Re: My hopes (and fears) for the 2019 season

Quote
PeoriaRa
First my hopes

• The defense plays like the defense we saw in the playoffs
• The offense plays like the offense we saw in the first 8 games last year
• McVay learns from his mistakes last year and continues to grow as a coach and as a playcaller
• Goff does what he has done for the last 7 years, and improves from one year to the next
• Noteboom and Allen play well. Allen proves to be an upgrade over an aging Sullivan, and Noteboom holds his own. (Saffold was playing amazing last year, esp in the run game, so I don't think it's fair to hold him to that standard.)

For what its worth, I think the above is possible. And if even 4/5 happen we have to be NFC champions

Now my fears

• The league really has figured out McVay's offense, and he doesn't have an answer.
• The offensive line takes a significant step back from what we have seen the last two years. Whitworth starts to show his age.
• There was a reason we could get Weddle and Matthews at a discount.
• Gurley really is not going to recover to anywhere near his previous physical ability.
• For the first year a while,we have multiple big injuries affecting core players.
• Notice that I don't have any fears about Goff. He has done nothing but improve every single year since he was a starter in college. I see no reason that will change.

If my hopes come true, I see a 14-2 season and a dominant run into the playoffs. My fears lead us to 9-7 versus a very difficult schedule and just missing the playoffs.

To me, the biggest wild card this year is the defense. If it continues to play as it did in the playoffs and the SB in particular, it is going to take a LOT to beat this team.

1. I would love to see a top 5 turnover machine defense but after last season just OK would suffice.
2. If Malcom Brown gets hurt then I start to worry.
3. I hope Blythe improves (bigger concern for me atm) and Noteboom and Allen are starter quality.
4. Not concerned about Matthews IMO he is a role player. Weddle I think will be solid and will prove more useful as field general than playmaker.
5. The OL is a concern but won't know until we see it play out for a while

I'm not concerned about other teams "figuring out" the Rams' offense. I'm not sure that is really a thing. They might learn to defend play action better (which I guess is McVay's offense so to that extent I agree). McVay is constantly stealing what works and I think generally has an excellent feel for play calling. As with most teams I think talent is as important as coaching. Rams have both.

Injuries are definitely a concern for every team every year but the Rams excel at keeping players healthy... doesn't mean injuries won't happen but perhaps the odds are slightly in their favor that they won't have a rash of them. *Crossing fingers and knocking on wood*

Just want to say I agree with you on Goff. He has improved significantly every year. Not concerned about him at all. And for the first time in years the Rams have a capable back up QB (and probably another on the PS)