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  • #1

    Gentlemen, we've heard it before - now do it!

    Many pointed comments in the previous thread require a friendly response.

    Coaching a NFL team is a complex responsibility filled with enough distraction to numb all but the most dedicated individuals.

    On any given Sunday every coach worth his salt strives to bring his players into game scenarios where their abilities will maximize the success of any given play. This is called "execution."

    In addition, the coach in conjunction with his staff must position his players into "schemes" that offer players their best chance of success while acknowledging their differing levels of talent. This is called "game-planning."

    During a game, the players' physical conditions may change and the opponents may present "schemes" not accounted for in the "game-plan."

    When the coach and staff react to these changes it is called of course -- "coaching" or making game-time adjustments.

    Sometimes fans make comments, not knowing the reasoning behind the calling of a particular play, or set of plays.

    I'm not sure, given the statistics and record of the Rams this year there's much room for criticism. I'd like to call a few plays, and coach the players toward some other play-areas the Rams don't execute well. But I'm mature enough to know that Mr. Martz, and Mr. Smith at el. have already thought about these things and have decided they simply didn't have the time to try these changes.

    I'm sure the Rams coaching staff is listening when comments about their performance are made. This forum is the perfect place for thoughtful, specific comments about game-play activities.

    I hope to see these suggestions every week. Go RAMS.

    :ram:
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  • #2
    I agree that this forum should be used for comments regarding the coach's decisions and such. But I doubt, actually hope, that coach's don't take too much information from fans' comments. There's an old adage...Coaches that listen to the fans in the stands, will soon join them. That's one side.

    I definitely would like to see more comments in this area of the forum though.

    Comment

    • #3
      agree

      I would like to see constructive post in this forum though. Ones that are not out to cut throat.

      I would like to people that can break down a game and point out errors and be able to back up their words, as well as offer their solutions. I know we have a lot of good fans in the forum. Lets start using our knowledge for some fun :eek:

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      • RamWraith
        Suck up to the networks, and other free advice for Martz
        by RamWraith
        BY JEFF GORDON
        Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
        06/07/2005

        For the better part of two decades, I’ve campaigned vigorously to become a well-paid lackey for a professional sports coach.

        Remember my impassioned defenses of Brian Sutter? When others decried the tedium of his dump-and-chase style, I steadfastly supported the truest of Blues. Hockey fans routinely accused me of being on the take as a result.

        Remember the relentless pro-La Russa campaigns dating back into the 1990s? As the town continued to relish its memories of Whitey Herzog -– and disparage Tony La Russa in the process -– I diligently promoted all his successes here in Cardinal Nation.

        Given La Russa’s generous support of abandoned pets, I found no shame in serving as Tony’s lapdog in the local media.

        By and large, I’ve served as a Mike Martz apologist as well. Oh, sure, we’ve taken some gratuitous shots at Mad Mike here at STLtoday.com, most vividly during the Chris Chandler debacle we saw coming a mile away.

        But we kid because we care. We’ve consistently reminded fans that Martz is one of the more successful head coaches of his time and he is a better leader than he is given credit for.

        So you can imagine my disappointment when I didn’t get a crack at the newly created position of Mike Martz Media Liaison at Rams Park. I have so much terrific advice to offer!

        But the job went to a local radio personality instead, if sports talk radio reports and the various contributors to "Bernie’s Press Box" postings are accurate.

        All I can do is collect my thoughts from more than 25 years of studying coaches and share some of them here, for free:


        MY ADVICE TO MIKE


        1. Ignore what is said or written in the media. Admittedly, following that suggestion would preclude him from getting this invaluable advice in this first place . . . but we all know that Mike is fully aware of everything said and written about him.

        But this ought to be the last piece of media drivel he ever takes to heart. What do most of us REALLY know about football? Our job is to ask players, coaches, scouts, etc., for insights we can pass along to the fans.

        Our job also is to rile up the fans and stir debate in the various mediums. Coaches should be generally aware of the media and public perception of them, but surfing the Net or listening to sports talk radio is a bad idea -– especially if they harbor any insecurity whatsoever.

        Increasingly, reasoned discourse has given way to sophomoric name-calling in the sports media game. Coaches shouldn’t take any of it to heart.

        2. Don’t admit all your screw-ups. It’s OK to acknowledge that particular plays didn’t pan out, but always give credit to the other side for executing an offensive play or making an excellent read on...
        -06-07-2005, 03:25 PM
      • AvengerRam
        Is Waufle awful... or is it me?
        by AvengerRam
        When I watch Hard Knocks, I cringe every time that Mike Waufle is featured. They guy comes across as a foul-mouthed, borderline abusive, wanna-be drill sergeant. He alone gives the show its TV-MA rating.

        As a 48 year old who has spent his adult life working in professional offices, I don't get this method of motivating people. I would never use such a method, and if it were ever used with me, my only reaction would be to update my resume and start looking for a new job.

        That said... I'm not sure I'm qualified to evaluate whether this method might be effective. I've never played organized football, and I certainly don't claim know what makes 20something professional athletes tick. Perhaps Waufle's fear/intimidation approach is what these guys need after growing up on a pedestal. Perhaps the biggest impediment to success on the field is complacency, and Waufle's method is on point.

        Ultimately, as a fan, I'd have to say that this part of Hard Knocks does not resonate with me. I like having insight into the team's preparations, but maybe this is too "inside" for my taste. I'd liken it to a Food Network show displaying the slaughtering of a cow in addition to the cooking of the steak.

        I'm curious how others react to this part of the show. Maybe I'm on an island on this one. Maybe not....
        -08-24-2016, 08:06 AM
      • AvengerRam_old
        Of architects, sculptors and Martz
        by AvengerRam_old
        On a plane ride back from vacation yesterday, a guy sitting next to me noticed I was reading a football magazine, and we started talking about the NFL. He was of the opinion that coaching is extremely important to a team's success and (not surprisingly, as this leg of the flight originated in Dallas), mentioned Bill Parcells as an example.

        This got me thinking about the question of what makes a great coach.

        Here's what I concluded... there are two types of coaches. There are architects and there are sculptors.

        Architects start with a detailed plan and then try to built a team that fits that plan. It could be a "pound-it-out" ground game plan, a West Coast offense, a "run and shoot" or any other type of plan for success. The positive side of a good "architect," is that when they get the right players in place, a good plan can be hard to beat. The downside is that it is often hard to get (and to keep healthy) the right type of players, and when players that fit the plan are absent, the architect coach can have trouble adjusting and may stubbornly try to keep with the plan despite the missing pieces.

        Sculptors start with the building blocks of a team (the "clay," if you will), and then mold it into a finished product. The result is often dictacted, not by a plan, but rather by the nature of the materials. This is the type of coach that is often described as "getting the most of his players," and having a team of "overachievers." The truth is, its not a matter of overachieving, its playing to the strengths of individuals. The positive side of the sculptor is his flexibility and ability to turn a team around quickly. The downside is that there are true few sculptors and too many coaches who think they are, but are not.

        There have been successful architects. Bill Walsh may be the best example, as he built a team with the West Coast offense blueprint to perfection. Another was Jimmy Johnson, who built a team in Dallas with his blueprint and then failed to do the same in Miami because he lacked the right players (mainly the lack of a Emmitt Smith type back).

        There have also been great sculptors. Don Shula comes to mind, as he used the ground game in the 70s when he had Czonka, Kiick and Morris, then became a "passing coach" when he had Dan Marino. Parcells may be the consummate sculptor given his success with several teams (though some might argue he is really an architect with a one word blueprint: toughness).

        So where does Mike Martz fit in here?

        Clearly, he is an architect. He can sit in an office and devise an offense that, when properly staffed, can be nearly unstoppable. But his flexibility and ability to adjust when he has to deviate from the blueprint is questionable.

        Being the eternal optimist that I am, I hope he will improve...
        -08-02-2004, 12:43 PM
      • RamsInfiniti
        And when the smoke finally settles ....
        by RamsInfiniti
        What are we going to see from this Ram's team?

        I guess this is a pre-camp prognosis of some sort. I typically try to look at the season each year, and I usually come up with a semi-inflated, overhyped outlook of the Rams. This is simply because I love the Rams. You always make things you love out to be better than they actually are ...

        Well, with this new, and improved, version of the Rams, I don't feel like I can make an accurate assessment. Honestly, I think this team can end up with anywhere from 4 to 10 wins. And there are a variety of reasons I believe this ...

        First, I've indicated time and time again that I am a firm supported of the theory that there is not much gap in talent from team to team across the NFL. When we talk about talent, we talk about the physical and mental ability of players to be successful and make plays. Just because a player has talent does not mean he will be successful in the NFL, it simply means he has a shot. There is a reason there is an NFL combine each year. It is to see which players can physically, and to some extent mentally, cut it in the NFL. From team to team, across the board, the talent is pretty similar ...

        What distinguishes how the talent translates on the field? Well, in the short term you have to look at experience, morale, the "system", the coaches. In the long term, you have to look at how well such players adapt to change, how versatile they are, whether they can stay healthy, whether they are content with where they are, who they are, and who they might be ...

        So what are the major problems with the Rams of 2009? Simply lack of inexperience from my point of view, at least at most positions. Lack of morale at others ...

        Look at what we have. A new upbeat coaching staff with a vision of a modern WCO and physical defense. A QB that is smart and accurate, a protypical freak of a RB, quick, agile fresh WR's, an established TE, a strong young offensive and defensive line, hungry young linebackers, world class speed and nice size in the secondary ...

        So what's the problem? A QB lacking morale after the beating he has taken, injuries to that chisled freak of a running back, questionable depth behind him, WR's with little or no experience, no proven depth at TE, an offensive line that will be learning one another, undersized defensive line that will have to learn to be creative to take advantage of opportunities, only one proven linebacker, and defensives back that have tons of talent but all seem to be missing "it" with the exception of Bartell and Atogwe (wait to see on Butler) ...

        So, what does this mean? The talent is there, no doubt in my mind. So what does this coaching staff have to do? It's three-fold in my opinion ...

        1. Make the players forget - Make them forget they are losers, start them off on a level playing field. Get them...
        -07-29-2009, 10:35 AM
      • HUbison
        FWIW, Fox ranks us as the 2nd best coaching vacancy
        by HUbison
        From FoxSports.com....

        Get ready for some serious coaching carnage

        January might mark a period in the NFL that could be dubbed "The Great Football Coaching Purge" — a time when the coaching blood is shed more than any year in recent memory.

        While we believe seven or eight jobs will open up, there are actually a whopping 11 cities where the coach could be asked to walk that dreaded plank. Eleven! At no other time in recent memory have 11 coaches been on the hot seat this late in the season.

        For all those potential candidates out there who are wondering what pitfalls and gems lie behind each job, FOXSports.com rates the potential openings from first to worst. Call it the Zagat's of coaching vacancies.


        1. Minnesota
        The only thing NOT attractive about this place is the outlaw of future boat trips — and maybe the cold. It's a drawback when you can actually ice fish outside your practice facility. Other than that, however, this is a coveted post for several reasons:

        A. The new owner — Coaches die to work for a guy who is willing to open up his wallet and spend not only on talent but on facilities, amenities and staff. The Wilf family is willing to do just that.

        B. Personnel —The Vikings already have what is considered in league circles as above-average personnel. Thus, a new coach will not be starting from scratch but rather in a position where one can compete for the postseason immediately.

        C. Cap position — Executive vice-president Rob Brezinski is viewed as one of the brightest young minds in the business and has the Vikings in terrific cap shape for the next few years. Thus, the aforementioned personnel can be built upon even more thanks to Brezinski's foresight.


        2. St. Louis
        Great opening because the Rams have some serious weapons on offense. Plus, players will likely respond to new blood as things may have gotten a bit stale after nearly a decade of Dick Vermeil/Mike Martz. The Rams would be wise to bring in a solid defensive coach who can make chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what. The offense, as long as a coach brings in a decent mind, will be fine. The only drawback to this job is the question of the personnel types brought in. If a personnel guy is hired before the coach, what's to say that coach has any belief or chemistry with him? The place has been such a mess with so much intra-office soap opera for so long it should be fairly easy for a new guy to clean it up.

        3. Houston

        David Carr still has the potential to be a franchise quarterback.

        Houston has three things a young head coach would love — great ownership, incredible facilities and a potential franchise quarterback. David Carr has a lot of mojo in the eyes of many other coaches around the NFL. They believe he just hasn't gotten the support up front or the coaching...
        -12-16-2005, 11:30 AM
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