Thanks for the weather concerns out here in the wild far reaches of the British Commonwealth, but I was confused by the rest of your post, especially the "ROD is fan-friendly" part.....as I did not criticize any ROD member in my post.

YET...
I am sailing close to the wind because I criticize Aaron Kromer?
Ha! See now I'm confused....
because I thought ROD was a Rams Talk Forum where one could discuss and present opinions sur les affaires de Rams. Your post seems like a warning letter regarding. at the very least, restricting any type of acerbic style when criticizing aspects of the Rams, and more ominously, you seem to be hinting at censoring criticism in general. Do let me know if criticism in not allowed, because that would be censorship. Period. Full stop.

Some history:
I've been watching the Rams since Tony Guillory blocked Donnie Anderson's punt in December 1967. I've watched Los Ramos live at stadia like Buffalo's War Memorial, Pittsburgh's Three Rivers, Seattle's Kingdome that have long ago been demolished.....and oh yeah, I was at SB XIV at the Rose Bowl in January 1980. So I think I know a good offensive line from a makeshift one from that half-century-plus of Rams observation. These things enter my mind....they're called thoughts. Thoughts like Austin Blythe is no Tom Mack, nor even Dennis Harrah. Here's a positive Rams OLine thought few would know.....NY Giant AllWorld LB Lawrence Taylor's most dreaded opponent per Bill Parcells? Rams OT Irv Pankey!!

More confusion from me....
…..and you say Kromer has merit because he divorced us from Greg Robinson? But didn't you also say "position coaches don't have the authority to.....sign players to cap-busting contracts"? So.....position coaches can only jettison existing players, but are powerless to sign up new players??!! Interesting.....because I always thought that the Rams GM did the jetisonning//signing players function thing! Another thought: even the feckless Jeff Fisher was sharp enough to bench a Greg Robinson in 2016....even though he and Snead signed off on picking GRob Second Overall!

I presented Mark Scherleff's comments about the OLine, and NOT McVay's O plan being THE problem in 2019,
i presented Kromer's vagabond NFL resume,
Kromer's choice as Rams 2019 OC being subpar, etc These are all facts...….which BTW were not addressed by anybody......
and I certainly never criticized any ROD member.
I presented an strong opinion backed by facts, but I'm still offsides?
…..so methinks that "grey area" about criticism-in-general probably needs to be fleshed out a bit more.

Every morning since this I have listened to Rush at volume "not recommended" by my device for a few songs.

More for the story telling he did as the work on the drums. The singing of his lyrical work is as great as his work on the drums and Geddy Lee had no kind of voice really. I love Rush's stuff. But give Peart's brilliant song writing to a really gifted singer/singers and they would be considered the greatest band ever.

Wreathed in smoke in Lebanon
We burn the midnight oil
The fragrance of Afghanistan
Rewards a long day's toil

Pulling into Kathmandu
Smoke rings fill the air
Perfumed by a Nepal night
The Express gets you there
---------------------------------

This was probably his lightest work ever and it was just incredibly crafted.

Everybody talks about how he was a once in a lifetime drummer.

And that's true. I've said he and Palmer were/are the best ever and nobody else is even in the conversation.

What we are missing is this..........

He was probably the greatest rock lyricist ever. EVER.

I cannot think of a better songwriter. He assembled fantastic stories that got set to music.

Neil Peart was the most brilliant at that particular than we have ever seen.

This was an unusually specially artist in more than one dimension.

Won't see that ever again.

SeminoleRam said:

Definitely, Need better play from the Offensive Line AND a Healthy Todd Gurley (Hopefully!)!!!

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There is no longer such a thing. He had all last offseason to get healthy and back to his bursting self. He couldn't. He won't. He'll have his few very nice runs and a couple very nice games. But he is no longer the same Todd Gurley. He's not gonna get any healthier than we saw this season .... or he already would have.

Selassie I said:

Add more garnishes to your Bloody. Try and make it more like a drink/snack.

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I didn't get past this post and said to myself "that mfer is going to try to turn this into a meal" he's had that emotional level pulled with Bloody Marys"

And there we went LOL.

yrba1 said:

If you think pineapple pizza is a sin, wait until you see this

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Yikes!

Riverumbbq said:

Report: Rams didn't offer Rodger Saffold a contract last offseason

Cameron DaSilva
4 hours ago


Rodger Saffold played the first nine years of his NFL career with the Rams, starting games at every offensive line position except center. He hit free agency last offseason and the Titans signed him to a four-year, $44 million deal that was presumably too rich for the Rams’ taste.
As it turns out, Los Angeles didn’t even try to re-sign Saffold when his contract expired last March. According to Peter Schrager of NFL Network, the Rams didn’t make an offer to Saffold last offseason.

To make matters worse, Schrager says all Saffold wanted was to be a Ram for life.

Saffold was one of the longest-tenured players on the team and not only was he a leader in the locker room, but he was one of the most important players on offense. Next to Andrew Whitworth, Saffold was a road-grading left guard who was also good in pass protection.
Losing him was a significant blow to the offense and his departure is part of the reason Jared Goff and Todd Gurley regressed in 2019.

The Rams didn’t have a ton of money to spend and also lost Lamarcus Joyner in free agency, but the reported lack of effort to keep Saffold is shocking, to say the least.

The good news for Saffold is A) he got paid, and B) he’s one win away from playing in his second consecutive Super Bowl.

Report: Rams didn't offer Rodger Saffold a contract last offseason

Rodger Saffold played the first nine years of his NFL career with the Rams, starting games at every offensive line position except center. He hit free agency last offseason and the Titans signed him to a four-year, $44 million deal that was presumably too rich for…

theramswire.usatoday.com

I'd say if this isn't proof enough that Cameron DaSilva follows ROD, i'm not sure what it would take ...

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Snead is a bigger fool than I thought (Evaluating/drafting offensive Linemen) - McVay better wake-up or will never sniff another Superbowl.

I'm interested in Noteboom's recovery.

At the end of August next year he'll be 10 months removed from surgery. There have been guys come back from ACL's in about that time frame.

However, with Noteboom he tore more than one ligament. In my personal case I tore my ACL, LCL, PCL, and a hamstring biceps tendon - significant damage. I had to have two separate surgeries for my injury. They repaired everything and then 6 months later I went back and they did the ACL.

Does anyone know if Noteboom needed any more extensive surgery than just the one time?

If the Rams aren't interested, perhaps try Canton ...

When your Ol doesn't control the LOS, gets pushed back off the snap, your running game is going to suffer, I don't care who your RB is. Derrick Henry, Zeke Elliot, Chris McCaffrey, they would all struggle with an OL like the Rams fielded last season. Login to view embedded media

No, but I have studied it through several different historical books. The fun fact when thinking of the Volstead Act and the 18th Amendment, is that while the mostly Protestant women who thought alcohol was evil, were taking laudanum for their health, daily. The substance contained opium, morphine, codeine, (all of the opium alkaloids)....

Mother's little helper, indeed.

I find it interesting how often Belichick and Vrabel run into stacked boxes. This tells me they both understand the importance of establishing a run game to make their QB’s more effective.

Dieter the Brock said:

Might as well be the first one to start the hysterics:

Trade Kupp!!!!

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I know right? How dare a player play out his contract. I love peoples entitled mentality.

TexasRam said:

I'm also very internally split on keeping Fowler or not. He is no Elite player but its questionable if our depth can reproduce his sack numbers. And we really struggled generating pressure before we got Fowler.

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He's going to get very high offers. If not it's because teams have some stuff on him off the field that still concern them but if they're just going by game film he's a high energy edge who gets good pressure and plays the run better than a lot of other more well known names. This year's film is gonna cash him in IMO.

And btw I would not sign him. Just my instincts on the guy, I don't trust him to play like he did this year over a big contract.

I do think our wideouts are a little overrated (Kupp is the only real futures piece). So yeah I'd be ok with them making moves in that room, however this particular offseason is a nasty one with some other crucial decisions and signings pending.

So from that perspective I would say Woody sticks around this year. Rams are going to need him and that affordable production IMO.

They have an out in Cooks' contract in 2021. And fortunately for the Rams JRey will be in his last affordable season and will be able to carry some of the load to help them get through the 2020 season. Thus I expect big moves in that room post-2020 season with this offseason about fixing the run game and getting back to balance.

All that aside I wouldn't rule out them drafting a wideout of course. I just think it would be due to one they love falling to them vice them moving to get him.

I think Ruiz will 100% be a target on the Rams' board and in fact someone they might maneuver to get. Reason I say that is our line struggled with reach blocks on the interior and this dude is a natural on his film doing just that. And he can start for us at guard.

Advantage of Ruiz vs some others like Biadasz for example is that he's more likely to be within our striking range. I think he's a solid round 3 guy but we'll see long way to go.

FrantikRam said:

CL? Corey Littleton? How would he be assisting the edge rushers?Most of Matthews sacks were coverage sacks, and overall he wasn't very good last year - your list is essentially 7 below average players with only two that have potential right now to be average starters - Ebukam (who is basically there) and Obo.I don't understand the fascination with comp selections. Last year it made sense - we didn't need much. But this year we have several starters that are free agents and I doubt we will balk at replacing them because of some potential midround draft picks. If it works out that way, as it did two years ago when we made several acquisitions while also not impacting the comp formula, then cool - but if we have the opportunity to add a good free agent, particularly on the offensive line, we can't pass that up.

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Sorry I did not get back with you earlier on this.

I would expect the new DC will certainly have some different insight on the LB'ing unit than what Barry & Wade had. Certainly that even with a scant amount of draft selections in this year's draft that he will bring in some new talent.

I really liked what I saw from rookie OLB'er Natrez Patrick in pre season & early regular season...he was much quicker & effective than I would have expected from what I saw when he was a UGA playing the MLB post.

Once Og Okoronkwo finally got healthy he began to get caught up from being unhealthy for over a year. #45 is going to be one excellent pass rusher for us in 2020. I would not say that Jeff Holland & Jachai Polite do not have talent either. Justin Lawler was our top OLB'er reserve back in 2018 & played sound smart football particularly against the run.

If comp picks made sense last year it will certainly have much more signification in the upcoming 2021 draft. There is a price to pay for the ultra large contract dished out to Goff. Gurley, Donald, Cooks, Higbee, Ramsey & Havenstein. Payday some day & the bills are coming in fast.

I sure did enjoy watching this RB play ball Monday evening & he sure would look good teamed with Gurley on our backfield.

2020 NFL Draft's Biggest Risers and Fallers from National Title Game

View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871305-2020-nfl-drafts-biggest-risers-and-fallers-from-national-title-game#slide10


Stock Up: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU


Clyde the Glide was magnificent again Monday night, much like he has been all season. A first-year starter, Edwards-Helaire was the difference once Clemson settled into a 3-1-7 look on defense that flooded the field with defensive backs. The LSU coaching staff wisely turned around and handed off to its bowling ball of a running back.

It's easy to love what Edwards-Helaire does. He's tough, powerful, versatile as a receiver and slippery when running on the edge. He might not have Etienne's home run speed, but his all-around game projects as that of an NFL starter.

With 110 yards rushing and another 54 as a receiver, Edwards-Helaire's likely curtain call was a good one.

I'm going with KC. Tennessee beat KC earlier this year and I don't think they will beat them twice.

Riverumbbq said:

I'm curious just how long the Kevin O'Connell & Brandon Staley contracts are.

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3 year deals...All Assistants sign 3 year deals and the rest of the staff that is staying on will renew with 3 years deals too.

Riverumbbq said:

Belicheat & Kraft will be working on their tan next season if Goodall can find his sack.

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Guess they gonna be pasty yet again.

Put your money on the better quarterback.

Dieter the Brock said:

Speaking of DeMolesta:

Ex-Dodgers GM wants say in Cleveland Browns’ play-calling, reports say

Redirect Notice

www.google.com

Looks like Browns are letting this freak call plays..... F’ing Browns going Browns

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Wow, thats um....just wow...soembody's tatered in the noggin for that happening.

Scott Turner was Rivera's QB coach in Carolina. No surprise he hired him as OC.

Merlin said:

O’Connell believes in establishing the running game and being a run-first offense. He and Callahan see eye to eye on that particular aspect. What’s different is O’Connell’s belief in using a quick game, with play-action passes and passing more on first down, to get his quarterbacks comfortable and into a rhythm. The Athletic‘s Mark Bullock highlighted exactly how the offense has shifted since the Eagles game and the offense has O’Connell’s fingerprints all over the new blueprint.

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A match with McVay made in Heaven.

Merlin said:

Under O’Connell, Haskins has looked his best all season. The rookie amassed 394 yards, four touchdowns and no picks on 31-of-43 (72.1) passing against Philadelphia and New York. He also had a career-best 143.2 passer rating against the Giants after finishing with a then-best 121.3 rating the previous week. Haskins threw for half as many touchdowns and six interceptions in his first five games, while only completing 54.6 percent of his throws.

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This is very telling. He got Haskins comfortable and turned his season around. I would really like to see Goff's pass percentage go up in 2020. The Skins O Line was similar to the Rams with lots of injuries. I would like some shorter quick passes to change things up. Hopefully, he helps get the run game going again to help the passing game as he stated in the first quote.

OL'ers in general have a rough time in the NFL when compared to other positions. OL'ers seemed to always be injured or ailing. When you review NFL teams injured reserve roster they are usually full of OL'ers.

Jamon Brown was a strong large built man who had been a starting OT for 3 or more seasons in college & was well known as an excellent player before the Rams inserted him in @ both OG posts. Brown was not built for Rams zone blocking scheme.

Blythe was a small center in college & held no such recognition while in college compared to Brown. Blythe being under 6-2 295 lbs was built for much of the zone blocking schemes Kromer was utilizing in 2017/2018.

If Blythe has recovered from his several injuries & surgeries this off season its very possible that you will be right (Blythe will look very attractive) to some NFL team who will run a zone blocking scheme & has suffered numerous interior OL casualties will take a chance on a seasoned 2 yr starting OL'er.

Blythe has been a Rams now for 3 seasons now & has 36 starts for us. On the flip side he has caused the Rams offense some issues too.

The article says he might add an offseason strength program.
The idea a professional wouldn’t have one is sort of mind boggling.
He can gain a lot of strength (who knows how strong he is) with basic lifts. A lot of intricate programming (balance board stuff for example) is mostly bullshit to keep guys busy.
At least he didn’t say he was doing something daft like CrossFit and didn’t say his goal was to get “buff”.....so that’s good.