The Rams v The Goal Line... (1 Viewer)

[rizzler]

This is a beef I have been scratching my head over this season... keep in mind, it's a fairly small sample size... but it is still noticeable enough to anger me.

Why are the Rams OC's asking Bradford to throw on "goalline" situations more often than handing off to Steven Jackson? You're basically not giving the ball to arguably the most bruising RB in the game and entrusting a rookie with making a throw in amazingly tight quarters...

This occurred TWICE in yesterdays game alone... BOTH of which resulted in 5+yd loss sacks on Bradford... until they finally gave SJax the ball from 7yds out and he punched it in..

has anyone else noticed this? does it annoy anyone else? Jackson is being robbed of what should be definite TDs...

Do the Rams now 'change' seeing as they are in a definite race for a playoff spot...?

 

[Ladsud]

Rams did the same thing last year.

 

[rizzler]

Rams did the same thing last year.

yes, but this isn't last year.a new, rookie QB. an improved o-line. a playoff calibre team it seems.does anyone see change?

 

[Eminence]

Maybe they figure opposing defenses are stacking the line against Steven Jackson; giving easy goal line reps for Bradford? Really, I don't know. Only thing I could think is them trying to lengthen Jackson's career; but that doesn't explain how many carries he's being given.

 

[Ladsud]

Rams did the same thing last year.

yes, but this isn't last year.a new, rookie QB. an improved o-line. a playoff calibre team it seems.does anyone see change?

Seems relevant. It was a trend for 16 games last year and 6 this year. They have the same OC and he seems to like the throw the ball near the goal line for whatever reason. Do you see it changing?

 

[Bonka]

No reason to give the ball on the goal line to the guy who has literally carried the team on his back prior to this year. Hopefully they wise up a bit.

 

[rizzler]

Rams did the same thing last year.

yes, but this isn't last year.a new, rookie QB. an improved o-line. a playoff calibre team it seems.does anyone see change?

Seems relevant. It was a trend for 16 games last year and 6 this year. They have the same OC and he seems to like the throw the ball near the goal line for whatever reason. Do you see it changing?

Do I see it changing...? hard to say. Bradford gets sacked two in a row on basically the 1yd line for 5+yd losses.. Jackson gets one rush, puts it in from 7yds out... a wake up call? maybe.. maybe not... The only reason I see it changing is.... when youre a team in the position they are now... having beaten some decent teams, and perfectly setup for a playoff run... wouldnt you want the ball in the hands of the guy most likely to get you 6?

 

[MDSkinner]

If I am looking at the data correctly, inside the 5 this year they have run 5 times for -5 yards (Jackson with 3 for -1 and Tolston with 2 for -4).

Passing Bradford is 3/6 with 2 TD and 1 Int inside the 5.

Neither is great. But so far the passing has been at least a bit more effective when starting inside the 5, no?

 

[rizzler]

If I am looking at the data correctly, inside the 5 this year they have run 5 times for -5 yards (Jackson with 3 for -1 and Tolston with 2 for -4). Passing Bradford is 3/6 with 2 TD and 1 Int inside the 5.Neither is great. But so far the passing has been at least a bit more effective when starting inside the 5, no?

this could very well be true... mind sharing where you got the data from?When watching the rams play, this has just stuck out to me like a sore thumb.... perhaps overexaggerated in my own head.

 

[MDSkinner]

If I am looking at the data correctly, inside the 5 this year they have run 5 times for -5 yards (Jackson with 3 for -1 and Tolston with 2 for -4). Passing Bradford is 3/6 with 2 TD and 1 Int inside the 5.Neither is great. But so far the passing has been at least a bit more effective when starting inside the 5, no?

this could very well be true... mind sharing where you got the data from?When watching the rams play, this has just stuck out to me like a sore thumb.... perhaps overexaggerated in my own head.

I used this sites Data Dominator (I am a memeber...hope I am not giving away too much info...sorry if I am) and just selected everything starting inside the opponents 5 for this year. This is not resounding evidence, mind you and I tend to agree that getting it to Jackson more would be a good thing but this does indicate some level of effectiveness when passing it and none at all when they run it at the goal line.

 

[rizzler]

If I am looking at the data correctly, inside the 5 this year they have run 5 times for -5 yards (Jackson with 3 for -1 and Tolston with 2 for -4). Passing Bradford is 3/6 with 2 TD and 1 Int inside the 5.Neither is great. But so far the passing has been at least a bit more effective when starting inside the 5, no?

this could very well be true... mind sharing where you got the data from?When watching the rams play, this has just stuck out to me like a sore thumb.... perhaps overexaggerated in my own head.

I used this sites Data Dominator (I am a memeber...hope I am not giving away too much info...sorry if I am) and just selected everything starting inside the opponents 5 for this year. This is not resounding evidence, mind you and I tend to agree that getting it to Jackson more would be a good thing but this does indicate some level of effectiveness when passing it and none at all when they run it at the goal line.

I'm a member as well, no worries... looking at the data from weeks 1-4 in the RED ZONE, it shows Bradford having 30 attempts and Jackson as having 19.Data domintor wont include week 6 yet, but then again, this is red zone... and not within 5yds... but still.... I would figure to see SJax having a higher share, the guy eats yards like it ain't no thing

 

[MDSkinner]

I'm a member as well, no worries... looking at the data from weeks 1-4 in the RED ZONE, it shows Bradford having 30 attempts and Jackson as having 19.Data domintor wont include week 6 yet, but then again, this is red zone... and not within 5yds... but still.... I would figure to see SJax having a higher share, the guy eats yards like it ain't no thing

Yeah, I agree. I would expect this to shift to a more of a hammer it in approach, but looking at the numbers from inside the 5 for the first few weeks it certainly does show why the coaching staff may have been looking that direction slightly more this week. 5 for -5 running the ball is awful. 3/6 with 2 TD and 1 Int is not spectacular given that they were inside the 5 but it is way better than 5 for -5.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

They're currently in the playoff hunt. They got to the playoff hunt by throwing near the goal line. They should change because...?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Maybe they enjoy drafting in the top 3 every year ?

 

[packersfan]

They're currently in the playoff hunt. They got to the playoff hunt by throwing near the goal line. They should change because...?

I'd counter that by saying they got their biggest win of the season this week because Jackson converted a huge touchdown near the goal line after the Rams unsuccessfully tried to pass. I own both and I agree with the OP that relying more heavily on Bradford in that range makes little sense to me. He's very talented but he's still a rookie prone to some mistakes (including an INT in the end zone recently when he stared down the receiver). Jackson is a stud talent. I'd give him more of the chances than I would Bradford.

 

[rizzler]

They're currently in the playoff hunt. They got to the playoff hunt by throwing near the goal line. They should change because...?

Let me explain this differently... I see what your saying, but hear me out. YESTERDAY:2 consectutive plays (both on the 1-2yds line, I believe) are called as passing plays... 1st play, Bradford gets sacked, loses about 5... next play, a 5yd penalty on SD, so we are back on goalline basically... Another passing play, Bradford gets sacked again for a 5 or so yd loss... Jackson gets the carry on the next play, smashes it in from 7 yds out.So no, the passing game is not the only reason they are getting in the end zone from there... jackson has only been given THREE attempts from within the 5yd line in 6 games this season...If you were a coach.. and wanted to win, consistently... would YOU rather have the ball in Jackson's hands or Bradford's RIGHT NOW.he's ONLY been given 3 attempts... hell, Peterson got stuffed 2-3 in a row against the Fins.. you gonna tell me you stop handing off to him too?

 

[rizzler]

bmp, just incase any homers can give some insight.

 

[rizzler]

had to revisit this after the BULL#### that happened today in the RZ today... 3 passing plays from within the 5yd line!?!?!?! ending w a beautiful pick for the D

who the hell makes these calls?

beyond frusterated. 11 carries... give me a break, you deserve to lose

 

[packersfan]

Second and third down at the Atlanta 2. You have one of the most physical RBs in the league who just happens to be averaging 5 YPC. So what do you do?

You don't give him the ball once.

I'm not an NFL head coach and never will be but I probably would have given Steven Jackson at least one shot to score from the 2.

 

[rizzler]

Second and third down at the Atlanta 2. You have one of the most physical RBs in the league who just happens to be averaging 5 YPC. So what do you do?You don't give him the ball once.I'm not an NFL head coach and never will be but I probably would have given Steven Jackson at least one shot to score from the 2.

I needed to hear these words from someone else... the game nearly on the line, a chace to pull within a FG and u give the rookie 3 or 4 throws from within the 10... im mad. yes, fantasy implications, but also because I like the rams and LOVE S Jax... and this just blows away logic.11 carries. i have to repeat that until it makes sense.

 

[packersfan]

Second and third down at the Atlanta 2. You have one of the most physical RBs in the league who just happens to be averaging 5 YPC. So what do you do?You don't give him the ball once.I'm not an NFL head coach and never will be but I probably would have given Steven Jackson at least one shot to score from the 2.

I needed to hear these words from someone else... the game nearly on the line, a chace to pull within a FG and u give the rookie 3 or 4 throws from within the 10... im mad. yes, fantasy implications, but also because I like the rams and LOVE S Jax... and this just blows away logic.11 carries. i have to repeat that until it makes sense.

I agree. Yes I'm a biased and frustrated Jackson owner too but this isn't about fantasy implications in my opinion. This is simply common sense. You have a stud RB who's running very well and you have two shots from the 2 to get a TD to make this a close game and you don't give him the ball once. That's just stupid coaching and I agree you deserve to lose when you're that stupid.

 

[Wombat1]

I'm from STL- Rams can't run on the goal line because their offensive line especially their interior is way more of a finesse group than a power group. They are decent zone blocking but when they get in short yardage they get blown up. Jason Brown and Jacob Bell who the Rams paid a ton of $ to both have gotten owned in short yardage this year.

If your an SJAX owner it has to be frustrating but at this point you can't expect anything different, it hasn't changed in 2 years.

EDIT- also to everyone saying you have a stud bruising RB in Jackson- goal line running has way more to do with the offensive line than the RB. The RB basically just barrels forward and hopes to fall into the end zone. (Thats why the jumbo goal line packages are incredibly stupid, you are far better off spreading it out and handing it off up the middle, but that is a different argument.)

 

[Master of Past and Present]

I like Atlanta's chances at stopping the run in that situation than the pass so guess that is what the Rams also thought. Of course that only extends to todays game and not this trend overall.

 

[packersfan]

I like Atlanta's chances at stopping the run in that situation than the pass

Maybe they do stop it but again Jackson was averaging 5 yards a pop against them. He's one of the most talented RBs in the league. Why wouldn't you at least give him one chance to score from the 2? That makes no sense to me. I really like Bradford a lot. I think he has the talent to be a special QB in this league but that to me is horrible coaching.I also agree that giving Jackson only 11 carries in a close game is pretty horrible coaching as well. He's your best offensive player and you've been riding him all season long. So in what could be your biggest game of the season you turn him into a bystander. Hard to believe the Rams didn't win with that strategy.

 

[bulger2holt]

On the shovel pass, the RB ran into a lineman and blew the play. Bradford was expecting him to be there and he wasn't.

 

[TWP]

Their play calling is ridiculously bad on short yardage situations. You need to be giving the ball or throwing the ball to SJ in those isutations like 90% of the time, but they dont even run play action. Terrible terrible terrible.

 

[Bri]

Height and athleticism of the WRs is sorely lacking for the Rams and their TEs are nothing to write home about either. They have space to run the rest of the field but get em' inside the ten yard line and they get exposed a bit.

Bradford's ability to place the ball so accurately and also his soft touch will be of considerable value in the future, but right now they have to try and be creative.

IMO teams like this should break out some college offenses. T-formation, power I, single wing....just bring it! Even an option (maybe not with bradford) seems better.

 

[rizzler]

this is a team that is on the cusp on possibly making the playoffs...

I just can't fathom why in such a delicate and important situation they ignored SJax... and not only in the RZ, the entire game! this guy should be seeing no less than 25 touches a game. he is built to destroy.

The Rams really blew this one.

 

[TWP]

Same playcalling idiocy as in SF. Short yardage, they dont even try to run. It's insane. Even the Patriots pound the ball occasionally... And BJGE is no SJax or Gore. And Bradford and Smith are no Brady.

 

[rizzler]

Same playcalling idiocy as in SF. Short yardage, they dont even try to run. It's insane. Even the Patriots pound the ball occasionally... And BJGE is no SJax or Gore. And Bradford and Smith are no Brady.

I dont need to be reminded... gor and sjax are my RBs...thank god MJD is my flex... saving my ###, tho im gonna lose anyways this week and blow first place

 

[steviey]

Garbage

 

[rizzler]

Garbage

I promised I wouldnt bump this thread, but since you did I'll say it again...STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Donsmith753]

Garbage

I promised I wouldnt bump this thread, but since you did I'll say it again...STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Knew I'd seen this somewhere. Just brought it up in the game thread, it's ridiculous.

 

[Young 8]

Garbage

Do you wanna run with 16 seconds left and no TO ??

 

[steviey]

Garbage

Do you wanna run with 16 seconds left and no TO ??

They had one left.

 

[Young 8]

Garbage

Do you wanna run with 16 seconds left and no TO ??

They had one left.

Why did they spike the ball with 1 TO left ?

 

[steviey]

Garbage

Do you wanna run with 16 seconds left and no TO ??

They had one left.

Why did they spike the ball with 1 TO left ?

One would have thought it was because it was a first down and they could hand it off to SJax and then use their final timeout if necessary. Probably wouldn't have been necessary though.