Storm on the Horizon for Winless Rams

                                     Los Angeles Rams #9 Matthew Stafford (QB) taking snaps during practice. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

WOODLAND HILLS, CA – There’s a storm coming Mr. McVay. Two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams (0-2) were battling scorching hot temperatures nearing 120 degrees at their Woodland Hills training facility. Today the sun has been replaced by grey rainclouds hovering over as the winless Rams find themselves amidst a storm on the horizon, literally and figuratively.

“You‘ve heard me say it before it’s about how you handle the storms and we’re in the midst of a little bit of a storm right now,” said coach Sean McVay. “You learn a lot about people when you go through it.”

Three weeks into the season and the Rams are definitely ‘going through it.’ With both star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp placed on the IR this week, their run game stalling for long stretches and scoring overall down compared to last season, the Rams are putting more time on the practice field in an attempt to turn their ship around in this proverbial storm.

Since 1990 only two percent of teams that have started the season with three straight losses have gone on to make the playoffs. While some with less composure might turn to panic with a storm on the horizon, McVay knows now is not the time to panic. An added focus on the techniques and fundamentals for the Rams young players in practice is a key part of their plan for the week ahead of the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) this Sunday at Sofi Stadium.

“I don’t know if there’s an increased sense of urgency, more of an attention to detail,” says McVay. “More walk-throughs, more time on the grass where you’re putting guys physically through it. The clarity of communication, it’s why we have all these meetings. We have a lot of young guys that are playing and being in these positions for the first time but how quickly can we accelerate it, to make sure we’re reaching them.”

Focusing on the defensive techniques and fundamentals will be crucial for the Rams this week as they face a 49er run game, which has been a juggernaut through the first two weeks of the season. Despite losing the best running back in football in five-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason has stepped in with two 100-plus yards games. His 247 rushing yards are second in the league, ahead of other more heralded elite backs including Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Alvin Kamara.

On the flip offensive side of the run game, the Rams only managed 53 yards on the ground against Arizona last week. The Cardinals put up 231 yards on the ground a trend the Rams hope to flip against San Francisco. To get the run game going McVay pointed to their “efficiency of execution and the ability to hit blocks” to free up lanes for the run game.

Running back Kyren Williams may get some additional help from rookie Blake Corum who looked spry during today's practice as he patiently waits for his number to be called.

Scoring is down this season and with the Rams unable to sustain drives for the better part of their first two games, it will be up to McVay to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to jumpstart the offense against a tough 49er defense to get the Rams in the win column.