[bac2369]

Thoughts? 

Any chance of some video of this?

[ArmChairHC]

Possibly. Last year they streamed it from Belfry’s place. But idk if we will or not.

[RAMDAD50]

Is the format for this scrimmage staying the same as years past? I hope so. I believe a controlled scrimmage helps both teams to see some things and be in situations they may only be in two or three times during the season. A lot of people don’t like it but I love it for the first scrimmage

[ArmChairHC]

I would say so. Probably special teams period. Nothing live minus the snap and kickers. Then a live 10 play format. It’s always been more or less and combined practice. Regardless of the format, both teams have always used it to rotate guys, look at different groups of kids upfront. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we have developed upfront from a year ago. Belfry brings back everyone just about and so did we. But last year, especially early, Belfry whipped us in the trenches.

[Belichick]

Neither throw the ball much or really excel there on offense. Belfry improved throwing it last year but still looked uncomfortable against better secondaries. Raceland staff has not shown the confidence to open up the offense much either especially deep in the playoffs. But obviously the offense works for both and they are both really good up front with good backs. They should run the ball. I think Belfry will still be better on both lines. Raceland may have caught up a little but not enough to win at the line. Offensively, QB is close, slight edge Belfry but won’t matter much. RBs are comparable. WRs edge Raceland overall but Belfry has a couple of nice athletes there. Defensive line and LBs edge Belfry but again, Raceland has plenty of talent there. Raceland has the better secondary overall but Belfry has the best cover guy. Since this is a scrimmage, both will throw more than they would if they played an actual game. It will be competitive. I expect Raceland to do better against Belfry than last season. If they played an actual game, I like Belfry by 2 scores. No shade to Raceland, I actually like Belfry to threaten for a state title in 2A this year. Think Raceland would give them a game but Belfry too much up front in the end. Just a very physical ball team and style of play.

[ArmChairHC]

^^^pretty accurate breakdown imo. Two things I hope to see in this scrimmage. Everyone remains healthy first and foremost and if our line on both sides of the ball can be a lot more physical than they were this time last year. That being said, we are a little further along in the process this year than we were last year heading into this particular scrimmage.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Last year that 2nd back through killed us. Let’s see if that happens again. I don’t expect to get thrown around like we did last year early on but we will see. We will also have to see who is actually on the field for Raceland in this scrimmage. Several guys not dressed last practice

[RAMDAD50]

Last year that 2nd back through killed us. Let’s see if that happens again. I don’t expect to get thrown around like we did last year early on but we will see. We will also have to see who is actually on the field for Raceland in this scrimmage. Several guys not dressed last practice

Seems to be a theme… can’t recall so many “ hurt” players over the years. Is toughness an issue?

[bac2369]

Last year that 2nd back through killed us. Let’s see if that happens again. I don’t expect to get thrown around like we did last year early on but we will see. We will also have to see who is actually on the field for Raceland in this scrimmage. Several guys not dressed last practice

Seems to be a theme… can’t recall so many “ hurt” players over the years. Is toughness an issue?

Surely the injury bug hasn’t hit before scrimmages. Who all been sitting out?

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

None of it serious. Just lots of it

[bac2369]

None of it serious. Just lots of it

Practices that rough and physical?

[ArmChairHC]

Bulk of the recent “injuries” are underclassmen. To answer one question, I think some of the injuries are definitely due to some physical immaturity and possibly some mental toughness. I’m not discrediting any kids injury as fake or made up, just seems like there’s been a lot more being “hurt” rather than truly injured (there’s a big difference imo). I think a lot of the upper classmen sitting out is due to be cautious rather than concerned. One Frosh had his patellar torn up and part of his tibia or fibia broken as well, though and won’t be back this season. Hoping he is back and healthy for baseball. Great kid and a phenomenal athlete. I don’t know of any major injuries though that are a huge cause for concern. Two key pieces that were out early in preseason were back on the field and getting plenty of reps the last three days of camp.

I also agree that I don’t think we will get thrown around as much upfront by Belfry this year. Shear size should assist in that department, but there was a lot of work put in the weight room over the offseason. I for one can’t wait to see them in action Friday.

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Practices haven’t been as intense as they were this time last year, imo. More starting jobs were up for grabs in the 24 camp. But there’s been a lot of hard hits, kids moving at a much faster pace, etc. Marushi, Stiltner, Bloss, and even Lockwood now, look like brutes out of the backfield. Arnette looks stronger and faster than a year ago. Everyone really out in a lot of work.

[Unimportant]

Conservative play calling by the Rams will the only thing stopping Arnett from gaining 2500 all purpose yards this season.  This kid can play on both sides of the ball.  Hope they open the offense up more with the RPO for Waller too.  Ison, Stiltner, Bloss, and Marushi are huge keys also.  Everyone is sleeping on the new 6'6" Right Tackle...#77, Sophomore, Grant Sanders.  He was enrolled for 3 days at Russell last fall before transferring to Raceland at the end of the season.  It should be a cake walk back to Kroger Field.  Hopefully they can finally win the big one.

[WestCoast]

Got to watch 1 practice for Raceland, they look very good. The Sanders kid looks like a grown man. Blew my mind he was a sophomore. O-line is way bigger and faster than last year.
Marushi looks very fast compared to last year. Bloss is flying to the football and looks really athletic. Arnett really sticks out on offense and defense. Waller was super accurate at QB. They had a kid kicking who was legit nailing 40 yard field goals right down the middle. Not sure of his name, but he was kicking left footed.
Really excited to see how this team plays this year.

[Patriot1]

I think RamDevil is making excuses before the season starts it’s a scrimmage no one wins or loses just see what needs work on and play a lot of players and see where they are and if they can help your team this year

[bac2369]

I’ve got to looking into the Rams since Coach Salmons took over 2014. The average number of throws per game under Salmons is between 15-19. 2016 is the only year that was out of the ordinary when they throw the ball over 400 times. The average that year was 30 times a game. But the past 3 years the rams average 16 throws a game. I may take a deep dive into the playoff numbers if I can get some time. But I believe Salmons has his formula and he ain’t gonna change.

[ArmChairHC]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

[Patriot1]

Armchair knows his Rams and I agree with him the line they have and a stable of backs why throw the ball maybe just enough to keep linebackers and corners honest

[bac2369]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

I’m gonna say it’s much lower than 15-19 in the playoffs. But I may get some time for it. If I betting its 10 or less for the playoffs.

[WestCoast]

I’ve noticed that the deeper it gets into the year, the more the pass attempts drop. They are not going to throw the ball more than 12-14 times in a game in late November or December unless they absolutely have to.
They could have Peyton Manning at QB and Jerry Rice at WR and they are going to run trap on 3rd and 6 in November.

[RAMDAD50]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

15 a game?? I do t think we threw over 15 times in our last three playoff games last year

[bac2369]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

15 a game?? I do t think we threw over 15 times in our last three playoff games last year

Did the Math and Raceland in all 5 games in 2024 in the playoffs threw it a total of 75 times. So that averages to be 15 times. Surprised at the number.

[Statebound19]

I’ve got to looking into the Rams since Coach Salmons took over 2014. The average number of throws per game under Salmons is between 15-19. 2016 is the only year that was out of the ordinary when they throw the ball over 400 times. The average that year was 30 times a game. But the past 3 years the rams average 16 throws a game. I may take a deep dive into the playoff numbers if I can get some time. But I believe Salmons has his formula and he ain’t gonna change.

Salmons is doing something right ,and what ever doing it must be working. Seems like Raceland always in the state championship game. Passing attack takes double reps than run game in practice. But he seems like he has good mixture throwing 15-19 times a game. I have only watch them last 3 years at state championship game and from what I have seen he letting Run setting up pass . That is best formula in my opinion.

[ArmChairHC]

The only real issue I have with the passing game, is I would say 50% of the attempts are bubble screens. I’m not an advocate for only throwing the ball deep, but the intermediate game is where I think we can be very successful this year. Our passing game doesn’t produce big plays consistently, I think that’s why the attempts seem to be higher than many thought they would be. A lot of screens being thrown. From watching practice though, we have put alot of time into changing things up on that side of the ball. If we can soften teams up in the box with the pass, the run game will be even that much more hard to deal with. We have a ton of weapons this year. Just a matter of if we can use them all. The talent this team has could produce some of the highest offensive numbers in sometimes. Time will only tell if that all comes together though.

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I also agree with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality. BUT, it’s something that I think handcuffed us in the last two state championship games. We waited too long to open up the playbook. It’s a new year and another chance to win the first one. But we have to get there first and right now…Belfry is the focus.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

The pass did hurt us last year but not throwing it. Defending it is what killed us in the last game last year.

[ArmChairHC]

100%. Sayre found the formula to beat the brute force, power teams. And they didn’t do it by slinging the ball downfield. They took a few shots deep, but 80% of their passes were an extension of the run game. 3-5 yards at a time.

[RAMDAD50]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

15 a game?? I do t think we threw over 15 times in our last three playoff games last year

Did the Math and Raceland in all 5 games in 2024 in the playoffs threw it a total of 75 times. So that averages to be 15 times. Surprised at the number.

Thats one of those situations where the math doesn’t math ha. Do a split on the first two playoff games compared to the last three. I know the Hazard game was a nightmare. Super windy and almost impossible to throw the ball in. The KCD game was a little muddy but I think the coaching staff felt there was no threat on them scoring so no need to give the other team something. Then the championship game….its hard to expect a kid to make a fourth and keep the game alive situation when we basically put the passing game on ice. 

Now before some ram readers get butt hurt you gotta understand these is football lovers talking football and we aren’t bashing anyone. We love Raceland football and I for one have loved watching our coaching staff grow over the last few years. None does an excellent job and there’s nobody else I would want to see as HC. So before someone of yall get bent and wanna meet a super quick at 3:45 to straight things out remember…. It’s always a good day to be a Ram

[ArmChairHC]

The kids had to execute the plan, but the offense that Chad Pennington put together and his ability to take advantage of what the defense gave him is what won them a title.

[WestCoast]

I agree with the above posters, when you throw the ball 14 times, but 7-8 of those are screen passes, you’re not really throwing the ball with confidence. You’re throwing it cautiously.
To me the biggest key for Raceland this season, it isn’t an offensive or defensive scheme per se, it’s a mentality.
Players and coaches need to come out and realize they have a good football team and dictate to the opponent what is going to happen. Let guys play and trust them to make plays.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

^^^dont dive into the shallow end of the playoff pass attempts pool. Id be shocked if it’s over 15/game.

15 a game?? I do t think we threw over 15 times in our last three playoff games last year

Did the Math and Raceland in all 5 games in 2024 in the playoffs threw it a total of 75 times. So that averages to be 15 times. Surprised at the number.

Thats one of those situations where the math doesn’t math ha. Do a split on the first two playoff games compared to the last three. I know the Hazard game was a nightmare. Super windy and almost impossible to throw the ball in. The KCD game was a little muddy but I think the coaching staff felt there was no threat on them scoring so no need to give the other team something. Then the championship game….its hard to expect a kid to make a fourth and keep the game alive situation when we basically put the passing game on ice. 

Now before some ram readers get butt hurt you gotta understand these is football lovers talking football and we aren’t bashing anyone. We love Raceland football and I for one have loved watching our coaching staff grow over the last few years. None does an excellent job and there’s nobody else I would want to see as HC. So before someone of yall get bent and wanna meet a super quick at 3:45 to straight things out remember…. It’s always a good day to be a Ram

I’ll see you at 3:45

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I think RamDevil is making excuses before the season starts it’s a scrimmage no one wins or loses just see what needs work on and play a lot of players and see where they are and if they can help your team this year

Making excuses for what? I just stated the truth. We will play everybody on the roster in both scrimmages. Like I stated last year Belfry threw us all over the field up there. No excuses we got man handled. I will be curious to see if that happens this year. Do you think I’m making excuses for what may happen during the season? Anything can happen even if everyone is healthy. Go back to the year we running clocked Pikeville and then got beat by them in the playoffs. Go to last year when I thought we would win by 3 TD s or more and we got beat by one dude. No excuses we got beat by one dude.