Quote
dzrams
Giving up play calling duties isn't going to solve what ails the Rams offense.
This is McVay's scheme and he needs to fix it. He actually needs to make some major renovations to it that includes more variety and accounts for a bad OL and a somewhat limited QB. Three concepts need to be reworked: 1) His concept of the QB reading defenses from deep to short; 2) having the passing game so dependent on the running game, and 3) only having a zone blocking scheme.
The concept of the QB reading defenses from deep to short is a good starting place because that's only gonna work if you have a very good OL that allows the QB time or a great QB that is excellent at reading defenses quickly and then making sound decisions. His OL is awful and injured. And his QB is ok to good but he is not great yet at the reading the field and decision making aspects. So given both of those things, a short passing game would greatly help the QB. Get rid of the ball before the pressure has time to get there.
Secondly, having everything based on the running game and play action leaves you with no where to go if the OL and RBs are struggling. Why have and pay for the best WR core in the league if everything is going to be predicated on the running game? If the running game falters, it also means you're wasting those high priced and talented WRs.
And the ZB scheme with outside zone runs is great until you run into defensive geniuses and physical front sevens. When McVay and Kromer first arrived, they said that they were going to mix the ZB scheme with some power elements. I haven't seen that but they need it. Without more power, they have no counter for physical fronts like the 49ers, Pats, Bears, and Steelers.
McVay made the scheme, he needs to fix it. And since he got hired on the basis of his rep as an offensive guru, I doubt he's willing to hand over the entire offense to someone else.
However, I do agree that he needs to bring another set of eyes in to help in the play calling aspect. I think he should bring in a OC or consultant to help him make some scheme adjustments and also hand the play calling to that person.
The weird part about McVays scheme is that it was never intended to be this 11 personnel all the time thing. As I'm sure you remember, the first pick of the McSnead era was a TE. The thought process at the time was that he wanted an athletic TE that could do what Jordan Reed was for him in Washington. Then along came Kupp and he said the reason why they were running so much 11 personnel was because he wanted his best guys on the field. So forget 2 TE sets, or a TE and H Back, or 4 wide sets. So you are right when you say its McVays scheme and he needs to fix it. But I think he can and will fix it.
As far as his inclination to run from under center and run play action is easy enough to understand. especially when combined with his zone blocking. The playaction is to slow down the rush and give the line the opportunity to seal off the lanes, or holes, in the event of an actual run. and if it is a pass, the playaction pulls the 2nd level up close to the line, allowing the QB to make his reads deep to near. What the 6-1 did was basically ignore the playaction because regardless of what was run, every hole is covered. If the RB does get to the second level its one on one with a LBer. Problem was the Rams just couldn't win the LoS this year. I've been advocating all year to run out of shotgun so Goff is basically set from the get go and reading the defense. No 5-7 step drops and reacquiring WRs and the coverage. Its a faster passing game.
What I would love to see is a power blocking scheme (obviously not happening this year or next based on personnel) and add a FB or HB and actually run power to force defenses to play even up. Baltimore and SF are absolutely killing it this way. In fact, this year Shanahan was quoted as saying he has a plan to run against anything from an 8 man box to a 12 man box. They are going to run. If McVay wants to use playaction, then he has to run something that almost guarantees they can run the ball enough to keep the defense honest. Otherwise, its just slow and clunky. Like what we are seeing now.
I'm also on record saying I want to see a consultant for McVay on offense next year. I see absolutely no reason why this isn't a good idea. Put them in the booth so they can maybe see what McVay isn't.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
