St. Louis Rams week 9 coaches film analysis

Originally posted by NCommand:
Here is an interesting sack pattern:

#1 1st and 10 @ 2.0 seconds (Boone/Davis)
#2 3rd and 10 @ 2.5 (Staley/Gore)
#3 2nd and 6 @ 2.0 (Davis)
#4 3rd and 3 @ 3.0 but pressure at 2.0 (CK)
#5 2nd and 1 @ 3.0 (Staley)
#6 1st and 10 @ 4.0 but pressure at 2.0 (Boone/Martin)
#7 1st and 10 @ 3.0 but pressure at 2.0 (Martin)
#8 2nd and 11 @ 4.0 but no receiving options but avoids the sack (Design)

At what point would YOU switch up the game plan here and start running wham blocks, going max protect, delayed chip-releases by the backs, quick-strike passes, using the TE's to the vacated areas of the blitzing LB's, middle screens, designed delayed middle QB runs, etc.?

What's stranger is that these are all plays the Niners used to excel at. It was a game vs Detroit where the wham play pretty much won them the game. .

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Here is an interesting sack pattern:

#1 1st and 10 @ 2.0 seconds (Boone/Davis)
#2 3rd and 10 @ 2.5 (Staley/Gore)
#3 2nd and 6 @ 2.0 (Davis)
#4 3rd and 3 @ 3.0 but pressure at 2.0 (CK)
#5 2nd and 1 @ 3.0 (Staley)
#6 1st and 10 @ 4.0 but pressure at 2.0 (Boone/Martin)
#7 1st and 10 @ 3.0 but pressure at 2.0 (Martin)
#8 2nd and 11 @ 4.0 but no receiving options but avoids the sack (Design)

At what point would YOU switch up the game plan here and start running wham blocks, going max protect, delayed chip-releases by the backs, quick-strike passes, using the TE's to the vacated areas of the blitzing LB's, middle screens, designed delayed middle QB runs, etc.?

What's stranger is that these are all plays the Niners used to excel at. It was a game vs Detroit where the wham play pretty much won them the game. .

Ah yes, the ol' Delanie Walker crack-down, wham block on Suh (deer in headlights). We used to do a lot of things like the epic Davis seam route down the middle of the field too (over the LB and before the S) and the roll-right, toss back left to Davis who'd fake a block, fall down and then sprint out wide open in the left flat, etc. Wheel route? I've noticed that well-scouted teams have been brining their DE's and OLB's up field and out wide to help contain CK while still bringing up pressure up the middle. Invite that sh!t and run a delayed QB run right up the middle with your center out in front after a chip block. What about Miller? It sure seems like whenever any RB runs behind his blocks it's a positive play. Anyone remember him? I believe that guy Carrier was catching everything as well...did we cut him or something? That drag route to McDonald seems to work every time we run it once every 8 games as well as his drop-down-in-the-holes routes.

I think we're out of excuses now...the NFL DC's are all over this playbook and our patterns and tendencies. Hell, we've seen then for 3.5 years now ourselves! And with the playbook fully installed, like ol' Jack, this is as good as it gets.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I thought it was the incorrect read from the start as well. Also, it was immediately AFTER a TO which to me, implies poor coaching/scheme unless the Rams disguised a coverage last second here and threw off CK's primary read. Obviously Crabtree was the primary read here given our M.O. So I don't like it...I'd prefer 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field as the primary read here giving you a better probablity of completion (Boldin/Davis/Hyde) esp. with S help over the top on both outside receivers. In fact, with the type of pressure we were getting all day, I'd instruct him to look to Crabtree first (if you HAD to call this play) and if he wasn't there immediately, quickly check down to Hyde here...which, as you can see, would have been a nice big gain if not a TD.

Woah man. How do you look at that and think it's the coaches' fault? Are they supposed to call the play and throw the ball to the open WR? There are four options to throw to on this play (5 if you count the check release by Hyde). It is up to Kap to read the actions of the safety and make the proper decision. This is the assignment of the QB when using the 4 Verticals concept. Crabs was probably the least proper decision. Fortunately, it was overthrown.

How? B/c it was called immediately after a TO which means Roman had time to call the play and Harbaugh had time to coach it up, "If-then." No offense, but has Crabtree to the corner of the EZ ever worked? Poor call. No real issues with the design itself though but like I said, why make Crabtree the primary read 30 yards down the field in the right corner of the EZ? With the amount of pressure we've been giving up all day long, make 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field the primary read (easier/quicker read/throw). OR, if you are going to make Crabtree the primary read, coach him up that if he sees over-the-top S help or the CB is even with Crabtree (cough, Sherman, cough), pull it down and hit the check down instantly. And as expected, he barely had 3 seconds to throw anyhow...

Kaep had plenty of time to realize that Crabtree was not a good option and check down to Hyde. I'm tired of Kaep always trying to go for the home run when the best option is right in front of him.

Aaron Lynch continues to impress as a rookie. Here are a few plays that show his instincts and pass rush ability.

Lynch #1
First pass of the game for STL.
49ers nickel package. Lynch is lined up playing 9-technique (TE's outside shoulder).


The TE releases outside as Lynch lets him by. As soon as Lynch sees that ADavis took a quick 3 step drop and plants his back foot, Lynch knows thats an indicator that a throw is coming. Lynch halts his pass rush.

Lynch #2
This is the very next play from Lynch #1

Line stunt with Lynch and Raymac.


Lynch's first two steps after the snap are used to sell the outside rush to stall the RT as RayMac works to push the RG towards the outside.



Lynch then loops inside to the vacated space earned by RayMac pushing the RG to the outside. I like what Lynch does here as he takes the path of the yellow arrow, not the orange.


By taking the path of the farther yellow arrow, the RG can only give a weak shove in an attempt to re-route Lynch. Use the hash marks on the field as reference. The shove does nothing to Lynch. Had Lynch taken the orange arrow, the shove from the RG is stronger since it's easier to reach.


ADavis is not a slow QB. Good pursuit speed from Lynch to force the incomplete pass.

Originally posted by Loco49er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I thought it was the incorrect read from the start as well. Also, it was immediately AFTER a TO which to me, implies poor coaching/scheme unless the Rams disguised a coverage last second here and threw off CK's primary read. Obviously Crabtree was the primary read here given our M.O. So I don't like it...I'd prefer 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field as the primary read here giving you a better probablity of completion (Boldin/Davis/Hyde) esp. with S help over the top on both outside receivers. In fact, with the type of pressure we were getting all day, I'd instruct him to look to Crabtree first (if you HAD to call this play) and if he wasn't there immediately, quickly check down to Hyde here...which, as you can see, would have been a nice big gain if not a TD.

Woah man. How do you look at that and think it's the coaches' fault? Are they supposed to call the play and throw the ball to the open WR? There are four options to throw to on this play (5 if you count the check release by Hyde). It is up to Kap to read the actions of the safety and make the proper decision. This is the assignment of the QB when using the 4 Verticals concept. Crabs was probably the least proper decision. Fortunately, it was overthrown.

How? B/c it was called immediately after a TO which means Roman had time to call the play and Harbaugh had time to coach it up, "If-then." No offense, but has Crabtree to the corner of the EZ ever worked? Poor call. No real issues with the design itself though but like I said, why make Crabtree the primary read 30 yards down the field in the right corner of the EZ? With the amount of pressure we've been giving up all day long, make 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field the primary read (easier/quicker read/throw). OR, if you are going to make Crabtree the primary read, coach him up that if he sees over-the-top S help or the CB is even with Crabtree (cough, Sherman, cough), pull it down and hit the check down instantly. And as expected, he barely had 3 seconds to throw anyhow...

Kaep had plenty of time to realize that Crabtree was not a good option and check down to Hyde. I'm tired of Kaep always trying to go for the home run when the best option is right in front of him.

Originally posted by Loco49er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:

I thought it was the incorrect read from the start as well. Also, it was immediately AFTER a TO which to me, implies poor coaching/scheme unless the Rams disguised a coverage last second here and threw off CK's primary read. Obviously Crabtree was the primary read here given our M.O. So I don't like it...I'd prefer 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field as the primary read here giving you a better probablity of completion (Boldin/Davis/Hyde) esp. with S help over the top on both outside receivers. In fact, with the type of pressure we were getting all day, I'd instruct him to look to Crabtree first (if you HAD to call this play) and if he wasn't there immediately, quickly check down to Hyde here...which, as you can see, would have been a nice big gain if not a TD.

Woah man. How do you look at that and think it's the coaches' fault? Are they supposed to call the play and throw the ball to the open WR? There are four options to throw to on this play (5 if you count the check release by Hyde). It is up to Kap to read the actions of the safety and make the proper decision. This is the assignment of the QB when using the 4 Verticals concept. Crabs was probably the least proper decision. Fortunately, it was overthrown.

How? B/c it was called immediately after a TO which means Roman had time to call the play and Harbaugh had time to coach it up, "If-then." No offense, but has Crabtree to the corner of the EZ ever worked? Poor call. No real issues with the design itself though but like I said, why make Crabtree the primary read 30 yards down the field in the right corner of the EZ? With the amount of pressure we've been giving up all day long, make 1 of the 3 in the middle of the field the primary read (easier/quicker read/throw). OR, if you are going to make Crabtree the primary read, coach him up that if he sees over-the-top S help or the CB is even with Crabtree (cough, Sherman, cough), pull it down and hit the check down instantly. And as expected, he barely had 3 seconds to throw anyhow...

Kaep had plenty of time to realize that Crabtree was not a good option and check down to Hyde. I'm tired of Kaep always trying to go for the home run when the best option is right in front of him.

Yep that bold. That make me sad. .. Kap need to throw the short yards then get better for patience then get close on TD for easy it.. Kap need process his better next time. Sign..

Lynch #3

Line stunt. This time Lynch engages first with the RG, then Raymac loops around to the outside.


This is might be more considered a coverage sack as Lynch is initially stopped by the RG, but he continues to work and mirror ADavis. Props to Brooks for collapsing the pocket from his Right End position. Sack for -3.

Originally posted by Loco49er:
Kaep had plenty of time to realize that Crabtree was not a good option and check down to Hyde. I'm tired of Kaep always trying to go for the home run when the best option is right in front of him.

I agree. Again, given our M.O., even after a T.O., THIS is what the coaches dial up...a shot at the corner of the EZ 30 yards out under 3 seconds (very low probability completion). CK either has to trust his coaches play call here and Crabtree's ability to get there around the 2-second mark or pull it down and check to Hyde instantly. As a company man, what would you do? Take a shot? Abandon the play and check down? Do you have confidence in this coaching staff that they are teaching CK to look to this primary receiver (deep one) and then to check down immediately to the RB if not there? If you do, we would have won the NFCCC easily.

Given that this same pattern is still apparent, either CK is THE dumbest QB of all time and is ignoring his coaching at every turn ("Check down you fool!") or he's not being coached (down/up) this way. It's up to you to decide. I personally think CK is a pretty smart kid and he's a company man and trusting the play calls and player abilities. I don't think the coaches are putting he or the receivers or the OL in position to be successful on a consistent basis.

Lynch #4

Good speed rush.


Fake speed rush to a bull rush gets the RT backpeddling into his own QB.

Originally posted by thl408:
Lynch #3

Line stunt. This time Lynch engages first with the RG, then Raymac loops around to the outside.


This is might be more considered a coverage sack as Lynch is initially stopped by the RG, but he continues to work and mirror ADavis. Props to Brooks for collapsing the pocket from his Right End position. Sack for -3.

thl408...Brooks is my guy but every game this kid is growing at the SAM and this kid is special. This is just a hustle sack...he never stops fighting and then he gets his sack!

Originally posted by NCommand:
thl408...Brooks is my guy but every game this kid is growing at the SAM and this kid is special. This is just a hustle sack...he never stops fighting and then he gets his sack!

He's got a real burst of quickness. I'm looking forward to Aaron-Aldon on third down with Brooks in there on first and second.

Originally posted by thl408:

Lynch #3

Line stunt. This time Lynch engages first with the RG, then Raymac loops around to the outside.


This is might be more considered a coverage sack as Lynch is initially stopped by the RG, but he continues to work and mirror ADavis. Props to Brooks for collapsing the pocket from his Right End position. Sack for -3.

Allowing lynch to play, is the only silver lining to the bull s**t aldon smith suspension. You stick him out their with aldon & pat & bow and this LBer core really does start to resemble that LBer core fangio worked with in NO in the late 80s-early 90s. I have a feeling our pass rush is about to get well in a hurry. Hopefully, the next 8 games (7 with aldon) are our best games of the season. This team can make a run.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Loco49er:
Kaep had plenty of time to realize that Crabtree was not a good option and check down to Hyde. I'm tired of Kaep always trying to go for the home run when the best option is right in front of him.

I agree. Again, given our M.O., even after a T.O., THIS is what the coaches dial up...a shot at the corner of the EZ 30 yards out under 3 seconds (very low probability completion). CK either has to trust his coaches play call here and Crabtree's ability to get there around the 2-second mark or pull it down and check to Hyde instantly. As a company man, what would you do? Take a shot? Abandon the play and check down? Do you have confidence in this coaching staff that they are teaching CK to look to this primary receiver (deep one) and then to check down immediately to the RB if not there? If you do, we would have won the NFCCC easily.

Given that this same pattern is still apparent, either CK is THE dumbest QB of all time and is ignoring his coaching at every turn ("Check down you fool!") or he's not being coached (down/up) this way. It's up to you to decide. I personally think CK is a pretty smart kid and he's a company man and trusting the play calls and player abilities. I don't think the coaches are putting he or the receivers or the OL in position to be successful on a consistent basis.

Do you think it's out of the realm of possibility that Kap could have targeted VD over the middle? I'm not understanding why you think the coaches are telling Kap to target Crabtree. At least, they better not be telling him to target Crabs. That's not how 4 verticals works. There is no primary WR on this play. Read the safeties and make the correct throw. Kap made a poor read on the safety playing to Crabs' side. No way Crabs should have been targeted. And look how poorly the MLB played this. He should have been victimized for a TD.

Originally posted by crake49:

Originally posted by NCommand:
thl408...Brooks is my guy but every game this kid is growing at the SAM and this kid is special. This is just a hustle sack...he never stops fighting and then he gets his sack!

He's got a real burst of quickness. I'm looking forward to Aaron-Aldon on third down with Brooks in there on first and second.

It's going to be very fun to watch esp. if Aldon comes in on fire (we shouldn't expect that) but still, if he does, teams will have zero running on us and Lynch and Aldon will be very fresh to rush the passer b/c Brooks can play both SAM and WILL and any down as well.

Originally posted by NCommand:
thl408...Brooks is my guy but every game this kid is growing at the SAM and this kid is special. This is just a hustle sack...he never stops fighting and then he gets his sack!

This kid is indeed special. With his long, all white sleeves, he looks like Aldon.