It'll be a rough beginning but if we stay reasonably healthy we'll finish strong.
First game, Seattle will expose our weaknesses - and McVay knows theirs. If we lose we'll go down swinging but will not be taking a fall. If we win I'd be ecstatic, on one hand, and moreso than somewhat surprised on the other. Regardless of score I'm looking for how well prepared the Rams are and whether they play tough, disciplined, inspired football from opening kickoff until it's over.
It will be an interesting, sometimes exaspirating, sometimes scintillating season. We'll win games we weren't expected to win and lose some we shoulda won. Please, Rams brothers, prepare yourselves now not to pull your hair out (you may want it back) or drift into a senseless euphoria (not a good place to be - ever) with the highs and lows.
A key will be a protected Stafford throwing to a receiver corps he had time to work with in the preseason. This wasn't the case last year. As a result he hurried throws to the only receiver he knew would be open when the ball got there - Kupp. There was no time, due to Stafford's ailing arm, for him to develop that rapport with a receiver he lobbied for but couldn't connect with. Robinson came open - we saw that - but Stafford couldn't anticipate it and the ball was often leaving Stafford's hand when Robinson came free. This year that won't be the case. Even when pressured, Stafford will have well-rehearsed and anticipated options among a receiving corps he has thrown to all preseason.
Stafford will also have the potential for a strong running game
if McVay will stick with it and call the plays. Two tight end sets? I'm not holding my breath. Maybe some...McVay hasn't been inclined toward that personnel setting in the past, any more than he'd use a TE as an H-back as the Rams used to with Ernie Conwell. I look for his basic philosophy to stay about the same, maybe reverting back to more running plays as we saw from the Gurley era.
The D will vascillate between brilliance and blunders as new players and coaches get in sync. It will improve over the course of the season - and Trader Les has already said he's always looking for talent that will improve the team, and is on the lookout for meshing needs with availability in positions like edge rusher, interior DL. Anything can happen.
As I've said earlier, winning
time of possession and
turnovers will be critical to our winning games. The D will be turning the ball ver to an O that can score points. Last year they'd get a turnover and the O would go three-and-out. This year, as the D gains confience on the O, I look for a more aggressive style of defensive play in certain situations. We can put three fast ball-hawks on the field up-front and stronger safety support behind them than we did last year.
My prediction? I'm looking forward to some exciting football from the Rams this year. This team will grow - fast - and if they can stay healthy and play high quality football the wins and losses will take care of themselves. I'll be patient until season's end.
You guys? Any of my observations from the bumblesticks of Western Montana make sense to you? Agree or disagree? Let's hear from you.
