I just read that the Rams cut RT Max Pircher back on 3/13/23. Guess the reserve RT position belongs to solely 2nd yr OL'er AJ Arcuri's. McVay did say he felt good about the OT unit this season.

RT Havenstein
LT Noteboom
LT Jackson
RT Arcuri
LT/LG Thomas

I still like to see Ty Nsekhe resign to bring in a veteran Swint OT/LG.

simonblaze said:

Ideal Scenario...

Rams start AJackson at LT, find competition thru draft or FA to compete at LG and C, Bruss works out at RG, and garbage Noteboom sits on the bench as a swing T.

If they try to shoehorn Noteboom as the starting LT again and don't add any talent to G/C then the offense is fucked...again...

Click to expand...

I do not think that Joe Noteboom will be utilized in any other post but @ the LT, either as the game-day backup or later as the starter if there is a need.

I feel sure that interior OL'ers will be drafted but it is very rare that McVay will have much use for them other than an emergency backup. Rookie OL'ers are just pitifully lacking in usefulness & lag way behind all other positions. But the Rams need much better OL talent, just get the dusty shelf ready for 2 or 3 of them.

The young reserve OL'ers who saw action last season (Arcuri/ Anchrum/ Thomas/ Bruss/ Shelton) will be much more involved than what is drafted here in the 2023 draft. I consider Havenstein/ Jackson & Allen starters, will be interesting to see who wins those 2 OG's starting posts.

Hard one to copy but, I think it is an interesting article with grades of players that may still be Rams. Big shout out to Gaines which I will post on his thread. Rams roster isn't completely shot.

• RAMS ROSTER OVERVIEW

Rams week 14 defensive grades: Greg Gaines leads 2nd half dominance​

Greg Gaines caused disruption without Aaron Donald in the lineup
By Steven Ridings Dec 10, 2022, 1:45pm CST
41 Comments / 41 New
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​

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last month, the Los Angeles Rams defense had struggled to contain opposing offenses. Quarterbacks like Colt McCoy, Andy Dalton, and Geno Smith all looked like MVP candidates despite being below-average talents. Through the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, it appeared Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs would control the game flow. However, the momentum of the game shifted when Greg Gaines pushed the pocket and forced Derek Carr to throw a floated pass into the outstretched hands of Ernest Jones. Was Greg Gaines the main catalyst of the defense’s second-half success?

In order to gain a sense of the performance of the roster and its direction, Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded out all the players from the Week 14 contest. Using the PFF grades and the eye test of watching the game, I will provide a weekly evaluation and grade of the defensive positions.

If you have not read the Week 14 offensive grades, click here.
Los Angeles Rams | NFL roster by position | PFF

Weekly Grade: Grade for that respective week
Season Grade: Grade for the position over the course of the season
Trend: Direction of the position group from last week to this week
* Denotes player is Top 3 at position in NFL

DL​

Aaron Donald: 90.5* (INA), A’Shawn Robinson: 64.4 (IR), Greg Gaines: 61.2 (+4.7), Marquise Copeland: 65.8 (-1.7), Bobby Brown III: 81.8 (+1.3), Jonah Williams: 48.9 (-6.8), Earnest Brown IV: 63.5

The storylines entering Thursday night were centered around Josh Jacob’s leading rusher status. However, Los Angeles narrowly kept him under 100 yards, limiting his production to just 3.7 yards per carry on 27 rushing attempts. Bobby Brown III did a fantastic job in limited action of winning along the interior. For the second straight week, he finished in the top-5 for the defense’s PFF grades.

But Greg Gaines was the difference maker. The Washington Huskey had six tackles (three solo), two pressures, and a quarterback hit that led to Rams first interception. We have seen how good Gaines can be with Aaron Donald in the lineup, but this was the first time we were able to see Gaines’s effectiveness without a three-time defensive player absorbing double and triple teams.

I’m not sure what type of deal Gaines will command on the open market this offseason. Sebastian Joseph-Day cashed in a lucrative deal despite having limited pass-rushing ability. Gaines figures to warrant more money but is he a scheme fit for other teams? The trouble becomes LA fitting his contract into a tight budget when players like Marquise Copeland, Bobby Brown III, and Jonah Williams continue to develop and warrant more playing time. I think Aaron Donald would like to have at least one of Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson's return. This offseason will be trying in more ways than one for Les Snead...
Week 14 Grade: C+, Season Grade: C+, Trend: Neutral
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ILBs​

Bobby Wagner: 90.7* (+0.3), Ernest Jones: 66.8 (+0.4), Travin Howard: INA, Christian Rozeboom: 61.2, Jake Hummel: IR, Jake Gervase: 60.0 (DNP)
Once again, Wagner was the standout on the defense. Wags had a whopping 14 tackles (six solo) and was flying around from sideline to sideline. In the third quarter, the inside linebacker had a huge third down stop on a scrambling Derek Carr, knocking him out of bounds a foot shy of the first down marker. With 2:38 left in the game, Copeland and Wagner stuffed Jacobs on a 3rd & 1 to give the Rams the ball back and ultimately win the game.

Ernest Jones was the benefactor of the Rams first turnover. He picked off Derek Carr in the Rams end zone, preventing the Raiders from scoring before halftime. This was one of his stronger games this year despite a limited box score of five tackles (one solo).
Week 14 Grade: A, Season Grade: A-, Trend: Slight Upward

EDGE​

Leonard Floyd: 67.6 (-0.2), Terrell Lewis: 46.1 (DNP), Mike Hoecht: 64.1 (-7.2), Daniel Hardy: 40.9 (-20.6), Keir Thomas: 68.6 (+18.8)
Raheem Morris’s defense struggled to contain the edge in the first half. Josh McDaniels dialed up a few reverses that Michael Hoecht failed to keep containment, resulting in Mack Hollins rushing for 40 yards on three carries. On a positive note, he did have the final pressure and QB hit on Carr that forced an interception to Taylor Rapp.
Thomas (15% snap share) received a longer look and performed well, collecting the Rams only tackle for a loss.
Week 14 Grade: D-, Season Grade: D, Trend: Slight Downward

CBs​

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Jalen Ramsey: 80.4 (-1.8), Troy Hill: 69.9 (+4.5), David Long Jr.: 53.1 (INA), Robert Rochell: 58.1 (DNP), Derion Kendrick: 45.8 (DNP), Cobie Durant: 60.0 (-2.1), Grant Haley: 70.8 (IR)
Jalen Ramsey was beat over the top twice by Davante Adams, though Adams only finished with three receptions for 71 yards.

Troy Hill started on the outside and Cobie Durant got his first start at the nickel. Hill did not allow any receptions on the evening, receiving a grade of 83.2.
Week 14 Grade: C, Season Grade: C-, Trend: Neutral

S​

Nick Scott: 59.8 (+0.2), Taylor Rapp: 70.3 (+4.0), Russ Yeast: 54.5 (+3.0), Quentin Lake: DNP, Jordan Fuller: 60.5 (IR)
Taylor Rapp had one of his top-5 career games, only allowing one reception for our yards and securing the game sealing interception.

Nick Scott chipped in four tackles as the other starting safety, while Russ Yeast (12% snap share) added one tackle.
Week 14 Grade: B-, Season Grade: C-, Trend: Slight Upward

Special Teams​

Riley Dixon: 83.5* (-1.3), Matt Gay: 87.8 (+4.5)
Matt Gay was only 1/2 on field goal attempts, but he connected from 55 yards and missed from 61 yards.
Riley Dixon punted three times for 156 yards (52.0 avg) with one punt inside the 20 and one touchback.
Las Vegas did a good job of bottling up Brandon Powell on kick returns, utilizing a short kickoff each time. Powell only managed 18.3 yards per return.
Week 14 Grade: B+, Season Grade: A-, Trend: Neutral

Coordinators - Raheem Morris & Joe DeCamillis​

After a shaky first half, Raheem Morris managed to shutdown Josh McDaniels in the second half. Derek Carr only passed for 11 yards in the second half. Josh Jacobs failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark. Overall, it was a significant improvement compared to the previous four games.
DeCamillis could look to improve the team’s kick return blocking after Las Vegas exploited a weakness.
Week 14 Grade: A- (Morris), A- (DeCamillis)
Season Grade: C (Morris), A (DeCamillis)
Trend: Slight-to-Moderate Upward (Morris), Neutral (DeCamillis)

Poll​

What should LA do with the defensive line in 2023?​

This poll is closed

• 28%​

  Re-sign Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson​

  (66 votes)

• 65%​

  Re-sign Greg Gaines and promote Bobby Brown III to starter role(155 votes)​

• 8%​

  Let Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson walk in free agency (receive 2024 Compensatory picks) and draft DE in Round 3 of this year’s draft​

  (19 votes)​

240 votes total

I keep telling my GF that Modelo doesn't have any alcohol. It's simply adult Mexican cool aid. My headaches the morning after are me just getting old. I tell her that hangover headaches the morning after is better than being an old fart. Thank god I'm not that. The matches in the bathroom are for keeping the mosquitos away.

Donald put up crazy numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine as well. His college tape was also ridiculous. The dude shot out of a cannon, strong as a bull, and slippery like a greased pig.

These kids are in their own heads if they think they have anything close to it. Truly one of a kind. The coach is right lol.

Memento said:

and I don't know enough about longsnappers, so I'll jump on the Alex Ward bandwagon.

Click to expand...

Alex Ward has been on the NFL draft radar for a few years, and is in the best position to be drafted. The 6’4" 240 pound 6th year senior was the only long snapper invited to the NFL Combine this year, and had a good performance as one of two snappers at the Senior Bowl. He was one of three finalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award each of the last two seasons, given annually to the nation’s best long snapper. Through his four years as a long snapper he was credited with no botched snaps, while displaying ideal snap speed and consistent placement. Ward is fairly active in coverage and has plus-character.

PARAM said:

What is interesting is the number of UFA's after this season with respect to who's on the squad right now. Undoubtedly they may sign a few UFA's to one year deals after the draft.

Fuller
Akers
Jefferson
Hopkins
Anchrum
Murchison
AJ Jackson
Hoecht
J. Williams
Rozeboom
E. Brown
Z. Thomas
Rivers
Jolly

14 and probably not a comp pick among them! I joke of course.

Click to expand...

I'd sign A-Jax, Hoecht, Murchison, Rozeboom, and EB4 out of those players.

Nice guy. Earned things the hard way. Two-time SB Champ carries some weight. Special teams demon brings even more. Looking forward to some balls to the wall special teams play.

rdlkgliders said:

Patiently waiting for the piece on Rams strategy by Keyser Soze

Click to expand...

He always blames the same players. You know…the usual suspects.

bubbaramfan said:

Unless they upgrade the OL at C and LT from what they have its going to be a losing season. Its early still and I have hope McSnead agree and do something.

Click to expand...

Something similar was said in 2021.

"If they don't draft a C, they're not gonna have a shot". After the draft when asked about that, they said "we believe we have our center in house". Damn if they weren't right!!! FWIW, I expected them to draft a center in 2021 and I expect them to draft a center this year. Hopefully, I'll be right once.

Kupped said:

It's insurance now.
If they draft a center, they don't need the insurance.

Click to expand...

EXACTLY!! That’s why it makes a lot of sense.These 2 Centers know the OFFENSE very well. Brian Allen really helped Baker Mayfield by calling the Plays upfront when he had less than 48hrs. to learn.
Then you go down the List’

Big RB
Back up QB
WR - Robinson still a Ram?
OLine Swing Tackle ?
TE ? Ok?

DLine ? Robinson or Gaines
LBEr edge rusher - need at least 2

Kickers - Punter

DB’s & special teams -

Rams will draft a QB at some point this draft. Stay tuned.

Neil039 said:

Sons of Anarchy Season 6 Episode 13. Tara is killed by Gemma. Brutal and not a predictable situation in the show.

View attachment 59055

Click to expand...

same show, Season 1 when gemma swings a skateboard into some chicks face. right then, i knew the shows writers looked at things differently than the norm. Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv7OoWYH-Ns

den-the-coach said:

Lions like him too I bet, so we will see how it plays out.

Click to expand...

Will The Rams get a comp pick for Matt Gay. Then where would you draft a Kicker if at all ? Rams are back to square 1 again like when Les Snead came in his 1st season as GM. Minus the Ling Snapper.

At this point, my greatest hope for Noteboom is that he only misses a few games at the beginning of the season while completing his injury rehab, plays strong at LT up until the trade deadline, and then we move him for a decent draft pick and some CAP savings. jmo.

I have an iPhone 12. Around September I was unable to sign into ‘The Athletic’ app.

Customer service tried to help, but it didn’t work. I’ve deleted the app, updated it, turned the phone off after deleting, etc… Nothing has worked. I had to resort to logging in on my browser and resetting my Password that way. Then I opened the app and still couldn’t log in with the reset Pw. I ended up saving the link to my homepage. But it’s not as good as the app is.

Has anyone had this issue and if so how did they get around it?

This screen saver doesn't expire until the Rams next super bowl win. I just hope it doesn't take another 20 yrs.

I didn’t know a thing about him before the Seinfeld reference.

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Tidbit from today's Dan Patrick Show...

This date in sports history in 1985 Coach K earned his first NCAA Tournament victory with a 1st rd win against the Pepperdine University Waves. It was the next year that ESPN first televised the entire first round so there would normally only be one or 1st round games on those first two nights and this was not one of them in SoCal that year.

My suite-mates and I sat around listening to the game and were encouraged as the Waves played pretty well for the first 20-25 mins. I had a friend that was a walk-on that year who said they were feeling pretty good about the game-plan and their play right up until Duke broke out the Big Boy press.

All down hill from there...

OnceARam said:

Great minds think alike.

Would be a huge loss if we don't re-sign our K/P.

Click to expand...

Well we already lost the more important of the 2. And I'd much rather draft Turk or someone then pay Dixon.

Merlin said:

I'll give Lynch cred with that defense. Doesn't matter who's DC that unit has remained stacked and produces year to year. And he has ensured they have an edge in the trenches vs us, which is irritating as F.

But before I need to wash my own mouth out with liquid soap I'll add that his lack of expertise on the offensive side of the ball has killed them. It has to suck serious ass to lose out deep in the playoffs in three separate seasons. And that Lombardi we won sure does buy a lot of patience from myself. Don't care what anyone says I can milk that shit out for at least a few more years.

Click to expand...

Lynch has definitely been more successful on the defensive side of the ball. It seems he struggles a little with corners but definitely can pick front 7 type. 49 ers have more money tied up in their front 7 than any NFL team and that’s before the sign Bosa to a record setting highest paid defensive player contract this offseason

I can't see McVay signing off on trading Stafford. That relationship is too good

Damn I’d thought we’d have the most Dead Cap at 45 mill this year but Panthers at 48 Mill and Eagles at 54 Mill negative money right now.

El Chapo Jr said:

Well kudos to you for doing that. We need more of that in this world since we aren't all perfect except So Ram lol....just kidding

Click to expand...

HEY I resemble that. Touché

May you have a wonderful day!
Go Rams