Rams' Aaron Donald getting grip on one-sack opener by switching gloves​

Since 2014, when the Rams selected him with the 13th pick in the NFL draft, Aaron Donald has dominated, piling up sacks against all but four teams.

The Indianapolis Colts are among the missing, though Donald offers a reasonable explanation.

“Never played against ‘em,” he said, laughing, after practice Thursday.

That will change Sunday when the Rams play the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Rams last played the Colts in the 2017 season opener at the Coliseum — coach Sean McVay’s first game — but Donald did not play in the 46-9 Rams victory because he had ended a holdout on the eve of the opener.

Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, had one of the Rams’ three sacks last Sunday in 34-14 season-opening victory over the Chicago Bears, increasing his career total to 86½.

But he could have had more.

On one play, Bears quarterback Andy Dalton slipped through his grasp. Outside linebacker Justin Hollins was there to make the tackle and record his second sack.

“I don’t know what was going on that day,” Donald said. “I was just letting plays slip out of my hand. I was like, ‘What is going on?’

“So I’ve been working on my grip all week, making sure everything will be good. I changed my gloves so, you know, they’re not getting away no more.”

Sunday’s game pits Donald, a six-time All-Pro, against a Colts line that features guard Quenton Nelson, an All-Pro in each of his three NFL seasons.

“He plays hard,” Donald said. “He plays through the whistle and that’s how you play the game.”

Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is among those looking forward to the matchup.

“When those opportunities happen,” Morris said, “you talk about a form of fanfare.”

Donald has recorded at least 11 sacks in each of the last four seasons, including a career-best 20½ in 2018 when the Rams advanced to the Super Bowl. Last season, he had 13½ sacks and won his third defensive player of the year award.

Donald has yet to get a sack against the Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.

Now he is preparing for a Colts team that features former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was sacked three times by the Seattle Seahawks in a 28-16 defeat last Sunday at Indianapolis.

Is Donald eager to finally play against the Colts?

“I’m eager to get out there play a game and win a game,” he said.

Etc.

Nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee) was limited, per the Rams injury report. Donald, offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth and outside linebacker Terrell Lewis, who were rested Wednesday, were full participants Thursday. Receiver Ben Skowronek (forearm) was a full participant.

Rams’ defensive takeaway from first game is about resilience​

THOUSAND OAKS — It was looking like a disastrous start for Raheem Morris as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

Instead, it turned into an early signature moment for Morris and the 2021 Rams’ defense.

On the second play from scrimmage in their season opener against the Bears on Sunday, Chicago running back David Montgomery took a handoff from quarterback Andy Dalton, cut to his right between well-blocked defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Sebastian Joseph-Day, evaded the long arm of outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and burst away from five pursuers. Only the desperate speed of linebacker Kenny Young, who shoved Montgomery out of bounds, prevented a touchdown. The run went for 41 yards, to the 12-yard line.

On the SoFi Stadium sideline, Morris didn’t get angry or pause to figure out what just happened.

He said coolly into his coaching headset: “Let’s go get a turnover.”

Just as coolly, three plays later, the Rams’ defense got it.

Cornerback David Long’s end zone interception of a Dalton pass tipped by Young was one of a series of first-half takeaways and big hits that put the ball in the hands of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and sent L.A. on its way to a 34-14 victory.

“I thrive on adversity,” Morris said of the Bears’ 41-yard run, telling the story between practice sessions Thursday. “When it happened, I thought, ‘Good, let’s go get a turnover.’ That was the first thought that crossed my mind. And not because of a cocky or arrogant thing. It’s just that you’ve got to find ways to make people calm.

“If you get caught up in the emotion of being upset, the next thing you know you’re down 7-0 and you’ve got a problem.”

As the Rams (1-0) prepared to travel to face the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, they looked to improve their defensive performance.

Although they held the Bears to a pair of touchdowns, the Rams gave up 108 yards rushing to Montgomery himself and 134 on the ground overall.

Coach Sean McVay blamed missed tackles and acknowledged that holding starters out of preseason games might contribute to early-season rust.

“I think we’ll see improvement moving on from Week 1 to Week 2, but that’s something that we’ll definitely have some urgency addressing,” McVay said.

It’s especially urgent because the Colts have a strong running game led by Jonathan Taylor (1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie last season).

“I don’t know what was going on out there,” said Donald, who wasn’t immune to missing tackles. “I was letting plays slip out of my hands. So I’ve been working on my grip all week, making sure everything will be good. I changed my gloves. They’re not getting away no more.”

To Morris, the problem on the 41-yard gut-punch of a run wasn’t blown tackling but linemen’s failure to contest blocks and the secondary’s poor positioning.

“(Cornerback) Darious Williams should have been on the left side, (safety Jordan) Fuller should have been on the inside, and at most the 41-yard run is a 7-yarder,” Morris said.

But the momentary setback might have helped the 45-year-old former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach and Atlanta Falcons interim coach, hired last winter after defensive coordinator Brandon Staley became the Chargers’ coach, stamp his own identity on a Rams defense that allowed the fewest points and yards in the NFL last season.

Part of that identity is the importance of “make-a-difference plays” like takeaways. The bad moment in the first minute of the season opener set the Rams up to make one of those plays. And then they made more.

Outside linebacker Justin Hollins forced a Dalton fumble recovered by Young on one fourth-down try by the Bears, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey knocked a pass loose from Allen Robinson on another fourth down.

It will be reassuring, when the Rams’ defense inevitably runs into trouble at times this season, to know that a calm voice on the headset will be expecting to find a solution.

There certainly was no panic in Morris last Sunday.

As he put it: “I wasn’t thinking about my legacy as defensive coordinator on the second play.”

NOTES

Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee), the only Ram injured in the win over the Bears, was a limited participant in practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday.

For me, this was the first interview I've seen with Raheem Morris, and man, this guy is impressive. I can see why McVay was so high on him-- they seem to share some of the same qualities. Raheem seemed confident, upbeat, experienced, and obviously is passionate about what he does. I also like the way he speaks quickly and expresses a lot of information in a short amount of time. Seems like a great leader with excellent communication skills-- and a fun sense of humor to boot.

I can't say I know much about Morris from an X's and O's standpoint. But I was really worried about having a big letdown after Staley left, and I found this press conference very reassuring about the kind of leader we have in Raheem Morris.

Darrell Henderson Jr.’s fantasy stock has been all over the place this year due to a season-ending injury suffered by Cam Akers and then the Rams’ eventual acquisition of Sony Michel just before Week 1. He went from looking like the clear workhorse back when Akers went down, but his chances of being that decreased when Michel arrived.

It’s only been one game, but Henderson received a healthy dosage of touches against the Bears in Week 1, carrying it 16 times for 70 yards and catching one pass for 17 yards. He played 94% of the offensive snaps, while Michel played only 6% (three plays).

Michel didn’t even get in the game until late in the fourth quarter when he got his first carry, a 2-yard run. Sean McVay explained why Michel’s role was so limited, predictably pointing to the “flow of the game,” but also suggesting that Henderson’s efficiency gave the Rams confidence in giving him most of the snaps.

“I would say, I have confidence in Sony but the way that Darrell was running, kind of the flow of the game like we talked about. Darrell has definitely established himself as our starting back. I thought he did a great job,” McVay said. “I thought he got stronger as the game went, but Sony’s a guy that’s had production in this league. It was just a weird deal the way that the game kind of unfolded. That’s why I always say that to you guys and yesterday was reflective of exactly that.”

McVay said the Rams planned to get Michel involved in the game earlier than they did, but considering they only ran 50 plays to the Bears’ 69, there weren’t many snaps to go around at running back. Not to mention, Matthew Stafford had two long touchdown passes for quick strikes at the beginning of each half, leading to shorter drives. Only three of the Rams’ seven possessions that weren’t kneeldowns were longer than six plays.

There simply weren’t many opportunities to take Henderson out and plug in Michel, and there was little reason to with Henderson averaging a healthy 4.4 yards per carry.

“We had planned to get Sony in the game a little bit earlier, but just based on the minimal amount of snaps that we had – a lot of it for good reasons because we were scoring quickly – but then we ended up having the three-and-out at the end of the first half,” McVay continued. “You’d like to be able to sustain more drives and then maybe you’ll see him get some more opportunities. But again, that’s always kind of based on how the flow of the game goes. But I thought Darrell did a really good job and I was pleased with the way that he closed it out. And I thought our offensive line really did a nice job of finishing it out. To be able to sustain the drive, have some of the third-down conversions that we did was really encouraging. But you can expect to see a little bit more of Sony, but if a game unfolds like that, I think we’d take a similar approach.”

It wasn’t initially clear how the workload would be broken up between Henderson and Michel, but there’s little doubt about who is the No. 1 running back in Los Angeles. It’s Henderson, and that likely won’t change unless he begins to struggle.

Thursday Night Football: New York Giants vs. Washington Football Team​

The New York Giants and Washington Football Team entered the 2021 NFL season with high expectations. Washington is seeking its second straight playoff appearance after winning the NFC East last year; the Giants, despite a 6-10 record in 2020, feel cheated out of that division title after the Philadelphia Eagles pulled their starters against Washington in Week 17.

Now, the two teams come together licking their wounds from disappointing Week 1 debuts. Washington lost starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a hip injury, then blew a fourth-quarter lead at home to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Giants were just as bad, throwing up just 13 points at home to a Denver Broncos team that was 5-11 a year ago. Their offense sputtered despite the return of running back Saquon Barkley and new weapons for quarterback Daniel Jones.

It makes this "Thursday Night Football" matchup a battle of who can solve their problems first. Here's the good news for both teams: their division once again looks like the NFC Least (only the Eagles won their season opener). A win here resets the narrative and puts either team in strong position to succeed.

As for the loser? Through the 2019 season, just 11 percent of 0-2 teams went on to make the playoffs. The jury is out on how much an expanded playoff field improves those odds, along with the new 17-game schedule this season.

The Giants historically have owned this rivalry, with a 105-69-4 record, and they've won five straight against Washington.

But the facts are pretty clear: two straight losses would put your team behind the eight-ball. Who will avoid getting put in desperation mode so early?

New York at Washington

Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 16 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Spread: Washington -3

Three Things To Watch

1. How will Taylor Heinicke play?

Heinicke has been pressed into action, earning the starting job after going 11-for-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. He played the majority of the game when Fitzpatrick went down after just 16 snaps on offense.

The journeyman quarterback will be making just his third career start in seven NFL seasons. But Washington fans sure remember the second: an inspired, 306-yard passing performance and two touchdowns (one pass, one rush) that kept them in January's Wild Card playoff game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Our guys will rally around [Heinicke]," Rivera told reporters this week. "Some guys have an innate ability to create some enthusiasm, some excitement, and that's what Taylor is because of the way he plays. He plays a little bit like his hair is on fire, plays a little bit like a gunslinger."

Can Heinicke rediscover the magic that led Washington to sign him to a 2-year, $8.75-million dollar deal this past offseason? It wasn't his fault Antonio Gibson fumbled in the fourth quarter, leading to the go-ahead touchdown for the Chargers.

But the offense only scored 10 points total once Heinicke entered the game. That's not enough. He's also 0-2 as a starter in a career where he's never played more than eight games with any team. How he'll lead the offense still remains a bit of a mystery; expect more focus on the run in the short term while Heinicke gets comfortable in the pocket. Gunslinging also means turnovers, and this team isn't built to score 30 points. Heinicke needs to take care of the ball.

All eyes will turn to wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the transition. Against the Giants last November, he torched their secondary for seven catches, 115 yards, and a 68-yard touchdown bomb. It's a lot easier for a quarterback to settle in when his top receiver is wide open down the middle of the field.

2. Will Saquon Barkley play? If so, how much?

Before a torn ACL 11 months ago, Barkley was one of the best, most explosive running backs in the NFL.

Last week against the Broncos? He looked like a whole different player.

Yes, it's still early and the Giants were careful with their young star, limiting him to 28 total snaps. Returning from the injury was an accomplishment in itself, Barkley catching one ball and rushing for 26 yards.

Problem was, none of those rushes went for more than five yards. It's clear Barkley's still healing on a team that had the 31st-ranked offense in the NFL last year without him.

"That was a goal of mine," Barkley said of the Week 1 return. "To get out there … now, it's actually getting out there and helping my team win."

Whether Barkley can even make it on the field four days later against Washington is an open question. Behind him? There's not much. Jones was the leading rusher in Week 1, going for 27 yards while Devontae Booker had a measly seven yards on four carries. Jones can't succeed if the Giants remain such a one-dimensional offense.

3. Which defense will create the big play?

Both teams were carried by their defense last season. The Giants ranked 12th overall, 10th against the run, and were second in Red Zone efficiency (limiting teams to 50.85 percent). Washington ranked second overall defensively, second against the pass, and fourth in red zone efficiency, a formula good enough to get them playoff-bound at 7-9.

Those units needed to step up with offenses that struggled to hold onto the football. Each team lost their game in Week 1 due to turning the ball over; they're now facing defenses built for dislodging the football. In a game with limited offensive pieces, a fumble recovery or interception may be enough to tip the scales in this rivalry.

Some key players to watch include cornerback Logan Ryan, who led the way for the Giants in Week 1 with eight solo tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Can he make Heinicke's life miserable in the secondary? On the Washington side, Montez Sweat had a sack that forced a fumble, while linebacker Cole Holcomb was all over the field, recording 11 tackles and helping put the pressure on young Justin Herbert of the Chargers.

Both games last year were decided by defensive stands. The Giants stopped a two-point conversion by Washington that would have won the game in October, then intercepted Alex Smith twice in the fourth quarter to preserve a 23-20 victory in November. Expect a similar outcome Thursday night.

Final Analysis

If Fitzpatrick were under center, it's hard to see Washington dropping two straight home games to start the year. Problem is, he's sitting on the sidelines. Heinicke remains an unproven commodity against a Giants defense anxious to prove themselves after letting the Broncos waltz all over the field in Week 1.

It won't take much on the scoreboard to win. One key drive by Jones and a defensive score could do it against a Washington team that may struggle to find its way on offense going forward. Keep an eye on if tight end Evan Engram gets activated Thursday night; he's making progress on his calf injury and could be the extra target Jones needs to get over the hump.

Prediction: Giants 17, Washington 13

This one's a must read. Real nice job by the author tying things together.

congrats to @Fidelis for winning last weeks contest. There were alot of guess that were just 1 or 2 points off, but his was the first one. Another reason to get your guess in early.


This week the Rams travel to Indy to take on the Colts and whoever the QB is there this year.


Who ya got and by what score

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Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/DannyBKelly/status/1438009269501190144?s=20


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LA has a special rookie on their defense
By Kenneth Arthur

Robert Rochell had one scholarship offer from an FBS school coming out of high school in 2016. It was from Central Arkansas, and he took that opportunity and ran with it all the way towards making his NFL debut on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. A fourth round pick of the LA Rams a few months ago, the rookie Rochell played in 27 snaps on Sunday, more than any other rookie on the team, and helped end Chicago’s fourth quarter comeback big with a pass deflection.

What more can we expect from the recruit who went from a highly-intriguing high school junior with a 4.37 40-yard dash to a no-star signing at a mid-major and is now one of just four cornerbacks on LA’s roster?

Robert Rochell’s pre-college life and career​

History will show that Rochell had no stars and only one offer coming out of high school in 2016, but as usually the case with such exceptions that go onto the NFL, there were some extenuating circumstances.

As a gifted track athlete and football player, many schools weren’t sure what to think of Rochell when ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at an LSU camp in 2015. As a junior at Fair Park High School — which is now a middle school after many years of poor marks for academics — Rochell stood out because of his speed but he needed a strong senior campaign to seal offers from the big programs. Or most any program, it turns out.

Rochell suffered a knee injury part way through his senior season and despite his blazing speed and having well over 1,300 yards from scrimmage at the time he was hurt, the only school that stayed by him was Central Arkansas. Known to play as many as seven positions at Fair Park, Rochell was excited for the opportunity to continue his football career with UCA:

“They feel like that’s my strong point so I’m just going to roll with it,” said Rochell, who ran an unofficial 4.37 40-yard-dash last summer at LSU. “I love the atmosphere and the fans. When I went down, it was just so welcoming.”

Click to expand...

Understandably so, for many obvious reasons, but also because it kept the door open for Rochell to escape a life that had multiple life-altering tragedies up to that point.

Rochell’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana is rated in the 14th percentile for safety and violent crimes are a relatively regular occurrence. That reality hit close to home when Rochell’s father, who had been released from prison only days earlier, was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2009.

“I was waiting my whole childhood to play sports in front of my dad,” Robert said. “Just for someone to stop those chances and alter that, it was definitely mind-boggling. I had to transition and strengthen myself. It made me a man.”
That’s not the only important person in Robert’s life taken too soon. He lost two uncles and cousins, as well, and admits to battling depression.
“It’s because of all the losses that he had,” said LaBrinta Rochell, Robert’s mom.

Click to expand...

Rochell’s mother LaBrinta watched him delve deeper into his commitment to sports and eventually that hard work looked like it could pay off in the form of being an Olympic sprinter, but when Robert became interested in football, all bets were off and the new goal was to make it into the NFL.

Regardless of where Rochell had to stop in between a since-closed high school and the Los Angeles Rams.

“Once he got the [UCA offer], I told him, ‘What did I tell you?’ “ Monique Rochell recalled. “‘It doesn’t matter whether you’re at LSU or Alabama, in Miami, in Hawaii playing — if it’s meant for you to go to the NFL, they’re coming to the University of Central Arkansas to get you.’”

Click to expand...

She’s a smart role model.

The thing I’ve told Robert his whole life is that as long as I see him giving 100 [percent], I’m giving 100,” Monique said. “I always have told him that every time we pull up to a practice or a game or anything, if you’re not here doing 100, we just need to go back home.”

Click to expand...

College life​

Unsure of what position he was best suited for coming out of high school, Central Arkansas pictured him as a cornerback and he redshirted during his first season in 2016.

Then in 2017, Rochell appeared in 11 games and made three starts, finishing with one interception, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble — just two years after he was primarily seen as an offensive weapon and was still learning to play cornerback.

By 2018, the redshirt sophomore was a full-time starter and he led Central Arkansas with four interceptions that season. Rochell had now put himself into the conversation as one of the top defensive players in the nation at the FCS level going into his junior year. He didn’t disappoint.

In his third season as a starter on UCA’s defense, Rochell posted five interceptions and 18 passes defensed, eventually being named as a first team All-American for his efforts.

Perhaps one thing about going to Central Arkansas that did hold Rochell back is that he wasn’t quite going to be the first round draft prospect that he might have been had he gotten a scholarship from Alabama or Ohio State instead of UCA. So Rochell returned to school in 2020, only to find out that it would be a pandemic-shortened seven-game season for his conference. And yet, Rochell still put a game on tape that I’m sure he won’t forget. The Rams probably won’t either.

Though North Dakota State had their season canceled in 2020, quarterback prospect Trey Lance was too good to keep off of the field for a whole year, so they set up a single game against Central Arkansas. Rochell had no interceptions as a senior in 2020, but he did end up with two batted passes against Lance.

Though a Rochell personal foul did lead to the go-ahead touchdown for Lance late in the game, he was able to put himself on TV in front of millions despite playing at UCA during such an unusual season, and he was able to put on display the same playmaking abilities that we saw on Sunday night against the Bears.

Pre-draft life​

These days, it’s hard to go completely unnoticed by the NFL if you have talent, even if you’re not at a Power 5 school or even at the FBS level. With Twitter, YouTube, and a whole mess of home computer scouts who want to show that “I found the gem first!” (no judgment, this is what I’ve been doing with Grayson McCall since March), a player at the Division-II level won’t go unnoticed if he’s exceptionally gifted compared to his peers.

Especially not if you make it onto a list for “athletic freaks.”

Despite not having a great showing during Senior Bowl week, it’s no less an area for teams and scouts to become familiar with your work. What Rochell wanted to show off, above all else, was his unique athletic abilities and we also know that Rams GM Les Snead likes at least three things in a draft prospect:

• Ridiculous speed
• Standing out at the Senior Bowl
• Not being an offensive lineman

And I guess “long injury history” could be a fourth.
There was at least no question about Rochell’s speed, or his other unique athletic abilities. At least, not by the time we got to his insane pro day.

Officially listed just under 6’ and just over 190 lbs, Rochell’s 4.39 40-yard dash would have tied, among a few other players, Jacob Harris as the 11th-fastest at the “2021 combine” that didn’t quite exist.

More importantly, he matched athletic traits with cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Greg Newsome, both first round picks:
Rochell: 5’11, 193, 4.39, 43” vertical, 11’1 broad, 6.83 three-cone
Horn: 6’, 205 lbs, 4.39, 41.5” vertical, 11’1 broad, no three-cone
Newsome: 6’, 192 lbs, 4.39, 40” vertical, 10’3 broad, 6.9 three-cone

Above all that, Rochell’s 32.5” arms put him rare company as a corner who is nearly 6’ and runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash.

Since the year 2000, the only cornerback known to have a sub-4.4 with a vertical over 42” and a broad jump over 11’ and weighing at least 185 lbs is Marco Wilson, himself a fourth round pick in 2021 out of Florida.
Him and Robert Rochell.

Post-Draft life​

The Rams were clearly enamored with what they saw in Rochell, drafting him 130th overall in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Though there were not “a bunch” of times that I can recall Rochell standing out in training camp or preseason, there was the matter of being buried behind the game’s best cornerback and a top-rated number two next to Jalen Ramsey. With David Long, Jr. going into year three and Rochell still catching up to NFL game speed, it’s not surprising or concerning that the rookie didn’t appear to win a job as LA’s number three cornerback. But that doesn’t mean he won’t do that very soon.

In his first game as an NFL player, Rochell played in 27 defensive snaps, which is 25 more offensive/defensive snaps than every other Rams rookie combined in Week 1. Long played in 39 snaps. With no other cornerbacks on the roster other than those four, Rochell should continue to see heavy action on the defense and perhaps could only see his playing time ramp up now that he’s upgraded from the one program that always believed in him to a professional defense that actually really needs him right now. Well, ramping up to speed is something that has never been a problem for Rochell before.

Here's one that jumps out at me:

Average Air Yards/Attempt & Average Air Yards/Completion:

Jared Goff (2020): 6.2/attempt, 4.9/completion
Matthew Stafford (Week 1): 8.8/attempt, 9.1/completion

Welcome back, big play offense!

I was incredibly shocked this morning to read he had passed away yesterday. He had dead pan delivery down pat. Your humor will be missed sir.

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/late-night-hosts-tribute-norm-macdonald-death

I watched Young closely in practice when I could, and saw a much improved player. He's got that elite ILB speed and tackling we've been lacking for a long time now, and he seems to have progressed nicely. He's got a mean side and I'm betting he has a few personal foul calls on him this year, but he's a really good player and showed that against the Bears. He's the new starter I'm excited most about on D. Thoughts on Young?

[www.instagram.com]

Rams give Matthew Stafford a wide range of deep targets​

When the Rams signed wide receiver DeSean Jackson as a free agent last winter, the rest of the NFL faced a worrisome question.

How good will the Rams’ passing game be with a speedy veteran capable of catching long passes from Matthew Stafford?

After the Rams’ 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, the question for the league is even more frightening.

How much better is the Rams’ passing game if Jackson is only one of several deep targets for Stafford’s throws?

Jackson had a diving catch for 18 yards during a first-quarter drive that resulted in a field goal, the longer of his two gains in the season opener at SoFi Stadium. Meanwhile, wide receivers Van Jefferson, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods and tight end Tyler Higbee all had plays of 19 yards or longer in the game. Stafford’s touchdown heaves to Jefferson and Kupp covered 67 and 56 yards, and a 37-yarder to Higbee transformed another touchdown drive.

If the Rams lacked a deep threat last year, maybe the problem wasn’t Kupp, Woods and Jefferson but the need for a quarterback and playbook to give them a chance.

“It starts with giving players the opportunity,” Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday after his fifth consecutive victory in a season opener. “If I look at myself critically, I haven’t always done that.

“But Cooper, Van, Robert, these are guys that are not limited. Higbee makes a big play down the field yesterday. We all know what DeSean’s done throughout the course of his career.”

So maybe it’s not about Jackson stretching secondaries and opening up short routes for Kupp, Woods and Jefferson. It’s about all of them doing that for each other. Or so McVay would like defenses to think.

“We’ve got a handful of guys that we feel like can activate all parts of the field in the pass game, whether that be creating after the catch on underneath stuff, making plays in the intermediate game (or) being able to stretch the top shelf of the coverage,” McVay said.

“The fact that we can do that with any of our skill players is something that makes us more difficult to defend. I thought that was key for us (Sunday) night and something that we need to continue to illustrate and progress as the season goes on.”

The long touchdowns to Jefferson on the Rams’ third play of the game and to Kupp on their fourth snap of the second half were the result of many contributions.

Stafford, obviously. In his first game since arriving in the trade that sent quarterback Jared Goff and draft picks to the Detroit Lions, Stafford achieved at least two firsts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he was the first quarterback to win his debut with a team while passing for 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. And he was the first to have two touchdown passes of 50-plus yards in his debut with a team since Lee Grosscup with the 1962 New York Titans (AFL).

The offensive line, of course. Stafford was sacked only once, and the line gave him and the receivers time for those long plays to develop. Center Brian Allen received a game ball after his return from a 2019 knee injury.

Finally, or firstly, the receivers’ teamwork. Watch Kupp’s touchdown catch, and you see Woods run an intermediate route that distracted Bears safety Tashaun Gipson from Kupp.

“The importance of Rob on the outside being able to push vertical, hold that safety out there so he can’t squeeze down, really is (why) I was 30 yards open,” said Kupp, who was more like 15 yards open.

Now, how much better can it get if Jackson is catching deep balls too?

“DeSean’s going to get his, I know it’s coming for him,” Kupp said. “Luckily for Van and I, we were the recipients this week. But I think every week it’s going to be about who happens to have their number called for those shots, and then making the most of them when they come.”

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Rams got through the first game with only one reported injury. McVay said nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day “banged his knee up a little bit.” The coach said Joseph-Day might miss practice this week but should be able to play against the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

So I was a little late in purchasing new gear for the season. But recently picked up a few items online. (NFL Shop/Amazon)

I was actually able to find a couple decent deals on Amazon and thought I would share.
I thought maybe we could flex our gear on here and share info on sales and websites that might have specials on some items.

I had these 2 items since last season.

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Had a $20 credit with NFL Shop and grabbed these 2:
Total was about $25 after credit was applied and shipping.

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Was browsing Amazon late at night last week and stumbled upon these 2:
THIS one they ONLY had small (I'm usually a medium)
The Small was only $12 and every other size was $65 and above... I decided to pull the trigger and if it was to snug I could just give it to my son.


I gotta tell ya. This thing is worth WAY more than$12. Looks and fits GREAT if I dont zip it up... but when it's zipped it's a bit snug. (Damn beer) I think a Medium would be too long in the arms so maybe I can lose 5 pounds and fit into it nicely. Fits my son a little big, but well worth the $$$. Just looked online and ALL sizes are now $75. I kept a Medium in my cart and will get an alert if the price drops.
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This hoodie was $19.99 on Amazon... I got a Medium, fits perfect. Unfortunately it is now $40.


Feel free to share what you guys are going to be rockin on game day.

First Look: Rams travel to Indianapolis to take on Colts for first road game of 2021 season​

After opening the 2021 season with a 34-14 win over the Bears at SoFi Stadium in Week 1, the Rams (1-0) are headed to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (0-1) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 2 for their first road game of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. pacific time on FOX.

In advance of the contest, here is your first look at Rams-Colts:

Notable Colts additions

• Acquired QB Carson Wentz in a trade with the Eagles on March 17: In wake of Philip Rivers' retirement, Indianapolis sent a 2021 third round draft pick and a conditional 2022 second round pick to Philadelphia for Wentz. The Colts are counting on the reunion of Wentz and head coach Frank Reich to produce the same success that partnership achieved – Reich was Wentz's offensive coordinator with the Eagles from 2016-17; in 2017, Wentz passed for a career-high 33 touchdowns against only seven interceptions, finishing with 3,296 yards.
• Signed OT Eric Fisher to a one-year deal on May 12: Four months after longtime starting left tackle Anthony Castanzo announced his retirement, the Colts signed Fisher as his replacement and Wentz's blindside protector. Currently in his ninth NFL season, the two-time Pro Bowl selection Fisher spent his first eight seasons with the Chiefs. While Fisher still hasn't made his Colts debut yet – he was ruled out for Week 1 with an Achilles injury – Reich indicated it's possible he could return this week.

Top performers in Week 1

Wentz completed 25 of 38 pass attempts for 251 yards and two touchdowns with one lost fumble in the Colts' 28-16 loss to the Seahawks.

RB Jonathan Taylor led Indianapolis' backfield with 17 carries for 56 yards, and was also the team's leading receiver with 60 yards. Taylor and RB Nyheim Hines also tied for the team lead in catches with six each (Hines had 48 receiving yards).

WR Zach Pascal was on the receiving end of both of Wentz's touchdown passes, also finishing with four catches for 43 yards.

S Khari Willis and LB Bobby Okereke paced the Colts defense with seven total tackles each, while DL DeForest Buckner and CB Kenny Moore each chipped in a sack. LB Darious Leonard tallied five total tackles and a forced fumble. Defensive end 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye recovered Leonard's forced fumble and added three total tackles in his NFL debut.

On special teams, K Rodrigo Blankenship made his lone field goal attempt (21 yards) and lone extra point attempt, while P Rigoberto Sanchez averaged 46.8 yards per punt across four punts.

Early storylines to watch, and what they mean for the Rams

For those who study the line of scrimmage closely, this game's battle in the trenches will be for you.

Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald versus the Colts' Quenton Nelson will present one of the top individual matchups seen this season. Donald was named a First Team All-Pro for the sixth-straight season and to the Pro Bowl for a seventh-straight season, while Nelson is coming off his third-straight First Team All-Pro Selection and third-straight Pro Bowl nod.

From a broader perspective, a motivated Colts offensive line likely awaits the Rams' defensive front seven this weekend. After Wentz was sacked three times and under pressure on 20 of his 44 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus – Reich's assessment after watching the film was that the protection was not up to the Colts' standards. That group will also look different if Fisher ends up being available.

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Really, he was a better Burt Reynolds than even Burt Reynolds was. Cancer sucks.

edit - and I spelled his name wrong - no disrespect intended, Norm.

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Kelly Stafford: Football hadn't been fun for Matthew in a very long time​

Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press
Tue, September 14, 2021, 10:58 AM


Sunday was an incredible day for the Stafford family.
Kelly Stafford, wife of former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, detailed the emotions of his first game with the Los Angeles Rams in the premiere episode of her new podcast, "The Morning After with Kelly Stafford."


"I have never been so nervous for something," Kelly said. "I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink. I couldn't do anything."
The Rams' 34-14 win Sunday over the Chicago Bears was the culmination of an offseason filled with high expectations for the quarterback after a blockbuster trade sent Stafford from Detroit, who drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) sets to pass in the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 12, 2021.
"Matthew handles this pressure far better than I do," Kelly said. "There was obviously very high expectations coming into this game and this season and he crushed it, which was so fun to watch."
Kelly, who met Matthew while they attended college at the University of Georgia, gave a look into the emotional day and also a sobering comparison to Matthew's time with the Lions.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford with his wife, Kelly Stafford, during a Nov. 17, 2015 game between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
"He looked like he was having so much fun, which I haven't seen that side of Matthew on a football field in a very long time," Kelly said.
"I felt like my husband has a renewed love for this sport again."

Kelly said she felt and saw a difference in Matthew's energy as soon as he walked onto the field and gave a fist pump, something he normally wouldn't do. It continued after the game when he did something for the first time ever.
"For the first time ever after the game, he looked up at the suite with a big smile with both hands in the air," Kelly said. "It was just an incredible thing to witness."

Sep 12, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) smiles as he leaves the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly also revealed the text message she sent to Matthew before the game.
"Know that I understand that this is like a big leap of faith for you, but no one deserves this chance more than you, so go out, but more so go out and have some f------ fun," she said. "I felt like football hadn't been fun for him in a very long time."
Waking up the next morning after the win, Kelly asked Matthew how he was feeling.
"And he turns over and gives me like this little smirk," she said. "He's like, 'I think this is gonna be fun.'
"I hadn't seen that from Matthew in a very long time."
Kelly previously teased her podcast on social media, saying she would discuss Matthew's games, but that each episode would center around the morning after a different event or experience.
Other moments in this week's episode include what she misses and won't miss most about Detroit. There are also guest appearances from the woman NBC incorrectly identified as Matthew's wife during the "Sunday Night Football" broadcast and WDIV-TV (Channel 4) reporter and family friend Hank Winchester.

Kelly also teased that Matthew will eventually make an appearance on the show.

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This week's Herd Hierarchy has LA sitting at #1, with all four NFC West teams in the top 10.

Will post when it comes available...

That is what is being reported by several sources down here in F L A. From sources inside the locker room they claim.

Now I know news/media people like to grab people's attention... but damn... UNHINGED is not a word that I would use lightly.

I can't stand the sight of Meyer myself. Watching his miserable face on the sidelines Sunday during the jag game was pure joyful entertainment for me. But when I hear sources literally saying that he has now become UNHINGED... my mind starts wandering.

I mean fuck... has he really turned into Capt Arab? That's what I think of when I hear UNHINGED. LOL

So in the spirit of poking more fun at Meyer's pitiful performance on Sunday... Please give us your example(s) of people who are/were UNHINGED!!!

UNHINGED

Baaaahahahahahahahaaaaaaa