Sorry, I have no link, but I distinctly recall Colin stating (at the time) that the Rams should draft Sam Bradford over Ndamukong Suh because when the game is on the line, an elite QB will be able to deliver a game winning drive whereas as DT can only do so much. Of course, Colin may have changed his attitude and opinion now that he's seen what Mr. Donald can do. I can recall numerous games where AD ended the game or caused so much destruction that the game went to the Rams. The NFCCG and the SB come to mind. Of course, we also needed Stafford and company, but AD is just a game wrecker and I'm glad he's under contract for the Rams for more years.

Yup. Rams football is back, and check out the Rams logo, and the kickoff too.

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The continued battle for majority control of the Los Angeles Chargers has taken a new turn after co-owner Dea Spanos Berberian filed a lawsuit against her co-owner brothers Michael and Dean Spanos.

On Thursday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that attorneys for Berberian filed a lawsuit in San Joaquin County Superior Court, where she accuses her brothers of “misogynistic” behavior, repeated “breaches of fiduciary duty” and asked the court to remove Dean Spanos from his spot as a co-trustee of the family trust. She is also seeking unspecified financial damages in the suit.

In the filing, Berberian accuses her brothers of acting “out of their deeply-held misogynistic attitudes and sense of entitlement as the men in the family … and to rationalize their pitiable behavior which she believes is intended to teach her that a woman has no rights, no matter what any trust instrument might say.”

Berberian and Spanos are fighting to gain control of majority of Los Angeles Chargers​

Dea, Michael, Dean and their sister Alexandra Spanos Ruhl each own 15% of the organization, while the trust manages another 36%, or over one-third of the franchise. Berberian and Dean Spanos became the co-trustees of that 36% in 2018 following the deaths of Alex and Faye Spanos.

By having Spanos legally removed from the trust, Berberian would gain majority control of the team, a goal the pair have been battling over for some time.

In the suit, Berberian alleges that the trust and sub-trusts are “insolvent” and that Spanos’ decision to move the team from San Diego to Los Angeles “has proved financially ruinous and that the family has no option but to sell the team in order to satisfy the trust’s debt obligations,” which she says are in excess of $358 million

Berberian also accuses Spanos of diverting $105 million from the trust to pay of various debts and of manipulating the trust for “wasteful purchase of an airplane that has no legitimate business justification.”

Alex Spanos purchased the franchise in 1984, and Dean Spanos took over management of it in 1994. The battle for the organization, between the sister and brother, became public knowledge after a 2021 petition filed by Berberian to put the trust up for sale.

2022 NFL Head Coach Rankings: Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh and Andy Reid lead the way​

Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Chargers 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
By Conor McQuiston
Jun 6, 2022

Ranking NFL head coaches from an analytics perspective is a Sisyphean task for one simple reason: It's easy to win games with good players. Barring a calamity or an incredibly poor surrounding roster, most competent NFL coaches would still manage to be competitive for a playoff spot with Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback.

Using this idea in ranking the current NFL head coaches, we try to do two things: 1) properly account for a team’s talent level, and 2) predict something less volatile than wins. We do this by creating a multilevel model where the fixed effects are the salaries of each starter on both sides of the ball, including an indicator for if the player is a rookie, and the target is points scored or allowed in a season. A starter is defined as the player who took the most snaps at their position, filtering out key injuries. This was altered for several positions, such as the top three players being considered for wide receiver, cornerback, safety and linebacker, as well as the top two players qualifying for guard, tackle, edge and interior defender.

The coaches are the random effect, giving us an estimate for their contribution to points scored or allowed. We can then use Pythagorean wins to estimate how many games the coach would win with an average team, defined as a team scoring and allowing 348 points in a season. This was the average mark for all teams between the 2017-2021 seasons.

We will be considering only macro-level, on-field performance for these rankings, which are not opponent-adjusted. We will not be considering factors such as roster construction decisions or giving outsized weight to factors such as passing rate or fourth-down decisions.

It is important to note that using salaries as a percentage of the cap as an approximation for player talent creates issues where a particular starter is under- or overpaid. This is particularly relevant for quarterbacks who are still on their rookie contracts.

NOTE: This ranking does not consider results from prior to 2011 and does not include first-time head coaches, since success as a coordinator does not necessarily translate to success as a head coach. Thus, Josh McDaniels, Brian Daboll, Matt Eberflus, Nathaniel Hackett, Mike McDaniel and Kevin O'Connell are not included.

TIER 1: HALL OF FAME COACHES​

These coaches are set to one day admire their busts in Canton. All have enjoyed success for at least a decade, won at least one Super Bowl and played in multiple conference championships. There is room for debate as to their exact ordering and the exact approximations of their effects, but their accomplishments and longevity speak for themselves.

1. BILL BELICHICK, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11.7-5.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 1/26 (+121 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 1/26 (-32 points allowed a season)

Bill Belichick is the best head coach in NFL history. Moving on…

2. JOHN HARBAUGH, BALTIMORE RAVENS (10.7-6.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 2/26 (+90 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 4/26 (-11 points allowed a season)

Harbaugh’s head coaching career includes many iterations of offenses helmed by the typically solid yet unspectacular Joe Flacco that generally lacked upper-echelon talent. Despite this, the Ravens have always fielded above-average offenses — and tremendous defenses.

3. ANDY REID, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10.1-6.9 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 4/26 (+77 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 17/26 (+5 points allowed a season)

One of the best offensive minds in the league for over two decades, Reid comes in at the bottom of this Hall of Fame tier. This is mostly due to his defenses, which are usually not much to complain about, but that does knock him when compared to the best of the best.

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TIER 2: GOOD COACHES​

Many of these coaches are either rising stars or have had comfortable amounts of success in their careers at the helm. In any given year, the teams they coach will likely be in the playoffs, although they generally either struggle on one side of the ball or simply haven't sustained their success over time.

4. KLIFF KINGSBURY, ARIZONA CARDINALS (10.0 – 7.0 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 3/26 (+81 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 23/26 (+12 points allowed a season)

Outside of quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Kingsbury has not had much to work with in terms of offensive talent in the desert, yet he's still managed to make the offense hum. Unfortunately, Kingsbury has left much to be desired on the defensive side of the ball thus far.

5. PETE CARROLL, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9.9 – 7.1 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 12/26 (+42 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 3/26 (-18 points allowed a season)

While Carroll’s tenure in Seattle will certainly be defined by the Legion of Boom years, it is worth appreciating that the Seahawks have managed to field solid defenses for the better part of a decade. His tenure will also be defined by the “Let Russ Cook” movement, which advocated for giving now-Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson more opportunities to shine amid Carroll's noted reliance on the running game.

6. MATT LAFLEUR, GREEN BAY PACKERS (9.8 – 7.2 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 8/26 (+55 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 9/26 (-3 points allowed a season)

Despite having future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers at the helm, LaFleur has still managed to elevate the Packers' offense while maintaining strong defenses during his entire stay in Green Bay.

7. KYLE SHANAHAN, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9.8 – 7.2 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 6/26 (+64 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 16/26 (+5 points allowed a season)

Shanahan has been publicly lauded for impressive offensive outputs despite middling passers running his offense, and this is borne out in the data, as well. Unfortunately, his overall mediocre defensive outputs considering the talent at his disposal has been captured, too.

8. MIKE VRABEL, TENNESSEE TITANS (9.7 – 7.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 7/26 (+56 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 12/26 (+0.9 points scored a season)

Vrabel is at times maligned for his reliance on the running game and star running back Derrick Henry, but the results suggest that it works on the macro level. The performance of his offensive units has actually been his calling card, as he's been a part of only average defensive results.

9. FRANK REICH, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9.7 – 7.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 10/26 (+49 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 8/26 (-3.9 points allowed a season)

Reich has dealt with an unfortunate revolving door of passers Indianapolis but has maintained strong levels of offensive success in spite of that. His maintenance of a solid defense has also helped weather the storm of sometimes erratic play from his passers.

10. MIKE MCCARTHY, DALLAS COWBOYS (9.7 – 7.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 5/26 (+68 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 25/26 (+15 points scored a season)

While there were criticisms of McCarthy's play calling in Green Bay — he doesn't call plays in Dallas — he has had no issue helming prolific offenses throughout his career. His Achilles heel, however, is his seeming inability to oversee defensive performances that live up to his teams’ talent level.

11. SEAN MCVAY, LOS ANGELES RAMS (9.6 – 7.4 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 9/26 (+55 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 15/26 (+4.3 points scored a season)

The data suggests that McVay lives up to his reputation as a fantastic offensive play-caller, as he’s overseen great offenses in his time as the Rams' head coach.

12. BRANDON STALEY, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9.4 – 7.6 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 11/26 (+46 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 20/26 (+8 points scored a season)

The former defensive coordinator has done a strong job embracing analytical ideas and done a respectable job overseeing strong offensive outputs. However, for his success to continue, his defensive output will need to follow suit.

13. MIKE TOMLIN, PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9.3 – 7.7 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 13/26 (+25 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 5/26 (-10 points allowed a season)

If this list were to consider how well a coach manages a team off the gridiron, Tomlin would undoubtedly be in the top tier. His defenses have been consistently strong, but he suffers in these rankings due to having one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL throughout his head coach tenure lead his offense without consistently elite results.

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TIER 3: AVERAGE COACHES​

Some of these coaches have seen their fair share of postseason success, and Doug Pederson has won a Super Bowl. Despite this, they can still falter and fail to see above-average results on either side of the ball, which eventually shows up in the win column. This group is also saturated with early-tenure coaches who have a wide range of outcomes looking into the future.

14. NICK SIRIANNI, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9.0 – 8.0 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 14/26 (+24 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 13/26 (+3 points allowed a season)

While Sirianni received deserved praise for how he adjusted to quarterback Jalen Hurts’ limitations throughout the 2021 season, his results were average in his first year as an NFL head coach.

15. DOUG PEDERSON, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8.9 – 8.1 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 17/26 (+16 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 10/26 (-1 points allowed a season)

Pederson’s final years in Philadelphia in some ways were a result of Carson Wentz’s fall from grace, but his subpar offensive rank here suggests he carries blame, as well. His ability to oversee good defenses, however, is a welcome sight in Jacksonville.

16. SEAN MCDERMOTT, BUFFALO BILLS (8.9 – 8.1 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 20/26 (+12 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 7/26 (-4 points scored a season)

McDermott sticks true to his roots as a former defensive coordinator, helming strong units on that side of the ball while not always getting expected results out of his offenses based on talent level.

17. LOVIE SMITH, HOUSTON TEXANS (8.8 – 8.2 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 18/26 (+15 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 11/26 (+0.7 points allowed a season)

Smith is perhaps the largest approximation on this list, considering he has not been the head coach of an NFL team since 2015. Based on his prior results, though, he lives up to his reputation as a defensive mind — although it remains to be seen if his Cover 2-heavy style will still hold up in today’s NFL.

18. RON RIVERA, WASHINGTON Commodes (8.8 – 8.2 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 16/26 (+18 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 19/26 (+7 points allowed a season)

Despite Rivera learning as a defensive coordinator early in his coaching career, his defensive success as a head coach appears to be largely the product of his teams’ talent levels. Determining how much of a part he played in developing that talent is outside of this article’s scope.

19. KEVIN STEFANSKI, CLEVELAND BROWNS (8.7 – 8.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 15/26 (+18 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 21/26 (+10 points allowed a season)

Stefanski has overseen only middling offensive results, and his teams have underperformed on the defensive side of the ball considering their immense talent.

20. ARTHUR SMITH, ATLANTA FALCONS (8.7 – 8.3 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 19/26 (+13 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 18/26 (+6 points allowed a season)

While Atlanta as a whole struggled in Smith's first season at the helm, his performance is estimated to be generally unremarkable.

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TIER 4: ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT​

With a single exception, these coaches have not enjoyed much success in their careers. Most of these coaches are very early in their careers, though, and do have time to turn it around. Regardless, for the most part, they have struggled immensely on at least one side of the ball.

21. TODD BOWLES, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8.5 – 8.5 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 22/26 (-7 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 6/26 (-7 points allowed a season)

Bowles has been one of the best defensive minds in football, and his results as a head coach back that up. Unfortunately, his teams as a head coach have struggled immensely on offense.

22. ZAC TAYLOR, CINCINNATI BENGALS (8.4 – 8.6 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 21/26 (+7 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 24/26 (+13 points allowed a season)

By the data, it is difficult to call Taylor’s regime in Cincinnati a success despite his postseason resume. The estimate suggests that Taylor is riding off the high of the tremendous amount of talent the Bengals have amassed in recent years.

23. DAN CAMPBELL, DETROIT LIONS (8.1 – 8.9 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 23/26 (-8 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 22/26 (+10 points scored a season)

While Campbell is just one season into his head coaching tenure with a roster lacking talent, it is difficult to have an optimistic view of his performance. It is worth noting that quarterback Jared Goff underperforming relative to his contract may be depressing Campbell's offensive results.

24. MATT RHULE, CAROLINA PANTHERS (8.0 – 9.0 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 24/26 (-15 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 14/26 (+4 points allowed a season)

Rhule has overseen some solid defensive performances during his time in Carolina, but his offensive results have been nothing less than putrid considering the Panthers' talent.

25. DENNIS ALLEN, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7.8 – 9.2 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 26/26 (-48 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 2/26 (-21 points allowed a season)

The data suggests Allen is one of the best defensive minds in football, making New Orleans' decision to promote him internally a sensible one. However, his offensive results in Oakland from 2012-2014 aren't cause for much optimism.

26. ROBERT SALEH, NEW YORK JETS (7.6 – 9.4 RECORD WITH AVERAGE ROSTER)​

• Offensive Rank: 25/26 (-18 points scored a season)
• Defensive Rank: 26/26 (+18 points allowed a season)

Saleh’s Jets did struggle in his first season as a head coach, but injuries and a roster lacking in talent across the board mean that his impact estimate is likely lower than it should be.

[profootballtalk.nbcsports.com]

New Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp deals actually create 2022 cap space for the Rams


The Rams gave significant new deals this week to defensive tackle Aaron Donald and receiver Cooper Kupp. Along the way, the Rams actually created cap space.

As noted by Field Yates of ESPN.com, the new contracts freed up $3.625 million in cap space for the Rams.


That’s what happens when a major piece of compensation becomes a signing bonus that, for both players, gets divided into five chunks. With only 20 percent of Donald’s $25 million to sign and 20 percent of Kupp’s $20 million to sign counting against the 2022 cap, that means $9 million in current charges — and $36 million later.

The Rams kicked the can, like many teams do. With the salary cap on the front end of a major growth spurt, any dollars deferred from 2022 into future years will have a reduced impact, since they’ll reflect a smaller percentage of the overall cap.

Still, the team’s approach to paying big money to multiple players has a practical impact. Of the 90 players currently on the roster, only 30 have 2022 cap numbers of $1 million or more. Unlike the Patriots of past years, who squeezed stars to take less and in turn had plenty of money for high-level backups with starting experience, the Rams risk reliance on young, cheap, and inexperienced players if starters are injured.

For example, if quarterback Matthew Stafford is injured, there’s no veteran backup with significant experience to step in and take over. Instead, it’s John Wolford, who has a cap number of $895,000 this year.

That puts more pressure on the front office to find capable, low-cost talent — and more pressure on the coaching staff to get those players ready to go — if/when starters are injured. It also puts more pressure of a training staff led by Reggie Scott to ensure that the team’s best players can play as many games as possible.

The risk is calculated. The risk is real. A rash of injuries will relegate the Rams to relying on reserves who aren’t as good as those with teams who have less of a gap in cap dollars between the starters and the understudies.

We have a lot of household names already… Aaron Donald, Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, etc…

Is there a player on the roster that could emerge this year as a star?

The following article picks Greg Gaines.

Every NFL team's potential breakout player for the 2022 season​

Los Angeles Rams: NT Greg Gaines​

Gaines already had a mini-breakout in 2021, but he still hasn’t become a household name around the NFL. That could change this year. As the unquestioned starter at nose tackle without Sebastian Joseph-Day in the mix, Gaines should play a ton of snaps and show why he’s one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the game. He’s a very good pass rusher for a guy who lines up over the center, and his ability to plug up running lanes is better than most. Don’t be surprised if Gaines winds up making his first Pro Bowl in 2022. – Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire

Is there a better football action shot then this beauty?

Is there a better looking picture of a uniform then in this shot?

I say no to both!

That uniform looks so bad ass!

In other words, how many here are or were in the actual football business, as in playing (college level or higher), or coaching, scouting, analytics, etc (high school or higher) as opposed to just fans like me?

The Rams' three biggest pieces - Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp - all received contract extensions and raises this offseason.

And, here's the thing - the Rams didn't have to give any of them new contracts.

Oh, sure... there was the "threat" of retirement by Donald, but none of the three players were free agents who the Rams needed to pay RIGHT NOW.

This isn't the first time that the Rams gave raises "early" to key players. They did so with Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Tavon Austin and Robert Woods in the past. And, while most of these deals are, in hindsight, viewed by many as mistakes, three of those players did help the Rams reach a Super Bowl.

Hindsight analysis isn't the issue, though. The point is that the Rams are, and, more importantly, will be seen as a franchise that rewards production and takes care of its own. I have to believe that this reputation - which I'm sure is not shared by every team - goes a long way in attracting free agents and getting the most out of players while they are here.

Just another reason why we're America's Team now!

BOYS AND GIRLS, MEN AND WOMEN, AND YOU OTHER NON BINARY OR WHATEVER HELL ELSE YOU MAY BE,

Let me just say... WE'RE SO F'N LUCKY to be ran by top notch people. From Kroenke, to Demoff and Pastoors, to Snead and McVay, we're ran by the best people in football. And seeing other teams fans fuss about us doing what there team isn't, makes me so happy and proud. We used to have one of the worst, but now are the best.

This is fun as hell, lets enjoy it while they're here! And not take it for granted!

Sorry I've been drinking and stuff, but just wanted to share my random thought.

Not a complaint, just curious why we get that gray message on YouTube vids saying NFL won’t allow this vid to be displayed. Why are they visible on Reddit for example, and not here? Are we just being cautious here, so as not to piss off the NFL?

Been A Really Wild Week!!!

We had a thread for AD and it led to a deal and now the discussions have turned to Kupp. Lets get a deal done and change the thread title for the weekend

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Not sure how many have seen but Simms has been going through his QB rankings heading into 2022. Here is where we're at so far, and looks like today he just put Brady at #8.

So Stafford will be in his top 7 along with: Mahomes, Rodgers, Allen, Wilson, Herbert, and Burrow. Interested to see how his final rankings shake out.

I wondered, after they signed Wagner...

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GB, really? Not with those receivers...

Rams vs Broncos on Dec 25th has officially been named (by me) as the Walmart Bowl

In a world where the Rams were able to add 3 former first round picks to their roster (Miller, OBJ, Michel) after August 1 last year, one must consider the possibility of more “all in” moves this season.

Here’s my target:

Saquon Barkley.

He’d probably be a rental, as he’s in the final year of his rookie deal. I’d offer next year’s 2nd round (F that) pick and Darrell Henderson. Maybe throw in a 2024 Day 3 pick too.

Who’s your target?

Here's my priority list:

1. Extend Cooper Kupp. He deserves a raise, and I'd like to have him locked in until 2025-26.

2. Re-sign OBJ. Structure will be tricky, but I want him to be a Ram for the next 2-3 seasons, if feasible.

3. Restructure/extend worthy 2023 FAs-to-be: the guys I'd be looking at first are Rob Havenstein and A'Shawn Robinson. Could potentially clear some short-term cap space while getting them locked in through 2025 (these moves could actually be necessary to clear space for OBJ).

4. Consider veteran market: we're likely talking about a 1 year deal with a veteran pass rusher.

5. Give some thought to Taylor Rapp. Most shocking stat of 2021: the Rams' snap count leader was Taylor Rapp. As he enters the final year of his contract, I wonder, though, if he is going to play a similar role in 2022. If he isn't, is there an argument for looking for a trade partner?

.

no current rams were included in his list. otherwise we would all know AD is the sure fire #1 on the list.


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