Well, I'm bored. I don't want to bore y'all with what I think happens in other threads, so I think I'll just keep it to my opinions, as foolish as they may be. So...here it is:

QB - Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett.

(Stafford is the starter, Bennett is the backup. That's how it's going to be. I don't see any way Rypien or Winn make the roster. Maybe we'll sign another quarterback, but so long as Stafford is healthy, I think that's unlikely.)

RB - Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Zach Evans, Tyrion Davis-Price (San Francisco cut)

(No, I do not think that Sony Michel makes the team. Yes, he's a veteran that they signed, but I don't know how much he has left in the tank. I also think we poach a running back from a rival, be it Seattle or San Francisco. I think that the running backs here are good enough to each take snaps. Akers is probably our best back, Williams is our best pass-protector, and Evans is talented in his own right. As for a power back, I think San Fran surprisingly cuts Tyrion Davis-Price, given that they have McCaffery, Mitchell, Juszczyk, and others, and given that TDP underwhelmed in his rookie year. I think we're good.)

WR - Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Chatarius Atwell, Tyler Johnson, Puka Nacua, Lance McCutcheon, Jaelon Darden (Cleveland cut).

(Well, there's a bit of a shock here (in the player I think we pick up, knowing my luck at those players, given that Ramsey and Tyler Johnson were two of them.). I think Jefferson does well in a contract year. Johnson is someone I've always liked, going back to his days at Minnesota. Nacua and McCutcheon might get looks if there are injuries - and there's always injuries. I think/hope we pick up Darden if/when Cleveland cuts him; he's never going to be the dynamic threat I thought he'd be on offense, but he's as good a returner as any in the league.)

TE - Ben Skowronek, Hunter Long, Davis Allen.

(The first shocker: Higbee gets traded to a tight-end-needy team for a fourth round pick in 2024. The second shocker: Skowronek wins the starting job at tight end. The third - okay, maybe cutting Hopkins isn't a shocker. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if McVay finally says that Skow is our H-back, while Long gets the majority of the receiving snaps. Either one could work. Davis Allen gets occasional snaps, but I think they'll put him in a redshirt role.)

OL - Alaric Jackson, Tremayne Anchrum, Steve Avila, Logan Bruss, Rob Havenstein, Warren McClendon, Coleman Shelton, Zachary Thomas, A.J. Arcuri.

(Nine offensive linemen and not Brian Allen or Joseph Noteboom? What devilry is this? (Yes, I traded both of them, shh.) Honestly, I think Avila wins the center job, since it gets the best people in the lineup (i.e., Bruss, Anchrum, maybe McClendon) and because I love his bulk, pass-protection, and I think he's smart enough to call protections. Bruss, I think, will bounce back. Anchrum is still only twenty-five, and I know that they're high on him. I think A-Jax has a huge year as well, and Havenstein is simply solid. Shelton, Zachary Thomas, Arcuri, and McClendon are the backups, and honestly, I think they're all we need at the moment; someone's going to cut an offensive lineman, and we'll likely pick that man up.)

DL - Aaron Donald, Bobby Brown III, Michael Hoecht, Larrell Murchison, Kobie Turner, Earnest Brown IV.

(Yeah, I believe that Hoecht is sent back to the defensive line; thus far, he has not shown the ability to contain at an outside linebacker spot - a cardinal sin. However, I doubt it matters much because he's definitely starting either way. Aaron Donald is Aaron Donald. BB3 gets the opportunity to run with the starters, and I think he takes that opportunity. Murchison, Turner, and EB4 are the other three who make the defensive line spots, and Turner could really impress.)

LB - Ernest Jones, Daniel Hardy, Kier Thomas, Byron Young, Nick Hampton, Desjuan Johnson, Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Kelechi Anyalebechi.

(Jones is probably the best young middle linebacker we've had since Laurinaitis, and possibly even longer. He's vocal, a leader, and a very damn good football player. Hardy and Thomas get the first crack at the starting job, as they're the "vets" of the group, but Young, Hampton, and Johnosn could also impress (even though Johnson is a tweener, I think his ability wins out). I honestly don't see Ochaun Mathis making the roster; he struggled mightily at Nebraska, and is super raw. Definitely could be a practice squad option, though. Rozeboom and Hummel are key special teams players, and Anyalebechi is my sleeper pick to make the roster.)

DB - Cobie Durant, Robert Rochell, Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake, Shaun Jolly, Vincent Gray, Jason Taylor II, Quindell Johnson, Rashad Torrence II.

(Shocked that there's no Jordan Fuller? With Ernest Jones getting the green dot, I feel that Fuller gets traded before he's cut, especially considering his injury history and that it's his last year of his contract. What I wouldn't mind seeing is Derion Kendrick going as well; I don't know if I can forgive him for his numerous miscues, and he's far too slow to afford to be this bad. I also think that Rochell steps up in a big way, so that we don't need Witherspoon. Jolly and Gray form the remaining cornerbacks; I have high hopes for both, especially Jolly, since the Rams kept him on the roster almost all of last season. As for the safeties, I think Yeast and Lake are our starters, although Taylor, Johnson, and Torrence could easily step up as well.)

ST - Tanner Brown, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward.

(An all-rookie special teams battery! I think that we could easily go with that. Ward was one of the best rookie longsnappers, Evans looks like a gem at punter, and I liked Brown's overall work as a kicker more than Dunn's, so I'm happy we went with him. Darden, as mentioned, is the returner.)

Practice Squad - Braxton Burmeister (WR), Xavier Smith (WR), Sean Maginn (OC), Mike McAllister (OC), Ochaun Mathis (EDGE), Zach VanValkenburg (EDGE), DeAndre Square (ILB), Timarcus Davis (CB), Tyon Davis (CB), Jordan Jones (CB/SAF), Cameron McCutcheon (CB/SAF), Tanner Ingle (SAF).

(I guess we could see a specialist here, but none really grab my attention over the rookies. I could see a quarterback as well, but I don't know. Burmeister and Smith are exciting wide receiver talents who can return punts and kicks, Maginn and McAllister are your center prospects, Mathis and ZVV are the edge rushers. Square is an interesting inside linebacker who will definitely get a shot of competing against Rozeboom and Hummel. The next four prove you can never have too many corners, and Ingle will get every chance to compete in a deep safety room.)

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Rams Roster Profile: Can Daniel Hardy find a role in the pass rush rotation?​

The Los Angeles Rams have a lot of unproven talent on the defensive side of the ball at nearly every position. However, one position where that is particularly the case is on the edge. After cutting Leonard Floyd, the Rams have been left with Michael Hoecht, Daniel Hardy, Keir Thomas, and three rookies.

While there is a lot of unproven talent on the edge, there is also a lot of opportunity for someone to make their mark at the position. One player that fans will keep their eyes on this offseason is 2022 seventh-round pick, Daniel Hardy out of Montana State.

Between now and the Rams’ first preseason game, I’m going to preview approximately 45 players on the roster. The goal here will be to highlight players looking to take that next step in 2023 as well as players who will serve as key depth on the roster. I may expand into the occasional star or roster-bubble player, but for the most part we’ll be looking at the players who will truly make or break the Rams season.

Today, we’re looking at Daniel Hardy.

2022 Season in Review

Hardy didn’t play a lot for the Rams in 2022. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason which derailed his rookie year before it ever had a chance to begin. He played in 41 total snaps on defense and accumulated one pressure against the Denver Broncos. In his preseason debut, Hardy had two pressures against the Houston Texans.

The Good/Best Case Scenario

Hardy is an absolute athlete at the edge rusher position. He may be a bit smaller at just 6’1, 235-pounds, but his explosiveness is among the best. The Rams really need the athleticism to translate to on the field production.

For a seventh-round pick, Hardy shouldn’t have a lot of expectations, but the athleticism is certainly something to be excited about. The best case scenario in year two is that Hardy finds a role in the pass rush rotation and is able to have an impact on defense.

The Bad/Worst Case Scenario

Unfortunately, Hardy started his rookie season injured with a high-ankle sprain. Even with some of the opportunity at edge, beginning the year with an injury can make it difficult to find a role and work into the team. As a raw player, Hardy needs experience and he wasn’t able to get a lot of that last season even after the Rams cut Terrell Lewis and Justin Hollins.

The worst case scenario for Hardy is that he struggles to find a role during training camp and gets cut from the roster. Keir Thomas got experience last year and Ochaun Mathis is another raw, athletic edge rusher. Making the final 53-man roster is all but a guarantee for Hardy.

Biggest Question: Can Daniel Hardy find a role in the pass rush rotation

The answer to this will be crucial to Hardy making the final roster. With no bonafide, star edge rusher, the Rams will likely be working in a heavy rotation. Hardy needs to be able to find a role whether that’s being a speed rusher on third down or being someone who can be let loose in passing situations.

Hoecht and Young will likely dominated the majority of the snaps. However, the Rams will be looking for players who can make an impact behind them in certain situations. Hardy will need to be able to show that he can do that. Again, he has the athleticism. However, that needs to translate to on-field production.

Roster Battle

When it comes to the edge rusher position, the Rams have six players competing for four or five spots. Young and Hoecht will be locks. This leaves Hardy, Thomas, Mathis, and Nick Hampton. Hampton also has a good chance to make the roster.

Hardy will likely be competing with Mathis and Thomas for the final roster spots. Thomas found some success in the preseason last year. Meanwhile, Mathis’ transfer from TCU to Nebraska didn’t go as planned. Still, he was a four year starter and has ideal traits for the position. This is going to be a difficult decision for the Rams to make.

2023 Outlook and What to Expect

If Hardy makes the roster, the expectation should be for him to work his way into the pass rush rotation. With the limited options and no number one guy they can lean on, the Rams will need a handful of players who can all do different things.

The preseason will be big for Hardy. He’ll need to stay healthy and show that he can make an impact during games.

Chances of Making Final Roster

Making the final roster isn’t going to be easy for Hardy and he’s likely on the bubble entering training camp. This will be an interesting competition to watch as the Rams figure out their pass rush arsenal.

Final Roster Confidence: 4.4/10

Rams Roster Profile: Is Jason Taylor II the next late-round gem at safety?​

The Los Angeles Rams have found success when it comes to drafting and developing safeties in the later portions of the draft. Nick Scott was drafted in the seventh-round in 2019 and Jordan Fuller was taken in the sixth-round in 2020. Both players outplayed their draft positions and contributed as starters.

Under general manager Les Snead, the Rams have done a good job at identifying talent late in the draft at the safety position. In last year’s draft, they selected both Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake. Yeast got some playing time last year and more will be expected of Lake in year two. However, the Rams also drafted another safety on day three this year in Oklahoma State’s Jason Taylor II.

Between now and the Rams’ first preseason game, I’m going to preview approximately 45 players on the roster. The goal here will be to highlight players looking to take that next step in 2023 as well as players who will serve as key depth on the roster. I may expand into the occasional star or roster-bubble player, but for the most part we’ll be looking at the players who will truly make or break the Rams season.

Today, we’re looking at seventh-round pick, Jason Taylor II.

College Career

Taylor II became known for making big plays for the Oklahoma State. In his first season as a starter, he blocked a field goal on special teams to clinch a victory late in the game. Later in the year, with Oklahoma State trailing Texas, 17-3, Taylor had an 85-yard pick six. His big play-making ability earned him honorable mention All-Big 12

Last season, Taylor finished with six interceptions, including one against Texas with under two minutes left to secure a 41-34 win. Taylor II made big plays throughout his career and the Rams will be looking for him to do the same in Los Angeles.

The Good/Best Case Scenario

As mentioned, throughout his football playing career, Taylor has been someone who has created big plays for his team. It would be nice to see some of that during his rookie season. Still, it’s hard to see Taylor getting a lot of playing time on defense immediately. The former Oklahoma State safety excels in the box, but will need to clean things up with tackling technique and execution in coverage.

With a young special teams unit, the best case scenario is for Taylor to come in and make an impact on special teams much like Scott did early in his career. The rookie will bring a lot of special teams experience. Taylor blocked a field goal in college and also returned an onside kick for a touchdown. If he can find a role on special teams, that will open things up for him moving forward.

The Bad/Worst Case Scenario

Taylor missed 16 tackles last season and will need to clean that up if he’s going to see time on defense. This is where playing special teams initially could benefit him.

The worst case scenario is that Taylor doesn’t make the roster and ends up on the practice squad. With players like Yeast and Lake, the Rams do have some depth here. Quindell Johnson and Rashad Torrence will be competing for roster spots as well. While there is opportunity at safety, there is also a lot of competition.

Biggest Question: Is Jason Taylor II the next late-round gem at safety?

It’s far too early to make this sort of declaration. However, when it comes to Taylor, there is a lot of potential here. This is a player that simply made plays at the college level and in the Big 12 where the offense tend to be some of the best in the nation.

There is a lot of opportunity at the safety position. Outside of Fuller, everybody in unproven. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Taylor impresses early and earns a starting role. He was one of the most athletic safeties in the draft class, but that will need to translate to the field.

Roster Battle

Competition will be plentiful at the safety position during Rams training camp. While Fuller has his roster spot locked up, everybody behind him should be competing for a spot. Yeast and Lake will be favorites. However, as a seventh-round pick, nothing will be guaranteed for Taylor.

Taylor will likely be competing with Quindell Johnson, Rashad Torrence III, and Tanner Ingle for one roster spot. Johnson and Torrence are both names to watch. If Taylor ends up on the final 53-man roster, he will have earned it.

2023 Outlook and What to Expect

A lot can happen with Taylor during his rookie season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn a starting role and take over the box safety role left by Taylor Rapp. At the same time, special teams is the most likely scenario at least early on for the seventh-round pick.

Taylor was a special teams ace at Oklahoma State and the Rams will be looking for him to make an impact there as they rebuild their special teams unit. This is probably the most beneficial scenario for Taylor as well as he won’t be thrown into the fire immediately when he may not be ready.

Chances of Making Final Roster

As mentioned, there will be a lot of competition at the safety position. With that said, Taylor should be seen as the favorite. It wouldn't be surprising if someone like Johnson or Torrence snuck onto the roster, but they may be better suited for the practice squad. Taylor should be able to come in and make an impact on special teams which is something that the Rams will value.

Final Roster Confidence: 6.3/10

The Hidden Gem for the 2023 Los Angeles Rams​

Drafting a punter is not a season or franchise-changing kind of selection. But punter and kicker Ethan Evans out of Wingate University is an absolute hidden gem of a pick for the Los Angeles Rams.

But as far as 2023 is concerned, analysts and Rams watchers alike are of the mindset that Los Angeles is due for a disastrous season. Catastrophic. It could be the kind of campaign that could yield the first-overall pick right from their own backyard. But with 2024 a long way off, the business at hand is who will play where, and how many rookies could have an impactful season.

Ethan Evans Is the Hidden Gem for the Los Angeles Rams n 2023

Ethan Evans is something of a rare gem. Seldom do you find one player who can kick and punt, but in a league where specialists like Evans could be had for cheap, he is also a friendly financial investment. For a team that does not accept the garden variety kind of kicker, the Rams did exceedingly well with this pick.

The 223rd overall pick in this year’s draft, Evans attempted 77 punts averaging 45.7 yards per punt in 2022. The Rams could add a veteran into the mix this offseason, but the Wingate product will certainly get an opportunity to be the starting punter for the Rams this season and beyond.

Evans Takes His Small School Talent to the NFL

Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden once said about punter Ray Guy, that “Guy was a football player who punted“. Guy was a weapon on the field. He could change the trajectory of a game with one punt. No one, it seemed, could hit “coffin-corner” on the regular like Ray Guy.

At Wingate, Evans ended up becoming one of the all-time best special team players in school history. His career spanned from the 2019 season to 2022. He was their starting punter and handled kickoff duties in all four seasons. He would handle field goals and extra points as a senior. Evans would have his best year in 2022. He had 67 kickoffs for 4,180 yards with a 62.4 average. He would add 44 touchbacks, and 77 punts for 3,518 yards. For a season, he averaged 45.69 yards per punt, a total that ranked second-best in the NCAA Division II.

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Want more? Evans also had 39 punts inside the 20 and 30 that went more than 50 yards. He kicked 10-for-18 on field goals with a long of 41, as well as 43-of-44 on extra points. Evans twice was named the national player of the week by D2Football.com. Evans would also be a first-team all-conference, all-region, and a D2CCA first-team All-American. He also was a first-team All-American by AP.

Ethan Evans appeared in 39 games and made 186 punts for 8,027 yards, with an average of 43.2 yards per punt. He would have 47 fair catches, 53 punts for more than 50 yards, and 89 inside the 20-yard line.at the end of the season, Evans would accept and appear in the East-West Shrine Bowl in 2023, being only four division-one to do so.

If a solid draft would be a 50% hit rate… let’s see your split.

Put half hit, half miss.

Pretty hard at this point.

2-36 S. AVILA, G
3-77 B. YOUNG, DT
3-89 K. TURNER, DT
4-128 S. BENNETT, QB
5-161 N. HAMPTON, EDGE
5-174 W. MCCLENDON, OT
5-175 D. ALLEN, TE
5-177 P. NACUA, WR
6-182 T. HOD-TOMLINSON, CB
6-189 O. MATHIS, EDGE
7-215 Z. EVANS, RB
7-223 E. EVANS, P
7-234 J. TAYLOR II, S
7-259 D. JOHNSON, EDGE

This is where the conception of Bobby Bonilla Day begins.

Instead of paying him the rest of the money owed, the Mets and Bonilla negotiated a deal to make annual payments of just under $1.2 million every July 1 from 2011 to 2035, when Bonilla will be 72, which included a negotiated 8% interest.

So, why did the Mets decide to pony up close to $30 million over the long haul instead of simply handing over the $5.9 million? Well, then-owner Fred Wilpon had invested with Ponzi-scheme artist Bernie Madoff and expected double-digit returns on the deal, which did not happen and Wilpon wound up with the short end of the stick.

It's been reported that Wilpon lost roughly $700 million through Madoff, who was jailed in 2009 and spent the rest of his life in prison.

Oh, and this shouldn't be a secret, but for some reason, it's often ignored. Bonilla isn't the only athlete, current or former, with deferred payments, and some are getting even better deals.

According to Metsmerized, the Orioles will pay Chris Davis $42 million in deferred money to be paid in 10 installments of $3.5 million annually each July 1 until 2032, and five installments of $1.4 million each July 1 from 2023 to 2037. Davis originally signed a $161 million contract in 2016, but hit just .196 with a .670 OPS from that season through his retirement in 2020.

The Cincinnati Reds have also been paying $3.59 million a year to Ken Griffey Jr. since 2009, but that's finally ending next year.

The Washington Nationals will be paying Stephen Strasburg $10 million per year from 2024 through 2030, and he has made just eight starts since signing his then-record $245 million deal in 2019.

Dustin Pedroia collects $2.5 million from the Boston Red Sox every year until 2028, and oft-injured Chris Sale will receive $10 million annually from 2035 to 2039.

Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense, or has he already?​

When the LA Rams hired former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take over as the LA Rams new offensive coordinator, I scrambled to discover whatever information I could glean and stockpile without diving behind the myriad of paywalls that have sprung up to charge for the convenience of supplying that information with one stop shopping.

Early information confirmed my initial suspicions. Mike LaFleur is a young offensive coordinator who is still learning, still developing his 'style' in terms of what his offense will hang its hat on. Still, while young, he checked all of my 'gotta have,' boxes for the Rams offensive coordinator job. He and Head Coach Sean McVay are familiar with one another (no surprises), he is a product of a strong rushing offense, and he is certainly not just a yes-man.

Still, there are questions over how easy it will be for him to work with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and all of the Rams quarterbacks for that matter. After all, without assigning blame, Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his first NFL season. While that is more likely on the shoulders of Wilson, it does drag LaFleur into questions of his ability to optimize his quarterback, regardless of skillset, personality, and experience level.

LaFleur's offense can run the football

But one area I was not concerned about in how well the LA Rams running backs, and how Cam Akers especially, would perform in an offense that is overseen by OC Mike LaFleur. Even now, as I am more and more convinced that this Rams offense must commit to running the football, I continue to see evidence of the Rams reconfiguring to do exactly that.

The LA Rams, without a lot of fanfare, have gotten bigger offensive linemen, The team has also re-signed a physical north-south running back in Cam Akers. The Rams signed a new offensive line coach Ryan Wendell and a new running backs coach in Ron Gould, both of whom seem to align with the more physical balanced offense mindset of LaFleur.

Perhaps I am mistakenly asking the wrong question. Can LA Rams OC Mike LaFleur change the Rams offense? Or, under everyone's nose has he already already transformed this offense?

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ESPN Suzy Kolber Laid Off​

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ESPN Has Parted Ways With NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay, per Report​

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/todd-mcshay-let-go-part-ways-espn-nfl-draft

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Steve Young Has Been Let Go By ESPN, per Report​

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/steve-young-let-go-espn-nfl

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I like this O and I like that McVay now seems inclined toward a more physical OL, better TE receiving and blocking (12 sets), and increased focus on running game (LaFleur). The needed players and coaches seem to be in place and Stafford seems 100% healthy. I think Rams are ready to go to war with this current O.

ST, while young, sure seems talented and I’m very impressed by coach Blackburn. ST are gonna be a bright spot this year, imo.

Which brings me to the Rams D and my 3 remaining areas of concern.

First, the positives. IOL, CB (Witherspoon helps with size, experience, and depth), and Safety. Those 3 position groups seem adequate now to help get Rams to a winning season and possible playoffs as wild card.

But here’s my 3 areas that I fear are still possibly questionable.

DL. Is sufficient talent there? Sufficient experience? Can we stop the run against physical teams? Might need to add a 2nd tier vet and pray, I’m afraid.

Edge. Everybody is cautiously optimistic about the rookies brought in but will they be enough, even with Hoecht? I dunno. This Rams D desperately needs at least decent pass rush to be effective. Can they provide that? Will coaches allow them to be aggressive enough? Is another 2nd tier vet a good idea?

DC Morris. Will he be able to turn loose this D and attack more aggressively? Will the Rams O give him leads to work with? Will the new edge youngsters allow Morris to remove his handcuffs? Will Lake and Pleasant encourage him and give him sufficient confidence to field a more aggressive and attacking D? If so, this team could be posting a winning season with 9-10 victories and Morris could be a new HC somewhere in 2024.

Anyway, Snead/McVay have come light years forward since allowing all those quality vets to get away in their salary cap moves earlier in the offseason. We are now down to 3 possible needs or questions, imo at least. That’s some serious progress, don’t you think?

Here are the 2023 officiating crews. It also shows their careers outside of football.

Interesting.

Officiating crews for the 2023 season​

Einstein proven right again, over a hundred years later. Kind of a smart fella, that Albert.

thats right , BTO

just saw it on my face book page , they just announced to today

Hum ?

BTO

I wasn't sure what to expect , I know Randy Bachman still performs , as a solo , some times with Fred Turner

so I had to do some Googling

and all I can find is that , BTO will be playing in the USA for the first time in 20 years

I couldn't find a actual BTO website , just a Randy Bachman website , so I looked at his tour dates , up until Aug 18 , all his tour dates have him listed as Randy Bachman , and then , on Aug 18th , he's listed as Bachman Turner Overdrive

so , Preservation Plaza ,Arnolds Park , IA , might actually be the first concert BTO has played in the USA in 20 years , I couldn't find who all will be in BTO , Robbie Bachman passed away earlier this year , but I would assume Fred Turner will be there , I wonder if Blair Thornton will be joining them as well , because that would be cool

they just announced the date of the show , and already all the prime seats are sold out , tier 1 and tier 2 seats price between $75 - $125 are all gone

all thats left is general seat at $45 a ticket , so anyways , you know where I'll be on Aug 18th

just found this


The website says BTO has booked two concert dates — in Arnold’s Park, Iowa, and West Springfield, Mass. — for Aug. 18 and Sept. 22 respectively for its Back in Overdrive tour.

so as of now , Arnold’s Park, Iowa will be BTO first show in the USA in 20 years

found it , the offical website just came online today


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One year deal.

Well, feel free to discuss. Blues went with an all-European first round (Dalibor Dvorsky from Slovakia - who played in the Swedish Hockey League - Otto Stenberg, and Theo Lindstein. Apparently, all three know each other well, so it's been an exciting class. Add in a sneaky-good trade for Kevin Hayes (only gave up a 2024 sixth for him with 50% retention on his three year salary), and I really have faith in the Blues so far - and the draft hasn't even concluded yet!

I'd like to know how you feel your team is doing in the offseason.

I won’t go into the entirety of our situation. We enjoyed having Ahsoka Tano in our family for 9.5 years. Very long time for a Bernese Mountain Dog. She was definitely one of a kind. Today has hit me just as hard as losing my mom. This wonderful family member took me through some terrible times and gave back a tremendous amount to my son and I.

I just hope all of you pet owns have had the same joy and love we shared. Please share your stories, not here for sad days. Just wanted to share about our family member.

Maybe some of you would like to guess before reading this article. I think some were obvious while others are not.

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I tried to copy and paste the article but my connection sucks right now

You have 4 cards to play to enhance the Rams chances of success. You may not use more than one card on any one player.

HEALTH: The player upon whom you bestow this card will be guaranteed to be healthy for the entire season.

EMERGENCE: You may bestow this card upon any player with 20 or fewer NFL starts. That player will emerge as a Pro Bowl caliber player.

CAREER YEAR: You may use this card on any player, and he will have a career year in 2023.

RENEWAL: Like the Health card, this card guarantees a fully healthy 2023, but it may only be used on a player who has been on the IR in the last two years.

Spend your cards wisely!

James Gunn has made it offical today

David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan as Clark Kent and Lois Lane



I have hope for James Gunns Superman

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Dayum. Way too young. RIP.

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Forgotten 2022 NFL Draft Picks to Watch in 2023 Training Camps​

When NFL training camps begin in late July and early August, much of the attention will be on rookie prospects and offseason veteran additions. These, after all, are the players who are expected to improve rosters from what they were in 2022.

However, it's important to remember that some teams will inevitably get boosts from second-year players who simply didn't see the field much, if at all, as rookies. It happens almost every year, with Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne serving as the perfect recent example.

The 2021 first-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury but exploded onto the scene last year, racking up 1,441 scrimmage yards while helping the Jags win the AFC South.

Here, we'll examine some 2022 draft prospects who may have been forgotten by casual fans. Whether due to injury, early struggles or limited roles, these players didn't see the field often or only had a minor impact last year but have the potential to play important roles in 2023. Like prized veteran additions and heralded rookie selections, they too, bear following during training camp.

Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Calvin Austin III, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Drafted 138th Overall (Round 4)

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for wideout Allen Robinson II earlier this offseason, and the former Los Angeles Rams pass-catcher is widely expected to be the team's No. 3 receiver next to Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.

However, Robinson could be pushed for that role by 2022 fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III, who didn't see the field as a rookie. The Memphis product was an intriguing, speedy prospect expected to add a downfield element to Pittsburgh's passing attack. However, a foot injury ended his rookie campaign before he reached the preseason.

Now healthy, Austin could be poised to play a prominent role.

"I think he's gonna be featured a lot," running back Najee Harris said, per Teresa Varley of the team's official website. "He's gonna put a lot of pressure on defenses."

Harris called Austin a player who "you can put really anywhere, put him in the backfield, at slot, everywhere," per Varley.

With 4.32 speed, Austin is indeed a player who could change the complexion of the Steelers offense—which was too often bland and predictable during Kenny Pickett's rookie campaign last season.

Pickett is expected to take some second-year strides, though, and Austin's speed and versatility could allow coordinator Matt Canada to get much more creative with his game-planning. Having a healthy Austin on the practice field could quickly become one of the highlights of Steelers camp.

David Bell, WR, Cleveland Browns
Drafted 99th Overall (Round 3)

Cleveland Browns fans probably haven't forgotten about David Bell, the 2022 third-round pick who played 47 percent of the snaps as a rookie. However, outsiders probably don't know his name, as the Purdue product had a very limited impact in Year 1.

Bell caught just 24 passes for 214 yards last season.

Since the end of the 2022 season, the Browns have added Marquise Goodwin, Elijah Moore and rookie Cedric Tillman to a receiver room that already featured Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. This has only pushed Bell further into the background.

However, Cleveland is still very high on the 22-year-old, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

"Bell is still in great standing with the club and will make the 53-man roster. Kevin Stefanski loved him coming out of Purdue last season, and still sees the same tremendous potential in him as a slot receiver in the mold of Jarvis Landry."

Fans should expect the Browns to push Bell for playing time, even with the new additions in the fold. Peoples-Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Cooper could be a 2024 cap casualty—according to Spotrac, the Browns could save $12.4 million by releasing the 29-year-old next offseason.

Bell has a chance to be a big part of Cleveland's future, and with a strong training camp, its present too.

Lewis Cine, S, Minnesota Vikings
Drafted 32nd Overall (Round 1)

The Minnesota Vikings used the 32nd overall pick in last year's draft on former Georgia safety Lewis Cine. However, the 23-year-old had his inaugural campaign cut short by a compound leg fracture that required two surgeries—and he wasn't much of a defensive factor before that.

Cine appeared in three games before the Week 4 injury and logged a mere two defensive snaps.

However, Cine appears to be recovering well and could be back to 100 percent by the start of training camp.

"I'm doing great. I'm progressing along. I've worked my tail off the whole offseason," Cine said, per Lindsey Young of the team's official website.

While the second-year man may still be stuck behind Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum at safety, he should see the field more as a sophomore. He could also have a real opportunity to shine as a rotational player under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

"Linebackers and defensive backs were moving all over the place, showing a variety of different looks to the offense—many of them involving pressure—during a brief 11-on-11 period," Will Ragatz of FanNation wrote during Vikings organized team activities (OTAs).

If Flores is going to use a more aggressive and diversified scheme than predecessor Ed Donatell, Cine could be a huge part of it. It'll be interesting to see just how he's utilized during camp.

Daxton Hill, DB, Cincinnati Bengals
Drafted 31st Overall (Round 1)

The Cincinnati Bengals selected former Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill one spot before the Vikings took Cine.

Though Hill was healthy during his rookie campaign, he just didn't see a ton of time on defense. The former Wolverine appeared in 16 games but played a mere 131 snaps on defense.

His role is likely to change in 2023, with former starting safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III both leaving in free agency. Hill will still have to compete with players like Nick Scott and rookie third-round pick Jordan Battle, but he stands a very good chance of getting on the field early and often as a sophomore.

The Bengals remain confident in the prospect they selected 31st overall.

"I have a lot of stresses and worries in my life and he's not one of them. He's a first-round pick for a reason," defensive backs coach Rob Livingston said, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.

Even if Hill doesn't win one of the starting safety jobs, he should make more of an impact in Year 2. He was a versatile defender at Michigan, capable of playing virtually every role in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will find ways to utilize him this season.

Of course, the competition to replace Bell and Bates will be one of the biggest storylines of Bengals camp.

John Metchie III, WR, Houston Texans
Drafted 44th Overall (Round 2)

The Houston Texans have yet to get a real look at 2022 second-round pick John Metchie III. The former Alabama star suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game and then sat out his rookie year after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

While Metchie is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, he is expected to make a full recovery by training camp, according to KPRC 2 Sports contributor Aaron Wilson. The Texans will be excited to see Metchie on the practice field.

"My expectations are high for him returning, whenever that is, and hitting the ground running," receivers coach Ben McDaniels said, per Wilson.

Before his injury in the conference title game, Metchie was a legitimate star. He racked up 1,142 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during the 2021 season, and he could be a similarly stunning playmaker for the Texans.

If he can, it would be massive. Houston drafted former Ohio State quarterback C.J. STroud with the second overall pick, and it needs to surround him with talent to yield early success. However, the Texans' crop of veteran receivers is fairly underwhelming, with Robert Woods and Nico Collins headlining the group.

Metchie has the potential to be the biggest difference-maker in Huston's receiving corps, though his ability to do so hinges on his health and his development more than two years after he last saw the playing field.

Trevor Penning, OT, New Orleans Saints
Drafted 19th Overall (Round 1)

The New Orleans Saints used the 19th pick in last year's draft on former Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning. However, Penning suffered a toe injury during the preseason and didn't see game action until late November.

In all, Penning appeared in six games, made one start and played 124 offensive snaps as a rookie.

Entering Year 2, the 24-year-old is expected to compete with veteran James Hurst for the starting left tackle job. Hurst, who started 16 games in 2022 and has 80 starts on his resume, is a capable option, but New Orleans believes that Penning has the higher upside.

"If we can keep him healthy, the sky's the limit in terms of what he can do," head coach Dennis Allen said, per Luke Johnson of NOLA.com. "He's big, he's physical, I love his play demeanor. He's athletic for a guy his size. We're excited about the player."

The competition at left tackle will be a big part of Saints camp, as New Orleans will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in Derek Carr. If Carr is to make the Saints a legitimate contender in the NFC South, he'll need to stay healthy and upright throughout the 2023 season.

Ideally, Penning will win the starting job and prove to be a dependable anchor on Carr's blindside.

Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Drafted 88th Overall (Round 3)

The expectations were high for Dallas Cowboys third-round pick Jalen Tolbert last season. The former South Alabama receiver was supposed to become Dallas' No. 3 receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, but he instead barely saw the field.

Tolbert appeared in just eight games and played 89 offensive snaps as a rookie, and the No. 3 role was filled this offseason when Dallas acquired Brandin Cooks from the Texans.

However, this doesn't mean that the 24-year-old can't emerge as a prominent piece of the passing puzzle in Year 2. According to Patrik Walker of the team's official website, Tolbert has made a strong case to be the team's fourth receiving option during early offseason workouts.

"Jalen Tolbert is already making some waves in the war for WR4, and that's a good sign that he's mentally ready to challenge who appears to be the frontrunner at the moment," Walker wrote on June 1.

There will be competition to round out the top of the receiver depth chart, though, with receivers like KaVontae Turpin, Simi Fehoko and rookie seventh-round pick Jalen Brooks also vying for playing time.

However, Tolbert is in a position to flourish now that he has mentally adjusted to football at the pro level.

"Now when I hear something I'm able to just line up, know what's going on, look at the coverage, jump out of my shoes and go make a play," Tolbert said, per Walker.

Fans should be eager to see just how much progress Tolbert has made during camp and in the preseason.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Drafted 122nd Overall (Round 4)

We frequently see rookie running backs make an immediate impact in the NFL, so it was a mild surprise when Las Vegas Raiders fourth-round pick Zamir White didn't in 2022.

It wasn't a total shock, of course, as Las Vegas had Josh Jacobs at the top of the depth chart. However, given Josh McDaniels' history of using a committee backfield with the New England Patriots, it felt odd to barely see White on the field as a rookie.

The Georgia product logged just 17 carries and played a mere 40 offensive snaps in Year 1.

It will be worth tracking White in training camp for two reasons. For one, there's no guarantee that Jacobs will be on the field and and/or fully prepared in Week 1. The Raiders gave the 25-year-old the franchise tag this offseason, and Jacobs hasn't appeared happy about it—or on the practice field.

A series of cryptic social-media posts could indicate that the reigning rushing champ is considering a holdout.

"Sometimes it's not about you," Jacobs tweeted on June 10. "We gotta do it for the ones after us."

Secondly, Jacobs could be entering the final year with Las Vegas if he doesn't get an extension by July 17. The Raiders should want to get a look at what they have in their other running backs, and that could lead to a fair bit of playing time for White.

White's progress in camp may give Raiders fans a glimpse at the future, perhaps the very near future, of the team's running back position.