Peripatetic Rams Week

[Patler]

Not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We didn't spend a high pick or a lot of cash on Bahktari so you get what you get.

I said he was better than some they have run out there. I'm defending the tackles more than complaining about them, but I won't be blind to their shortcomings either. We should want and try to get better than Bakhtiari and Barclay, because they are nothing special. Even though OT's don't grow on trees, there are better ones; the trick is getting one. But, until and unless they get one who is better, they certainly can get by with what they have

In a perfect world, all of out 1st round picks on OL, DL/LB for a few years there would have netted more than a single pro-bowler. So yes, you get what you get, whether it is a high pick or a low pick.

[Rutnstrut]

I'm afraid the Rams D-line will dominate the Packers O-line, especially if the Pack's line plays like they did against the Niners. It will also be a challenge for the D-line to stop Gurley, and should show just how good the run D is.

[pbmax]

Peripatetic Adj: Aristotelian

Often used to mean itinerant, wandering, meandering, or walking about. Aristotle was prone to walking about while teaching, thus the term.

This word from pb's word of the day calendar was brought to you by the letter W and the number 5.

Most often used in modern usage to describe Larry Brown, the well-traveled basketball coach.

[pbmax]

I'm afraid the Rams D-line will dominate the Packers O-line, especially if the Pack's line plays like they did against the Niners. It will also be a challenge for the D-line to stop Gurley, and should show just how good the run D is.

Being at home always helps the O line. I was mist surprised by Sitton's two holds. He never gets penalized.

[Rutnstrut]

Being at home always helps the O line. I was mist surprised by Sitton's two holds. He never gets penalized.

Seems like the whole O-line had the yipps on Sunday.

[Pugger]

I would rather have a couple of holding calls than AR getting planted.

Absolutely. We lose #12 and we are basically screwed.

[Joemailman]

Packers favored by 9.5. That's a gig point spread against a team that has beaten Seattle and Arizona.

[hoosier]

Gig indeed. But the spread against the Niners seemed awfully large and they managed to cover that. If the defense doesn't take the day off the Packers should win by 10.

[smuggler]

Yeah. We had some trouble with the 49ers, but that was a road game. If this game were in St Louis it could look a lot like last season's Buffalo game. Thankfully, it's not. But, it will probably be a grind regardless. StL might pull it off. Just gotta get out of this one with no new injuries.

[mraynrand]

You guys (and gals) are spoiled.

And loving it!

[Rutnstrut]

I would rather have a couple of holding calls than AR getting planted.

Yeah except they had holding penalties and Rodgers got hit, not good at all.

[pbmax]

Rams offense has scored well against Seattle and Arizona and been baffled by Pittsburgh and Washington.

Nothing about that makes sense except Special Teams.

[hoosier]

Rams offense has scored well against Seattle and Arizona and been baffled by Pittsburgh and Washington.

Nothing about that makes sense except Special Teams.

Or maybe Foles's limited recognition ability? (I'm assuming Pittsburgh still uses some variation of the LeBeau zone blitz.)

[Maxie the Taxi]

Rams offense has scored well against Seattle and Arizona and been baffled by Pittsburgh and Washington.

Nothing about that makes sense except Special Teams.

I watched the Rams/Steelers until Big Ben got hurt. Bad news is, Rams should have won that game IMO. They had a lot of dropped passes and dropped interceptions. I didn't notice anything special about either of the special teams.

Rams front four is definitely great. They get pressure with four that other teams get with blitzing a LB or two. In the second half, the Rams came out blitzing and got to Ben big time. On the play he was hurt, the Rams rushed five.

On the other side of the ball, Foles threw mainly short. They like to get the ball to Austin in space; Britt too. Austin is a player. Tough to tackle, quick and fast too. No need for the Pack to go blitz happy IMO. Just keep steady pressure on Foles in the pocked. The guy has a quick release though and can get the ball downfield. On one of the few times he tried it, Kendricks dropped the ball.

Both teams played a lot of New England Billy Ball. Big Ben connected deeper a couple of times on slants (this is where we'll miss Jordy big time), but mostly Ben was throwing quick over the middle on quick pitches to Bell and the TE. Rams LB's are very active and cover a lot of ground...good tacklers too.

The Pack better tackle. All the Rams RB's are tough to bring down. Tre Mason is quick and runs hard. Last week Gurley had a breakout game, though he was held in check by the Steelers. Cunningham is a slasher. They ran Cunningham and Austin out of the backfield a couple times.

Rams front four just didn't give Big Ben time to throw downfield. The time he did it was an easy pick. They're pretty tough to run against too.

If it were up to me, I'd give them a heavy dose of Lacy to start. I don't know if Arod will be able to buy time in this one by running outside the pocket. Jones and Cobb should be open underneath for quick throws. I would bet Monty has a break out game. It just seems like his game is suited to Rams defense. And DickRod might be key, especially in the red zone.

Oh yeah, and watch for special teams trick plays. Fisher's not shy about running them. Against the Steelers, they had a guy wide open on a fake punt, but it was poorly thrown.

[pbmax]

Wasn't Gurley's first game post-injury last week?