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THE OFFENSE. This could well
turn out to be the best offense the Rams have ever fielded. I have been following the Rams
since the late 50's...I was far too young then to really make qualified statements about
the way they were at that time....but looking back from the mid-60's until now I would
have to say that this year's offense is potentially the greatest "O" the Rams
have ever put together. The year is young, and a lot could still happen, but if they continue to play any where near the current level I don't think I can name another Rams "O" that compares. Certainly there are individuals qualified as "best", but as an entire unit then I'm not so sure. I like to catch things when they begin...so I am NOT saying that this offensive can now be considered the greatest Ram O ever, I am only saying that I see the potential for that, and I would hate to blink and miss that fact as they continue to improve. What a way to come out of a slump...not only to be a contender, but to perhaps be watching the the Rams field the greatest offense in their history. My apologies to VanBrocklin, Crazy Legs, etc....I do not discount them, but I did not see them play and can not factor them in. EXAMPLE---THE TITANS GAME. I have almost completely reverted back to my 70's mentality when in my mind the season was "prep" for that first playoff game---and every week was one step closer to the first "real" game. My best guess about Sunday---keying on Faulk didn't work, the Warner Brothers went on a tear... keying on Bruce & Holt didn't work, Faulk exploded... My guess is the Titans return to the "stop Faulk" strategy. Faulk is a known force in the NFL, with a healthy track record to prove it. Warner, on the other hand, probably still illicits a "he's hot but will cool down, too young and inexperienced" response from opposing coaches. And even if Warner is given his due, you can bet the farm that NO one in this league, (outside of us, and the Rams) believes he is going to maintain a 130+ rating. Warner hasn't been shaken yet, (personnaly I don't think he will be, even if sacked 6 times), but I can't imagine that every D coordinator in the NFL is not thinking THAT IS THE KEY. Bruce will be double covered...but other than that I believe the Titans will force Warner to beat them by keying on Faulk. A footnote: Titans will probably call a mid 1st qtr team meeting to re-think this strategy. DEFENSIVE SPECULATION. I do not care for the "bend but don't break" philosophy of defense. But the way it's working, I ain't going to complain. The Rams are currently showing two distinct faces on defense....not different defensive schemes, the scheme, basically remains the same. The neutral or mid-zone is played with some "give" built in, but when a team ventures into the red zone, our "D" steps up to the challenge. And it's not just the limited field available to the offense. The intensity level increases, the tackles are more ferocious, and the pressure on the QB doubles. It's like a spring being wound...if an opponent begins a drive at their 20, it looks like we are not wound all that tight, but if the offense manages to progress down the field, that spring winds tighter and tighter until, and if, they get inside the 20, at which time there is no give left. There is a third defensive posture, IMO, as well---illustrated by the 1st half and 2nd half differences. It seems to me we are gunning more for the QB in the later stages of the game. It is my belief that the Rams are so convinced that they are in better physical shape than most other teams that this factor is being considered in how our defense approaches the first half. In other words, we are pacing ourselves. I have NO proof of this, and I wouldn't have a clue how to prove it, it just appears this way to me. It brings me to this point, which is the main gist of what I'm trying to say....while on offense we have seen what is possible, on defense I'm not so sure we have seen what these guys are capable of yet. Perhaps somewhat in the S.F. game, but not completely. If we get into a game where every play is critical going in to the 4th qtr, it would not surprise me to see our "D" take total command of the game, and make all our mouths fall open in wonder. I don't KNOW this, but I suspect it. I do think that our conditioning is excellent, and not too many people will be able to stay with us in the later stages of the games if "crunch" time ever does pop up. |
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HOW GOOD DOES IT GET?