How can quick strike plays remain part of the LA Rams 2024 offensive plan?

Perhaps memory does not serve me well, but it seemed to me that one of the characteristics about the LA Rams offense in 2021 was the team's quick strike ability. Whether is was a pass play to veteran WR DeSean Jackson, to younger wide receiver Van Jefferson, or an incredible run after the catch by All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp, it seemed as though the team could score at weill from anywhere on the football field in one play.

The term most often used to focus on those quick-strike offensive plays is 'explosive play,' and it is less about whether the yards gained come on the ground or through the air, as long as big chunks of yardage are the result.

But have the Rams abandoned those big plays in favor of grinding out a game clock? Or do the Rams still have a cache of explosive plays to dial up and use when the game situation is ripe for another another quick strike? Based on a recent Tweet by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football, it appears to be more of the latter.

If Shap's numbers are correct, and we have no reason to doubt them, the LA Rams offense tied for third place among all 32 NFL teams with 32 explosive offensive plays that gained 30 yards or better. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by the numbers:

But what about 2024? Can the Rams big burly blockers hold off pass rushers long enough to allow similar explosive offensive plays in 2024? I say yes, and here's why:

Rams offense powered by big plays, and YAC

From the jump in the 2021 NFL season, the Rams showed the NFL their big play offensive hand by putting up a 37-yard pass to TE Tyler Higbee, a 56-yard pass play to WR Cooper Kupp, and a 67-yard bomb to WR Van Jefferson in a 34-14 drubbing of the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. It was clear foreshadowing of what was to come.

By the end of the 2021 season, the Rams would boast 10 different players whose longest gain on one play was at least 25 yards. If you lowered the back to 23+ yards, the offense would add a reception from RB Sony Michel (24 yards) and a 23-yard reception by TE Kendall Blanton.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Rams boast 10 different players who longest game was at least 25 yards. But if you lower the threshold to 23+ yards, you pick up runs by RB Royce Freeman (23 yards) and Demarcus Robinson (23 yards) as well as receptions by RB Kyren Williams (24 yards),

Not too shabby for a team that few thought had NFL Playoffs in them at the start of the season.

While the team lost veteran running backs Darrell Henderson Jr. and Royce Freeman to free agency, rookie RB Blake Corum is equally capable of big plays in this offense in 2024. Of course, veteran running back Boston Scott is TNT when you are talking about explosive plays coming in off the bench. You can also add an uptick in explosive plays due to WR Cooper Kupp showing up and signing off as 100 percent healthy this season. And then there is the upside for explosive plays from tight ends Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen.

Even if the Rams gear down to a grind-it-out-on-the-ground sort of offense, the opportunity for huge explosive plays on offense does not diminish. Rather, more defenders in the box raises the chances for big plays on offense.

I really like what the Rams have up their sleeve in 2024, and you will too.

Thanks for reading.