How would you rank the NFC West in terms of roster on paper?

[LoyalRam]

You'd think! But they've really struggled to win games at the Coliseum since the move(including last year).
The numbers:
Rams at the Coliseum
1-6 in 2016
3-4 in 2017
4-10

Yet they're 11-7 away.

It's the elephant in the room and i seem to be the only Rams fan that will acknowledge it.

If they don't get that turned around i see another 10 or 11 win season. There's no way they go 8-1 away again. Is there?

No disrespect meant, mojo (ever!), but there too many moving parts and any direct comparison as though everything is similar between Fisher teams and last years McVay, team is impossible.

1. Fisher team in 2016 was horrific offensively. We were depending on Zeurlein FG's, defensive turnovers, and LONG Hekker punts for the few wins we got. Our defense was a 4-3 and was pretty good. Comparing Fisher team's performance in the Coliseum with McVay's highest scoring team in the NFL, can't be done.
2. Wade took mostly 4-3 personnel and switched that ingrained philosophy to a 3-4 in 2017. which took more time to adapt to last year than anticipated. Wade got to change out some players who didn't fit his 3-4 system with guys like Suh, Peters, Talib, and the rookies for 2018.

Now lets look at the losses at the Coliseum in 2017:

Redskins @ Rams (Week 2) This game was essentially a problem with the defensive 4-3 guys trying to do Wade's 3-4, and doing it badly. We lost fair and square, but to say a similar breakdown in 2018 will happen again, is crazy.

Seahawks @ Rams (Week 5) Still adjusting defensively, but better. Gurley being stripped of the ball at the one yard line by Earl Thomas and it being called a touchback was ridiculous, and the Goff throw to Kupp in the endzone should have been caught in the final minute. But scr*w them, and we did in Seattle, 42-7. The Rams should sweep Seattle in 2018.

Eagles @ Rams (Week 14) We lost to the future Super Bowl champs. What can you say?

49ers @ Rams (Week 17) We played our back ups, and thereby allowed Niner fans to crow about the golden boy, Jimmy G. I'm afraid McVay will do this again. We lost because we didn't put our starting team out there..*shrugs.

I think the fact that the home losses happened last year has reasoning that sets it apart from the Fisher year. Two of the four losses most likely wouldn't happen in 2018 because the team was better after Week 5 in 2017. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorite by many (not all, of course), so the team will be beating teams like the Iggles this time around. "Losing" to an inferior team like frisco after the Division was clinched, is one of the 2 losses I expect in 2018. Consequently, I don't think there is a curse or any reason why we don't lose more than one game at the coliseum in 2018.

 

[LoyalRam]

Good Lord.

In what universe is Humphries better than Andrew Whitworth? I’m not even saying Humphries is bad because he’s not, but he’s certainly not better than a top 5 LT in the NFL.

I love Peterson, but no, he’s not the best at his position anymore. Peterson is better than both Peters & Talib, but 2 very good CBS triumphs over 1 great one, even though I think Peters is a bit overrated.

I’d take Budda over Joyner & John Johnson III despite them being good players, I just believe Budda will continue to reach his ceiling which I think is higher than there’s, but I’d take Joyner over Bathea due to age & Boston due to uncertainty.

Chandler is awesome, I love him, but he’s not better than Donald. Donald is not only better than Jones, he’s arguably the best player in the league. It’s INSANE how great he is. That is definitely not a wash.

You can apply that “healthy” logic to any team. The Rams are better than we are. I hate it, but it’s the truth. However, if we continue to make impact drafts like we did in 2015 & possibly franchise-game changing drafts this year, then we’ll catch up with them sooner rather than later.

I think we also have Whittworth's replacement in Joe Noteboom. Noteboom is very athletic and will be playing with the Ones vs. the Texans at LT this weekend. The other two rookies are developing nicely (Demby & Allen). We didn't have a pick in the first two round of this years draft, and yet it looks like quality depth was acquired (Noteboom plays tackle and guard, Demby plays Guard, and Allen plays Center/Guard).

It also kills me that no one mentioned maybe the best player on the Rams Oline last year outside of Whitt, who was Rodger Saffold at LG. He should have been in the Pro Bowl last year and maybe an All Pro.

 

[Snakester]

Good Lord.

In what universe is Humphries better than Andrew Whitworth? I’m not even saying Humphries is bad because he’s not, but he’s certainly not better than a top 5 LT in the NFL.

I love Peterson, but no, he’s not the best at his position anymore. Peterson is better than both Peters & Talib, but 2 very good CBS triumphs over 1 great one, even though I think Peters is a bit overrated.

I’d take Budda over Joyner & John Johnson III despite them being good players, I just believe Budda will continue to reach his ceiling which I think is higher than there’s, but I’d take Joyner over Bathea due to age & Boston due to uncertainty.

Chandler is awesome, I love him, but he’s not better than Donald. Donald is not only better than Jones, he’s arguably the best player in the league. It’s INSANE how great he is. That is definitely not a wash.

You can apply that “healthy” logic to any team. The Rams are better than we are. I hate it, but it’s the truth. However, if we continue to make impact drafts like we did in 2015 & possibly franchise-game changing drafts this year, then we’ll catch up with them sooner rather than later.

Whitworth has never been a top five left tackle and at the age of 36 he is way past his prime. I think you are way over valuing Whitworth. Five years ago when Whitworth was still really good then yes.

I can see your point about two good cornerbacks being better than one great one. I do think Talib is over rated at this point in his career just like Revis was. Talib is 32 and he is only going to get slower with age. He is still good but not in his prime anymore.

We will have to just disagree on Chandler Jones and Donald. Both are in their primes and are great players but stats don't lie. Jones 17 sacks and 52 solo tackles and led the league in pressures which I believe was 28. Donald had 11 sacks and 32 solo tackles. I think Donald is the best inside guy and Jones is the best outside DE. JJ Watt was the best before his injuries.

Right now the Rams are the better team, but not by as big of a margin as most think. If the Cards stay healthy I can see 10 or 11 wins and a possible playoff berth. The Rams I think are a 12 win team. They are very good on both sides of the ball but we will be as well. Everybody thinks that we will have a huge rash of injuries and that is why we will only win 6 games. What if we don't have all the injuries and stay healthy. On paper we are a top ten team to me on both offense and defense.

I think both Reddick and Nkemdiche will both step up this year and with Marcus Golden back in the lineup with Jones our front seven looks pretty good. The back end of the defense is fine. I'm happy with our defensive backs. If Bradford and David Johnson stay healthy we will have a very good offense. I would love to see Keim bring in a WR and another LB to help those positions with depth. There should be some guys available after the last round of cuts.

 

[LoyalRam]

Whitworth has never been a top five left tackle and at the age of 36 he is way past his prime. I think you are way over valuing Whitworth. Five years ago when Whitworth was still really good then yes.

I can see your point about two good cornerbacks being better than one great one. I do think Talib is over rated at this point in his career just like Revis was. Talib is 32 and he is only going to get slower with age. He is still good but not in his prime anymore.

We will have to just disagree on Chandler Jones and Donald. Both are in their primes and are great players but stats don't lie. Jones 17 sacks and 52 solo tackles and led the league in pressures which I believe was 28. Donald had 11 sacks and 32 solo tackles. I think Donald is the best inside guy and Jones is the best outside DE. JJ Watt was the best before his injuries.

Right now the Rams are the better team, but not by as big of a margin as most think. If the Cards stay healthy I can see 10 or 11 wins and a possible playoff berth. The Rams I think are a 12 win team. They are very good on both sides of the ball but we will be as well. Everybody thinks that we will have a huge rash of injuries and that is why we will only win 6 games. What if we don't have all the injuries and stay healthy. On paper we are a top ten team to me on both offense and defense.

I think both Reddick and Nkemdiche will both step up this year and with Marcus Golden back in the lineup with Jones our front seven looks pretty good. The back end of the defense is fine. I'm happy with our defensive backs. If Bradford and David Johnson stay healthy we will have a very good offense. I would love to see Keim bring in a WR and another LB to help those positions with depth. There should be some guys available after the last round of cuts.

By whatever scale that you want to measure Whittworth, without him, the Rams would have lost the division. Period.

 

[Snakester]

By whatever scale that you want to measure Whittworth, without him, the Rams would have lost the division. Period.

Whitworth has always been good and was good last year. I've always seen him as a better runblocker than pass protector. I just don't think he is as good now as he was five years ago.

 

[LoyalRam]

Whitworth has always been good and was good last year. I've always seen him as a better runblocker than pass protector. I just don't think he is as good now as he was five years ago.

Maybe...but I have been watching him a lot since we got him, and he is technically sound. He is not a penalty machine. He is not satisfied with the first block, and will go downfield to block someone else if necessary. He is a night and and day difference to Greg Robinson (first round bust, Greg Robinson). Sure I'd love for him to be 5 years younger, but I am glad that he is teaching his replacement, Joe Noteboom.

 

[cardncubfan]

By whatever scale that you want to measure Whittworth, without him, the Rams would have lost the division. Period.

I believe your center pretty good last year as well? Wasn't he one of the top rated centers or am I thinking of someone else?

 

[LoyalRam]

I believe your center pretty good last year as well? Wasn't he one of the top rated centers or am I thinking of someone else?

Yes, Sullivan was very good. Blythe backed him up a couple of times, but the whole starting line started all 15 games (rested vs the Niners)

 

[Jetstream Green]

Whitworth has always been good and was good last year. I've always seen him as a better runblocker than pass protector. I just don't think he is as good now as he was five years ago.

I have that opinion for the whole heralded Dallas OL. They're great run blockers but mediocre pass blockers

 

[mojorizen7]

No disrespect meant, mojo (ever!), but there too many moving parts and any direct comparison as though everything is similar between Fisher teams and last years McVay, team is impossible.

1. Fisher team in 2016 was horrific offensively. We were depending on Zeurlein FG's, defensive turnovers, and LONG Hekker punts for the few wins we got. Our defense was a 4-3 and was pretty good. Comparing Fisher team's performance in the Coliseum with McVay's highest scoring team in the NFL, can't be done.
2. Wade took mostly 4-3 personnel and switched that ingrained philosophy to a 3-4 in 2017. which took more time to adapt to last year than anticipated. Wade got to change out some players who didn't fit his 3-4 system with guys like Suh, Peters, Talib, and the rookies for 2018.

Now lets look at the losses at the Coliseum in 2017:

Redskins @ Rams (Week 2) This game was essentially a problem with the defensive 4-3 guys trying to do Wade's 3-4, and doing it badly. We lost fair and square, but to say a similar breakdown in 2018 will happen again, is crazy.

Seahawks @ Rams (Week 5) Still adjusting defensively, but better. Gurley being stripped of the ball at the one yard line by Earl Thomas and it being called a touchback was ridiculous, and the Goff throw to Kupp in the endzone should have been caught in the final minute. But scr*w them, and we did in Seattle, 42-7. The Rams should sweep Seattle in 2018.

Eagles @ Rams (Week 14) We lost to the future Super Bowl champs. What can you say?

49ers @ Rams (Week 17) We played our back ups, and thereby allowed Niner fans to crow about the golden boy, Jimmy G. I'm afraid McVay will do this again. We lost because we didn't put our starting team out there..*shrugs.

I think the fact that the home losses happened last year has reasoning that sets it apart from the Fisher year. Two of the four losses most likely wouldn't happen in 2018 because the team was better after Week 5 in 2017. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorite by many (not all, of course), so the team will be beating teams like the Iggles this time around. "Losing" to an inferior team like frisco after the Division was clinched, is one of the 2 losses I expect in 2018. Consequently, I don't think there is a curse or any reason why we don't lose more than one game at the coliseum in 2018.

Dude i don't disagree with any of those "circumstances" listed but it's just spin in the face of hard numbers and facts. A team doesn't have that large of a win/loss home/away discrepancy and the reason is just "because this or that."

The struggles at the Coliseum are real. You mentioned the bad Fisher team and that we should just "throw that out" essentially...even THAT team won 3 road games vs 1 win at the Coliseum.

If the Rams go a 3rd straight season below .500 at the Coliseum then maybe fans will start paying attention.

At any rate, you and i probably shouldn't be debating this HERE on this board where no one but you or me cares about it, lol.

 

[mojorizen7]

That's two areas that we have them beat. They have a slight edge at QB, we have a slight edge at RB. At WR they have a slight edge but we have a Larry which makes two of anybody elses receivers. If they lose Goff to injury they suddenly become a less than 500 ball club. We at least have our Goff in Rosen waiting behind our starter.

They do have a better RT than we do but both of our guards and our LT are better than their's. I give them an edge at center because our guy is a rookie but he is playing very well. Patrick Peterson is the best in the NFL so he trumps Marcus Peters. Talib gets the edge on Taylor but our safety unit is better than there's. They have us beat on the D-line for sure but if and its a big if Nkemdiche plays this year like the Darnell Dockett clone he can be then even the defensive lines would be a wash. They have Donald we have Chandler Jones. That's a wash at best and really I give Jones the edge. The Rams are not that much better than we are. If they have a couple of major injuries we could win the division. To me it's all about who is healthy at the end of the year. The healthy team wins the division.

Cards have the edge at backup QB for sure. Our backups are terrible.
Patrick Peterson is prob best in the league but you have nothing on the other side and that's tough on that guy. The Rams have two very good CB's and depth at nickel.

I don't know enough about your safety tandem but Baker had a good rookie year. Who's the FS? Joyner and Johnson played well for us last year.

I really have to question what you said about OLine and WR group. I don't think it's even close.

I think Wilks is going to do good things with your D but needs more depth up front to run a 4-3 and a better #2 CB. I can already see that he's got these guys flying around and playing more physical than they did under Bettcher.

If you are a defensive coordinator and you're facing Arizona i just think it going to be pretty simple. Put eight in the box and gameplan David Johnson. Harass Bradford, let Fitz get his.

What do you think?

 

[CFLredzoned]

If you are a defensive coordinator and you're facing Arizona i just think it going to be pretty simple. Put eight in the box and gameplan David Johnson. Harass Bradford, let Fitz get his.

What do you think?

No doubt, teams will try this and it might work. First thing, our QBs have to be good enough to make defenses pay for it. They should be. I worry more about Bradford with this because he can be a checkdown meister, especially under pressure. But Rosen is all about pushing the ball down the field and is super accruate, so he'll make rookie mistakes, but I think he'll adjust well to stacked boxes.

Next, receivers have to get separation and make tough catches. I was worried about this, but I'm starting to feel better about it after last ps game. I was down on Kirk for being a tweener and not a down the field vertical guy, but it looks like he can be really effective on intermediate stuff and tough catches. And the same applies to Rickie Jones. So if you add David Johnson and Edmonds receiving, plus Butler and Fitz, it's not the greatest group, but add in Bradford and Rosen's accuracy, I think that will be good enough to loosen defenses up.

I think the biggest question will be the OL. The starting interior looks good on pass pro so far, LT okay. The thing that scares me is Smith at RT. He's terrible. I saw them already helping him with chipping. That by itself allows for more in the box. Wetzel will be starting at some point. If he needs as much help as Smith, that will be a step backwards. The second tier guys aren't great, so that could really be our undoing and what allows teams to stack the box.

 

[Chopper0080]

Rams - Best overall roster

Seahawks - Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas gives them the edge over 49ers. Our roster as a whole is better, but I think Russ is one of the best in the league. I don't believe they finish 2nd in the division.

Cardinals - We have better top end talent which bridges the gap at QB. However, we end up in 3rd or 4th depending on SF

49ers - Coach and QB combos can make up for a bunch of roster issues. I think they finish 2nd in the division unless Jimmy looks worse than he did last year.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Cards have the edge at backup QB for sure. Our backups are terrible.
Patrick Peterson is prob best in the league but you have nothing on the other side and that's tough on that guy. The Rams have two very good CB's and depth at nickel.

I don't know enough about your safety tandem but Baker had a good rookie year. Who's the FS? Joyner and Johnson played well for us last year.

I really have to question what you said about OLine and WR group. I don't think it's even close.

I think Wilks is going to do good things with your D but needs more depth up front to run a 4-3 and a better #2 CB. I can already see that he's got these guys flying around and playing more physical than they did under Bettcher.

If you are a defensive coordinator and you're facing Arizona i just think it going to be pretty simple. Put eight in the box and gameplan David Johnson. Harass Bradford, let Fitz get his.

What do you think?

I pretty much agree with your observation defending the Cards but there are two possible wildcards in the equation. Though he has not shown much in preseason, Sealy Jones at TE is something teams have not seen from the Cards before because McCoy has shown we will use the TE and we have the QB to do so. Jones looked like a great pass catching TE last year in a limited Arians' offense. Then you have Kirk at WR, who I think is what Austin was thought to be when the Rams drafted him