Congrats to Milwaukee.

The Hamster

Thanks to this thread I checked out Carvana and ended up selling them my wifes 2016 Ford Fiesta that I hated. They gave her 11k for it. I couldn't believe it. I remember checking kbb a couple years ago and it had a value of 4k lol.

Stump23 said:

Yesterday afternoon flew in to LAX on SWA and on approach I was wondering if SWA was piloting my flight!! Every time I land there, I think of all the cool SoFi posts he contributed. Thanks for the continued updates!!! This is a great place for Rams fans. Considering all the crap I'm sure you have all taken, like I have over the years supporting this team, I love the roll we have been on for the past few seasons and know we are just getting started. Cheers to all!

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I wasn't working yesterday so it wasn't me. Always wish it was. I think we have all been around enough to see what a fun, great, kind fan base we have. Pretty good sports as a whole.

I still can't believe I had the right job, for the right company, in the right pilot base to capture that journey.

There isn't much to show that hasn't been seen since its completion but still rubber neck in amazement of our stadium as I fly over almost weekly again.

No picture does it justice. Inside or out. I hope all get to see it soon.

I'd also put Taylor Rapp playing a hybrid between SS and dropping into the box on running downs. This was similar to Adam Archuleta's role post GSOT. Could provide additional confusion for the opposing offense.

More like Grandma's kurt.

bubbaramfan said:

Nick Scott and Jake Greveese stepping up as backups. Rams are solid in the backfield. I did not like Johnson and Hill leaving but Rams have the depth to be OK.

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Johnson will be missed but I think the Rams have very good options to backfill Hill (including adding a FA vet).

Position battle preview: Nickel defensive back​

A handful of offseason departures have created openings for multiple key roles on both the Rams' offense and their defense that will be closely monitored during Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union.

TheRams.com will be previewing the candidates for each ahead of camp, beginning with nickel defensive back.

The skinny

According to scouting service Pro Football Focus, Troy Hill was the NFL's highest-graded slot cornerback last year with an 87.8 grade off of 620 snaps inside. During free agency, he signed a four-year deal with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent.

The most crucial component to determining his replacement will be new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris' vision for the position.

It has been said the Rams will keep last year's defense deployed by former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley in place, with Morris adding his own twist – so does Morris view the nickel cornerback as a hybrid defensive back like his predecessor did with the star position, and line up different players inside, regardless of each player's size? Or is he looking for just one player to man the position while keeping Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams outside?

The candidates (in alphabetical order)

Terrell Burgess
Experience: One season

Notes: Burgess is a wildcard because of his versatile background. He's listed as a safety, but he also played every position in Utah's secondary, which would make him a fit at safety or nickel. The 2020 third-round pick mainly contributed on special teams as a rookie, producing eight total tackles and one pass breakup in eight games prior to a season-ending ankle injury in the eighth contest.

Dont’e Deayon
Experience: Three seasons (two with Rams)

Notes: Deayon's second season with the Rams was spent on their practice squad, but he later appeared in their divisional round playoff game against the Packers in Green Bay. He has contributed on defense and special teams before, though, doing so across three games in 2019.

Bronte Harris
Experience: Rookie

Notes: Playing cornerback at UAB, Harris tallied 27 total tackles (four for loss), one sack, four pass breakups and one interception en route to Second Team All-Conference USA recognition last fall before signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent this spring.

JuJu Hughes
Experience: One season

Notes: Having played both nickel and safety in college, Hughes also offers versatility Los Angeles could potentially utilize at nickel. An undrafted free agent signee out of Fresno State in 2020, he made L.A.'s 53-man roster as a rookie and went on to appear in 12 regular season games and both playoff games, making three total tackles as a special teams contributor.

Dayan Lake
Experience: One season

Notes: Originally an undrafted free agent signee by the Rams last year, Lake was among the final round of players waived by the team ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. In October, he was chosen by the Conquerors of The Spring League – a football developmental league – but its 2020 season was postponed to the spring. He later spent time on the Patriots practice squad in December before rejoining the Rams in early June. Lake posted 62 total tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, two sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries during his final season at BYU in 2019.

David Long
Experience: Two seasons

Notes: Under former cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant, Long's versatile skillset allowed him to play an "inside-out" role as rookie in 2019, so he's another hybrid option to consider should Morris go that route. Long appeared in all 16 games in 2020, logging six tackles and one tackle on special teams.

Kareem Orr
Experience: Two seasons

Notes: Originally an undrafted free agent signing out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga by the Titans in 2019, Orr spent his first two NFL seasons with that franchise. He spent most of that time on their practice squad but did appear in seven games. He played cornerback for the Titans, but also has experience playing safety – he was a freshman All-American at that position at Arizona State, where he spent his first two collegiate seasons before transferring to Chattanooga.

JR Reed
Experience: One season

Notes: Similar to Burgess and Long, Reed also offers versatility having played star in Georgia's defense. A free agent signing in early September last year, he appeared in seven regular season games on special teams and two playoff games, making two tackles in the regular season and three tackles in the postseason.

Robert Rochell
Experience: Rookie

Notes: The fourth-round pick out of Central Arkansas will need time to develop – Rams general manager Les Snead said after Day 3 of the draft that Rochell is still "raw" – but his athleticism and upside could provide value at nickel if Los Angeles were to use him there down the road. Rochell tallied 27 total tackles, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in seven games during his final season at UCA.

Where are They Now? Preston Dennard​

When New Mexico wide receiver Preston Dennard wasn't chosen in the 1978 NFL Draft, his Plan B was actually Plan L.A.

"Harold Daniels was my agent, and after that last pick, I got frustrated and went for a walk," Dennard said. "When I got back, Harold said eight teams called (about signing as a free agent), but we're going to go to L.A. and we're going to sign a contract with them.

"So I went out there and met (the Rams' scout) Jack Faulkner and (general manager) Don Klosterman, and I got what was considered the first free agent signing bonus, $1,500."

Clearly not enough to retire on, Dennard went to training camp and put all his money on trying to impress Rams receivers coach Lionel Taylor.

And he did.

"I didn't get drafted I was told because I was very thin and they kind of thought I would maybe break on the first NFL hit," the 6-1, 178-pound Dennard laughed. "He admired my quick feet. He knew I could catch the ball and that's always been my thing. The bottom line, I could run routes."

Injured and released during camp, Dennard was signed by the Rams after the season was underway and played in the last 11 games. During his second season, he'd make 11 starts and help Los Angeles win its seventh consecutive division title, earn the NFC Championship, and meet Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XIV.

Other than the final score, 31-19 Steelers, what's something Dennard hasn't forgotten about the experience?

"That night before the Super Bowl, I had this huge dream. I was going to be the MVP. I was going to make my signature diving catch and be hoisted above Dennis Harrah's and Jackie Slater's shoulders and walk off the field as the champion. Well, of course, none of that happened," he said with a laugh.

"That Super Bowl was the stage for me to introduce me, to show people, and it just turned out to be a beautiful thing. I had a successful day, especially in the first half, running routes, being open. Then for some reason, they didn't get the ball to me. I think I caught like three balls in a row and that was the extent of it. We came up short, but it is still a blessing for me today.

"The stage was set for the rest of my career athletically. It just was a blessing to be a part of it because there were so many stumbling blocks along the way that would have kept me from being there on that stage."

On the Rams' stage for six of his eight seasons in the NFL, Dennard was with Los Angeles from 1978-83, totaling 189 receptions for 3,066 yards and 21 touchdowns. What makes him most proud of his career?

"Being in it. Being there. Being recognized for it. Being told you were a great receiver, we liked seeing you play, you played the game right. All the compliments that people would give you confirms you made an impression on the NFL," said Dennard, who also spent one season each with Buffalo and Green Bay.

"And probably the second, all of my opponents. Just their respect of my game and playing against Hall of Famers who I had success playing against. And guys that I could run routes on that other guys couldn't.

"And to come away from the game with a very respectful career. I think, jumping ahead, it culminated when the Rams moved back to L.A. and they gave me a day at the Coliseum. They introduced me and I was tickled that the crowd remembered and recognized me with great applause."

For the past 16 years, Dennard has enjoyed a great career with Sport Surfaces Distributing Inc. as its Director of Sales and Marketing.

"It's athletic surface applications. We install, market, and sell. We install rubber, wood, track, any kind of athletic surface you can think of. We do everything," Dennard said. "We represent a number of manufacturers, and our biggest one is Mondo. Mondo is the Olympics' main running track material and has been there for the last 13 Olympic Games. But we have other manufacturers that we can go anywhere in the country with turf and track.

"And we are big with the military and medical. We've got jobs in Djibouti, Africa, Okinawa. I've been to Mexico on jobs. So there's certain products we can go and do nationally and internationally, but we really focus on the southwest, West Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and a little bit of Southern Colorado.

"I'm a different kind of sales guy. I'm a relationship seeker. I may not sell something that day, but I know that they'll call me back just because they had a great experience with me. I'm able to really help people look good in their facilities. That's what I'm proud of. I've got what they need and our stuff is really good. It lasts forever."

The father of five and grandfather of seven, Dennard and his wife, Angela, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Also a motivational speaker, Dennard is in the process of writing his autobiography – A Walk in My Shoes. Expected to be published early next year, the book will share Dennard's experiences and how they've led him to where he is now.

One example is how even though he got off to a late start participating in youth sports, it helped him overcome a speech impediment – stuttering.

"It was so bad, I couldn't even breathe, I couldn't get words out. And as a young guy in class, I was always up front in the classroom. But you know how our peers are. You raise your hand and you can't get it out, they laugh. I started moving to the back of the room where they couldn't see me, and I lived that as a young guy," Dennard said.

"My dad would always say, 'Son, let's watch a game,' or 'let's go out and catch the ball.' I didn't want to do any of that. So, long story short, and this is relative to athletics, one day I did. And it happened to be the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams. I watched it and it was impressive. And the next thing I know I had a jersey of O.J. Simpson, and I ended playing youth football. The skinniest kid out there and the rookie, so to speak in the eighth grade, it seemed like everybody had played five or six years already.

"I migrated from a skinny nose tackle to quarterback. And what does a quarterback have to do? Open his mouth and talk. I was so scared, but it was so natural. As soon as I got off the field, I stuttered horribly, but I was self-conditioned by athletics. It was important. I loved it. It brought self-esteem."

Dennard feels his book will show that anyone can conquer challenges if they are focused and driven. And that anyone can overcome someone else's negativity.

"I always had opinions about me based on my stuttering impediment and was told I couldn't make it. I just want people to realize, it doesn't matter," Dennard said. "Have I been unfairly treated? Has prejudice and racism been an issue in my life? Oh, yeah. Of course. But I either can quit, I can give up, I can run and hide, or I can stand up and prove to people I'm not who you think I am. I'm bigger, greater, stronger than that. I'm a Christian, so I believe Jesus Christ doesn't build any weaklings on this earth. We're a prized gift and possession of his, and so I lived that life.

"The book is going to detail challenges, which everybody's got in their lives. But if there's one young athlete who is hesitant because he feels he's a little overweight or he's been teased or someone doesn't get the chance to prove themselves, and not just young men, young ladies, that's my whole deal. Believe in yourself and put your best foot forward."

Neil039 said:

He’s won The PGA Championship & The Open (British) on his first attempt. We may be seeing the rising of a great here.

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First guy in history to do that.
Amazing!

I hope you get tickets and then post pictures of a Rams win!

RamFan503 said:

Meh. Amateurs.

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Well, if I do 25 post a day for the next 3 years and you don't do anything...I'll catch ya! Haha

Faceplant said:

Its a good watch. Watch it Damnit.

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Yep. Ray does a great job with his breakdowns.

I googled "Cowboys green pants", and yeah, it's definitely a thing! Apparently on older TV's the greenish tint made it appear as if silver was "popping" more, but with the advent of HD TV's, they just looked... green. Recently, looks like the Cowboys have gone to a truer silver instead of the sea foam green. Below, an article with pics showing the clear differences.


Anyway... if the iconic Cowboys can make subtle changes, maybe the Rams can too. Hey Demoff, get away from that pale "highlighter yellow" and give us the real, rich yellow that looks so awesome in the promo pics! I'm with @Bootleg... unis that actually looked like the promo graphics would be awesome:

Memento said:

Here are my thoughts (I'm splitting up cornerback and safety because the latter two are dramatically different.) on this:

I'd say that the defensive line is the same. AD is AD. I have a ton of faith in Bobby Brown III to take snaps and dominate out of the gate. I'm not sure if Earnest Brown IV and a supposedly-healthy Robinson can replicate Fox's sacks. SJD is a fantastic defensive lineman, only twenty-four, and we're seriously going to miss him when he leaves in free agency this year. Gaines is a load in the middle who got more push than I anticipated. And that's not even counting the four undrafted free agents (Jonah Williams, Hoecht, Banks, Copeland) potentially making noise. But ultimately, we lost a great defensive leader and run stuffer in Brockers, and a solid pass-rusher in Fox.

Outside linebacker is better, mainly because I'm more bullish on Lewis than most of my fellow RODites - I think he takes that outside linebacker spot this year or next - and also because Hollins in the same system for the year easily replaces what Ebukam does. Floyd, if he can replicate his numbers for his contract, will be a steal. I'm not sure about Okoronkwo's health; he's been injured in a lot of his tenure, and he's a free agent. The interesting part is the fifth spot; if Garrett can be half the pass rusher in the NFL that he was in college, we're set, but we'll have to see, and counting on him to do that is unfair to him.

Inside linebacker is better by default and only because we drafted Jones. He and Howard (who should compete for Young's starting spot) are hopeful upgrades, and Rozeboom is also intriguing. I'm not counting on much from Reeder, Young (if we don't cut him for cap savings), Kiser, or Moncrief. Again, this is better than last year (anything is better than last year), but we have to be better this year than last if we're winning a Super Bowl. Ultimately, I see us dipping into the well again (twice, maybe) next draft.

Cornerback is better because of Rochell's addition (he's going to be a good one) and Long's improvement (he will be the nickelback this year, book it) managing to edge out Hill's loss. However, depth will be seriously tested, which lessens the improvement. But hey, Ramsey and Williams are both here, which automatically gives it a boost.

Safety, while I like a lot of them (Hughes, Reed, Ford, Warner are all solid undrafted free agents who will be getting jobs somewhere in the NFL, and a trio of Fuller, Rapp, and Burgess is great.), is downgraded to worse because we've lost a very good one in Johnson. He called plays, he covered the deep area, he was great in run support, etc. I'd go so far as to say we lost a top five safety in the league, and while Fuller, Rapp, and Burgess are great, it's not fair to compare them to JJ3. Maybe Fuller continues his path, maybe Rapp stays healthy, maybe Burgess steps up, but until I see it, I can't rank it above last year's.

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Interesting take on OLB. I mean you never know. Maybe Lewis beasts. But in my experience a FA season is a great motivator for guys to play through nicks and bruises and max out their productivity, which insinuates that Oko will do those things. Plus Oko in spite of the time he's missed has shown more ability to make the gameday roster than Lewis. So for Oko I'm not concerned too much with him being injured (any more than any other player) but rather can he put things together to maximize his talent. And Lewis, well, if and when he can do something I'm ready to root for the dude. It's best for all of us if he does stay healthy that's for sure and boy do I like the look of him and Floyd as twin tower type OLBs menacing the edges.

Re: safety I suspect Warner will move to ILB and play weak side. We're stocked at safety. We need speed and smarts at that other ILB spot even if Jones shows well year one. And I think Young is a depth type, and Howard just has never impressed me. Maybe the guy is a freak in practice idk but not seeing what the staff is seeing there. Warner's chance at making the roster is best served moving into the box IMO.

Corner I have no idea. But I suspect Rochell is gonna need time because every pic I've seen of him so far has been of him being BBQ'd by Harris. Now maybe Harris is that good lol. No idea however the nice thing here is they've been talking Long up so I am hopeful there.

I’m going out in a limb here and say the Rams. They are ranked 4th regarding talent but picked to place 3rd in their division. What screams dark horse Marie than that!?!?

iamme33 said:

i was only .93 tutu when i was a sophmore in high sckool in 1963. now i am 1.28 tutus the years have not been kind to me.

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Same with me. I am 6' and was such a skinny nerd in high school and college.

Now I am a fat nerd.

Well no offense to Skip Bayless but Sherman appears to be prime door striking shape.

ramsince62 said:

Twice (Pats)....sigh

I agree 99 was the better season, but I still believe the better "team" was in 01.

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Oh they were definitely a better team but I think we are talking better season and 99 just was the best season for the Rams.

Elmgrovegnome said:

I think Kupp and Woods would do just as well as long as they were in the right system. They didn’t need Goff using his eyes to trick anyone.

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Maybe but Woods didn't do much while he was in Buffalo. Of course, that was a crappy system.

Big predictions for the NFL's reigning No. 1 defense | 10 things with Justin Hollins​

1. Go with the flow

Sarina: During the offseason, how do you manage your time? You go from crazy regimented to...do you even set an alarm?

Justin: In the offseason I kind of go with the flow. I'll work out, but it doesn't matter what time I'm working out. Go get the workout, but that's about it. It doesn't really matter. I got to just go with the flow in the offseason.

2. No question

Sarina: Last year's number one defense will be __ this season.

Justin: Will be number one this season as well.

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3. New coach, new ideas

Sarina: What has it been like working with new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris?

Justin: He's a player's coach. He relates to the players a lot. Definitely comes with a lot of different schemes and you could tell he's going to dial up some great things.

4. Waffles

Sarina: What is your favorite local restaurant or location in Los Angeles?

Justin: & Waffles. There is one in West Hollywood and one in Woodland Hills. [My go-to is] the chorizo burrito and then a waffle.

5. Get him hyped

Sarina: I saw you went to the Dodgers game with some of your teammates. If you could have a walk-up song, what would it be?

Justin: "Earned It" by Chief Keef.

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6. Back to the future

Sarina: Would you rather go back in time and meet your great-great grandparents, or would you rather go to the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?

Justin: Go to the future. I want to see what the world is like. Are they going to have hover cars? And I want to see where the legacy went.

7. Love the gram

Sarina: What's that one app you can't delete from your phone?

Justin: Instagram. I'm not a big TikTok(er), I'm not a big Twitter guy.

8. Ghostly home

Sarina: You're from Arlington, Texas and I looked it up. There are a lot of haunted houses in Arlington. Do you believe in ghosts?

Justin: I do believe in ghosts. Okay, this makes sense. That makes sense because apparently, we lived in a semi-haunted house in my childhood at one point. I kind of got weird vibes but as a child you don't really pay much attention to stuff. There was weird stuff happening in that house now that I think about it. My parents told me stories. [For example] I'd be in the living room and my mom just cleaned the room. She'll walk out the room, I'm still sitting there watching TV in the living room, and she'll walk right back by that room and the room would be completely messed up again. Like she didn't just clean it. The covers would be all messed up. Stuff like that.

9. H2O

Sarina: To the young kid in Arlington, Texas who wants to make it to the NFL, what do you tell this young athlete?

Justin: Don't have any doubt, and just keep pushing for longevity. Take care of your body early on, drink your water. Stretch. Take care of your legs.

10. Ready already!

Sarina: What games do you have circled on the schedule this season, and why?

Justin: I want the Chicago game. I have that one circled because it's the first game. And the Tennessee game because I became friends with Rodger [Saffold] and he plays with Tennessee. And it'd be fun to play against them and play against him, and Julio Jones. They got AJ Brown. Derrick Henry, of course, and it'd be a great test for the defense.

Will this be Sebastian Joseph Day’s curtain call?​

Yes Highly likely his curtain call just like JJ, Troy Hill and Brockers.


It was nice knowing you Sebastian.

Give us your best this year SJD and help us win the Lombardi before you part ways.

Rip, dude embraced his weird. Good for him.

RamFan503 said:

I'm going to take a stab at something based on your entire history here. It's no problem and glad to have you around if so. Are you Greg's mom or dad?

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No I'm not. But I am from La Habra and he grew up there. Seen him since Little League and Pop Warner through high school. Followed him closely since.

Rams43 said:

I think that Big Whit would have a great career in the broadcast booth if he so chose. He’s got a folksy and authentic way about his speaking during interviews.

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You're right, a bit like Merlin Olsen in that regard