August 13th, 2012 
Mark Peterson 
Posted in 
So, I have read all of the Monday morning buzz regarding Sunday’s Rams vs Colts game. Most of it is pretty consistent with my first team analysis (http://www.ramsgab.com/2012/08/12/rams-vs-colts-first-team-analysis/), but here are some other great points that resonated with me:
1 The Colts clearly had a different agenda for the outcome of game than the Rams. The Rams approached the game as a training opportunity. Get the first team some reps and then see what you can get from your 2nd and 3rd squads. The Colts on the other hand were looking to showcase their 1st round draft pick Andrew Luck. The first TD was a fluke and barring some bad tackling should be dismissed. But Luck didn’t come in to play a couple series and test the water. He was there to score and to impress (both of which he did). The Rams clearly stunk, but the mindset of both teams was different and had a significant effect on the level of play.
2 One of Fisher’s primary jobs is to instill a winning attitude with his players; implement a winning culture. Sunday’s game is not a step in the right direction, but again the Rams goal in the 2012 preseason opener was not to win the game. Here is a great Fisher quote,”You have to learn how to win before you win,” he said. “That’s what we talk about. It’s a mindset, an attitude, an expectation. It requires work.” Via Dan Pompei On the NFL
3 It takes time to turn things around. Even with all the new on-the-field personnel, the Rams still have issues at very important positions; most notably on their offensive line, at safety, and at wide receiver. Plus, they have a quarter back who in 2011 paid the price for 2 out 3 of those gaps. The Rams have got to find a way to protect Bradford in 2012.
So, at least now we have a clear picture of where things stand. Fisher is a seasoned and successful head coach. Over time we can expect all of these issues to be addressed (and we haven’t been able to say that for quite a while). I expect that next week against the Chiefs the Rams goals for the game will be more aggressive than in week 1.
This week should be a tough week in practice. I look forward to seeing the dividends against the Chiefs. Go Rams!!!
It looks like grooming the next wave of the running back corps has fallen to a rookie coach who gets a D- on his first preseason game. Sirmans better keep his resume at the ready. 2.8 ypc???? Pead looked like a high schooler. Richardson collapsed on contact and Middleton was a bit slow to the hole. We didn’t even get to see Reynolds or Schwieger- Reynolds is a second year guy and Schweiger was 1AA All-American and from the footage I watched can grind out for yards after contact. Pead was a nightmare across the board…I think he is going to be a crash and burn pick– he showed up to camp in a brand new porsche??? Deal him now for a mediocre but experienced third down back. I also say give Sirmans one more week and deal him too. He doesn’t have the experience to evaluate and develop all the young guys in the wings and that isn’t fair to them or the team.
Pead looked awful.. I like the trade idea, how about for some REAL O-line Talent……….