I like the Rams' depth at CB.

That said, I'm hardly certain of the depth chart.

On one side, we have All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. His presence impacts the entire defense.

The other two primary spots (neither of which can be truly called a "slot" position given the way the Rams move Ramsey around) have many candidates (in no particular order):

David Long, Jr.
Robert Rochell
Troy Hill
Decobie Durant
Grant Haley
Derion Kendrick

The guy I think the Rams are hoping will emerge - and I agree with that sentiment is - Rochell. He has good size (6'0, 195) and is an elite athlete, having run a 4.39 forty and hitting 43" on the vertical jump at his Pro Day. If he can put those tools to work, he could become a long-term starter.

Troy Hill is the safe choice for the CB3 spot, and I feel comforted by his presence on the roster. Still, if one of the two rookies (Durant, Kendrick) can beat him out, all the better.

Long played better down the stretch than expected, but he still needs to show the consistency necessary to make him a viable long-term option. Given that he's on the final year of his contract, though, it might be better if a younger player beats him out.

Thoughts?

Note: Mods I realize some of these topics make your job harder so if you feel a need to lock them up I get it.

I figure we have to have some educators here and I'm curious what your takes are on what the best way forward is for our future generations. Assuming here that we can all agree that the US education system needs an overhaul. I think all involved, from the left and the right, all want the same thing which is better-educated people entering the work force. Wouldn't it be nice to have the toughest and most diverse education system that squeezes the most from students, be they gifted or in the lower end of the cerebral scale. But how do we get there.

There are examples of how not to do it on both sides. Through most of my childhood I can recall religion pushing for prayer and concerns over things in science like natural selection. In 7th grade I was enrolled in a different school due to their math and english courses and my math teacher would rant about the stupidity of the forces of religion interfering with truth. I was already at that point an atheist to my family's dismay, and after the two years of prep for high school even further removed from the religious right.

But now it's the same thing but from the different side, i.e. the left, and the biggest problem is this inability to accept that some people are smarter than others. For me this is a big issue for us and for the states that embrace this it is going to be damn near impossible to get the most from a class of diverse students. Here's a vid that summarizes how "best intentions" will actually translate into a different form of racism, and I think this denial of truth, which is that some people are in fact smarter than others at different things like say mathematics, is going to make it very difficult for California and New York to maximize their resource i.e. students.

Lastly note that there is a need to recognize the hardships of some students. But not to the point where the truth of things is warped into something it is not.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51aDpx6ULz8&ab_channel=PowerfulJRE

Here are the cases for each:

Running Game
The "upgrade" here is (potentially) Cam Akers. He should be even healthier than he was when he made his miraculous comeback at the end of last season. Kyren Williams also could be a factor, along with Darrell Henderson. The OL is a question mark. With two new starters, will the run blocking be better, worse or the same?

Passing Game
Matthew Stafford's comfort level in the offense should only increase. He'll have a new target in Allen Robinson, who brings a huge catch radius and ability to win on 50/50 balls. OBJ late in the season is a potential factor as well. Again, with the OL, time will tell.

Run D
This was an overlooked aspect of the Super Bowl run, in my opinion. Towards the end of the year and into the playoffs, the Rams were very stingy against the run. The addition of Bobby Wagner and the continued development of Ernest Jones could help the Rams reach elite status in this aspect of the game.

Pass D
As long as we have Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, the pass rush will remain strong. On the back end, there are several candidates at CB. It will be interesting to see who emerges. At safety, Jordan Fuller's return is a plus.

So which do you see improving the most?

And they've endured some doozies...

The Packers requested their bye week be changed and the NFL granted it. The NFL now says their bye week is week 14 the week before playing the Rams. What bullshit. Everyone bending over for Rodgers. I hope the Rams mop the floor with his face. The breaks the Packers get just makes me puke sometimes. One of my relations owns stock in the Packers and he and I don't see anywhere near eye to eye when it comes to the Packers.

What a bunch of spoiled whiners. I hope the weather gods make it sunny and warm for the Rams game. I hope Aaron breaks Rodgers.

After watching this brutal week 18 loss to the 49ers at Los Angeles (again), I actually enjoyed this version of the (condensed game) with no commercials.

I'm not dwelling or pointing fingers.

The Rams avenged this loss in the NFCC game and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy when all was said and done.

One thing about NFL football that I'm not a fan of, is the excuses by fans after a heartbreaking defeat their favorite team endures.

My "Top 6 Worst" excuses by NFL fans.

#1. Play calling - That was a horrible play call by the offensive/defensive coordinator (situational - football), down & distance or we would've won the game.

#2. Turnovers - If (insert player) didn't fumble the ball or (insert player) throw an interception, we win the game.

#3. (Exempt of the starting QB) If our star player/s didn't get injured, we win the game. (This is why roster depth and coaching are so relevant)

#4. If (insert player) didn't have that stupid penalty late in the game, we win. (These hurt bad, but players should be much more aware late in games)

#5. If (insert player) didn't drop the ball right in his mitts, we win the game. (NFL players are human and don't catch every ball no matter the level of difficulty)

#6. Bad calls by the referees cost us the game. This excuse is the most difficult to debate because NFL refs have blown some critical game changing momentum calls late in big games.

I only reason with the bad call's excuses in (single elimination postseason games) late in the contest. This only resonates with me when it was clearly a horrific call, and it likely changed the outcome of the game because the losing team never got the ball back to have a chance to right the wrong.


Anyway, back to the subject matter of the post...

This loss to our biggest division rival, (San Francisco 49ers) was the Rams 6th defeat in row to SF. Our Rams were humbled, and their 5-game regular season winning streak ended.

11/28/2021 Packers 36 Rams 28 (Loss) 7-4
12/05/2021 Rams 37 Jaguars 7 (WIN) 8-4
12/13/2021 Rams 30 Cardinals 23 (WIN) 9-4
12/21/2021 Rams 20 Seahawks 10 (WIN) 10-4
12/26/2021 Rams 30 Vikings 23 (WIN) 11-4
01/02/2022 Rams 20 Ravens 19 (WIN) 12-4
01/09/2022 49ers 27 Rams 24 OT (Loss) 12-5

Other than the obvious reasons why the Rams collapsed, it's still a bit of a head scratcher after you watch it again months later.

For those that don't already know, the below black box says Video unavailable, but if you click on the Watch on YouTube area, you will be redirected so you can watch it.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Misp4NYKxgk

Seahawks pranked their players with a ridiculously unfair fake schedule

I love it... the Rams prank the world with the Steal the Draft... Steal the Schedule... clips.
...but the Seahawks take it out on their own players with a fake schedule.

The Los Angeles Rams released their greatest punter in Ram history after their Super Bowl Victor in Johnny Hekker which began the search for his replacement. Hekker was very special in so many ways and all of us will miss what he brought to the table, but now a new era in punting will begin and the Rams have settled on two men, one with experience and a similar background to Hekker and the other a decorated Kicker from the University of Texas that began punting the last year and a half and opened some eyes.


Riley Dixon seems like the perfect replacement, he’s a veteran that Special Teams Coach Joe DeCamillis drafted when he was with the Denver Broncos back in 2016. Dixon is similar to Hekker as an athlete, played QB in High School plus was a place kicker too at the Syracuse. Dixon has put up solid stats does a decent job of placing the football inside the 20 and is an upper echelon holder and I realize that does not seem like that is important, but Dixon has held for kickers that have been top shelf in Brandon McManus in Denver & Graham Gano with the New York Football Giants. Dixon IMO, might actually be an upgrade over Hekker as a Holder, which will ensure a smooth transition for Matt Gay, who was an all pro last year. One major knock on Dixon is he’s had 4 punts blocked in the last 5 years and IMO, that’s concerning, but Dixon does check all the other boxes plus DeCamillis knows him, which could be an asset too like Deep Snapper Matt Orzech.


Cameron Dicker made some huge kicks at Texas, I remember seeing Dicker as a freshman playing against rival Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, drilling a 45 yard field goal to win the game for the Longhorns and I felt he was going to be a very special kicker. Dicker was, but the constant turnover in Texas at Head Coach did not do him any favors, with the exception of in 2020 when the Texas punter went down with an injury and Dicker filled in for the last couple of games and did well enough to earn double duty this season and opened some eyes with a total of 55 punts overall with an average of 46.3 per punt. However, in his first full year as punter punted 47 times for 2,200 yards for an average of 46.8 yards per punt, the third-best single-season average in program history … had 16 punts of 50-plus yards, 11 punts inside the 20 and 21 fair catches. Dicker had one punt blocked, but in his only year punting was right up there with the top collegiate punters and was a Ray Guy semifinalist too.


Now some have posted this will not be a battle, that special teams coach Joe DeCamillis drafted Dixon and that Dicker will have an uphill battle, however, if Dicker can showcase the ability to have a bigger leg, he might be able to beat out Dixon especially because the Rams will have him longer and at a more affordable price. Dicker also offers a nice option at kicker if something happens to Gay,, but in fairness Dixon did place kick in college too and the Rams also need to see how Dicker handles being a holder as again some will think that is not a big deal, but Punter Cory Bojorquez struggled in that area and is one of the reasons they let him go in Buffalo and he is no longer in Green Bay, so it does factor in.


Overall, it should be an interesting battle and I am good either way. I watched quite a bit of Dixon with the New York Giants and after the release of Hekker I felt strongly because of the DeCamillis tie plus a similar background to Hekker right down to the red hair, Dixon would be on the Rams radar after his release and thus the Rams signed him. But there is quite a bit to like about Cameron Dicker, I felt he was special when I watched him kick and quite frankly I would be excited if he was able to win the job. Well, as excited one can get about a punter.

1yr is too early to make any firm calls on the 2021 rookie QB’s…

But, with one year in the books, we know more now than we did.

What order would you RE-draft them if you were projecting them in order of future stardom?

Here is the original draft order, with 2021 stats below that.

1. Trevor Lawrence (No. 1 overall)
2. Zach Wilson (No. 2 overall)
3. Justin Fields (No. 3 overall)
4. Trey Lance (No. 10 overall)
5. Mac Jones (No. 14 overall)
6. Kyle Trask (No. 64 overall)
7. Davis Mills (No. 81 overall)
8. Kellen Mond (No. 84 overall)

Searched for this and couldn't find a thread but could have sworn there was one. Anyway here's a cool vid on the topic:

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YUv0AMq0x8&ab_channel=60Minutes

Is he staying or leaving? Is he still a Ram? How is his rehab coming along?

This potential matchup would stress me out.

When the Rams were forced to accept a renter in the Chargers at SoFi, I resented them. They will never be the LA. Chargers to me. They are horning in on Rams territory and I hope every bad thing that’s possible happens to them until they pack their bags for San Antonio, por where ever. Having said that, if they survive the AFC West and win it, they will be a tough out.
The hard part for me is that I have believed the Rams would win LA and it’s fan base, of available fans, f they were consistently good and won a Super Bowl, which they did. I imagine many young fans were brought into the Rams fold after Super Bowl 56.

But is it enough with the Chargers getting good alongside of us? Would a Super Bowl 57 between the two LA teams in Phoenix be the battle for LA? Imagine Chargers showing up with THEIR Lombardi if they won at the Lakers, Clippers, Ducks, King, Dodgers, and Angels events, showing off the trophy they took from us? It wouldn’t be as bad as if the Niners had beaten us and won Super Bowl 56 in our own house, but it would be bad for me How about you guys?

It would be pretty fantastic to win another Super Bowl on Zona’s home field. We can call SoFi East…lol
I’d also love hearing the NFL squeal about low attendance….lol

What do you think ROD?

Russell Wilson… the Bronco’s are banking on a Stafford-esque run with Wilson.

Is the to-be 34yr old Wilson the guy to replicate that?

Rams fans have watched Wilson for years…

Last season Wilson rushed for 183yds… by far his lowest, even adjusting for playing only 14 games last year. His 4.3 YPC his 2nd lowest.

If Wilson is losing some of his legs, is he the same QB we saw for many years in Seattle? If now more a pocket passer, how does he do in Denver?

Or, does he still have that mobile dynamic, and last season more the Walton offense effect? Bad oline.

Makes me wonder, was last season’s 7-10 stink-bomb record possibly more on Wilson, than Pete?

If so… Is Pete Carroll about to prove a lot of people wrong?

Many of us chuckled at the thought of Pete doing the Seattle rebuild. Myself included.

So…

What do you think? What happens?

Is Wilson about to “do a Stafford” for the Broncos? He takes them to the next level and they become a regular contender for the next 5yrs or so? In this scenario, Pete Carroll was the wrong guy to keep in Seattle, probably.

Or is Pete Carroll the right piece to keep in Seattle, over Wilson? Pete goes on to rebuild the team with their solid draft (on paper) and win with Drew Lock? Pete’s got a .619 win % in Seattle.

Or is there some mash up of both being successful in this split? Or both sucking eggs?

What do you think?

Thats the question…

Von Miller, does he get cheers or boo’s week 1 at SoFi?

What do you think?

It's so hard to win in this league. I think I speak for most of us when I say how thankful we are to the Rams for winning Super Bowl 56. I wish Dave51 and ThorDaddy could have lived to see it, but WE saw it! Winning the Lombardi trumps all the shyte talk we are hearing even today about the Rams in 2022. It's rare to hear an analyst say the Rams will beat the Buccs and Tom Brady (to whom McVay has never lost vs Tampa), or the Packers in Green Bay. We don't even get the benefit of the doubt in week one after the banner is raised at SoFi, to beat the freakin Bills at home.
No matter what, we are Super Bowl Champions.

2022 Prediction
Week 1 Bills at Rams WIN
Week 2 Falcons at Rams WIN
Week 3 Rams at Cardinals WIN
Week 4 Rams at 49ers LOSS
Week 5 Cowboys at Rams WIN
Week 6 Panthers at Rams WIN
Week 7 BYE
Week 8 49ers at Rams WIN
Week 9 Rams at Buccaneers WIN
Week 10 Cardinals at Rams WIN
Week 11 Rams at Saints LOSS
Week 12 Rams at Chiefs WIN
Week 13 Seahawks at Rams WIN
Week 14 Raiders at Rams LOSS
Week 15 Rams at Green Bay LOSS
Week 16 Broncos at Rams WIN
Week 17 Rams at Chargers WIN
Week 18 Rams at Seahawks WIN

Rams Finish with a 13-4 record
Rams win the NFC West with a 5-1 record
Rams poised for a repeat in Super Bowl 57


How about you guys? What is your prediction?

Haven't in many many years either and I'm not likely to come back but saw this on twitter.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1525291104173703169

Love how McVay consistently gives the players the cred they deserve. Great interview.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aqTRNR9Ihc&ab_channel=TheRichEisenShow

Would you take another Brady Lombardi if it meant he finally takes his skinny white cheating ass out of the league at the end of the year?

Are you freaking kidding me?

Best schedule release EVER.

The humor for the Jags and the Browns were my favorites.

Tons of Easter Eggs in there... the fire at the Broncos stadium... Kyler Murray deleting his social media accounts... someone help out with the other inside jokes...?

Login to view embedded media View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=74KhDM9Z1Xk