the receiver position. When you look at games like this, what happens is...I’ll take, for example, the offensive line. You’ve got five guys up there that are going to grade out really well, in a loss, but each one of them had a mistake. If you add those five mistakes in critical situations, that costs you a third-down conversion, that costs you an opportunity to score. We had mistakes; we had too many mistakes at different positions at different times, it added up.”</p>
<p id="vO1Bfy"><strong>(On if he’s concerned about the decision-making of his leaders, in regards to the Gurley and DT Aaron Donald penalties)</strong></p>
<p id="tiLa4r">“That’s a great point. We addressed it today. Todd was a little frustrated when he flipped the ball past the official and it landed in the hands of an opponent. Sometimes that’s called, and that’s not called. The learning experience from that is just give it to him, put it on the ground. When they scored their final touchdown, their tight end spiked the ball right in front of three of our defensive players; that was not called. So, that in itself is also a learning experience for our guys. Now with respect to Aaron, Aaron was playing really hard, and there was some chirping going on in that little scrum. He shouldn’t have done it, but he kind of pushed (WR Quinton Patton) 11 away, who I am fond of, I think he’s a really good player, I’ve known him since he was about this big, he played at Nashville. So, the helmet comes off; so now things start. The officiating department got involved. One of the officials put his hands on Aaron, and Aaron, just didn’t know him, he just slapped hands down, so that’s what he was ejected for. The helmet coming off was a result of the ejection, which I disagree with. The helmet doesn’t come off if he’s not ejected. He does have a 15-yard penalty, which is not acceptable. When you have time to look at it and be realistic, that’s how those things play out. But, we addressed it. These are two captains that had significant penalties in this game, and we just can’t have that.”</p>
<p id="zPi4ee"><strong>(On if anything stood out about the inability to run the ball consistently yesterday)</strong></p>
<p id="usHz9S">“Well they didn’t let us – they weren’t going to let us – their whole defense was setup to that. We had, probably, a half-dozen runs that were close to getting unblocked to the safety with Todd, it’s just that close. Their commitment was to stop the run and then try to get us to make the plays outside. But we wanted to stay with the run because it’s the run game that helps you get the plays outside.”</p>
<p id="GEo2aN"><strong>(On if he has made a decision regarding whether QB Sean Mannion or QB Jared Goff will be the backup on Sunday)</strong></p>
<p id="5vufeR">“No I haven’t, I will. And there’s that chance, too (that Goff is the backup). He’s pushing along; this whole experience for Jared was good – not good for our team, but good for him to see all this. We’ll decide later in the week.”</p>
<p id="E6NGm5"><strong>(On if he was aware that DE Robert Quinn and WR Kenny Britt were going to raise their fists during the National Anthem)</strong></p>
<p id="buCnOt">“I was not aware of that and I still haven’t seen it and I haven’t addressed it with them yet. But they have the right, they totally have the right and I get the issue. I think what we’ve done and what the organizational philosophy, with respect to the anthem, is well-known. They have the right to do that. I think there’s a difference between what they did and sitting down or kneeling down or sitting on the bench and things like that. But they have that right and I respect that.”</p>
<p id="C4BjwG"><strong>(On the kind of game he thought offensive coordinator Rob Boras called and if they were trying to get the ball up the field more)</strong></p>
<p id="23ZOZ7">“As a head coach, as coordinators, we all second-guess ourselves after it’s all said and done. Rob was not happy with himself, but a lot of it was dictated by what the defense was doing and by what we were trying to do. We wanted to get the run-game going, we needed to get the run-game going. We felt that, even at halftime being down two scores, we felt (that) we just needed to take balance in this game and make some plays and get some points and we’ll find a way to win this. As I mentioned to you in the past, Rob did an outstanding job calling plays the last four or five weeks (of last season) when I put him in a difficult position – he’s a good playcaller, we just didn’t execute for him.”</p>
<p id="wBNso7"><strong>(On if he has to massage egos or if the team was down on themselves today)</strong></p>
<p id="EPBBLM">“There’s the actual sense of disappointment and frustration, but you have got to push that out, you have got to eliminate that and come back ready to work. Our challenge, which we talked to them about, was we’re on a short week already, so we’re back tomorrow. And today we’re trying to recover, so tomorrow’s going to be a mental day and we have to get everybody back in the swing of things, physically. Yeah, we talked about it. Players are different than coaches – my job is to go back down the hall and get the coaches going because losses linger much longer with coaches than they do players. Players wake up in the morning and go ‘Oh, shoot, who are we playing this week?’ But, you also have to go into detail, like we said, about what happened.”</p>
<p id="pQ0pJb"><strong>(On starting G Cody Wichmann at right guard and the rotation during the game)</strong></p>
<p id="j0BrMa">“Yeah, our plan going in was to let them both play – Cody and ‘J.B.’ (G Jamon Brown). We’ll probably settle into one or the other by the end of the week. But you’re very observant, they both played and they both had a moment, but they also both did some really good things there. In addition to that, I was really pleased with (T) Rob (Havenstein) – once he settled down after the first quarter, it was really good to have Rob back at the right tackle spot.”</p>
<p id="gGrUSp"><strong>(On Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll coming back to the Los Angeles Coliseum after coaching at USC for a number of years and if addresses the type of reception he expects Carroll to get)</strong></p>
<p id="2mqBiO">“I would like to think that we would have a significant home-field advantage there. From a personal standpoint, I’m excited – this is our home opener here. We’re disappointed what happened last night, but as the week goes on, the enthusiasm and excitement is going to grow. As far as Pete is concerned, I could see the emotions that Pete is going to go through. He and I have been doing this a long time, this is about our teams competing and finding a way to win the game. I’m sure he’ll have an emotional moment. I may bring him into my office – which was his old office – and let him see it.”</p>
<p id="kN6mA2"><strong>(On how to not allow a defeat like this to define the team)</strong></p>
<p id="ik6gvl">“It’s pretty simple, if you beat them down all week because we got beat, you have really little chance of having success the next week. You have to learn from it and move on. It’s, again, what I said earlier – they’re resilient, they come back. Everybody is either 1-0 or 0-1 right now, our focus is on Week 2 and that’s what gives you a chance. It’s a good group, they’re disappointed, they’re disappointed in each other but they’re together. The defense understands that they’re going to need the offense and the offense understands that they’re going to need the defense and special teams will balance it out. They’re together right now and they’re ready to compete this week and get ready.”</p>
<p id="dqWOTt"><strong>(On what advice he will give the team about shutting down the outside noise that will be talked about for the rest of the week and focus on the upcoming game)</strong></p>
<p id="HfEOOZ">“Well that’s okay, it’s talked about in every NFL city. Teams are winning and hey, they’re going to the playoffs. Teams lose and they’re not going to the playoffs – it’s doom and gloom. You don’t get caught up with that, you just focus on what you’re doing – turn to each other and have fun and prepare.”</p>
<p id="xYCXsz"><strong>(On if there’s a little bit of advantage to playing a team that you have had recent success against after just suffering a loss)</strong></p>
<p id="i06liR">“I don’t know if there’s an advantage or not. My job, as the head coach, and our jobs as a staff is to get them ready to play and respect this opponent because they’re highly-talented. I think Miami is a good football team and for them to hang in there and find a way, even with (Seahawks QB) Russell’s (Wilson) ankle situation, to find a way to win that game is impressive. We’re just going to prepare. We’re familiar with them, they’re familiar with us; we respect them, they respect us. I love watching them play – the Seahawks – because they play hard, Pete does a great job and fortunately, we’ve had some success against them.”</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/14/12913464/transcript-la-rams-jeff-fisher-case-keenum-national-anthem-protest-aaron-donald-ejection3k2016-09-14T08:00:07-05:002016-09-14T08:00:07-05:00Rams vs 49ers: Game Balls
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6dYgCE2SHzYfLcASOhatajScTYs=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50834045/usa-today-9538917.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This was tough to write.....</p> <p>Normally I write this the night after a game and post the following morning, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> was so abysmal that I had to sleep on it an extra night - and even then it was still difficult.</p>
<p>Enough musing..... Let's dive right in, shall we?</p>
<h3>P <span>Johnny Hekker</span>
</h3>
<p>Well, a silver lining to your offense sucking is that your All-World punter is going to have a field day. Hekker was fantastic Monday night and leads the league in punting yards - by 104 yards - after week 1.</p>
<h3>MLB <span>Alec Ogletree</span>
</h3>
<p>Ogletree was credited with 12 tackles and a pass defensed. That's a helluva performance. Keep it up 'Tree.</p>
<h3>WR <span>Kenny Britt</span>
</h3>
<p>For the record, I'm not the biggest fan of Britt. Normally 4 receptions for 67 yards wouldn't get you anywhere near this article. But those 67 yards accounted for over half of the Rams yards gained through the air.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/14/12912052/2016-los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-recap-game-ballsSean Wilkinson2016-09-13T16:02:59-05:002016-09-13T16:02:59-05:00Rams At 49ers Playing Time Breakdown
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams WR Kenny Britt" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Uwob0dZBzex91fiDXRKLgVE2iJg=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50826679/603570232.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams WR Kenny Britt | Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the season opener, we got our first taste of the functional depth chart, and how it will affect playing time in 2016.</p> <p id="DEYm4f"><em>Note: I’ll update the snap counts in </em><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MAaeZ-3u-NcNDG3cybesf1IX_NueL3ZlE0IMqtz0Vp8/edit?usp=sharing"><em>this spreadsheet</em></a><em> all season including the first tab tracking the season totals. While I’ll paste individual game PT in each week’s recap, I’ll likely refer to the season totals moving forward from that link. So uh, peep it.</em></p>
<h3 id="23Vd7z">Offense</h3>
<div id="2xzQP7">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Off</th>
<th>Off%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rodger Saffold</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Havenstein</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Robinson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Case Keenum</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Barnes</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenny Britt</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>96.72%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lance Kendricks</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>95.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>93.44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Todd Gurley</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>60.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jamon Brown</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>52.46%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Quick</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>50.82%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Wichmann</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>47.54%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tyler Higbee</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>34.43%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benny Cunningham</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>18.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>18.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>16.39%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>13.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Donnal</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.64%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="dTiTlC">The Jamon Brown/Cody Wichmann rotation at guard was...I don’t even know. I can’t recall seeing something like that on the offensive line.</p>
<p id="L2IUEo">And if you want an easy way to see why Todd Gurley is going to have a tough time in 2016, look no further than the playing time for the receiving options. Does it really matter who the QB is if you’re just going to roll out a Kenny Britt-Tavon Austin-Lance Kendricks receiving threat? They were in on nearly every snap. Sure, the Rams put Brian Quick out for half of the time and flexed Tyler Higbee, Bradley Marquez and Cory Harkey for roughly the other half. But how is that passing game going to open things up? It’s a question that’s been begging and answer for three years. Not sure Offensive Coordinator Rob Boras can answer it in 2016.</p>
<p id="damrld">Speaking of Gurley, let’s keep an eye on his work rate. Last night set the bar at 60%, though with the game out of reach late, he got some rest. Interested to see how much he goes against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.</p>
<h3 id="pkMmvi">Defense</h3>
<div id="F5h5G1">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Def</th>
<th>Def%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trumaine Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coty Sensabaugh</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alec Ogletree</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>98.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamarcus Joyner</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>79</td>
<td>97.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Quinn</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>62.96%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>48</td>
<td>59.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Hayes</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>56.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Brockers</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>54.32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Thomas</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>43.21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethan Westbrooks</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>43.21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>40.74%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>37.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Davis</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>6.17%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="rjtjc1">Any surprises here? I guess if there’s one it’s that the Rams are tied to the Ogletree-Barron duo.</p>
<p id="QMKyAu">Is there any chance the Rams get a third linebacker some playing time? How soon? And who?</p>
<h3 id="KWA1Fc">Special Teams</h3>
<div id="QoeDxZ">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Def</th>
<th>Def%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Davis</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chase Reynolds</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Littleton</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>85.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryce Hager</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>85.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>81.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>81.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>77.78%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>66.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benny Cunningham</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>59.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trumaine Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>40.74%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnny Hekker</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>37.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake McQuaide</td>
<td>LS</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>37.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>33.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>33.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>25.93%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamarcus Joyner</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>22.22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>18.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>18.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Demetrius Rhaney</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>18.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Quinn</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>14.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>14.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Hayes</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>14.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Brockers</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>11.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7.41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Thomas</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Zuerlein</td>
<td>K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3.70%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="nGanHI">I wondered, with Daren Bates leaving the group, if Cody Davis and Chase Reynolds would maintain their grip on the special teams leaders. It certainly appears as if that’s the case.</p>
<p id="6zTtgA">The linebacking trio in Littleton, Hager and Forrest is clearly a major component along with Marquez, Harkey and Hill. ST remains the easiest place to ease in transitional roster pieces. With WR Nelson Spruce on the mend, we know somebody’s going to make way. Is WR Mike Thomas and his nine special teams snaps the obvious candidate? What about as CB E.J. Gaines and WR Pharoh Cooper return?</p>
<p id="TFqyLb">Anything jump out to you from the playing time among any of the three units? Anyone you wish had gotten more time? Or less?</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12905702/la-rams-49ers-playing-time-breakdown3k2016-09-13T10:15:03-05:002016-09-13T10:15:03-05:00Rams at 49ers: Revisiting Rams to Watch
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ff8_tNN6D4XgSRB4xqoiVDoYRww=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50815763/GettyImages-603574768.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ouch.</p> <p>#TooNegative</p>
<h3>
<span>Case Keenum</span><br>
</h3>
<p>I'll follow Eric's lead here. The only thing I'll add is that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> fans need to collectively pull their head out of their asses and realize that this is who Keenum is. He's not a franchise savior. He's not going to lead them past #7and9Bullshit.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Lets try this again" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SM09zqFn-zED3h1GzswchZyvU4s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7091253/Keenum_Stats.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<h3><span>Greg Robinson</span></h3>
<p>While it's fair to say that Robinson is still a work in progress... At this point, I feel like it'd be unfair to be too judgemental of Robinson. Maybe it's the rose-colored glasses, but I feel like until the Rams can get something approaching average QB play, the rest of the unit is handicapped.</p>
<h3>
<span>Tavon Austin</span><br>
</h3>
<p>See above, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/8/27/12676432/los-angeles-">but with a big asterisk</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/6/1/11827882/los-angeles-rams-jeff-fisher-hints-100-catches-tavon-austin-2016">100+ Catches? Yeah no.</a></p>
<h3>
<span>Robert Quinn</span><br>
</h3>
<p>Quinn had 2 tackles in his return from an injury plagued 2015 season. That's a step in the right direction. Quinn's most notable action last night was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/12/12897432/la-rams-robert-quinn-kenny-britt-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-protest">protesting the national anthem</a> in pregame ceremonies (which as a military member I have no issues with).</p>
<h3><span>Greg Zuerlein</span></h3>
<p>Hard to watch when you're not on the field. The only thing Legatron did was open the second half with a touchback.</p>
<script class="tcl-ejs" data-wid="4033" data-wv="2" data-wtype="0">!function (d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://widgets.thecrowdsline.com/embed?v=3";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}else if(window.tclw){var a=document.getElementsByTagName(t),c=a[a.length-1];window.tclw(c)}}(document,"script","tcl-wjs");</script>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12900480/los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-recap-players-to-watch-revisitedSean Wilkinson2016-09-13T10:13:26-05:002016-09-13T10:13:26-05:00LA Rams At San Francisco 49ers: Report Card
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RD504h7BgT_nQancpQJ7CY5-8lI=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50819835/603564670.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher | Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The grades for the Rams’ 0-28 loss in the Bay are not great...</p> <h3 id="kNpHp8">QB</h3>
<div id="41u2ZA"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371456/D_.0.png" alt="D plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="vx2Au0">For most teams and most QBs, a final line of 17/35, 130 yards and two interceptions would be an automatic F.</p>
<p id="bE4VRS">It’s not for Fisherball. This offense is so condensed you have to consider what is actually capable for QBs. Remember, this is the same Case Keenum that finished the 2015 season that had so many Rams fans actually excited at his prospects. This is the same offense Rams fans were ok with when we finished the season on a 3-1 run with Keenum at the helm. 17/35, 130 yards, a TD and no interceptions would be an A grade. The turnovers are the only real key here. Don’t be surprised if when the Rams win a game and the Keenum output in yards and completion percentage is the same the grade changes entirely.</p>
<p id="yXj4ra">That’s the QB position in Fisherball.</p>
<h3 id="iiasAP">RB</h3>
<h5 id="xAlUal">N/A</h5>
<p id="z4cC4g">#<a href="http://<img%20src=%22https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371452/C.0.png%22%20alt=%22C%20grade%22%20height=%2240%22%20/>">itsnotToddGurleysfault</a></p>
<h3 id="ZL4L1C">WR</h3>
<div id="lg8nEs"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328532/grade_d_minus.0.png" alt="D minus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="UgLrDs">WR Kenny Britt continued to show he’s a functional component of the passing game with his four receptions across the middle of the field.</p>
<p id="lL58GQ">The problem was everything else.</p>
<p id="M5qSJf">Tavon Austin, <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/8/27/12676432/los-angeles-">who recently signed a massive contract extension</a>, racked up 13 yards on four receptions coming on 12 targets.</p>
<p id="vnRcsR">Brian Quick, who is primed for a breakout season since this is a football season, had three catches for 23 yards. </p>
<p id="1dXvxt">And that...was...it.</p>
<h3 id="0PpICn">TE</h3>
<div id="o8X4eT"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328532/grade_d_minus.0.png" alt="D minus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="hNgDIy">Lance Kendricks and Tyler Higbee combined for three receptions and 17 yards.</p>
<h3 id="1lyZe1">O-line</h3>
<div id="DGcefc"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328556/grade_f.0.png" alt="F grade" height="40"></div>
<p id="6C4OKI">Just Todd Gurley had nothing to work with. Case Keenum was sacked twice and endured five QB hits.</p>
<p id="BVhH9f">This was against the San Francisco 49ers front. The prospect of future opponents and dealing with their fronts is...not exciting.</p>
<h3 id="KNNRo7">D-line</h3>
<div id="6DXn4t"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328556/grade_f.0.png" alt="F grade" height="40"></div>
<p id="hZRHqE">The only way the Rams are going to win games this season is if the defense excels. The only way the defense is going to excel is if the defensive line can dominate their battle.</p>
<p id="vytacp">Last night, the Rams had no sacks, had 1 QB hit and were consistently washed out trying to pin down RB Carlos Hyde.</p>
<h3 id="1RGjBO">LB</h3>
<div id="Xiv2Yo"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328540/grade_c_plus.0.png" alt="C plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="T06mjh">The problem here was two-fold.</p>
<p id="ekl2Zw">One, the line played poorly, especially against the run. That makes things very difficult for the linebackers.</p>
<p id="3pvgAJ">Two, when we say “the linebackers”, we’re essentially saying Alec Ogletree. Okay, maybe Ogletree and a sprinkling of Mark Barron. But part of the Rams’ issue last night was that they don’t have a 4-3 look they can go to. I can’t grade a linebacker that doesn’t exist.</p>
<h3 id="TlEXys">DB</h3>
<div id="tvMz3Q"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371454/C-.0.png" alt="C minus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="sDxSr4">The Rams’ defense revolves around pass pressure. The Cushion of Death is a function of forcing QBs to face the prospect of having to wait for routes to develop while anticipating Robert Quinn or Aaron Donald or the cumulative pass rush. When that doesn’t materialize, it’s nearly impossible for the cornerbacks to play the shorter, quicker routes that are supposed to offset the pressure.</p>
<p id="BbVZKU">So this is a bit like the Gurley grade. You have to have holes for a running back to operate. The Rams have to have pass pressure for the secondary to operate.</p>
<p id="DnO3nX">As for the safeties, they didn’t give up any home runs. They cleaned up the running game when Hyde got past the first level. They didn’t factor in any major way, but that was a function more of the Niners’ offense than the Rams’ defense.</p>
<h3 id="1NmBur">ST</h3>
<div id="3dJ57u"><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371404/A_.0.png" alt="A plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="2rFXFW">Johnny Hekker had 10 punts. Greg Zuerlein didn’t miss a single kick. Awesome.</p>
<h3 id="gnCRGK">Coaching</h3>
<div id="NCgB9d"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328556/grade_f.0.png" alt="F grade" height="40"></div>
<p id="onWe6X">Don’t trip.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/13/12901516/la-rams-san-francisco-49ers-recap-report-card3k