Overall impression of Rams offense (1 Viewer)

[Junior McSpiffy]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a Rams fan, so I am putting this out there to help temper my fan-ish inclinations and keep them from intruding on my fantasy team. In my mocks, I've managed to keep from overpaying for Tavon Austin (oh, the hype and joy that comes with being the first skill player taken in the draft...), but around round 8 or 9, I find I am taking one guy after another from the Rams, and they feel like values. Cook, Stacy/Pead, Givens, Bradford, Rams D, Zeurlein, Quick... they all feel like good values for where they can be had, assuming the Rams offense is not as vastly inept as it has been in the past.

And that's the question. My biggest concern is OC Schottenheimer. He's not exactly the most creative of minds. So while we hear reports of how they are going to use Austin and Cook all over the field in all sorts of ways, it's hard visualizing it happening. But since they don't have Jackson, they seem lack the means to fall into Schotty's way of doing things. Is there anything that we can see from Schotty's past (particularly his time with Favre) that can give us some insights of what we can expect now that the Rams have NFL talent on their roster?

Basically, I don't want to pass on Flacco or someone similar as my QB2 and target Bradford 3 rounds later if Bradford doesn't have at least some play to produce like a low-end QB1.

 

[Biabreakable]

It is a good question as I have been hearing some folks think that the spread offense and added weapons for the passing game will lead to more pass attempts. But when that question was posed to Sam Bradford, he says no, not necessarily, He says it will be a spread offense and much the same system that was installed last season, but some new wrinkles because of additional personnel.

The main player that Bradford seems excited about is Cook. He emphatically tells the reporters that Cook is really, really good. He gives props to Kendrinks but then says that Cook is much faster than Kendricks and that he intends to attack the deep seams and will take Cook against any MLB in the league.

I think part of what is driving the talk about the Rams passing the ball so much more this season is in part because of Bradfords contract. The front office is likely asking if that salary is justified for what they want to do as a team and on offense. So I think the ultra conservative pairing of Fisher and BriScotty is being pushed to throw the ball more than may be their comfort zone.

Another thing driving this is BriSchotty almost got a HC gig with the Jaguars this offseason. He wants to become a HC. He needs to prove he can coach QBs as part of his resume I think. So this is what is pushing them towards more pass attempts.

If things go sour I could see them reversing course and running the ball a lot more. This would likely mean Bradfords last season with the Rams if that happens. I kind of think they have to make this passing game work as part of their career goals collectively. Fisher less so than BriSchotty and Bradford.

 

[Faust]

I am linking a few threads that have had some solid debate & discussion on what direction the Rams offense appears to be going for the upcoming season:

Bradford - Countdown to out of town

Tavon Austin

Unofficial 2013 Rams Offseason

I also posted this in the last linked thread:

Why you won't recognize Rams' offense

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Agree the offense is undervalued as a whole, but you'll need to roster a bunch of guys to cover your bases. Bradford and Cook are good bets to outperform this year IMO, but there'll be another player or two who have value -- and it's the sort of situation that could see a true sleeper pop up.

 

[Gawain]

Figure there have to be some growing pains. New offense, a lot of new personnel, lot of rookies, lot of second year guys. Even if this is a dynamic offense, I fully expect it to take the Rams 4-8 games to actually gel as an offensive unit. Pair that with the defenses in their division and it wouldn't surprise me to see a couple games where they appear terribly out of sync.

If everything goes according to plan, then I agree that the Rams as a whole are undervalued, but how often do things go strictly to plan in the NFL?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

If you play follow the coordinator/HC-coordinator (so say McCoy, Turner and Reid in DEN, CLE & KC), then consider where Brian Schottenheimer has led his teams to in offensive rankings:

tot yards 25, 26, 16, 20, 11, 25, 23

points 18, 25, 9, 17, 13, 13, 25

pass yards 17, 25, 16, 31, 22, 21, 18

Some very good run rankings, like 1, 2, 7, 10.

So he just figures it all out now?

I'm guessing Fisher brought him in as a ball control specialist to cement the team around the defense further.

 

[SWC]

i guess it is ok brohans

 

[Junior McSpiffy]

If you play follow the coordinator/HC-coordinator (so say McCoy, Turner and Reid in DEN, CLE & KC), then consider where Brian Schottenheimer has led his teams to in offensive rankings:

tot yards 25, 26, 16, 20, 11, 25, 23

points 18, 25, 9, 17, 13, 13, 25

pass yards 17, 25, 16, 31, 22, 21, 18

Some very good run rankings, like 1, 2, 7, 10.

So he just figures it all out now?

I'm guessing Fisher brought him in as a ball control specialist to cement the team around the defense further.

That's the thing that's been worrying me from buying in from a fantasy perspective. But I keep looking at that year with Favre where they finished 9th in scoring with Favre not having too many weapons to work with... and I'm trying to figure out if the ground-and-pound approach wasn't more of a preference and that he can go wide-open if he has the toys to work with. It would surely be an outlier on his resume, but if the potential is there, then the second half o fmy draft may all have STL at the end of them... despite knowing better.

Someone... save me from myself...

 

[Alex P Keaton]

If you play follow the coordinator/HC-coordinator (so say McCoy, Turner and Reid in DEN, CLE & KC), then consider where Brian Schottenheimer has led his teams to in offensive rankings:

tot yards 25, 26, 16, 20, 11, 25, 23

points 18, 25, 9, 17, 13, 13, 25

pass yards 17, 25, 16, 31, 22, 21, 18

Some very good run rankings, like 1, 2, 7, 10.

So he just figures it all out now?

I'm guessing Fisher brought him in as a ball control specialist to cement the team around the defense further.

That's the thing that's been worrying me from buying in from a fantasy perspective. But I keep looking at that year with Favre where they finished 9th in scoring with Favre not having too many weapons to work with... and I'm trying to figure out if the ground-and-pound approach wasn't more of a preference and that he can go wide-open if he has the toys to work with. It would surely be an outlier on his resume, but if the potential is there, then the second half o fmy draft may all have STL at the end of them... despite knowing better.

Someone... save me from myself...

So the best his offense ever finished in scoring was 9th.....in a season where his team was led by a Hall of Fame QB, arguably a top-5 all-time QB. Yeah, he's not a very good coach or creative offensive mind.

 

[heidbrink]

Outside of the upgraded offensive weapons including Cook and Austin, the Oline could see nice improvements as well with Long at LT and Saffold at RT. No more excuses for Bradford this year. If he is the real deal, he darn well should see marked improvement.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

I think part of the fun of this hobby is targetting crappy players from your home team in the later rounds, and thinking that you've got a steal. I know my teams are always loaded up with a lot of Cleveland Browns ...for some reason it never pays off. Go figure.

 

[ol blues]

How many of the young offensive weapons will step up this year? And, how wide open an offense will Fisher permit? Those are my primary concerns with the Rams new look.

You have to like the makeover. This goes from a team of too few weapons to one of potential riches. Still, it's reasonable to ask how quickly Austin lands on his feet? Does Givens make progress from his promising rookie start? Does the game ever slow down enough for Quick to figure out how to effectively use his big body? Does Pettus have any upside? Was Cook misused by his previous team or just seriously overhyped? And, how well does Bradford connect with any of them, much less his RBBC hydra? I like a lot of the pieces but it's asking a lot for enough of the players to progress sufficiently to make a difference this season as, apart from brief stretches by Givens and Richardson last season and a reasonable rookie campaign by Bradford, no one has any history of NFL productivity. As young as most of the skill position players are, the preseason likely will reveal more about this offense's prospects than most.

Even with a strong preseason, however, it's hard to imagine a Fisher/ Schottenheimer coached team becoming the newest reincarnation of Air Coryell. An improved offense seems reasonable, perhaps even likely, but the conservative play calling that's been their history continues. Offensive progress likely comes incrementally for the Rams. I wouldn't overstock my fantasy roster from this team. A reasonable defense to stream, a situational QB2, a PPR/receiving yardage league prospect in Austin, and a reasonable flier in Givens make sense and a sleeper could emerge at RB, but it's hard to see the potential for a home run with any of them and I wouldn't have more than 1 on any fantasy roster unless I was so weak at RB that late picks of all 3 was my desperation move.

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

I think Gawain is right, we will see an improvement, but it will take some time for the pieces to gel. I like the Rams O to be solid this year, better than last year, but with some inconsistency because of a fairly tough schedule.

By the end of the year we should have some glimpses into what is possible in 2014.

 

[heidbrink]

...By the end of the year we should have some glimpses into what is possible in 2014.

:Championship:

 

[heidbrink]

It's an extremely young team. Last year it was the youngest team in the NFL. This year the Rams are even younger. I would guess that they're challenging for the youngest team ever in history.

There are a lot of potentially talented young individuals on this team. It's very exciting as a fan but it's excruciating as a fantasy football manager. Each and every one of our wide receivers is receiving love in the press. People know Givens, Cook, and Austin and Bailey. But even Austin Pettis was been declared Player of OTAs. So really who can figure out how it will shake out with regard to the pecking order at receiver. Right now of course theres a lot of coachspeak but the we've heard great things from camp on pretty much all of them. Who can figure how that'll really shake out first wins. This is a situation to really keep an eye on early this season.

With regard to the running backs it's really the same thing...who knows. Pead had all of 10 carries to judge by. Richardson was a pleasant surprise sharing time last season. The Rams moved up to get Stacy this year so they obviously believe in him. He looks like a bruiser. And don't forget Gannaway...he was a star in college.

And will the real Sam Bradford please stand up.

Some growing pains are to be expected. But this is the kind of situation that will definitely present some value to the well-prepared owner. Pay attention boys.

 

[Bob Magaw]

fisher has stated that one reason he chose STL (over MIA) after a one year hiatus, was because of the potential he saw in bradford. fisher confirmed this belief last year, with the blockbuster trade engineered by les snead, rather than take RGIII.

though fisher is sometimes perceived as run heavy, the league has shifted heavily in a passing direction for several seasons, so perhaps fisher is capable of flexibility, adapting and responding to trends.

in the year plus since he has taken over (two free agency periods and two drafts), and despite needs pretty much across the board for one of the most talent depleted rosters in the league when he took over (combined 15-65 from 2007-2011, not only one of the worst five year stretch percentages in NFL history, but probably professional sports period)...

2012 -

first player taken overall day two (WR - brian quick)

first player taken overall day three (WR - chris givens)

mid-2nd round RB with receiving potential (RB - isaiah pead)

2013 -

top TE in class, highest paid free agent ever at position? (TE jared cook)

first skill position player taken overall, trading 1.16 + 2013 2nd rounder for 1.8 (WR tavon austin)

late 3rd WR with better numbers than teammate austin (WR stedman bailey)

to sum up, a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th round WRs, a 2nd round RB and top free agent TE, just in past two free agency periods and drafts...

without overanalyzing things, i don't think you do that to run the ball more...

i think the rams realize it is hard to score TDs without explosive plays that gain large chunks of yards... tough to consistently string together 12-15 play drives...

barring injuries to bradford, OL and skill position players (countless injuries to all of these past few years), there is little doubt in my mind that bradford sets new marks pretty much across the board this year... though i agree with several upthread that they are collectively young, and if they flash some degree of success in 2013, that should be a sign of even greater things to come in future years.

* all the above doesn't even include the 2013 premium free agent addition of LT jake long, one of the best pass blocking LTs in the league when healthy...

it also didn't take into account letting steven jackson walk, former face of the franchise, and one of the better RBs (if underappreciated and underrated, due to playing for a chronically losing franchise during his tenure) of his generation (it is true that he is older for a RB and didn't fit profile of a rebuilding team, but rams could possibly have found a way to keep him if they wanted to)...

** bradford probably a year away from competing for QB1-type numbers, but he could take a jump from around QB25 to QB15 this year...

cook has top 5-10 potential if he becomes an integral part of offense, unlike how he was used in TEN...

i think given has best chance at 1,000 yards and leading team in yardage... tavon austin is the wildcard and X factor... if he is used as an all purpose weapon, getting handoffs, flips, bubble screens, and used in slot like amendola at times, he could really surprise and be in contention for rookie of the year...

pettis is vying to start over quick, may not see a lot of bailey as rookie except for occasional 4-5 WR sets... kendricks could be good enough that rams could use two TE formation a lot... cook, kendricks, quick and pettis have good size, so could be red zone weapons (where they have stuggled for eons), but cook, givens and tavon austin should be primary receiving weapons and i expect to be most productive this year... longer term, bailey has talent to start over pettis/quick, and i read a comp player recently that i liked - greg jennings.

RB is a roll of the dice... some prefer richardson, or unknown commodity rookie 5th rounder stacy... i think pead got behind as a rookie and never recovered, but may have more upside with a full offseason to prepare... even ganaway could be in the mix...

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Question I have is how will their defense be?

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

Question I have is how will their defense be?

Defense will be strong. Very good Dline, very good CBs. If their LB and S draft picks pan out as just pretty good, this D will not be fun to play against. Probably not top 5, but somewhere in the 6-10 rank is feasible. (I believe they finished #15 last year)

For fantasy, look for another strong year in sacks. Turnovers are hard to predict, but a strong pass rush always helps force some turnovers. Tavon Austin brings some excitement to the return game as well.

 

[hauser42]

There is potential for this offense but I dont see it being average at best this season. Too many questions with recieving core at this point to see them be in the top half in the NFL. There is no proven pass catcher in the bunch and not sure that any of them scare defenses.

Fischer and B Shotty dont seam like a duo that will have a team with a big scoring offense. Ball control and low rish is pretty much the background in both these guys.

I can see taking some of the Rams this year as backups but loading up on them will lead to a lot of low scoring weeks and disappointment.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

even ganaway could be in the mix...

As the only big back on the roster he could well win a decent role, and with no obvious #1 on the roster he could end up being FF relevant as a RB3/4 bye week/fill-in guy. Worth a flier in dynasty IMO.

 

[Warpig]

There are lots of things that scare me with this team. Schotty not being very good, Bradford being inconsistent, no true #1 WR, a muddled mess at RB. What the heck are they gonna trot out there at Safety?

On paper it seems like they have a lot of toys, but how many will actually pan out? I'm not buying in to the Tavon Austin hype. I think they have way too much youth on this team and I would feel better if they had brought in a vet WR to groom those pups they have. I see another year with some growing pains. And unfortunately, that may not bode well for Bradford AND Fisher.

Other than Richardson, do we really know what they have at RB? There is high expectations for Pead to live up to that 2nd round selection. But now you have people tooting the horn for Stacy.

They will need to make sure every player understands their role on the team, or they may have a lot of young, impressionable players that get their feelings hurt and will need a clean slate in a new town the next year.

 

[hauser42]

"I'm not buying in to the Tavon Austin hype. "

I agree on this it seems a lot of people think he is going to come into the league and set it on fire. Personally it was a mistake to take a slot guy with a first round pick. They had other needs on this team and B Schotty doesnt seem like a very creative guy to use him.

 

[MAC_32]

I am concerned about Schotty and Fisher's effect on the offense, but I think others are more worried about it than I am. I think Fisher hasn't had much of a hands on approach in the past, he's trended towards more explosive players in recent years, and Schotty really didn't have much to work with to show what he can do with a full offensive arsenal.

I am concerned about Bradford, probably about as much as the average person. The potential is there, but unfortunately it's still just that - potential. He has every excuse for not putting it together, but the excuses end this year. Put up or shut up. I'd be lying if I said I am confident in him though.

I am more concerned about the RB's than the WR's and TE's. I think that puts me in the minority. None of them will probably ever be elite, but they all offer a little something different. That, and they won’t be asked to do things outside of their skillset and comfort zone. Austin has a role, Studman has a role, as does Givens, Cook, and Quick. Their roles can always be expanded, but it won’t be forced barring injury. They all compliment each other very well. The RB’s? Oof. I think Stacy might be the best of the bunch, but he’s more of a projection than anything. Richardson is a good change of pace and Pead just sucks. They need Stacy to step in and take on a big role. If he does that doubts can be erased, but not before then.

In the end, there will just be questions until the games are played but as far as each player and their relative value I’d categorize them as

Bradford – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft plan Cish QB2

Stacy and Richardson – redraft buy, dyno – not so much

Austin and Cook – buy

Studman – dyno buy, redraft watch

Givens – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft only if he has a better camp than Studman or one of the rooks get hurt

Quick – not until he shows something on the field

Pead – I won’t buy until it is way too late

 

[Bob Magaw]

I am concerned about Schotty and Fisher's effect on the offense, but I think others are more worried about it than I am. I think Fisher hasn't had much of a hands on approach in the past, he's trended towards more explosive players in recent years, and Schotty really didn't have much to work with to show what he can do with a full offensive arsenal.

I am concerned about Bradford, probably about as much as the average person. The potential is there, but unfortunately it's still just that - potential. He has every excuse for not putting it together, but the excuses end this year. Put up or shut up. I'd be lying if I said I am confident in him though.

I am more concerned about the RB's than the WR's and TE's. I think that puts me in the minority. None of them will probably ever be elite, but they all offer a little something different. That, and they won’t be asked to do things outside of their skillset and comfort zone. Austin has a role, Studman has a role, as does Givens, Cook, and Quick. Their roles can always be expanded, but it won’t be forced barring injury. They all compliment each other very well. The RB’s? Oof. I think Stacy might be the best of the bunch, but he’s more of a projection than anything. Richardson is a good change of pace and Pead just sucks. They need Stacy to step in and take on a big role. If he does that doubts can be erased, but not before then.

In the end, there will just be questions until the games are played but as far as each player and their relative value I’d categorize them as

Bradford – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft plan Cish QB2

Stacy and Richardson – redraft buy, dyno – not so much

Austin and Cook – buy

Studman – dyno buy, redraft watch

Givens – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft only if he has a better camp than Studman or one of the rooks get hurt

Quick – not until he shows something on the field

Pead – I won’t buy until it is way too late

all the information i've read points to givens being locked in as a starter... he put on about five pounds of muscle, and the rams seem to want him to diversify his game as more than just a deep threat, which would enable him to become more valuable to the offense overall... austin locked in as slot WR, all purpose weapon... and of course cook as receiving TE... the question is at starting WR opposite givens... at first it was expected to be quick, but pettis reportedly star of OTAs, so he may have surpassed him. i'm not expecting a big role for bailey this year, but in time, he has the talent to be one of the top three WRs on the roster with givens and former teammate austin.

* quick's projection is murkiest... in terms of physical tools and measurables, he has some similarities to TO, but it doesn't bode well if pettis passes him this year... than he might be at best a jerome simpson-like small school late bloomer who takes two+ years to make a significant impact. he did have a few impressive plays last year, but was maybe more raw and undeveloped as a prospect than the team had accounted for. given how bereft the team was of talent at the time (imo much improved at this point in time), if they knew he would be slow to develope, it might have been a luxury pick they couldn't afford to take in retrospect... supposedly they were very high on him (liked him more than floyd - i couldn't say that personally, after seeing floyd, but i didn't scout quick)...

givens, austin and bailey are sort of smurfs (though bailey is very competitive in the air against bigger DBs, ala steve smith)... the TEs, naturally, and pettis and quick have bigger bodies, so they could play an important red zone role, where the rams have struggled for longer than i care to remember. though austin's explosiveness and electrifying quickness, agility and elusiveness also make him a candidate... he could take a handoff in backfield or off a reverse and has speed to get to the edge, and the ankle breaking open field moves to make defenders miss.

 

[MAC_32]

I am concerned about Schotty and Fisher's effect on the offense, but I think others are more worried about it than I am. I think Fisher hasn't had much of a hands on approach in the past, he's trended towards more explosive players in recent years, and Schotty really didn't have much to work with to show what he can do with a full offensive arsenal.

I am concerned about Bradford, probably about as much as the average person. The potential is there, but unfortunately it's still just that - potential. He has every excuse for not putting it together, but the excuses end this year. Put up or shut up. I'd be lying if I said I am confident in him though.

I am more concerned about the RB's than the WR's and TE's. I think that puts me in the minority. None of them will probably ever be elite, but they all offer a little something different. That, and they won’t be asked to do things outside of their skillset and comfort zone. Austin has a role, Studman has a role, as does Givens, Cook, and Quick. Their roles can always be expanded, but it won’t be forced barring injury. They all compliment each other very well. The RB’s? Oof. I think Stacy might be the best of the bunch, but he’s more of a projection than anything. Richardson is a good change of pace and Pead just sucks. They need Stacy to step in and take on a big role. If he does that doubts can be erased, but not before then.

In the end, there will just be questions until the games are played but as far as each player and their relative value I’d categorize them as

Bradford – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft plan Cish QB2

Stacy and Richardson – redraft buy, dyno – not so much

Austin and Cook – buy

Studman – dyno buy, redraft watch

Givens – dyno hold/don’t buy, redraft only if he has a better camp than Studman or one of the rooks get hurt

Quick – not until he shows something on the field

Pead – I won’t buy until it is way too late

all the information i've read points to givens being locked in as a starter... austin locked in as slot WR, all purpose weapon... and of course cook as receiving TE... the question is at starting WR opposite givens... at first it was expected to be quick, but pettis reportedly star of OTAs, so he may have surpassed him. i'm not expecting a big role for bailey this year, but in time, he has the talent to be one of the top three WRs on the roster with givens and former teammate austin.

My assessment of Bailey is that of him being horribly under valued in the pre draft process. I expect him to be the talk of camp. If that happens he will eat into Givens' role. If I am wrong then I believe Givens is the beneficiary. As is, regardless of Givens vs. Bailey, I think Quick will be given an opportunity for a good one trick pony role. Red zone/chains mover/side lines/high pointer option. Will he get more? Who knows, needs to show he can do that first. I'm taking an I'll believe it when I see ti approach with him.

I think the only way Pettis has a meaningful role is if no one steps up and takes over the dirty work role across the middle in the short and intermediate game. Possible, but upside is very limited even in the best case.

 

[heidbrink]

Pettis does appear the sneaky play here to me. With the talk of an improved Quick and the buzz on the new toys in Cook, Austin and Stedman Bailey Pettis doesn't have as wide of notoriety. He can be owned for a song so it's not a huge risk except for the roster spot he takes. The coaches have been lauding his progression this offseason.

 

[Bob Magaw]

My assessment of Bailey is that of him being horribly under valued in the pre draft process. I expect him to be the talk of camp. If that happens he will eat into Givens' role. If I am wrong then I believe Givens is the beneficiary. As is, regardless of Givens vs. Bailey, I think Quick will be given an opportunity for a good one trick pony role. Red zone/chains mover/side lines/high pointer option. Will he get more? Who knows, needs to show he can do that first. I'm taking an I'll believe it when I see ti approach with him.

I think the only way Pettis has a meaningful role is if no one steps up and takes over the dirty work role across the middle in the short and intermediate game. Possible, but upside is very limited even in the best case.

i'm not certain, but don't think the rams have philosophy that they must have a big WR opposite a smaller WR (they can always insert pettis and/or quick on situational basis in red zone, where the throwing lanes are more congested and contested), and thus an ascendant, emergent bailey would be more likely to have reps come at the expense of givens...

they spent a high second rounder on quick, and have no doubt the team would like him to be a factor... and pettis, somewhat unexpectedly and from left field, was reported as star of OTAs, so now he is on the radar... both quick and pettis offer good size opposite givens... but cook also has good size (as does kendricks for that matter, who was starting to flash some promise at the end of the year, so imo they could have viable two TE alignment).

i don't expect this to happen, but if bailey just looks dominant, far better than quick and pettis, i don't think they would have a problem starting him opposite givens, with austin in the slot (or lined up in backfield on occasion).

to recap/phrase, i don't see anything to preclude bailey's emergence (which i expect, just not this year) ALONGSIDE givens, with a role for all three (austin in slot). though with cook in the mix, too (and he could lead rams in receptions), it will be hard to support four viable receiving weapons for fantasy purposes... which is why i like givens (who i think has some mike wallace in him, he is a former track star with the wheels to consistently explode past DBs, and is not just a track athlete, but a football player with natural athleticism to adjust to the ball in flight with good hands) and austin best in dynasty, among WRs. it will be a disappointment if TE cook doesn't have a significant, substantial role.

 

[Biabreakable]

I just wanted to say thanks to Bob for a very nice synopsis of the Rams offense. What you said is the what I have been reading about them as well. For Givens I have heard them mention him playing multiple WR spots so they can move him around a bit as part of how they will expand his role. I also think Bailey becomes the WR2 with Austin mostly running constraint plays from the slot.

If they do use Austin much how the Vikings have been using Harvin recently (which I am expecting), Austin does not need to get the ball that much for the threat of these plays to be effective in helping the rest of the offense. Particularly the running game. The threat of Austin on a reverse, screen or run will cause defenses to account for him. This messes up the run fits sometimes and allows the offense to outnumber the defense at the point of the run. It keeps the defense from cheating on the run.

This coupled with the addition of Long (Barrett Jones was a great pick imo) has me seeing some improvement to the running game, even if the passing offense takes some time to develop.

 

[Bob Magaw]

Pettis does appear the sneaky play here to me. With the talk of an improved Quick and the buzz on the new toys in Cook, Austin and Stedman Bailey Pettis doesn't have as wide of notoriety. He can be owned for a song so it's not a huge risk except for the roster spot he takes. The coaches have been lauding his progression this offseason.

pettis fun fact (courtesy of fantasy index)... bradford passed the ball to him five times inside the 5 yard line in 2012... he caught 4 TDs.

 

[Biabreakable]

I have talked about this quite a bit already in various Rams RB thread for awhile now. I am always attracted to new situations such as we are seeing on the Rams personnel wise right now.

I looked at Jeff Fishers draft history as a head coach at the RB position. Fisher had Eddie George a true workhorse RB at the beginning of his coaching career. Incidentally one of my favorite RB all time.

Eddie George was a 1st round pick (14th overall) in 1996. He became their starter as a rookie and carried the ball over 300 in every season of his career until 2004. His last season with the Titans he only managed 3.3ypc for the season. The last RB I can recall getting such a heavy workload with so few yards per carry since Otis Anderson.

In the time since George was drafted in 1996 until 2003 only 3 RB were drafted.

2000 Mike Green round 7 (213)

2001 Dan Alexander round 6 (192)

2003 Chris Brown round 3 (93) Eddie George 312ra Brown gets 56ra as a rookie.

2004 Brown gets 220ra with Antwain Smith 127 taking over some of George's former role.

2005 Brown 224ra Travis Henry(FA) 88ra Jarrett Payton rookie 33ra

2006 Travis Henry 270ra Lendale White (2nd round rookie 45 overall) 61ra Brown 41ra (injured)

2007 LenDale White 303ra Brown 102ra Chris J. Henry (2nd round rookie 50 overall) 31ra

2008 Chris Johnson (1st round rookie) LenDale White 200ra (15TD).

From 2003 to 2008 the Titans used pretty high picks at RB trying to replace George drafting one every year and in the 2nd round or higher except for 2005 when they signed FA Travis Henry.

Brown was a much bigger player than any of the RB on the Rams right now, but his play style from what I remember was somewhat boom bust. He could break long runs at times but never a steady workhorse like George. So more similar in play style to Chris Johnson than George despite his size imo. They always complemented Brown with a veteran, Smith then Henry, then White who were more inside RB.

The Chris J. Henry pick was a bad reach. Henry was a workout warrior and people called it at the time he was drafted. He never amounted to much. The following year they got Chris Johnson and despite White not being very good it was a fairly even split between them in carries.

Right now the Rams have Richardson, Pead, Stacy, Ganaway.

I see Richardson/Pead competing more for the Chris Brown role in the offense while Stacy/Ganaway are competing for the Smith/Henry/White role in the offense. There are no 1st round RB here so I see the distribution being a split between these 2 roles.

Looking at the interim between the 1st round RB we see the COP role get 220 and 224 carries while the inside power RB role gets 270 and 303 carries as the high. The low for the inside role is 121 (Henry+Payton) while the low for the COP is below 50. Then you have the 250/200 split between Chris Johnson/White when Johnson was a rookie.

This suggests to me that the inside RB role is more likely to get more carries, while the outside role will be given more early draft consideration. That is until a clear feature RB emerges. That player may not currently be on the Rams roster.

ETA - More background on distribution from Brian Schottenheimer as OC


2012 Rams 263 Steven Jackson 98 Richardson 10 Pead

2011 Jets 253 Shonn Greene 75 LaDainian Tomlinson (32yrs old) 43 McKnight 13 Powell

2010 Jets 219 LaDainian Tomlinson 185 Greene 39 McKnight 38 Brad Smith

2009 Jets 331 Thomas Jones (31 years old) 108 Shonn Greene 72 Leon Washington 18 Brad Smith 15 Danny Woodhead

2008 Jets 290 Thomas Jones 76 Leon Washington 12 Brad Smith

2007 Jets 310 Thomas Jones 71 Leon Washington 12 Brad Smith