[AvengerRam]

Sorry, but the notion that Linehan had a substantial positive impact on the offense in 2006 is a myth.

All you need to do is look at the Rams' offensive output from 2005 - a year in which the team was in a state of flux between the Mike Martz regime and the temporary elevation of Joe Vitt - and 2006.

Start with total yards. In 2005, the Rams' offense had 348.2 yards per game. In 2006, that increased to 360.4 yards per game. That's an increase of 12.2 yards per game, which notable, but not earth shattering.

The next stat to look at is turnover ratio. In 2005, the Rams had an abysmal ratio of -14. In 2006, that improved to +12.

Now, it would be fair to say that Linehan should get credit for significantly lowering the "giveaway" number from 2005 to 2006 (though, in 2007, its on pace to equal the 2005 total). But, given the increase in yardage coupled with the vast improvement of the turnover ratio, you'd expect a marked improvement in the most important offensive category: points.

Well, you'd be wrong. In 2005, the offense scored 22.3 points per game (note that I deducted from the total points scored 6 points scored on a defensive TD). In 2006, the offense scored 22.2 points per game (deducting 12 points for 2 defensive TDs).

I find it incredible that a team could improve its yards/game by 12.2 yards, improve its turnover ratio by a total of +26, and yet score fewer points!

So maybe that's the "system"... Move the ball and don't score.

Not a very good system if you ask me.