Turf Show Times - 2016 Week 4: LA Rams At Arizona Cardinalshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2016-10-05T14:00:03-05:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/128595912016-10-05T14:00:03-05:002016-10-05T14:00:03-05:00LA Rams Film Room Review: Week 4 at Arizona Cardinals
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Uc-vJ4K39VJuwA6wptkMR9vAumE=/0x0:4994x3329/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51206965/612075284.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>IT KEEPS HAPPENING</p> <p id="kdKiqA">The <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> have won their third game in a row. It’s gotten to the point where it’s almost tough to write about what is going on, especially after kicking the season off with a miserable shutout loss on prime time television. Each game since the opener has been its own clunky journey and this week was no different. With the help of a late-game injury to <span>Carson Palmer</span>, the Rams survived their trip to Phoenix, holding onto their NFC West throne for at least another week.</p>
<p id="lGucrI">Just to reiterate, the Los Angeles Rams are now 3-1. Three and one.</p>
<h1 id="GHPQRR">Rams Offense vs <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> Defense</h1>
<p id="Owkptv">The Rams are starting to form their identity on offense. It’s not a good identity or one to be proud of, but it is distinct nonetheless. Many, myself included, expected the offense to revolve around making the ground game work and finding ways to enable <span>Tavon Austin</span>. The offense has not strained itself to do either of those things yet. Austin has still caught plenty of passes and seen a few carries, but he’s been fairly normalized in the offense this year.</p>
<p id="ASVW8n"><span>Todd Gurley</span> and the rest of the rushing attack is the mystery. Instead of forcing the running game and praying for a big play because math eventually has to concede one, the Rams have opted to go more to the one-read and short step passing game. <span>Case Keenum</span> is not a good quarterback, but he can at least function under those conditions and provide slightly more success for the offense than whatever the rushing attack is providing.</p>
<p id="niNztP">All of those things came to light against the Arizona Cardinals, but a couple of key touchdown passes, both to <span>Brian Quick</span> (!!!), gave the Rams just enough to get ahead and let the defense hold the lead.</p>
<p id="NpBFe1"><em>Game Notes: </em></p>
<ul id="YlqQk1">
<li><em>It’s uncomfortable to determine what is and is not real with Brian Quick, but it is fact that he has three touchdowns, two of which were long plays and the other was in crunch time. 90th time might be a charm with Quick. </em></li>
<li id="BoK80b"><em>Case Keenum simply is not a good quarterback. He’s a quality backup to have, sure, but he’s severely limited the play in, play out potential of the Rams offense. </em></li>
<li id="c649Tm"><em><span>Rodger Saffold</span> has lost what ability he had left in the tank last season. He looks slower and weaker. Saffold was supposed to anchor the interior and provide some hope for the running game, but he has not been able to. </em></li>
<li id="vxHdPS"> <em><span>Greg Robinson</span> is </em><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13153752/los-angeles-rams-greg-robinson-development-slow-progress"><em>certified terrible as a left tackle</em></a><em>. Addressing it during the season may be tough, but he has got to be moved. </em> </li>
<li id="vxHdPS"><em>Gurley was featured in the passing game more this week than in the past three weeks. That is something to keep an eye on moving forward. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="5lj5IV">Easy Passing Yards</h4>
<p id="cUeQgX">Many of the passing concepts that Keenum is throwing are simple. Some concepts are more simple than others, but he is not asked to do near as much as other quarterbacks around the league and he is asked to throw a lot of easy passes. It’s a strain on the offense, but Rob Boras has found ways to make it work and open up easy throws for Keenum underneath. The offense <em>has </em>to operate with a mostly short route tree and Boras has maximized what that type of passing offense is capable of.</p>
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<p id="hlYAlu">Arizona’s blitz puts their own defense in a 3 vs 2 situation to the right side of the field, but the route combo is still slick. <span>Tyler Higbee</span>, who lines up outside of <span>Lance Kendricks</span> on the line of scrimmage, runs a curl route over the top of Kendricks and boxes out the defender covering him. Kendricks runs a short zig-out route under Higbee. Because Higbee boxes out the defender as he rounds off his curl route, Kendricks is able to catch and run without any contention.</p>
<p id="piyZq5">The GIF is cut short, but Kendricks runs for a good chunk of yardage on this play because of the space <span>Gurley</span>’s route creates. The defensive back to that side, <span>Tony Jefferson</span> (#22) starts the play with concern for Higbee, but then trails backwards as Gurley shoots vertically up the field. Gurley clearing out Jefferson allowed for easy yards after catch.</p>
<p id="OFKAn9">A play like this is perfect against an aggressive defense like Arizona’s. If they’re going to blitz, it makes sense to target the short areas of the field where there bltizers are vacating. It makes life easier on Keenum and gives the skill players chances to run free.</p>
<h4 id="dh8b4C">Are the Running Game’s Issues Only On the Offensive Line?</h4>
<p id="gSFdLK">The short answer: no. Gurley does not look like the explosive, dynamic runner that he was drafted to be and was for a short period at the beginning of his Rams career. For whatever reason - it might be frustration with the offense - Gurley has lost his spark. The offensive line has done him no favors, especially this year, but Gurley is not free of fault. He’s less physically dominant, his patience is beginning to be nonexistent and his vision should be in question. Gurley is still less to blame than the offensive line, but it’s time to start worrying about him.</p>
<p id="6rAIsk">First, we’ll start with the line. It has not been good at any point this year. They can not generate push, they can’t hold blocks and god forbid they understand their assignments for more than one or two plays in a row. The play below is a good example of not sustaining what looks to be good blocking at first.</p>
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<p id="GCwV6G">All is fine here. There looks to be a wall forming, Deone Buchannon (#20) and Tony Jefferson (#22) look to be accounted for and Gurley is picking up steam.</p>
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<p id="SkBP3n">Oh no. What are Greg Robinson and <span>Cory Harkey</span> doing...</p>
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<p id="RuXgcp">GOD DAMN IT.</p>
<p id="4f0KD6">It all looked so promising. For a short moment, Gurley had been granted real run blocking, only for it to vanish as quickly as it came.</p>
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<p id="7ik3aH">But here is where Gurley’s vision is getting suspect. There is no reason for Gurley to run inside of Kendricks and try to pound the defense for a couple of extra yards. Had Gurley bounced outside of Kendricks, he would have had to outrun a backtracking Tony Jefferson, who Kendricks was trying to block, and <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span>, who was coming over from between the hash marks. It’s dangerous to assume that Gurley would have scored had he ran to the outside, but the play certainly had more potential and did not risk any of the yards that Gurley gained with the ‘safe’ path he took.</p>
<h1 id="UWma5s">Rams Defense vs Arizona Cardinals Offense</h1>
<p id="1iMY8b">The Rams defensive front is otherworldly. They transcend the rest of the defense and mask the problems that the defense has elsewhere. The linebackers struggled and the secondary, outside of <span>Trumaine Johnson</span>, played a roller coaster of a contest, but it almost didn’t matter because of how good the defensive line was. <span>Aaron Donald</span> was as excellent as ever, <span>Robert Quinn</span> had himself a game, <span>Cam Thomas</span> and <span>Michael Brockers</span> did great jobs as the hefty men up front, and even <span>Matt Longacre</span> quietly played a good game. If there were ever a defense to promote building a defense from the trenches up, the 2016 Rams are it.</p>
<p id="ZRNYB9"><em>Games Notes: </em></p>
<ul id="mvWIn0">
<li><em>LA blitzed a lot. I mean a loooot. Gregg Williams had it out for Palmer/Stanton. </em></li>
<li id="D7qp3o"><em><span>Matt Longacre</span> was very good. Had a few nice plays in run defense and generated pressure as a rusher. </em></li>
<li id="a3YIBh"><em>Cardinals receivers, namely <span>Michael Floyd</span>, had ugly drop issues that helped the Rams secondary look a bit better than they were. </em></li>
<li id="KOCAMS"><em><span>E.J. Gaines</span> showed some nice ability in short zones, but the cornerback spot opposite Tru is still a major problem. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="uVeb5y">
<span>Alec Ogletree</span> Needs To Figure It Out</h4>
<p id="ResQ6f">As James Laurinaitis left, Alec Ogletree was supposed to fill his spot as the middle linebacker. Tackle stats be damned, Ogletree has had a rough season and this week versus Arizona was a highly concerning performance. Ogletree doesn’t appear to be confident in his decisions or he does not understand his run keys- sometimes it’s tough to tell which was the issue on a given play. Either way, Ogeltree has been far too passive in clogging the interior from his middle linebacker spot.</p>
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<p id="UA6Sze">It’s a general rule of thumb that a linebacker’s first step should be to the ball. You want them to be moving in the general area of the play and then adjust from there. Ogletree instead backs off from the ball on this play as if he were waiting for a passing play to develop. After two backwards steps, Ogletree realizes his mistake and jolts forward, but running back <span>David Johnson</span> has already been granted enough space to pick up a nice gain by then. The gap that <span>Johnson</span> ran through was Ogletree’s responsibility.</p>
<p id="WsUypl">On the very next play, Ogletree did this same thing. Then he did it again later on in the game. And then again and again and... well, it’s clear where this is headed. Ogletree has yet to get to a point where he sees plays develop or trusts his instincts. He is too often caught behind plays and puts himself in position to be washed out by opposing linemen.</p>
<p id="kyucnC">On one hand, it’s fair to say that Ogletree is new to the middle linebacker position and deserves some leeway. That can be true while still chastising him for making mistakes that are not necessarily related to switching positions, but instead simply being a subpar linebacker. He lacked consistency before the switch and now looks to be lacking consistency even more than before. Ogletree deserves more time to figure out his spot at middle linebacker, but it may be time to start questioning what the Rams have in him.</p>
<h4 id="WGBHWJ">Peak Rams Pass Rush</h4>
<p id="1LJ9w8">The Rams defensive line and aiding blitzers had themselves a hell of a game on Sunday. The group tallied up six quarterback hits, three sacks and a forced fumble on one of the sacks, not to mention the role they played in forcing three interceptions out of the Cardinals quarterbacks. Due to dominant performances from Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, as well as production out of the blitzers, the Rams wrecked the Cardinals offensive line and put constant pressure on Palmer and Stanton.</p>
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<p id="LsuLZV">This is one of many great pass rush snaps from the Rams defensive line. Of course, Donald was the one to finish the job and force the bad pass here, but Quinn’s presence forced <span>Drew Stanton</span> to step up into the pocket and Longacre’s pressure from the right side closed the pocket Stanton was working with. It was a collective effort finished off by the leader of the group, Aaron Donald.</p>
<p id="C8TE00">Plays like this were a consistent theme throughout the game. Los Angeles was able to generate pressure by only rushing four. When they blitzed and brought five or six rushers, the Cardinals were overwhelmed. They could not keep up with the Rams base group of pass rushers, let alone the added blitzers. On one occasion, one of the blitzers even racked up a sack. Safety Maurice Alexander was able to work past the running back and get to the quarterback on one of his blitzes.</p>
<h1 id="PcJVwQ">Conclusions</h1>
<p id="Tx5YiQ">Somehow, some way, the Rams keep winning. This week was a testament to how impactful the defensive line can be all on their own. Trumaine <span>Johnson</span> played a hell of a game and other players made a splash play here and there, but the success of the defense and the team as a whole rode on the backs of the defensive linemen. Over the past few years, the Rams have exhausted countless resources in that area and it’s comforting to see that they are producing at the level that they should be.</p>
<p id="11uojh">Offensively, the team was still not impressive, but they managed to summon enough big plays and unlikely touchdowns to outscore a broken Cardinals offense. If the Rams can continue to get quality play out of <span>Kenny Britt</span> and Lance Kendricks in the short game, as well as the occasional game breaking play from Brian Quick or Tavon Austin, the offense may be able to continue to do all it needs to do to allow the defense to win games.</p>
<p id="lu2psT">It’s still difficult to trust this Rams team given how odd each victory has been, but 3-1 is 3-1 and the Rams have positioned themselves well for a playoff spot. The offense is going to lose the Rams some games at some point, but the defense will keep them in every game and it will only take a few splash plays from the offenses to continue this shocking streak of victory. With struggling teams like the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> and <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> scheduled for the next two games, the Rams could jump out to a start that nobody saw coming.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/5/13171296/la-rams-film-room-review-week-4-at-arizona-cardinalsQBKlass2016-10-04T11:10:13-05:002016-10-04T11:10:13-05:00Rams-Cardinals Playing Time Breakdown
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8unC1eSWBX5-8R3d5zn4KtNP0DM=/0x0:4527x3018/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51189165/usa-today-9587282.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here’s who saw the field in the Rams’ 17-13 win over the Cardinals.</p> <p id="c8nAME"><em>Note: I’ll update the snap counts in </em><em><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mATKBaUhGIfGYbecrApfnKClTZ7XecNoCZyPMhnEhks">this spreadsheet</a></em><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="0WRKic">Offense</h3>
<div id="9WEPIh">
<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>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Havenstein</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Wichmann</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Robinson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Case Keenum</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Barnes</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lance Kendricks</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>94.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Todd Gurley</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>86.44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>79.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenny Britt</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>77.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Quick</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>55.93%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tyler Higbee</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>30.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>23.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>18.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>16.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benny Cunningham</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8.47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3.39%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Donnal</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3.39%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="rhqRXS">RB Todd Gurley continues to see his work rate rise:</p>
<div id="bPN711"><table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Week</th>
<th>Plays</th>
<th>%</th>
<th>Carries</th>
<th>Carries per Play</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>60.66%</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>0.46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>70.97%</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>0.43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>80.00%</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>0.52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>86.44%</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>0.37</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="dpbgxx">Given the lack of production, I’m interested to see if the Rams keep him ≥80% to try and force him out of the slump.</p>
<p id="kssIF9">TE Tyler Higbee has yet to drop below a 30% floor, but hasn’t been targeted once since Week 1. Same camp for WR Bradley Marquez; he hasn’t dropped below 10% of snaps hitting a season high in Week 4, but has only been targeted twice in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.</p>
<h3 id="BEVcuW">Defense</h3>
<div id="HCy9Ue">
<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>77</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alec Ogletree</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>93.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>79.22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamarcus Joyner</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>77.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>E.J. Gaines</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>68.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>49</td>
<td>63.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethan Westbrooks</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>55.84%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Longacre</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>55.84%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Quinn</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>50.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>37.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Davis</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>32.47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Brockers</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>31.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Thomas</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>24.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>20.78%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>7.79%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="aFQCkq">The big story from the playing time on Sunday was the comeback of CB E.J. Gaines. Not only did he feature in his first regular season action since Week 16 of the 2014 season, he came in and immediately topped 2/3rds of the defensive snaps (and played pretty damn well, to boot).</p>
<p id="PuIWeU">And shout out to DE Matt Longacre for coming in with DEs William Hayes and Robert Quinn sidelined.</p>
<h3 id="fpgs7x">Special Teams</h3>
<div id="rKgzHD">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>ST</th>
<th>ST%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Davis</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>87.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chase Reynolds</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>87.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>66.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>66.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Littleton</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>66.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryce Hager</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>66.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>50.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>45.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benny Cunningham</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>37.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>37.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake McQuaide</td>
<td>LS</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>37.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnny Hekker</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>37.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Temarrick Hemingway</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>33.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>29.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trumaine Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>29.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>29.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Demetrius Rhaney</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>29.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Zuerlein</td>
<td>K</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>29.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>25.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marqui Christian</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>25.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>20.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Brockers</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>20.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>20.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>16.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethan Westbrooks</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>16.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rodger Saffold</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Havenstein</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Wichmann</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Robinson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Donnal</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Longacre</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4.17%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="nqCD1C">Temarrick Hemingway!</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WZ24C8">
<p id="QzZ2sA">As always, drop your observations on the playing time from this week as well as anything you’re seeing from the season snaps.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13162416/la-rams-arizona-cardinals-recap-playing-time-breakdown3k2016-10-04T11:00:03-05:002016-10-04T11:00:03-05:00Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals: Five Cardinals Revisited
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SlRrUSai_mexDP1-kBCZgGg9rMk=/3x0:2709x1804/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51183899/usa-today-9587258.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="ce0N7g">#MobSquad</p>
<p id="J16ROu">The Los Angeles Rams are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West after their 17-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.</p>
<p id="wI4jIs">The game was not pretty, as Rams star running back Todd Gurley was held to a horrid 1.7 yards per carry average. Fifth-year receiver Brian Quick, however, had himself a day. The Appalachian State product’s two catches in the game result in touchdowns – a 65-yarder and a four yard TD catch.</p>
<p id="raO9tI">The defense held strong, but was aided by multiple turnovers. Key interceptions by corner Trumaine Johnson, linebacker Mark Barron, and strong safety TJ McDonald helped maintain points off the board or killed Arizona drives.</p>
<p id="52j13f">Back to our scheduled programming.... lets go back and take a gander at how the five Cardinals to watch performed. </p>
<p id="sKBHpp"> </p>
<h4 id="b53Mdm">WR Larry Fitzgerald</h4>
<p id="IGW7dm"> Fitzgerald was relatively quiet on Sunday. The Rams secondary kept him to five catches for 62 yards.</p>
<p id="iyJLvH">The receiver that gave the rams the most problems was the speedy third year receiver John Brown. The Pittsburgh State product sliced the Rams defense for 10 catches for 144 yards. </p>
<p id="NVN8RY"> </p>
<h4 id="VQ7ZHd">RB David Johnson</h4>
<p id="uXAiRp">David Johnson did has expected against the Rams. The second-year running back gnashed through the Rams defense for 83 yards on 17 carries. </p>
<p id="kqL5Jo">Though Johnson did not hit pay dirt, the 6-1 224-pound back made multiple big plays against a “top“ defense, including a 31-yard run (top is in quotes because, well, L.A. does not have a top defense). </p>
<p id="OErRha"> Veteran running back Chris Johnson chipped in for 34 yards on six carries (5.7 ypc) before exiting the game with an injury. </p>
<p id="JfmlVL"> </p>
<h4 id="rDIMHM">S <span>Tyrann Mathieu</span> </h4>
<p id="Jas8Dx">The honey badger was relatively quiet against the Rams. </p>
<p id="D1Kusw">The fourth year defensive back/hybrid player secured two tackles with one of those made behind the line of scrimmage. But, that was quite about it.</p>
<p id="qh8FKi"></p>
<h4 id="jTTkHs">G <span>Evan Mathis</span> </h4>
<p id="DpntnT">Evan Mathis had a long day against the Rams. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald ate against Arizona’s interior offensive line. The explosive interior defensive lineman was in on four quarterback hits and registered 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss. </p>
<p id="EvonDn">It was clear Donald was too much for Evan Mathis and the rest the Cards’ interior offensive line. </p>
<h4 id="lcjuwl">CB Patrick Peterson</h4>
<p id="HiK3iU">Patrick Peterson assignment against the Rams was to shadow Tavon Austin. That resulted in Tavon’s complete shut down (yes, I saw the long catch he could have had, but he did not so it does not count).</p>
<p id="5VaUre">At the end of the day, the former LSU Tiger registered one tackle and a pass defended to his stat-line. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13153792/los-angeles-rams-arizona-cardinals-recap-five-cardinals-revisitedEddieP2016-10-04T10:26:07-05:002016-10-04T10:26:07-05:00Ryan Seacrest Eats Rams Victory Waffles<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/783313232832425984">Ryan Seacrest Eats Rams Victory&nbsp;Waffles</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>This morning, LA Rams and Schrodinger's QB Case Keenum and his wife Kimberly joined TV personality/uber LA Rams fan Ryan Seacrest for some good ol' fashioned waffles. The two appear to be on bro status already. </p>
<p>No word on if they went straight up maple syrup or something with blueberries and butter.</p></p></div>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13162466/ryan-seacrest-and-case-keenum-love-wafflesRamBuck2016-10-04T10:00:14-05:002016-10-04T10:00:14-05:00Rams vs Cardinals: Revisiting Rams to Watch
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AYXTPAnHlULNpCnEP9GydDvOaD0=/4x0:1761x1171/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51184493/usa-today-9587302.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There was good, there was bad, and there was some ugly.... but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> eked out a win in Arizona and are now sitting pretty atop the divisional standings. They did it in part due to (and in some cases in spite of) the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/1/13129484/2016-los-angeles-rams-arizona-cardinals-five-rams-to-watch">Rams to watch I ID'd as key players prior to the game</a>.</p>
<h3>QB Case Keenum</h3>
<p>Put simply, Keenum balled out in Glendale. If not for a couple of <span>Greg Robinson</span> penalties (more on that in a second) Keenum would have approached 300 passing yards and had 41 rushing yards.</p>
<p>On one of those plays, Keenum did his best <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-bPBAYdGEo">Donovon Mcnabb impersonation</a>. I legit didn't think Keenum was capable of plays like that, but it looks like I underestimated what he is capable of. If he keeps playing at that level and realizes that <span>Tavon Austin</span> is only 5'8", the Rams winning ways should continue.</p>
<h3>OTs Greg Robinson and <span>Rob Havenstein</span>
</h3>
<p>Robinson was horrible on Sunday.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(6:45 - 3rd) (Shotgun) C.Keenum scrambles up the middle to ARZ 8 for 27 yards (T.Branch). PENALTY on LA-G.Robinson, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at ARZ 35 - No Play</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>(11:05 - 4th) (Shotgun) C.Keenum pass short left to L.Kendricks to ARZ 12 for 27 yards (P.Peterson). PENALTY on LA-G.Robinson, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at ARZ 39 - No Play</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm inclined to give him a bit of leeway on the second penalty. When a play breaks down like that, it's complete madness and it's easy to get lost. I'll chock that up to a learning experience - albeit a costly one.</p>
<p>The first penalty on the other hand is exactly what Robinson needs to eliminate. He has the brute strength to manhandle nearly anyone and the lateral agility to stay in front of them. Robinson sought out <span>LeCharles Bentley</span> for additional training this offseason. I want to know is why he had to go that route and why the Rams can't develop the techniques he needs to excel.</p>
<p><span>Havenstein</span> was invisible - an impressive feat given his stature. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing though.</p>
<h3>DE Robert Quinn</h3>
<p><span>Aaron Donald</span> has a enormous shadow. While Quinn is a beast in his own right, his greatness sometimes gets lost due to Donald's prowess. The Rams have an elite duo that makes the entire DL shine.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/3/13147572/la-rams-arizona-cardinals-recap-report-card">The Rams’ defensive line is so hard to grade because if you did so on a curve, they’d have to absolutely excel damn near every play every game.<br><br>...<br><br>With DE Robert Quinn injured mid-game and DE William Hayes ruled out from an ankle injury the week prior, the Rams’ defensive front looked none the worse. They constantly harassed QB Carson Palmer until an injury forced him out of the game, a familiar sight between these two teams in years past.</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm not sure if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> schemed to take Quinn out of the game or not, but it didn't seem to make much difference. They may have removed him from the stat sheet, but they picked the Donald poison and the end result was the same: Cardinals QBs hit time and time again by the Rams DL.</p>
<p>Whether he was removed from the game or had an off night, it didn't matter. The Rams DL is great enough to overcome Quinn's lack of production - and that should scare the rest of the NFL.</p>
<h3>CB <span>E.J. Gaines</span>
</h3>
<p>3k pretty much summed this one up in his<a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/3/13147572/la-rams-arizona-cardinals-recap-report-card"> report card</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For CB E.J. Gaines to return to his first regular season action since Christmas Eve 2014 and have the performance he did was remarkable.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There was good, there was bad. But Gaines playing as well as he did after 21+ months away from game action is a very good thing for the Rams.</p>
<h3>K <span>Greg Zuerlein</span>
</h3>
<p>Legatron remains perfect on the year after hitting a 29 yard FG and both PATs Sunday. He's eased the minds of Rams fans and restored some of the faith he had as a rookie sensation. Given the Rams experience in Free Agency last season, it might be time for to start looking at an in-season extension.....</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13159598/los-angeles-rams-vs-arizona-cardinals-recap-rams-to-watchSean Wilkinson2016-10-04T09:00:10-05:002016-10-04T09:00:10-05:00Week 4: Los Angeles Rams Rookie Report
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Preseason-Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BGKtnc0ecK6vhEl1s_LYGs_SGC4=/0x389:2929x2342/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51183827/usa-today-9511503.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="8rABwg">The <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> received wonderful news last week, as two rookie receivers returned from injury – fourth rounder Pharoh Cooper and undrafted rookie Nelson Spruce.</p>
<p id="bfoaF1">Both, however, did not partake in the victory over the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> as they were <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/2/13139974/la-rams-arizona-cardinals-inactives-jared-goff-coty-sensabaugh">game time inactives</a>. </p>
<p id="lwwrS5"></p>
<h3 id="eW5mkD">QB <span>Jared Goff</span>
</h3>
<p id="KX1mxx">With the Rams at 3-1 and heading into the fifth game of the season in first place within the division, it is becoming less likely rookie quarterback Jared Goff will see the field anytime soon. The future of the franchise was once again relegated to the role of clipboard savior.</p>
<p id="YXIeow"> </p>
<h3 id="MaxNdE">TE <span>Tyler Higbee</span> </h3>
<p id="Eq4pbr">It is unclear what the Rams are doing with the rookie tight end. </p>
<p id="PUVXms">Higbee, a mismatch as an athletic 6-5 249-pound move tight end. Higbee, however, was not targeted on any of his 18 snaps on offense. The Rams could use another safety valve for quarterback Case Keenum. If <span>Lance Kendricks</span>, who is not known for good hands, can haul in five catches for 52 yards, Higbee can do a lot more.</p>
<p id="hiVwRo"> </p>
<h3 id="y7z6BY">WR <span>Pharoh Cooper</span>
</h3>
<p id="ZdmJ8n">Pharoh practiced in his second week back from a shoulder injury but was one of the seven inactive players. </p>
<p id="JGH4Ma">He is clearly getting back to full speed and is knocking some rust off.</p>
<p id="FNC4TV">Cooper established himself has the team’s third receiver behind <span>Tavon Austin</span> and Kenny Britt. It remains unclear if Pharoh will resume those duties once he returns, or if his chances of playing are lowered by <span>Brian Quick</span>’s penchant for <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/2/13141106/brian-quick-busts-a-65-yard-td">reeling in touchdowns</a>. </p>
<p id="5Op6cx"></p>
<h3 id="xZU7ri">TE Temarrick Hemingway</h3>
<p id="gPXWRa">The raw sixth round TE saw a limited amount of snaps in Arizona. The former South Carolina St. Bulldog notched eight snaps on special teams. It did not go well for Temarrick, though. Hemingway was guilty of a false start that ruined a trick special teams play.</p>
<p id="OrRiAJ"></p>
<h3 id="oUCdaP">LB <span>Josh Forrest</span>
</h3>
<p id="ze4oGt">The sixth round linebacker’s snap count took a dip this week. Forrest was in on just six of the defense’s 77 snaps, <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/28/13052212/week-3-los-angeles-rams-rookie-scouting-reports">half of his week three total</a>. </p>
<p id="pNryeH"></p>
<h3 id="bWVeRn">
<strong>WR </strong><span>Michael Thomas</span>
</h3>
<p id="XD1eVO"><span>Michael Thomas</span> continues to make quick sporadic cameos on offense. The rookie took p[art in 11 of the 59 offensive snaps. He did not receive any looks his way. </p>
<p id="axyctF">The 6-1 200-pound pass catcher also chipped in on 50-percent of the special teams plays (12 snaps).</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/4/13154498/week-4-los-angeles-rams-rookie-scouting-reportsEddieP2016-10-03T22:03:09-05:002016-10-03T22:03:09-05:00Rams HC Fisher To ARI: “Merry Christmas”
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams HC Jeff Fisher" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_XdD_nP43qYI8q9idFIuxz8DYpw=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51181409/612052510.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams HC Jeff Fisher | Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jeff Fisher’s Monday press conference was all about the hot start to the 2016 season.</p> <h3 id="XL9z8G">Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher</h3>
<p id="Yyb3AY"><strong>(Opening Remarks)</strong></p>
<p id="x3zcoI">“It’s nice to be able to turn the page after winning and move on to the next opponent. But before you do so, you have to take a hard look at it, and we did. We still have a lot of room for improvement, in at least the two phases, I thought the special teams was outstanding. But offensively and defensively, we’ve got a lot of room for improvement. Too many big plays defensively, struggles when were supposed to run, same thing lack of run game offensively, and then just the inability to go get points when we got around midfield. Players understand it, they were very receptive today, where we are and we’ve corrected things and we’ve moved on. We’re looking forward, as I said last night, to being home, finally – feels like it’s been a while. Health-wise, we came through it pretty good. (RB) Benny (Cunningham) was the one question mark after the game, but he felt much better today, so he’s got a chance to get on the filed before the weeks up.”</p>
<p id="g05VFl"><strong>(On evaluating not only the events of last night’s game against the Cardinals, but also how the team has come back from the season opener against the 49ers)</strong></p>
<p id="Mt2Fpl">“I’ll address the last couple hours, what I did was went back and looked at the penalties – look at them agreeing or disagreeing with the calls. Then I started the tape on Buffalo. We addressed everything as a staff this morning, and with the players. You know, we can’t change what happened, and I said that three weeks ago. But we’ve moved forward, we’ve won some games and now we got a really talented opponent coming to town, that’s feeling pretty good about themselves right now. To me, the focus is clearly on Buffalo.”</p>
<p id="gWzwa7"><strong>(On whether he saw a turnaround coming after the loss against the 49ers)</strong></p>
<p id="wk9V4c">“As I told you guys, and I told them the previous day or if you look at the weekend – you know, fifteen other teams lost in the opening weekend. A number of those teams that suffered losses in the opening weekend were good football teams, and I told them that they were good football team, so let’s move on. That’s what they’ve done.”</p>
<p id="5rJrEw"><strong>(On if having experience winning close games carries over from season to season)</strong></p>
<p id="6WR6FK">“It’s a different group, it’s a young group. The guys that won some close games last year understand there’s no sense of panic. You have to keep fighting, and keep working, and the expectation is to find a way to win. The last three all come down to the last play of the game basically. It would be nice to have one that you can sit down and relax a little bit. But, winning close games is harder to teach a team, than it is the other side of that, which is get up and relax in the fourth quarter. In the National Football League, you can’t relax. You never know what’s going to happen.”</p>
<p id="cfdgBd"><strong>(On the success against NFC West opponents, in comparison to teams outside the division)</strong></p>
<p id="9IEse5">“Well, two weeks ago we played a team that wasn’t in our division, on the road, and beat them. Yeah, that’s been the case, that’s been the talk out there. We’re out of the division now, and we’re going to be out of the division for a while. So now we have to learn how to win on the road, learn how to win against uncommon opponents rather, and that’s a challenge. What you have to do during the week is you have to become familiar with the uncommon opponent. Familiarize yourself with them, the match-ups, what they do; it increases the study time, the preparation time. It’ll be a good experience for us this week.”</p>
<p id="K9tAWc"><strong>(On his philosophy behind the decision to challenge plays against Arizona)</strong></p>
<p id="uqqA34">“Understand there’s a difference between on the road, and a difference between being at home. On the road, you’re not going to get a review. That’s just the way things are. Anything that’s questionable, with respect to us, I’m not going to able to look at the jumbotron to see it. And keep in mind that the jumbotron feed is different from the replay feed. I didn’t get the benefit of it, nor did the assistants upstairs. I’m basing those challenges on things that I saw live on the field. That’s what replay is for. If (WR) Tavon (Austin) has got his hand underneath that ball…these are two big plays. I felt like we had a timeout left, and I felt like we needed to take a look at it. I didn’t personally see the ball on the ground with, respect to (WR) Brian (Quick’s) catch either. I go upstairs, and we don’t have anything, I haven’t seen anything. In Tavon’s case, they went to commercial. That’s the advantage of being at home, that you’re going to get those feeds. Now it’s not guaranteed that replay is going to have the same feeds, but at least you get a better opportunity to evaluate the play.”</p>
<p id="J7iqLX"><strong>(On if the possibility of using a timeout ever comes into play when making a challenge)</strong></p>
<p id="OssnIW">“Oh yeah, timeouts are critical. I’m the only one that uses them, and I’ll use them at a discretion. In both these instances, I was prepared. I knew I would be out of challenges with the second one, hoping that something didn’t come up later in the game. But, in both these instances, I thought they were worthwhile based on what I saw in person. My view is a lot different than your view, and when we don’t get the reviews upstairs or the replay upstairs in the box, then it’s up to me.”</p>
<p id="6Qdd8Q"><strong>(On what he saw from RB Todd Gurley yesterday and if he plans to use him more in the passing game going forward)</strong></p>
<p id="9MyWkv">“The pass plays, those were two extraordinary plays he made in the pass game – the one-handed catch to keep the drive alive and the third-and-eight to keep the drive alive. So, yes, we’re attempting to do that. The line of scrimmage was full of Cardinals yesterday and we knew that, and that’s why we made our plays down the field. But we’re very close, we’re very close and he’s healthy, he’s feeling good. We just have to, obviously, put a good plan together this week.”</p>
<p id="pWlRug"><strong>(On if there is something to be said about the resiliency of the team after winning three close games)</strong></p>
<p id="PbZ3uw">“Yeah, there is. It’s a young group and it’s a close group. They practice, they prepare and they have confidence in each other. And they do it together – the offense is pulling for the defense and vice versa. We have a combination of players on special teams that are doing their jobs. It’s nice, it’s not easy – you look around the league and there are some good teams that don’t have the same record that we do. Finding ways to win at the end is very, very important, it carries you a long way.”</p>
<p id="1FSCMV"><strong>(On if he saw the right vibe in the meeting room today from the players in terms of wanting to learn what they can improve upon)</strong></p>
<p id="sWOKE8">“Yeah, they were attentive and they were ready to go put this one behind us and learn from it. Again, it’s the 24-hour rule – get it corrected and then get focused on your next opponent.”</p>
<p id="p96ewo"><strong>(On how far back his relationship with Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan goes after working and playing for Buddy Ryan)</strong></p>
<p id="L4IXRA">“Or (Bills assistant head coach/defense) Rob (Ryan) – yes, both of them. Since they were about this big. They would hang around training camp in Chicago when I was playing and then I’ve followed their careers throughout. Buddy was very, very close with them. That was a hard loss this summer when we lost Buddy – I talked to both of them – I was unable to make the funeral. They’re both outstanding coaches, they’re passionate. They’re coaching for their dad right now, I know that. He’s going to have his team ready.”</p>
<p id="PKD7Kv"><strong>(On what he’s seeing from the Bills)</strong></p>
<p id="dULUFZ">“I’m just a couple hours into it, although, we did look at last week’s game. Defensively, they’re very, very talented, they’ll come from all different directions – they’re going to attack your protection, they’re going to stop your run, they’re going to make the plays down the field. Offensively, creative, they had, obviously, the coaching change, but it’s built around ‘Shady’ (RB LeSean McCoy) and the quarterback can extend plays. They’re going to miss (WR) Sammy (Watkins), but they’ve got weapons on offense. It’s a well-coached team and they play good special teams, as well, they’re in to special teams – unlike some of the other teams we’ve faced.”</p>
<p id="aaGpAi"><strong>(On what he thought of T Greg Robinson’s game yesterday and how he would assess his season to this point)</strong></p>
<p id="rcdu6w">“Greg’s doing fine. He’s doing a good job protecting. I wasn’t crazy about the holding call on (QB) Case’s (Keenum) scramble down inside scoring territory. But he’s doing fine, he’s playing hard and he’s not making the mistakes that he made as a rookie or even at times last year. He’s playing solid.”</p>
<p id="vE35EF"><strong>(On the guys who made their season debuts yesterday, including DE Matt Longacre)</strong></p>
<p id="FCh7f5">“Matt did well. He made plays, had a couple tackles for losses and had some pressures on the passer. He played for us last year, so he’s familiar. He’s flexible in that he can line up at both end spots, which is a must for us. (TE) Temarrick (Hemingway) got to play a lot of core special teams and graded out pretty well. In addition to that, so did (S) Marqui Christian – Marqui, what an experience for him from that standpoint, to have been on the other sideline last week and come over and have a chance to have an impact on special teams. I was pleased with their efforts.”</p>
<p id="3r9xsr"><strong>(On his postgame conversation with the team that was on camera regarding giving them a Christmas present and if he took a little extra joy in the win)</strong></p>
<p id="FK3Dss">“No, I was complimenting the players, I wanted them to know what a big win it was. Oftentimes, (Cardinals Head) Coach (Bruce) Arians is complimenting his players from the same perspective. I just wanted to let them know that this was a big one for us and we’ll see them after Christmas, so Merry Christmas.”</p>
<p id="Bv7OMZ"></p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/3/13157710/transcript-rams-head-coach-jeff-fisher-merry-christmas-kiss-my-ass3k2016-10-03T15:00:02-05:002016-10-03T15:00:02-05:00Rams-Cardinals: Week 4 Notes and Recap
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uJLtqaSBIGcdmthiKDHBfZc2zMQ=/0x0:1894x1263/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51168189/usa-today-9587303.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In week four we saw more of the same from Todd Gurley as he continues to struggle to hit the right hole, but also saw the Rams pass game is better than many if not all thought...</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Rams</a> are now 3-1 with the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> and <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> both 1-3. The world has now seen seven rookies and/or first-time starters play for five teams -- the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a>, <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a>, <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a>, <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a>, and <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> -- and have all won. Meanwhile, the Rams continue to sit the number one overall pick, QB Jared Goff.</p>
<p>It's official, nothing in the world makes sense anymore...</p>
<p>Yet here we are, speaking of the Rams after four weeks as one of the winning-est teams in the NFL this season. It hasn't been pretty but it has worked thus far. The Rams are 3-1 for the first time in ten years. And here's how they did it:</p>
<ul>
<li>Rams QB Case Keenum is setting himself up for a helluva pay day this offseason. No, he won't break the bank as one of the highest paid QB's in the NFL as a franchise signal caller, but he is proving to be one of the better stopgap QB's in the NFL. If he continues to play like he has, and show the undeniable leadership he has shown, that will be enough to get him top back-up money. He could cash in on a Eagles QB Chase Daniel-caliber deal. The errant throws are there, but not often enough to burn the house down. He doesn't have the arm to be a long term answer, however, he plays smart, tough, good enough football. He has the mental make up you want your QB to have and it's evident through all four of his starts this season. His confidence is riding high. He made two plays that will standout to most watching. Those two plays are his 32-yard run, and the Houdini act he pulled out of the Cardinals' ass to complete a 24-yard completion to TE Lance Kendricks. Sadly, both were wiped out by stupid penalties committed by OT Greg Robinson. However, the <i>THREE</i> plays that stand out to me are the missed throws, two of which would have gone to WR Tavon Austin, and one to WR Brian Quick. The two to Austin both would have gone for big gains of at least 20 yards if not more considering he was in a lot of open space. The other throw to Quick was an underthrow, which allowed the corner to break up the pass, on fourth and five. The most interesting part of these plays is all three are plays in which Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson was beat by the receiver. You don't beat that guy that much often, so when you do, you have to make it count.</li>
<li>The offensive line has done a really nice job with pass protection through the first four weeks. The Cardinals have a really nice pass rush working in their favor, and for most of the afternoon the Rams held them in check. Aside from two sacks from edge rushers <span>Chandler Jones</span> and <span>Markus Golden</span>, Keenum was only touched three times on 34 drop backs. Robinson might have played his worst game of the season for the Rams, but oddly enough, outside of the two penalties, and the sack allowed to <span>Jones</span>, he was very good on about 47 of the other 52 snaps he played. However, his mistakes were costly enough that they killed 56 yards between two plays -- deep in the opponents territory -- and led to a fumble and turnover. <br> </li>
<li>Rams RB <span>Todd Gurley</span> is becoming his own worst enemy. You can see him in every post-game interview pouting and looking all sad -- whether the team wins or loses -- because he is not getting the big time gains he wants. However, I mentioned in last weeks recap he was not seeing the holes, and he is running without patience to set up the blocks. This was the case again against the Cardinals. By my count he missed four gaping holes that had he seen and hit surely at the very least all would have gotten him 10-20 yard gains. There is one play that stood out more then the others to me. It's because the Cardinals ran the exact same play, to the exact same side, with the exact same looks, and had different results.</li>
</ul>
<p>I received a message from one TST reader that asked me to show what I meant about his lack of vision and patience, so here you go...</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/62edR2-9hdDRET2J7V9n2NZZvTU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7209631/Gurley1.0.gif">
<cite>Derrik Klassen</cite>
</figure>
</p>
<p>As you can see in the footage above, the Rams run a stretch to the right of the formation against another stacked box with eight defenders. The play is blocked unbelievably well. The offensive line moves the entire front side of the defensive line 3-4 yards off the ball. On the backside, C Tim Barnes and LG Rodger Saffold chop down the defenders. As you can see it creates a hole that is about five yards wide. If Gurley slows down (patience) and looks about a yard to his left (vision), there is a good chance he's still running today. Instead he just barrels into the back of his linemen for no reason whatsoever.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7209735/Johnson1.0.gif"></p>
<p>Here we see the Cardinals run the exact same play and get the exact same hole, but the result is much different. RB Chris Johnson slows down as he presses the hole, looks to his left about a yard, sees the opening hits it and falls into the end zone. It is literally the exact same. And the Cardinals ran it again two drives later with <span>David Johnson</span>. The result was a 31-yard gain, his longest of the day.</p>
<p>I get it. Gurley is a helluva talent and a damn good back, but without patience and vision you're only average at best. Add a stacked box, and you're mediocre. Rams fans, try not to forget that for nine seasons straight, no running back in the NFL saw more stacked boxes than RB Steven Jackson. But due to his vision and patience -- coupled with his superstar talents -- he ran for over 1,000 yards in each of those seasons regardless.</p>
<ul>
<li>The Rams receivers looked the best they have looked in years. They took advantage of the stacked boxes by catching the ball and picking up huge gains. Because everyone is so heavily stacked within five yards of the line of scrimmage. If the receivers catch the ball they have a ton of running room. But the issue has been catching the ball. Well yesterday they did just that, and it resulted in a nine yard per attempt average for Keenum. Austin was about a quarter of an inch from beating Peterson for about 45 yards, they call it a game of inches for a reason. Quick, made the two biggest plays of the game on the other hand. He only had two receptions, but they were the difference in the game. Then there's WR Kenny Britt. He had -- yet again -- another solid outing. Britt hauled in four receptions for 82 yards. He was only thrown to four times, making him perfect on the day. After four weeks, Britt is on pace for 72 rec and 1124 yards. If you recall from HBO Hard Knocks, at one point in the stands, Keenum's wife is speaking with her friend and she mentions Keenum worked out a lot in the off season with Britt. It looks like they've formed a chemistry, and its paying off. <br> </li>
<li>The defensive line was able to do what they have always done -- in recent years -- against the Cardinals and that's make life hell for the QB. It's actually becoming a bit unsafe for Cardinal QB's to play the Rams, as each of the last three seasons, the Rams have knocked the starter out of the game. DL Aaron Donald finally got his sack. In fact he got one and a half, as he and DE Eugene Sims split one. Now if you notice, I labeled Donald as a DL as opposed to DT. That is because the man is proving the can play anywhere. Due to the ankle injury which held DE William Hayes out, Donald played a lot of DE. He excelled here as well, and it is actually where he got both of his sacks. DE Robert Quinn was inches away from a four sack game. The refs missed blatant holding by the tackle in all four instances, as he did whatever he could to keep Quinn from making the play. The Rams depth on the line is often talked about but even so, I don't believe people truly understand how deep they are. Reserve DT Dominique Easley and DEs Ethan Westbrooks and <span>Matt Longacre</span> were exceptional. They applied pressure regularly and all played the run at or near All-Pro levels.<br> </li>
<li>This in my opinion was LB Alec Ogletree's best game. I called him out for being undisciplined last week. Well this week it was the exact opposite. He was exceptional and constantly in the right place at the right time. However, it was LB/S <span>Mark Barron</span> that was the guy that was handling business all over the field. His interception with just under two min left should have sealed the deal, but poor play calling on the offensive side gave the ball back to the Cardinals for another opportunity. He won't get credit for it, but he was the cause of two tackles for loss, just by forcing the ball carrier into the pile. Barron played a near flawless game, and he deserves to be recognized for it. <br> </li>
<li>The secondary had their best game of the season. Oddly enough, that didn't happen until the second half when CB <span>E.J. Gaines</span> no longer left the field. Why he did not start and why he only play a few snaps is beyond me. CBs Troy Hill and <span>Coty Sensabaugh</span> should never see the field again -- outside of special teams -- even if there is an injury. It took Hill getting toasted three times on one drive, which ended with Hill giving up a touchdown to WR Michael Floyd to remove him from the lineup. I can't help but wonder if they even score if Gaines is on the field the entire time. But aside from good coverage, the best part of Gaines' return is his tackling. He made the plays that Sensabaugh and Hill have only dreamed of. Filling and sealing the edge on runs correctly, and making timely hits in the pass game. Welcome back E.J. CB Trumaine Johnson easily played his best game of the year. He had six pass deflections and an interception. However, the second interception which was reversed should have stood. He got one foot down, and toe tapped with the other before the foot went out of bounds. Last I checked, the toe tap still counted as in bounds. The hit of the day went to SS <span>T.J. McDonald</span>. He blew up Floyd forcing an important in-completion and making Flyod hit the ground so hard that he did a front flip after impact. I have never seen that happen after hitting the ground.</li>
<li>Coaching was good in this game. For the second week in a row, OC Rob Boras called a really good game. He realizes teams aren't going to stop stacking the box until the Rams prove their pass game is dangerous. Well they did just that against Arizona. The box will likely still be stacked next week, but if they can have success passing for another game or two, things will surely loosen up. His best coaching decision was throwing the ball to Gurley. While Gurley is without question having issues running the ball on his own, he's still a dynamite talent, and getting him in the open field has to always be apart of the game plan. Boras did however, call three straight boneheaded plays with less than two min left. You know they are selling out against the run. You only need one first down and the game is over, why not just call a simple play-action boot, get Keenum on the edge and hit a receiver in the flat or ten yard out. It worked for you on three other occasions in the same game. <br> </li>
</ul>
<p>HC Jeff Fisher needs to be fired for those horrible challenges. He wasted two timeouts in a tight game, where if not for the interceptions late, the Rams could have very well needed them. However, he won't be fired. And do you want to know why? Because the Los Angeles Rams are 3-1 for the first time in 10 years with a backup QB on his watch.</p>
<p>Fisherball is here to stay...</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/3/13148858/la-rams-arizona-cardinals-recapmisone