The ill-fated reverse

[AJD45]

The amazing thing is even with the Giants treating this game as if it was their Super Bowl (throwing a fade on 4th and goal? I don't think the NY Giants have done that EVER. And Toomer just happens to make the catch of his life against us?) ... AND with the defense playing as bad as possible ... AND with the same old stupid penalties and turnovers ... the Rams *still* had the game in their grasp!

Then the ill-fated reverse play.

I'm sure some folks think it was a bad call, period, end of discussion. After all, the Rams had the Giants D on the ropes at that point pretty good and probably just could have rammed Jackson down their throats. But I believe in creative play calling, so don't second-guess the call. I question the execution. In other words, I have to ask:

How the hell do professional football players lateral the ball on a reverse? How can you be so frickin' stupid after playing the game for so many years?

If you have ever coached football, you know the ball on that play is never, EVER pitched -- you drill it into the players' heads that it is an outside handoff. So either (a) Martz drew it up to be a lateral exchange, or (b) the players ad-libbed the pitch attempt instead of a handoff. Either way it shows poor coaching: the former would be unfathomable coaching stupidity; the latter would once again go back to the theme that Martz has not instilled one ounce of discipline in this team.

The laundry list of stupidity, from stepping out of bounds on the 1-yard line on the opening kickoff, to jumping offsides almost once per drive (offense AND defense), habitual grabbing of facemasks, carelessly tossing the pigskin around when you're trying to come back on the road -- well, enough is enough, it's embarrassing..!

We all believe in the Rams because the talent is obvious, but can we believe the stupidity will ever stop? It's just not that hard. I'm not asking the players to be geniuses, just stop being morons and the Rams would win out every remaining game!

I'd like to hear Martz give his players that speech just once.

[raminsyr]

The Giants led 27-17 at halftime and took advantage of a critical St. Louis turnover early in the third quarter to pull away from the Rams. On an attempted reverse from the Giants 6, Jackson took a pitch from Bulger and botched a pitch to wide receiver Shaun McDonald that was recovered by defensive tackle Fred Robbins.

According to Rams coach Mike Martz, the play should have been run with running back Marshall Faulk, who was on the sideline.

"Marshall always does it and Marshall wasn't in the game," he said. "That's an issue for me. We always practice it with Marshall and he's supposed to be in the game. There was some confusion there. That's a coaching deal all the way."

The talent I see wasted week after week is depressing.
St. Louis really needs a change.

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by raminsyr

According to Rams coach Mike Martz, the play should have been run with running back Marshall Faulk, who was on the sideline.

"Marshall always does it and Marshall wasn't in the game," he said. "That's an issue for me. We always practice it with Marshall and he's supposed to be in the game. There was some confusion there. That's a coaching deal all the way."

Wow, if that's true, it's absolutely inexcusable. That was THE critical play of the game. I was ready to give Martz a pass on this and lay blame with player execution, but to call a play designed for and practiced by a specific player and not even know that the player isn't on the field, is a monumental blunder. Extremely disappointing.

[Tailgage-Mayor]

Martz has a tendency to call gadget plays in the red zone. Yes Marshall is probably a better fit for that play, but McDonald got both hands on it and really should have controlled the ball.

That play really turned the game. Not sure if we would have won or not, but we would have been competitive.

What really hurt was our lack of D. You can’t give up 44 and expect to win.

The G-Strings only punted twice, we had no take-aways. They scored almost every possession.

[theodus69]

doesn't look good right now! Yes, they had a grasp on the game,but a grasp don't get a W. So things better change or they could be done by week 10!

[Nick]

My opinion - bad play call, bad execution. I didn't like the call at all, but even so, it could have been executed properly and worked.

The worst case scenario for that play occured, and I have to ask why we're trying gadget plays in the red zone... ON THIRD DOWN.

That really was a great drive. Started with a 40+ yard kick return by Johnson, two good third down conversions, a great run by Jackson on fourth down. We had all the momentum. And then, on third and three, a gimmick high risk play.

[adarian_too]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

Wow, if that's true, it's absolutely inexcusable. That was THE critical play of the game. I was ready to give Martz a pass on this and lay blame with player execution, but to call a play designed for and practiced by a specific player and not even know that the player isn't on the field, is a monumental blunder. Extremely disappointing.

There is no way I give sMartz a pass on this one. This was a typical brain cramp implosion at the worst of times. There just is no space at the 8 yard line to expect people to be fooled out of position. And D's expect this kind of nonsense so they are more on guard than ever when playing him. Absolute foolishness. And then to just thumb his nose at his critics he calls a TO coming out of the 3rd qtr break. Someone should hospitalize him again - he's had a relapse.

[txramsfan]

ok, let's think about this "personnel" deal for just a moment. Did you know that Wilbert Montgomery is in charge of personnel on the field when it comes to RB's and not Martz? Martz called the play and Montgomery failed to get Faulk in the game, not Martz.

Stupid play down there? Perhaps, real good argument for that and I won't take up for Martz on that. However, it makes sense that other people have responsibilities on the sidelines and not just Martz. He can't do everything in 40 seconds. Others have to be listening, attentive, and do their jobs also.

[adarian_too]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

However, it makes sense that other people have responsibilities on the sidelines and not just Martz. He can't do everything in 40 seconds. Others have to be listening, attentive, and do their jobs also.

I think this is what infuriates me most about this game. You're right. Others have to do their jobs also. And why MarmieAche put the O in the predicament of having to come back by his passive 4 man rush, without any blitzes to speak of, that got no pressure on EliWhinerAndPouter is beyond me. To me, MarmieAche is just as responsible for sMartz calling from behind as MM is for calling for a reverse inside the 10. Just a friggin' brain cramp all around.

[Tailgage-Mayor]

Gadget plays in the red zone;

Ok, how many of you thought the gadget play in week 1, on 4th and 6 from the San Francisco 6 yard line was a great call. You remember, the reverse screen pass to Mama-Lama-Ding-Dong with Pace leading the way….Touchdown Rams!

How many of you same folks thought the gadget reverse yesterday was a bad call?

You can’t have it both ways!

Bottom line – It’s not Martz fault, it’s poor execution by the players. Steven Jackson even said “being the player that I am I thought about keeping the ball”.

If the play was designed as an option, late decision by Jackson resulted in his poor execution.
If the play was not designed as an option, Jackson screwed up by even thinking about keeping the ball.

Good call, poor execution!

[brawleyramfan]

:clanram: "Mad Mike " did it again what a bone-head. We should have ran the ball down there throat end of story. There is no reason for that kind of "BS" other than MM's personal glorification,that if the play had worked he would have taken in all the accolades. Well Mike this week, this one is for you!:moon:

[LDJOHN55]

I might be late to the pile, and I hope that no one throws the flag at me for 'Late Hit,' but I have to do it.

I sat in audience and watch the opening day loss to the Whiners. They were arrogant with us and ran all types of gadget plays.....and beat us because our Special Teams had NO DISCIPLINE, and OUR RECEIVERS dropped the ball when hit. Our guys played like they didn't want to ruin their manicures. When Lovie was around.......(anybody feel me?)

I'm still looking for "Big Game" T. Holt to show me one. Stop smiliing and catch the darn ball.

Martz is on the sidelines and the PLAYERS are on the field. It's so obvious to me that Steven Jackson is tentative about his decisions almost all around; catch, run, cut, toss, block. Marshal Faulk spoiled us all and he made me absolutely 'high' watching him dance on the field. I say Faulk is the STARTER, and Jackson should be in the lineup along with him. Jackson can't be trusted to be in the lineup alone. He's not mentally ready to carry the load. In the words of the great philosopher, Jay-Z, "You can say what you say, but you are what you are." Jackson has talked, but he hasn't produced.

If the play was a reverse by design, Jackson should have executed it accordingly. If he saw a better opportunity as a keeper, he should have kept it. His decision-making skills aren't there. Jackson is soft inside the helmet; he can improve, but someone needs to get inside that helmet and tell him that it's time to put up or shut up.

Last thing before I blow a blood vessel, Is Neon Deion Sanders available to play corner for us? Can Aenius Williams suit up? Is Lawrence Taylor out there? Can we go get someone from the WWE to play back there? Are players afraid or ashamed to come to STL to be strong on DEFENSE? Where is our Defensive BadASS that will even hit someone even like that darned receiver from the AZ Cardinals did in the End-Zone last night. NOBODY hits on this team, and this is really it......... Does our Defensive Coach (Marmie) know what a flaming BLITZ is? Blitz a first year QB, mess up his world, why dont' you?????
Thanks,
LDJOHN55:clanram:

[ramsbruce]

Originally Posted by LDJOHN55

I'm still looking for "Big Game" T. Holt to show me one. Stop smiliing and catch the darn ball.

Rank Player Team Rec Yds Avg TDs Long
1 Terrell Owens PHI 32 506 15.8 4 68
2 Torry Holt STL 30 442 14.7 3 44
3 Darrell Jackson SEA 29 376 13.0 2 48
4 Bobby Engram SEA 27 316 11.7 0 26
5 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 27 368 13.6 2 41
6 Chad Johnson CIN 26 374 14.4 3 70
7 Rod Smith DEN 26 286 11.0 1 23
8 L.J. Smith PHI 26 265 10.2 2 23
9 Anquan Boldin ARI 26 385 14.8 1 45
10 Plaxico Burress NYG 25 396 15.8 4 46
11 Marvin Harrison IND 24 267 11.1 3 28

What else is Torry supposed to show you?

[Nick]

Originally Posted by txramsfan

ok, let's think about this "personnel" deal for just a moment. Did you know that Wilbert Montgomery is in charge of personnel on the field when it comes to RB's and not Martz? Martz called the play and Montgomery failed to get Faulk in the game, not Martz.

Stupid play down there? Perhaps, real good argument for that and I won't take up for Martz on that. However, it makes sense that other people have responsibilities on the sidelines and not just Martz. He can't do everything in 40 seconds. Others have to be listening, attentive, and do their jobs also.

Great point.

Originally Posted by Tailgage-Mayor

Ok, how many of you thought the gadget play in week 1, on 4th and 6 from the San Francisco 6 yard line was a great call. You remember, the reverse screen pass to Mama-Lama-Ding-Dong with Pace leading the way….Touchdown Rams!

How many of you same folks thought the gadget reverse yesterday was a bad call?

You can’t have it both ways!

Honestly, I didn't really like that play call either. It worked out, and I'm happy about it, but I didn't really like it, just like I didn't like this one. I don't think the red zone, specifically on third or fourth down, is the right time for risky gadget plays.

[theodus69]

stupid play , stupid call! And when the Rams lose and someone questions a certain players ability to get more done, Stats don't mean squat. Whatever the stats, they still lost! Rams need help. They look like last year and last year they had no business being in the play-offs. It's only week 5 I know , but are we gonna here that come week 12. We still gotta chance? God I hope not!:tongue: