Who’s it going to be? No way they keep Webster for that role, he is a turnover waiting to happen.

Tutu really doesn’t have the body or experience to get it done.

Funk?? Knee injuries could be a problem.

Who else is there? One of the DBs?

Kurt going all in on Rams stuff. Check him out @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI9A2lRNGq52OUWgPtuYbIQ


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love you Kurt!!!

Jake Funk is an articulate speaker, and is going to be something special. Awesome that he is getting national exposure.
If someone has a link, please post it. He wants Rams fans to know they are getting a blue collar kid who is giving everything he has.

Exclusive Q&A: Rams QB Matthew Stafford reveals how he asked for a trade and more​

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been pretty quiet since the Rams acquired him in a January tradewith the Detroit Lions, where the former No. 1 overall draft pick spent the first 12 years of his career.

But he opened up on a range of topics Tuesday in a 45-minute interview with the Los Angeles Times, discussing the decision to ask for a trade, his future with the Rams, and what it was like having Dodgersstar Clayton Kershaw snapping to him on their high school football team.

Excerpts from the interview:

After 12 years in Detroit, you asked the Lions for a trade. What brought you to that point?

It was tough. It wasn’t something that I thought about on a Friday and happened on a Saturday. It was something that I had spent some time thinking about. It started casually probably with just my wife and I. She saw everything I put into this game and that team and that city, everything I had given. She had a front-row seat for that. She would talk to me about it, we would talk to each other.

It’s one of those things in life where you’ve got to make a decision. It wasn’t something that was easy for me. It was something that frankly could have backfired in my face. I could have said, “Hey, this is what I’m thinking,” and the Lions could have said, “Well, we don’t really care. You’re our guy for two more years and you’re going to see us through this thing.” I have to give them a ton of credit for their, I don’t know what the word is, open-mindedness or respect for me? It was probably a little bit of both. They were understanding to let it kind of happen or at least get the wheels turning on it.

It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done as far as conversations go. I have so much respect for that organization, the Ford family, the guys who had played in that uniform before me. There was a lot that went into that that I had to think about.

I told them, “I’m not going to say a word to anybody that’s going to say a word. Not until you guys are ready.” It was vice versa. In this day of social media and everybody trying to get the scoop, that’s not something that happens very often. I’m obviously excited about the new opportunity and happy it shook out the way it did. I feel like both teams got a fair shake out of this thing, and we can move on with everybody feeling good about it.

Troy Aikman said he played golf with you before the 2009 draft and was impressed with the way you were excited to play in Detroit. There was no wavering on your part. What do you remember about that?

At that point, it was the only 0-16 team in the history of the NFL. Saddle up, here we go. But at the same time I was excited about the opportunity. One of our coaches asked us to write down on a piece of paper what your goals are, and I remember thinking about a Super Bowl parade in Detroit and how incredible that would be. I obviously didn’t get that done, something that still motivates me and is a big part of any reason why I’m still playing as anything. But I wanted that chance. I wanted that chance to take an organization that had never even sniffed that and give it a chance.

I felt along the way we got better as an organization, there’s no question about that, from when I got there until when I left. But I was barely 21 years old and just excited to get an opportunity. The bigger the challenge the better at that point. I was ready to take on whatever anybody had for me.

So now you’re in Los Angeles, joining an organization that’s only three seasons removed from reaching the Super Bowl. You’ve got a running game, a defense and a revered play-caller in Sean McVay. Can you remember the last time you were this excited heading into a season?

It’s been a while. We had some good teams in Detroit, and I’m excited every single year because I love playing this game. But those years we made the playoffs [2011, ’14 and ’16], I thought we had good teams. But I’m very excited about playing for this team, the Rams organization. I’m excited about trying to get to know these guys. To win as consistently as the Rams have won in the last four or five years, you’ve got to have good people. You can’t just have good players and good coaches. It’s a really fun thing for me to be a part of, just trying to immerse myself in the team.

“It wasn’t something that was easy for me. It was something that frankly could have backfired in my face.”

Click to expand...

Matthew Stafford on asking the Lions for a trade

When Rich Gannon went to Oakland and Carson Palmer went to Arizona, those quarterbacks were able to redefine themselves in their last stops. Do you think about that?

Absolutely. There’s no question. Different scenario, but even Tom Brady last year, going to a new team and a different coach and a new way of doing things, and having success. That’s something that makes you feel good after you make a decision to move on. I asked to move to another team, and then you look around and see there’s other people who have done it and have been successful. I’m going to have to work my tail off to make sure I’m ready to go, and catch up to the speed of everybody else who’s been in this offense for four or five years. It’s a lot of work for me, but at the same time it’s exciting, knowing I’m getting the opportunity to do some things I’ve always wanted to do.

Archie Manning said that of all the quarterbacks who have come through the Manning Passing Academy, your arm was the most impressive. That includes virtually all of the best college quarterbacks in the past quarter-century. What was it like being there?

One of the coolest experiences of my life. I was just a young guy trying to soak up whatever I could. I got there maybe a day or two early, and Peyton and Eli were out there getting a workout on the field. They allowed me to jump in and throw with them. I’m sitting there just pinching myself after watching those guys be as good as they’ve been for such a long time.

Then the whole camp experience was great too. You get to see these guys as coaches, as players, and then you get to hang out with them afterward.

Then I’m in the airport and I’m trying to fly back to Atlanta and there were really bad storms so I’m stuck in New Orleans. Archie, somehow it gets back to him that I’m stuck at the airport. Archie invites me to dinner with the family. Peyton’s wife was out of town or something, so I was Peyton’s date to the family dinner at Ruth’s Chris. I’m sitting there like, wow. That just speaks to the character of that family.

NFL Films put you at the top of the list when it comes to quarterbacks they’ve mic’d up, from you refusing to come out of the Cleveland game and throwing the winning touchdown pass despite a separated shoulder, to you fooling Dallas by pretending to clock the ball but instead reaching it across the goal line. There were a couple other shootouts, too. What’s with the mic’d-up games?

[Lions executive] Bill Keenist would tell me, “Hey, Films wants to mic you up.” I’d be like, “Be ready for a rollercoaster this week, boys.” It was a fun thing that we joked about. Those are such cool things. I grew up watching those. Hearing the music and seeing the old films and knowing that at some point down the road a kid who’s 8 or 10 is probably watching those thinking those are pretty cool. Maybe down the road being part of some kid’s journey to do what I do is pretty cool. Something I’ll always have forever. As crazy as they were in the moment, they made for some good TV.

What was it like having Clayton Kershaw blocking for you at Highland Park High School in Dallas? Didn’t he get booted from a game for fighting or something?

That was freshman year. I was playing quarterback and he was my center. Somebody hit me late and he took exception to that, and like waayyy after the whistle nailed this dude. He got ejected from the game. I was all cheers. I loved it. It was one of those things where he was just kind of retaliating and sticking up for me, which I thought was pretty cool.

He’s one of those guys that when you watch him pitch, in my mind, knowing what I do, he pitches like a football player. He competes his ass off. Certain guys are out there and can really throw, manipulate the baseball and the spin. But this dude competes. He can have a [bad] half-inning and the rest of the game he’s lights out because he doesn’t let it bother him. It’s something I’ve appreciated about him for a long time, since back when I was a little kid catching for him. Just how hard he plays.

I understand that when you two were kids, you had a contest to see who could tip the scales at 100 pounds first, and that you had a Taco Bell eating contest to push you over the top. Didn’t you get sick?

It was a long night, that’s what I remember. For a brief, fleeting moment I was over 100 pounds. It was just one of those silly childhood things. A little competition never hurt anybody until it did. We put away a bunch of tacos and then we had to reap what we sowed.

But I’ve known Clayton for the longest time. I’m just in awe of what he’s been able to accomplish at such a young age. I had the buffer of going to college, and he obviously didn’t do that. Next thing I know I’m sitting in college and watching him throw in the big leagues.

It’s that feeling that high school buddies of mine probably have when they watch me play, right? It’s, “Oh, I grew up with that guy.” It’s kind of that fun hometown thing. I don’t really have that, because I’m usually the guy playing. But when I see Clayton, I get that same kind of feeling. Like, “Man, I used to play on the Blue Bombers soccer team with this guy.” I grew up going to every baseball practice, every football practice, all that stuff with him.

To watch him do what he’s done, and to watch him have the unbelievable success he’s had, not only as an individual but also finally as a team this last year, I’m so happy for him. I’m in awe of the way he’s been able to do it.

And he’s as good a guy as he is a baseball player, which is tough to find these days. I’m just happy to be in that conversation with him, in that story with him, and it’s something that I know down the road we’ll look back on and think is pretty cool.

In 2019, you spent the offseason tinkering with your footwork with Adam Dedeaux at 3DQB. What was the thinking behind that?

I’m always trying to find a way to be a little bit better. The common fan probably wouldn’t notice it, but I used to be in the shotgun with right foot forward, and now I’m left foot forward. It’s a little thing that helps me on certain throws to certain directions. The left side is a little bit easier to get to. I’m a little bit less busy on my drops, especially with the quick-game stuff. Gives me good tempo. It’s just finding ways to get a little bit better. I’ve really enjoyed working with those guys, trying to find little things here and there to help me out.

You said you’ve learned a lot in every stop along the way. What stands out for you in that regard about the years with the Lions?

Throughout my 12 years in Detroit I learned a ton, both about success and also about failure, how to keep coming back and deal with it. It’s a learning process every step of the way. I’m learning how to apply sunblock here in L.A. and what that’s like again. But I know I’ll learn a bunch here from a really smart coach and some players that have done it at a high level. Getting to be around the Aaron Donalds and Andrew Whitworths of the world is pretty fun for me.

You refer to your wife, Kelly, and your four daughters as “my support system.” How has this new chapter been for them?

They’re everything to me. The fact that my wife was so on board, it’s a big move for us. Four kids. Picking up and moving when we were so comfortable and so used to, and just giving me the “Hell, yeah, let’s do it. You’re only going to play football for however many years. Let’s go on an adventure and try to figure this thing out.” I’m just so appreciative and in awe of that. I don’t know if I could have done the same thing if I was in her shoes.

SoFi Stadium launches tour program​

SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, is officially launching its tour program, SoFi Stadium Tours, to the public on Saturday, May 22. SoFi Stadium Tours is an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience that takes guests on a journey though the creation of SoFi Stadium, the largest stadium in the NFL and one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the world. The tour also puts attendees in the heat of the action, showcasing what it feels like to be a player on game day.

Guests on a SoFi Stadium tour will be able to run through a player tunnel onto the field, check out Rams and Chargers locker rooms and even test their football skills on the field. Inspired by the NFL Scouting Combine, some of the on-field tour challenges include running the 40-yard dash, attempting a field goal kick and testing passing prowess. Once an attendee completes an on-field challenge, they will be able to compare their statistics to those of professional football players.

"SoFi Stadium Tours will give visitors an inside look into the making of SoFi Stadium and a chance to experience game day from a player's perspective," said Jason Gannon, managing director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. "Our goal is to create extraordinary experiences for guests each time they visit the Hollywood Park campus. Our tour program is one way we intend to deliver on that promise."

Tour attendees will also learn about how the stadium was built and dive into the building's cutting-edge technology, including its already iconic dual-sided videoboard. They will also be to experience some of SoFi Stadium's most premium seats and suites, as well as visit the stadium's team store, The Equipment Room. The two-story team store features Rams, Chargers and SoFi Stadium gear, with some items exclusive to The Equipment Room.

SoFi Stadium partnered with Legends, a premium experiences company with expertise across merchandising, sales, partnerships, planning, technology, and hospitality, to operate SoFi Stadium Tours.

"SoFi Stadium Tours is a chance for fans to experience everything that makes this stadium special – the history, architecture and landscaping, state-of-the-art technology, and premium amenities – against the backdrop of Los Angeles," said Bill Wilson, Legends executive vice president, Hospitality. "From the Tunnel Run to the Technology Center, fans will be able to experience every aspect of game day."

SoFi Stadium Tour Interactive Activities Include:

Tunnel Run

Feel like a pro as you run through the 60-foot tunnel experience to hype you up before you enter the SoFi Stadium field.

Premium Guest Experience

Once in our impressive private suites and clubs, take in the luxuries of the premium guest experience and learn about SoFi Stadium's premier catering, the LA Eats program, with famous chefs Jon and Vinny, luxurious décor, and the many amenities available to fans on event days. Imagine the game day or event day atmosphere from a unique vantage point.

On-Field Challenges

Have you ever wanted to test your skills to see where you would rank against the football pros? Thanks to the state-of-the-art Zebra technology and inspired by the NFL Scouting Combine, our field activities will let you test just that. Show off your skills as a pro, kicking field goals, throwing at targets, running the "40," and testing your high jump.

Integrated Technology Center powered by Google Cloud

At the Integrated Technology Center powered by Google Cloud, fans can learn about our technology partners and how they help power the stadium.

Locker Rooms

Visit the player locker rooms of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.

Interview Room

Smile! Take a photo as if you're at the post-game press conference after a big win.

The Equipment Room

On your way out, there's no better way to commemorate a trip to SoFi Stadium than through the official team shop, where you can find stadium-exclusive merchandise and gear.

Guests will enter through the VIP Entrance (Entry 7) on American Airlines Plaza, with parking in Lot N. Additional information about available tour dates and ticket packages can be found on

www.sofistadium.com/tours. New dates will be added on a rolling basis. ANYTIME purchasers receive priority communication when new dates are made available. Days and hours of operation are subject to change, so please visit the website for the latest hours and information.

In addition to operating SoFi Stadium Tours, Legends has been engaged throughout SoFi Stadium on hospitality, premium sales, retail, partnerships and naming rights, technology solutions, and project development.

Pick yours and why?

Get in here @Angry Ram

Here are the ones to choose:

Credit Author

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Invisibility​

You know you’ve got it when: You go all see-through, obviously.

Made famous by: Sue Storm ( Fantastic Four ), Sebastian Caine ( Hollow Man ), Violet Parr ( The Incredibles ), Harry Potter

How would you use your power? Handy if you wanted to spy on your boss, or perhaps prank the school bully without them knowing (Harry Potter style). Or you could simply become hide-and-seek world champion.

Disadvantages: Invisibility’s all very well but if you’re not quiet and agile as well, don’t bother. Plus if you practise it too much, you might just get stuck that way permanently.

Verdict: Fun, but the novelty would soon wear off and you might end up giving someone a heart attack when you re-appear.

Superhuman Strength​

You know you’ve got it when: You can pick up a car or play catch with a television.

Made famous by: Superman, Mr Incredible, Thor, Wolverine/ Colossus/ Juggernaut/ Sabretooth ( X-Men ), Bane ( Batman ), Hancock.

How would you use your power? There'd be no need to call the AA if your car breaks down, you could help your neighbours move house (or just move their house), and the fear of being mugged would be a thing of the past.

Disadvantages: Don’t lose your temper: You-break-it-you-buy-it! Plus people will be nagging you to come round and help shift furniture all the time.
Verdict: You’re an all-round handy man.

Flying​

You know you’ve got it when: The ground is further away than it used to be.

Made famous by: Storm ( X-Men ), G-Girl ( My Super-Ex Girlfriend ), Hancock, Blade, Superman and Supergirl.

How would you use your power? Traffic jams will be a thing of the past for you. You can help save someone’s life or get a cat out of a tree. Just think of the money you’d save on plane tickets!

Disadvantages: Make sure you check the flight path before travel – you don’t want to cause an air accident. Plus if you suffer from a fear of heights or travel sickness, then this might not be the superpower for you.

Verdict: The commute would be a lot more fun (but you might need to employ your own personal air traffic controller).

Shapeshifting​

You know you’ve got it when: You take copying someone’s look to the extreme.

Made famous by: Mystique ( X-Men )

How would you use your power ? It'd be pretty cool to spend the day in someone else's shoes, just to see what it’s like and how they roll. It’s also a great way to spy or get a secret out of someone.

Disadvantages: It’s not the most honest of powers, and identity theft could land you in prison. Plus you have to keep up the pretence at all times, especially when you’re surrounded by people you’re supposed to know. Make sure you do your homework.

Verdict: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but you need to know your limits.

Super Speed​

You know you’ve got it when: You can run a mile in seconds.

Made famous by: Superman, Dash Parr ( The Incredibles ), vampires ( Twilight )

How would you use your power? Scoring that bucket list place in the Guinness Book of World Records! Getting all your chores done and dusted in the blink of an eye! Never missing that train again!

Disadvantages: It’s well known that if you want to do something right you should take your time. Plus running at such speed creates a serious risk of accidents, and your gob's likely to become a bug trap.

Verdict: Take a leaf out of Clark Kent’s book and become a journalist or a writer. Stick to speed-writing, it’s safer.

Super Senses​

You know you’ve got it when: You hear someone at the door before the dog does.

Made famous by: Spiderman, Daredevil, Superman, Catwoman.

How would you use your power? Stronger senses, better balance: you could take up acrobatics or join Cirque du Soleil. You could chuck your glasses straight in the bin, too.

Disadvantages: Getting enough sleep would be a concern, what with your highly-attuned senses picking up all the creeks and bangs in your house. And let's not even think about rambunctious neighbours...

Verdict: You’ll become more alert, observant and vigilant, but you’d probably trade it all in for a good night's kip.

Telepathy/ Mind Control​

You know you’ve got it when: You're the only one who responds to someone thinking out loud (literally).
Made famous by: Professor Xavier/ Jean Grey ( X-Men ), Jedis, Edward Cullen ( Twilight ).

How would you use your power? The possibilities are frankly endless. Probably the most useful when you want someone to forget something embarrassing you did or shift attention away from the fact that it's your turn to pay for the drinks down the pub.

Disadvantages: There’s the moral dilemma that comes with raiding someone's private thoughts, and you could hear something you really didn't want to. Plus, we'd imagine it might give you awful migraines.

Verdict: The kind of power that should only be used under controlled conditions. An off-switch would be nice too...

Telekinesis​

You know you’ve got it when: Passing the salt is a lot less effort.

Made famous by: Jean Grey ( X-Men ), Sylar ( Heroes ), Dr Manhattan ( Watchmen ), Carrie, Matilda.

How would you use your power? You’re snuggled very comfortably into the sofa, but the remote is at the other end of the room. A little brain activity and the object you desire flies smoothly through the air and into your hands. You don’t have to move a muscle.

Disadvantages: Obesity is likely to be a common side effect.

Verdict: Really cool power, but make sure you go to the gym and eat healthily. Nobody likes a slob.

Teleportation​

You know you’ve got it when: When you think of Egypt and suddenly you're on top of a pyramid.

Made famous by: Doctor Manhattan ( Watchmen ), Nightcrawler ( X-Men 2 ), Hiro Nakamura ( Heroes ), David Rice ( Jumper )

How would you use your power? You can go anywhere you want: stand on Lady Liberty’s torch, sit on top of the Eiffel tower, or watch the sunset from the Grand Canyon. If you’re feeling cheeky, you could teleport in and out of nightclubs, cinemas and gigs without paying.

Disadvantages: Cover your tracks, the government are going to be extremely keen to tap your ability.

Verdict: All the culture/richness of the world is at your fingertips, but try not to steal too much. Nobody likes a thief.

Power Absorbtion​

You know you’ve got it when: Hanging around with the X-Men is like being a kid in a candy store.

Made famous by: Rogue/ Mystique ( X-Men ), Peter Petrelli ( Heroes )

How would you use your power? In the pursuit of having lots of fun. You can have any skill you want and when you get bored just let go and try someone else. The world of superpowers is your oyster.

Disadvantages: You're always borrowing powers from other people, so you'd need to have some pretty powerful friends.

Verdict: You could live a pretty varied super-life if you moved in the right crowds. You're basically a parasite though.

Regenerative Power​

You know you’ve got it when: Plasters? What are plasters?

Made famous by: Wolverine/ Sabretooth ( X-Men ), Claire Bennet ( Heroes ), Deadpool

How would you use your power? A future in extreme sports beckons.

Disadvantage: You still feel pain, so don't go getting too carried away.

Verdict: Use with caution, although it would be nice to live life with a permanent safety barrier.

Super-Stretching Abilities​

You know you’ve got it when: You're basically a human Cheesestring.

Made famous by: Elastigirl ( The Incredibles ), Mr Fantastic ( Fantastic Four ).

How would you use your power? Your stretchy skin could get you out of many a tricky situation: you could adapt your physique into a sailing vessel, a parachute or a humongous catapult. But really, we'd probably mostly use this for laughs.

Disadvantages: You'll probably attract stares and comments in the street. And be careful not to overdo it, lest you end up the wrong size/shape permanently.

Verdict: A pleasingly versatile power, if not the most glamourous.

Hulking Out​

You know you’ve got it when: Your moodswings result in the destruction of small cities.

Made famous by: Bruce Banner ( The Hulk ), LXG 's Jekyll.

How would you use your power? You’re a lean, mean fighting machine and you could kick ass anytime you want. Bonus.

Disadvantages: If you lose your temper or have a sudden mood swing over the tiniest little problem, you literally turn into a monster. Not one for those inclined towards stress.

Verdict: It's uncontrollable, unpredictable and highly dangerous. We want.

Hulking Out​

You know you’ve got it when: Your moodswings result in the destruction of small cities.

Made famous by: Bruce Banner ( The Hulk ), LXG 's Jekyll.

How would you use your power? You’re a lean, mean fighting machine and you could kick ass anytime you want. Bonus.

Disadvantages: If you lose your temper or have a sudden mood swing over the tiniest little problem, you literally turn into a monster. Not one for those inclined towards stress.

Verdict: It's uncontrollable, unpredictable and highly dangerous. We want.

Object Manipulation​

You know you’ve got it when: You can manipulate man-made objects.

Made famous by: Magneto/ Jubilee/ Gambit ( X-Men ).

How would you use your power? Similar to telekinesis really, but the real difference here is the artistry. Imagine the sculptures you could churn out, or the pizzazz with which you could win poker games.

Disadvantages: You're likely to only be able to manipulate a certain kind of object, so compared to telekinesis your power is a little limited.

Verdict: Depends on what you can move. Moving metal like Magneto is very neat; flinging playing cards around could quickly grow boring.

Element manipulation​

You know you've got it when: You can manipulate wind, earth, fire, water

Made famous by: The Human Torch ( Fantastic Four ), Storm/ Havok/ Pyro/ Iceman ( X-Men ), Frozone, Jack Jack ( The Incredibles ), Thor, Avatars ( The Last Airbender )

How would you use your power? Wet bank holiday weekends will become a distant memory, you’ll never need to buy matches, and your can of beer will always be perfectly chilled. Nice.

Disadvantages: The long term environmental impacts have yet to be ascertained.

Verdict: Showstoppingly cool, but make sure you practise beforehand. Oh, and one of those mini fire-extinguishers wouldn't go amiss.

Impenetrable Armour​

You know you’ve got it when: You can protect yourself with some blingin' armour.

Made famous by: Colossus/ Emma Frost ( X-Men ), Sandman ( Spider-Man 3 )

How would you use your power? Essentially you are indestructible, able to withstand any pressure, pain or weight thrown at you: you can do whatever you want.

Disadvantages: You're not immortal, and so you're still susceptible to pain and fear when in your natural human state. You'd also have to face a long line in diamond puns.

Verdict: The lack of permanence could actually be a bonus, so you could slip in and out of your super-tough armour. Get ready for the 'diamond geezer' jibes though...

Indestructibility​

You know you’ve got it when: Bullets are little more than a nuisance.

Made famous by: Superman, Supergirl, The Thing ( Fantastic Four ), Wolverine's adamantium-coated skeleton ( X-Men ), Blade

How would you use your power? Technically this makes you immortal as you will never feel pain or be damaged. Bring it!

Disadvantages: Pretty cool gift, but you could end up being very lonely. You’ll be different to other people, so you can never know what it's like to take a risk and feel human.

Verdict: Might make you feel like an outcast, but who cares? Did you not hear that you're indestructible?!

Animal Transformation​

You know you’ve got it when: Hairballs are an all-too-real problem.

Made famous by: Dracula, Catwoman, Toad/ Sabretooth ( X-Men ), Sirius Black/ Rita Skeeter/ Peter Petirgrew/ James Potter/ Remus Lupin/ Professor McGonagall ( Harry Potter ), Blade, Jacob Black ( Twilight ), The Wolfman.

How would you use your power: It'd be pretty hard to resist the temptation to turn into cat: sleep most of the day, play with the occasional bit of yarn, just generally chill...

Disadvantages: You may not be in full control of your power (lycanthropes in particular). There's also the danger of getting stuck that way – look at Peter Pettigrew – which could be more than a little infuriating.

Verdict: Fun, but make sure someone knows what you are. Your cat-form could have some difficulty persuading your friends of its identity.

Heat-Ray Vision​

You know you’ve got it when: If looks could kill... you'd probably notice quite quickly.

Made famous by: Cyclops ( X-Men ), Superman.

How would you use your power? As well as the obvious combat capabilities, there's always the option of being able to burn through walls. If you could control your power well enough, you'd have a neat way of lighting cigarettes.

Disadvantages: You could hurt someone you care about, as it's nearly always hormone related. Without the proper precautions this is a dangerous power, and you’d probably need to wear special glasses permanently like Cyclops, so you may end up rocking the Bono look...

Verdict: Dangerous. You’re a walking fire hazard, but you do look damn cool...

X-Ray Vision​

You know you’ve got it when: It's not just embarrassing presentations that result in you picturing everyone in their underwear.

Made famous by: Superman

How would you use your power? You could help save a life with this gift. Imagine all the time saved when you know immediately if someone needs medical attention or not. We definitely wouldn't use it to peek under people's clothes, no sir!

Disadvantages: Don't go getting any delusions of grandeur - this doesnt make you a doctor. Plus, make sure you don't stare too hard: this power could bring out the perv in you...

Verdict: It's a moral minefield, but that's a risk we'd be willing to take for this underrated gem.

Natural Physical Mutation​

You know you’ve got it when: You start noticing body parts that weren't there before.

Made famous by: Angel/ Angel Salvadore/ Kid Omega/ Beast ( X-Men )

How would you use your power? Each power is unique. Wings would be insanely cool (flight, again), but we could do without webbed feet or Robin Williams-esque body hair.

Disadvantages: How on earth do you find clothes that fit? A seriously good (and understanding) tailor would be essential. Your personal grooming budget would also go through the roof.

Verdict: Expensive, but celebrate your individuality. There's always the circus...

Phasing​

You know you’ve got it when: Doors just seem too mainstream.

Made famous by: Kitty Pryde ( X-Men: The Last Stand )

How would you use your power? Casper is your middle name – you’ll always be able to take the shortest route between two points. Equally you won't have to use the stairs as you can sink through the floor to the room below. Perfect for speedy getaways.

Disadvantages: It'd be hard to find friends who could keep up with you. And a life of crime would look pretty tempting....

Verdict: Suprisingly useful, with limited drawbacks.

Time Bending/ Freezing​

You know you’ve got it when: You do everything in your own sweet, physics-defying time.

Made famous by: Hiro Nakamura ( Heroes ), Piper Halliwell ( Charmed ), Neo ( The Matrix )

How could you use your power? The possibilities are close to limitless. You could get things done in super-efficient real-time, impose a nap-break whenever you felt like it, and you'd need never get in trouble again. And you could always, y'know, do something good and save someone's life or whatever.

Disadvantages: When you freeze time, everything stops. So it’s not like you could bunk off work and go to Disneyland for the day – none of the rides would work.

Verdict: This has got to be one of the most tempting ones out there...

Wealth​

You know you’ve got it when: All those zeroes on the end of your bank balance are a bit of a giveaway.

Made famous by: Bruce Wayne, Britt Reid, Tony Stark and Lex Luthor.

How would you use your power? Ok so it's not technically a superpower, but that doesn't mean you can't buy one. If you want to become a superhero though, having lots of money is the best way to start – who need physical powers when you have the cool car and gadgets…Right Batman?

Disadvantages: You still can't buy happiness, and with great wealth comes great responsibility.

Verdict: Being rich is great.

Divinity​

You know you've got it when: It's fairly self-evident when you're a deity.

Made famous by: Thor, God (Bruce Almighty)

How would you use your power? It'd be difficult knowing where to start, the sheer scale of your dimension-crossing power would be pretty overwhelming

Disadvantages: It's a one man job.

Verdict: It's the ultimate super power, but it'd probably be a too much pressure for us. We'd opt for a more instantly-gratifying gift...

Current Rams Roster & assigned Jersey numbers

Players on the current roster and Jersey numbers are subject to change on a weekly basis



DeSean Jackson #1 WR
Robert Woods #2 WR
Cam Akers #3 RB
Jordan Fuller #4 S
Bryce Perkins #5 QB

Johnny Hekker #6 P
Matt Gay #8 K
Matthew Stafford #9 QB
Cooper Kupp #10 WR
Darious Williams #11 CB

Van Jefferson #12 WR
Corey Bojorquez #13 P
John Wolford #13 QB
Nsimba Webster #14 WR
Tutu Atwell #15 WR

Brandon Wright #16 P
J.J. Koski #17 WR
Jeremiah Haydel #18 WR
Austin MacGinnis #18 K
Devlin Hodges #19 QB

Jalen Ramsey #20 CB
Dont'e Deayon #21 CB
David Long #22 CB
JuJu Hughes #23 S
Taylor Rapp #24 S

Xavier Jones #25 RB
Terrell Burgess #26 S
Darrell Henderson #27 RB
Raymond Calais #30 RB
Robert Rochell #31 CB

Travin Howard #32 LB
Nick Scott #33 S
Jake Funk #34 RB
Brontae Harris #35 DB
J.R. Reed #36 DB

Jovan Grant #37 S
Troy Warner #38 S
Jake Gervase #39 S
Kenny Young #41 LB
Paris Ford #43 S

Steven Wirtel #44 LS
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo #45 OLB
Derrick Moncrief #47 LB
Chris Garrett #48 OLB
Ernest Jones #50 LB

Troy Reeder #51 LB
Terrell Lewis #52 OLB
Justin Lawler #53 OLB
Leonard Floyd #54 OLB
Brian Allen #55 C

Christian Rozeboom #56 LB
Max Roberts #57 OLB
Justin Hollins #58 OLB
Micah Kiser #59 LB
Jordan Meredith #61 OL

Austin Corbett #63 OL
Jamil Demby #64 OL
Coleman Shelton #65 OL
Max Pircher #66 OL
Chandler Brewer #67 OL

Alaric Jackson #68 OL
Sebastian Joseph-Day #69 DL
Joe Noteboom #70 OL
Bobby Evans #71 OL
Tremayne Anchrum #72 OL

David Edwards #73 OL
Andrew Whitworth #77 OL
Rob Havenstein #79 OL
Ben Skowronek #81 TE/WR
Johnny Mundt #82 TE

Trishton Jackson #83 WR
Landen Akers #84 WR
Kendall Blanton #86 TE
Jacob Harris #87 TE/WR
Brycen Hopkins #88 TE

Tyler Higbee #89 TE
Earnest Brown #90 DL
Greg Gaines #91 DL
Jonah Williams #92 DL
Marquise Copeland #93 DL

A'Shawn Robinson #94 DL
Bobby Brown III #95 DL
Michael Hoecht #96 DL
George Silvanic #97 DL
Eric Banks #98 DL
Aaron Donald #99 DL

John Daka DL #N/A
Matt Orzech LS #N/A

My history as a Rams fan goes back to the mid-1970s. I know that some go back even further.

I was thinking about preseason confidence or, put another way, the years in which I felt most confident in the Rams' chance to win it all.

Obviously, the years 2000 - right after winning it all, and 2001 - when the Rams reloaded with three first round draft picks to bolster a defense that had struggled in the previous year, come to mind. I also felt pretty confident going into the 1985 and 1989 seasons. Most recently, I thought the Rams were contender going into the 2018 season.

Compared to those years, how would you rate your confidence level?

I'd say we're a contender. I'm not going to call us the favorite, by any means, to make or win the Super Bowl, but its not unreasonable to have hope.

Where do you slot your current confidence level, historically speaking?

Where are They Now? Ivory Sully​

Undrafted out of the University of Delaware in 1979, Ivory Sully, a Leonia, NJ native, could have driven eight miles from his home to the Meadowlands and sign with the Giants. Or he could have headed to Southern California and sign with the Rams.

"Those were my two choices. I'd never been out west in my life, so I took a chance," Sully said. "I packed two suitcases and I told my mom, 'Mom, I love you, but I don't plan on coming back. I plan on making this team.'"

A. He made the team.

B. Forty-two years later, he's still in Los Angeles.

A running back in college, he began training camp with the Rams playing at the same position. That lasted one day.

"My road was a long road. On the second day of training camp, Ray Malavasi, who was our (head) coach, called me into his office. I thought I was going to get cut before the first week, for crying out loud," Sully laughed. "But he told me, 'We're going to move you to defensive back. We think that you've got a lot of speed and we want to see if you could learn how to play that.'

"So what I ended up doing was going back to my room. I cried my eyes out and said, 'I don't know what I'm going to do. Screw it, let's just go get this thing done.' One thing I could do, I could fight and I could make things happen. And I could run. So, I made it stick and I made it happen. Thank God I had great guys on the team to help me learn how to backpedal."

In Sully's rookie season, he and his backpedal instructors/teammates won four of their last five games to earn the NFC West conference title for a seventh straight year. And after upsetting Dallas in the first round of the playoffs, the Rams shut out Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game, and met Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XIV.

"We had a core on our team that had just missed making the Super Bowl the year prior in 1978. So there was an attitude and an understanding on a very veteran team of what the goal was," Sully said. "And I think what happened was a combination of veteran leadership, knowing what to expect as we go deeper into the playoffs, and how to get over that hump.

"We had a very veteran team, but we also had a slashing of young guys such as myself. I was so blessed to be able to be there. The expectation was, you've got to make plays to make this team. So the bottom line is, we made plays to make it to the Super Bowl."

The Steelers won, 31-19.

With the Rams for five more seasons, Sully, a backup safety and special teams standout, was chosen to be a captain three times. What did it mean to him to be looked upon as a team leader?

"Humbled. Flattered that they thought so much of me that they would put me in that position," Sully said. "But I had to focus. We had some of the best special teams in the league for years. And there's a reason why. We had great guys that bought in. And nobody bought in, I don't think, in the league more than the Los Angeles Rams and our special teams. We were special, we really were."

Playing for Tampa and Detroit to round out his nine-year career, Sully witnessed firsthand that Rams fans are special in their own right.

"Rams fans are definitely different. L.A. is a melting pot of people from around the country," Sully said. "And so what you'll find from time to time is allegiance to the visiting team because of the diversity that L.A. has in attracting people from other areas of the country.

"You've definitely got a type of fan that is unique in the fact that they root for the Rams for every game except for if their childhood team come into town, they're going to root for them. But the loyalty to the Rams is there territorially."

Sully makes his home in Anaheim with his wife, Sylvia. They have four children: Jacob, Amber, Megan, and Jasmine; and three grandchildren. An independent contractor, he owns a business called Ivory Sully & Associates.

"It doesn't hurt to say you played with the Rams when you're in L.A., that's for sure," Sully laughed. "I work in the licensing and branding arena. And in doing that, now it's more like the people are the brand when you personalize it, there's an automatic connection. So I can't say that that hasn't helped me procure customers and accrue a good base of people that I represent. It definitely is symbiotic.

"I work with an assessment tool [PDP Works Global] called ProScan. This tool is so remarkable. It's been around for 40 years and it's been used over six million times to create this algorithm that is 97 percent accurate in identifying your personal, individual, unique strengths."

Sully continued. "I can't lie and say the pandemic hasn't really put a dent in the effect of that business. However, the business model in and of itself is there to help people that are transitioning out of one area of life and into the next. And ProScan is an unbelievable tool for bringing out what your strengths are, your God-given strengths.

"I'm in a phase that I'm transitioning into older age. I might not want to work as hard. So what do I do best? I discovered that what I do best is serve people. My ideal for service of people is the thing that really makes me happy. And it makes me proud."

Even if DeSean Jackson, Tutu Atwell and Jacob Harris don’t start I would think that their speed should open up the Rams Offense and provide Matt Stafford some great weapons and downfall targets which I hope will help Akers and the running game as well!

At the ripe old age of 34, DeSean Jackson has a terrible resume his last 2 seasons as a professional WR.

2020 Philadelphia: Games played 5, Receptions 14, Yards 236, YPC 16.9, Longest catch 81, TD 1

2019 Philadelphia: Games played 3, Receptions 9, Yards 159, YPC 17.7, Longest catch 53, TD 2

2018 Buccaneers: Games played 12, Receptions 41, Yards 774, YPC 18.9, Longest catch 75, TD 4

He balled a little bit like his old self in 2018 but his most recent 2 seasons have been plagued by injuries and a huge drop in production.

Even if you throw in his 2017 stats there are red flags showing he's declined from the WR he was from 2013 to 2016.

2017 Buccaneers: Games played 14, Receptions 50, Yards 668, YPC 13.4, Longest catch 41, TD 3

The good news is McVay and his guru trainer Reggie Smith will prepare and train Jackson differently than he was during the last 2 seasons.

They will try their best to keep him fresh with their own training regime in 2021 and he probably will not get any snaps in the coming preseason.

The bad news is Jackson has been on the back 9 of his career since the 2017 season ended. We can be honest and agree, that was a log time ago.

There is little doubt that DeSean will train and prepare for 2021 on a different level than he did the last 2 seasons under the guidance of the Rams training staff.

There is also no guarantee that the Rams methods will assure us he's going to last the duration of a 17 game season in 2021.

This is obviously why the Rams selected a similar type rookie WR deep ball specialist (insurance) Tutu Atwell with their first pick #57 overall in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL draft.

The 2 most exciting and unpredictable WR's for the Rams in 2021 will be DeSean Jackson and Tutu Atwell. They are the deep threat field stretching additions the Rams have been missing the last 2 seasons.

I got a feeling there will be more than a few current players that don't make the final roster. McSnead's draft valued speed and ST.
Who goes to make room for draftees they want to keep?

Webster, Young and look expendable. Who else?

Stafford will be a difference maker – L.A. Rams offensive film study with Kurt Warner​

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/AcF7zYaQ

I can't figure out how to post the video on here but it popped up on my NFL account this morning that Peter Schrager thinks the Rams are the best fit for Julio because Raheem Morris was his WRs coach for 5 years in ATL and that rams just like to make these kind of moves. I know there's probably a 1% chance of this happening but I thought it would be fun to see what the thoughts were on a move like this. Who knows what it would take maybe Robert Woods and a 3rd rounder? Anyway I thought it would be fun to discuss.

Rams return Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, but questions remain for defending No. 1 defense​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- With the promise of an improved offense, the Los Angeles Rams' defense is preparing for an encore performance.

Last season, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey spurred the unit to the top of the NFL.

Both star playmakers return after a 10-6 season that resulted in divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. So does outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who signed a four-year, $64 million deal after a career-best campaign in which he tallied 10.5 sacks.

But gone is defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who inherited a defense that ranked ninth in efficiency and improved it to first in his only season before departing to become the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach. Enter defense coordinator Raheem Morris, who held the same post last season with the Atlanta Falcons for five games before being promoted to interim head coach.

Morris takes over a defense that allowed a league-low 18.5 points in 2020. He is expected to maintain what Staley installed, including the base 3-4 scheme, but will add some of his own wrinkles to shape a unit that can propel the Rams to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium next February.

"I don't think it's pressure," Morris said at his introductory news conference when asked about taking over the league's top-ranked defense. "I think it's more of an opportunity."

Last season, the Rams ranked No. 1 in passing yards allowed per game at 190.7. They ranked No. 3 against the run, allowing only 91.3 rushing yards per game.

However, there's room for improvement, especially at creating turnovers. The Rams forced 22 turnovers last season, which ranked 10th, and intercepted 14 passes, ranking 12th.

Entering the NFL draft last month, Rams coach Sean McVay said the Rams did not have any glaring holes that needed to be filled. Along with Donald, Ramsey and Floyd, the Rams also return cornerback Darious Williams, whose coming off a breakthrough season that included four interceptions, and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, a former sixth-round pick who is entering his third season as a starter.

But some of their key playmakers have departed.

Four defensive starters left this offseason, including veteran defensive lineman Michael Brockers -- who was traded to Detroit -- outside linebacker Samson Ebukam, cornerback Troy Hill and safety John Johnson III.

The Rams used five of their nine draft picks to select defensive players: South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones, Texas A&M defensive lineman Bobby Brown III, Central Arkansas cornerback Robert Rochell, Northwestern defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV and Concordia-St. Paul outside linebacker Chris Garrett.

"You look at each of them and there's a vision that we have for them and how they fit, how they provide value for a football team," said McVay, who's entering his fifth season as coach.

A third-round pick, Jones is expected to compete for playing time in a linebacking corps that has struggled with health and depth the past two seasons.

"I'm going to deliver whatever they tell [me] and the tasks they put in front of me," Jones said. "It's going to get handled on my end."

The Rams used two of their picks to bring in reinforcements for the defensive line.

Bobby Brown III, a fourth-round pick, admitted in the moments after he was drafted that Donald was among his favorite players. Coming off a 13.5-sack season, Donald will attempt to make a quick study of Brown as the two try to build a chemistry that Donald built over seven seasons playing alongside Brockers, a first-round pick in 2012. Their first meeting was a positive step in that direction.

"Bobby is a large human being, very athletic, very strong," Rams general manager Les Snead said. "So, definitely felt like he was worthy of picking there at the start of the fourth round based on that skillset."

And Earnest Brown IV, a fifth-round selection, has the ability to play multiple spots like former Rams defensive lineman Morgan Fox, a key role player who signed with Carolina in free agency.

"He's someone that can add versatility of maybe playing inside and also outside a little bit," Snead said of Brown IV.

The Rams' rookie minicamp was more an orientation and less football instruction. The rookies will be thrown into the mix during voluntary team organized activities, which got underway this week, and the Rams are scheduled to hold mandatory minicamp the second week of June.

As Morris' defense begins to take shape, several key questions must be answered through the offseason: Who will step up to rush the passer opposite of Floyd? Who will take over as the signal-caller -- a role previously held by Johnson? And how will Donald and Ramsey be deployed to keep opponents guessing?

Second-year pro Terrell Lewis and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will compete to earn the starting spot on the edge. Morris could opt to send signals in via linebacker or safety -- perhaps Taylor Rapp, who is expected to fill in for Johnson, who signed with Cleveland in free agency.

And as for Donald and Ramsey, watch for Morris to utilize their talents in a similar way that Staley did, lining them up in sometimes unexpected spots or formations to maximize their ability and allow them to make plays on the football.

Yeah I’m old but not older than dirt. I remember listening to Rams games on the radio. We only had 3 tv stations and got limited games but I did get to see some of the greats. I still have a picture of the fearsome foursome that I cherish.

First game I went to was Vikings at the LA coliseum 11/24/74. 20-17 win for our Rams.

What I continue to hear from many of the draft gurus/pundits & fans, is the Bengals & Rams gambled with style over substance with their first picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Bengals with their first pick in the first round #5 overall, passed on the highest rated LT Penei Sewell and selected the flashy big play stud LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase.

According to PFF the Bengals star rookie QB Joe Burrow had a bottom five offensive in 2020. He ended up with a fluke knee injury requiring major surgery on December 3, 2020.

The good news for Cincinnati is that Burrow should be ready for the 2021 season opener.

The bad news is the Bengals balked at the opportunity to select the highest rated OT in the 2021 NFL draft and rolled the dice on selecting his old super star college buddy WR from LSU.

PFF Worst Ranked Offensive Lines in 2020

Number 30. CINCINNATI BENGALS
It’s safe to say that Joe Burrow did not have the cleanest of pockets to work from in his rookie season before suffering a season-ending injury in one of those collapsing pockets.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft took 32 sacks (t-2nd most) and 42 quarterback hits (t-5th most) over the first 11 weeks of the season. That falls back largely on the play of the offensive line.

Jonah Williams was the only member of Cincinnati’s offensive line to record a pass-blocking grade of 70.0 or higher (75.8) in a group that was hampered not only by a lack of talent but also by injuries.

Ten different players played at least 200 snaps along the offensive line for the Bengals this season. It’s not a surprise that many Cincinnati fans have their sights set on Oregon tackle prospect Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Did the Bengals get away from conventional thinking by selecting style over substance with the big play WR?


The Rams passed on the highest rated Center in the 2021 NFL draft "Creed Humphrey" from Oklahoma and they also passed on one of the highest rated Center/Guards with the high ceiling prospect Quinn Meinerz.

The Rams instead selected the flashy, speed demon, long threat half pint WR Tutu Atwell from Louisville.

The Rams appear to be in experiment mode replacing their center Blythe heading into the 2021season.

Blythe was far from a fan favorite so we will find out if there is an upgrade on the current roster in the coming months.

Blythe spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.

He appeared in 63 games (48 starts) for Los Angeles since 2017 and also saw action in six playoff games with five starts.

Blythe started 47 of 48 possible games over the past three seasons, establishing himself as a reliable and consistent contributor along the Rams' offensive line. In fact, Blythe played every offensive snap for Los Angeles in two of the last three seasons (2018 and 2020).

Pro Football Focus ranked Blythe as the No. 13 overall center in the NFL last season.

The advanced metrics compiled by PFF reflected a solid campaign in 2020 for Blythe, who earned the No. 13 overall blocking grade among centers and the No. 9 run-blocking grade.

Like the Bengals, did the Rams get away from conventional thinking by selecting style over substance with the big play WR?



Did both of these teams make a big mistake?

A comedic actor that had a deadpan style..MidnIght Run was one of his movies...

I used to work in West Palm Beach, Florida, and would pass by Woodlawn Cemetery, which was established over 100 years ago. The entrance is marked by a stone arch, built in 1925, with this phrase carved in stone:

“That which is so universal as death must be a blessing.”

I always found that phrase eloquently worded and oddly comforting.

Here’s the strange part...nobody knows the origin of the quote. There have been theories over the years, but the mystery remains.

In a weird way, not knowing the authorship somehow enhances the veracity of the words, which are compelling without the need for a citation to an unimpeachable source.

Perhaps, I just want it to be true.

Any local mysteries you’d like to share?

We have all sat and thought about things we used to be able to do, that we simply can't do anymore. Or a trait we used to have that we no longer do. People change over time. What are yours?

Hey guys, I just wanted to stop in here and say hello and let you guys know what I'm up to. Some of you follow me as it is but in case anyone is interested I just wanted to let you guys know I started my own YouTube channel. I have been putting up a ton of Rams content and will continue to do so. If you are interested in checking it out and following along be sure to subscribe. I try to come on here when I can but I'm very busy so I can't guarantee when I'll be on here.

Here's the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzsd2pfWWznowBS81fADTpA

Thank you all for your support and I will keep this thread clicked on watch this thread so I can interact with you all.

He didn't do his homework and made a glaring omission. I'd probably have the RB he missed as #6. This is why I refuse to purchase a PFF subscription:

The Future Is The Present For The Rams​

Truthiness is an unfortunate 21st-century disease that has infected all aspects of life. Facts no longer matter and it’s all about people’s own truth despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The Rams are one of the most misunderstood teams in the league because of their John Cena level “RUTHLESS AGGRESSION.” Fans of other teams and the media see their lack of first-rounders and top-heavy roster as a house of cards that will be swallowed whole by the salary cap and Father Time. However, when looking at the Rams actual roster it’s clear they didn’t mortgage their future but have actually set up their future while competing in the present. They have the youngest average roster in the league and are the only team in their division in the top 10.

Despite not having a first-round pick since drafting Jared Goff, they have the youngest roster in the league with an average age of 24.62, Carolina and Minnesota are tied for second with 24.74. Yet the Vikings and Panthers have had first-rounders, and in the Panthers’ case, they have been in a massive post-Newton/Rivera rebuilding mode.

The Rams have managed to have a winning record all four McVay years, only missed the playoffs once, and made the Super Bowl. Yes, they have a ton of blue-chip guys BUT they haven’t made the fatal mistake teams such as the 09 Vikings or the 2010 Jets made where they traded assets for aging vets in order to make one big run to a title. The problem is when that bet goes bust those teams are usually in for a lengthy overhaul. The Rams zagged from that and instead of targeting aging vets, they targeted young established vets like Jalen Ramsey. Sure, Stafford is on the wrong side of 30 but not by much as he’s only 33. The point is, as aggressive as the Rams have been with their picks they haven’t done so recklessly. Getting Ramsey before his second contract, and Stafford is still young enough to where he is in the tail end of his prime.

It’s been written a lot on this site but what’s saved the Rams from their aggressive trades and ill-conceived extensions has been their success at drafting in the later rounds. It remains to be seen how that continues now that Brad Holmes is running the show in Detroit and there are a ton of new assistant/position coaches. Thus far they’ve managed to take their mid-round picks and made them into viable starters.

Yes, sometimes guys like John Johnson go to other teams because of the Rams’ Krusty the Clown tendency to throw money away but unlike Krusty, they prepare for the future. Instead of trading for the equivalent of a ruby studded clown nose, they drafted Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller, and LAFB friend Terrell Burgess to bolster their safety corps. All three will be starters now and all are qualified starters on very team-friendly deals. Jalen Ramsey and Darius Williams (soon to be plucked to another team) are both under 30 and the Rams have the latitude to draft younger corners and develop that group as well.

The Rams core guys in Robert Woods, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Cooper Kupp are under 30 (Woods and Donald are 29). That’s a massive luxury because while all those guys make up a good portion of their cap sheet they’re not aging assets. Even still, the Rams drafted for the future at wide receiver by taking a Cooper Kupp style receiver in Van Jefferson and have insurance for DeSean Jackson in Tutu Atwell. That pick will be mocked until Atwell makes a massive play but he’s a guy that can be productive in the short term and long term.

The point is, the Rams have taken the long view on building a winning team. All the pearl-clutching regarding them not taking a center or some other lineman when Andrew Whitworth is close to retirement is valid of course, but they have drafted a ton of potential replacements at tackle (development-pending) and at the center spot have guys that can play the spot if need be. It’s not always immediate but they always seem to have contingency plans in place even if they don’t present themselves in neon lights right away.

As for the other teams in the NFC West, the Niners are the ones that take the most umbrage with the Rams because there’s this narrative that Kyle Shanahan built his team in a cave WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS whereas Sean McVay was just some mild-mannered coordinator that got bit by a radioactive spider at just the right time. Not so. The Niners boast the second-oldest roster in the league (Arizona the third oldest). So yes, they’ve done a great job in their own right drafting guys obviously but let’s not act as though they also haven’t spent money signing older guys. Hell, for all the Mordos out there declaring that the Rams bill will come due seem silent when the Niners traded multiple picks for rookie Trey Lance while they still have Jimmy G on the roster (who people forget was ALSO given a massive extension years ago).

Now the counter would be that Lance is the quarterback of the future so sure it’s a good idea for a coach to get their guy BUT what if the rest of that roster doesn’t coalesce even with a cleaner bill of health? Trent Williams was their big pricey acquisition (a damn good one) but he’s also 32 and has had health issues in the last few years so by the time Lance is ready will Trent Williams be the All-Pro he’s been?

They also lost Robert Salah and the effect of his absence on that defense is yet to be seen but it’s worth asking what their future looks like without first-rounders no? The Niners are a good team BUT it’s fascinating that the Rams, with their roster, get flack for trading for Stafford despite doing pretty well at drafting in the other rounds, while the Niners can whiff on the Soloman Thomas pick and trade those picks (last year’s pick Brandon Aiyuk was a good one), without much scrutiny. It’s weird that the John Lynch administration gets a pass despite having a worse record and accomplishing just as many Super Bowl appearances.

Arizona is perceived as an up-and-coming team but they aren’t exactly YOUNG. Yes, Kyler Murray is young, Budda Baker is young, but again they’re the third oldest team in the league. They seem to be doing the all-in stuff but without enough of their own picks developed thus far to warrant signing a ton of vets. They have a dynamic passing game, but aside from DeAndre Hopkins (great trade and another example of what a master negotiator Bill O’Brien was) but next to him they haven’t successfully developed another receiver (and Fitz hasn’t officially retired, but hasn’t re-signed either) nor have they developed a tight end, running back, or a cohesive offensive line (ask Kyler). So while they’ve developed a good fantasy team they haven’t built a real team yet.

Same with their defense. They have some blue-chip players but they also have a lot of cap space tied into vets specifically Chandler Jones, Malcolm Butler, and of course TURN DOWN FOR WATT. Do all of these moves solve their problems? Probably not, and they’re building as if they’re a couple of dudes away from winning the west (narrator: they’re not).

Seattle is the most interesting because its team-building strategy receives the least amount of scrutiny. Their front-office walks on water because of their lauded draft that brought them both Russell Wilson and the cornerstones of the “Legion of Boom”. Every year people pencil them in as a contender because of Wilson and their infrastructure, but like the US, the infrastructure isn’t as solid as people think.

The defense is in a new phase and they traded two firsts for Jamal Adams who is a great safety but he was another trade where the team felt they were a player away from winning a title which they’re not. They haven’t really hit on a first-round pick in some time (remember Rashaad Penny?) and not only that but they haven’t really hit on another major pick outside of D.K. Metcalf (who was a great pick).

They’ve also neglected to draft or even really sign another lineman to protect Wilson (who turns 33, the same age as Stafford). They are a Wilson injury from being a below .500 team, and while DangerRUSS is a Ned Flanders-Esque figure, it probably would take half a white wine spritzer for him to fully unload as evidenced by his polite desire for more help.

This all might sound like ax-grinding but it’s to illustrate how perception and truthiness clouds the actual truth. The Rams future wasn’t mortgaged anymore than these other teams but they are less likely to go underwater and be living out of their car in a few years.

The point is, the Rams are given a ton of grief because they trade first-round picks like they were Metapod cards. Normally, that would cause the roster to crater but they can do that because they’ve wisely planned for the present and the future. They’ve stocked their roster with starter-level talent on team-friendly contracts and their core is still very much in their prime.

They can take swings on established vets because they’ve built a solid infrastructure that can afford for Matthew Stafford to come in. Yes, they’ve also tied themselves into some tough cap corners but like Hannibal, they always have a plan B. Their guys have been willing to restructure so they can make it all work because they keep finding guys to replace the ones they have to sacrifice to the cap gods. By the time they have to lose their core guys to age or the cap gods they have guys that can slot in immediately.

It’s an unconventional strategy and the Rams won’t be able to do this forever but nothing gold can stay. It even caught up with the Patriots so there’s no hope for other teams to sustain long-term success but they can best prepare themselves for the inevitable.

On paper, it looks like the Rams are Howard Ratner sweating his way from day to day but in reality, they’re more like Danny Ocean. Even when they try to take the house they never sweat. The present and the future are happening all at once for the Rams and maybe if they win it all they can get the benefit of the doubt, finally.