...until someone summons a demon

Is this as simple as a 2 horse race? Between Tennessee and Indy?

Here is how they finished in 2021;



Looking ahead to this season… what do you expect from this division?

So I’m gonna be going to the Leagues Cup soccer doubleheader (LAFC-América and Chivas-Galaxy) on Aug 3 at Sofi.

We’re all going as budget as possible. Are the 500 level seats too far up? I know that’s relative, but can you see what you wanna see in that section?

Also, I see 300 and 400 level for $110, about as much as the higher priced 500 levels. Are 3 and 400 that much better than 500

Damn. Lotsa questions here. Any input much appreciated.

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Rams have $13.5 million in dead money this year but none on the books in 2023​

The Rams are no strangers to dead money taking up cap space, having traded away Jared Goff and cut Todd Gurley, both of which incurred massive dead cap charges. But in 2022, dead money isn’t taking up a ton of space on the Rams’ books.

According to Over The Cap, the Rams carry $13.52 million in dead money this year, which is 12th-lowest in the NFL. The Falcons have the most dead money in 2022 at $63 million, largely due to the Matt Ryan trade.

Half of the league has at least $19 million in dead money on the cap this year, which is a considerable amount. The flurry of trades that were made, as well as veteran cuts are the primary reason for that.

In 2023, the Rams don’t have any dead money on the books – yet. That could change if they make some veteran cuts or trade players next offseason, but that’s a positive development for the team cap-wise.

The Eagles already have $25 million in dead money next year, which leads the league.

Dead money is the cap charge a team incurs for a player who is no longer on the team. So essentially, they lose that cap space and can’t use it to pay other players.

The Rams have made a habit of overcoming dead money for big moves they’ve made, and they probably love the fact that there’s no dead money on the cap in 2023 right now.

Just curious how Bonuses and Incentives are figured into Team Salary Caps. For example if DE is awarded so much money for each sack or a RB for reaching certain yardage for the season or WR/TE for reaching certain reception goals how would that figure into a Team overall Salary Cap when I am guessing if all the players meet their bonuses that could put the team over their salary cap for that season??? In other words how can a team really set their salary caps without knowing which players will meet their incentives and how much it will actually cost the team?

Stupid Question but just curious.

Thanks In Advance for any/all Replies/Answers on this question!

CBS, Fox contracts with NFL will prevent “significant reduction” in price of Sunday Ticket​

Many are excited about the inevitability of NFL Sunday Ticket landing with a new provider for various reasons, from the possibility of improved customer service over DirecTV’s current “please hold” approach to the potential for expanded functionality and more options for viewing out-of-market games. One important change won’t be made.

It won’t get a whole lot cheaper.

Alex Sherman of CNBC.com reports that language in the contracts between the NFL and CBS and Fox preclude a significant reduction in the price point for Sunday Ticket, which currently has a full-season price point in the range of $300. Likewise, an existing streaming service such as ESPN+ can’t simply add Sunday Ticket at no extra charge in order to boost subscribers.

It makes sense. CBS and Fox want people to watch the games offered in their local markets. If Sunday Ticket becomes too affordable, it’s see you later to normal Sunday viewing of the affiliates in a given area.

While I’ve got no reason to doubt the accuracy of Sherman’s report, I’d like to approach it from a different perspective. The NFL negotiated new contracts with CBS and Fox last year, knowing full well that the clock is ticking on Sunday Ticket. If the NFL wanted to create a pathway for cheaper access to Sunday Ticket, it could have changed the term in the CBS and Fox deals.

The NFL didn’t. Presumably, it didn’t want to. CBS and Fox likely would have offered much less to the NFL if it were indeed easier and cheaper for fans to get Sunday Ticket, even though the games available in the local market via CBS and Fox are blacked out. The NFL likewise positioned itself for a bigger payday for Sunday Ticket, given that anyone who wants it will be forking over significant money for the privilege of watching games other than those offered locally for free.

In other words, the NFL is using the full extent of its broadcast antitrust exemption to maximize revenue from CBS, Fox, and DirecTV by agreeing to and/or imposing terms that make it more expensive for fans who, for example, live in Jacksonville but root for the Steelers to see all Pittsburgh games.

There are inherent antitrust problems with telling fans their only way, if they live in Jacksonville, to see all Steelers games will be to buy the entirety of the Sunday Ticket package. Fans should be able to buy Sunday Ticket one game at a time, or one week at a time. Instead, it was — and will still be — a significant expenditure for any fans who don’t live in the market where their favorite team plays to follow the one team that drew them to the NFL in the first place.

Think about that one. The NFL wants you to have a favorite team. But the NFL subtly steers you toward the team where you live, by making it much more expensive to see the team you’d rather watch. There was a chance last year to make it cheaper by revising terms that protect the local CBS and Fox games, and the NFL didn’t do it.

Thus, while football is family, greed is good.

This is going to be a fun division to watch in 2022…

Here is the final standings in 2021… how do you slot them this year?



Me;

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Denver Broncos
3. LA Chargers
4. Las Vegas Raiders

With Patrick Mahomes… I have a hard time picking a team to leap frog the Chiefs.

The #2 team is a tough one… Chargers seem like the logical #2 choice… I think Wilson makes the difference and the Broncos grab #2.

I am slotting the Chargers #3 because the organization is not as strong internally as the Broncos and Chiefs right now. That makes the difference down the stretch.

Raiders are my #4 team. McDaniel and Carr should be a good combo, but will they play consistent football? I am not sure.

Tyler Higbee, two other Rams TEs attending star-studded Tight End University​

Cameron DaSilva

June 23, 2022 11:12 am PT


Tyler Higbee and the Rams’ tight ends are getting in some extra work with the position’s biggest stars this week. Tight End University, which was started by Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen, is back again this year and Higbee will be a participant.

Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins are also attending the event, which is being held in Nashville, Tenn., this week. It’s a tight end summit where the best players at the position work together to improve, with more than 24 participating.

Higbee attended the summit last year, and this time around, he’s bringing a pair of his teammates with him.

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Higbee, Blanton and Hopkins will have some bragging rights in Nashville this week, being Super Bowl champions. They don’t have rings to show off yet, but at least they’ll be the only three players there who can say they won a Super Bowl this past season.

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Here’s the full list of players attending, according to Chiefs Wire.

Let's go Generals!!!!

These guys are great everybody should give them a listen whether it's a Rams player/coach or somebody else. He discusses a lot here with the guys.

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I’m beginning to think indefinitely IF they can keep certain ingredients onboard.

Kroenke
Demoff/Pastoors
Snead and his crack scouting staff

None of the above are going anywhere anytime soon. Trust me.

McVay and his endless stream of great asst coaches. I think McVay sticks around for 5 more years before taking a TV gig.
Stafford. Team MVP and likely stays for 5 years, maybe more. He will finish his career as a Ram.
Kupp. Same thing. He finishes his career as a Ram.
Allen Robinson. Early to call it but I consider him an elite talent and one that Rams keep for another 5 years.
OBJ. Yeah, I’m speculating but I do see him signed for another 3 years which will make our WR virtually unstoppable.
Ramsey. Best CB in league and still young.

It’s no stretch to call those above 6 guys elite at their respective positions.

They are joined by a host of other players that are near-elite themselves at various positions too numerous to name. Wagner, Hav, Gaines being just a few examples.

Yeah, there is a cap. But that sucker is going up big time over the coming years and Rams are playing it like virtuosos.

What up and coming asst coach would NOT want to work for McVay?

What FA would NOT want to play alongside these elite players?

What GM and scouting dept is better than these guys at bringing in talent via mid round draft picks, trades, and FA?

Those are 3 tremendous built-in Ram advantages.

The two keys to continuing this winning trajectory are the Rams future of McVay and Stafford. All other player personnel seem endlessly renewable. And, like I said, I foresee both McVay and Stafford sticking around for another 5 years. Each is in the perfect NFL environment for their respective talents and each is perfect for the other.

Thoughts?

...Stafford was injured for the rest of the season and the Rams are 12-2. Jimmy G is available for three second round picks (already having been eliminated with a 7-7 record) and you have a way to get it under the cap. Would you?

I admit this is the most inane post I've ever started but I'm bored...so sue me.

Of your Fantasy draft… who taking?

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That’s so hard!!!

Depends how they point the QB in that league.

Kupp? McCaffery makes a comeback?

Fuck…

Think I’ll go with Jonathan Taylor.

Getting into some high dollar leagues this season after placing in 6 of 8 last year.

Would appreciate your input. Draft is coming up soon.

What you guys think?

True or False?

1. Cam Akers will rush for at least 1,190 yards (70 yards/game) this season.

2. OBJ will re-sign with the Rams.

3. Apart from (or, perhaps, in addition to) OBJ, the Rams will have a starter in their first playoff game who is not currently on the roster.

4. Allen Robinson will have 1,000+ yards receiving.

5. Matthew Stafford will throw 12 or fewer INTs this regular season.

6. Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and the Rams' No. 3 pass rusher will combine for 32+ sacks.

7. The Rams will trade their 2023 second round pick before the trade deadline.

8. Logan Bruss will have the most snaps among the Rams' rookie class.

9. Cameron Dicker will make the Rams' 53 man roster.

10. Ernest Jones and Bobby Wagner will combine for 250+ tackles.

Creating a new thread for news regarding Baker Mayfield as things are heating up in regards to him.

I’m shocked the Seahawks didn’t go after him, but it appears them, the Panthers, and I’m sure another wild card or two will factor in pretty soon in a deal for Baker.

One of my biggest fears is coming to fruition this off season it seems again.

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Panthers must not enter Baker Mayfield bidding war with Seahawks​

by Dean Jones17h ago

The Carolina Panthers could have competition for Baker Mayfield, but they should not get tempted into a bidding war for the quarterback.
Despite a report stating that there was a sense of urgency for the Carolina Panthers to get a deal done with the Cleveland Browns for Baker Mayfield, nothing has materialized as yet. Those in power within the organization are still contemplating whether or not it’s the right thing to do and there are also some financial implications to consider before a deal comes off.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Browns are willing to pay around half of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.85 million in 2022. However, the Panthers are looking for them to take on more before any trade is officially confirmed.

There are still a few weeks remaining until training camp and in an ideal world, the Panthers will have Mayfield or someone else in before they descend on Spartanburg. But they might also have some additional competition for the Oklahoma product that could scupper their plans.

Carolina Panthers cannot get into a bidding war for Baker Mayfield​

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports revealed that the Seattle Seahawks now have a legitimate interest in Mayfield, per sources. She added that Pete Carroll could also be open to giving the signal-caller a contract extension soon after he gets into the building.

“I’m told the Seahawks still have a high level of interest in acquiring QB Baker Mayfield and behind the scenes are open to contractually extending him, per league source. I also know that the process of collecting information and insights into Mayfield is still ongoing.”

Click to expand...

While Anderson is one of the most respected insiders in the business, it’s hard to gauge what to make of this particular piece of news. This is a game of chess between all parties involved, with smokescreens aplenty coming to light to ensure one side blinks before the other.

Seattle traded away Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos this offseason and their current options under center are Geno Smith and Drew Lock. Not exactly the best duo if Carroll wants to make a better go of things in 2022.

A move for Mayfield makes sense from their perspective. One that could give the Seahawks a better chance of progressing in a difficult NFC West division that now consists of the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The Panthers will be monitoring this situation closely. Moving forward with Sam Darnold as the team’s starter is a major gamble and unless Matt Corral adjusts far better than anticipated, it would be shocking to see nobody else come through the door.

If all else fails, then Jimmy Garoppolo is another name to consider. A proven winner that looks perfect for new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s scheme.

This will be something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. It’s not an ideal situation for Mayfield, but it’s clear his time in Cleveland is over despite Deshaun Watson being set for a lengthy suspension after settling 20 of his 24 civil suits relating to sexual misconduct.

Getting into a bidding war for Mayfield would not be wise. Carolina’s given up too much money and draft picks during a series of rash moves at quarterback since Matt Rhule arrived to consider another all-in pursuit for someone that might not move the needle that much.

This ongoing saga is becoming tiresome. But in all honesty, it’s a problem the Panthers have brought on themselves.

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For me;

Trey Lance - This is one of the bigger make or break situations… SF goes one way or another, depending on the success of Lance. It obviously impacts our Rams, big time.

AFC West - Good golly we are in store for some good games out of this division. I am looking forward to watching this unfold. It should be great.

The Browns - It sort of feels like watching a plane crash… Not that I’ve seen a plane crash… but you sort of know it’s coming… all that’s left to wonder is; “how big is the fireball?”.

Our Punter - We have been spoiled by Hekker. After Sloman crashed and burned as PK, can we nail the punter on our first try?

What interesting storylines are you watching?

Rams to report to training camp July 23 at UC Irvine
The Rams will report to training camp at UC Irvine on Saturday, July 23, the NFL said Thursday in announcing check-in dates for all 32 teams.

Rams veterans and rookies will report on the same day – instead of separately as in the past – allowing camp to start earlier than for most teams because the Super Bowl champions will open the 2022 season early by hosting the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The team is expected to release details by next week about training-camp practice dates and how fans can attend.

In 2021, when the Rams returned to their Irvine preseason training-camp base after a year in Thousand Oaks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans could register online for free tickets to 10 practice sessions during the two-week camp.

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No WR has ever won league MVP...until 2022, that is​

The NFL’s MVP Award has been around since 1957. In that time, fullbacks have won the award four times. Two defensive players have been given the honor, and even a kicker has taken home the hardware. Zero pass catchers have won the award though, and for the most part, none have gotten particularly close.

Cooper Kupp put up one of the greatest receiving seasons of all-time in 2021 and only mustered one vote. Jerry Rice finished second in voting in 1995, but still fell 59 votes short of Brett Favre. He received 15 votes in 1993, and finished third in voting, behind his quarterback Steve Young as well as Emmitt Smith. The closest Rice got though was in 1987 when he recorded 22 touchdowns in just 12 games. Still, Rice finished six votes shy of John Elway.

The disrespect to pass-catchers has been immeasurable, but in 2022, Vikings’ third-year receiver Justin Jefferson has a chance to end the discrimination once and for all, and I think he’s got a pretty decent shot.

As of right now, according to OddsChecker spokesperson Kyle Newman, Jefferson is being given +15000 odds to win the MVP this year. That ties him with superstars Jared Goff and Sam Darnold, as well as some other notable non-QBs like Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffrey. However, those odds still seem extremely low given the circumstances Jefferson finds himself in.

The Vikings did away with Mike Zimmer during the offseason, and replaced him with former Rams’ offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, the same Kevin O’Connell who orchestrated Kupp’s massive 2021 breakout season. However, Jefferson is arguably a better fit for O’Connell’s offense than Kupp was. Both receivers do a lot of work from the slot. Jefferson lined up in the slot on nearly 20 percent of his snaps in 2021. That’s a ways off from Kupp’s usage last year (52.4 percent), but if O’Connell wants his offense to look anything like the Rams’ did in 2021, we can expect a significant uptick in Jefferson’s slot percentage next season. Second, Jefferson would only need to see a four percent increase in target share to match Kupp’s mark from last season. That’s not an unthinkable figure.

Furthermore, where Kupp had to compete for targets with guys like Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr. last season, the main competitor for Jefferson in 2022 will be 32-year-old Adam Thielen. Thielen is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career (in terms of yardage), and his touchdown rate (10 TDs on 67 receptions) is unsustainable. Those touchdown passes have to go somewhere, and even with the return of Irv Smith Jr., Jefferson is far and away the most reliable option for Cousins, just as Kupp was the most reliable option for Stafford.

Now, you might be thinking: “Sure, but Stafford is a much better quarterback than Cousins.” Correct. Kupp also didn’t have to face Jaire Alexander twice last year. I’m not expecting Jefferson to take as massive a leap as Kupp did. Kupp recorded career-bests in every major receiving category. He increased his reception total by 54 percent (94 to 125). He bettered his career-best yardage total by 67.7 percent (1161 to 1947). He increased his touchdowns by 60 percent (10 to 16). I’m not expecting that monumental a leap in every category, but if I’m being generous and divide each of those percentages in half, that would still give Jefferson a line of 137 receptions, 2244 yards, and 13 touchdowns. I don’t care how stubborn a voter you are, breaking the all-time receiving yards record by nearly 250 yards is going to get you some MVP hype. The receptions and touchdowns could be better, but like I said, I was being generous with those percentages. If O’Connell decides to use Jefferson anything like how he used Kupp last season, those numbers could be much greater.

Lastly, the MVP award voters often give an edge to playoff teams. If you’re that good, why can’t your team make it to the playoffs? I’m not saying the Vikings are a guaranteed playoff team, but their division is one of the weakest in football with both the Lions and Bears projected to be near the top of the draft next April. Plus, the Packers lost Davante Adams. We don’t know how that offense is going to look. All that amounts to the Vikings probably doing better than they did last year when they missed the playoffs by two games. The Cardinals will probably be worse. The Cowboys will probably be worse. The 49ers are a question mark until we see Trey Lance do well. There are several reasons to believe the Vikings will reach the postseason. Will they go 16-1 like Colin Cowherd predicted? No.

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But there’s no reason to think the Vikings can’t go 11-6 or 12-5 and secure the NFC’s second or third seed.

Obviously, the MVP is a quarterback’s award to lose. Brady, Mahomes, Allen, Herbert, and Rodgers (even without Adams) are all the clear-cut favorites to win the award. While you might think that a monumental rise from Jefferson would only give voters more of a reason to vote for Cousins, keep in mind that Stafford didn’t get any votes last season. Kupp did though.

At +15000 odds, Jefferson might be one of the sneakiest MVP picks this year. Those odds are insane, especially when you consider that Cousins is being listed at +4000. It would take a massive push, but if any receiver can finally break the curse, it’s going to be Jefferson.

Fill in the blanks and identify the players who could make or break a team.

For example: Trey Lance/49ers

For the Rams, I’d go with Joe Noteboom or Cam Akers.

To the Longhorns. Huge recruit. They have been in a bit of doldrums since the departure of Mack Brown, maybe this is the thing that turns around their fortunes.

Decobie Durant has learned a lot from Jalen Ramsey: 'He has taken me under his wing'​

One of the benefits of being a cornerback who’s drafted by the Los Angeles Rams is the opportunity to play alongside Jalen Ramsey. He’s established himself as the best corner in the game today, and someone every young defensive back can learn a lot from.

Decobie Durant, who the Rams drafted in the fourth round, is already realizing that just a few months into his Los Angeles tenure. The former South Carolina State cornerback has been taken under Ramsey’s wing, learning a lot from No. 5 in their brief time together.

“He has taught me how to dial in when I’m on the field,” Durant said, via HBCU Gameday. “He has taken me under his wing, and taught me a lot. I’m lucky to have him take the time to mentor me in my first season.”

Durant is a player the Rams loved in the draft, despite the fact that he went to a smaller school and didn’t accumulate much experience against top-tier players. His performance against Clemson, however, really stood out to Les Snead and Sean McVay after he came down with two interceptions.

He’s a confident cornerback, which is essential at that position, so he fully believes he can compete at the highest level with the Rams – as he should.

Whether he starts right away is another question. The Rams have Ramsey and Troy Hill as two starters, with David Long Jr. likely stepping in as the nickel corner. Durant could overtake Long for that spot, especially given Long’s struggles at times last season, but the Rams are likely to give Durant the necessary time to develop before getting thrown into action.

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Decobie Durant taken under wing by Jalen Ramsey​

Decobie Durant met with the LA Rams media this week and opened up about his relationship with three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

“He has taught me how to dial in when I’m on the field,” Durant said of Ramsey. “He has taken me under his wing, and taught me a lot. I’m lucky to have him take the time to mentor me in my first season.”
The defending Super Bowl champions selected Decobie Durant out of South Carolina State University with their fourth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Durant was the first defensive player selected by the Los Angeles Rams and signed with the team in early June. His rookie contract is a four year deal worth $4.1 million that includes a signing bonus with a guaranteed worth of $504,336.

Decobie Durant joins a Rams secondary that is headlined by one of the best defensive backs in the NFL in Jalen Ramsey. LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay spoke on the way he admired rookies like Durant being willing to learn from the veterans on the team.

“These are guys that you hope can become pro’s pro. They’re approaching things the right way,” McVay said of the Rams rookies. “They’re mature rookies, they’ve got a good look in their eye, they know how to come out and go to work. They know, ‘Hey, I’m gonna look at what these other veterans are doing and be able to mimic and emulate that, but put my own spin on it.’ And these guys like football, and that’s really important.”

“It was fun to be with the other draft picks, and rookies at camp,” Durant said. “We were able to build a quick bond through the events and activities the NFL Players Association planned for us.”