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By BOB McGINN
The Green Bay Packers have played 54 games since their last meeting with Todd Gurley and the Rams.
In that game, Gurley’s lone appearance against the Packers, he rushed for 159 yards in 30 carries in St. Louis’ 24-10 loss at Lambeau Field. No player has rushed for more against the Packers since Gurley.
Mike McCarthy has coached 215 games in 12 ½ seasons in Green Bay. His defenses as coordinated by Bob Sanders, Dom Capers and Mike Pettine have allowed 53 individual 100-yard games, including 11 for more than 150.
The only player who rushed for 150 more than once in that span was Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson with four.
Gurley will try to make it two-for-two Sunday when the Rams (7-0), the NFL’s only undefeated team, play the Packers (3-2-1) at the 96-year-old Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“He obviously can run the football at an extremely high level,” McCarthy said. “But what he does in pass protection and in the receiving aspect, too … he’s a complete player, and he’s been dominant at times. He’s obviously a big focal point for us.”
Possibly the finest player selected in the 2015 draft, Gurley slipped to the Rams at No. 10 mainly because he underwent knee surgery on Nov. 25, 2014 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Before the draft one personnel man said, “I’d worry about him lasting. He’s like Adrian and (Walter) Payton, very violent and aggressive as a runner. I’m not sure he’s as dynamic as those guys. He could be.”
Gurley made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and last season he finished second behind Tom Brady for The Associated Press MVP award.
Two weeks ago, Gurley surpassed his career-high registered against the Packers with 208 yards in 28 carries against Denver. The Broncos played a light box to defend the pass and lost, 23-20, in Denver.
“He’s pretty much unstoppable right now,” Rams wide receiver Robert Woods said after the game.
Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ coach whose team lost to the Rams, 39-10, on Sunday, acknowledged that LA’s play-action passing game is difficult to cope with because of Gurley.
“When you have a good run game and a good back, it takes a lot of people to stop that,” said Shanahan. “It takes big commitment. You’ve got to shoot your guns and not hesitate. When you do shoot your guns, people usually are very open behind you.”
In Week 2, Arizona stymied Gurley, holding him to 42 yards in 19 carries (2.2). At Seattle on Oct. 7, Gurley carried 22 times for 77 (3.5).
“You can’t let the running back beat you,” an executive in personnel said Tuesday. “You still have to make the young quarterback (Jared Goff) hit his targets and beat you like that.
“You can’t let that running back get rolling because that’s the one thing that will keep Aaron Rodgers off the field.”
The Packers are looking up at a rare point spread of 9 ½. That scout and another NFC personnel director see them beating the spread in a losing cause. Their calls were the Rams by the scores of 27-21 and 38-34.
“In the end, Green Bay will make it closer than people may think because they can attack the LA secondary vertically,” said the NFC scout. “Green Bay’s defense will have to somehow figure out how to stop Todd Gurley as a runner and receiver.
“The Rams make it difficult to defend them because they diversify on offense so well. It’s hard to pressure Goff and still be able to defend the full field horizontally and vertically as the Rams make you do.”
Playing without wide receivers Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb, the Packers still put up net passing splurges of 423 and 405 in their last two games. Green Bay is fourth in yards (421.0), fourth in passing yards (317.3) and 16th in points (24.7).
“Clearly, the Rams are a better team,” one executive said. “But, unlike most teams in the NFL, Green Bay has the ability to score points as well pretty quickly largely due to the quarterback, and he’s getting a little healthier as well, I imagine.
“I don’t know how healthy Green Bay is now. But a healthy Green Bay would make this even more of a fun game because there could be a lot of offense in it.”
OFFENSIVE SCHEME
Coordinator – Coach Sean McVay (second year) acts as his own coordinator and calls the plays.
Key assistant coaches – Aaron Kromer, run game coordinator; Shane Waldron, pass game coordinator.
Notes: McVay, 32, directs an attack that almost always includes one back, one tight end and three wide receivers. Most of the time the quarterback is under center, too. McVay features misdirection, jet sweeps and dummy jet sweeps, screen passes and play-action passing. The Rams have a run rate of 48.4%. The Rams rank first in rushing (153.1), second in total yards (445.3), third in points (33.6) and tied for third in giveaways (six).
What scouts say: “It’s a good combination of having talent and also a nice spread scheme where they can isolate people. They can beat you with individual talent.” … “(Jared) Goff has come a long way from when Jeff Fisher was his guy and they didn’t know quite how to groom him.” … “Kromer used to be the offensive coordinator with the Saints and Drew Brees so they understand how to spread people and attack you vertically and horizontally. Really smart guys.” … “They’re really balanced and explosive.”
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters – Robert Woods (6-0 ½, 195, 4.45 in the 40 before the 2013 draft); Brandin Cooks (5-9 ½, 183, 4.33); either Cooper Kupp (6-1 ½, 208, 4.60) or Josh Reynolds (6-3, 196, 4.53).
Key backups – Nick Williams (5-9, 184, 4.59).
Notes: Woods, the former Bill, is catching the ball much better this season. Kupp sat out Sunday with a knee injury and remains questionable this week. Cooks and a fourth-round pick were acquired from New England on April 4 for first- and sixth-round picks. Reynolds was a fourth-round pick in 2017.
What scouts say: “Not a bad bunch.” … “Cooks is undersized but he’s extremely fast. He’s that vertical guy. He’s taken some shots over the years. He got knocked out of the Super Bowl last year for New England with a concussion. He can flat haul and catch the ball.” … “You like Woods because he brings an element of speed as well. He’s got good hands. He’s a speed guy who can catch the ball and then run. What I like about him most is run after the catch.” … “Reynolds is still coming along. He’s got decent size, good hands and runs good routes. He’s not as polished as you’d like just yet.” … “People always underrate Adam Thielen. That’s Cooper Kupp. He’s got good enough size, excellent hands, runs good routes. He’s not a blazer. Yet, he finds a way to run by you. He plays faster than his timed speed. He’s smart (Wonderlic of 37) and knows how to set people up with his routes.”
TIGHT ENDS
Starter – Tyler Higbee (6-5 ½, 255, no time).
Key backup – Gerald Everett (6-3 ½, 240, 4.39).
Notes: Higbee generally has been the starter since arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2016. Everett, a second-round pick in ’17, has great speed but isn’t on the field much.
What scouts say: “They’re average guys but they do enough.” … “Higbee has long arms (33 ¼ inches) and good hands so he can make catches over defenders. Decent speed. Good athlete.” … “Everett is a small-school guy (South Alabama) and hasn’t quite consistently played up to NFL standards. You’d have thought he would have taken off a little bit more. That he’d be that slightly undersized guy you could match up against all the linebackers. It’s more the mental stuff right now. He runs well, looks the part, good body control. It may click. He does have (tiny) hands (8 ½ inches).”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters – LT Andrew Whitworth (6-7, 330, 5.16); LG Rodger Saffold (6-4 ½, 323, 5.22); C John Sullivan (6-3 ½, 312, 5.35); RG Austin Blythe (6-2, 298, 5.36); RT Rob Havenstein (6-7 ½, 330, 5.46).
Key backups – T Joseph Noteboom (6-5, 321, 4.98); G Jamon Brown (6-3 ½, 340, 5.08).
Notes: The average score of the starters on the Wonderlic intelligence test was 28.8: 24 for Whitworth, 19 for Saffold, 35 for Sullivan, 37 for Blythe and 29 for Havenstein. None of the five regulars missed a start due to injury in 2017 or ’18. Whitworth, the old Bengal, has started 186 of 190 games. When healthy, Saffold has been starting at guard or tackle for the Rams since 2010, his rookie season. Sullivan, once described as “brilliant” by Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer, started for the Vikings from 2009-’14 before a back injury forced him to miss all of ’15. Thinking he was finished, the Vikings let him go. After backing up for Washington in ’16, Sullivan has been starting for 1 ½ seasons. Blythe beat out Brown, who served a two-game suspension to open the season. Blythe has short arms (31 ½ inches) and small hands (9 ½). Havenstein, a former Badger, has been starting since being drafted in the third round in ’15.
What scouts say: “Whitworth is a big guy and a vocal leader. Has the tough-guy image. Big bald head. He’s not athletic. He’s big and has strong hands. His whole deal is tying up the defender. He is a tough guy for a left tackle. I’ll give him that.” … “Saffold is different. He was always hurt in St. Louis. More of a finesse player. Decent athlete.” … “I thought Sullivan was going to retire. I liked the toughness he played with at Minnesota. Smart guy. He brings leadership. Having those seasoned blockers helps the quarterback immensely.” … “Obviously, they’re putting the emphasis on not making mistakes up front and get our quarterback killed over the bigger, more talented guys. Brown is a huge man and is more talented. Blythe’s really a center who plays guard. Not overly talented or strong. He’ll get pushed back by bigger bodies but if he’s working in conjunction with the center he’s normally OK. Having him one-on-one against a big D-tackle isn’t a good situation for him.” … “Havenstein struggled early on with speed off his edge. When he came out of Wisconsin I thought this was just another huge body more than anything else. To some degree that’s what he is. He’ll still have moments where it’s difficult for him to protect the edge. Like Whitworth, if he can lock on he can win the down. Speed guys give him trouble. Every now and then he might need somebody to chip or put a tight end outside him.” … “I’d say Whitworth and Saffold are 1-2. Maybe now Blythe next with Havenstein and Sullivan at the bottom. It’s a do-not-make-mistakes group.”
QUARTERBACKS
Starter – Jared Goff (6-4, 222, 4.78).
Backup – Sean Mannion (6-5 ½, 223, 5.10).
Notes: Goff was terrible as a rookie in seven starts (63.6 passer rating). He blossomed under McVay (100.5) rating in 2017 and presently ranks sixth at 112.7. He’s 18-11 as a starter. His Wonderlic score was 34. Mannion, who scored 40, has been compared to Mike Glennon.
What scouts say: “Goff’s at the point where he’s semi-running the show. There’s a tribute to be made to coaching opposed to just talent. This kid was the first pick in the draft (2016) and was going nowhere fast under the Jeff Fisher regime. It looked like he was going to be the biggest bust since the Raiders quarterback (JaMarcus Russell) back in the day. This guy has been totally different under McVay’s tutelage. He’s a lot more composed. He seems to make his reads boom, boom, boom. He can find his second and third reads, and he’s making some very accurate throws. He’s always been a little bit of a gunslinger. Now he’s just making high-percentage throws. There’s a lot more confidence. Totally different guy. I don’t see him as a superstar quarterback. He’s going to be closer to Alex Smith than Aaron Rodgers. Goff will be that reliable guy. He’s well-coached. He’ll be a really good system guy.” … “What will make Mannion a really good backup his whole career is he’ll know your system inside and out. Probably better than the starter. He’ll never be a starter.”
RUNNING BACKS
Starter – Todd Gurley (6-0 ½, 224, no time).
Key backup – Malcolm Brown (5-11 ½, 222, 4.54).
Notes: Gurley leads the league in rushing (686 yards) after finishing second a year ago (1,305) behind Kareem Hunt. He has scored all 11 of the Rams’ rushing touchdowns.
What scouts say: “Gurley does it all. He’s big, fast and athletic. He does have excellent hands. He can pretty much score from any place on the field. He can jump over you or run around you, and he’s strong enough to run through you. He’s probably the top back in the NFL. He’s a little bit of a freak. He can make crazy runs, jump over people, maintain his balance and still get in the end zone. He’s one of those guys, you have to get him before he gets going. Keep him going sideline to sideline and not turning it up. He’s explosive.” … “I can’t think of what the downside with him might be. When you’re the No. 1 back in the NFL there’s probably not a whole lot of downside.” … “Malcolm is a big body. Not nearly as explosive. He’ll pound it in there.”
DEFENSIVE SCHEME
Coordinator – Wade Phillips (second year).
Key assistant coaches – Joe Barry, assistant head coach/linebackers; Bill Johnson, defensive line.
Notes: Phillips, 71, runs a 3-4 defense with a lot of bells and whistles. Sunday against the 49ers, he played soft zones and made the 49ers’ C.J. Beathard try to beat him deep. Phillips always has based his philosophy around pressuring the quarterback. The Rams rank fourth in points allowed (18.3), seventh in yards allowed (327.4) and tied for ninth in takeaways (12).
What scouts say: “Who outschemes you better than that guy over the years? He just does a good job of picking offenses apart. Taking away what they do best and making you have to beat them with something else. He always seems to be able to counter. A lot of defensive coordinators can’t adjust to the adjustments that the offenses make. The chess game goes on and on with him. That’s what people like about him.” … “He’s got guys up front now that can rush the passer so he doesn’t have to pressure as much. But he can dial it up like nobody’s business.”
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters – DE Michael Brockers (6-5, 305, 5.27); NT Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 313, 5.08); 3-technique Aaron Donald (6-1, 280, 4.66).
Key backups – 3-technique Ethan Westbrooks (6-3 ½, 287, 4.91); DT John Franklin-Myers (6-4, 288, 4.69).
Notes: Donald leads the NFL in sacks with eight, including four against the 49ers. The six-year extension that he signed Aug. 31 is worth $141.89 million, including $86.89M guaranteed. Released by Miami on March 14, Suh went to the Rams three weeks later for $14 million guaranteed for one year. Brockers, the 14th pick in 2012, moved to defensive end last season.
What scouts say: “It’s an interesting group of 3-4 defensive linemen because of their body types.” … “Aaron Donald would be a 4-3 3-technique because he gets up the field. This is a different role for him. Nonetheless, he’s one of if not the most explosive defensive linemen in the game. Short, undersized, thick, strong, really explosive off the ball. That’s where he wins nine times out of 10. When they’re trying to double-team or slide over he can normally beat them up the field before they get him. He’s just that quick off the ball. He’s got really strong hands.” … “As a D-tackle Suh was mostly a 3-technique. There was always another big guy beside him. Now Wade does a good job getting these guys in one-on-one situations, for some reason. He’s big and strong and can take on. He’s making a little bit of a sacrifice because he gets all the double teams. He’s lucky that he’s with those other two guys. They’re formidable. He’s the third (best) of the three.” … “Brockers has good size. It’s good for him to be able to play out there. In their 4-3 he was always inside. Now he can play a 5-technique and get in one-on-one situations with the tackle. He’s isolated now, and he has better quickness than most offensive linemen. He’s got nasty to him. He’s had a resurgence. The combination of those guys is pretty good.” … “They’ve been fortunate to be able to hang on to Westbrooks (for five years). He’s come along nicely. He’s always had a nasty about him. He’s a work-hard, pretty athletic guy. He’s that undersized guy who plays his butt off.” … “Franklin-Myers will be a 300-pound guy in another year and a half, two years.”
LINEBACKERS
Starters – SOLB Matt Longacre (6-3, 265, 4.76); SILB Cory Littleton (6-3, 228, 4.76); WILB Mark Barron (6-1, 222, 4.55); WOLB Samson Ekubam (6-1 ½, 245, 4.49).
Key backups – ILB Ramik Wilson (6-2, 238, 4.68); OLB Trevon Young (6-4, 259, 4.79); OLB Justin Lawler (6-4, 265, 5.03).
Notes: In Game 4 Longacre replaced Dominique Easley, the ex-Patriot who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ekubam, a first-year starter from Eastern Washington, was a fourth-round draft choice in 2017. Littleton was the replacement for Alec Ogletree, who was traded to the Giants in March. He leads the team in tackles (58) to go with two sacks, one interception and eight passes defensed. The Rams signed him as a free agent in 2016. “I don’t know that any linebacker is playing as well as he is,” Phillips said last week. “I think he’s way ahead of everybody in the league as far as pass coverage. Obviously, he’s playing well against the run.”
What scouts say: “Longacre is an interesting dude. In the 4-3 he was a defensive end. Even Easley was drafted as a defensive lineman. They’re kind of bastardizing this 3-4 with 4-3 personnel. Longacre is big with an overachieving type attitude. Not overly athletic but definitely an effort guy.” … “You wouldn’t have thought Ekubam would have played right away because he doesn’t have great instincts. He’s a raw, athletic guy. He’s kind of a run-and-hit type guy. They’re just betting on the come with him.” … “It’s almost a scheme overhaul. Both Littleton and Barron could be portrayed as big safeties that are now playing inside linebacker. Barron moved when the trend changed toward having faster inside linebackers. They’re guys with speed. They’re hopeful the defensive line can keep those blockers off them. They’re not guys that can get under blocks. It’s definitely a defense built on speed.”
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters – LC Marcus Peters (5-11 ½, 195, 4.50); RC Troy Hill (5-10 ½, 183, 4.50); SS John Johnson (6-0 ½, 209, 4.63); FS Lamarcus Joyner (5-8, 191, 4.51).
Key backups – CB Sam Shields (5-10 ½, 185, 4.30); CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (5-7, 180, 4.49); S Marqui Christian (5-10 ½, 207, 4.52).
Notes: The Rams acquired Peters and a sixth-round pick from the Chiefs in March for fourth- and sixth-round picks. Aqib Talib, the other starter, went on injured reserve after three games with an ankle injury. Shields, the ex-Packer whose career ended in Green Bay because of concussions, started Game 4 but Hill started the last three. Hill has extremely short arms (29 ½) and had a bad game against Denver on Oct. 14. Shields went to the Rams March 9 for one year at $1.51 million ($90,000 guaranteed).
What scouts say: “Marcus plays corner like a receiver. He’s not really a technique-sound guy as far as backpedal and flipping the hips. When the ball’s in the air he plays it like he’s a receiver. Receivers will run by him. It’s easy to do because he’s going to squat on routes. He’s a guesser. You always have a chance to beat him with double moves because he’s always looking for the interception. He has a receiver mentality but he’s playing in the back end. If you want to see him at his worst it would be the Seattle game (Oct. 7). They lit him up pretty good. He’s never going to quit. Doesn’t matter if you beat him five times for touchdowns. He’s still going to get that one interception and think he had a great day.” … “Hill has been around for a while as a backup or utility corner. I’d never see him as a starter. He’s a solid nickel. Teams will take advantage of him as a starter. I’d go at him.” … “The one thing you do see with Shields is he can still run well enough to play. He can play press and turn and run. He might be better in press than in off man or zone because he can just utilize his speed. He’s not the player that he was but he still has good enough speed.” … “It’s funny his name is Nickell Robey because that’s really what he’s best at. Nickel.” … “Joyner goes and attacks everything. He’s like a little Tasmanian devil, a real aggressive guy. He’s a good athlete. Kind of a tweener between corner and safety. He plays hard. Good balls skills. He might knock himself out but he will hit you.” … “Johnson has ideal size. He’s a finesse free safety with good coverage skills. He’s more of a center fielder than a run-support threat. He’ll be adequate. Better athlete than football player. Runs well enough.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coordinator – John Fassel (seventh year).
Personnel – K Greg Zuerlein (6-0, 191); P Johnny Hekker (6-5, 241); LS Jake McQuaide (6-2, 235); KR Blake Countess (5-9 ½, 191, 4.53); PR JoJo Natson (5-6 ½, 153, 4.44).
Notes: Fassel is one of the NFL’s best coordinators. The Rams already have blocked two punts; one was by Littleton, who has four blocks in 1 ½ seasons. Zeurlein returned Sunday after missing five games with a groin injury. He’s an 83.1% career kicker. Hekker, a four-time Pro Bowler, is averaging just 41.3 yards (gross) and 38.8 net in 15 punts. Pharoh Cooper, the Pro Bowl return specialist in 2017, went on injured reserve with an ankle injury after one game. His replacements, Natson (17.2) and Countess (25.7), are dangerous.
What scouts say: “Young coach Fassel kind of lives up to the hype. He comes with some really good schemes. He’s got guys that have bought into his persona running an aggressive, innovative, special-teams unit. He’s always solid and sound. He always has a nice return guy and return scheme. They’re good across the board on special teams.” … “Littleton has quite the knack for turning his shoulders and getting in there and blocking kicks. He’s athletic, tall and lanky. He has long arms (33 3/8), too.” … “When Zuerlein first came in the league he was known for having a big leg. Consequently, that’s what happens. You start getting little injuries. Both he and Hekker are big-leg guys. Hekker can boom it. Lot of good hang time.” … “You just can’t get a hold of JoJo. He’s quick and fast. Just give him a crease. On the down side, it only takes one collision and JoJo is ‘NoGo.’” … “A lot of this is the scheme. Fassel gives them a chance to hit a crease.”
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The Green Bay Packers have played 54 games since their last meeting with Todd Gurley and the Rams.
In that game, Gurley’s lone appearance against the Packers, he rushed for 159 yards in 30 carries in St. Louis’ 24-10 loss at Lambeau Field. No player has rushed for more against the Packers since Gurley.
Mike McCarthy has coached 215 games in 12 ½ seasons in Green Bay. His defenses as coordinated by Bob Sanders, Dom Capers and Mike Pettine have allowed 53 individual 100-yard games, including 11 for more than 150.
The only player who rushed for 150 more than once in that span was Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson with four.
Gurley will try to make it two-for-two Sunday when the Rams (7-0), the NFL’s only undefeated team, play the Packers (3-2-1) at the 96-year-old Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“He obviously can run the football at an extremely high level,” McCarthy said. “But what he does in pass protection and in the receiving aspect, too … he’s a complete player, and he’s been dominant at times. He’s obviously a big focal point for us.”
Possibly the finest player selected in the 2015 draft, Gurley slipped to the Rams at No. 10 mainly because he underwent knee surgery on Nov. 25, 2014 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Before the draft one personnel man said, “I’d worry about him lasting. He’s like Adrian and (Walter) Payton, very violent and aggressive as a runner. I’m not sure he’s as dynamic as those guys. He could be.”
Gurley made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and last season he finished second behind Tom Brady for The Associated Press MVP award.
Two weeks ago, Gurley surpassed his career-high registered against the Packers with 208 yards in 28 carries against Denver. The Broncos played a light box to defend the pass and lost, 23-20, in Denver.
“He’s pretty much unstoppable right now,” Rams wide receiver Robert Woods said after the game.
Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ coach whose team lost to the Rams, 39-10, on Sunday, acknowledged that LA’s play-action passing game is difficult to cope with because of Gurley.
“When you have a good run game and a good back, it takes a lot of people to stop that,” said Shanahan. “It takes big commitment. You’ve got to shoot your guns and not hesitate. When you do shoot your guns, people usually are very open behind you.”
In Week 2, Arizona stymied Gurley, holding him to 42 yards in 19 carries (2.2). At Seattle on Oct. 7, Gurley carried 22 times for 77 (3.5).
“You can’t let the running back beat you,” an executive in personnel said Tuesday. “You still have to make the young quarterback (Jared Goff) hit his targets and beat you like that.
“You can’t let that running back get rolling because that’s the one thing that will keep Aaron Rodgers off the field.”
The Packers are looking up at a rare point spread of 9 ½. That scout and another NFC personnel director see them beating the spread in a losing cause. Their calls were the Rams by the scores of 27-21 and 38-34.
“In the end, Green Bay will make it closer than people may think because they can attack the LA secondary vertically,” said the NFC scout. “Green Bay’s defense will have to somehow figure out how to stop Todd Gurley as a runner and receiver.
“The Rams make it difficult to defend them because they diversify on offense so well. It’s hard to pressure Goff and still be able to defend the full field horizontally and vertically as the Rams make you do.”
Playing without wide receivers Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb, the Packers still put up net passing splurges of 423 and 405 in their last two games. Green Bay is fourth in yards (421.0), fourth in passing yards (317.3) and 16th in points (24.7).
“Clearly, the Rams are a better team,” one executive said. “But, unlike most teams in the NFL, Green Bay has the ability to score points as well pretty quickly largely due to the quarterback, and he’s getting a little healthier as well, I imagine.
“I don’t know how healthy Green Bay is now. But a healthy Green Bay would make this even more of a fun game because there could be a lot of offense in it.”
OFFENSIVE SCHEME
Coordinator – Coach Sean McVay (second year) acts as his own coordinator and calls the plays.
Key assistant coaches – Aaron Kromer, run game coordinator; Shane Waldron, pass game coordinator.
Notes: McVay, 32, directs an attack that almost always includes one back, one tight end and three wide receivers. Most of the time the quarterback is under center, too. McVay features misdirection, jet sweeps and dummy jet sweeps, screen passes and play-action passing. The Rams have a run rate of 48.4%. The Rams rank first in rushing (153.1), second in total yards (445.3), third in points (33.6) and tied for third in giveaways (six).
What scouts say: “It’s a good combination of having talent and also a nice spread scheme where they can isolate people. They can beat you with individual talent.” … “(Jared) Goff has come a long way from when Jeff Fisher was his guy and they didn’t know quite how to groom him.” … “Kromer used to be the offensive coordinator with the Saints and Drew Brees so they understand how to spread people and attack you vertically and horizontally. Really smart guys.” … “They’re really balanced and explosive.”
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters – Robert Woods (6-0 ½, 195, 4.45 in the 40 before the 2013 draft); Brandin Cooks (5-9 ½, 183, 4.33); either Cooper Kupp (6-1 ½, 208, 4.60) or Josh Reynolds (6-3, 196, 4.53).
Key backups – Nick Williams (5-9, 184, 4.59).
Notes: Woods, the former Bill, is catching the ball much better this season. Kupp sat out Sunday with a knee injury and remains questionable this week. Cooks and a fourth-round pick were acquired from New England on April 4 for first- and sixth-round picks. Reynolds was a fourth-round pick in 2017.
What scouts say: “Not a bad bunch.” … “Cooks is undersized but he’s extremely fast. He’s that vertical guy. He’s taken some shots over the years. He got knocked out of the Super Bowl last year for New England with a concussion. He can flat haul and catch the ball.” … “You like Woods because he brings an element of speed as well. He’s got good hands. He’s a speed guy who can catch the ball and then run. What I like about him most is run after the catch.” … “Reynolds is still coming along. He’s got decent size, good hands and runs good routes. He’s not as polished as you’d like just yet.” … “People always underrate Adam Thielen. That’s Cooper Kupp. He’s got good enough size, excellent hands, runs good routes. He’s not a blazer. Yet, he finds a way to run by you. He plays faster than his timed speed. He’s smart (Wonderlic of 37) and knows how to set people up with his routes.”
TIGHT ENDS
Starter – Tyler Higbee (6-5 ½, 255, no time).
Key backup – Gerald Everett (6-3 ½, 240, 4.39).
Notes: Higbee generally has been the starter since arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2016. Everett, a second-round pick in ’17, has great speed but isn’t on the field much.
What scouts say: “They’re average guys but they do enough.” … “Higbee has long arms (33 ¼ inches) and good hands so he can make catches over defenders. Decent speed. Good athlete.” … “Everett is a small-school guy (South Alabama) and hasn’t quite consistently played up to NFL standards. You’d have thought he would have taken off a little bit more. That he’d be that slightly undersized guy you could match up against all the linebackers. It’s more the mental stuff right now. He runs well, looks the part, good body control. It may click. He does have (tiny) hands (8 ½ inches).”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters – LT Andrew Whitworth (6-7, 330, 5.16); LG Rodger Saffold (6-4 ½, 323, 5.22); C John Sullivan (6-3 ½, 312, 5.35); RG Austin Blythe (6-2, 298, 5.36); RT Rob Havenstein (6-7 ½, 330, 5.46).
Key backups – T Joseph Noteboom (6-5, 321, 4.98); G Jamon Brown (6-3 ½, 340, 5.08).
Notes: The average score of the starters on the Wonderlic intelligence test was 28.8: 24 for Whitworth, 19 for Saffold, 35 for Sullivan, 37 for Blythe and 29 for Havenstein. None of the five regulars missed a start due to injury in 2017 or ’18. Whitworth, the old Bengal, has started 186 of 190 games. When healthy, Saffold has been starting at guard or tackle for the Rams since 2010, his rookie season. Sullivan, once described as “brilliant” by Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer, started for the Vikings from 2009-’14 before a back injury forced him to miss all of ’15. Thinking he was finished, the Vikings let him go. After backing up for Washington in ’16, Sullivan has been starting for 1 ½ seasons. Blythe beat out Brown, who served a two-game suspension to open the season. Blythe has short arms (31 ½ inches) and small hands (9 ½). Havenstein, a former Badger, has been starting since being drafted in the third round in ’15.
What scouts say: “Whitworth is a big guy and a vocal leader. Has the tough-guy image. Big bald head. He’s not athletic. He’s big and has strong hands. His whole deal is tying up the defender. He is a tough guy for a left tackle. I’ll give him that.” … “Saffold is different. He was always hurt in St. Louis. More of a finesse player. Decent athlete.” … “I thought Sullivan was going to retire. I liked the toughness he played with at Minnesota. Smart guy. He brings leadership. Having those seasoned blockers helps the quarterback immensely.” … “Obviously, they’re putting the emphasis on not making mistakes up front and get our quarterback killed over the bigger, more talented guys. Brown is a huge man and is more talented. Blythe’s really a center who plays guard. Not overly talented or strong. He’ll get pushed back by bigger bodies but if he’s working in conjunction with the center he’s normally OK. Having him one-on-one against a big D-tackle isn’t a good situation for him.” … “Havenstein struggled early on with speed off his edge. When he came out of Wisconsin I thought this was just another huge body more than anything else. To some degree that’s what he is. He’ll still have moments where it’s difficult for him to protect the edge. Like Whitworth, if he can lock on he can win the down. Speed guys give him trouble. Every now and then he might need somebody to chip or put a tight end outside him.” … “I’d say Whitworth and Saffold are 1-2. Maybe now Blythe next with Havenstein and Sullivan at the bottom. It’s a do-not-make-mistakes group.”
QUARTERBACKS
Starter – Jared Goff (6-4, 222, 4.78).
Backup – Sean Mannion (6-5 ½, 223, 5.10).
Notes: Goff was terrible as a rookie in seven starts (63.6 passer rating). He blossomed under McVay (100.5) rating in 2017 and presently ranks sixth at 112.7. He’s 18-11 as a starter. His Wonderlic score was 34. Mannion, who scored 40, has been compared to Mike Glennon.
What scouts say: “Goff’s at the point where he’s semi-running the show. There’s a tribute to be made to coaching opposed to just talent. This kid was the first pick in the draft (2016) and was going nowhere fast under the Jeff Fisher regime. It looked like he was going to be the biggest bust since the Raiders quarterback (JaMarcus Russell) back in the day. This guy has been totally different under McVay’s tutelage. He’s a lot more composed. He seems to make his reads boom, boom, boom. He can find his second and third reads, and he’s making some very accurate throws. He’s always been a little bit of a gunslinger. Now he’s just making high-percentage throws. There’s a lot more confidence. Totally different guy. I don’t see him as a superstar quarterback. He’s going to be closer to Alex Smith than Aaron Rodgers. Goff will be that reliable guy. He’s well-coached. He’ll be a really good system guy.” … “What will make Mannion a really good backup his whole career is he’ll know your system inside and out. Probably better than the starter. He’ll never be a starter.”
RUNNING BACKS
Starter – Todd Gurley (6-0 ½, 224, no time).
Key backup – Malcolm Brown (5-11 ½, 222, 4.54).
Notes: Gurley leads the league in rushing (686 yards) after finishing second a year ago (1,305) behind Kareem Hunt. He has scored all 11 of the Rams’ rushing touchdowns.
What scouts say: “Gurley does it all. He’s big, fast and athletic. He does have excellent hands. He can pretty much score from any place on the field. He can jump over you or run around you, and he’s strong enough to run through you. He’s probably the top back in the NFL. He’s a little bit of a freak. He can make crazy runs, jump over people, maintain his balance and still get in the end zone. He’s one of those guys, you have to get him before he gets going. Keep him going sideline to sideline and not turning it up. He’s explosive.” … “I can’t think of what the downside with him might be. When you’re the No. 1 back in the NFL there’s probably not a whole lot of downside.” … “Malcolm is a big body. Not nearly as explosive. He’ll pound it in there.”
DEFENSIVE SCHEME
Coordinator – Wade Phillips (second year).
Key assistant coaches – Joe Barry, assistant head coach/linebackers; Bill Johnson, defensive line.
Notes: Phillips, 71, runs a 3-4 defense with a lot of bells and whistles. Sunday against the 49ers, he played soft zones and made the 49ers’ C.J. Beathard try to beat him deep. Phillips always has based his philosophy around pressuring the quarterback. The Rams rank fourth in points allowed (18.3), seventh in yards allowed (327.4) and tied for ninth in takeaways (12).
What scouts say: “Who outschemes you better than that guy over the years? He just does a good job of picking offenses apart. Taking away what they do best and making you have to beat them with something else. He always seems to be able to counter. A lot of defensive coordinators can’t adjust to the adjustments that the offenses make. The chess game goes on and on with him. That’s what people like about him.” … “He’s got guys up front now that can rush the passer so he doesn’t have to pressure as much. But he can dial it up like nobody’s business.”
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters – DE Michael Brockers (6-5, 305, 5.27); NT Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 313, 5.08); 3-technique Aaron Donald (6-1, 280, 4.66).
Key backups – 3-technique Ethan Westbrooks (6-3 ½, 287, 4.91); DT John Franklin-Myers (6-4, 288, 4.69).
Notes: Donald leads the NFL in sacks with eight, including four against the 49ers. The six-year extension that he signed Aug. 31 is worth $141.89 million, including $86.89M guaranteed. Released by Miami on March 14, Suh went to the Rams three weeks later for $14 million guaranteed for one year. Brockers, the 14th pick in 2012, moved to defensive end last season.
What scouts say: “It’s an interesting group of 3-4 defensive linemen because of their body types.” … “Aaron Donald would be a 4-3 3-technique because he gets up the field. This is a different role for him. Nonetheless, he’s one of if not the most explosive defensive linemen in the game. Short, undersized, thick, strong, really explosive off the ball. That’s where he wins nine times out of 10. When they’re trying to double-team or slide over he can normally beat them up the field before they get him. He’s just that quick off the ball. He’s got really strong hands.” … “As a D-tackle Suh was mostly a 3-technique. There was always another big guy beside him. Now Wade does a good job getting these guys in one-on-one situations, for some reason. He’s big and strong and can take on. He’s making a little bit of a sacrifice because he gets all the double teams. He’s lucky that he’s with those other two guys. They’re formidable. He’s the third (best) of the three.” … “Brockers has good size. It’s good for him to be able to play out there. In their 4-3 he was always inside. Now he can play a 5-technique and get in one-on-one situations with the tackle. He’s isolated now, and he has better quickness than most offensive linemen. He’s got nasty to him. He’s had a resurgence. The combination of those guys is pretty good.” … “They’ve been fortunate to be able to hang on to Westbrooks (for five years). He’s come along nicely. He’s always had a nasty about him. He’s a work-hard, pretty athletic guy. He’s that undersized guy who plays his butt off.” … “Franklin-Myers will be a 300-pound guy in another year and a half, two years.”
LINEBACKERS
Starters – SOLB Matt Longacre (6-3, 265, 4.76); SILB Cory Littleton (6-3, 228, 4.76); WILB Mark Barron (6-1, 222, 4.55); WOLB Samson Ekubam (6-1 ½, 245, 4.49).
Key backups – ILB Ramik Wilson (6-2, 238, 4.68); OLB Trevon Young (6-4, 259, 4.79); OLB Justin Lawler (6-4, 265, 5.03).
Notes: In Game 4 Longacre replaced Dominique Easley, the ex-Patriot who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ekubam, a first-year starter from Eastern Washington, was a fourth-round draft choice in 2017. Littleton was the replacement for Alec Ogletree, who was traded to the Giants in March. He leads the team in tackles (58) to go with two sacks, one interception and eight passes defensed. The Rams signed him as a free agent in 2016. “I don’t know that any linebacker is playing as well as he is,” Phillips said last week. “I think he’s way ahead of everybody in the league as far as pass coverage. Obviously, he’s playing well against the run.”
What scouts say: “Longacre is an interesting dude. In the 4-3 he was a defensive end. Even Easley was drafted as a defensive lineman. They’re kind of bastardizing this 3-4 with 4-3 personnel. Longacre is big with an overachieving type attitude. Not overly athletic but definitely an effort guy.” … “You wouldn’t have thought Ekubam would have played right away because he doesn’t have great instincts. He’s a raw, athletic guy. He’s kind of a run-and-hit type guy. They’re just betting on the come with him.” … “It’s almost a scheme overhaul. Both Littleton and Barron could be portrayed as big safeties that are now playing inside linebacker. Barron moved when the trend changed toward having faster inside linebackers. They’re guys with speed. They’re hopeful the defensive line can keep those blockers off them. They’re not guys that can get under blocks. It’s definitely a defense built on speed.”
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters – LC Marcus Peters (5-11 ½, 195, 4.50); RC Troy Hill (5-10 ½, 183, 4.50); SS John Johnson (6-0 ½, 209, 4.63); FS Lamarcus Joyner (5-8, 191, 4.51).
Key backups – CB Sam Shields (5-10 ½, 185, 4.30); CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (5-7, 180, 4.49); S Marqui Christian (5-10 ½, 207, 4.52).
Notes: The Rams acquired Peters and a sixth-round pick from the Chiefs in March for fourth- and sixth-round picks. Aqib Talib, the other starter, went on injured reserve after three games with an ankle injury. Shields, the ex-Packer whose career ended in Green Bay because of concussions, started Game 4 but Hill started the last three. Hill has extremely short arms (29 ½) and had a bad game against Denver on Oct. 14. Shields went to the Rams March 9 for one year at $1.51 million ($90,000 guaranteed).
What scouts say: “Marcus plays corner like a receiver. He’s not really a technique-sound guy as far as backpedal and flipping the hips. When the ball’s in the air he plays it like he’s a receiver. Receivers will run by him. It’s easy to do because he’s going to squat on routes. He’s a guesser. You always have a chance to beat him with double moves because he’s always looking for the interception. He has a receiver mentality but he’s playing in the back end. If you want to see him at his worst it would be the Seattle game (Oct. 7). They lit him up pretty good. He’s never going to quit. Doesn’t matter if you beat him five times for touchdowns. He’s still going to get that one interception and think he had a great day.” … “Hill has been around for a while as a backup or utility corner. I’d never see him as a starter. He’s a solid nickel. Teams will take advantage of him as a starter. I’d go at him.” … “The one thing you do see with Shields is he can still run well enough to play. He can play press and turn and run. He might be better in press than in off man or zone because he can just utilize his speed. He’s not the player that he was but he still has good enough speed.” … “It’s funny his name is Nickell Robey because that’s really what he’s best at. Nickel.” … “Joyner goes and attacks everything. He’s like a little Tasmanian devil, a real aggressive guy. He’s a good athlete. Kind of a tweener between corner and safety. He plays hard. Good balls skills. He might knock himself out but he will hit you.” … “Johnson has ideal size. He’s a finesse free safety with good coverage skills. He’s more of a center fielder than a run-support threat. He’ll be adequate. Better athlete than football player. Runs well enough.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coordinator – John Fassel (seventh year).
Personnel – K Greg Zuerlein (6-0, 191); P Johnny Hekker (6-5, 241); LS Jake McQuaide (6-2, 235); KR Blake Countess (5-9 ½, 191, 4.53); PR JoJo Natson (5-6 ½, 153, 4.44).
Notes: Fassel is one of the NFL’s best coordinators. The Rams already have blocked two punts; one was by Littleton, who has four blocks in 1 ½ seasons. Zeurlein returned Sunday after missing five games with a groin injury. He’s an 83.1% career kicker. Hekker, a four-time Pro Bowler, is averaging just 41.3 yards (gross) and 38.8 net in 15 punts. Pharoh Cooper, the Pro Bowl return specialist in 2017, went on injured reserve with an ankle injury after one game. His replacements, Natson (17.2) and Countess (25.7), are dangerous.
What scouts say: “Young coach Fassel kind of lives up to the hype. He comes with some really good schemes. He’s got guys that have bought into his persona running an aggressive, innovative, special-teams unit. He’s always solid and sound. He always has a nice return guy and return scheme. They’re good across the board on special teams.” … “Littleton has quite the knack for turning his shoulders and getting in there and blocking kicks. He’s athletic, tall and lanky. He has long arms (33 3/8), too.” … “When Zuerlein first came in the league he was known for having a big leg. Consequently, that’s what happens. You start getting little injuries. Both he and Hekker are big-leg guys. Hekker can boom it. Lot of good hang time.” … “You just can’t get a hold of JoJo. He’s quick and fast. Just give him a crease. On the down side, it only takes one collision and JoJo is ‘NoGo.’” … “A lot of this is the scheme. Fassel gives them a chance to hit a crease.”
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