So I'm here to vent about my work truck. It's a Ford Ranger, decent truck. There are days that it drives me insane. It kept stalling at idle or lights. I have been trouble shooting it for two weeks. I may have accidentally found the culprit. There is a breather off the intake that connects right up against the oil fill cap. It is pinched between two hoses. On my umpteenth check of the intake hoses I noticed it wasn't tight to block. Upon further inspection it has just been resting in place this entire time. WTH!!!!

Further updates will follow with glee (Lea Michelle) or Hatred (see Darth Vader).

Maybe I'm clueless, but I've never seen a post on this--not that I've looked hard. I've definitely not seen it discussed by any of the beat writers.

Anyway, I think it's a nice change: put the team first, but it's ok to take care of your own business after that. "We not me" was a little harsh.

I heard McVay say it about 7-10 day ago when being interviewed post draft. The image below is from the latest Grind trailer: "TRAILER: Behind The Grind Ep. 1 | Embracing Change"

​

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I'm not Catholic , but even I know what a historic event this is

I haven't had a chance to see what the world wide social reaction has been , but I did see a few interviews with people from Ireland , they genuinely seemed pretty excited

CANTON, OHIO – Anticipation and natural light "sent from heaven above" combined to create the right conditions to capture the shot chosen as the best image submitted for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's annual photo contest associated with the 2024 National Football League season.

Bryce Todd, a photographer for the Los Angeles Rams working the team's game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024, submitted "Air Puka" in the Hall's 57th annual photo contest, and the panel of judges declared it the winner of the 2024 Dave Boss Award of Excellence as the photograph of the year.
"Air Puka" shows Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua fully airborne and extended to make a touchdown catch near the front corner of the end zone. Sunlight in the stadium, some of it reflecting off stadium windows, created a near-halo effect around Nacua and long shadows.
"It's all about the light," the judges said in summarizing their choice for the Dave Boss Award. "Also, the background is clean for an NFL stadium, and every other player is in the dark. The photographer clearly planned for this play, but everything had to go right – and it did."
Todd acknowledged that his experience with the team provided an assist.
"It's a shot I've prepared for," he said. "By shooting practices and in the offseason, you become knowledgeable of where a play might go. I had a feeling the ball would come to that side. Luckily, Matthew (Stafford) and Puka did what they do."

As Todd positioned himself along the right sideline deep in the end zone prior to the snap, he noticed the specialness of the midafternoon sun.
"The lighting was sent from heaven above. The way the sun was reflecting off the windows at Gillette, I've never seen anything quite like it," he said. "The shooting was my skill, but the lighting was a gift."

A New York native and graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York, Todd completed his second season with the Rams. He earned a business degree at RPI, with photography mainly serving as a hobby until he got more serious about the craft and landed an internship with the New York Yankees. He said he knew when entering the contest that "Air Puka" offered his best chance at placing.
"That was my money shot," he said. "If I retire now, this was my drop-the-mic shot – the best I've ever gotten and maybe ever will get, although I'm going to keep at it."
The Dave Boss Award of Excellence is named for the former vice president of publishing and creative services for the National Football League. The Hall of Fame's prestigious contest is open to professional photographers on assignment to cover NFL games. Photos taken during the 2024 NFL season, from the preseason through Super Bowl LIX, were eligible.
Todd's entry was the first-place winner in the Action category.

I love seeing this partnership. I'm in The Ramily because I grew up in The 808 and watched Ram games on Sunday mornings... our Local TV team back then I guess. Hopefully more of the Locals can be joined into The Ramily because of this just like I was over 50 years ago. You can never have enough Aloha!!!

I am still trying to get my head around how we drafted an actual linebacker (and signed a productive UDFA).

The only knock on Pooh is his size, so it got me thinking about NFL comps. I did not know any off the top of my head. However I stumbled upon a youtube comment which got me researching. Anyway, what do you guys think about a comp to Jamien Sherwood of the Jets? He is undersized, like Pooh, but has been highly effective on the NFL level. Could Pooh Paul Jr. have that high of a ceiling?

Anyway, here is a video of Jamie Sherwood`s highlights:

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Pooh Paul Jr. highlights for reference:

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Also, Pooh Paul Jr. interview about his maturation process. Super impressive football character. Shula must be over the moon.

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The "Hurry, draft Stafford's replacement!!" panic has been going on to an increasing degree since the Rams won the Super Bowl. And I have been shaking my head to the chicken little tune.

The guy is still at the top of his game and potentially has 3 more good years. Stop it, already.

Cowherd is sometimes a blowhard, but here he really nails it.

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We're past the first stages of free agency and the draft ... what else do you think we need and how do you think we get it done?

I think they really need three things that aren't currently on the roster:

OT3 - We need someone with some experience that can cover the inevitable Havenstein injury.

CB1 - Everyone on the depth chart looks better if they move down a slot. I do think they get something done with Ramsey, ultimately.

WR4 - I think we need someone on the bench who could step in for several weeks if Puka or Davante go down, and I don't think we have that right now.

Anyone else I'm missing?

Sorted by thread replies:

261 - Terrance Ferguson, TE (2nd Round)
150 - Chris Paul Jr, LB (5th Round)
134 - Jarquez Hunter, RB (4th Round)
122 - Josaiah Stewart, Edge (3rd Round)
104 - Konata Mumpfield, WR (7th Round)
43 - Ty Hamilton, DT (5th Round)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has made quite the impact for his team already in his short career, recording back-to-back seasons of 1,100-plus yards and a total of 26 touchdowns the last two years.
But in his mind, that's nowhere near his ceiling.

"Everything," Williams said recently of what he feels he could improve, via RG.com. "I don't feel like I've touched my peak yet. I've gotten to where I wanted to be, but I'm determined to make this my best season."

Drafted by the Rams in the fifth round in 2022, Williams was buried on the depth chart his rookie year, but with the reduced usage and then trade of Cam Akers the next year, Williams stepped up. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 with a 1,144-yard, 12-touchdown showing, and then improved on both numbers in 2024 with 1,299 yards and 14 TDs.
Though he didn't earn a Pro Bowl accolade for the latter season, Williams brushed off what others might see as a snub, instead focusing on how he can continue to improve in his fourth campaign and onwards.

"I don't think anything differently played a part. I was a Pro Bowler and I wasn't in 2024," Williams said. "It wasn't my time, just got to get back to the drawing board and figure out how I can get back to where I was."

If Williams is correct that he has even better days ahead, this season would certainly be a good time for a further breakout. The running back is entering the last year of his rookie contract with the Rams, and could improve his value for either an extension or on the open market with a career-best performance in 2025.

But even as Williams seeks to reach the pinnacle of his own individual potential, he's also looking forward to paying it forward to younger teammates.
Williams was the RB1 last year and is set to fill that role again, but in 2024 he was backed up by then-rookie back Blake Corum, who had a modest 207 yards in that role. And then the Rams went to the draft to supplement the position group again this last week, adding Auburn's Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round.

But even though their presence will likely take away some snaps from Williams, the 24-year-old welcomes the opportunity to give them the veteran leadership he was the recipient of when in their position.

"I've been in the league since I was 21 years old," Williams said. "...Being able to be surrounded by the type of vets that I was surrounded by earlier in my career, it makes it easier. It makes it exciting to be a young leader, I can take these guys underneath my wings and show them the way.

"...Once I was able to get to where I'm at, it's only right that I put it on the people who are going to be after me. I'm just going to take from the mistakes and everything that I learned from my work here to where I'm at now, try to put them on game, just be cheerful and be happy for them for whatever they do."

After the Rams finished with the 24th-ranked rushing offense in 2024, Williams will be hoping personal bests and team success can go hand-in-hand in the year ahead.

i was just looking at the key offseason dates thread...

i went there to find out when the vets get together for offseason minicamp before the
normal training camp starts...

i didn't find anything... i was hoping to get some info before training camp broke

is there no minicamp for vets? is there only one for rookiess?..

thanks for enlightenment...

lol

go rams

slo


edit: so i went back to offseason dates sticky and saw there was a spring workouts april 21 right before the draft,,,,

Friday, May 2, 2025
8:00 PM ET: Arlington Renegades vs. St. Louis Battlehawks (FOX)

Saturday, May 3, 2025
12:00 PM ET: Memphis Showboats vs. Houston Roughnecks (ABC/ESPN+)

Sunday, May 4, 2025
12:00 PM ET: DC Defenders vs. Michigan Panthers (ESPN2/ESPN+)
4:00 PM ET: San Antonio Brahmas vs. Birmingham Stallions (FOX)

Standings:

USFL Conference
1. Birmingham Stallions: 3-2, PD +6
2. Michigan Panthers: 3-2, PD +21
3. Houston Roughnecks: 2-3, PD -9
4. Memphis Showboats: 1-4, PD -34

XFL Conference
1. DC Defenders: 4-1, PD +22
2. St. Louis Battlehawks: 4-2, PD +26
3. Arlington Renegades: 3-3, PD +30
4. San Antonio Brahmas: 1-4, PD -62

NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams may have signed another UDFA steal.

theramswire.usatoday.com

NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft​

Tyler Greenawalt
Rams Wire


NFL.com's Lance Zierlein couldn't believe what he was saying when he watched tape North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on a recent flight ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

While watching the soon-to-be first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, Zierlein said he kept seeing standout plays from UNC's right guard, Willie Lampkin. Despite his smaller frame (6-1, 285 pounds), Lampkin was consistently holding his blocks and opening running lanes for Hampton.

“He's the best guard tape that I've seen so far... and that’s not hyperbole," Zierlein said on Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. "Had he been 6-foot-4, or even 6-3-and-a half probably, 312 pounds, he’s probably a first-round pick.”

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Instead, the Rams signed Lampkin and 16 undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft. And if Zierlein is to be believed, Lampkin could be another steal for the Rams.

Lampkin was a consistent starter all throughout college. He played in 61 collegiate games (38 at Coastal Carolina and 23 at UNC) and, as Zierlein noted, a great run-blocker for Hampton.

The Rams have had a lot of success with UDFAs in recent years, too. Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who just signed a huge extension, went undrafted. Starting inside linebacker Omar Speights wasn't draft either.

Lampkin has some competition to make the team. While he wouldn't supplant Kevin Dotson anytime soon, he'll need to beat out KT Leveston and fellow UDFA Ben Dooley. Zierlein has a lot of faith in him, though.

Texas is paying out $35- $40 million!! for its roster.

I thought Ohio State was crazy with a $20 million estimate last year.

Take it with a Grain-of-Salt until confirmed by other sources but Stafford's contract numbers (restructured, revised, reworked ... whatever it is) have been posted on Over-The-Cap.

The new numbers reflect a 2025 cap hit to the Rams of $41M.
The prior number (still reflected on Spotrac) was $49.7M.

So that's 2025 cap-relief of more than $8M.

Consistent with that, OTC currently has the Rams with a solid $26M of cap space; while Spotrac (NOT updated) has them with $8M less, at $18M.

Personally, I care most about the $ the Rams have to spend.

If anyone cares about contract details (not sure if this required its own thread), just type into your browser Rams Over the Cap and their OTC page should be the first listed.

Again, these sites are solid but not 100%

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They offered their 2026 2nd round pick to Jacksonville but Gillotte ended up in KC at pick 66 and never reached pick 70. Interesting they ended up with Stewart who is more edge/LB and considerably smaller than Gillotte. Gillotte had a better year in 23 than 24 but the Rams apparently liked what they saw enough to give up a high picks next year.

Might as well start with mine:

Quarterback (2) - Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo.

(No real surprises. Matthew Stafford is going to start every game, get us to the playoffs with another division win, and lead us to his second Super Bowl, before retiring. Garoppolo merely backs up, and plays a mop-up game against whichever NFC West team we play last...and we still win.

Running back (5) - Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Cody Schrader (KR), Jarquez Hunter (KR), Willie Lampkin (FB/OC).

(Yes, Lampkin surviving final cuts to be a fullback/backup center is a real surprise. The running back position, I feel, will be cut to four if K-Will is traded at the deadline. If that's the case, I see an opening for another running back possibly not on the roster. I think Hunter will sit on the bench to learn pass-protection, at first, with occasional snaps at kick return to pair with Schrader (whom I think we keep because he's one of the better receiving backs on our roster, which nudges out Rivers) but will take occasional snaps. Corum is the real star, though; I think he'll excel.)

Wide receiver (6) - Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Chatarius Atwell, Tru Edwards, Xavier Smith (PR).

(Surprising, no? I'll be honest: I love Tru Edwards as a prospect. Possibly Mumpfield makes it, but I don't know if he's ever been a punt returner. Otherwise, I think Whittington takes the slot role by storm, while Atwell is our deep threat (and a possibility to be traded, maybe?). Don't worry; Mumpfield makes the practice squad. I'm not counting him out entirely; I'm just saying that I like Edwards more.)

Tight end (3) - Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen.

(With a fullback in the mix, we'll have less at tight end. Parkinson is immediately cut without remorse in June, screw the cap. Higbee is still your starter for at least one season, while Ferguson learns the position and plays on obvious passing downs. Allen is your third tight end, but if Davis Allen is your third tight end, I think you're doing all right as a team.)

Offensive line (8) - Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein, Beaux Limmer, KT Leveston, Dylan McMahon.

(A little surprising, but I could see this happening. KT Leveston, if healthy, is your swing tackle for now; he's had experience everywhere except center, which is where Limmer and McMahon - the latter of whom also is your swing guard - comes in. I think Limmer takes Shelton's job midseason, leaving him, McMahon, and Lampkin as your backup centers. I also think Havenstein retires after our inevitable Super Bowl victory - and if he doesn't, he's an older unrestricted free agent anyway, so I think we spend a high pick on an offensive tackle for our offensive line.)

Defensive line (6) - Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Desjuan Johnson, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton.

(No real surprises. I think Johnson is a better option than Murchison as both pass rusher and run stopper. Davis and Hamilton back up Ford and Turner, so that we don't miss a beat. We're going to dominate on run defense, people!)

Linebacker (9) - Jared Verse, Byron Young, Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Brennan Jackson, Josaiah Stewart, Nick Hampton, Chris Paul Jr., Shaun Dolac.

(Yes, another undrafted free agent inside linebacker makes this team! Verse, Young, B-Jax, and Stewart should be a dominating pass rushing group, Landman and Speights will stuff the run, while CPJ comes in for passing downs. Hampton and Dolac are your special teams aces.)

Defensive back (11) - Akhello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, Jalen Ramsey (STAR/SAF), Kamren Kinchens, Kam Curl, Darious Williams (slot corner), Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Quentin Lake, Jaylen McCollough.

(Yep, we're getting Ramsey back! ...I hope. Anyway, that helps with the STAR position. Lake is a fantastic player, but Ramsey is an upgrade and provides a huge boost. Cobie Durant, I feel, will finally unlock his potential in a contract year, while D-Will is your nickel corner. Kinchens should excel this year, Forbes learning from Ramsey should be immensely beneficial, and he'll play as a dime corner back while he learns, although he could really surprise and end up starting instead of Durant/D-Will/whomever. Wallace, Woods, and McCollough are special teams.)

Special teams (3) - Josh Karty (K), Ethan Evans (P), Alex Ward (LS).

(Special teams remains the same. We found our punter, our kicker, and our long snapper. I hope that doesn't change in the coming seasons.)

Practice squad:

Justin Dedich (OL)
Ben Dooley (OL)
Trey Wedig (OT)
Cam Lampkin (CB)
A.J. Green (CB)
Tanner Ingle (SAF)
Nate Valcarcel (SAF)
Konata Mumpfield (WR)
Brennan Presley (WR)
Mario Williams (WR)
David Olajiga (DL, International)
Da'Jon Terry (DL)
Bill Norton (DL)
Jordan Waters (RB)
Josh Pearcy (EDGE)
Jamil Muhammad (EDGE)

(I hope we keep Dedich and Lampkin, but after their seasons, it wouldn't surprise me if they were poached. Wouldn't surprise me if Ingle and Green moved to greener pastures and a chance to play as well. Mumpfield, Presley, and Williams should be solid at receiver. Terry, Olajiga, and Norton are all big men who should be excellent run stuffers at nose tackle. Wedig is an interesting swing tackle option, while Dooley is a smart O-lineman who played everywhere for Boise State. Waters is a bigger back than anyone we have. Muhammad played a backup role at Southern Cal. Keep a close eye on Valcarcel, who was a first team MAC selection at safety, and Pearcy, who dominated his Pro Day at Rice.)

I'll probably be dead wrong, but I created this thread for everyone to share their hopeful rosters for 2025/2026.

So.. Roster wise.. where are the Rams at, in your mind? Are they better or worse than they were at the end of the season, in your mind? Compared to the start of last season?

Not a super deep dive.. but.. general thoughts:

Quarterback:
Same, and that's not a bad thing.

Running back:
Better. Corum has a year experience now and Hunter is an excellent addition, imo. I like that they have someone to work in who has a little more juice.. and who also runs hard.

WR:
Better. I hate saying that reflects in a negative way at all on Cooper Kupp.. so this is NOT taking any shot at him. But Davante is a significant upgrade, in my mind.. especially because of specific fit. Kupp may thrive again in a system where he's got two outside guys to take pressure off him and allow him to find space. Davante creates his own space.. puts a different kind of pressure on defenses.. and may actually open more up for guys like Tutu and Whittington. Also.. Tutu is better than a lot think.. and I think Whittington is going to take a step. I also think that there's more to squeeze from Smith.

TEs:
Appreciably better than the start of last season and slightly better than at the end. Ferguson is interesting.. I think he impacts the WR mix quite a bit.. I can see him taking on a lot of motion stuff and being a super-sized Puka in motion actions. Higbee came back and looked better than I expected.

Oline:
Should be better? Sounds like Shelton is penciled in as starter.. but I'm curious if Limmer can get in the weight room enough to make a difference there and beat him out. At worst, depth at center should be better. No experienced swing tackle is a bit of a concern. I wonder what they really think of Leveston? There's no reason to think he *can't* be a solution.. but it's unknown. The UDFA guy is very intriguing from a physical profile standpoint.. but.. who knows with that?

Safeties:
Slightly better. I just think with a full season for the young players.. and having, essentially the same unit come back, is a big, big plus. They need to be creative and they can be. I think they may be a real strength.

Corners:
Who knows? Lol. Apparently, they're happy with them. Seems there's some smoke around Ramsey coming back. We'll see. So many question marks.. but there's still some real potential with Forbes and Durant.

Linebackers:
Better. I think. I mean.. we have to see Paul in action, he's a rookie. But.. he seems like a fantastic addition and Landman feels, at worst, like an upgrade on 1st and 2nd down over Reeder or Rozeboom. I think Speights will take a big step.. love, love what I saw from him.

OLBs:
Better. I hope. I think Verse will continue to improve and I hope he can figure out what's behind so many of his missed tackles. If he cleans that up.. he starts moving into DPOY conversations. A truly special player who I expect to get even better. BY is what he is.. limited.. but plays hard and has some good qualities. Losing Hoecht hurts.. but I'm intrigued by Stewart and believe he may be every bit as good, if not better. Even as a rookie.

DL:
Better. Definitely better. Adding ford and then Hamilton MORE THAN MAKE UP for losing Bobby Brown.. and Poona is just an absolute perfect fit for what they needed to add on first and second downs. Hamilton is intriguing.

If the additions on offense compliment each other the right way.. the offense can go from pedestrian to good or very, very good. If they can stay healthy.. and if someone like Ferguson can be better as a rookie than expected? They may be fire. Ferguson, Watkins and Hunter create the possibility of more explosive plays, imo.. Corum too.

They still can make additions.. but it's a very solid roster.. and, oh.. did I mention? They got an extra first rounder in next year's draft for, basically, a high fourth round pick. Amazing.