Quote
JimYoungblood53
And sure, complaining is fine. The 49ers have beating the Rams too many times.
But you have to be frank with what has happened.
You ask who is right is "soft middle" a strength or weakness?
Kittle just told you. And why would he lie? Why would others
lie? Rodgers said similar thing.
And it's not about the coordinator
let's leave him out...we're talking scheme (I hope) because
Morris is playing what Staley played.
You cannot isolate Morris from Staley - because if you did
Staley's defense hurt the offense just as bad.
In 2 games vs 49ers McVay's offense scored 16 and 13 points
when Staley was the DC.
In 5 games with Morris as DC mcVay's offense
has scored 10,24,20, 9 and 14.
Just as bad, but at least there was a win.
I think you can be sure Kittle is telling the truth, he's not out
there answering questions from the media with some intent
to drive a tiny minority (not you) out of there minds.
He saying that a defense designed to limit big plays
frustrates offense.
If you want to go after the Rams defenses on failing to
play it right on some plays, that's fair. They have failed
to fill some gaps on long runs. They have missed some
tackles.
But just calling something a "soft middle" is actually, factually
wrong.
it gets technical, but the middle is where the help is. The middle
and the spit safeties allow for the MOST help in preventing
where the most dangerous plays happen, in the seams.
I think things are far too nuanced and complex to just say
"It's a soft zone" or it's a "soft middle" in terms of losing to
the 49ers.
Things are never black and white, and what I object to
(again not you) is the attempt to absolve the offense
for their failures why amplify beyond all reason
the failures of the defense, without acknowledging
the successes.
So while you're fair, look at what one simple comment
by Kittle did...
So, when played properly, whether we like it or not,
the scheme frustrates NFL offense, it is why scoring
is down league-wide and it is why Rams beat
the 49ers in the playoffs and won a Super Bowl.
People think that if Rams played something
"mean" or "tough" or "aggressive" that the defense
would be better.
It wouldn't. When they do that they give up
tons of yards per play, they get beat playing man.
Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters told Jourdan that
during last season.
With a healthy Donald and Rams playing the scheme
right, they keep the 49ers to 23-24 points a game--
(not counting points offense gives away)
And 49ers defenses keep McVay's offense around
10 points below their averages
it's pretty clear who the culprit is in the 49ers losses.
heck, Stafford almost gave the playoff game away with
a balloon pass and a dropped INT
JY, the reason I’m not complaining is because I’m barely holding back a near bursting dam Morris bash water. I’ll take Kittle at his word. It’s Morris’ system. He and the Niners find it challenging. Case closed.
What my focus is on is McVay’s offense doesn’t mesh with that Morris philosophy. The Rams have to change something to stop being predictable. Fine, keep Morris. But change the offense. Get a bell cow running back. Gurley 2.0. Play some dink and dunk.
The unbroken circle is the Niners drive down the field. Stall in the red zone. Make a field goal. Kick off. Rams get the ball on their own 25. Rams’ diminutive running back crashes into the line of scrimmage and gains one. Stafford drops back and gets sacked. Now it’s third and long. Incomplete pass. Punt team. Niner ball on their own 40.
If McVay finds TG 2.0, plays some dink and dunk, he makes it out to midfield. Then with that cushion, open up the play book.
But last year, there wasn’t a TG 2.0 or anyone near enough of a threat to consistently gain 3-4 ypc. Henderson tried and ran hard, but he’s a smurf. Akers came along towards the end of the season. Too little, too late.
So, the Rams can win without changing the defense one iota. But not with the high risk/ high return McVay offense. With bad field position , the Niners know they can make stops and gain possession with good field position by shutting down the run and playing intense pressure with their pass rush.
If the Rams had Demeco Ryans as DC, then McVay can do what he likes. He’s got more game clock. He’s got better field position.
And the word from McVay is he wants to have an offense like the Golden State Warriors, so who knows where this is going?
We Not Me
