I've been lost in thought today, spurred on by California Senate Bill No. 94. It's a bill that would reduce
or commute the sentences of the state's most violent felons. Murderers and rapists could be released
and one of those who could be released is my friend, Guy Musladin.

Guy was my next door neighbor in my High School years. We would play baseball and jaw each other about who's
MLB team was best, the Dodgers or the A's? Guy's Dad was an ex-minor leaguer and could still hit a baseball
a ton in his 50's. My most fun time was in 1988 when it was the Dodgers vs the A's in the World Series
and the Dodgers won against a powerhouse team. Guy's Dad was a good sport and gave me an Orel
Hershiser rookie card afterwards (they were all A's fans).. Anyway, I knew Guy off and on for 10 plus years.

He was convicted of 1st degree murder for slaying his ex-wife's fiancée around 1994. I moved from NorCal to Oregon
in 1989 and was working like a dog at the time and had no idea what happened. I communicated with
Guy one time from prison and he told me his side. He said that his ex-wife had custody of their little boy
and was living with the fiancée. According to Guy, the man was a drug dealer and was becoming an
unwelcome part of his son's life. He went to pick up his son for the day and had an altercation with the
boyfriend and Guy ran out to his car and got a gun from the glove box and ended up shooting and killing
him. Guy says that his shot was a ricochet that killed the boyfriend (court agreed). He explained that there
were drugs and guns involved with the boyfriend, but evidence had been excluded by the cops at
the scene.

Guy was a very passionate young man and he was crazy about his son. Would he kill someone that was a
perceived threat to his son? Yeah, I think so. Hell, I would probably do the same. The victim's friends and
relatives wore picture buttons of the dead boyfriend during the trial which gave Guy grounds for an appeal.
He won the appeal (California Court of Appeals), but lost again in the US Supreme Court (Carey vs Musladin).

My friend has been in jail or prison for 29 years which is basically his whole adult life. I wasn't in court to
hear all of the evidence and I am biased due to my relationship with him. Would the young Guy I knew be a
danger to society now? No, I don't think so. But this happened when he was 24 years old and now he is 63 years
old.and I don't know what prison life did to him. I lost contact with him over the years which is on me. There
didn't seem to be any hope for him getting out because he was sentenced to life without parole, but now he
seems to be qualified if that bill passes. Is he "institutionalized" like Brooks was in Shawshank Redemption?
Unlike Red, I'm not waiting for him on a Baja beach, refinishing a boat like Andy Dufresne. I have thought
about him for years, but I don't know what to do. His Dad died of a broken heart soon after he was convicted
and I don't know if there is anyone left to help him if he gets out. He may have deserved it, but I don't know.
It's certainly a nightmare.

​

A follow up on this

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@Loyal rockin them new shades at the pool...

Merlin said:

Why not tho.

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Cuz them feets nasty… and eye bleach stings…

I just hope Rochell steps into a starting CB role this year. His measurables are great and he's played well when given the chance.

Neil039 said:

Not Great Gam-Gam

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“i always sleep better with a little sausage in me”

PARAM said:

Well, maybe not out in front....but right behind the Chiefs!

They used 6 defensive rookies, significantly last year. They also used a 2nd year LB, a 3rd year LB and S. So the experience of the Chiefs defense included Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Justin Reid (drafted in 2018 by Houston) and Juan Thornhill (2019 by KC). Not exactly the over the hill gang.

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Well I guess Old Spags might be a HOF coach ? Really though he is a winner when it comes to defense.

Conclusion of Week 8.

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Malibu said:

Merlin 100% right our OL picks never seem to pan out. Only one is Big Rob and he was a 2nd rounder. Corbett, Sullivan and Whit came from other teams.

I have said over and over LT/OLB are equally as important #1 priorities. Draft wise 4-5 LT will be gone before we pick so the odds that the 5th or 6th best is the answer is unlikely unfortunately.

I have been pounding the table for the #1 G O'Cyrus Torrence. We move up 7-8 slots giving up or 2nd 3rd rounder. He will be what Scaffold was for us. He has a 100% rated run blocker score and an 89% pass pro. This guy never gave up a sack in college 2 pressures given up last year this guy is a total monster and starts us into the road to success especially with a pocket passing QB. He starts day one at RG he will be the closest thing to a sure thing versus the 5th or 6th LT, 5th or 6th OLB or 5th or 6th CB the 3 most important needs imo.

He is 6'5" 347 lbs that is a monster.

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Praying Torrence falls to us and McSnead are wise enough to grab him if so, but yeah he's definitely worth trading up for too.

dang said:

I’d love to see BPA R2.36/R3.69 (hopefully 2 defensive studs) then heavy on OL and perhaps a TE in R5/R6.

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I believe BPA and o-like are going to be one of the same, there seems to be a lot of good prospects late this draft.

oldnotdead said:

2 what? The Rams don't have a punter, placekicker or long snapper under contract.

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2 LS(?) Long Snappers. Yes The Rams need a Kicker & a Punter.
—In fact what about a KR & PR as well ? I don’t know what is what really right now.

Les Snead has done. GREAT JOb finding those types.

I'm sorry but at $133M his yearly average would be more than Mahomes and he's not better....not even close. Hell I'd take Goff in a heart beat over Jackson. Yeah he's legit but his attitude sucks and that kind of thing is like a virus it spreads. It's why the minute Ramsey started to show that virus Snead got him out of the locker room. That is the real reason the Rams took a loss in getting rid of Ramsey. It's the reason they are so willing to move A. Rob. Jefferson is as good and more versatile.

Woody got moved when he started to bitch about targets. Sorry Woody but Kupp is better.

RamFanWA said:

I remember that guy.... very tough circumstance there - but he definately has an awesome attitude and good outcome:

Isaiah Pead enjoying second take on life with son at his side

www.nfl.com

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I always liked Pead as a person because of how relatable he was. I'm proud of him, and I hope for the best with him and his son, hope he nails track at the Paralympics, hope his life continues to be full of good things.

muggmeister said:

Hate to burst your bubble about Bama's GREAT HISTORY with RBs but look at the last 12 years. Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson, TJ Yeldon are complete busts. Damien Harris (decent), Mark Ingram (never lived up to the Heisman), Derrick Henry (true stud), Najee Harris (jury still out, could be great still), Brian Robinson (again, TBD), and now Gibbs who couldn't crack a 1,000 yards in his lone season as the starter. Your rationale is slightly flawed IMO and I watched a most every game Bama played last year, nothing truly special. Akers was the number 1 rated RB out of high school and played on shitty FSU teams and still had a more productive college career than Gibbs. We need NFL caliber Guards and edge rushers with our top picks, not a 3rd down back who see the field 12 plays a game.

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Well , I wouldn’t argue,but I still like the Bama’s RB’s. Think you missed the 1 who still playing. I like Frosky from ND. The Guards ?

Like I SAID MISTAKE,especially if The Rams go Guard again.Do I believe drafting an All Pro guard & starter for The Next 10 years is bad ? NO

The mistake is passing on Creed (3 other Center as well) & then reaching for Logan Bruss. That would be the mistake.

A’ Jackson could be the Savior,but keeping Bobby Evans last season MISTAKE! I will say ,actually I wouldn’t say.

Brian Allen was the 2nd string RG coming out of OTA’s!! He WON the Center spot at training Camp.
2022.

I give Brian Allen all The PHRASE in The football World for winning the spot & being The starting Center for The Superbowl Winning Rams.

Point being Careberry had Bobby Evans starting at RG & Austin Corbett starting center after The 2021 NFL DRAFT.

What’s the mistake ? Tutu Atwell ?No. it was not finding a Center Guard. I have no problem if that is the direction,but The Rams have find a 10 year starter.

CGI_Ram said:

Are you there?

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Yes I was there...cousin gets 2 tickets every year. We went down to South Carolina for a wedding and stayed an extra day to catch The Masters. Got 3 rounds of golf in SC while there.

CGI_Ram said:

I don’t think they can fit him under their cap, but teams get creative….

Me; I don’t want Rodgers in SF. Yikes!

But as others said; doesn’t sound like he wants to go there.

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Hate to even say it,but the niners are to smart to think that way.
IMO they win a superbowl if traded for him 2 years ago instead of Trey Lance pick.Especially if they didn’t have to give up as much to move up?

Lynch said Purdy is their guy when healthy.think to inspire his rehab? Either way Sam Darnold found the perfect vacation place to try to win it in 2023.He beat out Baker last season & like Mayfield is playing for a long term contract.
He could even become a Ram at some point in his career.

Neil039 said:

That’s a Jag Response~ Cue blue font

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JAG HATER!

Good luck to the Rams getting the attention of defensive players on the market after they see how their value tanks post-Morris.

Media can stupify any conversation. Moar clicks.

oldnotdead said:

It's not when the player is taken, but the player themselves. Talent can be found in every round. Too many times the difference is not what round the player is taken but the quality of the NFL coaching he receives combined with how the players are utilizied, If you have a team of role players, but the coaches play to their strengths, that team can excel. The Patriots during their glory years were proof of that.

Rapp is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. As a rookie Rapp was played by Phillips as an in the box SS which is how he was played by the Huskies. He excelled and was a standout on defense as a rookie. Since 2021 Rapp has been taken out of that role and basically played to his weaknesses. Staley expected him to play in man coverage. Morris played many times in deep coverage. Rapp doesn't have the long speed to play man coverage or the range to play deep coverage. His strengths are quickly reading the play while in the box and jumping the route within that 10 yd zone.

Most DCs don't know their players and therefore don't play to their strengths. No team has star players at all 22 positions. You don't have enough first round picks to fill your starting roster. Being a first round pick is no guarantee he's going to validate his draft position. That is why IMO most first round picks don't validate that draft status and first round picks are over valued. I'd rather have two second round picks than one first round pick.

The Rams haven't had a first round pick in 7 years but have two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy to show for it. What more need be said? It works for them.

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Most DC's don't know their players? That doesn't seem like an accurate statement. I could buy "many unsuccessful DCs" don't know their players but not ALL DCs.

Elmgrovegnome said:

They had first round picks. Snead just wasn't the guy who picked them. Ramsey and Stafford were first rounders. Goff too for that matter.

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Don't forget Brandin Cooks, Mark Barron and 3 guys besides Goff who Snead did draft in Brockers, Donald and Gurley.

8to12 said:

I guess I took Jourdan R. quite literally in one of her recent interviews where she said that there might not be any Special teams coaches hanging out with Snead and McVey in their Draft house with their want lists. It seems they are going to be drafting as many positional (offense & defense) players as possible and bringing in specialists as UDFA's.

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Good Point and I guess last year they watched some UDRFA specialist do well, however, I would think they would look at a kicker at a minimum, but if that is the case I get it and hopefully they will have plenty of choices.

Merlin said:

he did make a significant mistake in not firing his DC this offseason. Glenn btw seems like a great dude but he's not the DC you need to elevate a franchise.

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From what I've heard Pleasant was the scapegoat for a lot of Glenn's mistakes which is why he's back here in LA. Glenn installed a Fangio style defense, much like Morris ran here for the past two years. It's in essence a read / react style to not dominate an offense but to limit big plays. Pleasant got the blame for the failure of that scheme instituted by Glenn. Interestingly, under Staley, Ram DBs played aggressively and helped lift this defense into a number one ranking. Interestingly, once his whipping boy was gone Glenn dumped the Fangio style defense and moved to a 3-4 hybrid one gap, attacking style of scheme, which the Ravens and Duker who was a defensive assistant in Baltimore play. Suddenly the defense is playing better. IMO it wasn't Pleasant that was the problem it was Glenn's Fangio read / react style that he insisted upon that was the problem.

So I'm hoping that Pleasant can bring back that aggressive style of DB play the Rams had under Staley within the framework of Morris' Tampa Two style two deep shell. Duker is probably going to save Glenn's ass in the same way Pleasant might save Morris' butt. Like I've said I don't care if Morris is calling the plays, he's just poor coaching the players. C'mon Aubrey bring back that Staley aggressive style.

Giles said:

It's not even the defense I'm worried about...it's the offense.

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Both sides of the ball require a lot of things to go our way this season. But there are better pieces on the offense. More talent if you will. Whereas the defense has more guys that I think are much more unlikely to step up.

So if the Rams agree with that sentiment it is entirely possible we're about to see a defensive draft. If they trade down they can still add a couple key pieces on offense like maybe a TE somewhere in the earlier rounds and an iOL later and still load up the defensive side.

That's what I'm hoping will happen. Defense badly needs an influx of talent.