coconut said:

From what I read what an ambassador of misery to those he came in contact. Some legacy.

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By all accounts a truly terrible person and addict.
A groundbreaking drummer.
But, like Miles Davis, being brilliant at one thing should only give you so much of a pass at being a total prick.
Maybe crazy.

Jay Gruden firing: Ranking five candidates who could replace him with Redskins, following interim period
Any of these coaches could turn things around in Washington, but there's one in particular few would see coming

With Jay Gruden having now been shoved out of the door by the Washington Redskins, the quest for their new head coach is officially under way. Gruden himself will look to locate employment elsewhere and should have a few options, but it won't be any easier for him to land a new gig than it will be for the Redskins to convince someone to take over his old one.

The team is, after all, in shambles and has been for some time now. It will take a strong-minded coach and one with unwavering vision -- as well as conviction when dealing with owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen -- in how they'd like to see the Redskins turn things around. Additionally, it should be someone who can stop the tailspin fairly immediately, because the fanbase has nothing remaining when it comes to patience and tolerance of losing.

There is no shortage of quality candidate than could likely achieve these missions, should the Redskins be able to woo them.

1. Mike Tomlin
Tomlin landed a contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, securing him but not for the intensely long term. He's only locked in through the 2021 season, and things aren't going well this year for the Black and Yellow crew -- to say the least. Even before losing Ben Roethlisberger for the season with an elbow injury, the Steelers simply haven't performed up to snuff on a consistent basis. That said, Tomlin is still easily one of the best coaches in the NFL and it's possible a fresh start will do him some good if he can't keep the boat afloat with Mason Rudolph. A Super Bowl-winning leader of men that almost always has the entire locker room on his side is something that would play very well in Washington, but Tomlin would truly need to be in the mood to take on a massive rebuild and to deal with the likes of Snyder after having spent years under the fur-lined class of the Rooney family. His son, Dino, does play football for the University of Maryland -- by the way -- and taking the Redskins job would allow him more time to take in those games and help coach his son up.

2. Bill Callahan
This will be the more obvious choice, and for several reasons. The whole "bird in the hand" adage is one, because Callahan has the inside track to landing the permanent coaching position after having now been named interim head coach. That means he's getting an interview that will last the next 11 games -- at minimum -- as the Redskins watch his every move to determine if he's the man for the job. A former play-caller and offensive line coach for the rival Dallas Cowboys, Callahan proved his worth in North Texas before things went sour following the insistence of head coach Jason Garrett to bring in and then hand over play-calling duties to now-ousted offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Callahan had the offense firing on all cylinders before then, and might be able to do the same in Washington; no longer having to run his ideas through Gruden -- who reportedly didn't want to draft first-round pick Dwayne Haskins anyway. Callahan already has a relationship with Snyder and Allen, and is one of the best offensive line coaches and play-callers around. If his 3/4 season tryout goes well, the job is essentially his to lose or wave off.

There's continuing dysfunction in D.C., so Jason La Canfora and John Breech broke down the Jay Gruden firing and much more on the Pick Six Podcast. Listen to the full show below and be sure to subscribe right here for daily NFL goodness.

3. Eric Bieniemy
The Redskins need a jolt of adrenaline on the offensive side of the ball, and Bieniemy would certainly provide it. As current offensive coordinator for the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs, his name is atop most lists as potential head coach in 2020 -- as it was going into the 2019 season. That level of intense interest isn't going away as long as the Chiefs offense keeps blasting through opposing defenses -- the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 notwithstanding -- and the Redskins could certainly do much worse than to bring in a guy whose offense has averaged nearly 30 points per game this season and more than 35 ppg last year. Bieniemy is also key in the development of Patrick Mahomes, and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins -- whom no one is comparing to Mahomes just yet -- does have the same dual-threat skill set. If Snyder and Allen can convince Bieniemy their dysfunction is simply a narrative (good luck) and that they'll invest in weapons on the offensive line and wide receiver, he might at least pick up the phone and listen.

4. Jason Garrett
At face value, this seems more unexpected that it actually would be. Yes, Garrett has a deepened loyalty to owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys for what they did to make him head coach -- i.e., name him offensive coordinator and then end up paying him more than head coach Wade Phillips, only to then fire Phillips and name Garrett interim and ultimately head coach in 2011 -- but loyalty only goes so far in the NFL. To that point, the Cowboys pulled a U-turn on giving Garrett an extension beyond the 2019 season after already having one prepared before the team was dismissed from the NFC divisional round by the Los Angeles Rams, and that means unless Garrett can turn the corner and at least get the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game; he's probably looking for a new home in 2020. The longest tenured coach in the NFC East, no one knows all four teams like Garrett, and his insight into inner workings of the Cowboys would be just as valuable to the Redskins as his ability to revamp the offense and lead the locker room. He'd have to be ultra comfortable with the thought of driving a dagger into the heart of his beloved Jones family but, then again, that'd be the same family that sent him packing in the first place -- if it comes to that.

5. Mike Zimmer
The Vikings are seemingly back on track following a much-needed Week 5 win over the New York Giants, but how long before the boat hits the rocks again in Minnesota? They've been unable to string together two straight wins this season and the decision to pay Kirk Cousins a historic contract in 2018 is now their albatross, instead of being their crowning achievement. Before Cousins arrived, Zimmer was instrumental in leading the Vikings on a deep playoff run with the very same Case Keenum that has played like a junior varsity quarterback since being shipped out of the frosty Midwest. He has won the NFC North twice in his stead as Vikings head coach and owns a Super Bowl ring as well from his days with the Cowboys in yesteryear, and boasts one of the better resumes of any candidate a team would look to bring on in the next few months. His stretch with the Vikings appears to be nearing its end -- barring a stellar end to the season -- and isn't helped by issues with a disgruntled Stefon Diggs. A hard-nosed, proven coach that can stand firm in Washington, Zimmer's situation is one to watch going forward.

Apologies if everyone’s already seen this.

“Hey! They’re blowing the whistle! Stop moving.”

He's probably talking about our o line.

Kupp is not only better than Tyreek Hill, he doesn't physically abuse his children.

Interesting, the NFC West has 3 teams in the top 7. Division is a bit stronger this year. Beat the 49ers this week to move up.

Somebody will likely see this story to post.

I am not sure the discussion from it is productive around here... Everyone here loves the Rams, so it is what it is at this point.

Therefore, for now, it looks just like news and I’ll post, then lock.

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RAMS SUFFER RELOCATION LAWSUIT SETBACK, SCOTUS UNLIKELY TO HEAR CASE

The Los Angeles Rams and the NFL have gone to great lengths in an attempt to avoid the public hearing details of a lawsuit stemming from the team’s relocation from St. Louis back in 2016.

The two sides previously appealed a Missouri Supreme Court decision that concluded settlement negotiations between the team and plaintiffs would be heard in a St. Louis courtroom rather than privately through arbitration.

Unfortunately for the league and the team, a ruling to deny a stay in the case by the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday makes it clear that the public will soon find out the details. Said ruling also likely confirms that SCOTUS will not hear the case.

It’s more than likely that said ruling was under the guise of collective bargaining. The suit alleges breach of contract and includes the league’s 31 other teams as well as the Rams.

The land’s biggest court has in the past sided with collective bargaining between unions and companies rather than hear cases of internal strife.

If that’s the case, plaintiffs have a right for the case to be heard in a court of law rather than privately in arbitration.

What does this all mean? Short of the two sides coming to terms on a financial agreement, Rams owner Stan Kroenke and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will likely have to take to the stand.

The league certainly doesn’t want the private dealing of said relocation made public record. This could lead to a financial windfall for the plaintiffs.

That was the Ram game plan last year. The only problem was Peters kept breaking coverage to look for freelance glory and got toasted instead. Tight man coverage, maintain contain and get pressure.

This video goes into a detailed look at Planned obsolescence (product life-cycle in product engineering and product management), its impact on the environment, and enslavement of consumers through fear of loss of jobs, and functional coercion to buy a new model as the current one stops working (usually about the time you are done paying on it). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_...

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ramsince62 said:

It's not just the defense, this OL is a looooong way from playing even reasonably efficient football. Argue PFF methodology, but this OL is at the bottom and it all begins up front!!

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You're right , but the offense put up 40 and 29 and lost both games . No excuse for the names they have on defense to get embarrassed like that .

LesBaker said:

The 49ers defense looks formidable.

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they have two or three scary good players on D, on offence they have Kittle,
but to balance out the good they have Jimmy G
train

kurtfaulk said:

Wow, such confidence.

.

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Yeah, not feeling it.
I see matchup problems all over.
But, hopefully I’m wrong.
God knows it’s happened before.

I don't sweat "passer ratings". They have their place in the stats...but the bottom line for me is wins and losses.

One an look at games and see how the passer rating is affected.

I know this...Goff can put it on a guy. He's made some of the best throws I've seen. The Rams have stumbled in the last two games and they know it. SF looked strong last night.... but that was Cleveland's offense...not the Rams.

SUIT UP AND PLAY!!!

His receivers look pretty acrobatic. Good body control, leaping ability, and concentration, to be able to catch some of those balls.

Howell looked pretty good. I’ll have to catch a UNC game sometimes.

Rams tight ends capitalize on opportunities against Seahawks

Their involvement was not by design, according to Rams QB Jared Goff, but tight ends Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee made the most of the chances that came their way in last Thursday's loss to the Seahawks in Seattle.

“Just by the way the game flow goes," Goff said. "I think there’s no intent to it, it’s just that those were the guys that were open on those plays."

Their performances are impressive considering where they were statistically at halftime.

Higbee did not have a single catch and Everett just two for 28, but went on to finish with 3 for 47 and seven for 136 respectively.

For Everett, his 136 receiving yards set a new career-high. Higbee's 47 marked a season-best.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Everett and Higbee getting more involved in the second half was a credit to the reads Goff made.

“I think Jared did a good job getting through progressions and finding guys," McVay said. "I thought Gerald and Tyler did a nice job in making the most of their opportunities.”

Everett was especially effective, securing a reception for a positive gain on four of L.A.'s six scoring drives against Seattle. Higbee had timely catches of his own, too, as each of his three second-half receptions came on each of the Rams' scoring drives that helped them regain the lead in the third quarter.

The duo's efforts did not go unnoticed nationally, either.

Scouting service Pro Football Focus considers a grade of 90.0 or higher to be "elite." The two Rams who earned a place in that category Week 5?

Everett and Higbee.

While their performances weren't enough to avoid a divisional defeat, they did offer the Rams more positives to build off of as they shift their preparation toward next week's home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

"We’ve got to compete harder," Everett said. "We prepared well during the week and we were really confident coming into this game, and it just came down to the wire.”

Andrew Whitworth reflects on reaching 200 career starts

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Four-time Pro Bowler. Two-time First Team All-Pro.

Now, Rams LT Andrew Whitworth can add another accolade to his resume: 200 career starts.

With his start against the Seahawks in Week 5, the 14-year veteran became the 22nd NFL offensive lineman since 1970 to accomplish the feat.

"It's obviously a testament to having a really great career and being able to stay healthy and out there," Whitworth told theRams.com Monday afternoon. "It's one of those things that puts you in extremely rare company, so it's a little surreal because you don't think of it that way."

Per SportsRadar Research, Whitworth is the only active NFL offensive linemen with 200 career starts. The others closest to joining him are Eagles OT Jason Peters (187), Redskins OT Donald Penn (179), 49ers OT Joe Staley (176), Seahawks OT Duane Brown (163), Ravens OG Marshal Yanda (156), Falcons C Alex Mack (154) and Raiders OG Richie Incognito (153), according to Pro Football Reference.

Among the 22 who have achieved the feat, Whitworth is only one of seven who made at least 100 of his starts at tackle.

The key to reaching the rare feat, according to Whitworth, is a combination of durability, talent and evolving as a player.

Though he plays left tackle, the former LSU standout got his first NFL start at left guard in 2006 and spent time at the position during the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2013 seasons in addition to left tackle. After suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 11 of the 2008 season, he went on to start every game in 2009.

"There's durability, and then you've got to be good enough," Whitworth said. "Most guys don't get kept long enough to play that long, anyway, so it's usually your play suffers and then also the injuries. I think it's a mixture of both, and how those injuries affect you. It's just always being willing to reinvent yourself. Little things that bother you or you've injured over time, you find a way to play and you have the ability to be able to do that. Some guys, it's just that (those injuries) become so limiting, they just can't play anymore, or there's only one way they could've played and they get an injury that doesn't allow them to play that way anymore. So for me, it's been reinventing my body, finding different ways to move and being able to survive."

Whitworth said the evolution piece is one of the things he takes the most pride in, given how pass-rushers have also developed over the course of his career.

"I can legitimately argue with those guys (also on the list) how much different this game is to sustain in, because I played in the old game and I know what it was like every Sunday, just playing against guys who lined up all over you who were big, heavy dudes and you weren't worried about chasing freak athletes like (Broncos LB) Von Miller and those guys around every week," Whitworth said. "Now, the game's changed. I mean, these guys you're facing at tackle in this league are unbelievable. Every team seems to have a version of one.

It used to be, when I got in the league, you might face a dominant player, but then you had four or five weeks of playing a guy who's just a good run player and a decent edge rusher. But it seems like every team now has an elite edge rusher type of guy who is going to get a ton of (opportunities)."

For Whitworth, it is the required toughness more than the earned exclusiveness that ultimately makes him appreciative of the accomplishment.

"It's special, man. It's something for your kids and your family to be proud of," Whitworth said. "It's just something personally, it's one of those little things that it's not really a boastful thing as much as, just proud that you're tough enough, stayed healthy enough and went through enough to still be playing at this level and play in a premium position for that long."

Jacobarch said:

Like the one he missed in the SB
And this is this year. He lost the game to seattle.

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GZ is nearly a legend in these parts! His last 2 seasons have been glorius

FaulkSF said:

Defense undeterred? They should be ashamed of themselves. These last two performances were disappointing. Hopefully thinks change next Sunday

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I think undeterred is the right word. The opposite of that headline would be "Rams defense giving up after recent losses". Thank God it doesn't say that.

Maybe they are ashamed. But they aren't deterred from trying hard again next game.

Very excited about Everett. Higbee has come through for us a lot, and I think we missed his blocking while he was out.
That said, I tink this guy would look great in horns, and be a vet presence off the 'bench':

I have to say the QB whisperer, Lincoln Riley, but I don’t think he’s ready to leave his gig.

Ramlock said:

This is a generalization, but, the Pats either blow out inferior teams (AFC East) where they’re never behind and one-dimensional, or they are in low-scoring dogfights where they’re never 3 scores down.

And therefore one-dimensional.

It seems they’re always in position to run their offense without putting it all on Brady.

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And they are never 3 scores down because they have good defense, year in and year out.

oldnotdead said:

What kind of fan bets on his team to lose?

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Fans who bet using their brain instead of their heart

You can't sit here and honestly tell me you expected the Rams to win every game back in 09 or other years, can you?

And he’s gone. Who’s next after interim coach Callahan who also replaced the other Gruden when he got fired.

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Bootleg said:

I think it has more to do with the defensive line rush than the secondary group. Against the Bucs, Winston had all day to throw and he picked our secondary apart. And Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson. He just had a great game avoiding the Rams rush and extending plays.

The longer a play goes on, the harder it is for any secondary to maintain coverage. We can fix this by increasing pressure on opposing QBs. At least that's how I see it.

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Yeah, I think that definitely plays into it.

Jerry is sad. I don't think AR and his new coach were not in sync with the plays, when GB had the big lead. I'd like to see the Rams DB play tight coverage, like GB, instead of giving up the reception. Yeah I'm looking at you Peters!