Join columnist Jeff Gordon for a live chat from 1-2 p.m. about the Cards, Rams, Blues, Mizzou, SLU or whatever sport or team is on your mind.
Monday, October 8, 2007 01:00 PM CDT
Jason: Im starting to think the Rams have the wrong head coach and offensive Coordinator for our players. You have Pro bowlers and future hall of famers at all key positions. Why may I ask why would you run a sesame street offense that doesnt stretch the field at all. I see no creativity. No sweeping sweeps, Offensive linemen pulling and not hitting anyone no long passes, no nothing. Yea I understand the injuries but even prior that it was the same basic offense.
Do you feel the Rams have the wrong Offensive playbook (offensive philosophy) for these players?
If so doesnt that indicate the need for a coach that would play to his offensive skill set, and strengths? Do you think we have coaches that do this? If not what should the Rams do?
Jeff Gordon: This week Linehan opened things up appropriately and got points on the board. He took some deep shots, used most of his weapons and found some winning plays in the red zone. With the injuries up front -- and with Jackson and Bruce out, plus Bulger's diminished state -- this offense lacks the firepower of the "Greatest Show on Turf."
Bryan: Thanks for getting to my questions,
With Linehan calling plays now, the paper said that Olsen was going to be moving back up to the coaches box. Why wasn't he up there in the first place? I thought most coordinators stayed up there to get a better view of the field?
ps. I guess now the Rams will have to try to rip the ball out of a players hands when he is down on the ground...If the refs can call it against us...maybe we'll get a break someday.
-Bryan
Jeff Gordon: Linehan has been a playcaller in the box and on the field. He liked having his playcaller on the field -- himself, currently -- to make the communications smoother. When Olson was on the sideline calling plays, he got advice from coaches in the box.
On the other hand, Mike Martz had his best success calling plays from the box as coordinator.
Larry Stout: If Darwin had traveled to Kansas and Oklahoma, he wouldn't have believed in evolution either. GO, TIGERS!
Jeff Gordon: Ah, brave talk from Mizzou Nation. But many tough games remain -- at OU, at K-State, at Colorado, KU in Kansas City. Aside from Iowa, each Big 12 North team is dangerous. This will be a fascinating football season.
Barcthespark: Gordo,
With Nashville coming to town after giving up only 1 goal in their first 2 games will Murray put Perron into the lineup for some extra offense? Thanks.
Jeff Gordon: Perron will get his chance soon, because the Blues need to learn more about him. Bit the Blues are coming off a 5-3 victory at LA, so if everybody is healthy, why change anything?
Nashville WILL be a test, because Barry Trotz is a great defensive coach and that team has to play more disciplined after losing so much firepower.
gar: with the cards out of playoffs & the rams sinking like the titanic, do you think the blues will benefit from this? after all they seem to be doing a much better job from front office on down (than the cards or rams). there 1st 2 games were pretty enternaining, especially the kings game. do you think the cards and rams can look at how the blues are being run and learn anything? the blues look like they could be the only ticket in town for stl sports fans. go blues!
Jeff Gordon: As I wrote earlier, the Blues have their act together. There is a lot of brainpower in that hockey operation, but so far it seems to be running quite smoothly. The Cards front office became a dysfunctional mess this season and the Rams obviously have management issues, too.
However, those franchises have won the big prize and the Blues have not.