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The NFL's most-improved team in 2022?

Who do you like, as most improved team?

The Broncos certainly changed the vibe around their team.

The NFL's most-improved team in 2022?​

In a recent video for NFL.com, Pro Football Focus ranked the most-improved teams of the 2022 offseason, and the Broncos beat out the Raiders, Jets, Chargers and Dolphins for the top spot.

"Topping the list at number one are the Broncos, and their blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson is the big reason why," a PFF staffer said. "That move alone is likely going to take Denver's passing offense from one of the least explosive in the NFL to one of the most, thanks to Wilson's deep ball. Since 2015, the Broncos' quarterbacks have combined for just 31 deep passing touchdowns. In that time span with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson tossed an NFL-leading 84."

PFF's Seth Galina also ranked Wilson highly in a new tier system. In the section of quarterbacks who are "playing at an elite level over the age of 30," Galina places Wilson behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers and at the top of a trio that also includes of Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan.

"Wilson owns the top three seasons in PFF grade between the three with his 2019, 2020 and 2018 seasons coming in with elite grades," Galina wrote. "… Before Wilson's injury in 2021, he was flirting with the top spot in PFF grade for the season before coming back and seeing his grade drop post-injury."

It's not just Wilson's arrival that made Denver's offseason a big hit, though.

"Denver did also add some juice to their defensive front in both free agency and in the NFL Draft," PFF continued in the video. "They managed to pry away edge defender Randy Gregory from the Dallas Cowboys after he generated the NFL's sixth-highest pressure rate in 2021. Denver then stole Oklahoma edge defender Nik Bonitto with their 64th-overall pick. Bonitto was the 38th-ranked player on the PFF Big Board after he led the FBS in pass-rush grade, win rate and pressure rate in 2020 and 2021 collectively."

Tutu Atwell {updated} only ball carrier in NFL to hit 21 mph twice

Tutu Atwell putting in work to make sure second NFL season goes better than first​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Tutu Atwell's 2021 season did not go completely according to plan.

The Rams wide receiver had two goals for his rookie year, one of which was to be the starting punt returner. He got a shot at it, tallying 10 for 54 yards – also five kickoff returns for 87 yards – before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against the Texans in Week 8 that required surgery.

"Season got cut short, (but) everything happens for a reason man and God knows what he was doing," Atwell told theRams.com after Thursday's organized team activity (OTA) session. "So just gonna go from there."

Part of that post-injury process included arriving at the team's facility earlier this offseason to work with Kupp on his own prior to the start of OTAs. Atwell said he wanted to "make it feel like home," and also he knew he would be surrounded by supportive teammates. To that end, he also said Kupp took him under his wing when he was there.

"I'm excited about seeing him out here in OTAs and training camp," Kupp after last Monday's OTA session. "We're seeing some other stuff come to life because he's been working very hard to rehab, but also just building himself up and studying the playbook – all the stuff that he needs to do to make sure when he steps on the field to just play his game."

Beyond spending that time at the facility, Atwell has also been working with the strength and nutrition staff to build muscle, while also maintaining his weight.

"It's not really about the weight, (it's) pretty much just where I'm at my best," Atwell said. "How I'm going to perform better, how I'm going to do what I'm at to make plays, be stronger, take them hits and block them bigger guys. We just working in that phase."

If that early offseason facility arrival wasn't enough evidence, Atwell also remained committed by not going home this offseason so that he can stay in town and get in the work he needed to rehab-wise.

He's already seeing benefits.

"I feel a little stronger and faster now, and I'm just building," Atwell said. "Keep building."

Watch: Raheem Morris and Terrell Burgess exchange trash talk in funny mic'd-up video

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ike Sean McVay, Raheem Morris is a coach players love playing for. He’s down to earth and has a great personality on the sidelines and the practice field, regularly trading barbs with his players.

The Rams mic’d up Morris for one day of OTAs and shared a video of him and Terrell Burgess playfully going at it throughout the practice.

“That’s a missed tackle already, Burg!” Morris yelled to Burgess at one point.

Right before Morris lined up across from Burgess for a drill, he sent this Burgess’ way.

“I never liked you anyway,” Morris said.

Burgess: “It’s all right, I ain’t like you either.”

Clearly, they have a great relationship and this video shows some of Morris’ personality during practice.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1530339465452867585

Rams' 90-man offseason roster by jersey number

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Teams are allowed to carry 90 players on their offseason roster as they progress through OTAs, mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp. At the end of August, every team will have to trim its roster down to only 53 players – with earlier cuts to 85 and 80 players also taking place – but for now, they can have up to 90 players in practice.
As of now, the Rams have 89 players on their roster, so there’s an opening if they were to sign someone. Here’s a list of every player on the team, in ascending order by jersey number.

#1: WR Allen Robinson​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#2: CB Troy Hill​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#3: RB Cam Akers​

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(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

#4: S Jordan Fuller​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#5: CB Jalen Ramsey​

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(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#6: CB Derion Kendrick (rookie)​

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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

#8: K Matt Gay​

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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

#9: QB Matthew Stafford​

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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

#10: WR Cooper Kupp​

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#11: P Riley Dixon​

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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

#12: WR Van Jefferson​

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#13: QB John Wolford​

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Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#14: CB Decobie Durant (rookie)​

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#15: WR Tutu Atwell​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#16: P Cameron Dicker (rookie)​

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#17: WR J.J. Koski​

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John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#18: WR Ben Skowronek​

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(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#19: WR Brandon Powell​

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(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#20: CB T.J. Carter (rookie)​

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#21: DB Tyler Hall​

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(AP Photo/Ringo Chiu )

#22: CB David Long Jr.​

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(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

#23: RB Kyren Williams (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#24: S Taylor Rapp​

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(AP Photo/Doug Benc)

#25: RB Xavier Jones​

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(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

#26: DB Terrell Burgess​

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#27: RB Darrell Henderson Jr.​

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#30: RB Raymond Calais​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#31: CB Robert Rochell​

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

#32: LB Travin Howard​

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#33: S Nick Scott​

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

#34: RB Jake Funk​

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(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

#36: DB Grant Haley​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#37: S Quentin Lake (rookie)​

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(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#38: CB Duron Lowe (rookie)​

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#39: LB Jake Gervase​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#40: S Jairon McVea (rookie)​

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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

#41: S Daniel Isom (rookie)​

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(AP Photo/Young Kwak)

#42: LS Matt Orzech​

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#43: S Russ Yeast (rookie)​

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(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

#44: OLB Daniel Hardy (rookie)​

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(AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

#45: LB Bobby Wagner​

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(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#46: CB Caesar Dancy-Williams (rookie)​

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John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#47: TE Kyle Markway​

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(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

#48: OLB Chris Garrett​

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(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

#49: TE Roger Carter Jr. (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#51: OLB Benton Whitley (rookie)​

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#52: OLB Terrell Lewis​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#53: LB Ernest Jones​

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(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

#54: OLB Leonard Floyd​

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(AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

#55: C Brian Allen​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#56: LB Christian Rozeboom​

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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

#57: LB Anthony Hines​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#58: OLB Justin Hollins​

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

#59: LB Jacob Hummel (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#60: OL Logan Bruss (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#61: OT A.J. Arcuri (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#62: OG Jeremiah Kolone​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#64: OL Jack Snyder (rookie)​

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(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

#65: OL Coleman Shelton​

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(AP Photo/Corey Perrine)

#66: OT Max Pircher​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#67: OL Chandler Brewer​

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#68: OT Adrian Ealy​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#69: DL Elijah Garcia (rookie)​

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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

#70: OT Joe Noteboom​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#71: OL Bobby Evans​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#72: OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr.​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#73: OG David Edwards​

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(AP Photo/Corey Perrine)

#77: OT Alaric Jackson​

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#79: OT Rob Havenstein​

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(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

#81: TE Jamal Pettigrew (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#82: WR Lance McCutcheon (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#83: WR Warren Jackson​

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(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)

#84: WR Landen Akers​

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John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#86: TE Kendall Blanton​

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#87: TE/WR Jacob Harris​

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#88: TE Brycen Hopkins​

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(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#89: TE Tyler Higbee​

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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

#90: DE Earnest Brown IV​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#91: NT Greg Gaines​

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(AP Photo/John McCoy)

#92: DL Jonah Williams​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#93: DL Marquise Copeland​

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

#94: DL A'Shawn Robinson​

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Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#95: DL Bobby Brown III​

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#96: OLB Keir Thomas II (rookie)​

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Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

#97: DL Michael Hoecht​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#98: OLB Brayden Thomas (rookie)​

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#99: DT Aaron Donald​

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(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

5 changes to the LA Rams offense in 2022: Upgrades or Downgrades?



The Los Angeles Rams will have a new offensive coordinator (again) in 2022, changing out Kevin O’Connell, now with the Minnesota Vikings, for Liam Coen. All things run through Sean McVay, of course, but we can always expect little adjustments every season, as well as some major ones.

That will happen when you trade your starting quarterback for an upgrade.

Did the Rams get any upgrades with their new starting members of the offense for 2022?

RG - Austin Corbett to ???

Corbett signed a three-year, $26.25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, putting him well outside of LA’s price range for a right guard. The Panthers only have to pay a $3.1 million cap hit on Corbett in 2022, but then Carolina must pay him a $7.8 million base salary and $10.9 million cap hit in 2023. That is set to make Corbett the ninth-highest paid right guard in 2023, which seems fair.

The Rams go back to bargain hunting at the right guard position, opening up a competition between rookie third round pick Logan Bruss, fourth-year offensive lineman Bobby Evans, and whoever else stands up during LA’s offseason assessment period. Could that mean a shuffling that leaves Coleman Shelton or Brian Allen competing for snaps at right guard instead of center?

I thought Corbett did a really good job as the right guard, but the Rams had no choice but to let him walk for that kind of money. LA’s allocated too much cap space towards great players at premium positions, which is why teams like the Panthers are able to go out and spend money on a right guard. Bruss is a rookie. Evans has struggled with any opportunity to become a starter during his first three seasons.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Slight downgrade​

RB1 - Sony Michel/Darrell Henderson to Cam Akers

This was originally slated to be Akers a year ago, but a torn Achilles forced a six-month vacation, at which point Akers returned to his position as LA’s starting running back.

Akers had 67 carries for 172 yards and eight catches for 76 yards in four playoff games. He did, however, fumble the ball twice in that limited amount of playing time.

Fumbles have been an issue for Akers since college and there’s no reason to expect anything different until he puts proof out there on the field. We know that Sean McVay won’t play Akers during the preseason and he probably will hold back Henderson just the same. Expect to see Kyren Williams, Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais instead, though the latter three of those are also coming off of injuries from a year ago.

Henderson played better than Michel for the most part, but Akers has proven to be the most talented running back that the Rams have had over the last two seasons. That shouldn’t change this year, so long as he stays healthy.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Upgrade if Akers is healthy, Downgrade if he is not​

TE2 - Johnny Mundt to Kendall Blanton or Brycen Hopkins

Though Mundt spend most of the season on injured reserve, he was slated to replace Gerald Everett in 2021 and was getting some play time. When Mundt was lost, McVay didn’t turn to Blanton and Hopkins so much as he used two tight ends less often.

Then, as we all know by now from it being repeated throughout the offseason, Blanton and Hopkins kind of showed up in the playoffs at different points.

Blanton had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins had four catches for 47 yards in the Super Bowl, with three first downs.

The fact that there are two of them, plus an even more intriguing (but much more raw) prospect in Jacob Harris, suggests to me that the Rams are better off at tight end this year than they were a year ago. For the time being, Tyler Higbee’s job does not appear to be in any danger. If Blanton or Hopkins has a breakout season though, Higbee could be on the chopping block in 2023.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Upgrade​

LT - Andrew Whitworth to Joseph Noteboom

I would not be at all surprised if Whitworth was LA’s starting left tackle in Week 1.

Look at all of the strange, unprecedented things that have happened in the NFL over the last two to three years alone. Whitworth’s age may not be a factor. He was just the starting left tackle for a Super Bowl-winning team. If he wants to return, who is McVay to say no? I don’t expect money to be a sticking point.

It would be more surprising, but not unbelievably shocking, if Whitworth decided to try and help his old team in Cincinnati get back to the Super Bowl. I just don’t think that Whitworth is necessarily ready to call it quits.

If he returns to the Rams, Whitworth could either push Noteboom back inside or move to guard himself. It creates a bit of havoc and risk, but it’s not unaffordable. Noteboom has a $3.5 million cap hit in 2022, followed by a $15.5 million cap hit in 2023. It would definitely look bad to have a $15.5 million backup, but Noteboom has already excelled in a versatile reserve role before.

If no changes are made from here on out and Whitworth does not return, I think Noteboom has proven to be an adequate replacement that would go relatively unnoticed.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Even​

WR2 - Robert Woods/Odell Beckham Jr to Allen Robinson

Even with Cooper Kupp producing at such a high level in 2021, Woods was no less impactful or productive himself. Woods had 45 catches on 69 targets for 556 yards, four touchdowns, 8.1 yards per target, with 46 rushing yards and a touchdown over nine games.

In Week 5 against the Seahawks, Woods caught 12 of 14 targets for 150 yards. He had touchdowns against the Bears, Cardinals, Giants, and Texans. Now Woods is a member of the Tennessee Titans.

When OBJ showed up at just the right time to replace Woods, I thought that he did a lot of things well and was overall a valuable number two receiver. However, it wasn’t until the NFC Championship game against the 49ers that Beckham resembled the dominant receiver that he once was with the New York Giants (Beckham’s 113 yards that day marked his first game with 90+ yards since October, 2019) and I wouldn’t say he was a parallel value to Woods.

This may have just been because OBJ was only starting to get comfortable with Matthew Stafford by the time of his Super Bowl ACL tear.

This isn’t to say that OBJ would be a bad signing for the Rams this season, when he’s ready to return. But the Allen Robinson signing would appear to be an upgrade to OBJ and he might even represent one to a healthy Robert Woods, which we don’t know how close to 100-percent Woods will be this year, or ever again.

Robinson hasn’t been a picture of health throughout his career either, but Stafford will be the best quarterback he’s ever worked with by far. That helped Kupp reach new heights in 2021. It could mean a breakout (or return to dominance like his 1,400-yard season in 2014) for Robinson.

Kromer vs. Kromer Premier Opening Night

Back in 2021 there was shocking news with all the Assistant Coaches departing the Los Angeles Rams as the likes of Brandon Staley, Aubrey Pleasant & Shane Waldron left for promotions a report serviced that the L.A. Rams and Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Aaron Kromer mutually parted ways. There was no real reason given plus no speculation as who the replacement would be, but only that Kromer's son Zak would stay on as an offensive quality control coach, which seemed odd.

Speculation simmered as to maybe the Rams wanted to move on from Zak and his father offered up his resignation instead and once the senior Kromer landed on his feet, his son would join him there. Well, that has not happened. Also some speculated that because of certain draft choices that Aaron Kromer signed off on like Brian Allen & Bobby Evans and the lack of their growth led to his demise, but now Brian Allen is the linchpin of the offensive line and some might communicate that his growth in the middle saved the season for the Super Bowl Champions.

Aaron Kromer has moved on as he was hired by the Buffalo Bills taking over for the popular Bobby Johnson, who followed Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll to New York, however, this sets up Father against Son come Thursday Night as surprisingly the Rams have kept the young Kromer now with the title as Offensive Assistant and not really sure where his focus is because it was with his Dad on the offensive line. Zak seems to be more involved with the with other aspects of the offense with the Offensive Line being handled by Kevin Carberry and assistant Nick Jones.

Overall, there comes a time where assistants just move on for whatever reasons and there is little debate that Kromer was an asset for the Rams during his time here being part of Sean McVay's original coaching staff, but it sets up an interesting dynamic come Thursday, September 8th as Buffalo shuffles off to Los Angeles to square up against the Super Bowl Champions in which Aaron Kromer who is back in Coaching, will be overseeing a unit to protect and serve their renown Field General in Josh Allen and although we might never truly understand why there was a parting of the ways, it will be Kromer vs. Kromer with the victor most likely being looked upon as the Super Bowl Favorite.

Starting to think we need to make a move or do something about our DE situation if we want a chance of repeating

Indulge me, so watch this clip before reading or commenting if you would.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/V3IGrMtdWRQ

Notice how Floyd and Miller criss cross in the backfield and Donald comes up the middle and ends the game.

Question: Do you remember when we didn't have another end in the years past to contain the ball and take advantage of having Donald push up the middle and devastate offenses?

I have a vote of no confidence with Hollins and Lewis as our guys on the edge to limit and keep offenses in the 'bubble of contain' .

Lewis would more likely have been a 1st round pick if he didn't have his awful and constant health issues.

Hollins is a great rotation and even temp starter but I don't see him as a difference maker like Floyd or Miller to maintain this defense and their dominance.

I was praying with our 3rd or 4th rounder Sam Williams DE from Ol Miss who the Cowboys took, would fall to us with his issues and we'd have the leadership/mentorship to take advantage of his skills and to keep him under control.

IMO we are going to have to make a trade for a consistent DE when management realizes this dual of players isn't able to get the job done and to compensate for this they are more than likely going to have to bring an extra blitzer ( Wagner or Jones) from that side.

Am I the only one that has a concern with the opposite side of Floyd and being able to produce consistently to a certain point? (obviously not the same as Von)

2022 Edge = 2020/2021 OL?

Must replace Von Miller!
Have to get a UFA Edge!
Gotta improve OLB!

From Rams.com---------------

"

Rams confident in current outside linebacker room heading into 2022 season​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The perception, at least externally, was that the Rams needed to go outside their roster to find a replacement for outside linebacker Von Miller after Miller signed with the Bills as an unrestricted free agent.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and his staff thought otherwise.

Los Angeles did not address outside linebacker until the seventh round in this year's draft. It also did not sign a big-name free agent pass rusher at that position this offseason. Instead, reminiscent to the approach to the offensive line during the 2020 offseason, L.A. is sticking with its returning options and production to find someone to pair with Leonard Floyd this upcoming season.

"I think a lot of things (go into that confidence)," McVay said earlier this week. "When you go back to prior to acquiring Von last year, you see the production from Justin Hollins. Terrell Lewis played a lot of good football. We all saw really positive strides from Chris Garrett in the preseason. Leonard Floyd has been outstanding for us. And I think also, you acknowledge the fact that Von is such a unique player, but more than anything, it's a confidence in Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, the development (of Chris Garrett)."

Prior to Miller's arrival in early November last season, the Rams generated 25 sacks through their first eight games, notching three or more in all but two contests.

Within that, Hollins got off to a strong start with two sacks in their season-opening win over the Bears, before suffering a pec injury against the Buccaneers in Week 3 that would cause him to miss an extended period of time. Lewis had three consecutive games with a sack across Weeks 4-6. While Garrett only played in one regular season game, he flashed with 1.5 sacks against the Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason.

"As a group, we take pride in knowing that we can attack a quarterback," Garrett told theRams.com after Monday's organized team activity (OTA) practice. "We can hold it down. We know what we can do. We know it's going to be competitive to get that other spot or just even getting on the field."
That group pre-Miller also helped the Rams win seven of their first eight games.

"I think it just gives us the same confidence we kind of had going into the season last year," Lewis told theRams.com after Monday's OTA practice. "We knew last year we had the same group, so it really just was like, 'Ok, they trust that we'll get to the same point with the same mob that we had. We started out with 7-1 with this same group. They ultimately know who they have in their room and feel confident like, 'Ok, we can do well with this group.' Von was a great addition, it only took us to a higher level."

Of course, that's not to minimize the impact Miller had, as Lewis pointed out.

Statistically, Miller contributed five sacks in eight regular season games, then churned out four more in four playoff games as the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI over the Bengals. From an intangible standpoint, he taught the returning outside linebackers "little moves here and there" to use when rushing the passer, according to Hollins. At times, Hollins said it felt like they were at Miller's annual pass rush summit.

Now Hollins and the rest of the returnees will look to apply what they learned to reward the Rams' faith in them this season.
"I think we'll be just fine," Hollins said. "I don't think we need to go find anybody new, nothing like that. It would be crazy if I said we did anyway."------------------
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Of course the Rams aren't locked into going with the current group on the roster. They could sign somebody prior to camp, during camp or after camp cuts. But it shouldn't shock anybody if they don't. These were the same worries about the OL after 2019. The only difference is they obtained Von Miller for a half season and playoffs so there's the preception he has to be "replaced". "We wouldn't have won it all without him". Maybe. Maybe we would have won anyway. "We NEED a superstar Edge rusher". Sure would be nice but not exactly a necessity. I don't think it's a stretch to say, 'had we never obtained Miller and won the Superbowl, edge wouldn't even be a concern'. I remember after 1 year of Floyd at OLB, 'we had to resign him'. And once we did, things were fine. Floyd on the outside, Donald on the inside certainly seemed like enough.

UDFA's That have caught Jourdan's attention

I know it's early, but you never know who's gonna surprise.
Just a couple guys that have made an early impression.
If you don't have a script to this sight , It's well worth it, Just for Jourdan's Ram coverage alone.
Full article is very informative, but requires script
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• The standout player in seven-on-seven work was McCutcheon, the receiver out of Montana State. McCutcheon, who was one of the Rams’ undrafted free agents this spring, caught three impressive passes: one under contest in the short-middle of the field, a contested sideline grab and a touchdown catch over traffic in the back corner of the end zone. McCutcheon seems to have good size (he’s 6-3 and 202 pounds) and solid body control.

• Another UDFA I’m keeping an eye on: Benton Whitley, the 6-4, 260-pound outside linebacker out of Holy Cross. Whitley moved up a couple of spots in the pass-rush drilling line and in agility, tracking and bend drills moved very well.

Cryptids

Have you seen one?

We have threads on UFO's, and so why not for these? The supposedly true stories that I have heard tell of creatures found mostly in the deep woods of National Parks, but not always. Yetis, Bigfoots, Sasquatch seem to be the most prevalent. But there are also "Dogmen", which stand on two "feet" mostly, with dog legs and a ferocious wolf head, mostly. Sometimes large winged creatures are seen flying around Mt Raineer in Washington state, with 30ft wing spans. Sometimes the Cryptids sound like long extinct reptiles.

Park Ranger stories seem to be the norm, since they spend their time in remote places inside the Parks in which they work. Do you call BS, or are you a true believer like @Merlin ?

Judge denies NFL motion to dismiss Jon Gruden lawsuit


LAS VEGAS -- The NFL lost a bid Wednesday to scuttle a lawsuit by former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden accusing the league of a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" to force him to resign last October, including the leaking of offensive emails he wrote.
A Nevada judge ruled against the league on two key issues in a legal battle pitting the coach, who departed the Raiders with more than six seasons remaining on his record 10-year, $100 million contract, against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Attorneys for both sides declined to comment following a 90-minute hearing, although Gruden emerged from the courtroom declaring "Go Raiders." He told reporters as he walked to an elevator that he hoped his case against the league and Goodell would play out.
Clark County District Court Judge Nancy Allf refused requests by league attorney Kannon Shanmugam to dismiss Gruden's claim outright or to let the league move the dispute to arbitration.
The league has a responsibility to act, the league attorney argued, in cases involving "conduct detrimental to the best interest of the league or professional football."
Gruden accuses the NFL and Goodell of destroying his career and scuttling endorsement contracts by releasing emails that no one disputes Gruden sent — and that Shanmugam told the judge contained "racist, misogynistic and homophobic" language unfit for repetition in a public courtroom.
The emails came from among some 650,000 electronic messages obtained by the league almost a year ago during a probe of the workplace culture of the Washington NFL franchise now called the Commodes.

The OBJ Free Agency Thread

Earlier in the off-season I thought I understood our strategy with OBJ. No reason to sign him early for more than we're comfortable with, when there are other FA fits out there we might want to sign at CB or OLB. Well now the draft is done, we're stocked up at corner and traded for Troy Hill. We also seem comfortable heading into the year with Hollins/Lewis starting across from Floyd on a SB team (yikes). But okay we have some young kids that might develop. But now that there dont seem to be any impactful FAs left, I don't understand why were are waiting to up our offer to OBJ?

We know Odell wants to be in LA. By all accounts his surgery was great and rehab going well. Why risk letting a different team attract him away? We know GB and KC are interested, probably others as well. The impact he made down the stretch last year cannot be overstated. He was unstoppable in the red zone and barely knew our offense. Not to mention he had to build chemistry with Stafford on the fly. Theres no reason to doubt he will provide that again this year as we head into the latter part of 2022. Also, can you imagine him fully healthy in 2023 after a normal off-season with no rehab.

Im not suggesting giving him some monster deal, but he earned his money to some extent helping us win the SB. We have to show some loyalty and trust there. We have no one left to sign, the Kupp and AD extensions will create more cap space. Stop with the 1-yr incentive based bs offer and give him something slightly better so he doesn't leave for another championship contender. Heading into the 2023 playoffs with Kupp/ARob/OBJ/Higbee/Akers will make this offense unstoppable.

Sean McVay on Robert Rochell


Like to see this confidence from the coaching staff on the kid after some struggles with injuries and performance related to those.

Rochell made five total starts and appeared in 11 games, though he likely would’ve played even more had it not been for a wrist and rib injury – the latter of which landed him on injured reserve in December.

Sean McVay doesn’t think people realize how much Rochell battled through in 2021, which is why he’s viewing the young cornerback as a rookie this year.

“I look at Robert Rochell in a lot of instances as a rookie because he did some really good things, but I don’t think anybody understands all of the things he was pushing through – whether it’s the wrist injury, he ended up having the lung/rib type of deal,” McVay said this week at OTAs. “He’s a guy that made a great play in 7-on-7 today. You can see the communication in that meeting room with Chris Shula, Jonathan Cooley and Raheem and Lance Schulters has been excellent. Being able to identify some of those younger guys, they fit the mold and looking forward to seeing those guys continue to evolve for us on the back end.”

Stafford’s Elbow Injection

Reading between the lines, and doing little research, I'm betting what he had was a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection. This is a technique used to stimulate healing for conditions (arthritis, tendonitis, other soft tissue injuries/conditions) that are not severe enough to require surgery. It apparently has a good track record for effectiveness, but requires the injected area to be rested for 6-12 weeks. If this is, in fact, what Stafford had in the weeks following the Super Bowl (late-Feb/early-Mar), then he'd be on track to start throwing again in June.

If I’m right, I’d say this was a wise proactive measure in advance of the title defense.

NFL announces additional international home marketing areas




Under the leadership of the International Committee, the NFL announced Tuesday that four new International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) have been approved with the Los Angeles Rams adding New Zealand as their fourth IHMA and the Philadelphia Eagles granted access to Australia, New Zealand, and Ghana -- the first NFL club to enter a market in Africa.
The expanded program now includes 19 teams granted access to 30 International Home Marketing Areas across 10 different countries.
The International HMA initiative, which launched in January of this year, grants NFL clubs access to international territories for marketing, fan engagement and commercialization as part of an important, long-term, strategic effort to enable clubs to build their global brands while driving NFL fan growth internationally.
“We’ve seen great momentum since teams began entering their markets earlier this year,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president, club business and league events. “From launching social media accounts, to hosting in-market events, to announcing draft picks from locations around the world, clubs are creating moments to really engage and energize our international fanbase. We look forward to seeing what the Eagles and Rams have planned for their new markets.”
Ten clubs leveraged Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft to highlight their international marketing efforts by announcing picks from iconic locations within their International HMAs. These announcements ranged from Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers announcing a selection from Mexico City’s Terraza Homework and Brazilian soccer player Felipe Luis announcing a Miami Dolphins pick from the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, to the Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium in London), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich) and Carolina Panthers (Eintracht Frankfurt Stadium in Frankfurt) all making selections from key international stadiums that will host future NFL games. Along with the remote picks, several other clubs hosted in-market watch parties, youth football activations and influencer events to build excitement for the draft in their new markets.
Australia, New Zealand, and Ghana are key emerging markets for the NFL. The league recently appointedCharlotte Offord as General Manager, NFL Australia, to drive business in Australia and New Zealand. Also, in June, the NFL will host its first events in Africa, including current NFL players and legends on-site at a developmental camp and fan event in Ghana. Full details to be announced at a later date.
The Eagles and Rams can begin to activate in their newly awarded market(s) on June 1, 2022.
Clubs may submit future proposals for International Committee review annually each spring.

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