Pretty simple question.

Anyone got the answer?

Yeah, the Rams lost the 1985 NFC Championship Game to the Bears while it was snowing.

I personally attended the season finale in 1989 in Foxborough when there was a ton of snow on the ground... but it didn't snow DURING the game.

@tempests mentioned that maybe there was some snowfall during the Rams-Broncos game in 2018? Even if true, I'd argue that "doesn't count"-- the video of the highlights of that game (below) shows there was hardly any snow whatsoever.

Anyway... have the Rams ever won a game while it was snowing?

Here's hoping the upcoming December game in Green Bay answers this question!!

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So I'm planning on going to the Rams in Chiefs game but have no idea when the best time to buy tickets would be. There are a bunch of tickets already available and I imagine they will just start going up in price the longer I wait to purchase them. Would it be smart to go ahead and pull the trigger on them?

There's a lot of good vids out there on this issue but I think this one is very good at summarizing things:

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i was dreaming about those creamy thighs throughout the whole video. sue me.

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Don't like the early by or so many late road games.

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A lot of players accumulate statistics in meaningless games and "garbage time." While that might satisfy fantasy team owners, there is a higher level of accomplishment.

Clutch time stats.

In that category, I don't know if I've ever seen a player do more than Cooper Kupp did in the Rams' championship run. Specifically, I refer to the five drives that allowed the Rams to win the Super Bowl: the game winning FG drive vs. Tampa, the three drives against San Francisco that turned a late 3rd quarter 17-7 deficit into a 20-17 lead, and the game winning drive against the Bengals.

Here are Cooper Kupp's combined stats on those 5 drives:

12 targets*
12 receptions
181 yards
2 TDs
1 rushing attempt
7 yards (on 4th and 1)

(*Not including 2 additional targets in which he drew a defensive holding and a pass interference, and 1 which resulted in a TD reception nullified by offsetting penalties)

That is downright unbelievable. Kupp was simply unstoppable in the most critical moments of the biggest games. Add to that the fact that his performance in the game winning drive of the Super Bowl (4 receptions, 39 yards, 7 yards rushing) came with OBJ, Tyler Higbee and Kendall Blanton all sidelined (and Van Jefferson a bit hobbled as well), making Kupp the obvious target, and the words "of all time" enter the discussion.

So, yes... definitely draft Kupp for your fantasy team. But he's so much more than that.

LA Rams 2022 rookie class: Projecting the roster battles​

Who will impress Sean McVay and earn a roster spot?
By Venie Randy Soares May 11, 2022


With the Los Angeles Rams addition of 25 rookies, eight via the draft and 17 as undrafted free agents (UDFA’s) and the teams first rookie camp scheduled for May 13-15, which prospects will charge out of the gate, win their roster battles and impress Sean McVay and the LA coaching braintrust? The prize being coveted role on the final active roaster.

The Rams 2022 NFL Draft class should be viewed with measured expectations. They didn’t make their first choice (#104) until late on day two, at the the very end of the third round, and overall, only had two selections in the top 150 prospects. Another way to look at it is, the consensus grade on 22 of the 25 yearlings signed was late round/priority UDFA.

There are some openings for the rookies and some roster battles to win. Here’s a look at some of those battles. Who will step up and who is not ready for prime time? The names of the Rams projected roster are in bold.

Quarterback​

Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins

The Rams will probably add a camp arm, they usually start training camp with four, but there is no realistic rookie camp battle.

Running back​

Battle for RB3: Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson

5th round rookie, #164- Kyren Williams vs. Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais.​

RB3 is wide open. The entire Rams running back room has missed significant time due to injury, their production and potential is limited by both major and nagging ailments. Funk can be counted on top play hard on special teams or limited offensive snaps. Calais has elite speed and can return kickoffs. Jones is a smooth natural outside zone runner.

After a pedestrian NFL Combine workout that showed a lack of elite speed and agility, Williams lost draft stock. Is he a gem? Or just another one of the innumerable fifth rounders hanging on and hoping to carve out any kind of role.

Williams has a very good chance to not only make the roster, but earn important snaps as well. He offers good versatility, can run, catch and block from multiple sets. He runs with patience, vision and truly cuts on a dime. He is a willing blocker who takes on rushers, no toreador action. As a receiver he catches away from his body with soft hands and has slot and wideout capabilities.

He won’t make it on speed and power, Williams will need to use his vision, sharp cuts, and contact balance both running and receiving to earn a role.
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Wide receiver​

Battle for WR6: Cooper Kupp. Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Bennett Skowronek

UDFA rookie- Lance McCutcheon vs. Brandon Powell, JJ Koski, Warren Jackson, and Landen Akers​

Atwell’s draft stock gets him another year. With a year in the LA system and his 300+ NFL snaps, Skowronek has huge leg up on the competition for WR5. If Atwell comes back strong, Powell could expendable at WR6. He certainly sparked the punt return game last season, but the Rams appear to be valuing contested catch ability with their latest wideout additions. Jackson is of that ilk. Koski and Akers got some snaps at special teams but didn’t really show much hint of potential.

McCutcheon fits the bill as a contested catch receiver. An alluring blend of size, speed, length and athleticism. As you would expect, he has stellar hand/eye coordination, ball reaction skills, times his jumps well and strongly catches away from his body. His route tree is very limited, he ran a lot of boundary streaks.

A year on the practice squad is most likely. There is potential here but he will have to show that he can run a NFL route tree, create separation and battle NFL calibre cornerbacks down the field.

Tight end​

Battle for TE4: Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Kendall Blanton, Jacob Harris

UDFA rookies- Jamal Pettigrew and Roger Carter vs. Kyle Markway​

Placing Harris in this unit makes it appear full, his speed and potential will keep him around. Hopkins and Blanton’s late season solid play earn them a long look. Markway is the same boat as the rookies, IF one of the holdovers falters and IF they have a huge camp, any one could get them in running for TE4.

Pettigrew is a former four-star recruit who spent four seasons with LSU. His Pro Day numbers were adequate, but his good hands, pro-ready frame/length and downfield playmaking prowess could create mismatches with some polish work. He is a good blocker when keeps leverage and uses those long arms. His physical traits and ability to stretch the field play give him potential.

Carter lacks the prototypical height and length of NFL tight ends, but blocks with good technique and has soft receiving hands. His is a long journey to NFL roster, some experts think he would be a good fit in a transition to fullback.

Offensive line​

Battle for OL8, and OL9: Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Rob Havenstein, Logan Bruss, Coleman Shelton, Alaric Jackson.

3rd round rookie Logan Bruss, 6th round rookie AJ Arcuri and UDFA rookie Jack Snyder vs, Tremayne Anchrum, Bobby Evans, Chandler Brewer, Jeremiah Kolone, Adrian Ealy, Max Pircher​

Last season, the Rams broke training camp with 10 offensive linemen, and may very well do so again, if so, maybe OL10 is in play as well. By all reports, the Rams expect Bruss to compete for a starting position, so barring injury or total collapse, he’s penciled in. Shelton and Jackson appear locked.

Evans and Anchrum seem the most likely to fill OL8&9 roles. Evans has filled in for eight starts and 564 snaps over his three years. Anchrum offers positional versatility. Brewer, Kolone, and Ealy know the system, but have been career practice squaders. Pircher is still learning the American game.

Arcuri seems better suited to a downhill power scheme, but may have potential to be a future swing tackle backup. Can be stashed on practice squad, while learning the pro game. Has the hands, wingspan and strength to succeed.

Snyder, while limited in length, has the movement skills and versatility to play all five line positions. He has good technique in both pass and run blocking, but needs lower body and play strength. Another practice squad player who could surprise and sneak a roster spot
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Off ball linebacker​

Battle for LB4: Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones, Travin Howard

UDFA rookie Jake Hummel vs. Christian Rozeboom and Anthony Hines​

In what appears to be a mostly special teams role, LB4 could had. Rozeboom was a college tackle machine who grabbed 56 special teams snaps as a rookie. He was let go by the Rams last season in final cuts and snatched up by the Kansas City Chiefs. LA re-signed him in November after KC waived him and he played in 10 games. Hines is a developmental/camp body.

Hummel is a fast, athletic and relentless player, the prototypical traits for a special teams standout. He does have some play recognition deficiencies and needs work on shedding blocks, He has good strength and big hands, relative length, and plays an aggressive game. Willing to to take on bigger players in the gaps and has good ball skills.

Edge​

Battle for E5: Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett

7th round rookie Daniel Hardy and UDFA rookies Keir Thomas, Brayden Thomas, Benton Whitley, and Andrzej Hughes-Murray vs. each other​

There is a starting spot up for grabs as well as E5. Hollins has two years as a rotational player and on special teams. He has been a good role piece, helped out on special teams, and had earned a starting spot before a season-ending pectoral injury. Lewis has tantalizing potential, but is injury prone and must have his play time regulated. Garrett has the get-off and speed to pass rush off the edge, but needs to develop his ability to set the edge.

Hardy is hot-motored and a stellar athlete. His relentless pursuit profiles well to being valuable on special teams. Keir Thomas is more of a power player and offers versatility to play multiple defensive line/edge positions and can stack and shed blockers. If LA goes to more 4-3/4-2 looks he could find a role. Brayden Thomas is another power guy with positional versatility and good athleticism. His lack of length and limited pass rush moves will most likely limit him to the practice squad. Whitley is a small school guy who looks the part with a powerful frame and great length. Tested very well at Pro day. Another relentless pursuer who need grooming versus better competition. Hughes-Murray is athletic, but didn't make enough plays in college, camp body.

Daniel Hardy and Benton Whitley are similar in growth and potential to current Rams edge Chris Garrett. All three just need a little time. Keir Thomas has the versatility to add value. Injuries could easily move any of these three prospects onto the roster.

Defensive line​

Battle for DL6: Aaron Donald, A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, Bobby Brown, Michael Hoecht

UDFA rookies Elijah Garcia and Dion Novil vs. Marquise Copeland, Jonah Williams and Earnest Brown​

After year on the practice squad, Hoecht played in all 2021-22 games, he has a pretty good grip on DL5. Jonah Williams is big and athletic, he bounced from LA’s practice squad to Minnesota and back, seeing action eight Rams games. Copeland has been with the Rams three years and been active for 10 games, he’s a smaller player who can play up and down the line. EBrown was a 2021 fifth round pick #174 who spent all last season on the practice squad, he a smaller player who might have a role in a 4-3 front.

Garcia has great size and length, is very athletic and has plus upper body strength. He needs a season of lower body strength work and playing against stiffer competition. Novil shows better on tape than he tested, albeit against lesser competition. He’s a strong gap plugger who has good get-off and never quits pursuing.

Both Garcia and Novilwere very good against lower level competition and need a year of NFL strength/conditioning work. I happen to like both and think they have potential to be rotational players, just not in 2022.

Safety​

Battle for S5: Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott

6th round rookie Quentin Lake, 7th round rookie Russ Yeast, UDFA rookies Jairon McVea, and Daniel Isom vs. Jake Gervase and each other.​

With the top four locked in, it will be a special teams competition for S5 and who knows, maybe S6. Gervase has bounced between the Rams active roster and practice squad since joining LA in 2019. He has put on mass and is now more of a hybrid S/LB.

McVea and Isom are camp bodies/long shots and will battle for a place on the practice squad.

Lake looks like a smart and instinctual player who fits into a cover2 scheme with his ball skills and downhill linear burst. He played special teams at UCLA and that role could be his ticket to the Rams active roster.

Yeast is smallish nickel-type of safety. Has adequate speed and good agility, but his strength is his competitive nature. He’s an alpa-type with three years of cornerback experience and is willing to mix it up vs. the run. Good ball skills and has one season of returning kicks.

Depending on how the Rams build their roster, an added safety spot might allow both these prospects to make the final roster. If it is only one though, Yeast can offer better versatility and should press Lake onto the practice squad.

Cornerback​

Battle for CB5: Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, David Long, Robert Rochell

4th round rookie Decobie Durant, 6th round rookie Derrion Kendrick and UDFA rookies TJ Carter, Duron Lowe, and Caesar Williams vs. Grant Haley and Tyler Hall​

The draft day reunion of the Rams and Hill solidifies a position of need and allows the Rams to groom draftees Durant and Kendrick instead of a baptism by fire. Haley and Hill are both bottom of the unit members and what they offer can easily be replaced by the youngsters.

Carter has had starts at free and strong safety and cornerback. Lowe has good speed, coverage skills and can return kicks. Williams has a lot of zone coverage and special teams experience from college. All three are battling for the practice squad.

Durant is competitive, fast and agile. He has good ball skills, is loose and smooth gong forward and backwards or flipping his hips open and can run with anyone. He is kind of an ankle-biter tackler, but willing to attack ball carriers below the waist. In a man coverage scheme, he would be limited, but in LA’s base zone he can play just about anywhere.

After testing poorly at his Pro Day, Kendrick tumbled down draft boards. He started as a wide receiver at Clemson and was forced over to defense because of team injuries. Four-year SEC starter who has experience and both man and zone coverage. On film he shows sticky man coverage on mid and underneath routes, but doesn’t ave the long speed to run with deep routes. Although not a great tackler, he comes up strong and is willing.

Durant has the moxie and athleticism to get on the field and would certainly be snatched up if LA tried to sneak him on to the practice squad. Kendrick had a couple of poor, high-profile games, a bad Pro day and has some gun/weed issues in his past and could, most likely, he could be put on the practice squad with little notice. I think he could fit into an aggressive package that calls for a high shell coverage and the corners playing man to man underneath.
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Special teams (punter)​

Battle for P1: Cameron Dicker vs. Riley Dixon

Anyone’s guess is as good as mine. Dicker offers the ability to kickoff and convert PAT’s, in addition to punting. Dixon has the experience edge.

So, which rookies make the squad?​

Even keeping measured expectations, Kyren Williams at running back, Logan Bruss at guard, and Decobie Durant should all make the 53. Not just make the team, but play quality snaps and add value.

For safeties Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast, and cornerback Derrion Kendrick, two make it. It’s all about special teams. I like Yeast’s fiesty play and am ambivalent about Lake and Kendrick.

Of the UDFA’s, I like Jack Snyder at swing guard, his move skills and solid technique could overcome his strength issues, and Daniel Hardy on the edge, he’s another Chris Garrett with the traits to play on special teams while grooming. I also like DL Keir Thomas, but not sure where to fit him in. He could fill the Marquise Copeland role as a smaller versatile guy that does the dirty work. There are others who have some potential/traits that I like, but belong on the practice squad unless injuries force them into competing for a role.

If the Rams can integrate six rookies onto the 2022 roster, considering their draft capital and overall roster depth, it should be considered a measured success.

STORY LINK

The Most Overrated NFL Teams Heading into the 2022 Season​

The NFL offseason didn't disappoint fans hoping to see star players find new homes. But despite all the headline-grabbing moves, we've yet to see how things will play out on the field.

So after sifting through every transaction and draft pick, we're turning our focus to the season—and to teams that won't meet expectations.

Some contending squads will bite the dust after losing key pieces or because they lack depth. Up-and-comers will fall flat because the team isn't ready for the challenge.

Our friends at DraftKings have set team win lines and Super Bowl LVII odds. We'll use both to gauge expectation levels.

These six teams are overrated in at least one metric. We'll look at each of these baseline expectations and dive into why these squads won't reach their goal in 2022.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are far from being considered a Super Bowl threat despite winning 11 games in 2021. Their win total is set at nine, and they have the 14th-highest odds to win the Super Bowl at +2500.

Expecting them to beat that projection and challenge for a wild card is unrealistic.

The Cardinals raced out to a 10-2 record before their season fell apart last year. Their roster is top-heavy, and it got worse in that regard after it lost edge-rusher Chandler Jones in free agency. They'll also have to compensate for the loss of DeAndre Hopkins for the first six weeks after the league suspended him for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy.

Outside those two players, this wasn't a bad offseason for Arizona. Trading its first-round pick for Marquise Brown added a needed deep threat at receiver. Both third-round edge-rushers Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas have great physical tools and were quality values based on predraft expectations that they could land in the second round.

However, the Cardinals' biggest problem from 2021 wasn't addressed because of cap limitations: their depth. They won't be able to withstand injuries to defensive end J.J. Watt, running back Chase Edmonds or offensive lineman Rodney Hudson or any absence from quarterback Kyler Murray. The only position at which they have better depth is tight end.

Arizona may reach nine wins, but it would need excellent injury luck and a red-hot Murray. The best thing it can hope for is a favorable schedule in the six games without Hopkins. An especially hard start to the year would put extra stress on the team to deliver without one of its best players.

That pressure could be enough to knock the Cardinals out of the NFC West race before it even begins.

Baltimore Ravens

One AFC North team is in for a rude awakening in 2022. Pinning down exactly which franchise it'll be is difficult since the Cincinnati Bengals just made the Super Bowl and the other contenders can say they're improved.

The team with the weakest argument appears to be the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns upgraded their biggest weakness from quarterback Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson, and Pittsburgh is hoping its change from Ben Roethlisberger to Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett brings a new energy to the beleaguered offense.

If Watson plays all season for Cleveland, the Browns will be Super Bowl contenders. Pittsburgh is also consistently pesky regardless of how well its quarterback plays.

Baltimore, with a win line of 9.5 and Super Bowl odds of +2200, also has a case it improved. The offensive line will be significantly better thanks to the return of Ronnie Stanley and additions of Tyler Linderbaum and Morgan Moses.

The defense should also benefit from a healthy Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey at cornerback. New defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald must prove he's an upgrade over his predecessor, Don Martindale, but the unit has impressive veteran talent.

Nevertheless, the Ravens look overrated when the Bengals are projected to win 10 games and Steelers are at just 7.5.

Baltimore's decision to roll into the dead part of the offseason without a true No. 1 receiver is stunning. 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman was a good prospect but was far from a Justin Jefferson-level rookie. Trading Marquise Brown one year before he had leverage for a contract extension capped the ceiling of this offense significantly.

Although Brown had turned into more of a possession threat for Jackson than a consistent deep force, his speed was a factor in loosening up defensive fronts. Everyone within the Ravens' passing ecosystem benefited from the threat of his speed, much like how the running backs benefit from quarterback Lamar Jackson's gravity as a runner.

Not a single presence Baltimore can replicate Brown's track record or skill set.

Instead, the Ravens will trot out the worst receiving corps in the NFL once again. The pressure on Jackson to dominate with a ground-heavy approach is greater than ever. Defenses will key on Greg Roman's predictable scheme and get enough stops to keep the Ravens from reaching the potential the rest of the roster has.

Chicago Bears

It's possible to be overrated as a bad team. The Chicago Bears, who won six games while trying to compete with veterans in 2021, made clear steps to rebuild this offseason. The majority of the team is young and developing, as the only established starters are running back David Montgomery, edge-rusher Robert Quinn, safety Eddie Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith.

Everyone else is being evaluated for future roles. It's hard to imagine the Bears will reach their win-total line of 6.5 considering they took major steps backward in the short-term in order to get better in 2023 and beyond. The offense around second-year quarterback Justin Fields looks particularly concerning.

In a best-case scenario, offseason wide receiver additions Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown can be reliable targets, and Fields builds a great rapport with receiver Darnell Mooney. The offensive line is relying on Lucas Patrick to be a stopgap and 2021 second-round pick Teven Jenkins to be a franchise tackle.

That's a lot of "ifs" just for Chicago to reach six wins in a tough NFC North.

Six teams have lower win-line totals than the Bears. The Jets, Jaguars and Lions took significant steps to improve this offseason. And if either Carolina or Seattle acquire Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, they'll take a leap in expected wins.

Chicago will be one of the four worst teams in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers

With the third-highest expected win total at 11 and third-highest Super Bowl odds at +1000, the Green Bay Packers are an oddsmakers favorite despite trading star wideout Davante Adams. The only NFC team with greater expectations is Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Adams was far from the engine that made the entire team win 39 out of 49 regular-season games over the last three years. Head coach Matt LaFleur's staff and this front office has done a phenomenal job building an elite defensive unit and getting the most out of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Factor in a mediocre NFC North, and it's not hard to imagine the Packers hitting the over on the 11-win mark once again.

However, they are considerably overrated as Super Bowl threats. Winning regular-season games with system players who have significant limitations is easier than when competition increases and opponents are more able to force you away from your strengths. Rodgers' only notable offensive weapon worth game-planning for is running back Aaron Jones.

Rodgers will be asked to make magic with one of the NFL's least intriguing receiving corps. Veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are non-threatening targets for any defense with talent. Rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will get a chance to star, but it's rare a first-year receiver is a difference-maker.

Green Bay has a great recipe for hosting home games in the playoffs, but its margin for error is tiny with its current offensive personnel. The Packers defense will be fierce for years, but they've overinvested into the unit at the expense of the offense.

New England Patriots

While the 2021 offseason included many additions that helped reshape the New England Patriots' identity and roster, this offseason had numerous key departures. The Patriots' spending spree last year locked them into the same core until next offseason.

It's a solid roster, but losing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be massive.

With a win-line total of 8.5 and Super Bowl odds at +4000, the Patriots aren't expected to be world-beaters. But, the AFC East is ascending around New England while it has largely stood pat. It's hard to imagine Miami Dolphins castoff receiver DeVante Parker or one of the Patriots' draft picks turning the offense into an above-average unit.

The lack of wild cards on the roster is especially notable. The players with the most upside to beat their expectations would be 2022 second-round receiver Tyquan Thornton and 2021 third round edge-rusher Ronnie Perkins. Barring a huge return on either that helps transform the identity of either offense or defense, betting on Miami or the New York Jets to overachieve is a better option.

Where New England wins is consistency. Mac Jones isn't a dynamic passer, and his weapons are mediocre. However, the Patriots have a high floor because of their powerful running game and Bill Belichick's masterful defensive coaching.

That doesn't equate to a breakout 2022, though. New England will be a pesky test for poorly coached teams, but more talented rosters with dynamic playmakers should find ways to win.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans were one of the most interesting case studies of last season. They finished 6-2 in one-score games and comfortably won the AFC South. This was despite missing star running back Derrick Henry for nine games and getting a disconcertingly bad season from aging quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

There were more unexpected setbacks beyond those, such as wide receiver Julio Jones and edge-rusher Bud Dupree contributing next to nothing despite headlining the team's offseason acquisitions. Rookie cornerback Caleb Farley also played in just three games before he tore his ACL. Head coach Mike Vrabel absolutely earned the 2021 AP NFL Coach of the Year Award with so many setbacks.

However, his task appears to have gotten more difficult. Tennessee traded star receiver A.J. Brown for rookie Treylon Burks. The only notable veterans the team added were receiver Robert Woods, who is coming off a torn ACL, and tight end Austin Hooper.

The Titans are hoping Tannehill bounces back and Henry can carry the offense again. Turning 34 this summer, Tannehill took a sharp downward turn in 2021. His touchdown rate dropped to its lowest since his rookie season in 2012, while his interception rate swelled from 1.5 percent in 2020 to 2.6 percent.

Tannehill will need to get back to his 2019 and 2020 self for this team to be serious playoff contenders. Indianapolis got significantly better with its quarterback change from Carson Wentz to Matt Ryan. That move alone should make the Colts division favorites.

Tennessee lacks depth on both sides of the ball. If Dupree and Farley can't contribute in a considerable way once again, the Titans will be in trouble. Their 9.5-win projection is more of a product of the AFC South being bad than this team being good.

question i am hoping one of you can help with, was a check for 2021 Economic Impact Payment for 2021 issued for $1400?
thanks
train

Why the wait to finish the contract extensions and sign OBJ? The more I think about it the more I'm suspecting a pretty big splash trade. One that will involve substantial money being "eaten" by one or both sides. This would mean the team or teams would want to make the transaction post-June 1 to allow them to spread the money out over two years to lower the cap impact. It would be for an edge who the Rams would want to sign to multiple years especially if it involves both teams giving up players in the deal. They would be working these contracts out before the deal is done.

I think what I've heard is probably true. A trade involving two players one from the Rams and one they are trading for. When I look at the roster the only position that the Rams conceivably have the depth for that kind of trade would be at WR. WR money has gone through the roof and going forward just how many elite WRs can the Rams afford? Van Jefferson is an ascending player. OBJ is an established player. If they are going to sign OBJ do they dare trade away Jefferson? I think they would if the player they get in return gives them elite level production and young enough for a full 4 year contract.

That's why I've been looking at Hunter for Jefferson. The Vikings have made no effort to move Hunter even though he's been replaced and he's sitting on their roster with a $25.8 M cap hit. Jefferson is in the middle of his rookie contract. But I think any trade would mean the Vikings eat about $12-$14M of Hunter's contract. This would allow the Rams to sign Hunter who is 27 years old to a 4 year deal with a void 5th and perhaps 6th year to spread the cap. The trade I see is Jefferson + next year's 2nd-round pick for Hunter. This gives the Vikings 3 starting WRs. The Vikings need a third WR and the one they grabbed isn't nearly as good as Jefferson.

There would be a whole lot of moving parts in something like this besides the players. Restructuring AD's contract, extending Kupp's contract, and needing probably to restructure a third player (someone like A'Shawn Robinson) to make room for a player like Hunter and OBJ.

Whether it's Hunter vs Jefferson is all speculation. But waiting to finish the AD, Kupp and OBJ deals shouldn't take this long. I think something is in the works and this is my personal speculation.

ROD FEATURE
The Rams Need to Write the Final Chapter of Tom Brady’s Story… Again
By AvengerRam, @AvengerRam
May 10, 2022

On February 3, 2002, the Rams were supposed to make history.

Before them was an opportunity to win a second title in three years, and to cap off one of the most dominant seasons in league history.

Instead, a young upstart named Tom Brady helped the New England Patriots change the script and begin an unmatched dynasty and a career that earned Brady the title of “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time).

Twenty years later, it looked like the Rams had returned the favor by preventing Brady from achieving the storybook ending he sought and sending him home in defeat. This ending just seemed right, at least from the perspective of Rams’ fans and the many NFL fans who perceive Brady as a bit too arrogant, a bit shady, or just plain unlikeable.

It really was, in many ways, the perfect flipping of the script. The calm, cool and confident Brady had his lipped bloodied and, adding insult to injury, was flagged for his aggressive messaging to the officials his belief that “they can’t do that to ME!!!”

Even more poetic was the parallel between the ending of Super Bowl 36 and the Rams’ defeat of Brady and the Bucs. In 2002, the Rams erased as 17-3 deficit, only to see Brady march his team into field goal range in under two minutes. In 2022, the Rams fumbled away a huge lead, leading to a tie game with under two minutes to play. This time, however, it was Matthew Stafford who found a way to get his team into range for a walk-off field goal.

Unfortunately, Brady had us all fooled. After a short “retirement,” he announced he was returning. By all indications, it was never a serious plan to leave the game. Rather, it seems that Brady was engaged in a power struggle that resulted in the removal of Head Coach Bruce Arians, who had dared to challenge Brady when his play was less than stellar.

Now, we have an announcement that Brady has already been hired as a FOX Sports commentator with a promise of an unprecedented salary whenever he decides to hang it up for good. Brady, upon the breaking of this story, announced that he’s looking forward to his broadcasting career, but first must attend to “unfinished business” on the field.

Ah, yes… that old Brady arrogance. The idea that he’s in control of everything, and that he can just will his way to the perfect “riding off into the sunset” finish.

Not surprisingly, the national media has eaten up this story. I mean... its a great narrative from a dramatic standpoint. From a football/analytical standpoint, on the other hand, one can certainly question the logic behind jumping on Brady's bandwaggon. After all, the Rams have faced Brady's Bucs three times over the past two seasons, and bested them in each instance.

And so, the Rams have a job to do. For the sake of humility. For the sake of those who believe that Brady has crossed from “hero” status to an over-the-top deification. For the sake of the 2001 GSOT team that had history stolen by a QB who won the MVP with 145 yards passing… the Rams need to end Brady’s run, once and for all.

Again.

Fox has decided to make Brady their top analyst once he decides to retire. The deal reportedly is 10 years 300 mil.
When is this guy going to go away? Now we have look at his smug face even after he hangs it up. I know he’s the goat but as far as I know he’s never been in any booth any where, drew Brees has been underwhelming in his debut but it’s Tom Brady right? There seems to be a lot of excitement but Brady’s never said anything of interest, Brady’s more open and accessible since he left NE but it all seems carefully crafted to to me and far from a look at the real Brady.
I had hoped Stafford drove the stake in his heart that would finally put him away but no such luck.

In the category of "exceeded expectations," I'd say the players that stood out the most in 2021 were Brian Allen on offense and Greg Gaines on defense.

I have no problem admitting that I had little faith in Allen going into the season, but he proved me wrong. While he's not going to make anyone forget Rich Saul or Doug Smith, he was a solid and consistent contributor. As for Gaines, he got his chance when Sebastian Joseph-Day was injured, and really performed well enough to secure the starting spot and make SJD expendable.

So which of our players who is not expected by many to be many to make an impact do you think will make a significant jump this season?

My candidates:

Offense: Kendall Blanton. I know @Loyal thought I'd go with Tutu, but Blanton showed flashes in the playoffs and, with Johnny Mundt gone, he'll have the chance to secure the No. 2 TE spot. I considered whether to predict Brycen Hopkins, but I think Blanton's size (260 lbs.) and versatility will keep him above Hopkins on the depth chart.

Defense: Bobby Brown. With SJD gone, Brown has a great chance of securing a role in the DL rotation. I think he has more upside than Michael Hoecht and Marquise Copeland, and could be a significant contributor in what I expect to be an outstanding run defense.

Who are your risers for 2022?

Now that he's a FA Bradberry would be one of 2 final pieces the other being a DE/OLB.

We need one more experienced corner and Bradberry would be the perfect fit. Yes he will cost us but he is worth it. Not to mention he would be covering most teams 2nd or 3rd best wr which would help the DL get pressure.

Sure we can hope for a mid season top vet OLB to free up but this is a sure thing. Hill and Ramsey are not enough we are short a really strong 2nd/3rd CB. Not convinced on Long and Rochelle doesn't have enough tape, new kids are new and need NFL seasoning imo. Bradberry has a probowl under his belt and to me Les plucks highly talented players off mediocre to bad teams and they flourish here. Bradberry fits that mold.

There will be a lot of competition for his services but unless he gets a stupid deal if I was Les I would take a big run at him.

These rankings were made by the Athletic.

We’re coming in at 11, with top 6 tackles and a subpar interior.

Thoughts?

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Not sure how I feel about this.

Broncos at Rams 1:30 Pacific CBS

A second team in Dallas isn’t as crazy as it sounds​

On the surface, the notion of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sharing the Dallas market with another team is ludicrous, especially in light of the fact that many believe Jones would not want a team potentially horning in on the Cowboys’ turf in San Antonio. However, it’s one thing to share a market. It’s quite another to share a stadium.

Jones owns the facility in which the Cowboys play. He could take on a tenant. He could host another 10 games there each year, doubling the annual inventory to 20. He’d make a lot more money, and the Cowboys would still be the Cowboys.

It’s a no-brainer, especially as the Dallas market grows. It’s a no-brainer for the NFL to expand, especially as the gambling-driven appetite for more inventory grows. After inevitably nudging the size of the season from 17 regular-season games to 18, the only way to create more games on which to wager (as explained in Playmakers) will be to expand the league.

New York and L.A. already have two teams that share a stadium. Chicago is an obvious candidate for a second team. Dallas is, too.

Beyond market size, stadium construction costs also become relevant. By putting a second team in an existing building, the cost of the second team’s stadium is zero dollars and zero cents.

And with the owner of an existing stadium standing to earn plenty of extra money by staging all of those extra games, why not do it?

Again, the market has to be big enough to justify it. Chicago and Dallas are. And so as the league prepares to eventually balloon from 32 teams to 34 (and maybe 36, 38, and possibly 40), it makes plenty of sense for America’ Team to share its home.

In the early days of the AFL, Dallas did indeed have two teams. The Cowboys and the Dallas Texans competed for hearts, minds, eyeballs, and wallets until the Texans surrendered, moving to Missouri and becoming the Chiefs. That was a much different world, and the game was in a much different place.

Today, football rules and Texas fancies itself as the epicenter of the game. It doesn’t take long to conclude that the possibility of a second team in Dallas should have been on the radar screen a long time ago.

Thank You so much for your contribution to the Lombardi. Great trade, without it, no Title IMO.

2022 NFL schedule: What we know so far​

The full 2022 NFL schedule will be announced on Thursday night, May 12, but a few games are announced early. Here’s what we know so far:

Week 1
TBD at Rams, Thursday night, September 8, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Week 2
Chargers at Chiefs, Thursday night, September 15, 8:20 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime.
Titans at Bills, Monday night, September 19, 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Vikings at Eagles, Monday night, September 19, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Week 4
Vikings at Saints in London, Sunday morning, October 2, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network.

Week 5
Giants at Packers in London, Sunday morning, October 9, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network.

Week 8
Broncos at Jaguars in London, Sunday morning, October 30, 9:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+.

Week 10
Seahawks at Buccaneers in Munich, Sunday morning, November 13, 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network.

Week 11
49ers at Cardinals in Mexico City, Monday night, November 21, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Week 12
TBD at Lions, Thanksgiving, November 24, 12:45 p.m. ET on CBS.
TBD at Cowboys, Thanksgiving, November 24, 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox.
TBD at TBD, Thanksgiving, November 24, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Week 16
11 games on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24.
3 Games on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25.

Superbowl Week
Rams win back to back Superbowls, Sunday, February 12.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...jokic-named-nba-mvp-second-consecutive-season


Ive been watch Jokic play for 6-7 years now. The guy is absolutely amazing. Well deserved, considering he was playing without the Nuggets 2nd & 3rd best players for the season.

This thread is the fault of our Boss and local ROD Hamburgler, @CGI_Ram.

Hamburgers & Hot Dogs are really a sandwich of sorts, and this may or may not deserve its own thread, but it got me thinking about all the other great sandwiches I love to indulge in.
I can't rate them because on any given day they are all the best, but a nicely grilled ribeye with melted cheddar slapped between two slices of rye bread with mayo is a fav, although a simple patty melt with grilled cheese & onions or a Turkey/Bacon Club or even a BLT sandwich with added avocado can also win the day. How about a Pastrami on Rye or a Corned Beef sandwich to win the moment ? Tuna, Ham & Chicken Salad sandwiches are also great on occasion. Hell, anything you can stuff between Pita Bread or a Tortilla could rightfully be called a sandwich, whether it be lamb or beef Kababs or Carne Asada. Some love a fried chicken breast in a bun. How about Pulled Pork sandwiches or a killer grilled cheese ? Are peanut butter & jelly sandwiches still a thing or have the kids graduated from Yogi Bear's stolen picnic baskets this century ?

Do you guys have a favorite go-to sandwich, or are you more of an 'On any given Sunday' whatever's in the fridge kind of sandwich eater ? And by Sunday's, I don't mean during a Rams game, they rightfully retain the game day food porn threads.

Anyone using Apple Music or very familiar with it? I got 6 months free. I use Spotify and not sure if Apple Music is any good.

Thanks!

Somehow I started watching a rerun of Rams 1985 NFC Championship game at the Bears.

Madden went nuts (literally) with the Telestrator. I full on cracked up!

His bar Gilley’s was a legendary cowboy bar in the Houston area and featured in the movie Urban Cowboy. I wasn’t a big country fan of his, but his restaurant and theater were almost must see events in Branson, Mo when I drove charter bus groups through that town on holidays.
One time I was taking a leak in his men’s restroom, and another guy occupied the urinal next to me and it was him, clearly enjoying his shocking me by showing up unexpectedly in such a situation. Rest In Peace, Mickey, you’ve earned a rest.

I enjoyed this listen some good topics and discussion.

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