Excuses/What are the odds?!

[rams#1]

seems like all the major networks think seattle will rebound and when the west this year. so what I am thinking is this. what if the Rams go into qwest Field and defeat the seahawks. lets say we sack Matt 4-5 times and force bad throws, The Hawk Ground game is still bad, and the hawk defense can't stop our no name offense. what are the odds that the same people that said that Seattle would win the west, turn back around and say that seattle lost because of injuries and not knowing what the rams would do? seems like alot of excuses will be made either way, so lets hope that seattle gets the heat on this one. Rams 1-0


Go Rams!

[ManofGod]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

Not likely my friend, the hawks gash us with the run even with their #2 or #3 RB's due mainly to their O-line. Not to mention we haven't been able to stop them in the air for years & this year with the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh it's going to be hard to get this offense off the field especially in 3rd and short (with our inadequacy at SLB, and every other corner not named Bartell), teams are going to target these 2 areas and make us prove that we can match up with them and/or spread us out and run on us due to our historically bad run defense.

Again we'll be 5-11, but the Seahawks won't win the division they still don't have enough to beat the Cards in a shootout (which is what their games will be).

[dgr828]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

Yeah, I was reading SI ranking the NFC WEST (Back Pages!) They have Julius Jones leading the SEACHICKENS back to glory. SI have Seattle winning the west, 2nd The Cards, 3rd The Cranberry & Applesauce wearing Fortyniners and of course they have the Rams bringing up the rear.
The Rams need to go and punch the 12th man in the mouth! NO EXCUSES!

[RockinRam]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I don't know. Their front seven is TOUGH, especially their linebackers. Leroy Hill, Tatupu and Curry make a fearsome trio. Kerney is still a major player in the game. If our O-Line does not perform better than they possibly can, Steven Jackson is going to go nowhere, and Bulger will be a lump of flesh on the field.


For their run game, they have an O-Line that can get things done, along with a tough fullback by the name of Owen Schmitt (who I think we should have drafted...) and Julius Jones. The main thing right here would be our DT's and linebackers. If our DT's cannot take up space and keep the O-Linemen off our linebackers, they will toast us on the ground.



I think the key to winning this game is to establish a consistent air attack, and THEN give Jackson the ball.

We must also stop their receivers, which will be a tough challenge for our corners, so they need to step their game up.

[kegger56]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

Our, being the Seahawks, front 7 does seem to be vastly improved! IMO the Rams need to try and attack our secondary while tru is out. I know little about the Rams WR's (Donnie Avery is #1 right?), but they are going to have to attack us deep. Now you may be able to stuff our running game as we are still trying to get the Zone Blocking thing down, but the pass game has looked very good. I expect a big win by the hawks mostly cause it's in Qwest field, but look for a very competative game when we travel to STL. Anyway FB season is finally back!!!! Good luck .

[Canadian Rams Fan]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I have to agree that no matter what happens on Sept. 13. The hawks are going to come up with excuses. I believe that the seahawks are a little overrated. The defensive line is small and Marcus Trufant is injured. I believe the rams are going to expose their secondary and stuff the ball down their throat. You know this is going to be an exciting game... It will be alot closer than people think; as for our defense you know the seahawks are going to try to expose our secondary, but this is a much better secondary than last year. Also on another note their Left tackle and Center are injured thus meaning you know the Rams are going to throw everything at them but the kitchen sink thus meaning the Seahawks will try to go to more of a ground game and if the Rams can stop the run the Seahawks are in for a very long day. I do see alot of potential here for the Rams, because you know that the Seahawks are going to be overlooking the Rams a little bit. The team will be able to sneek up on teams this year because every expert out there believes the Rams are going to be in the basement this year, thus meaning alot of teams are going to overlook the Rams and come in unprepared. I.M.O this can be either teams game.

Go Rams 09 :helmet:

[Walrus]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

Seattle's starting defensive line is actually bigger than yours. The addition of Cole and Redding (who have been phenomenal this preseason) has squashed the myth that Seattle is too small. This DL is the most talented collection Seattle has had in 12 years and our front 7 as a whole looks to be as strong as the Seahawks have ever had. The secondary will have to work hard to be average with Tru out.

Our offensive line is a mess. OT Locklear has never lived up to the potential he showed in 2005 and moving him to the left side has exposed every weakness he has. RT Willis is a bull moose, but pass blocking isn't his strong point. Despite C Spencer's injury the interior is decent. If you want to win it will be by exploiting our OL weaknesses and shutting down the run game (abysmal already). If Hass gets time he has one helluva stable of pass catchers with Housh, Carlson, Burleson, Butler and Branch. Butler has been a real find for Seattle.

[Canadian Rams Fan]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I hate to burst your bubble, but it all starts up front and even you are admitting that they have some offensive line issues, thus meaning that the Rams are going to blitz blitz blitz.... Hasselbeck better get the ball out quickly and hope he does not get picked off, because I believe he is going to have a long day. The rams are going to force him into bad throws and if he holds onto the ball to long they will sack him. It is going to be a good game.

[Walrus]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

You guys make it sound like Seattle cannot handle anything the Rams will throw at them. I'm not ignorant of the fact I'm on a Rams board so opinions will be skewed, but the Hawks aren't bereft of talent. Your defensive line isn't exactly Lundy, Grier, Olsen and Jones.

I have no idea how this game will shake out because we have a new scheme on both sides of the ball. I am, however, pretty comfortable with the level of talent we have on both sides of the ball. I'm not blowing smoke when I say that this group of pass catchers is the deepest and most talented Seattle has ever had and our defensive front seven is easily the best we've had this decade. If Seattle can hide some of their deficiencies by playing to their strengths then the Hawks are capable of 9-10 wins.

Bear in mind the Rams have more than their share of deficiencies of which Seattle will be out to expose.

[Canadian Rams Fan]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I am quite certain that the Hawks will try to expose some of our weeknesses that is good coaching. We will also do the same thing. I am just saying this will be a close game. It will probably be a defensive game. I think that both offenses are going to have their issues. You have to remember that it all starts up front and if you do not have a descent offensive line that it will be hard to keep your quaterback upright. The same goes for the Rams offensive line we are hoping that they will gel together. It is just that all of the so called experts believe that the Rams are going to lose this game and some of them think the rams will lose badly we are seeing some hawks fans thinking this will be a walk in the park and it is refreshing to see that you seem to realise that this will be a close game. It will be exciting to watch.

[RockinRam]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

You guys make it sound like Seattle cannot handle anything the Rams will throw at them. I'm not ignorant of the fact I'm on a Rams board so opinions will be skewed, but the Hawks aren't bereft of talent. Your defensive line isn't exactly Lundy, Grier, Olsen and Jones.

I have no idea how this game will shake out because we have a new scheme on both sides of the ball. I am, however, pretty comfortable with the level of talent we have on both sides of the ball. I'm not blowing smoke when I say that this group of pass catchers is the deepest and most talented Seattle has ever had and our defensive front seven is easily the best we've had this decade. If Seattle can hide some of their deficiencies by playing to their strengths then the Hawks are capable of 9-10 wins.

Bear in mind the Rams have more than their share of deficiencies of which Seattle will be out to expose.

I agree, that saying we can stop your Seahawks and actually doing it is a complicated matter.


I agree with you that your DL is very solid, Cole, Redding, and Kerney are a solid wall. Your linebackers are even MORE scary than your DL.



That being said, I think that Spag's can come up with a plan to take advantage of your O-Line's mishaps. I'm not saying we will be successful, but don't be surprised when Spag's throws in some exotic stuff.

We're also going to HAVE to shut down your running game, to have any chance to win. If we do that, then your offense will become one-dimensonal, i.e it will force Hasselback to throw all day. If we can consistently pressure Hasselback, than we may have a good chance of winning, but if we don't, I think our corners are going to have a tough day. They absolutely need our D-Line to put pressure on Hass, or else they will be left on an island.

Our safeties are pretty solid, but I'm worried about our corners if they have the experience and readiness to take on your receivers.

[Walrus]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I agree that the game will be better than the national media thinks. It's NFCWest action so most outlets will treat it with a yawn. No offense to any fan on this board, but I despise your team. The Hawks and Rams had a nice under-the-radar rivalry going early this decade and despite the weakness of our division I still look forward to playing St Louis more than any team on the schedule.

That's why I'm pumped about Sunday. What I would like more than anything is for our teams to re-establish themselves and feel some of that gameday hate I loved.

I like this board and although I'm an infrequent poster I've always been treated well here.

[Walrus]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I agree, that saying we can stop your Seahawks and actually doing it is a complicated matter.


I agree with you that your DL is very solid, Cole, Redding, and Kerney are a solid wall. Your linebackers are even MORE scary than your DL.



That being said, I think that Spag's can come up with a plan to take advantage of your O-Line's mishaps. I'm not saying we will be successful, but don't be surprised when Spag's throws in some exotic stuff.

We're also going to HAVE to shut down your running game, to have any chance to win. If we do that, then your offense will become one-dimensonal, i.e it will force Hasselback to throw all day. If we can consistently pressure Hasselback, than we may have a good chance of winning, but if we don't, I think our corners are going to have a tough day. They absolutely need our D-Line to put pressure on Hass, or else they will be left on an island.

Our safeties are pretty solid, but I'm worried about our corners if they have the experience and readiness to take on your receivers.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Jones/Edge/Forsett combine for less than 80 yards on the ground. I just read last week that our offensive line is the youngest in the league and although they've been respectable in pass pro they've been horrid in run blocking. Much of what the Hawks will run is predicated on the ability to run play action and if you shut down the ground game your safeties will have nothing to worry about.

I'm interested in what you guys think your offense will do to attack our defense. Bradley and Mora ran what they described as a vanilla scheme in preseason (who doesn't) so there isn't a Hawk fan out there that knows what that defense will do.

Where are your strengths and what should I watch for on Sunday?

[ManofGod]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I wouldn't be shocked to see Jones/Edge/Forsett combine for less than 80 yards on the ground. I just read last week that our offensive line is the youngest in the league and although they've been respectable in pass pro they've been horrid in run blocking. Much of what the Hawks will run is predicated on the ability to run play action and if you shut down the ground game your safeties will have nothing to worry about.

I'm interested in what you guys think your offense will do to attack our defense. Bradley and Mora ran what they described as a vanilla scheme in preseason (who doesn't) so there isn't a Hawk fan out there that knows what that defense will do.

Where are your strengths and what should I watch for on Sunday?

I think we all know that we plan to run the ball and use that to set up play action, however I believe that you all will double Avery and force another WR to make plays then end score will be Seahawks 27 Rams 16

[RockinRam]

Re: Excuses/What are the odds?!

I wouldn't be shocked to see Jones/Edge/Forsett combine for less than 80 yards on the ground. I just read last week that our offensive line is the youngest in the league and although they've been respectable in pass pro they've been horrid in run blocking. Much of what the Hawks will run is predicated on the ability to run play action and if you shut down the ground game your safeties will have nothing to worry about.

I'm interested in what you guys think your offense will do to attack our defense. Bradley and Mora ran what they described as a vanilla scheme in preseason (who doesn't) so there isn't a Hawk fan out there that knows what that defense will do.

Where are your strengths and what should I watch for on Sunday?

Our offense is focused around Jackson. For our offense to work, he needs to be healthy, and he needs to successfully pund the ball for good gains. For that to happen, our o-line has to be spot on, and they need to create some space for him. If our o-line cannot contain your front seven, then you guys will have stuffed Jackson.

Our air attack is focused on mostly short, quick passes, with some intermediate ones occasionally. But now since Avery is back, don't be surprised on Sunday when we bomb some deep ones to him, since he has the speed and quickness to get down the field. Also, we may try to get some down to Laurent Robinson down field too, as he has also showed good speed in the pre-season.

Our tight ends are quite important to our passing game. Since our receivers are all young, there not fully experienced yet, look for Bulger to throw to McMichael and Fells and Bajema a lot. Especially Bameja. This guy is a brick wall, and he is very hard to bring down.


Our o-line doesn't look that bad on paper, Barron-Bell-Brown-Incognito-Goldberg/Smith. But for us to succeed, they really, really need to protect Bulger, and give Jackson some holes. I stress this because this will be the key to giving us a win on Sunday.