The number of games from 2012-15 where the Fisher Rams had BOTH a starting caliber qb AND a relatively healthy/relatively veteran OL is 15 out of 64.
The last 8 games of 2012 and the first 7 of 2013.
It stands completely to reason that they would have done better if that were not the case. IE if they had more games with both a starting caliber qb and a relatively healthy OL. And that's even with all the other issues. I don't know how much better but they would have done better.
It doesn't get down to philosophy, or position coaches, or any of that. Teams win with those philosophies (which a lot of people don't accurately describe anyway. One key thing about a Fisher team's offense was setting up and executing big passing plays of 31 yards or more. That rarely gets mentioned but I can point to the plays, year in and year out.)
Everyone likes the McVay Rams, and his coaches, and their philosophy. But have him start Brandon Allen and lose Whitworth, Saffold, and Sullivan (and yes the equivalent happened for long stretches of games to the 2012-15 Rams) and tell me how well they would do. Or...tell me how many teams had a similar double whammy that did well.
2016 though was a completely different animal. A lot went wrong in 2016 and it included moving (no team has won for decades the year after a cross-state move).
BUT McVay looks good (as do Kromer and Johnson and Phillips) so I ain't complaining.
....
...
