MAR 8, 2023 4:51 PM EST

Rams Almost Drafted DeAndre Hopkins?​

The future remains uncertain for Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has been the subject of recent trade rumors.
BY ZACH DIMMITT

In this story:​

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Arizona Cardinals star receiver DeAndre Hopkins likely won't be in the NFC West after this offseason to face the Los Angeles Rams,as trade rumors that he's admitted to hearing have continued to run amuck.
But Hopkins could've had his NFL career begin in the division in the first place. During an appearance Wednesday on the "Pat McAfee Show," Hopkins revealed that the then-St. Louis Rams told him that they'd either draft him or Tavon Austin in 2013 depending on how the combine went.
“The St. Louis Rams said they were going to draft me or Tavon Austin,” Hopkins said. “They said, ‘We’re taking (one of) the two of you guys with our first pick.’ It was 2013, I was the second receiver off the board, Tavon was the first to the Rams."
The Rams clearly knew who their guy was, as they selected Austin with the No. 8 overall pick. Hopkins went later in the first round at No. 27 to the Houston Texans and has totaled over 11,000 receiving yards in the regular season since.
But it was Austin, who is currently not on an NFL roster, that looked like he'd have the better career based on his combine performance. It was something that the Rams paid close attention to when comparing evaluations for him and Hopkins.
"They said, ‘Whoever has the better workout, we’re gonna draft,'" Hopkins said. "I basically tanked the workout because I knew I couldn’t compete with Tavon Austin running routes. ... I’m like, ‘Damn, they’re going on speed and I had 18 touchdowns?’ Come on, man ... Y’all take Tavon.”
Austin turned out to be a solid offensive player during five seasons with the Rams, remaining with the team even during the move to Los Angeles in 2016. But he never quite lived up to the first-round billing.
Meanwhile, Hopkins is likely headed to Canton one day, even though the past year has been forgettable for him for different reasons.
During Arizona's abysmal 4-13 finish this past season, Hopkins still finished as the team's leader in receiving yards (717) despite missing eight games, six of which came in the first six weeks of the season due to a PED suspension. But despite that, reports have indicated that the Cardinals still plan on trading Hopkins at some point this offseason.
But while his future remains uncertain, hearing about what could've been for one of the league's best receivers is certainly worthy of attention.

I’d just like to say to PFT, TurfShowTimes, Rams Wire, Fansided and all the other click bait troll blogs out there… fuck you!

I don’t care about your hypotheticals, your trade ideas, your rumors, your unsourced “reports” or your analyses.

I’d like to be able to just ignore you, but I actually like following the offseason. As a result, I will continue to search for Rams news and just filter out your garbage (and those who absurdly cite you as sources).

Just know that you add nothing to the world of sports fandom and, in fact, only serve to pollute the stream of information with verbal sewage.

Seriously…just stop and do something useful with your lives.

Okay…rant over.

Lamar Jackson Conspiracy Theory Swirling On Social Media Today​

Lamar Jackson was given the non-exclusive franchise tag by the Baltimore Ravens earlier today.

Unlike the exclusive franchise tag, Jackson being placed on its non-exclusive counterpart grants other teams the option to now negotiate deals with him. Should he agree to a contract with another team, Baltimore would then have the ability to match the deal or deny it and receive two compensatory first-round draft picks.

The problem?

Teams appear to be dropping out of the Lamar sweepstakes at an alarming rate.

In the few hours since the tag was applied, reports have surfaced that multiple QB-needy teams will not be pursing a deal with Jackson. The Panthers, Raiders, Commodes and Falcons were reportedly among them.

Roughly an hour and a half past the NFL's 4:00 p.m. ET franchise tag deadline today, former NFL Live host Trey Wingo offered a stunning potential reason for the apparent disinterest - collusion.

"Spoke with sources at NFLPA and they’re keeping a very close eye on the Lamar situation for that very reason. Regarding the C word 'there’s constant concern about that.'"

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While it's important to note that the collusion talk is just a rumor at this point, it's shocking to see so many teams not interested in even talking to the 2019 NFL MVP.

What's potentially more concerning, though, is the fact that Wingo is far from the only voice in the NFL world to bring up the C-word today.

Popular NFL YouTuber Brett Kollman posted a tweet earlier this afternoon that hinted at a similar line of thinking.

"Dolphins out now too. Owners might has well be linking arms on this one. They want to make it clear that Haslam’s actions are not normal."

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Longtime NFL defensive back Ryan Clark voiced his concerns this Tuesday, as well.

"So a former league MVP, 4th in overall wins since entering the league, entering his 5th year & the same age as incoming rookie Stetson Bennet is free to negotiate… but all these teams know before speaking to him that they’re good? Yea right there’s no collusion!"

Once again noting that talks of collusion are just rumors to this point, the current theory is that NFL owners don't want to give out a deal similar to the one Deshaun Watson received from the Browns last season.

His fully-guaranteed $230 million contract seems to have reset the quarterback market in a way owners aren't comfortable with, according to the theory.

We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as they become available.

I’m speaking both directly to some of you here, as well as rhetorically to Rams fans at large.

I know what you fear. You fear that the Rams are planning a purge that, in essence, trades short term potential (i.e. the 2023 season) for long-term stability. Such an approach would not be unheard of, of course. Many teams have taken such an approach in the past.

My question, though, is whether it makes sense that this would be the Rams’ plan right now?

Here’s why I think it does not make sense. Sean McVay (potential burnout and opportunities in sports media), Matthew Stafford (age, wear and tear) and Aaron Donald (age, little left to accomplish) seem to be on a year-to-year status right now. If that is the case, and the franchise knows it, wouldn’t it make far more sense for the current plan to be DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO WIN NOW, rather than some cap health/long game approach?

If that argument makes sense to you, then follow the logic trail. It will lead you to the conclusion that the “purge” rumored to be taking place will be followed by some strategic acquisitions calculated to put the Rams in a position to compete NOW.

That doesn’t mean the plan will succeed but, at least, it allows for hope, rather than resignation.

So… be patient. They’re cracking some eggs… let’s see how the omelette turns out.

We've all seen plenty of tough guy movies. From Eastwood and Bronson movies to Stallone and Schwarzneggar to newer ones like the Borne movies and Statham's movies. Mark Wahlberg movies. Plenty more. All very entertaining.

But what about movies and TV shows with tough chicks? Who are your favorites? The first one that comes to mind is Maggie Q. Hot and deadly. Very skilled and athletic. Then I think of Gina Carano. Former MMA chick you don't wanna mess with. Jennifer Garner was pretty good in Peppermint. Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies.

But the ones that I like most are the Noomi Rapace tough chick movies. Not as skilled as Maggie Q. Not as tough as Carano. Not as hot as Beckinsale. But I do like the characters she plays. She just finds a way to get out of tough spots and gets the job done.

Here is my second mock, accounting for the Combine. As usual, I don’t do trades!

Round 2 (36): Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern
My previous selection, Darnell Washington, as I expected, blew up the Combine. As a result, I don’t think he gets out of the first round. I’ve pivoted to another guy who had a great Combine (after a strong Senior Bowl week), Adeboware. His combination of size (282 lbs) and speed (4.49 forty) is almost unheard of, and he’s not a mere workout warrior. Put him next to Aaron Donald and see what happens.

Round 3 (69): Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
Wypler also had a good Combine, and I’m not entirely confident he’ll last this long, but if he does, I’d run to the podium. He’d give the Rams that OL anchor they need, and should have had if… nope, not going there. Did I mention that I like Big 10 offensive linemen?

Round 4 (C): Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Still like the idea of a CB here. Darius Rush of South Carolina was my previous pick, and I’d still be happy with him here. However, after his forty time (4.36), he could be gone. Brents is a guy who got on the map at the Senior Bowl, and has the size to play the outside (6’3, 198). Good timed speed (4.53) and crazy vertical (41.5) shows athleticism is there.

Round 5 (C): Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Disappointed that he didn’t work out at the Combine, so his status here is a bit shaky. He fits the profile of a big back, which I think we need, but if the Rams are more in the market for a speedy home-run hitter, I’d take a look at Keaton Mitchell from East Carolina (ran a 4.37) or, if he’s still around, Sean Tucker from Syracuse (didn’t run, but has some good tape).

Round 6 (168): Robert Beal, EDGE, Georgia
Round 6 (175): Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Round 6 (177): Jackson Kirkland, OG, Washington
Round 6 (C): Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
Round 7 (213): Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Round 7 (C): Chamarri Conner, S, Virginia Tech

Here's what I would do... keep Floyd, JR and Robinson. Cut Allen. Restructure whomever to get under the cap.
No trades. Let's ride.

Just fucking stop it already...

Four Destinations For Philip Rivers​

During his eponymous show today, Rich Eisen put together a rumor roundup of things he heard while at the NFL Combine. He strongly caveated that he was not reporting the information in the segment, just that they were things he heard from all sorts of different football folks gathered in Indianapolis. One of the things he heard was rather... unexpected.

Philip Rivers apparently tried to get back into the NFL late last season and placed calls to the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers following their QB injury issues.

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"We all know two teams that were quarterback-needy at the end of the season. Starting third-stringers and had a chance to go to the playoffs and maybe making a deep run in the playoffs. Referring to the Miami Dolphins and, of course, the San Francisco 49ers. I heard at the Combine, No. 5 on this list, that Philip Rivers contacted both of them to come back late last year. That's what I heard and that's the way I heard it."

Well, I did not have that on my NFL offseason bingo card. Of course, such information begets an article wondering where Rivers might go if he does make his professional football return. Are there teams desperate enough to kick the tires and see if he has anything left?

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins obviously turned Rivers down if he did indeed give them a call after Tua Tagovailoa went down again late in the year, but they are in a worse spot than the Niners in terms of the QB spot. So they're more likely to say yes a second time around. Skylar Thompson did his best but he did nothing to suggest that Miami is fine if they roll into next year with only him and Tagovailoa on the depth chart. The 2022 season showed that the Dolphins badly need competence behind Tua in case he gets hurt again. They should go with Rivers for his veteran voice. And the content.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are too screwed cap-wise to take a big swing on a good quarterback who may be available this offseason and won't sniff a decent signal-calling prospect picking in the late teens. This is why there are leaks out there expressing irrational confidence by the front office in 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask. Tampa Bay is not going to be good this year unless Tom Brady unretires and even then it's a toss-up. So why not be entertaining while it happens by bringing in Rivers for a tryout? It can't be all that worse than starting a guy many believed to be the seventh-best prospect (at best!) in his class.

His Couch

Come on, Philip. What're you doing, man? You made your millions ($243 million, to be exact), you have an infamously large brood of children, and you're coaching high school football in Alabama. You really want to throw all that away to get plastered by gigantic defensive linemen nearly 20 years your junior? Stay at home. Watch the games on the couch in what I assume must be the most impressive man cave in the region. Don't do this.

St. Michael Catholic High School

But if Rivers really cannot shrug off the itch to play again, he's got a whole team at his disposal! Rivers is the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. They went 5-5 last year so obviously they need a roster upgrade. When a professional football player retires and returns to the state he grew up, he pretty much runs the place, so I can't imagine too much complaining if Rivers were to suit up in lieu of the high schoolers he's supposed to be mentoring. Nope. Cannot forsee any problems at all. It seems like the perfect solution.

It's a complicated question, and maybe people define "rebuild" in different ways.

A month ago, I would have thought the Rams would be "all in" again for 2023.

But then came the Wagner release news... then the Ramsey trade rumors... then the news that Robinson might get traded or cut...and finally, the news about probably releasing or trading Floyd. Sure sounds to me like the Rams are looking to trim some bloated contracts.

So what do you guys think? Is the "Super Bowl window" still wide open in 2023? Or are the Rams looking at 2023 as a year to fix the cap, save money, and invest in cheaper young talent with an eye on 2024? Or do you view 2023 as a "reload" but not a full "rebuild"?

So, what do ROD members think about the Rams' cap strategy, and whether or not we are still "all in"?

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-tennessee-titans-shopping-005042833.html

Could the NFL's most feared running back be on the move soon?

The Tennessee Titans were shopping two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry at the NFL combine last week, Bally Sports' Michael Silver reported on Sunday.

Silver also mentioned Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, whose names have already popped up in the trade rumor mill, as other players who were being shopped in Indianapolis.

Henry has a 2023 base salary of $10.5 million, which is completely non-guaranteed, and trading him would come with $6.3 million in cap savings. He's scheduled to hit free agency next offseason.

Henry, who turned 29 in January, has spent his entire seven-year career with Tennessee. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has eclipsed 1,500 yards rushing in three of the past four seasons. The only time he failed to do so was in 2021 when he recorded 937 yards while being limited to just eight games.

In 2022, Henry rushed a league-high 349 times for 1,538 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns across 16 games.

Henry won back-to-back rushing titles in 2019 and 2020, capped by a 2,027-yard, 17-touchdown campaign that saw him be named 2020 Offensive Player of the Year. He's one of only eight players in NFL history to rush for 2,000-plus yards in a season.

After trading wide receiver A.J. Brown last offseason, the Titans have let go of several notable veterans in the wake of a 7-10 season. Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, wide receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham and kicker Randy Bullock were cut last month, while linebacker Bud Dupree reportedly is expected to be released.

The question now is whether Henry will join that group.

People have doubted my contention that Stafford retires in 2024. I've pointed to his cap number in 2024 as being a big factor in that decision. I've also pointed out in my posts his arm, and concussion issues. I've always known that I am not alone in feeling this way. Stafford's cap number is too big to release him or for him to retire this year.

But because of his health issues, it's no certainty he will make it through this coming season, much less for who knows how many years beyond that. Because of his cap I think he stays on the team, but I also think it behooves the Rams to do what they can to keep Mayfield. Snead needs to tell Matt the reality of what the situation is. I think Matt would be the starter this season, but if he goes down I think Mayfield would take over permanently from that point on. If Mayfield knows that at the very latest he will start in 2024 he will stay. He's not going to find a better situation. If he goes elsewhere and doesn't click with the HC or FO that probably would spell the end of him as an NFL starter.

Remember Matt's retirement isn't his decision per se. I think this may account for a lot of the trade talk for Floyd, and what the driving force for Jalen's trade is about. The Rams need to clear extra cap to afford Mayfield ($5-$8M). This is why I fully expect the Rams to sign Mayfield. If they don't and Matt goes down again, they will look exceedingly foolish for not keeping Mayfield. Baker would also be motivated to stay because McVay resurrected his career. Baker has shown himself to be a scheme fit for McVay's offensive concepts.

I see the Rams drafting a QB this year to be their next QB2 after Matt retires in 2024.

Starting up a 2023 Dodger Thread

Anyway, I have been watching some Dodger spring training highlights and Outman needs a new helmet that fits.

That thing is always almost coming off.

His stuff has been in a few threads but starting one for him for ease.

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We're dumping everybody short of Kupp, AD and Stafford it seems. What's your price on AD? He's signed for 2 more years at $28.5 and $15 million so not a bad contract hit you just have to resign him if you trade for him.

At least a top half first and a future first for me.

Where does he end up?
Are we really going to pay some of his salary?
What is our next WR move?

The thing that stood out is our entire Offensive group is under contract and ready to go this next season from that game with the exception of the two starting Guards and Beckham. Corbett gone and Edwards who knows at this point. With a move or two in the draft or free agency the Rams can fill that need at Guard and be ready to come out smoking this next season. Of course lot's of questions on Defense at this point, but I'm feeling pretty good about the upcoming season with the right moves.

For me it has to be William Hayes. Dude would argue against the dinosaurs being real, but then tell you how much he believed in mermaids....

Who is yours and why?

This one might be harder to follow than some previously because of the aspects of a Ramsey trade.
Ramsey and the Rams 2024 4'th round draft pick go to the NYG's for their 1'st (#25) and both their late 3'rd's (#89 & 100).
I still have Higbee being dealt for a 4'th and Van Jefferson for a 5'th. Try not to take this mock too seriously, it's all just for fun ..., but hey, this time we get to keep both our 2024 & 2025 1'st round draft picks.
After trades and trade downs our draft will appear as so ...

#1) 0
#2) 2
#3) 4
#4) 1
#5) 3
#6) 4
#7) 2

With the Ramsey 1'st round pick, I trade it down for a 2'nd & two late 3'rd's.
And Two new Centers, ... WTF is with that ?



2023 Draft :

1 - Ramsey trade & trade down for extra 2’nd & two 3’rd’s

2a - C John Michael-Schmitz, Mi.
2b - Edge Andre Carter, Army (Ramsey trade down)
3a - TE Luke Musgrave, Or. St.
3b - DL Adetomiwa Adebawawore, N.W. (1’st round trade down)
3c - S Sydney Brown, Il. (Ramsey 3’rd rd. trade A)
3d - CB Darius Rush, S.C. (Ramsey 3’rd rd. trade B)
4 - OT Zion Nelson, Mi. (Higbee trade)
5a - RB Roshon Johnson, Tx. (Van Jefferson trade)
5b - Edge Ochaun Mathis, Ne. (Comp)
5c - WR Trey Palmer, Ne. (Comp)
6a - OG/C Ricky Stromberg, Ark.
6b - CB Cameron Brown, Oh.St.
6c - S DeMarcco Hellams, Al.
6d - K Jake Moody, Mi. (Comp)
7a - ILB Aubrey Miller Jr., J.S.U.
7b - OT Dalton Wagner, Ark. (Comp)


Rams will Re-sign :

DT Greg Gaines
CB Grant Haley
WR/R Brandon Powell
P Riley Dixon
LS Matt Orzech

Returning RFA’s & ERFA’s :

Marquise Copeland - ERFA
Christian Rozeboom - ERFA
Travin Howard - ERFA
Michael Hoecht - ERFA
Bryce Perkins - ERFA
Shaun Jolly - ERFA
John Wolford - RFA


Returning roster & Practice Squad players :

WR Jacob Harris
WR Austin Trammell
RB Ronnie Rivers
TE/FB Roger Carter
OLB Kier Thomas
OLB Brayden Thomas
DE TJ Carter
DE Earnest Brown IV
TE Jared Pinkney
OL Chandler Brewer
OL Ty Nsekhe
OL Matt Skura
OG Okay Oboushi
OT Max Pircher


Rams Players lost to Free Agency :

K - Matt Gay
DT - A’Shawn Robinson
CB Troy Hill
OT/OG - David Edwards
S - Nick Scott
S - Taylor Rapp
CB - David Long
RB - Malcolm Brown
C - Coleman Shelton

Rams CAP Casualty :

C - Brian Allen


Trades :

Ramsey + the Rams 2024 4’th round draft pick for NYG’s 2023 1’st (#25) and both late 3’rd round picks (#89 & #100)
Higbee for a 4'th
Van Jefferson for a 5'th


4 Free Agent acquisitions :

OG - Dalton Risner
RB - D’Ernest Johnson
ILB - Devin Bush
WR - OBj
QB - Yet to be named


Offensive Line (9) :

LT) Jackson, Nsehke, Zion Nelson*, (Noteboom upon return)
LG) Dalton Risner**, Anchrum
C) John Michael-Schmitz*, Stromberg*
RG) Bruss, Anchrum
RT) Havenstein, Zion Nelson*


RB's (4) :

Cam Akers
Kyren Williams
Rashon Johnson*
D’Ernest Johnson**


WR's (6) :

Cooper Kupp
Allen Robinson
OBj**
Ben Skowronek
Tutu Atwell
Brandon Powell

TE's (4) :

Brycen Hopkins
Luke Musgrave*
Roger Carter
Jared Pinkney


Defense (25) :

Defensive Line (5) :

Aaron Donald
Greg Gaines
Bobby Brown
Adetomiwa Adebawawore*
Marquise Copeland

OLB (5) :

Leonard Floyd
Andre Carter*
Mike Hoecht
Daniel Hardy
Ochaun Mathis*

ILB (4) :

Ernest Jones
Jake Hummel
Travin Howard
Devin Bush**


CB (6) :

Robert Rochelle
Cobie Durant
Darius Rush*
Grant Haley
Derion Kendrick
Cameron Brown*


Safety (5) :

Jordan Fuller
Sydney Brown*
Quintin Lake
Russ Yeast
DeMarco Hellams*

Special Teams (3)

K - Jake Moody*
P - Riley Dixon
LS - Mathew Orzech

* signifies rookie
** signifies veteran trade or free agent


See you at the 2023 Super Bowl

Jordan Walker is going to be a superstar. Enough said.

...I just wish Oscar Taveras was alive; he would've been an outstanding player.

I know… there are SO MANY of them! How about one that stands out because of where you were? Perhaps who you were with or maybe something you were doing?

One of my favorites;

The Proehl catch in the 1999 NFC Championship

I was at a garage party and the whole day was epic… But when Proehl caught that pass… We went NUTS and a great party got insane! That one is etched in my mind forever.

I even ordered a print of it and got Proehl to sign it in Macomb the next camp.



What is a favorite play that YOU remember as extra special for a personal reason?

Remember that time when…

I'm thinking they could be a dominant duo inside this next season. Brown is big and powerful and I think he has a great year.

OG Dalton Risner

He’ll be 28 in July. Market value estimate is $10/M year. Will someone offer more, possibly. If so we are probably out. The Broncos don’t have much cap room, and Risner might be out of our range too.

But man if it were possible… A guy like this solidifies a need, and REALLY opens our options in the 2nd round. Bruss and others coming back, a draft pick or two… now we’re cooking with gas!


Risner ranked 10th in the league in run block win rate this past season among guards (74.4%) and he can set an anchor in pass pro. Los Angeles must fix their offensive line issues after giving up 59 sacks (third most)." - Matthew Bowen

Dalton Risner has started 62 of 66 possible games during his time with the Broncos.

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Who would you like?