Turf Show Times - 2016 Week 5: LA Rams Vs. Buffalo Billshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2016-10-12T15:48:49-05:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/129466092016-10-12T15:48:49-05:002016-10-12T15:48:49-05:00Turf Show Radio: Week 5 Review Episode
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<figcaption>Lucio Ourique</figcaption>
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<p>Turf Show Radio returns with an all-new episode reviewing last Sunday's loss to the Bills.</p> <p id="BV34vs">Turf Show Radio returns with an all-new episode reviewing the last Sunday's 19-30 for the Los Angeles Rams at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.</p>
<p id="aMIawz">On this week's show, Joe McAtee (<a href="https://twitter.com/3k_">@3k_</a>) and Josh Webb (<a href="https://twitter.com/fightontwist">@FightOnTwist</a>) explore how the Los Angeles Rams were beaten by their own gameplan and recap the Rams' unfortunate loss against Buffalo. Things had been going well, but then the Rams were out Fisherballed by Rex Ryan and his love of all things feet, including Johnny Hekker punting the ball away a lot. </p>
<p id="q0d8NH">Also on this week's show: The guys talk about Gurley's continued struggles, why the Rams can't seem to beat the teams they should, but whoop up on the teams they shouldn't, and look ahead to the Detroit Lions. Most importantly, the guys answer nearly 15 listener questions in attempt to bring home the podcast on a community note.</p>
<p id="mJNDDt">Check out previous episodes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/turf-show-times/id687044403">on iTunes</a> and <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/turf-show-times">on BlogTalkRadio</a>.</p>
<div id="XPL9GR"><iframe width="100%" height="180px" src="//percolate.blogtalkradio.com/offsiteplayer?hostId=145236&episodeId=9536691" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/12/13261606/la-rams-podcast-buffalo-bills-week-5-recap-turf-show-radioJosh Webb2016-10-12T12:14:08-05:002016-10-12T12:14:08-05:00Rams Film Room Review: Week 5
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Los Angeles Rams" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qeoP9gP5VPU9lgUoA9RzHdoGcwM=/0x31:3274x2214/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51320911/613642546.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The universe is beginning to correct itself. </p> <p id="cL0lrA">The only thing more bitter than dropping what could have been a fourth win in a row is the fashion in which it happened. For three and a half quarters, the game appeared as if it could have gone either way. Then Jeff Fisher smote the city of Los Angeles with his inept coaching decisions. </p>
<p id="9oOqMw">First, Fisher called for a field goal while inside the ten yard line down 23-16 with six minutes left in the game. Greg Zuerlin nailed the kick, but the Rams still needed to score a touchdown to get themselves a lead. Fisher opted for the conservative play call and it came back to haunt him when his offense desperately needed to stay on the field later in the game. </p>
<p id="rUf6nt">The Rams faked a punt on their next possession from their own 23 yard line with three and a half minutes left to go in the game. Due in part to the play’s transparency, ball carrier Bradley Marquez was not able to convert the first down, granting the Bills the ball on the Rams 25 yard line. Buffalo quickly scored a touchdown, then intercepted Case Keenum for a second time on the ensuing drive. Despite 50 or so minutes of competitive football, Fisher swindled himself out of the opportunity for a win. </p>
<h1 id="6Xvr16">Rams Offense vs Bills Defense</h1>
<p id="6hDekP">If this game confirmed anything about the Rams offense, it is that Case Keenum’s explosive play potential is nonexistent. His inability to throw accurate passes down the field and extend plays in the pocket was as evident as ever on Sunday. The Rams offense is severely capped with Keenum at the helm. </p>
<p id="AeWrb7">The structure of the offense is quietly expanding, though. There have been more plays that look like one another to the defense until it is too late for the defense to realize it is, in fact, not the play they thought it was. Those minor additions have mostly been on play action plays and run-pass options.</p>
<p id="HY8dl8"> In addition to minor wrinkles in the play action and run-pass option game, offensive coordinator Rob Boras made it a point to get Tavon Austin more involved this week. Austin’s seven receptions and three carries (ten total touches) were both season highs. He did not bust off any ridiculous plays, but he made the most of his rushing attempts and it was nice to see the staff do their part to get Austin the ball. </p>
<p id="hjgQ0o"><em>Games Notes:</em></p>
<ul id="vmEWiz">
<li><em>The OL had a few bright plays early on, but many of the Rams four-plus yard runs were a product of the Bills going to a true 3-4 “odd” front (both guards uncovered), leaving the gut of their defense a little exposed. The OL was still largely abysmal. </em></li>
<li id="oYcQKd">
<em>Case Keenum left </em><strong><em>so many</em></strong><em> yards on the field. Even on the deep shot to Tavon Austin on the sideline, Austin had a touchdown if Keenum threw the ball somewhat in stride... Keenum forced Austin to the boundary and he trailed out of bounds shortly after the catch. </em>
</li>
<li id="ykN9FQ"><em>Rodger Saffold loses to every defender that doesn’t play him straight up. Stunts, shaded players, players aligned in gaps, moving targets at the second level; Saffold can’t block any of them. He’s not who he once was. </em></li>
<li id="CWXOTY"><em>Todd Gurley’s peaks and valleys were magnified this week. He had some miserable moments in terms of vision and patience, while he shined in other instances with his raw power and burst. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="Q2H1kG">Spicing Up the Offense</h4>
<p id="Oll4GH">The offense has slowly been adding plays and wrinkles week by week, but this week’s offense was especially interesting. Not only was it the biggest jump the Rams have seen in terms of creativity, but it was probably the team’s best performance in terms of the skill players being put into (somewhat) optimal operating conditions and executing. Of course, the capitalization on those opportunities was stifled by Keenum, but the offense showed potential. </p>
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<p id="wyZWh3">This is a power run play tagged with a one-man pass option. Run-pass options are not foreign to the NFL, especially after coaches like Chip Kelly and Hue Jackson stepped into major roles, but the wrinkle of the pulling guard is interesting. The Atlanta Falcons are notorious for a one-man pass option like this, but I can not recall - and I certainly could be wrong - the Falcons pulling a guard on the run play tagged with their pass option. </p>
<p id="phSWFE">The Falcons tend to fake an outside zone play away from the pass option to grant space to the lone receiver. On this play, the Rams still pull the defense away from the receiver with the direction of the run concept, but the pulling guard is an interesting addition to this tight, under center run-pass option. Linebackers are often taught to key the guards, so adding a pulling guard to clear people away from the lone receiver is brilliant. It is little plays like this that give hope to the future of the Rams offense. </p>
<h4 id="JYPdJn">Todd Gurley’s Vision Problem Reared Its Ugly Head</h4>
<p id="PmutwW">I almost went with a segment on Keenum’s pocket ineptitude, but that is a tired endeavor. Instead, Gurley’s vision dilemma is the subject of this segment. It needs to be made clear on the front end that Gurley is not a bad player or a “bust” draft pick. That is not the case. Rather, the offensive line has taken a step back from an already porous state from last season. Gurley has become increasingly frustrated and his vision has suffered as a result of that frustration. </p>
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<p id="g6n3Sf">Gurley simply does not trust the system on this play. In fairness to him, the offensive line and rushing game plan has desperately failed him to this point. Gurley has to his this hole, though. It’s clear as day. </p>
<p id="chqDPM">This play more than likely would not have resulted in a 30 yard gain. Realistically, the linebacker gets a piece of Gurley if he goes left or forces Gurley to the right, allowing the safety time to help make a tackle regardless of Gurley’s direction. It was not setting up to be a special play, but there was an avenue for Gurley to pick up an easy 4, 5, 6 yards on this play. He failed to do so. </p>
<p id="9RWUYm">Instead of trusting what was in front of him, Gurley veered off wide to the left, running directly into trouble. Gurley got bailed out by a facemask call, but he made a mistake on this play. The most troubling aspect of this is not necessarily the egregious mistake, but the fact that Gurley has been much better than this in the past. </p>
<p id="ecumTy">The early stages of Gurley as a Ram were exciting. He powered through rushing lanes, ran forward without hesitation and asserted himself. He’s not doing much of that this year. A good chunk of the blame falls on the offensive line not giving him any reason to have faith in them, but it is still on Gurley to identify the rare cases where they do a good job and to take advantage of this situations. He is too often struggling to do that this season. </p>
<h1 id="M6QPHj">Rams Defense vs Bills Offense</h1>
<p id="iewiBb">As was expected, the Bills ran all over the Rams defense. The Rams cleaned up their act a bit in the second half, but Buffalo still toted the rock well. LeSean McCoy and friends ran for 193 yards on 27 attempts against the Rams defense, good for 7.1 yards per carry. Surprisingly, only one of Buffalo’s three offensive touchdowns were scored on the ground, but it was their rushing attack that put them in position to score. </p>
<p id="RJlvAR">The Rams defense was bailed out some by a poor Tyrod Taylor performance. Taylor averaged 5.4 yards per pass on 23 attempts, plus he was sacked twice. Taylor did protect the ball well, but he missed plenty of open reads and deep shots down the field. In more ways than one, Taylor looked like if Case Keenum had Russell Wilson’s legs attached to his body. </p>
<p id="UKqp4y">Ultimately, the Bills offense was playing Fisherball. They ran the ball aggressively, limited turnovers and played great defense to help keep the offense comfortable. That is what Fisherball is supposed to be and Rex Ryan did it better than Jeff Fisher did. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Credit Rex Ryan for out-Fisherballing Fisher.</p>— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/TurfShowTimes/status/785273300997984256">October 10, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="FutBVG"><em>Games Notes:</em></p>
<ul id="ZWL89B">
<li><em>Alec Ogletree was the worst player on the field in the first half. Missed multiple tackles on the first drive and nearly gave up a touchdown pass in the red zone (of course, Taylor eventually scored anyway). Ogletree sorted himself out a bit in the second half, but he had another rough outing. </em></li>
<li id="r8BVPY"><em>The Bills botched a snap to put themselves at 2nd-and-28... and still picked up a first down two plays later. Do with that what you will. </em></li>
<li id="MSsUPV"><em>Buffalo’s WRs got great separation down the field a number of times and Taylor missed them, which is odd considering how good of a deep passer Taylor was a year ago. Game could have been out of hand. </em></li>
<li id="mrVfWB"><em>LeSean McCoy was better than everyone else on the football field. He was impossible to tackle and his stop/start ability was surreal. Shady’s back. </em></li>
<li id="kDDhDc"><em>It goes without saying, but losing Trumaine Johnson for any stretch of time is detrimental. EJ Gaines looks okay this year, but only in shallow zones. Troy Hill is not good in coverage. Problems are on the horizon. </em></li>
</ul>
<h4 id="rGv5up">Getting Punched in the Mouth to Open the Game</h4>
<p id="E326gF">Defending Buffalo’s rushing attack is like getting punched in the mouth and then gutted by a butterfly knife. The Bills offensive linemen, primarily their guards, are a bunch of street fighters. They’ll punch you repeatedly, put you on the ground, then pick you up just to pummel you again. Their offensive line - and even their fullback - is a force to be reckoned with.</p>
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<p id="581PlR">This was the first play of the game. From the looks of it, it is an “iso” type of play with the fullback leading the way through the weak side cut back lane, if necessary (and it was here). Right off the snap, linebacker Alec Ogletree gets sucked into the strong side of the play and Buffalo’s left tackle Cordy Glenn keeps defensive end Eugene Sims outside. Linebacker/safety Mark Barron is then left 1-on-1 in the alley with Buffalo’s fullback. Without much trouble, Buffalo’s fullback Jerome Felton blows Barron completely out of the play, granting McCoy plenty of room to run. </p>
<p id="KwiptT">Plays like the one above were common all throughout the game. Buffalo ran right at the Rams and had a lot of success in doing so. Their offensive line and man power was overwhelming for the Rams depleted defensive line and weak linebacking corps. Los Angeles struggled to pin down the perimeter, too, though. </p>
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<p id="qGOZ0F">The Rams lost this play by alignment. There is no reason for the single-high safety <em>and</em> the strong side linebacker to be on the weak side of the formation by the time the ball is snapped. It’s tough to know for certain what the adjustment should have been because I do not know the call, but it’s more than likely that the safety should have rotated to the other side of the formation to become an alley player or the linebackers should have shifted over. Regardless, the Rams looked unprepared to handle a simple motion adjustment on this play, allowing Mike Gillislee to waltz into the end zone after a pitch from Taylor. </p>
<h4 id="54oymp">Dominique Easley Stepped Up When Called Upon</h4>
<p id="5lwSPv">Los Angeles was missing a number of defensive linemen on Sunday, most notably Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn. In the absence of Brockers, Dominique Easley had to step up. Cam Thomas took a good deal of Brockers’s snaps at 1-tech (between guard and center), but Easley played some snaps there, too, in addition to his normal 3-tech alignment (between guard and tackle). Easley played everywhere and played well. </p>
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<p id="gVhj4H"><em>(Buffalo went with an unbalanced look to the left on this play, so for the sake of simplicity, each OL will be referred to as their number instead of position)</em></p>
<p id="AJ60ZP">Easley did the most to keep this play to a minimum gain. Lined up at 3-tech, Easley fires off into the #79 and #64 combo block. Granted, #64 did not do much to combat Easley, but that is due in part to how quickly Easley was in #79’s face and forcing him backwards. </p>
<p id="kRuMDX">With #79 in “retreat and recover” mode, #76, the pulling player, had his path disrupted. #76 had to step wide of #79, making #76 late to his spot. With the timing of the play disrupted by Easley’s immediate destruction, the Bills blocking scheme was too slow to develop and could not create the space that McCoy needed to pick up a decent gain. </p>
<h1 id="vRUT0R">Conclusions</h1>
<p id="hhhjAF">Regression caught up to the Rams this week. After a number of close victories, the Rams squandered their chance at victory over the Buffalo Bills in the last six minutes of the game. The Rams had been outplayed, at least to some degree, throughout the course of the game, but they still had a chance to win in the final minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the situation called for Jeff Fisher to step up as a calculated decision maker and he failed miserably to handle that task. </p>
<p id="fpFoxl">Close games are going to be a problem for the Rams. If they find themselves in manageable deficit situations in the future this season, it’s tough to imagine the Rams winning those games considering the lack of explosiveness from a Case Keenum lead offense and the stubbornness of Jeff Fisher’s coaching decisions. </p>
<p id="1MJhUz">Of course, a number of injuries on defense helped put the Rams in the close game situation that they were in this weekend, but good teams overcome injury. With the loss of Trumaine Johnson for at least a couple of weeks, the Rams defensive front will be pressed to be special and ease the pain of an inept secondary. How well the defensive front can recover and perform will be make or break for the Rams over the course of the next few weeks. </p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/12/13253834/rams-film-room-review-week-5-buffalo-billsQBKlass2016-10-11T12:27:38-05:002016-10-11T12:27:38-05:00Rams-Bills Playing Time Breakdown
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0vERhP0gFpr8C0-KAdPoMEx1d98=/0x108:3420x2388/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51308385/613642222.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills | Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Here’s how the Rams adjusted the playing time dealing with injuries going into Week 5 and throughout the game.</p> <p id="Bh4vbX"><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="XaWogn">Offense</h3>
<div id="amelNt">
<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>67</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Robinson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Havenstein</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Case Keenum</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Barnes</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jamon Brown</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>61</td>
<td>91.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lance Kendricks</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>88.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Todd Gurley</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>82.09%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenny Britt</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>79.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>68.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Quick</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>65.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tyler Higbee</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>49.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>20.90%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>11.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>11.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pharoh Cooper</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>10.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8.96%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Wichmann</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>8.96%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Donnal</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2.99%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="7fcHrR">If injuries are the dominant theme this week though more focused on the defensive side, G Jamon Brown stepping up for G Cody Wichmann was a direct sub, though an interesting one considering Wichmann beat out Brown for the starting gig sometime between Week 1 of this season and <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/11/15/9740070/st-louis-rams-jamon-brown-injury">Week 9 of 2015 when Brown was injured</a>.</p>
<p id="Q9Z2h7">While I’m holding off on the Just Todd Gurley Worry Update thread (for now), his usage topped 80% for the third consecutive game, though not having backup RB Benny Cunningham made that a less surprising output than in previous weeks.</p>
<p id="bAuKVU">WR Brian Quick hit a season-high for playing time despite the NFL debut of rookie WR Pharoh Cooper. With WR Nelson Spruce supposedly close as well, is Quick’s ascendance a blip or a developing trend?</p>
<p id="PeOTKY">Random fact: This was the first game in which the Rams’ offense took more snaps than the defense in 2016. It happened just four times last season. In those four games, the Rams went 1-3. They’re obviously 0-1 in such games this year. No clue what that means...but maybe it’s <em>a thing</em>.</p>
<h3 id="3mRhee">Defense</h3>
<div id="gMtAYg">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Def</th>
<th>Def%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alec Ogletree</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>100.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>98.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>98.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>E.J. Gaines</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>98.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trumaine Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>85.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>83.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethan Westbrooks</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>78.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>72.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamarcus Joyner</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>54.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Thomas</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>50.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>50.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Longacre</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>47.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>43.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Morgan Fox</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>21.82%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marqui Christian</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>5.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryce Hager</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.82%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Littleton</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.82%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="T5OmM0">Unlike the Wichmann injury which occurred early in the game, CB Trumaine Johnson went down late. We don’t know quite how the rotation’s going to work in his absence, but we didn’t get a great sense of it on Sunday nonetheless.</p>
<p id="kywjAB">The defensive line was a show with DE Robert Quinn, DT Michael Brockers and DE William Hayes all out. DE Eugene Sims, DT Cam Thomas and DT Dominique Easley all hit season highs on playing time while DE Morgan Fox made his season debut picking up a dozen snaps. We’ll have to monitor the injury report this week on those three starters, but we got our answer on the personnel rotation with all three out. The question is if Bills RB LeSean McCoy’s performance shifts the coaching staff’s initial approach if all three are out again in Week 6.</p>
<p id="dbGiFd">And with S Cody Davis out, rookie LB Josh Forrest hit a season high with nearly half the defensive plays. Could this be the kind of opportunity where an injury changes the <em>modus operandi</em> where Forrest takes over for Davis for the rest of the season even when Davis heals up?</p>
<p id="hh9na7">The bigger surprise for the back-of-the-depth chart work here was that S Marqui Christian who <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/28/13100828/los-angeles-rams-sign-s-marqui-christian-waive-isaiah-johnson">signed to the roster fringe in late September</a> got three defensive snaps. If Davis misses more time, I wonder if Christian could see his defensive assignments grow.</p>
<h3 id="3q4K3Q">Special Teams</h3>
<div id="SifL65">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>POS</th>
<th>ST</th>
<th>ST%</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryce Hager</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>83.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chase Reynolds</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>83.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>67.74%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>64.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>64.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Littleton</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>64.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marqui Christian</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>54.84%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Temarrick Hemingway</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>45.16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eugene Sims</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>41.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>38.71%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T.J. McDonald</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>38.71%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Zuerlein</td>
<td>K</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>35.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>32.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Demetrius Rhaney</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>32.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Malcolm Brown</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>29.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trumaine Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>29.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Longacre</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>25.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnny Hekker</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>25.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake McQuaide</td>
<td>LS</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>25.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tavon Austin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>22.58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethan Westbrooks</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>22.58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Barron</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>19.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Thomas</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>19.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rodger Saffold</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Robinson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rob Havenstein</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jamon Brown</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Donnal</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maurice Alexander</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>16.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Donald</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>12.90%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>E.J. Gaines</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>9.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pharoh Cooper</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominique Easley</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6.45%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="dROetK">Here’s your top 10 special teams participants for the season:</p>
<div id="jILejR">
<table>
<tbody><tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>ST%</th>
</tr></tbody>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Chase Reynolds</td>
<td>88.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryce Hager</td>
<td>76.47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Littleton</td>
<td>72.06%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Marquez</td>
<td>71.32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cody Davis</td>
<td>69.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Forrest</td>
<td>69.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cory Harkey</td>
<td>55.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Troy Hill</td>
<td>49.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benny Cunningham</td>
<td>36.76%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Thomas</td>
<td>34.56%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="IEsgP9">The next two names on that list are P Johnny Hekker and LS Jake McQuaide, so that top 10 is your special teams core for the season, though TE Temarrick Hemingway and Christian would be in the mix based on recent weeks.</p>
<p id="V7VnNs">So projecting into 2017...what changes could take place? Remember, LB Daren Bates was part of the core before <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/3/14/11223120/2016-nfl-free-agency-daren-bates-los-angeles-rams-st-louis-oakland-raiders">joining the Raiders in free agency this offseason</a>. Is Chase Reynolds’ work rate enough to suggest he’s irreplaceable? Cody Davis’ numbers took a dip because of the injury this week, but between his ST work and his depth at safety, is he a lock moving forward? And how much of the youth in the top 10 sticks past 2016?</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="HJWZlH">
<p id="rYTV2n">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/2016/10/11/13244374/la-rams-buffalo-bills-recap-playing-time-breakdown3k2016-10-11T10:00:02-05:002016-10-11T10:00:02-05:00Week 6 Jeff Fisher Approval Poll
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jtg2PB5ZM5z42K_Gf_4IeA2nbcE=/0x0:5010x3340/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51282847/usa-today-9598309.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>I thought about posting this on Monday, but figured fans could use a day to cool off a bit after the loss to the Buffalo Bills. Here's where we left off following the Rams victory in Arizona in Week 4.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="JFAP Week 5 Results" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N8f7-oKiEXvkLvSl6gYGmUquJYA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7249411/JFAP_Week_5_Results.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Jeff Fisher had a couple of absolutely horrible challenges, but winning solves many problems and it certainly had him gaining favor with Rams fans after the big W. Week 5 marked the first time that the number of voters calling for an extension outweighed those wanting Fisher fired.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="JFAP Trends" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GtK_QfBeQoA2Eg5r2FrofA170HA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7249415/JFAP_Week_5_Trends.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Fast forward a week and there are two more highly questionable calls from Fisher - sans the ever important W to use as a band-aid. In the fourth quarter - down 7 - he elected to kick a 22 yard field goal instead of try for a TD. That served no purpose. The Rams would still need a TD to win after the FG, but they never got the chance.</p>
<p>The fake punt was cute the first few years under Fisher, but it's just too damn predictable anymore. I'm perplexed as to why Fisher thinks going for a TD is more risky than a fake punt from your own 23 yard line.</p>
<p>Are these new supporters fair weather or will they stick through the ugliness that is Fisherball?</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/11/13139182/los-angeles-rams-jeff-fisher-approval-poll-week-5-that-was-some-7-and-9-bullshitSean Wilkinson2016-10-10T20:13:52-05:002016-10-10T20:13:52-05:00Rams HC Jeff Fisher Excuses Rams’ Week 5 Loss
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qd_S8oyHmFLhM2uZi9xcx-5IjfA=/0x0:4176x2784/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51297749/usa-today-9598713.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher | Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jeff Fisher’s Monday press conference was spent explaining the loss on anyone but Jeff Fisher.</p> <h3 id="XL9z8G">Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher</h3>
<p id="3ixEOp"><strong>(Opening Remarks)</strong></p>
<p id="aoiihw">“You look at the stats from this game, the important stats – we had over 100 yards rushing, 270 passing, 370 plus or something in total offense and held the ball for 35:34. We had 23 first downs to their 15. You know, we had 29 rushing attempts. That’s a formula for success, that’s a formula for winning, and one would expect to do so. As I mentioned yesterday, the difference in this ball game, was the fact that they created turnovers – made big plays in two situations and we didn’t get any turnovers defensively. We gave up too many rushing yards in the game. I’m disappointed in it, but we presented it to the players in that fashion – we’ve won three in a row, dropped this one, we had a chance to win it, didn’t work out, now you move on. The fact that we didn’t have three quarters of our defensive line is not an excuse – young guys have to step up. They got some playing opportunities, in case we need to draw upon them in the future. I know you guys are curious about the punt. I’d do it all over again if I had the opportunity. They made the play, we didn’t. But that’s the way we are wired, that’s our fabric and that’s taken us a long way. I’ll have some more injury information for you as far as (CB) Trumaine’s (Johnson) concerned. We’re still doing tests. We got good news on (G) Cody (Wichmann), from the standpoint it’s not a high ankle. He’s probably questionable going into this ball game – keep you up to date.”</p>
<p id="aPtUgQ"><strong>(On if there was anything he saw in the red zone opportunities that limited the team to three field goals and one touchdown)</strong></p>
<p id="qwgdzM">“That’s a good defense. We ended up in third-and-long for most of them, and that’s hard to convert, and then we had the couple penalties. But one thing that is true, is that (K) Greg (Zuerlein) is kicking really well right now. I’d like for Greg to kickoff and kick extra points. He’s hitting his field goals. Our touchdown-to-field goal ratio is not where it should be, and we talked about that. We need touchdowns. We credit their defense, and the third-and-longs, and the red zones, from that standpoint.”</p>
<p id="TGZrtv"><strong>(On what it means to K Greg Zuerlein to start the season nine-for-nine on field goals)</strong></p>
<p id="YHg53R">“He had some misses last year that were long, they were long attempts. But, he’s had a great offseason, and he’s just hitting the ball well. It’s hard; you got the wind condition yesterday, which was swirling a little bit. He drove those kicks. He’s off to a great start. If we need him at the end, we have confidence in him to make that kick. Again, I’d much rather see him kick extra points.”</p>
<p id="piVXIt"><strong>(On if being ranked last in the league in yards per game is deceiving to him)</strong></p>
<p id="PHFf4P">“I’m not pleased with where the offense is at. I’m not pleased where the football team is at – offense, defense, or special teams. The total rankings are based on the last five games, and we had some difficulty the first two, three, or four, with respect to total yards. So, we’re going to have to have a 500, 600 yard game to jump in to the middle of the pack. It’s going to take some time. To me, the wins are going to offset that. That’s the way it goes. We’re getting better on third down, we’ve made some plays on third down. We had nine explosive plays in the game this weekend against a really good defense, and like I said, 23 first downs. You can take the 32nd in the league and write all you want about it, but this offense is improving.”</p>
<p id="W6H417"><strong>(On how the team starts preparing for their extended road trip to Detroit and London coming up)</strong></p>
<p id="3ng0HA">“We’re prepared – the operations side and everybody is prepared. We didn’t address anything today with the players, today was addressing yesterday. We’ll start in to some of the administrative meetings with themtomorrow, as far as bags and travel and itineraries and things like that. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re set up, we’re ready to go, everything is in place. It’s just back-to-back road trips, that’s all it is.”</p>
<p id="yglOcK"><strong>(On if the travel plan was similar the last time he played in London)</strong></p>
<p id="9fLX21">“No, we actually played at home and then traveled, I believe we traveled on Monday.”</p>
<p id="EKOgzL"><strong>(On how the extra travel fits into the logistics of their week)</strong></p>
<p id="QrP8QL">“If you think about it, you play the game, you come home, you do those things that you ordinarily would do on Monday – the treatments and all those kinds of things – then you dress casually, you address sleep and you address the time changes and you travel. That’s not going to be the case here, we’re departing from Detroit, so we have a quick turnaround – the game’s over, we’ll have to assess the team, the treatment needs, the medical needs of the players and, we’ll go upstairs and have a big meal, then we’ll screen and clear customs and take off. That, in itself, is unique, I don’t know that anybody has done that before. By the time we get there, the players will be prepared for it.”</p>
<p id="8FNkhM"><strong>(On how he feels QB Jared Goff is doing approximately one month into the season)</strong></p>
<p id="zmiRRt">“He’s getting his offensive reps in every period with the exception – on Friday it’s kind of hard, but on Wednesday, Thursday, he’s getting his reps. And then he’s running the scout team, the scout team is completely different than our offensive reps. But he’s doing fine, he has a good feel for what we’re doing, I think he’s improving, he’s learned a lot and, with each passing week, he’s getting better.”</p>
<p id="xqiy3Y"><strong>(On if he would put Goff in the game for a series or two to get experience if the game was a blowout)</strong></p>
<p id="cJSVfj">“I did that last year with (QB) Sean (Mannion) at Cincinnati. So, yeah, that’s a possibility.”</p>
<p id="g6VMUZ"><strong>(On how much WR Pharoh Cooper was at fault on the interception returned for a touchdown yesterday and if he expects Cooper to get more offensive snaps moving forward)</strong></p>
<p id="XTt1NU">“We’re expecting ‘Coop’ to play more. He got his hands on a return and I think he played nine plays, so we’re expecting him to play more. The interception is one of those things that happened, it’s a three-part answer – it’s a combination of the receiver, the quarterback and the defensive player making a great play.”</p>
<p id="Eh7jl4"><strong>(On how hopeful he is that DT Michael Brockers and DEs Robert Quinn and William Hayes will be able to practice this week)</strong></p>
<p id="76uy5b">“They’ll be day-to-day.”</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/10/13238114/la-rams-buffalo-bills-recap-jeff-fisher-press-conference-transcript3k2016-10-10T16:44:26-05:002016-10-10T16:44:26-05:00Rams-Bills: Perspective Recap
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bvmdHMkvXVe5Y2Jo5KTIgWSaUV0=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51295161/usa-today-9599127.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here’s how the outlook has changed after yesterday’s home loss.</p> <p id="1L0ymn">It was ugly, no doubt. Now after the LA Rams’ 19-30 loss to the Buffalo Bills, things look much, much different...inside and out.</p>
<h3 id="Rv0LtY">Injuries</h3>
<p id="1r5qbN">We’re approaching the first pass of an actual injury crisis.</p>
<p id="HQqE8H">DT Michael Brockers, RB Benny Cunningham, DE William Hayes and DE Robert Quinn were <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/9/13219404/la-rams-buffalo-bills-inactives-robert-quinn-michael-brockers-william-hayes">all held out of yesterday’s game</a> after coming out of <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/7/13208050/la-rams-buffalo-bills-final-preview-injury-report">the final injury report</a>. WR Kenny Britt and S Cody Davis, though listed on the report, were active for the game.</p>
<p id="rSBlRD">Making things worse, CB Trumaine Johnson looked to suffer a pretty serious ankle injury late while G Cody Wichmann was lost early on.</p>
<p id="2HsTLV">We were already pressed into a strange situation on the defensive line. Now we’ll have to see if we make any other roster moves following the release of CB Coty Sensabaugh late last week let alone the difficulty of shifting around the inactives.</p>
<p id="UOXPoI">And of course, this week’s injury report (including Thursday’s hypothetical) will be crucial.</p>
<h3 id="ZmDFcN">Performance Issues</h3>
<p id="h5Gk6B">Not sure how much to even try to unpack here.</p>
<p id="hDzAkV">The offense remains a mess (ranked 32nd in yards per game), though the Rams did put together some decent drives in terms of yardage gained. The bigger issues are (a) consistency, (b) Todd Gurley’s ineffectiveness, (c) turnovers and (d) finishing drives.</p>
<p id="ynnQ37">Maybe more worrisome was the defense. For a unit that needs to perform at a top-10 level to get the Rams a win, they weren’t very close yesterday. Bills RB LeSean McCoy tore them up while Tyrod Taylor finished two drives from close proximity through the air. Any time the Rams’ defense gives up three touchdowns, something is very, very wrong.</p>
<h3 id="dd0DBi">Standings</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="2016 NFC West Standings - Week 5" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pFboOI6IhOox_CzvKgB5xymxdtQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7254673/2016%20NFC%20West%20Standings%20-%20Week%205.JPG">
<figcaption>2016 NFC West Standings - Week 5</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="iPjGxO">Tough to get a sense of this division right now, partly because the Rams went 2-1 in their early run with the one loss being a blowout to the San Francisco 49ers.</p>
<p id="2lcOlm">Going to need another month to get anywhere close to knowing how things are going to shape up.</p>
<p id="dBR4ap">If you’re thinking that’s obvious, look at the AFC East or NFC South. Some divisions are shaping up very quickly between the haves and have nots.</p>
<p id="jMFWE2">Not so, the NFC West. October’s going to be wild...</p>
<h3 id="qVGc7c">Schedule</h3>
<p id="qy2lHL">The loss changes things big time.</p>
<p id="6OpSqv">The Rams have just two games in front of them before the bye week in Week 8. Those games carry newfound heft after the Week 5 loss.</p>
<p id="CiIruh">A road game in Detroit and a London-based battle against the Giants aren’t easily winnable games for the Rams considering their two losses this year. So finding a way to hold on to the winning record at a 4-3 minimum has to be the demand now. The Rams come out of the bye against a struggling yet talented Carolina Panthers team before playing three of their next four on the road, so things look very uninviting overall.</p>
<p id="pnTRzV">The bye’s the obvious marker. The Rams have to stay afloat until then.</p>
<p id="J3DUOZ">Otherwise...well, let’s not consider that today.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/10/13235306/la-rams-buffalo-bills-recap-perspective3k2016-10-10T12:35:58-05:002016-10-10T12:35:58-05:00Rams-Bills: Report Card
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ewl71nWpCKpZE2OED96IGd5iG2c=/0x5:2975x1988/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51289213/613641730.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Los Angeles Rams Vs. Buffalo Bills | Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After a disappointing loss, it’s time to grade the Rams’ Week 5 performance.</p> <h3 id="HBbEEN">QB</h3>
<div id="2sswcd"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328532/grade_d_minus.0.png" alt="D minus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="iEcOS0">The yards were A+ level for Fisherball. The two interceptions just aren’t acceptable, whether they get returned for touchdowns or not.</p>
<p id="0rJgD5">This offense can’t abide by turnovers that keep the Rams out of scoring opportunities, and yesterday showed why. The Rams managed a single touchdown. Six points in the second half.</p>
<p id="7VMChz">If Case Keenum is starting over Jared Goff for his game management skills, two interceptions suggests those game managements skills aren’t all that skillful.</p>
<p id="sSNVOy">Ultimately, a performance like this is only going to motivate more fans to begin calling for Goff. That might be more motivation for Fisher to have Keenum avoid a repeat performance of Week 5 than anything else.</p>
<h3 id="gV4q2W">RB</h3>
<div id="a660jp"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371456/D_.0.png" alt="D plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="bYHUk7">#itsnotToddGurleysfault</p>
<p id="8IYFut">#orisit</p>
<p id="6PzDWk"><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/9/22/13015380/la-rams-todd-gurley">We ready to talk yet</a>? Because we’re going to this week, so get ya mind right.</p>
<h3 id="7dYaAi">WR</h3>
<div id="7WG2VL"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328288/grade_b_plus.0.png" alt="B plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="uQrEMO">This wasn’t bad, right? Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick combined for 15 receptions and 185 yards. It’s not showstopping, but that’s a solid WR output for Fisherball.</p>
<p id="Dpz1WD">Put it another way - the WRs weren’t the reason the Rams lost yesterday.</p>
<h3 id="lKS8ja">TE</h3>
<div id="IYy0us"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371456/D_.0.png" alt="D plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="a5PImB">Anyone want to tell me what we’re doing at tight end in 2016?</p>
<h3 id="BRZZOW">O-line</h3>
<div id="lifwz7"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371394/D.0.png" alt="D grade" height="40"></div>
<p id="YEiaQF">Anyone want to tell me what we’re doing on the line in 2016?</p>
<h3 id="Mr2bpj">D-line</h3>
<div id="7DszHq"><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328540/grade_c_plus.0.png" alt="C plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="rFcGyz">You can’t necessarily blame the line for the injury issues, but it was clear they missed Michael Brockers yesterday. They got some good pressure on Tyrod often yesterday, but LeSean McCoy’s first half set them up for an easy second half.</p>
<h3 id="t4mQqG">LB</h3>
<div id="noJDOa"><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371454/C-.0.png" alt="C minus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="VAUcJ6">Did a fine job in pass defense, but the assignments and tackling in the run and on spying Taylor...</p>
<h3 id="Kr1uDq">DB</h3>
<div id="3RKxXg"><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2328540/grade_c_plus.0.png" alt="C plus grade" height="30"></div>
<p id="ADXqpt">Did a great job on keeping the WRs absolutely blacked out of the game yesterday...except in the red zone. The Rams are supposed to run #bendbutdontbreak. They broke yesterday and didn’t bend. Bills wideouts totaled just five catches for 43 yards...and two touchdowns.</p>
<p id="pV5wtm">That’s not right.</p>
<h3 id="jsCDcG">ST</h3>
<p id="01rz7Q">?</p>
<p id="mpKUgv">There’s an argument that Johnny Hekker and Greg Zuerlein are the two top candidates for 2016 LA Rams MVP.</p>
<p id="E6b6Kf">But the fake punt...is that something that factors into this grade? Should it?</p>
<h3 id="X8CyGv">Coaching</h3>
<div id="UFBowb"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2371394/D.0.png" alt="D grade" height="40"></div>
<p id="M7WynS">The offensive gameplan was fine. The defensive gameplan was fine.</p>
<p id="P1Tvrf">The offensive execution was not fine. The defensive execution was not fine.</p>
<p id="8FjdNr">The fourth quarter decision? Yall already know.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/10/13228346/la-rams-buffalo-bills-recap-report-card3k2016-10-10T12:00:03-05:002016-10-10T12:00:03-05:00Rams-Bills: Week 5 Notes and Recap
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YOQcU0oJDg4ApN_Jxw0QT5Mx0eQ=/221x243:2153x1531/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51287805/usa-today-9599134.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In week five we got a bit of everything. Problem is, “everything” with the Rams usually comes with a loss...</p> <p id="Ojq5cX">I'm going to dive right into this weeks notes, because there's a lot to discuss...</p>
<ul id="XQ0yPg">
<li>The offensive line got whipped all game. Specifically in the pass. There were points where players went completely unblocked. One thing you're taught early and often — and will hear your entire life when playing on the offensive line — is never let a player cross your face. Unfortunately this happened on numerous occasions. C Tim Barnes had arguably his worst game as a Ram, and LG Rodger Saffold wasn't too far behind. Both were repeatedly beaten like derby horses. It also might be time to strongly consider benching, trading, or changing positions of LT Greg Robinson. He's not improving enough in year three after being the second overall pick. There's really no justification to keep him out there. Not admitting to mistakes can be a coaches biggest mistake of them all. </li>
<li id="NwKwNF">The Ryan brothers did as I predicted, and mixed it up. They decided to play both run and pass evenly as opposed to stacking the box 85% of the time like other teams. This allowed RB Todd Gurley to find a little more running room. However, he failed to take advantage of that running room. By my count he had a season high nine creases open up, but only hit three of them. Those three runs resulted in 35 yards (49% of his total output). He still continued to unnecessarily run into the backs of his blockers. And the two fumbles weren't pretty. Gurley on paper had an "<em>okay</em>" day, however he could have had a lot more production and maybe even broke a very long one on a zone stretch to the left in the second quarter. He hit it too quick and the cut back opened like the red sea. There wasn't a soul in sight and might have been about 62 yard touchdown. Its one he'll watch film on and kick himslef. </li>
<li id="eeL1ut">QB Case Keenum went 21/31 with 271 yards. He entered the final drive with only eight incompletions. However he had two extrmely costly interceptions. The first went back for a touchdown, which was really the difference in the game. Upon further review, that int was a split blame ball. Keenum stared down the receiver and the corner read him the whole way. However, WR Pharoh Cooper ran a bad route, as he rounded it off and drifted backwards allowing the space and opportunity for the defender to undercut the route. Crisp and precise routes get the love they do for a reason. The second interception was pure ugliness. Keeenum made about as bad a decision as you can make with the ball. Considering he made great decisions so often in this game outside of the game changing pick six, it was especially disappointing that he happen to make his second bad decision at the point in the game that he did. Game on the line, fourth and very long, got to go deep. At least even if it fails, it would have made sense. </li>
<li id="FsrIni">WR Kenny Britt is well on his way to a career year. Currently on pace for over 70 receptions and over 1100 yards, it might be wise to start throwing his way more consistently. Britt has owned defenders on third down. He needs more looks. WR Tavon Austin gave his best return on targets of the season. He caught all but three targets, and none were his fault. The three misses were off throws. However, he's still only coverting a l little under 40% of his targets. Kenny Britt is coverting 50%. Throwing more to Britt may take some pressure off him, and result in more first downs. </li>
<li id="a4FSZV">The defensive line looked as you might have expected when you are missing three starters. Actually, they probably still looked a little better than expected as they were only slightly below average. However, there's just no replacing the names that were missing. DT Aaron Donald was actually triple teamed a lot. To send three blockers at on defensive lineman is a lot. But it worked. If ever there was a game to blitz a lot, this was it. However, due to the scrambling fear of QB Tyrod Taylor, DC Gregg Williams seemed to dial it back a bit. It was a tough day to be on the Rams defensive line. How often do you hear that senctence?</li>
<li id="AxGZ5H">This was hands down the worst game the linebackers have played this year. None of them disengaged their blocks. RB Lesean McCoy had two long runs in the first quarter and one was on the shoulders of LB/S Mark Barron and the other on MLB Alec Ogletree. On the first, Barron got taken on head up by the lead blocker and failed miserably to keep his outside should free. He was blown back about three yards and he's already playing five yards off the ball. They ran it at him on design and it worked beautifully. The second long run — and this was the big one of 53 yards — was also ran a the backer by design. This time their victim was Ogletree. Ogletree played downhill so he wasn't blown off the ball, however, he took himself out of the play. He ran downhill and threw his shoulder into the lineman and was ultimately stood up. Not only did he forget all technique, but he didn't play the run lanes correctly, and created a gaping hole. McCoy and his lead blocker ran where he was supposed to be and found nothing but green grass. </li>
<li id="1QhDde">The secondary played this game scared. Williams had them in zone a lot, and the result was stare down Taylor in case he runs. This allowed receivers to pop open frequently. This happened on two big plays. One was to TE Charles Clay as he picked up 29 yards and set up their first touchdown. He ran a simple in-route. SS T.J. McDonald was in coverage and literally never moved his feet as Clay ran right at him. He was staring down Taylor until the last min. At this point it was too late and Clay had already broke his route in creating about four yards of separation. The other play which cost the Rams was the touchdown a few moments later to WR Justin Hunter. It was thrid down, Taylor was close to being sacked, but CB E.J. Gaines and McDonald both broke out of coverage because they got caught looking in the backfield. This allowed Hunter to slip behind them and sit down his route. If they stay disciplined then they force fourth down and a field goal, as Taylor would have had to either throw it away or take the sack. Realistically, this fear was forced by Taylor, after earlier in the drive he scrambled for 22 yards on 3rd on 19. Considering all of this took place on the opening drive for the Bills, it virtually set the tone for the entire game. They were never confident the play would be made if he broke out, again. </li>
</ul>
<p id="3WVN0u">Coaching got a fat <em>D</em> grade from me in this game. I saw some really well drawn up plays called by OC Rob Boras, but most followed with a why the hell did you call that play. On defense, Williams failed to take advantage of an overly blocked Donald, and made few adjustments to slow down the run game early on. They did much better handling it in the fourth quater though. </p>
<p id="WUNm5W">As for Jeff Fisher, well even with all that went wrong in this game — as pointed out above — the Rams were still in it until the end. And then Fisher called an absolute bone head fake punt. Yeah, those plays are fun when they work, but in this case there was very little reason to call it. I've never had a problem with the fakes before, because the timing in which they were called always made sense, whether they were converted or not. That was not the case this time. </p>
<p id="07nNuF">The Rams were deep in their own territory, but that wasn't my big issue with this call. It was the fact that the defense slowed the Bills offense down. Take away the pick six, and they're not even ahead. With the two min warning still lurking, and timeouts available, and your defense finally finding traction, I thought it made the most sense to punt. Had the defense been getting gashed the previous three or four drives, I'd understand, but that wasn't the case. To make it worse, his comments post game were shameful. He blamed the players for the failed attempt saying "<em>they didn't execute</em>". Surely the players aren't going to be too thrilled about this...</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/10/10/13227174/la-rams-buffalo-bills-recap-week-5-notesmisone