Ten things I would like to see on Sunday, November 3, 2002.
By Rams Nation's Ed Andresen
Who knows, if this stirs up enough interest, I may type up another list for
the following Sunday.
1. Run the ball with two tight ends with both Marshall and
Lamar lined up in a split backfield. Run cross-bucks inside of the tackles and
also run quick pitch plays to either Marshall or Gordon. Bulger will have to
make the correct read prior to pitching the ball to either Faulk or Gordon.
He will have to read the strong safety and the outside linebackers. If they
are in the box and leaning toward Marshall, pitch the ball to Gordon and let
him follow the TE. Critical to the success of this play will be the blocking
of our wide receivers.
2. From the above formation, throw a TE screen pass in the
middle of the field (Marshall has to be in motion, away from the play for it
to work). Hopefully they will use Brandon M. on at least one of these plays.
I would like to see what the young giant can do with the ball in his hands in
the middle of the field as he sets his sights on the defensive backs that are
going to tackle him. Both he and Ernie have to be aware of the linebackers that
will be coming from behind them; they have to protect the ball. I would also
like to see them just run over the defensive backs and not try anything that
would resemble juking a player for a paltry couple of extra yards. Dish out
punishment to their DB’s. Make them flinch when certain formations are
recognized.
3. I would like to see the run established with a 2 or 3 to
1 ratio of run to pass in the first half. I know that Martz feels that his team
should be able to pass the ball on anyone, but I think that getting the offensive
line into a rhythm by pounding the Cardinal defensive line and linebackers will
bring big dividends later in the game. I want our big guys to get the feeling
that a successful running game brings with it. I cannot explain it, but when
you know you can run and run with power, your whole line blocks better and with
more energy on pass plays. When I played QB, that is what I tried to establish
with my big guys. Get them into the game early and let them dominate and dish
out punishment early and often. We did not always win, but the feeling in the
huddle even in defeat was that we got our licks in on the defense.
4. From a tight formation, with no one in motion, throw a quick
strike on a slant pattern to Torry Holt. I would like to see Torry develop into
a force on this type of play. It will make the safeties look short pass first
and this will open plays later in the game and also in the larger picture -
the rest of the season. The key block will have to be made by the tackle as
they will have to take out the DE legs to open the passing lane for this play.
In the next series of downs I would like to see either T. Brown or T. Wilkens
get the ball using the same play. I really feel that we need to attack the center
of the field with short passes that give our play makers opportunities for some
serious YAC. This will also keep their linebackers from dropping so deep in
their zone pass coverage's.
5. If we have run the ball with effectiveness and have established
a steady driving force of offensive line blocking for our backs, I would like
to see a deep throw in the middle of the field, one where our WR doesn't’t
have to slow down and wait for the ball, but rather have to speed up in order
to catch it. If our running game is going well, this play will work on first
down, or if we have a short yardage situation on 2nd down. I believe this play
will work in the second quarter or in the middle of the second half.
6. In a short yardage situation, say 2nd and 1, I wouldn't’t
mind seeing Martz give the ball to Brandon M. from a single back set (Marshall
would go into motion from the deep I position prior to the snap). Brandon would
have to be heavily coached by B. Jackson prior to the game. Jackson would have
teach Brandon M. to look at the crease between the guard and tackle and if one
is not there, don’t hesitate, just bull his way straight ahead with both
arms covering the ball. I think he would make the necessary yardage and it would
also give upcoming opponents something else they would have to practice stopping.
7. I would like to see Lovie Smith turn Adam A. lose and just
point him toward Jake the Snake. Jake can run and has good pocket awareness,
but I think that the human laser known as Adam A., will be more than Jake can
handle and will not be able to shake free to make any plays.
8. Lovie Smith would be served well by blitzing Tommy Polley,
followed closely by Adam A. I have not seen this blitz since we played the Vikes
in 1999. London was blocked by Robert Smith, but our strong safety made J. George
pay for playing the QB position in the NFL. A great blitz design by Bunting.
We cannot afford to give Jake any time to make his reads, we have to take him
down early and often when he drops back to pass. We have to make it uncomfortable
for him when he sees our D moving around prior to the snap. We also have to
stay in our lanes or he will be off and running down field.
9. I would like to see Bobby April’s special team’s
contain Arizona’s return men for a whole game. A turnover caused by gang
tackling by this group would be cause for celebration as well. April’s
teams have to step up their play if we are to have any realistic chance of making
the play-offs. He knows it, Martz knows it, you and I know it, and so do our
opponents. We have to stop giving our opponents short fields to drive for scores
after punts or kick-offs and we have to move the ball into the Cardinal end
of the field when we get a punt or a kick-off.
10. I would like to see Coach Martz go bonkers when a member
of the officiating crew makes a no call when the Cardinal defense holds our
receivers or hits our QB late. I would also like to see him yell and gesture
wildly when an official makes a bad call or fails to make the right call. I
think the team would like to see Coach Martz show his emotions and show openly
that he is going to protect his players and his team’s chances of making
the play-offs by demanding immediate answers when an official makes a bad call,
rather than filing a protest after the game to the league office.
As you noticed, I have not listed that I want to see a Ram victory. Rest assured,
I most certainly want to watch our team win on Sunday. I believe we will win,
if we are able to accomplish the majority of my wish list. I know we can still
win even if we did not do anything on my list. As the title states, I am just
listing ten things I would like to see this Sunday when we play the Cardinals.