Liz Roscher
December 12, 2019, 8:26 AM PST


Clinton Portis is one of ten ex-NFL players charged with defrauding the NFL's veteran player healthcare fund. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Thursday that 10 ex-NFL players have been charged in a scheme that allegedly defrauded the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account of nearly $4 million.

Clinton Portis, Carlos Rogers, Robert McCune, John Eubanks, Tamarick Vanover, Ceandris Brown, James Butler, Frederick Bennett, Etric Pruitt, and Correll Buckhalter were charged in two separate indictments. The Washington Post reported that Joe Horn and Reche Caldwell will also be charged.

According to the indictment, the scheme allegedly operated by submitting false claims to the reimbursement account for expensive medical equipment that was never purchased. The ringleaders would find eligible players and offer to submit claims for them, and then fill out fraudulent claims for expensive medical equipment like hyperbaric oxygen chambers, ultrasound machines that are typically used on pregnant women, and electromagnetic therapy devices used on horses.

They would obtain fabricated support documents such as invoices, and letters or prescriptions from medical providers, and then submit the claims. In exchange for obtaining the false documentation and submitting the fraudulent claims, the ringleaders allegedly received “kickbacks” and bribes for as much as $10,000.

The claims were around $40,000 to $50,000 each, and were submitted between June 2017 and December 2018. According to the indictment, the players submitted $3.9 million in false claims, of which $3.4 million was paid out.

The Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account is meant to cover medical expenses for former NFL players after their NFL veterans insurance runs out.

“Ten former NFL players allegedly committed a brazen, multimillion dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out-of-pocket medical expenses,” assistant attorney general Brian Benczkowski said in a statement on Thursday, via the Washington Post. “Today’s indictments underscore that whoever you are, if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”

He should take a silicone spray shower before game time given all the holding done to him.

Gotta love these videos. Thanks for posting OS.

Rams Pro Football Focus tidbits heading into Week 15

Pro Football Focus (PFF) has a team of more than 300 staffers evaluating every NFL play from the Hall of Fame game to the Super Bowl. After each game, players, as well as each team's offensive, defensive and special teams units, are graded on a scale of 0 to 100; the closer a player or unit is to 100, the better. A full explanation of their evaluation process can be found here for additional context.

Here's a look at some of the noteworthy Rams-centric assessments leading into Week 15.

LITTLETON STAYS CONSISTENT WITH TACKLING

Already one of the top tacklers at his position this season, it should come as no surprise that linebacker Cory Littleton has remained one of the Rams' most consistent players in that category.

Sunday's tackling grade of 81.1 marked the ninth time Littleton has posted higher than an 80. He finished with a team-high 10 total tackles against the Seahawks in Week 14.

At his current pace, he'll have a good chance at beating his career high for tackles in a season. He has 112 with three games remaining and had 125 in 2018.

WHITWORTH'S SECOND-HALF SURGE

Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth has fortified that side of the line in recent weeks, especially when it comes to the passing game.

PFF's Rams-focused Twitter account shared yesterday that Whitworth's pass-blocking grade of 88.2 is tied for the fourth best over the last seven games among offensive linemen who have played a minimum of 350 snaps this season. It's up from 74.4 through his first six games.

It's an important development, because it comes as the Rams close out the regular season facing two of PFF's top 10 pass-rushing edge defenders (Cardinals' Chandler Jones, 49ers' Nick Bosa). The Cowboys' Robert Quinn is No. 31 but shouldn't be taken lightly.

ANOTHER STRONG GAME FOR WOODS

Rams wide receiver Robert Woods nearly eclipsed 100 yards receiving for the second game in a row. Still, his seven catches for 98 yards and one touchdown on Sunday understandably caught the attention of the evaluators at PFF.

Woods' receiving grade of 83.9 against the Seahawks gave him back-to-back weeks of placing in the top 10 at his position in that category. It also signified his best receiving performance of the season in the eyes of the scouting service.

Awesome!

I think Donalds sack totals have a lot more to do with how well he takes care of himself and not just pure athleticism and skill. My theory is that Donald's sack totals lower in the first quarter because players are fresh from the offseason, but as the season goes on, their bodies break down yet Donald doesnt loss much of a step or get injured. And then, bam, he's getting sacks in bunches.

I’ll go all in on the Delaware Clams

Well it looks like our championship weekend has started in the Lightning Rods League!

May the best Corbin win!

Dodgersrf said:

I wish they would as well.

On the 1st pick,Woods sat on his route. My 1st thought was it was on Goff. Woods is an excellent route runner.
Should he have kept running?

On the second one to Cooks I thought Cooks was just overthrown.
After seeing McVay on the sideline motioning to Cooks, I was under the impression Cooks ran the wrong route.

Click to expand...

He ran the route to far to the middle of the field. Goff was throwing to a spot and he wasn't there.

oldnotdead said:

Bubble players likely to be gone in 2020 to clear cap.

NRC - $6M
Brockers - $10.7M
Whitworth - $16.6M
Weddle - $6.2M
Mathews - $3.5M
Brown - $2.1M
Blythe - $2M
Bortles - $1M

Click to expand...

We've gone over this a ton of times I don't know why I'm even responding but you're counting people's cap hit this year as cuts next year to free up more cap space. Brockers Whitworth Blythe and Bortles aren't on next years salary cap and them not coming back doesn't change how much cap space we have.

RamsInfiniti said:

Young is not built to play the role that Reeder does. Reeder is a part time starter - he plays heavy snaps against run heavy teams. He's terrible in coverage, but he is very good against the run. Also good at special teams. Reeder will be here a long time doing dirty work.

And why are so many still writing off Hill - you know, the guy they signed to a 2 year contract extension. The guy only allowing 45% of passes thrown his way to be completed. That guy, who's 6.0 YPT given up is top 10 in the league. That guy, giving up a passer rating of 64 against. What's it going to take for Hill to get respect?

Click to expand...

Hill has been doing really good so far since becoming a starter. Him coming in to his own is the type of thing the Rams need to happen to sustain success salary cap wise.

OldSchool said:

People don't want to cheer they just want to vent

Click to expand...

Vents need to be stiff armed the fuck out of here.

Login to view embedded media

Here is one of my favorites. I don't have many earlier than the 70s and those are in a bin in a closet

(On what he’s seen from Rams RB Todd Gurley II)
“(Rams RB Todd) Gurley’s (II) just a really good player. He’s been a good player since he’s been in the league. Typically, good things happen when they hand him the ball. He’s played well of late and he’s a complete running back. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical, very athletic guy. Not only a threat to run the ball inside, but outside and also a threat in the passing game. We’ve faced him before – I have great respect for him.”

(On Cowboys DE Robert Quinn evolving in Dallas’ defensive scheme and what he’s added to their defense)
“(Cowboys DE) Robert’s (Quinn) done an excellent job for us. We played against him a number of times through the years and just had great respect for him. Obviously, a very talented guy who plays the game the right way. Very threatening pass-rusher, but also tough and physical and willing to play the run. That’s what he’s been. We had so many great reports from people who were around him before we got him and everything they said is true. More so, just his professionalism, how he comes to work, the example he sets, how hard he practices and, really, how well he plays. He’s been an impactful player for us.”

(On what he thinks of the Rams’ offense as they have hit their stride in the last couple of weeks)
“They’re really good. They have some young offensive linemen who are playing more and more and are doing a very good job. They have a really good core of tight ends. The receivers, they can really do whatever you want your receiving crew to do. They can beat you short, they can beat you deep, immediate route running – run after a catch. A really good group of receivers. We talked about Gurley. The other runners, when they get opportunities are productive. The quarterback has played very well throughout his career and certainly playing well right now. A lot of different weapons, they’re a well-coached team. They’re a challenge every time the ball is snapped.”

(On what he has seen in the Rams’ pass defense game since CB Jalen Ramsey joined the team)
“Again, a lot of respect of respect for those guys. Some veteran guys in the backend who have played very well in this league for a long time in (S Eric) Weddle. (S Taylor) Rapp is playing, we saw a lot of him coming out of school. It doesn’t surprise us one bit he’s playing as well as he has. The corners, (CB Jalen) Ramsey coming over, (CB Troy) Hill and (CB Nickell) Robey(-Coleman), those guys are all really good football players. I think they’re very talented in the backend and they play the scheme very well and make a number of plays.”

(On what stood out to him the last couple of times that the Cowboys have played the Rams specifically in last year’s playoff matchup and regular season game in 2017)
“Just a good football team. They’re good on offense, they’re good on defense, they’re good in the kicking game. They’ve got a lot of weapons in all three areas of their team. They just play the game at a very high level. There’s a lot of different things that you have to defend when you deal with their offense. They’re very good on defense at all three levels. Again, they do a lot different things in the kicking game. They make the makeable plays, but they also challenge you in a lot of different way. Again, great respect for their team.”

(On the Cowboys looking solid statistically but appearing to be having a hard time hitting a stride of winning games consistently)
“Well, obviously we haven’t played consistently well enough throughout the year. We’ve got a good group of guys who work hard and compete the right way. Unfortunately, we’ve had a couple different stretches where we haven’t played well enough. We’ve had a lot of football in the last 11 days – up in New England, back here against Buffalo, and then up in Chicago and we didn’t get it done. It’s really about a bunch of guys who did to lock in what we need to do each day to go play our best football against the Rams this week. They’re a good football team, a lot of respect for them. We just got to get back to playing the way we’re capable of playing, and guys are certainly working the right way to get to that point.”

(On if there anything different or significant when he’s going against Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips considering their long-standing friendship)
“Well, I just have tremendous respect for (Defensive Coordinator) Wade (Phillips). I’ve had the opportunity to work for him here in Dallas when he was our head coach. I learned so much from him as a guy in life, as a coach, and I learned a ton of football from him. His track record of success speaks for itself during his time in the National Football League. The success he’s had with the Rams is not a surprise, he’s just a hell of a coach. He does a great job bringing the best out in his players and the years he’s been doing it, he’s certainly doing that with the Rams. We’ve gone against each other a few times, obviously, we went against each other in practice all the time when we were working together. But, I just hold him in the highest regard as a person, as a football coach. Will be a great challenge for our team.”

bluecoconuts said:

Eagles aren’t making the Playoffs.

Click to expand...

Neither are the Cowboys...

Ramer said:

That was the same strategy when i played football in HS on a QB option play. The DE always took out the QB.

Next time they ran the option play the QB would pitch it early

Click to expand...

We did the same thing in HS.

somewhere Ernie Adams is laughing at all of us.

Go Bears!


Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8F5g0qRSwc

leoram said:

Oh, and if Belicheat were banned for life and all ill gotten “championships” were rescinded and awarded to the deserving teams.

Click to expand...

This deserves a Thread Winner all by itself

This is gonna be a war! Make no bones about it. Philly just caught Dallas in the standings and Dallas will be on the ropes with a loss.

We know should the Rams lose this...FORGET THE PLAYOFFS!

IT'S GONNA BE A WAR...GAME ON!!!

Jaguars sign LB Dakota Allen off Rams' practice squad


Cameron DaSilva
16 hours ago

It’s been a wild ride for Rams linebacker Dakota Allen in his first NFL season, and there are still three weeks remaining. The rookie is on the move once again after the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him off the Rams’ practice squad Tuesday.

With the Jaguars poaching him, Allen will revert to their 53-man roster for at least three weeks. If Jacksonville cuts him, he still has to be paid the amount he would’ve made if he were on the team.

Allen was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round but failed to make the regular-season roster. He spent a few weeks on the practice squad, but in late September, the Raiders signed him to their active roster.
He was waived after about a month and the Rams brought him back on the practice squad, where he had been until Tuesday. Now, he’ll move across the country, but he’ll do so with the chance to play on Sundays.

BonifayRam said:

Would members here have any issues if the Wade's 2020 Defensive backfield looked like this?
CB- Jalen Ramsey/ Adonis Alexander
CB- David Long/ Troy Hill
NK- Darious Williams/ Dont'e Deayon

Saf- Taylor Rapp/ Jake Gervase
Saf- John Johnson/ Nick Scott

Snead decides to go for major salary cap relief with the trade of CB Nickell Robey-Coleman that produces $4.5 million of cap $$$ & procured draft selection. Release of 35 yr old Safety Eric Weddle for a cap savings of $4.3 million. Total near $9 million back into 2020 cap funds. In order to be able to entice 38 yr old Andrew Whitworth to return for one more season to start @ his old post until Joseph Noteboom 100 % healthy.

Click to expand...

Is Alexander strictly a CB, or might he be used as a CB/S hybrid ?

Derrick Henry


Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Though it takes him a few games to get going, the thunderous back out of Alabama is an absolute beast. Tennessee’s entire offensive scheme relies on Henry hammering the football. There’s no conceivable way in which they can let him walk out the door. Detroit and Kansas City look like potential fits. However, the Titans will handsomely pay Henry to ensure his involvement for the next few seasons.

Prediction: Tennessee Titans




NEXT

Well that was why it was important for Owens' sorry @$$ to get in there. So our outstanding wideouts can get their turn.

I really hope those two are in the same class. Not a question of IF but of WHEN.