I think it’s possible.

Kupp is Kupp, but he’s turning 30.

And Robinson? The Rams know by now if he’s the #2 they envisioned. If not, his contact is such they could move on in 2024.

Jefferson is a FA in 2024.

With these two possibly moving on in 2024, now feels the time to get a rookie in the system. Expecting a rookie to contribute in 2024 would be a stretch in a McVay offense. 2023 is the time to get that player started.

Atwell, like it or not, is a situational receiver.

Skowronek is more part TE and part Ricky Proehl. Not the #2 WR to exploit matchups opposite Kupp.

We have a lot of needs, but a WR early in our draft wouldn’t surprise me.

Saturday, February 18

• Vegas Vipers (+2.5) @ Arlington Renegades (3 p.m., ABC)
• Orlando Guardians (+2.5) @ Houston Roughnecks (8:30 p.m., ESPN/FX)

Sunday, February 19

• St. Louis Battlehawks (-2.5) @ San Antonio Brahmas (3 p.m., ABC)
• Seattle Sea Dragons (+1.5) @ D.C. Defenders (8 p.m., ESPN)

It's feeling freaky now.... First Gina Lollobrigida, followed by Raquel Welch and now Stella Stevens. Some knew her from The Nutty Professor with Jerry Lewis, but I remember her as Ernest Borgnines wife in The Poseidon Adventure. RIP

Detroit Lions Edition



Since there are discussions about the rumors of the potential of possibly maybe someday trading Ramsey...something that would help both teams pre-draft.

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Fuck my life.

Will NFL bring back the ban on pushing the runner?​

During the 2022 NFL season, we noticed multiple examples of offensive players pulling ball carriers in the open field. The officials failed to call it, even though the officials recently had been reminded of the rule.

As noted at the time, the rule against pushing or pulling the runner changed in 2006, allowing the pushing but banning the pulling.

On a Friday edition of PFT Live the morning after the officials failed to penalize Eagles center Jason Kelce for pulling running back Kenneth Gainwell, Peter King and I pointed out (the video is attached) the distinction between pushing and pulling, arguing that teams should fully and completely embrace the license to shove, which had been hiding in plain sight for 16 years.

Coincidentally, or not, some teams thereafter began to do it more often. None have done it more effectively than the Eagles, who have come up with a tidal-wave formation that routinely sweeps quarterback Jalen Hurts as far as the team needs the ball to go.

“It becomes a football battering ram, an inverted tug-of-war,” we wrote in early November. “Shove the guy into the end zone.”

Again, that is exactly what has happened. And so, instead of pushing happening at the end of a play when a teammate shows up and gives the ball carrier a nudge, it has become a part of short-yardage offensive strategy from the snap.

This raises the question of whether, in the coming wave of tinkering with the rules, the league will consider reverting to the pre-2006 rule that prevented both pushing and pulling.

Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward recently has complained about the rule, arguing that the league should go back to banning the pushing of the player with the ball.

The process of looking at potential rule changes begins at the Scouting Combine. After those discussions, the Competition Committee will put together a list of potential rule changes. Time will tell whether the rule against pushing the runner will make the cut — and then whether at least 24 owners will support the change.

We can think of one in particular who will vote against it.

I took a long break for a few reasons.

Main reason being I have a health issue that comes around when unexpected. For those of you who know my background or those who don’t or don’t care I get blood clots. I have a new one in my Jugular on my right side of my neck. It’s made me typically more grumpy than normal. I had finally gotten back into teaching when it lodged in my neck. So instead of being a jerk or rude to people I just took a break.

No need for worries just thought I should explain my absence to those who checked in on me. Sadly for all of you I lived through this episode. So you’re stuck with me for a while longer.

This is the part of the year I loathe the most - no real NFL news. What do you all do to pass the time?

Welp. We're doing the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest again in Virginia City March 11th. If any of you are in the area, come have a ball with us.


We're team Pho-Q. We'll be serving up a spicy Pho with all the fixings.

And remember... It's the original sack lunch.

I literally just found out on MLB.com. Cause of death was heart failure. He was eighty-one years old.

I'm just crushed.

Mock Draft

Interested in your thoughts on the Rams picks mocked in this.

2nd Round - Edge Nolan Smith, Georgia

Still on board at this pick: RB Gibbs, TE Washington, Edge McDonald, OC Schmitz, CB Forbes, QB Hooker, Edge Ojulari, CB Ringo, Edge Foskey, Edge Hall

I don't get the love for him myself. He was not very productive on a fantastic D that should have given him all the chances in the world to produce, with guys like Carter getting doubled every play. He'd land in a similar situation with Donald getting doubled every play. Obviously, production numbers aren't everything, but, IMO there are better guys on the board. If we are going edge, I'd likely rather all of the above listed Edge's over Smith. Someone who may have seen Smith play more and see's the potential, please explain.

3rd Round - S Skinner III, Boise St

Still on board at this pick: Edge Foskey (would be outstanding value at this pick IMO), Edge Hall (same with Foskey), S Battle, RB's - Spears, Johnson,Tucker,McIntosh

I don't have an issue with this pick. I think this kid has potential to be game changer. Has the size to get into the box and play some coverage LB also.

The availability of quality edge rushers at this pick does make me think (in this mock) we should have gone another direction in 2nd. Schmitz or one of those CB's might have been better value. Also, I wonder what the thoughts of grabbing Hooker her would be? Very cheap back up QB and potential starter after Stafford. Problem being, he wouldn't help us immediately like some of the other prospects listed.

Thoughts?

It's not a Burmese Python lol... Thankfully those only are invading/surviving down in South Florida for the most part.

This Florida native snake was crawling across my driveway last night. I've seen him once before hanging around my pepper plants, but this time I was able to snap a pic of him.

I know what kind he is. You don't see these guys very often. Beautiful snakes... zoom in on his spots.

Can you name his species WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP ?

Here is my wish list of (non-Ram) players who are set to be unrestricted free agents.

And, yes, I know that there may be players on this list who would be difficult to fit under the cap. I’m also aware that several of these players will be re-signed and won’t hit the market. That said, these are the guys who I’d want the most (and yes, this list, like good amplifiers, goes to eleven):

1. Orlando Brown, OT, Chiefs
2. Mike McGlinchey, OT, 49ers
3. Isaac Seumalo, G, Eagles
4. Javon Hargrave, DT, Eagles
5. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Colts
6. Da’ron Payne, DT, Commodes
7. Ethan Pocic, C, Browns
8. Garrett Bradbury, C, Vikings
9. Nate Davis, OG, Titans
10. Connor McGovern, C, Jets
11. Jesse Bates, S, Bengals

Genuinely don’t understand the (Rams twitter, mainly) sentiment that it would be great to keep Thomas brown and by extension, bad to lose him. Coen & Cranberry got booted at least in part because the offense sucked, injuries or no, and Brown would seem to me to be in that ballpark. He could have been promoted to OC if he was valued as such. Basically, seems to me he’s just a guy. Rather have the draft picks if he got hired away (does that apply to coordinator promotions?). Just a thought.

XFL 2023 primer: Schedule, players, coaches, rules, everything you need to know about rebooted league​

While the 2022 NFL season is over, fans don't need to worry about having football withdrawal, not with two spring leagues playing games during the NFL's offseason. Along with the USFL's second season, which begins in April, the rebooted XFL is back after a two-year hiatus. The XFL will kick things off this Saturday, Feb. 18 -- six days after Super Bowl LVII.

Here's everything you need to know about the modern version of the XFL ahead of this weekend's games.

Backstory​

Initially founded in 2001, the XFL was a joint collaboration between NBC and WWF, spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon leading the reboot, but had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks. The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.

A group that includes Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson then bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season. For cost-saving measures, each XFL team will train in Arlington, Texas, and will only travel for game days.

Teams​

The league consists of eight teams that are split into North and South divisions. Here's a look at each team, which division they are in, and who will be coaching them in 2023.

XFL North​

• D.C. Defenders -- Reggie Barlow
• Seattle Sea Dragons -- Jim Haslett
• St. Louis Battlehawks -- Anthony Becht
• Vegas Vipers -- Rod Woodson

XFL South​

• Arlington Renegades -- Bob Stoops
• Houston Roughnecks -- Wade Phillips
• Orlando Guardians -- Terrell Buckley
• San Antonio Brahmas -- Hines Ward

If you're wondering what changed between the 2020 XFL lineup and the 2023 version, there is only one team -- the San Antonio Brahmas -- with both a new host city and new team name. Three teams have the same nickname but a new host city: The Vegas (formerly Tampa) Vipers; the Arlington (formerly Dallas) Renegades, and the Orlando (formerly New York) Guardians. The L.A. Wildcats are no more.

Notable players​

Several former notable NFL players will be part of the XFL in 2023. They include former All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon (Sea Dragons), former Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant (Vipers) and Vipers quarterback Luis Perez, a longtime NFL journeyman who started for the USFL's New Jersey Generals last year before briefly spending time with the Rams.

Former NFL quarterbacks Ben DiNucci (Seattle), A.J. McCarron (St. Louis) -- both of whom have started games in the NFL -- and former NFL and USFL alums Kyle Sloter (Arlington) and Jordan Ta'amu (DC) will also take part in the XFL's upcoming season.

Three former NFL first-round picks -- quarterback Paxton Lynch (Guardians), linebacker Vic Beasley (Vipers) and safety Matt Elam (Guardians) -- are also in the league. Lynch was the 26th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Broncos. Beasley, the seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Falcons, was an All-Pro in 2015 with 15.5 sacks. Elam was the last pick of the first round of the draft in 2013 by the Ravens.

Running back Matt Jones (Vipers) was a third-round NFL pick in 2015 by Washington. Two punters -- Marquette King (Renegades) and Brad Wing (Brahmas) -- started in the NFL.

Rule changes​

Like the USFL, the XFL has a few rules that distinguish itself from the NFL.

• Teams can score three points after scoring a touchdown if they elect to place the ball at the 10-yard line following a touchdown.
• Unlike the NFL, the clock will start in the XFL following incomplete passes and out of bounds plays prior to the two-minute warning in either half. The clock will stop after first downs after the two-minute warning in either half. There will be 10-minute halftimes.
• The XFL has adopted the XFL's onside kick alternative where a team can try to keep the ball after a score by attempting to convert a fourth-and-15 from its own 25-yard line.
• Teams can complete a double forward pass as long as the first completion does not cross the original line of scrimmage.
• Overtimes will consist of alternating attempts from the opponent's 5-yard- line. Each team will get three attempts or until a winner is declared.

How to watch​

All 43 XFL games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Each game will also be streamed on ESPN+.

Week 1 schedule​

• Saturday, Feb. 18: Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium) -- 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+
• Saturday, Feb. 18: Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks (at TDECU Stadium) -- 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/FX and ESPN+
• Sunday, Feb. 19: St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas (at The Alamodome) -- at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+
• Sunday, Feb. 19: Seattle Sea Dragons at D.C. Defenders (at Audi Field) -- 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Season schedule and playoffs​

The XFL will play a 10-game regular season that will conclude Sunday, April 23. Four teams will then take part in two semifinal games, with the two winners participating in the XFL Championship that will be played on Saturday, May 13.

Another icon of the 60's/70's gone, ... and one of the sexiest women alive during her reign.

Mine:

“Rams pass on elite center prospect John Michael Schmitz, select diminutive WR Zay Flowers in Round 2 of 2023 draft.”

Gee. This forum has died. Oh well. Out of tradition here's a mock draft. Not sure if I'll do another one this year.

The Rams need to get FASTER and MORE PHYSICAL on offense.

2.37) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama Crimson Tide RB | Career Highlights - YouTube

WEAPON. Simply put, the offense needs more speed. Gibbs is a homerun threat as a runner AND receiver capable of lining up all over the formation providing mismatches that should even open things up for others.

3.70) Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin

Bishop Dwenger grad Joe Tippmann declares for NFL Draft - YouTube

Brian Allen is solid, but he is limited and cannot stay healthy. Here’s a kid who made Feldman’s Freak List who is athletic enough to play zone, gap, and power. Per Feldman” Tippmann is a terrific combination of strength (635-pound back squat and 455-pound bench) and athleticism, clocking a 4.31 pro agility time and a 1.65 10-yard split...”

4th Round Comp) Riley Moss, CB, Iowa (6003, 192)

Riley Moss 2021 Highlights | Iowa DB | 2023 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

Rams need another CB with some ball skills and Moss fits the bill. Another one of Feldman’s Athletic Freaks, Moss somewhat offsets his short arms with what is said to be a great vertical & short shuttle. Iowa played a lot of zone in their base defense, but they sprinkled some man to keep offenses honest.

5th Round Comp) Chandler Zavala, IOL, North Carolina (6034, 322)

NC State OL/Offense vs Syracuse Defense (2022) - YouTube

Rams go to the East West Shrine game and nab what some say was the best OLineman there. This team simply must get more physical in the trenches and Zavala recorded 31 pancake blocks and allowed only half a sack in 747 snaps last year.

6th Round) Hunter Luepke, FB/H-Back, North Dakota State

Hunter Luepke NDSU Career Highlights - YouTube

ANOTHER WEAPON. We’ve seen successful plays where TEs and WRs play FB. Why not add someone capable of running them while ALSO providing the option to run the ball and forcing defenders to make some business decisions?

6th Round (Titans) Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, UT-Chattanooga (6017, 301)



Here’s the kid that was battling the OG Cole Strange the Rams were looking at last year. A Hulu Bowl invitee, Maxwell is said to have a high motor and 34” arms. He holds the Southern Conference record for sacks with 37.5.


6th Round (Packers) Caleb Murphy, EDGE, Ferris State (6030, 252)

Caleb Murphy || Ferris State || 2022 Season Highlights - YouTube

This small school kid recorded 40 sacks, 60.5 tackles for loss (353 yards), 156 total tackles and eight forced fumbles. One report from the East West Shrine Game states that he did a pretty good job of setting the edge which is very important for the Rams defense.

6th Round Comp) Quindell Johnson, S, U of Memphis (5117, 206)

Quindell Johnson 2021 Memphis Highlights - Riley Underwood Video - YouTube

This First Team All ACC safety didn’t get a combine invite but is said to have had a pretty good season. He Totaled 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and four pass breakups on the year according to website. (Note: I must admit that I didn’t watch one game, but a buddy of mine told me account him).

7th Round) Quinton Barrow, OT, Grand Valley State (6053, 322)

Yes. Back to the Offense Line with this pick. Iron sharpens iron and the more competition the better. According Dane Brugler, “The GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022, he had a 96.7 percent pass pro efficiency grade from Grand Valley’s staff last season.”

7th Round Comp) Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State

Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State University | 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Official Highlights - YouTube

IMO, one of problems with the Rams rushing attack is the WRs block better than the TEs. Coming off a injury, if he clears medicals, this kid solves that problem in 12 personnel & jumbo sets while providing a redzone receiving threat to boot.

Time to put your money down...Vegas is saying the Lions and the Jets have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than the Rams.
Rams Odds to Win + 3000


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A great Offense wins Championships. A great Defense, helps you get there.

I saw this article at the Athletic (below) and grabbed the first part if it for discussion purpose.

To win in today’s NFL, you need to be better on Offense, than Defense. The Chiefs don’t register on the top defense lists until sorting by YPG, where they come in at #11.

Defense stats, PPG:
1. SF
2. Buffalo
3. Baltimore
5. Cowboys
6. Bengals
8. Eagles
16. Chiefs

Defense YPG:
1. SF
2. Philly
6. Buffalo
10. Baltimore
11. Chiefs

On offense, the Chiefs were #1 in YPG and PPG.


In this NFL era, it’s not even a debate anymore: Offense wins championships. Great offense. Variable offense. Offense, offense and more offense is what produces championships. Plural.

I don’t think Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch and the rest of the 49ers’ brain trust or any of the top guys on their roster needed any extra reminder of this from the Chiefs’ high-octane, 38-35 Super Bowl victory over the Eagles in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday. The 49ers are already moving all-in on the offensive side these days, pending the recovery of a young quarterback or two. They’re running the same race all the best teams are committed to — and these franchises all have the benefit of knowing it’s the only one worth running in.

It’s important to have a solid defense, of course. A great defense, like the 49ers, Eagles and a few other playoff teams had this season, is very handy in the toughest matchups. You need to be able to slow down big-time offenses as much as possible. A huge pass rush can knock a great QB down or out. But it’s also largely impossible to stop a great offense when the QB and play caller are really humming, which is what we all saw from the Chiefs in Sunday’s perfect second half.

Great offensive play is the singular most important element in Super Bowl victories in at least the last decade, and if you had any question about that, you just had to watch Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ imaginative and relentless offense spin the Eagles’ defense around in every important moment. (The most predictive element of a perennial Super Bowl contender, and multiple winner, is, of course, having an all-time great QB in his prime, which is the definition of Mahomes. But having a HOF-caliber QB guarantees a good-to-great offense, so we’re basically talking about the same thing here.)

View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10065531-nfl-exec-expects-nfl-to-consider-prohibiting-hc-hires-until-after-super-bowl-in-2024

NFL Exec Expects NFL to Consider Prohibiting HC Hires Until After Super Bowl in 2024​

The days of NFL organizations hiring head coaches during the playoffs may be numbered, according to a report Monday by The Athletic's Mike Sando.

After Tony Dungy advocated for a rule to prevent teams from hiring coaches until after the Super Bowl three years ago, the league may finally be ready to get it done for the 2024 hiring cycle, according to one NFL executive.

Dungy wanted the rule so that coaches in the playoffs could better focus on preparing for game action. He also believed it could help create a more inclusive process.

While it may take another year for the change to officially occur, the league has slowly been moving in that direction.

In 2020, the average number of days between the end of the regular season and the day a head coach got hired was 8.6, per Sando. Since then, it's grown to 15.9, 25.3 and at least 27.2 this year. The Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts have yet to fill their vacancies.

The quickest hire this cycle was Frank Reich, who was brought in by the Carolina Panthers 18 days after the season ended.

The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos both took 23 days to hire DeMeco Ryans and Asshole Face, respectively, while the Colts and Cardinals have each gone more than 35 days without bringing in a head coach.