It will be nice even to reach the red zone. Feels like we ended 85% of our drives last season on the opposite side of midfield.

Ram65 said:

There is always moving up. Should Lamp fall some maybe trader Les moves up some to get him. Just throwing that out there. Seem like Les and the Rams are always focusing on the next move with the first move. With the supposed depth and value at CB and some need at WR the Rams could be picking based on which combo they can get at these positions. So I'm thinking WR or CB. I would not count out a JT Watt or others if if they have them rated higher by a decent margin.

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If that move up means they get a guy they are sure is going to fit and play well right out the gate then I'm fine with it.

But I do think they need to be careful with their pick volume this year and next. I would have to be insanely in love with a prospect to move up given this year's draft and the roster holes. Trade down makes a lot more sense, as competition for roster spots will be a premium under a new regime.

Punters with unique celebrations is a sign armageddon is nigh. Or maybe our oversensitized society convincing punters they are people too. Either way, it's bad!

Oh and apologies to Hekk. But he's not just a punter, he's also a media correspondent so he's ok.

Here we have one example of why Goff was regarded as the first choice by most. Goff had a better throwing motion. Short, and quick. Wentz has a longer slower motion. To me it looked labored.

Of course Goffs pocket presence, keeping eyes downfield in the face of pressure, and year to year progress were big factors too.

I love that Goff sought out help with his mechanics this off-season. Wentz resisted, disagreeing with his coach that his mechanics were the problem. Plus one for Jarred.

Legatron4 said:

What exactly is he wrong about? Kaep was always an early bloomer who was slowed down significantly once teams had film on him. He can't read defenses. He's a one look and run type of QB. I don't know what you see in him except that he's black.

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I didn't say he was the best qb.... He's better then some of these guys with jobs.... The only reason he doesn't have a job is because of the kneeling flat out ..... But no reason to keep talking about it... Your not going to change your opinion and neither am i... Good day

Prime Time said:

It takes hundreds of computers in a secure room to spit out millions of possible schedules — a process that sets the stage for the schedule-makers to begin the arduous task of picking the best possible one.

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Easy enough after that. Schedule makers simply choose that combination which has the Rams playing in Seattle at the end of the year.

It looks like the new coaching staff figured if they cant get their hands on Goff due to the CBA they would do the next best thing. Have an associate with similar philosphies give Goff a headstart. Get the fundamentals now so that he has less to focus on in OTAs.

I don't believe you always have to win to be enjoyable. The first year under Fisher was really fun IMO. I think having a team that shows tons of promise can be quite enjoyable to watch. The problem with that logic is at some point the on field product has to start improving. That proved to be the issue with Fisher as coach.

Short answer: You don't always have to win to find it enjoyable, but you certainly can't keep losing.

With OTA's coming up, the plan may be to see if coach Kromer thinks one of the returning OL, Brown, Donnal or Wichmann or another OL on the roster, can be the day 1 Center. If so, then Sullivan can be brought in as a backup. If not, then the rams look to the draft to find a starting C for the upcoming season, or go back and offer Sullivan or some other C starters money. Sullivan sure seems like the best best to come in, the question may be to pay him starters or reserves money.

dieterbrock said:

And lose due to a terrible clock management decision after getting a little gift from the refs.

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that's what I am hearing..was at a hockey game last night so didn't watch the game..have it on DVR tho

I can't wait to see these Rams compete on the offensive side of the ball. turn the D over to an experienced, proven Wade and focus on the O. can't wait!

LesBaker said:

Yeah, but do the employees have nice unis??????

Hahahahahaha

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The lot lizards are sparkling. Does that count?

Zero said:

When I responded,I had consumed a few.lol.
Think about the place I described.
First the sign is lavender.
The name of the joint is "The Male Box."
There is always free parking in the Back.
the "sooo much room for activities" is
from the movie "Step Brothers"

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Tomorrow night, 4/1, Todd Gurley and "friends" will be at Sugar Nightclub in Raleigh. You down to be a groupie? @RAMbunctious

Merlin said:

Since we're discussing the pipe dream types here I'll throw out that if I were Snead I'd keep an eye on Bohringer, who was cut then spent last year on the Vikes' PS. Extremely raw talent, but reportedly has a work ethic and seems serious about making a career of the NFL.

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No way man. German football players are atrocious. Terrible. Embarrassments to the sport of football. Soldiers who couldn't get into college football outplay their pro players regularly. Their are limits on the number of Americans allowed to play on the field at one time because they outclass the German players so much. The best German players probably couldn't play college ball in America in a major conference. Just say no to Boehringer.

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I know most of you have probably seen these. But I figured we could use this thread to discuss our new guys.

I think I'm most impressed with Whitworth. Holy cow is that guy a beast. He will be a leader for the whole team this year. It's nice to finally have some veteran all pros.

StealYoGurley said:

I wouldn't put Wise in the same under achieving athlete category you put Griffin and Moss in. Wise isn't really an outstanding athlete he just has freakishly long arms and power. Wise had a down year his senior season, but he was dealing with a hand injury he suffered in the season opener. Healthy In 2015 he had much more production 8 sacks, 12 QB hits, and 21 hurries mainly against SEC competition. He showed what he could do when healthy during the shrine game with 8 tackles 1.5 sacks and 4-8 hurries (depending on where you get your stats)

I don't think Moss underachieved. He had 4.5 sacks playing early as rotational guy at Nebraska and had 17.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks last year. He has been a productive player even though he hasn't fully harnessed his tools. IMO in the 6th round there isn't a huge downside in taking a toolsy guy, but I guess this is where our philosophies differ. IMO If a 6th rounder with tools reaches his potential awesome, if he is just a solid rotational guy that's a great result as well, if he doesn't do alot that doesn't hurt much. IMO Moss has the tools to at least be a solid rotational guy.

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Wise and Moss both only started one year. Wise had a major down year compared to expectations. Moss had a nice year, but his game shows a lot of holes.

Both are toolsy guys who are better athletes than football players at this point.

I like Moss. I'd take Moss. My issue is that we spend much of Day 3 taking toolsy guys. Well, truly, the entire draft was spent on toolsy guys. But Engram and Hollins are both good football players (although, a bit raw).

I actually considered Howard Wilson with the pick, like him as well. I like Wilson, but he plays so much bail technique hard to evaluate how successful he would be in a press man scheme. His lack of play strength also stands out on tape making him a questionable fit in a press man scheme. Ultimately I went with Grffin because he plays with more play strength and is a better fit in a press man scheme. This draft is very talented at the CB position, but in the 4th round IMO Griffin will be one of the better ones available. Not sure Lewis will be there in the 4th or what McVay's approach will be with guys with serious character issues like him.

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Griffin plays in a defense that is very similar to Wilson's. There's plenty of tape of Wilson playing press man coverage. There's also plenty of tape of him in off man or off zone coverage. Same is true of Griffin.

Play strength doesn't make or break a CB in press coverage. Press coverage is more about technique than strength. Jason Verrett was one of the most disruptive press CBs as a prospect I've seen over the past 5 or so years despite being 5'10" 175. It's because Verrett's technique was insanely good. Press coverage is all about your ability to land punches, mirror the WR, and then turn and run. It's nice to have more pop behind the punch, but it's not a necessity.

Griffin's play strength is completely negated because he has poor technique. His punches don't land too often, and he puts himself in poor position because of his bad footwork.

By the time Griffin masters press technique, Howard Wilson will have added weight and play strength. I'd rather take my chances on a guy like Wilson who shows much better instincts, football ability, and ball-skills on tape. Plus, Wilson is a stellar athlete. Wilson's technique isn't perfect. He needs to work on his punch and hand placement, but his footwork and strategic approach are miles ahead of Griffin (plus Wilson's agility, acceleration, and hip fluidity are as good as anyone's in the class). Wilson understands that great press CBs have a patient approach. Griffin hasn't gotten there yet.

That's one of the biggest things I look for in potential press CBs. Do they understand the mechanics behind pressing?

Brian Quick and Donnie Avery were 2nd round picks with higher expectations. For the most part in round 4-7 you aren't looking at instant starters, if you get one great. You tend to give Day 3 guys a longer leash in terms of development and use them situationally playing to their strengths as they develop into more complete starters.Our philosophies differ I would rather give coaches upside and traits that create successful players at that position especially on Day 2, but I am fine disagreeing there.

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My point is that this CB class will give us a shot at guys who are great football players. I'd rather not pass on one for a great athlete who isn't that good at football at this point.

In the 5th round, I'd be more amenable to Griffin. At the top of the 4th, I think we have better options.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/31/chris-long-i-have-a-lot-left/

Chris Long: “I have a lot left”
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 31, 2017

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Last year Chris Long was cut by the Rams in a move that signaled the end could be near for the veteran defensive end. Now he has a Super Bowl ring from his year with the Patriots and a new contract with the Eagles, and he says he’s nowhere near the end.

“I feel like I have a lot left, I really do,” Long said today in Philadelphia. “There was a time when I was injured and playing really bad and cut, rightfully so, that I wasn’t sure what my future in football was. But I was really lucky to take that step and for Coach [Bill] Belichick to take a chance on me, and I found out that I still had a lot in the tank.

I didn’t miss a practice, I didn’t miss a game last year, and that was something that I was very proud of, and was able to play and I think at a pretty high level.”

Long said the defense in Philadelphia is a lot like the scheme he played in with the Rams, and he knows he can be a good fit.

“If you watch what I did in St. Louis for eight years, that was more like what we do here,” he said. “So schematically there’s a big difference. I’m just lucky to find a place that I think I can at least compete to try to have a role.”

The 32-year-old Long sounds confident he has a few more good years left in him.

That is some list you put together. IIRC Rams have picked players not interviewed. They loved misdirection with Fisher. Let's see what happen this year.

I think that entire line of thought is a mistake and genuinely hope the Rams don't do that.

My hope is they know GRob's a bust and will simply let him compete elsewhere, starting at RT. But I would not place any hope whatsoever in him nor would I move other players who are fits to make room for him. Doing that is a continuance of the fail approach of the Fisher regime with that particular player.

As long as we win games, ED won't vent out his frustrations. Hard to blame him too considering he spoke on behalf of most of us. Don't see a reason to stay invested in a team that fields a consistently bottom 2 offense that gases out the defense. I would've been willing to watch more games last year had this offense not been atrocious.

Looks like Bucs are the new Cardinals du jour.

The negative plays were Goff's lack of awareness on coverage. McVay has stated that Goff has to learn his pre snap reads and no where the coverage is shifted to. He will get all the reps with the one's this year and will be much better prepared. He has shown the arm talent and we know he will work at it. An improved OL and better playbook will also help his development. We should see him grow game after game.

Rams' biggest problem was their terrible offensive staff that were not on the same page, gameplanned at a "high school" level, and who led/allowed Fish to think they could actually contend with a backup QB. This looks to have been fixed with the addition of a young offensive mind who is very dynamic and who seems to be a natural leader given the quality of the staff he has assembled.

Their next biggest problem was an OL that couldn't run or pass block. While I think some of their problems were due to the above, fact is LT was a turnstile, C got overpowered, RT looked like he was playing on one leg, and everyone else took their turns making mistakes. I honestly can't recall a line as bad as last year's, gotta go back to some of our worst seasons and it's close even then. Not going to say it's fixed, however we have gone from a pile of feces to above average at LT. The line has been significantly upgraded on that alone, and if they can find a starting Center in this draft it might come together this year pretty well.

Third biggest problem was a mix of QB and pass catchers. This was of course affected by the first and second issues, but the nice thing here is that the QB position has legitimate starting talent. Goff has to have a statement second season, and if he does things look great for us. If not, it's a rebuild. WR and TE is the same deal, with unproven talent that will need to step up for us to win.

So IMO we've gone from a team that didn't have a chance due to critical offensive shortfalls to a team that has a chance to grow into something worth watching. That's a pretty good offseason and when you look at the addition of Phillips as DC it's hard to find another team who has improved as much as the Rams have. On paper of course, so for those who are paranoid they have good reason to be. But I'm pretty stoked right now and can't wait for the draft.

Feeny, Tankersley, and Stewart are players. Not sure if Feeny can handle center...I wouldn't take him at 37.