With all these offseason moves, I'm looking forward to next year's NBA season. Should be full of drama!

Riverumbbq said:

By: Cameron DaSilva | 15 hours ago

Brockers said this week that each of the Rams’ D-linemen can play every spot up front.

“In our philosophy, we believe that we can play every position on the field,” Brockers said, via the Los Angeles Daily News.

“There’s going to be instances where I’m playing nose and playing end and three (technique), so it really doesn’t matter. When you’re playing this 3-4, we can all play each one of the positions.”

The benefit of that position flexibility is that Donald can be freed up more easily. The Rams can move him to defensive end in an attempt to get one-on-one matchups, or he can remain at 3-technique with Brockers next to him at nose.

“You get to move around so if you’re getting double-teamed one place you can move around, maybe get some one-on-ones at another,” he added.

Those four players will get most of the attention up front for the Rams, but they’re not the only ones who will receive meaningful snaps. John Franklin-Myers can play defensive end, 3-technique or outside linebacker, giving Wade Phillips another chess piece on the front seven. Morgan Fox is back to his defensive end position this year after trying outside linebacker a season ago, while Justin Lawler and Trevon Young have similar versatility.

Los Angeles has the depth to field a solid rotation along the defensive line this season, which Phillips should be excited about.

Brockers said this week that each of the Rams’ D-linemen can play every spot up front.

“In our philosophy, we believe that we can play every position on the field,” Brockers said, via the Los Angeles Daily News.

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It's not just the O-Line which cross trains on this team.

Versatility of Rams defensive line will be huge asset in 2019

By:Cameron DaSilva

There’s less star power on the Los Angeles Rams defensive line this season than a year ago after the departure of Ndamukong Suh, but that doesn’t mean the unit is in worse shape. Suh was a disappointment for most of the regular season, struggling to consistently win from his new position at nose tackle.

Lesser-known players such as Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines are in line to replace Suh, sliding in between Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. They’re both more of a true nose tackle than Suh, but they also bring some versatility, as does the rest of the Rams defensive line.

Full Article--
[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Thanks "tempests" for the info. Much obliged.

Just watched an episode of GE True hosted by Jack Webb titled "Commando". A British commando raid on German HQ in Rome to get anti-aircraft gun locations in the south of France before the document was destroyed in the German retreat. Whoever posted it put the wrong title on the episode.
Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/5qLZ_EpVQDQ

N

Dude is going to ball..

BuffaloRam said:

Mardy Gilyard..! That takes me back

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I was excited about Mardy. He looked like a playmaker in cincy.

I do not think at Atlanta is an easy game.

I really really hate the Cowboys, anything else?
train

oldnotdead said:

I for one am not over looking Hager. I wanted to see how they used him. I actually like him more than Kiser. He's far more versatile. He's got safety type speed and good length. He can match up with RBs and TEs in coverage.

The problem with Littleton (4.73) is his lack of speed which limits the coverage options. He is a strictly zone cover LB. Littleton got burned twice today because he couldn't play man coverage. Kiser has marginal speed in coverage (4.66), but more than that he has very poor technique. He will need intensive coaching up in that area.

Until I see Kiser play I'm not going to pass judgement, but right now the known factor is Hager and I'm glad to see him getting reps.

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Reps in what way ?? Safety speed !! Lol - oh yeah. I forgot Eric Weddle is the FS. His lack of speed really showed on Tuesday. I’m not saying he isn’t an excellent player,just his speed lacks.

Hager will get his reps, but so will other players. JL55 was not even 4.66. Glad they brought him back,.

Littleton showed good coverage in the Super Bowl. NE did win the game because of the Gronk catch on a player they made Littleton chase Gronk. I thought Littleton had good coverage running 20 plus yards 3 straight times. Romo called it the first time,saying same play. Then again the third time, when Brady made a nice throw over Littleton & in between 2 db’s Converging

SJ was one of the best RBs that ever played for the Rams. The
Rams weren't exactly world beaters but it was always fun to watch SJ perform his magic.

By: Steve Rebeiro | 3 hours ago

If you thought a veteran like Eric Weddle would hate having to scrimmage against another team this early in the offseason, you thought wrong. When asked what he didn’t like about Thursday’s joint practice with the Chargers, Weddle simply responded, “Nothing.”

“I could do this every day,” Weddle said after practice. “I love competing, love proving yourself, showing yourself and getting ready for the regular season. It was incredible work for us.”

One of the team’s newest acquisitions in Los Angeles, Weddle enjoyed practicing against his new crosstown rival. “It was fun, fun competition.”

Entering his 13th NFL season, Weddle certainly knows what it takes to get ready for a season. He had nothing but praise for the practice session against his former employer. “It was two great teams, great coaches, run their teams the right way and we got great work out of it.”

Many of Weddle’s teammates from his days in San Diego are no longer with the team. But his old quarterback, Phillip Rivers, is still slinging passes for the Chargers. Or, at least he will be in the regular season.

“We didn’t get much action from him today,” Weddle said regarding his old signal caller. “It’s all right though.”

That didn’t stop Weddle from catching up with his former quarterback. According to Weddle, the two talked about “a little of everything.”

Rivers and Weddle fought many battles together during their nine years together with the Chargers, including an AFC championship appearance in 2007. Weddle and his new team have a bit higher aspirations than that. Today’s practice was a small step towards achieving the team’s ultimate goal.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/01/rams-nfl-eric-weddle-chargers-practice-smiles/

BonifayRam said:

Are we so sure that our starting LG Noteboom will be our swing OT?

Where's the evidence that Noteboom will swing & flip to the other side if something were to happen to Rob Havenstein @ RT? Could be that Kromer prefers Noteboom on that Blindside. I have also posted many times I felt that Demby was better on the left side too. Its early but a left side of Noteboom LT & Demby LG appears to be future.

Noteboom needs plenty of reps in order to get ready for his first season as a starter & I don't believe that Kromer really wants to mess too much with this young OL'er where he is the main starter @ LG & the primary back up @ LT & then add the RT into the mix .....just does not have a good look to it.

I would consider it much more likely that IF there was a need to replace Havenstein for a period it would come from Jamil Demby, David Edwards or Bobby Evans instead of Joe Noteboom. That's my 2 cents on this.

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Personally, I don't think he's the swing OT, per se, but I do think he will slide to OLT, somewhat like Saffold did for a while, if Whit goes out. I do NOT think he will slide to RT, if Big Rob is out. So, I pretty much agree with you on the semantics. What is more interesting to me is did Demby improve his body so much in the offseason as to be considered a 2nd team starter?

That is quite a boost from us leaving him unprotected. I, was one of the guys who liked Demby in the preseason, but it was clear he needed to get stronger. yes, he struggled at times, but I saw potential. I am just a little surprised that he is where he is, although, of course, everything can change over the next few weeks. I'd be thrilled if he has markedly improved.

sportac saying it's a 3 year, $45.5m deal when the first potential out can be used by the saints. the dead cap would be $8m after the 2021 season.

.

Memento said:

Honestly, though, Cooks is the only one I'd have put on the list. The others on your list are fantastic, and I'm glad that they're Rams, but Kupp and Talib were hurt, and the others don't play the more important positions.

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Yes but my point wasn't "who should have been on the Top 100 last year." It was noting how those guys could end up on that list on any given year, that they are that quality of players.

It's a remarkable roster IMO.

Akrasian said:

Pathetic try, rudeboy

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You're so pretty. Muah!

He's a good player but I think the Falcons are nuts for moving into round 1 to take him. Hope it works out for him though.

And may I say that this year’s camp reporters seem to be rather objective and non-hyperbolic? To their credit.

Some encouraging gleanings in no particular order thus far:

Goff is said to look stronger and sharper, more in command of the O.

Gurley looking downright healthy. Certainly not hobbling around.

Henderson has flashed in every practice, and showing signs of being all over the playbook.

Everett has also flashed. Could be a big factor in this, his 3rd year.

Kupp is said to be looking as good as new, maybe even better. By no less an authority than Sean McVay.

Joseph-Day has impressed almost everybody this offseason. What a pleasant surprise.

Many have said that Matthews looks like he still has “it”. If so, that’s beyond huge.

Lots of kind words for Fowler, too. Looking like he’s still ascending, which is another beyond huge thing.

There have been hints that Boom and Allen have been looking pretty darned good, too. Someone reported that Boom more than held his own vs AD yesterday during padded practice. McVay said he wanted to stress Boom and Allen against some quality DL players, including some stunts and other trickery. Sounds like it’s working.

Reynolds has really caught the eye of many this camp. Looking like a terrific 4th WR, tbh. And some amazing injury insurance.

Weddle might be the steal of the offseason for this team. Worth his weight in gold for his leadership, communication, and experience benefits. All the other members of the starting secondary have gone out of their way to praise Weddle and his impact already. Very, very impressive.

That’s a helluva lot of good news already.

Hopefully, others will flash as we progress through camp and preseason.

Kiser/Hager at ILB
Someone to flash at Edge opposite Fowler. At least enough to backup Matthews.
Rapp
Gaines
Long
An upgrade over JoJo to be our PR (please)
Maybe a 3rd string QB to develop after Bortles departs next year?

Here’s hoping...

BonifayRam said:

Agree !

I am sure we will see some misreads & miscommunication events early but I see a healthier stronger nastier blocking center in 2019. This is sure to pay off in the long run the next 3 seasons for Goff & the Rams offense.

The real question ongoing @ center is not Allen.....its which OL prospect will be our reserve center.

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Agreed: definitely more physical at Center in the run game. No doubt there. Only concern with him is the protections side, but with Goff a year wiser and him having all that practice time last season we should be just fine.

Boom gives up some physicality vs Saff of course, I mean Saff has grown into a beast in the run game, but should be right there with him in pass pro.

OL are weird though. Will they be a better unit? I do think there's a real chance they improve as a group, it just might take a little bit for them all to settle in.

coconut said:

I have less hope for my hair, teeth, sanity, erection blah blah blah but I hope you are right!:yay:

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I feel you brother.

Hair’s still good but had to replace a few teeth.

Sanity? Who knows?

Erections? There’s help for that...

It’s the No Pirates....thread!

Akrasian said:

Just be sure to point out to everybody how much better the Rams are.

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MBFA

3-4 Hybrid (1 gap)
Dline:
NT 1T: SJD/Gaines (to be determined)
DT 3T: AD
DE 5T: Brockers
WIL/Jack LB: Fowler

LBs:
MIKE: Littleton
ILB: Hager/Kiser (to be determined)
SAM OLB: Ebukam

The reason I broke this down is to show that Fowler and Ebukam play completely different roles. Despite Fowler being an OLB, Fowler plays his position about 90% as a DE. Which means he's the designated pass rusher of the LB's. Ebukam is a complete OLB who normally is expected to set a hard edge and cover TE's and RB's in the flat. He's only a situational pass rusher in some of their pass rush sub packages not on every passing down.

Many other teams use the 3-4 hybrid as their base defense because it's more flexible than a standard 4-3 though it contains many of the same concepts. The Jack LB in this scheme averages around 12-14 sacks per year. The DE would normally average about 9-10 sacks. These attack style defenses average in the mid 40's in sacks per year with half or more coming from the Jack and DE positions.

What I'm saying is that as a SAM LB rushing only in certain sub packages 4-6 sacks per year is what would be expected. He was playing hurt much of the year yet managed 3 sacks. That is as much as can be expected under the circumstances.

The problem with the pass rush is at the DE position. Brockers had only 1 despite 16 starts with Franklin-Myers getting 2 as a situational pass rusher. Mathews had 3.5 sacks last year starting every game with a grand total of 16 sacks over the past 3 years. That is why he got released. It would be great if he can pick up the slack at DE on passing downs, but I'm not sure he will.

This is why understanding the role of each position puts relative performance into context. Ebukam shouldn't be compared to Fowler because their roles are completely different. If this were a 4-3 and both were DE's then yes it would be applicable.

LA_Rams_#29 said:

We've got solid TEs.... talented and versatile.... We've got to use them more... toss some 2TE formations in there sometime....

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Agree, while 11 Personnel is likely to remain the Rams staple considering our riches at WR, we have the right guys in place now to mix it up occasionally with 12, 21 & 22 Personnel sets. How McVay disguises these options is what will make him the master of the universe.

dang said:

I suppose the Saints cant do much to stop a "Superfan" from pursuing some frivolous lawsuit but the minute someone from the organization starts crying about the injustice from LAST YEAR the Saints need to just pack it in for the year!

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Of course they can. They can talk to the idiot superfan. My guess is they did not.