For nearly two full seasons, the Los Angeles Rams‘ offensiv

THOUSAND OAKS Marcus Peters Jersey , Calif. (AP) — e line has been the epitome of consistent excellence and the bedrock of a wildly prolific offense.When the line failed to reach its own lofty standards last weekend, the Rams (11-2) were reminded just how much they rely on those five blockers to allow Jared Goff and Todd Gurley to do their thing.The line’s shortcomings can be measured most easily, if imperfectly, in the numbers of those skill-position stars in the Rams’ 15-6 loss to Chicago. Gurley rushed for just 28 yards, while Goff was sacked three times and threw four interceptions while under constant pressure from Khalil Mack and the Bears.More broadly, the Rams’ past three opponents have generated significantly more effective pass rushing against Goff than in Los Angeles’ first 10 games. While coach Sean McVay scrambled to accept the blame for his prolific offense’s rare misfire in Chicago, players across the offense — particularly on the line — also admit they need to be better if the Rams hope to be a real Super Bowl contender.“From the way that we felt after the game, I don’t think it was as bad as we think,” left guard Rodger Saffold said. “But of course, it came down to just fundamentals. When you’re in the heat of the game, especially emotionally, sometimes you do extra in order to try to make things happen, and you put yourselves in bad situations.”The Rams watched every mistake Wednesday during a detailed film session Brandin Cooks Jersey , reminding the linemen that even a unit as finely tuned as the Rams’ offensive line must keep improving.“We learned a lot coming out of that game,” said Aaron Kromer, the Rams’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator. “I think what you learned is when adversity hits at times, to go back to your fundamentals and techniques and not try to do something that’s out of the ordinary. Anytime you get in a big game, it always comes back to staying calm and understanding exactly what you want to get done.”With Michael Bennett, Fletcher Cox and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) visiting the Coliseum on Sunday night, the Rams’ linemen know they’ve got to fix their mistakes quickly.McVay was quick to point out that his play selection is a major factor in the line’s success or failure.“Anytime that you get some pressure, it’s always a little bit more difficult to operate,” McVay said. “I would say that it’s a combination of some different things. I wouldn’t say it’s been a fall-off (by the offensive line) or anything like that. There’s been specific instances and plays that might stand out that (are) typically uncharacteristic of what we’ve put on tape. But like anything else, we learn from it.”Not many offensive lines in recent history have been more effective or more consistent than the Rams’ group.Los Angeles had the same five starters for 15 games last season before McVay played his second stringers in the regular-season finale. After Austin Blythe replaced Jamon Brown at right guard this season, the Rams again have had the same five starters in all 13 games.That consistency has been a key to the Rams’ success, and the linemen are determined to make sure it doesn’t lead to complacency. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth is a team captain, while Saffold, center John Sullivan and right tackle Rob Havenstein also are veteran leaders of the entire roster.“There’s no sense of sitting here feeling bad for yourselves Ndamukong Suh Jersey ,” Saffold said. “Just go out there and play.”A potential downside of the Rams’ consistency and durability popped up in Chicago when both Sullivan and Saffold briefly left the game with injuries. Sullivan returned after being checked for a concussion, while Saffold missed five plays with an ankle injury.Los Angeles has had only two backup offensive linemen on its roster for most of the season, fewer than most teams. Rookie tackle Joseph Noteboom and backup center Brian Allen got some rare playing time, but the developments also reminded the Rams how lucky they’ve been with injuries.So the Rams on Wednesday re-signed lineman Jamil Demby, a sixth-round pick who was waived Sept. 8 when Aaron Donald ended his holdout. Demby had been on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad for the past three months.That help won’t be immediate, however: Although the Rams already know Demby well, Kromer said the rookie has still “got a ways to go as far as being game-ready.” THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have plenty of offseason work to do. Thanks to their run to the Super Bowl, they have a relatively short amount of time to do it.Sean McVay professes to love few things more than his next challenge, and the coach is already hitting the Rams’ offseason tasks with extra motivation from the humbling experience of Los Angeles’ 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Atlanta.“If you can’t handle getting gut-punched and responding, this business probably isn’t for you,” a typically energized McVay said Tuesday at the Rams’ training complex. “That’s the only way that I know how to respond as a coach. I know our coaching staff feels that way. I know our players feel that way, and that’s what’s powerful. … If things are always easy, you never get a chance to get tested and find out.”McVay said he isn’t ready for a vacation Dante Fowler Jersey , and he already has a lengthy to-do list.The Rams must replace quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor, who took over as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. McVay is heading to the NFL scouting combine in three weeks, and he will play a role in general manager Les Snead’s numerous roster decisions to be made within the compressed timeframe of evaluation before free agency opens next month.“When you do go this late into the season, which is certainly a blessing, we’re really far behind with a lot of the things that typically take place,” McVay said.The NFC champions were mostly upbeat while they cleaned out their lockers Tuesday, but the Super Bowl defeat will take weeks to fade.Andrew Whitworth is contemplating retirement, yet the left tackle was in the Rams’ training complex working out on a bike within hours after the team returned home. Jared Goff had already watched film of the Super Bowl, taking a close look at his offense’s numerous failings.“It definitely stings,” said Goff, who will have his fourth position coach in four seasons. “It’s hard. You can’t ever really get over it, maybe. It’ll be tough, but it’ll be definitely something that will motivate us, and something that we’ll use. It’s hard saying this when we know C.J. Anderson Jersey , had we won, right now we would probably be in the parade, and how fun that would be, and how many different things go along with winning the Super Bowl. It’s hard to put that in perspective, really, but there was a lot of good things that came out of this season.”With McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips still leading a roster stacked with elite talent, the Rams appear to have a foundation for a prolonged stretch of championship contention. Veterans of the Rams’ bad old days don’t take this success for granted, even if the ending currently stings.“This season is a truly great accomplishment by this team,” left guard Rodger Saffold said. “Sean McVay did an unbelievable job being able to turn this team around from a 4-12 team to a 13-3 team with a chance to win the Super Bowl. You can’t ask for anything better than that. It hurts right now, but these guys are resilient. These guys show great poise. I expect everybody to come back and have another victorious season, whether it’s with me or without me.”With that final phrase, Saffold underlined the uncertain nature of any NFL offseason. The stalwart offensive lineman is among several Rams whose futures are undecided.Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, edge rusher Dante Fowler and safety Lamarcus Joyner all were not available Tuesday to discuss their futures as unrestricted free agents. Veterans with hefty salary cap hits in the upcoming season include defensive tackle Michael Brockers, linebacker Mark Barron and cornerback Marcus Peters.Suh’s $14 million contract is up Eric Weddle Jersey , and the 32-year-old veteran gets to choose his career’s direction again after he gambled on the Rams’ prospects for providing his first career playoff success. Aaron Donald wants Suh back next to him, but while Suh appeared to thoroughly enjoy playing in LA, he probably could make bigger money elsewhere.Fowler improved his stock with solid play after his midseason arrival from Jacksonville. He wants to stay, but could be targeted with multiyear offers due to the valuable nature of his position.Joyner played this season on the franchise tag, and the Rams’ hesitance to give him a top-dollar, multiyear deal could be foreshadowing.Cornerback Sam Shields played in every game after missing the past two seasons while recovering from repeated concussions. Shields said he “most definitely” wants to play football again next season.“I beat all odds, and I feel like myself again,” Shields said.Running back C.J. Anderson provided an enormous late-season boost, and the Rams could be interested in keeping him longer than five games. Backup running back Malcolm Brown, whose injury led to Anderson’s arrival, is also a free agent.“One thing you can say about this team is they’ll be back,” Anderson said. “McVay and some of the key players have the talent to get them over the hump.”