The RAMS Forum

BrooklynRam74 wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 8:14 am And therein lies the difference. When Akers went down we knew it was real bad. Because Cam is the TYPE of back that fits our team perfectly. A multiple-carry, pile-pusher that keeps Defenses honest that opens up our pass game to single coverage. Henderson is just not durable enough and doesn't possess good running back "vision" needed for a bellcow.

Enter Sony. A great, sort of unheralded trade just before the opener. Michel is similar to Akers in build and style, and IMO the biggest reason for our recent 2-game Offensive turnaround.

Not that Hendo is value-less! On the contrary, he's kind of a perfect RB2, slashing and looking for the "Home Run" against tired Defenses, weary of the bruiser (Cam, Sony)

Just think alot of our problems stemmed from trying to shoehorn Henderson to that top spot. But it's not like we had much of a choice.

Agreed, which was why I liked the trade to get Sony. Sony is similar style of player to Cam. Mcvay loved Cam last year. Down the stretch he made sure he used Cam constantly and rode Cam into the playoffs.

If the rams had a healthy Cam all year the rams would at least have 2 more wins. Mcvay trusted Cam and was willing to build a game plan around Cam. The rams would have had a lot more rush attempts this year too.

Just look at how much Mcvay used Cam late last year and into the playoffs.

Loved the Sony trade. He and home run Hendo are different backs, but Henderson can only take limited NFL pounding IMO - but there is definitely a place for him in our offense.

A real big play was when SM ran over a smaller D-back to pickup a needed 1st down. That's the biggest difference IMO. He is better at breaking tackles. But I do like DH and think he needs to be back in there. His YPC are stellar, and he can block.

BrooklynRam74 wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 9:00 am Of course Hendo needs to be back in there, and we damn NEED him back. Need 2 backs per game MINIMUM in this League.

Agreed

Imo Mcvay would have ran more if he had a healthy DH. Mcvay wasn't going to risk giving it to a rookie in Mehki, in that game and situation. He rather just let Stafford run a screen or quick out to simulate the run game.

Yeah, but when the O-line has the run game going, there's something that really jacks-up an O-line via demoralizing a defense that way.

BrooklynRam74 wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 9:00 am Of course Hendo needs to be back in there, and we damn NEED him back. Need 2 backs per game MINIMUM in this League.

Hendo when healthy is a formidable back, but the thought of Michel and Akers together is an awesome prospect, maybe even ready for the playoffs…

I was a bit up in the air with the RB position, but seeing Michel step up the last 2 games, allowing Henderson to get somewhat healthy and the possible return of Akers in the playoffs point to a definite strength I really think a tweak on the line and getting some tight end involvement is going to make this team hard to defend against and beat moving forward. Looks like the Jake Funk didn't work out for this season anyway, guess we will see when he is healthy next season.

I liked the Sony move and glad we have him.

But too many runs up the centers ass where he just falls down for my tastes.

If Henderson can go, he is my starter. More burst. Better receiver.

D-GenerationX wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:23 pm I liked the Sony move and glad we have him.

But too many runs up the centers ass where he just falls down for my tastes.

If Henderson can go, he is my starter. More burst. Better receiver.

There's the issue.

RamPower wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:27 pm

D-GenerationX wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:23 pm I liked the Sony move and glad we have him.

But too many runs up the centers ass where he just falls down for my tastes.

If Henderson can go, he is my starter. More burst. Better receiver.

There's the issue.

But I hear a lot of talk of "it's his job now".

Not to me. His starts are injury dependent in the eyes of this reporter.

RamPower wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:27 pm

D-GenerationX wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:23 pm I liked the Sony move and glad we have him.

But too many runs up the centers ass where he just falls down for my tastes.

If Henderson can go, he is my starter. More burst. Better receiver.

There's the issue.

Cam was quickly developing into the best receiving back of them. Much closer to the TG lll role IMO

D-GenerationX wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:33 pm

RamPower wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:27 pm There's the issue.

But I hear a lot of talk of "it's his job now".

Not to me. His starts are injury dependent in the eyes of this reporter.

Fair point.

CierraRam wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 1:09 pm

RamPower wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:27 pm There's the issue.

Cam was quickly developing into the best receiving back of them. Much closer to the TG lll role IMO

Cam finished last year strong, really was an every down back for sure.

Yeah, Cam looked like the real deal.

Hope he comes back the same guy.

D-GenerationX wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:23 pm I liked the Sony move and glad we have him.

But too many runs up the centers ass where he just falls down for my tastes.

If Henderson can go, he is my starter. More burst. Better receiver.

I don't agree. IMO , Michel is , overall the best back between the 2 . Hendo has absolutely no vision and can't make people miss and can't drag defenders for extra 2-3 yards . Most of his good runs is when he has an insane space created by the blockers , he can't create something out of nothing like michel can . He is a better receiver it seems , but that is about it .

I think Michel is a #2 and Henderson is a change of pace #3. Henderson is more explosive and has a higher ceiling but I don't think his all-round game is strong enough to be a #1 or #2. There isn't much between the 2 of them. I'm not intentionally disrespecting either of them. I think Akers was developing into a #1, although maybe not a top #1.

flv wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 4:07 pm I think Michel is a #2 and Henderson is a change of pace #3. Henderson is more explosive and has a higher ceiling but I don't think his all-round game is strong enough to be a #1 or #2. There isn't much between the 2 of them. I'm not intentionally disrespecting either of them. I think Akers was developing into a #1, although maybe not a top #1.

Don't agree. Michel is solid , durable and overall good enough to be a number 1 back in this league , easily .

I still like DH as our starter. But I would run SM for the shorter stuff. They are a solid backfield together

I agree here. I am not a huge fan of Henderson. Other posters talk about his big play ability. Where is it? His longest run is 29 yards; while Michel's is 25 yards. This is JMO, but I think McVay tends to abandon the run more with Henderson in there because in the back of his mind he knows Henderson is not durable enough to carry it over 20 times a game. No issue with Michel. He is a tough runner who can take the pounding. Sure the Cards made adjustments and limited him in the second half; but that helped the passing game and opened up the middle of the field. In both the Jags and Redbirds game, Kupp started going off after the Rams had success pounding the rock. Neither of these guys are a healthy Todd Gurley or Cam Akers; but I think Sony Michel adds the physicality that the Rams have been lacking on offense. He should be the #1 RB moving forward; and get 20 carries/game.

Well- McVay abandoned the run when he had both guys available. So I don't buy htat it depends who he has. He has both! He just recently has come around to making better decisions as a play caller. My guess is that his defense sat him down and told him he is gassing them out with his play calling and lack of possession.

RAMFAN71 wrote: ↑December 15th, 2021, 9:37 am Well- McVay abandoned the run when he had both guys available. So I don't buy htat it depends who he has. He has both! He just recently has come around to making better decisions as a play caller. My guess is that his defense sat him down and told him he is gassing them out with his play calling and lack of possession.

Sony was learning the playbook early season. The first time the rams played the cards, Sony fumbled which got him benched.

Mcvay now seems to trust Sony and Sony now has the playbook down.

For example, Mcvay didnt trust Cam, last year,, until late season and over the last 5 games last year Cam averaged over 22 carries a game.

Ironically, now that Sony has the playbook down and Mcvay trust, Sony has averaged 22 carries over the last two games.

If you get Mcvay trust he will feed you the rock. Mcvay ran a healthy TG into the ground, once TG got injured and lost his explosiveness, Mcvay started to reduce his carries. Which pissed off TG...., we know the story.

DMRamFan wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 3:47 pm

CierraRam wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 1:09 pm Cam was quickly developing into the best receiving back of them. Much closer to the TG lll role IMO

Whom we may have back by the Niner game, maybe sooner... crossing fingers... BUT not too soon.

He could get a few snaps in those games, we ease him in...them have him ready for our playoff run into the Superbowl.

This was two weeks ago, he's looking good.

Considering Cam snapped that ligament in July and most RBs don't recover from that injury, the video is just crazy. However, if I were Cam, I would wait until next season to come back. You injure it again in January, and your career might be over.