7 solid reasons why LA Rams win NFC West next season
By Bret Stuter
Reason 1 – Rams hired an offensive coordinator who will game plan to Goff’s strengths
Rams quarterback Jared Goff never seemed to be comfortable in the pocket in 2019. There are good reasons for that, he was playing behind an offensive line who were introducing themselves to one another at the opening snap. If that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, the Rams all but abandoned rushing the ball and placed the outcome of games more and more upon Goff’s throwing arm.
It’s hard to tell whether it was concern over the running game, the offensive line play, or the sheer number of passing plays called week after week. Whatever the cause, Goff appeared to be a quarterback fleeing for his life on many plays in each game. No matter who the quarterback, if a defense can rattle them, they have a great chance of winning the game. Rams opponents were able to do that in seven of sixteen games.
From the moment the LA Rams announced hiring new offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, that all changed. O’Connell fills a new role for the Rams, as the offensive coordinator role had gone unfilled since former OC Matt LaFleur left to take a similar role with the Tennessee Titans.
While McVay will continue to call the plays for the foreseeable future, O’Connell will ultimately be responsible for co-development of weekly game plans, as well as aiding play design. For the LA Rams to succeed, head coach Sean McVay must be more involved in the entire team. For him to have the time to devote outside of the offense, he must have someone to whom he can delegate offensive responsibilities. O’Connell fills that role.