MCVAY MUST GET STALLED OFFENSE MOVING
Five things to know about the Los Angeles Rams heading toward the 2017 season.
McVay era begins: Sean McVay, the 31-year-old former offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, was a surprising hire, but perhaps it is fitting that one of the league’s youngest rosters would have the youngest head coach. He is tasked with changing the culture of a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004 and hasn’t had a winning record since 2003. To turn things around, McVay will need to bring fresh energy and ideas and earn the respect of his players, all while balancing the important job of calling offensive plays.
Year 2 of Goff: There will be no quarterback competition this year. The Rams will start Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Goff replaced Case Keenum as the starter in November and struggled at times during his seven starts, throwing seven interceptions and five touchdown passes while completing fewer than 55% of his passes. McVay’s biggest task is to develop Goff, and the Rams spent the offseason trying to upgrade the talent around their young quarterback. The most important new pieces are veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, 35, a longtime standout and leader with the Cincinnati Bengals, and former Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods. Woods could supplant Tavon Austin as the Rams’ No. 1 receiver.
Welcome, Wade: McVay’s most important hire was longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips to lead the defense. Phillips most recently was defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos and helped lead that team to the Super Bowl 50 championship. Phillips has installed his 3-4 scheme, a change from the 4-3 under former head coach Jeff Fisher. That means star players will have to learn different positions. Pass rusher Robert Quinn will move to outside linebacker (picture him in a DeMarcus Ware-type role) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald will be used all over the defensive line.
Rebound year for Gurley? Perhaps he had a sophomore slump or was affected by the team’s overall offensive struggles, but running back Todd Gurley had a dismal 2016 season. He rushed for 885 yards and six touchdowns, disappointing numbers after his rookie of the year debut in 2015 (1,106 yards, 10 TDs). Gurley figures to be the focal point of the Rams offense. It will be interesting to see what sort of schemes McVay can concoct to keep Gurley from facing as many eight-man boxes as he did last season.
Owning L.A.: The Rams had the Los Angeles market to themselves after relocating from St. Louis last year, but they will share the city after the Chargers’ move from San Diego. Los Angeles can be a fickle sports town, and the Rams will need to earn the support of fans buying tickets at the Coliseum and those choosing which game to watch on television. The Rams have intriguing players to market, starting with Donald, Gurley and Goff, but winning on the field will be the key to winning the market.