Thinking a little bit outside the box here, I know. But we ARE talking about Trader Les here, sooooo...

I’m still thinking that a Hav trade for pick or a comparable player at a Ram ‘need’ position is a possibility, like WOLB, ILB, CB, OC, or vertical WR? Rams have perhaps 4 depth players that could provide quality starts at RT if Hav departs.

Evans
Edwards
Brewer
Anchrum

And heaven knows Snead could put a late 3rd or a decent 4th for Hav to good use in this draft, right? Either would allow Snead to add a quality football player for the future. Not to mention the cap savings to be reinvested in a FA at a ‘need’ position.

Another possibility is trading Hekker for a pick or player. I mean, signing a Punter of the caliber of Bojorquez seems odd unless Snead is thinking of moving Hekker and his salary. Bojorquez ain’t no camp leg, that’s for sure, so one has to ask why the signing?

Hell, maybe Snead already has secret handshake contingency trades already in place And doesn’t want to tip his hand predraft? Would take a couple of draft ‘needs’ off their ‘to do’ list. That would be huge in this particular draft, don’t you think?

I know many, if not most posters will be horrified at the thought of trading either Hav or Hekker, much less both. But I’m putting this out there because I think each could be a timely chess-like move to improve overall team strength AND to perhaps stimulate some discussion while we’re waiting for the actual draft to take place.

So, anybody with me?

Who are your players past round 2 you think we might be have a shot at nabbing that you've fallen in love with? I'm off today so wth right? Here is a handle of guys I could see doing well in the NFL and potentially for our team if they are taken.

Benjamin St Juste CB Minnesota

I'm starting to like this guy a whooooole lot and he has the size and quickness to make up for any type of lack of coverage skills he might possess. Hell of a sure tackler as well. 6'3 205. Pairing him with Ramsey in the future could pay dividends.

Benjamin St. Juste recorded a staggering 3.96 shuttle, 6.63 three-cone drill and 4.51 40-yard dash. St-Juste is a unique corner at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He really made a name for himself in the Senior Bowl one-on-ones, where he earned the highest grade of any corner in attendance.

He's projected to go Rd. 3-5.

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Ben Cleveland 6'6" 335lbs G Georgia

Probably not a debate that about half of everybody on the board feel that upgrading the interior on the line is a must this draft. With being able to kick Austin Corbett inside to center maybe taking a nasty strong Guard is prudent?

Cleveland is about as well proportioned a 6-foot-6, 343-pound guard as you’ll ever see. He was impenetrable in pass protection over the course of his career. He only had 13 pressures allowed across 600 pass-blocking snaps the past three seasons.

Round 3 - early 4th
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Cameron McCrone LB Michigan 6'1" 236

Honestly he's going to need to have a redshirt year to get a year of coaching and weight training under his belt but I really feel that will help him out exponentially. Great speed, sideline to sideline closing play, loves contact and filling a hole. Great in coverage and rush assignments. Something our defense really needs! I'd be even pushed to say once 8 games goes by he might be a better option than what we have on the roster even with experience just by talent alone.

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Round 3- early 4th


Osa Odighizuwa DL UCLA 6'2 279

No Brockers? No problem! Osa is a great run stopper like Brockers but might have a bit more athleticism for pass rushing than Brockers.

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@nighttrain you had me fall in love with this guy!
6'4" Tamorrion Terry
from FSU
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5g8vRt8eBY

For a 5th-6th round pick? Shit that guy would do well filling into that Josh Reynolds role IMO the snaps DeSean isn't in the game and to be ready fulltime next year to tear it up.

Amari Rodgers WR Clemson 5'10 210

I made a mock and was asked " why do we need another WR with similar talents as Kupp or Woods?" Why the hell wouldn't you want another Woods or Kupp on your team? Son of Tee Martin he fits the mold of a McVay WR and player that has pedigree and football intelligence.
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Brady Christensen OT BYU 6'6" 320\

I stretch (maybe end of round 2) but thinking early 3rd round because of the importance of the position. He reminds me so much of our aging LT.

Christensen broke the PFF record for overall grade by a tackle at 96.0 in 2020. While he is on the older side (24), Christensen’s dominance is difficult to ignore after allowing three pressures all last season.

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Anybody you think highly of that the rest of us might not know about?

Looking to make the NFL without having what might normally be considered NFL-level talent? This is your year.

“There are going to be some absolute slaps drafted this year,” one scout told me. “‘Slaps’ as in rejects.”

With the NCAA granting athletes an extra year of eligibility after a COVID-warped season, a large number of players are returning to school, and the pool of prospects attempting to go pro is significantly smaller than in standard years.

There are a few different ways to measure the number of NFL prospects in a year, but perhaps the most telling is to look at the number of players who have signed a standard representation agreement with an NFL agent. Signing an SRA doesn’t guarantee the player is going to be drafted or even signed as an undrafted free agent, but it is proof that someone thinks they have a shot.

By mid-April of 2019, 1,972 players had signed an SRA. By mid-April of 2020, 1,839 players had signed.

This year, as of April 7, that number was only 657.

Another way to judge the depth of the draft class is by looking at the size of an NFL team’s “backboard,” a ranking of undrafted free agent–type prospects. Most teams have a front board for players they consider worth a draft pick, and a backboard for the others. I asked scouts and personnel execs around the league how the size of the latter group compares to previous years and most report it’s noticeably smaller. One veteran scout said his team’s backboard is down by about 20 percent, and that his team is having conversations about 150 fewer players this year. Another team’s personnel exec said he’d estimate their backboard at 20–30 percent smaller than in a normal year.

Let’s do some quick math: There will be 259 players drafted this year, which is the third-highest since the draft went to seven rounds in 1994. (The number fluctuates each year because of compensatory picks, and this year’s will be the first to award compensatory picks to promote more diversity in hiring of head coaches and GMs.) After the seven rounds of the draft, each team typically signs about 10 undrafted free agents, so that’s another 320 players, which puts the class at 579, not far off the total number of players who have signed SRAs.

Simply put, this is a really good time to be a late-round/free-agent caliber prospect.

“You are going to see some PFAs [priority free agents, or the top tier of undrafted prospects] going in round 6 and 7 this year,” said NFL agent Christian Kranz, of Generation Sports Group. “Next year there are going to be 2000 or more kids in the draft, so guys who would go in 6 and 7 [this year] are going to be low-money camp bodies [next year] because the talent is going to be so rich.”

Kranz represents several clients who will benefit from the smaller class size this year, one of whom is Kene Nwangwu. Nwangwu played running back for four seasons at Iowa State, but was stuck as a backup behind two elite talents during his time, Chicago Bears running back (and third round pick) David Montgomery and Breece Hall, a sophomore who had a breakout 2020 season and should be a top running back in the 2022 class. Nwangwu caught the league’s attention at his pro day when he ran a 4.31 40, a very fast time for his size, 6-foot-1, and 210 pounds.

In a normal year, it might be a stretch for a team to draft a career backup like Nwangwu, no matter how impressive his pro day. This year, I’ve heard from several scouts for different teams who think Nwangwu will be drafted.

Another poster child of this tiny 2021 class is Kenny Randall, a DT out of D-II Charleston. Randall is 25 years old, which is totally decrepit in football years. Scouts tell me he’s got a good shot to be drafted this year, something his age alone would have prevented in the past.

So what does this year’s thin draft class mean for the actual draft? Several scouts tossed around the possibility of NFL teams trying to trade their late-round picks for future value; a fifth-round pick in 2021 is theoretically worth less than the identical pick next year.

“The draft is weak after the third round or fourth round,” the personnel exec said. “If you’re a team with a bunch of extra late-round picks, you probably need to sell a few picks for next year picks.” Of course, that strategy is dependent on finding a buyer.

The small draft class of 2021 also necessarily means that 2022’s is going to be overstuffed, with borderline prospects’ odds of making the NFL longer than ever.

“Next year is going to be deep,” the scout who bemoaned this year’s “slaps” told me. “You are essentially going to have three draft classes. The super seniors, the seniors, and the underclassmen. Next year among the college free agents, there will be some guys who should have got drafted.”

Perhaps illogically, some prospects are still choosing to take their chances next year.

Inside The League, a consulting service for the football industry, tracks every prospect that signs with an agent. Per ITL’s signings grid, five prospects who were invited to the Senior Bowl (meaning they had fulfilled graduation requirements) decided to return for an extra collegiate season, and one player who was invited to the NFL scouting combine, Nicholls State receiver Dai’Jean Dixon, decided to return for a fifth season. According to ITL’s data, 24 players who signed with an agent and received an all-star game invite decided to return to school.

“That is lunacy, that is idiocy,” said Neil Stratton, owner of Inside the League. “Setting aside the injury concerns, if you go out and have anything less of a season than you had last year, you are going to be downgraded. If you go out and you have a lousy season, you are going to be a forgotten man. This year, if you got a combine invite and/or a Senior Bowl invite, you are stamped as a legitimate prospect.”

“If you are part of this draft class, you have a much better chance of at least making it to camp,” Stratton told me. “Not necessarily making a roster, but, the numbers are on your side because it is just so much smaller.”

Unfortunately—and I know you’re thinking about it—this does not mean that you, the Defector reader, can just go out and become this year’s Mr. or Ms. Irrelevant. Mostly because the deadline to declare for the draft has already passed. I think you would’ve had a pretty good shot though!

About to head out into the jungle atop my fiery steed aka my mz61 zero turn mower. Dear Lord I detest the first mow. I have been planting trees like a MFer to turn this 4.5 acres of grass into a more park-like setting but it ain't there yet. Prayers accepted. :alol:

Ok, I know, we have like a 0.0000000000000000001% chance of getting him thru a trade lol. Where do you think he'll end up?

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Cam Akers is the workhorse, but Rams could use short yardage RB​

Sean McVay enthusiastically praised Cam Akers has his team’s every-down back for the upcoming season after the Florida State product’s breakout year as a rookie in 2020.

“Cam hit his stride at the right moments,” McVay said. “You could see he’s always had a real and authentic confidence, but then as he’s getting more and more comfortable for the different ways that we were able to utilize him.

“I think he can come alive in the pass game. I think he can continue to play at a high level. Really, I think he's an every-down back. I think he's a special player.”

While the expectation is Akers will serve as the workhorse running back and Darrell Henderson Jr. will be used in more of a complementary role, the Rams still have to replace the void created when steady Malcolm Brown signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.

Brown served as the experienced hand in the running back room and was effective on third downs in obvious passing situation because of his strength in pass protection. Brown also showed a nose for the end zone in goal line situations, finishing with five touchdowns on the year.

The Rams used Akers more down the backstretch of 2020 in the red zone, but they could still use a bullish running back to keep the overall carries for Akers down throughout the year so that he’s fresh for the postseason.

Los Angeles could also use a fullback. Gerald Everett mainly served that role for the Rams last season. And Johnny Mundt can also line up there in a pinch. But McVay could use another versatile H-back/fullback on the roster.

Running backs currently on the roster

RB (4): Starter -- Cam Akers. Reserves -- Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones, Ray Calais.

Running backs to consider for the Rams

Round 2 (57)
Michael Carter, 5-8, 200, North Carolina
The skinny: A versatile athlete who finished with over 4,000 scrimmage yards and82 career receptions at Carolina. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry. Carter would be a good fit for the Rams because of his ability to run jet sweeps, catch the ball out of the backfield and line up in the slot.

Round 3 (88)
Javonte Williams, 5-10, 212, North Carolina
The skinny: Williams was a productive player for the Tar Heels, finishing with 399 carries for 2,297 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. A tough runner with a nose for the end zone, Williams consistently broke tackles at the second level at North Carolina. He also finished with 50 receptions in the passing game.

Round 3 (103)
Jermar Jefferson, 5-10, 206, Oregon State
The skinny: Jefferson was the engine that drove Oregon State’s offense last season, finishing with 858 rushing yards (6.5 per carry) and seven touchdowns in six games. Jefferson has good vision and can grind out tough yards in-between the tackles.

Round 4 (141)
Kenneth Gainwell, 5-9, 200, Memphis
The skinny: Memphis used Gainwell similar to Antonio Gibson when he played for the Tigers. Gibson played well his rookie year in 2020 for the Washington Football Club. He finished with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the Tigers two years ago but opted out last season due to COVID-19.

Round 6 (209)
Ben Mason, 6-3, 246, Michigan
The skinny: A big, physical athlete, Mason played fullback in a pro-style system for the Wolverines and should be able to contribute on special teams.

Round 7 (252)
Kene Nwangwu, 6-1, 210, Iowa State
The skinny: Totaled 744 career rushing yards in his career as mostly a backup for the Cyclones. However, Nwangwu can hit the home run with his electric speed. He was timed by some NFL scouts in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash at his pro day and has some ability as a kick returner.

I was talking with my wife earlier about the ridiculous health run I've had over the last few year. And talking about the worst pain I had had.

It came down to the week I had went to Kansas for work for a week. When I got back, the night I got back actually. I started feeling really bad pain in my balls and Johnson. LOL the pain moved up to thr public area and to my lower abdomen.

The next morning I couldn't get out of bed. My wife was trying to make me go to the hospital. So, to prove I was fine I threw her on the bed and gave her a go. Afterwards I was doubled over in pain. I finally decided I needed to go. The pain in my nuts was coming in waves like what I assume contractions are like for a woman in labor.

She takes me to the ER that is 30 miles away btw. With every minor bump in the road I was cussing. I get there and they immediately gave me fentanyl. Once I relaxed they gave me a scan. The dye made me vomit all over like a drunk. They came back and said I have diverticulitis and that I perforated my colon and was septic. I was in the hospital for 3 nights and 4 days. On a constant drip of antibiotics and fentanyl every couple hours. The shit was insanely painful. But, I was able to avoid surgery and the colon healed on its own.

To compare pain. I've broken both ankles a combined 5 times. Including breaking off the end of my tibia...I think that's the bone....and the pain isn't even remotely close to that pain I felt in my ball bag. Lol

For those who love PFF and as proof they don't know what they are saying, PFF now ranks the Rams roster at 11. This is below Denver and Washington! LMAO

Stafford IMO is a lock for the HOF with his numbers. He ranks in the top 20 all-time in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns, and ranks third all-time in passing yards per game. The only thing missing is a SB ring.

AD is an undisputed lock for the HOF

Ramsey is on track for a HOF type career. One of the top SHUTDOWN CBs in the NFL grades at 79? More PFF nonsense.

A roster with 3 future HOF players on it at the same time is #11 in the eyes of PFF? What a joke PFF is and continues to embarrass themselves to be. They are clueless in evaluating NFL play and every NFL coach knows this. Now, this stupidity just shows how poorly they understand the NFL and how they simply don't understand how to evaluate players and their impact.

A total headshaker.

L.A. Rams No 10. impact play: Darious Williams pick against New York Giants​

The 27-year-old cornerback emerged as playmaker for L.A.
ERIC D. WILLIAMSAPR 12, 2021
In this series, we countdown the top 10 impact plays for the Los Angeles Rams that helped shape the team’s 2020 season.

Situation: 2nd and 5 on L.A.’s 18-yard line

Score: Rams lead 17-9

Time: Fifty-six seconds left in regulation.

Williams’ take: With the Giants driving for a game-tying score, New York quarterback Daniel Jones moved out of the pocket to his right and threw a dart on the sideline to receiver Damion Ratley. However, cornerback Darious Williams made an impressive, diving interception to seal the win for the Rams.
Check out the play here:
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Season impact: Williams emerged as a playmaker in the secondary for the Rams in 2020, and this play early on was signature moment for the 27-year-old cornerback who made clutch plays all season. The interception helped the Rams improve to 3-1 on the year and gain some attention as one of the top teams in the NFC. Williams finished with a team-high four interceptions and 14 pass breakups on the season. Williams should have made the Pro Bowl beside his teammate, All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He was a priority for the Rams to retain in free agency as a restricted free agent, with the team designating Williams with a first round tender worth $4.766 million.
Williams also made plays like this pass breakup on a deep ball from Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett on what seemed like a regular basis.

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Quote: “At the end of the day, I try to be basically like a red dot, someone that’s dangerous on the field. I want every quarterback, I want everybody that ever targets me to know that it’s a 50-50 chance to get the pick, so I just think really it’s just the positions I’m in and capitalizing on them.” – Rams cornerback Darious Williams.

ERIC D. WILLIAMS

L.A. Rams No. 9 impact play: Cam Akers gashes Niners for 61 yards​

Florida State product should emerge as engine of offense in 2021
ERIC D. WILLIAMSAPR 19, 2021


In this series, we countdown the top 10 impact plays for the Los Angeles Rams that helped shape the team’s 2020 season.
Situation: 1st and 10 on L.A.’s 32-yard line
Score: Rams trail 17-13
Time: Thirty-two seconds left in third quarter.

Williams’ take: Akers hits a seam on an inside run against San Francisco’s defense and explodes for a 61-yard play, setting up the Rams for a score on an Akers’ 1-yard run. Los Angeles ended up losing the game, but Akers’ run was his longest run of the season, and part of a three-game stretch in which he scored a touchdown. The Florida State product began to gain confidence and added some swagger to L.A.’s offense. Longtime offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth’s quote about Akers says a lot about what this team believes he can be in the future.
“He’s special,” Whitworth said. “He’s a special kid, with his heart and his passion, much less the talent. He’s one of those that, even as a rookie, his chatter, his talk and his belief in us and himself, and what we can do is really special.
“I look forward to him having tremendous growth here, because the way he’s wired, if he can stay healthy he’s going to be a different one for sure. … He’s going to be a guy that’s not only going to be a good football player, but I would imagine Cam Akers is going to be a leader on this football team very quickly.”

Check out the play here:
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Season impact: In the San Francisco game, Akers started to show that he could be an every-down runner in the NFL, with his dynamic playmaking ability, willingness to finish runs in the red zone and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Rams head coach Sean McVay wants to make Akers the engine of his offense, similar to a role Todd Gurley filled for him early in his tenure with the Rams. We should see more from Akers in 2021, including plays like this direct snap that he scored a touchdown on in the playoffs against the Packers. The expectation is Akers will emerge as one of the top backs in the NFL in 2021.


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Drinking with my buddies yesterday, and one of em mentioned he was thinking about selling his 2015 Jeep Wrangler. Someone else chimed in and said he got $1000 more than what he paid for his jeep.

So Thumbs ( his nickname) went on the Carvana website and entered his info and got on offer of 21,200 for his jeep that he paid 23,500 for 5 years ago !!!


So being hungover and bored today I figured I would see what me truck is worth.

2014 Ford F150 STX.. 61K miles..paid 25,600 for it just over 3 years ago...Carvana offered me 20,800 !!!


thinking of pulling the trigger on it .. have a week before the offer expires


Has anyone here ever used Carvana, and if so, how was the experience?

Cameron DaSilva
Sun, April 25, 2021, 8:24 AM




Much has been made about how badly the Los Angeles Rams need a center in the 2021 NFL draft after letting Austin Blythe leave in free agency. Most fans view it as the team’s biggest roster hole right now.

But what if they don’t actually have to draft a center? Is it possible they’ll leave the draft without selecting one in any of the seven rounds?
It absolutely is, and it’s primarily because they have Austin Corbett. The best thing a team can have heading into the draft is options, and Corbett gives them exactly that.

Corbett has only played guard for the Rams, both left and right, but he started out at center when he was drafted by the Browns. Only, he didn’t pan out at that spot and transitioned to guard after also playing left tackle in college.

He’s been great at guard for the Rams, but there’s still a chance the team will give him another shot at center after he failed there with the Browns. The Rams know better than anyone whether Corbett would be able to make the switch to center in 2021, and if they feel good about it, they could take a guard instead of a center in the draft.

That gives them even more prospects to choose from if they address the interior of their offensive line in the second or third rounds. For instance, rather than feeling the need to draft Quinn Meinerz, Landon Dickerson or Creed Humphrey in the second round, the Rams could also consider Wyatt Davis, Deonte Brown, Aaron Banks or Trey Smith on Day 2.

Players such as Josh Myers and Kendrick Green can also play guard or center. So if the Rams were to select one of them, they wouldn’t be forced to play center. They could compete with Corbett at both guard and center in camp, allowing the Rams to find the best possible combination.
It’s likely that Corbett will have a bigger impact on Los Angeles’ draft plans than, say, Brian Allen or Coleman Shelton will. Neither Allen nor Shelton can be counted on to step up as a starter, but Corbett has put plenty of quality play on tape with the Rams, so they should have a good idea of where he can and can’t play.

It’s unlikely that they won’t draft a single interior offensive lineman, but it’s still possible. They could plan to play Corbett at center with some combination of David Edwards, Joe Noteboom Bobby Evans and Tremayne Anchrum at guard. Again, it’s not likely, but it’s a possibility depending on how the board falls this week.

So if the Rams leave draft weekend without a center, don’t panic. The front office and coaching staff have a plan and much of that plan likely has to do with Corbett’s versatility.

List​

Best center prospect for the Rams in each round of the draft​

okay folks,


trying to set up a draft sportsbook for the 57th pick and I am stumped on the odds to set on the Rams trading up or down


I am thinking along the lines of 25/1 they trade the pick. Does this sound reasonable to you draft pros?

Here are a couple of articles from ROD-BOT’s feed specific to Kick Returns.

No matter how you sort the data, the Rams returners don’t appear on leader boards until page 2-3.

This is opportunity to improve the 2021 offense. Get a dynamic returner!

2021 NFL Draft: Investing in a returner

Replacing Andre Roberts through the draft could be a boon for the team

www.buffalorumblings.com

2021 NFL Draft: Investing in a returner​

Tier I​

Jaylen Waddle WR (Alabama)​

DeVonta Smith WR (Alabama)​

Rondale Moore WR (Purdue)​

Travis Etienne RB (Clemson)​

Watch any highlight of Waddle’s best kickoff returns, specifically his 2019 ones against LSU and Auburn, and you’ll know that he is the most talented returner coming out. He’s shifty, has true elite speed but also an ability to ratchet down and follow his blocks. What Waddle was for Alabama on kick returns, Smith was on punt returns. Ranking third in the country in punt return yardage, Smith excels in that area because of his stop-start acceleration. The player who resembles Andre Roberts the most is probably Moore, who’s not only a speed demon (possible 4.2 speed) but he also oozes core strength. Etienne maybe doesn’t have the shiftiness you want in a true punt returner, but he’s got good straight-line speed and is much tougher to bring down than almost any of the players ranked above him.

---

Tier II​

Kadarius Toney WR (Florida)​

Elijah Moore WR (Ole Miss)​

D’Wayne Eskridge WR (Western Michigan)​

Toney doesn’t really have the most ideal deep speed, but his ability to make cuts at full speed and follow his blocks and his general physicality all allow him to be effective. A returner earlier in his career, Moore similarly isn’t a true burner, but gets by on toughness and smarts in the open field. Eskridge tore up the MAC thanks to his speed, finishing 11th in the country in kickoff return yards.

---

Tier III​

Marquez Stevenson WR (Houston)​

Amari Rodgers WR (Clemson)​

Stevenson is a smaller, slimmer players and likely won’t contribute much at their typical positions but has the speed to be an elite returner. Kind of a jack of all trades, Rodgers is just fast enough, just big enough and just experienced enough to provide value in the return game but shouldn’t be expected to really excel there.

Rams have created kicking competitions; might DeSean Jackson return punts?​

In their first four seasons after returning to Los Angeles from St. Louis, the Rams enjoyed consistent production from specialists that had been together for years under special teams coordinator John Fassel.

But after the 2019 season, Fassel joined the Dallas Cowboys’ staff, and kicker Greg Zuerlein followed. In March, the Cowboys signed longtime Rams long-snapper Jake McQuaide.

Punter Johnny Hekker, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is the remaining link to the past.

New special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis has replaced John Bonamego, now a senior coaching assistant. DeCamillis has worked for seven other NFL teams and has been a coordinator since 2009, most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hekker, who carries a $4.9-million salary-cap number, last season averaged a career-low 45.6 yards per punt. The Rams signed punter Brandon Wright to the practice squad, and Tuesday signed former Buffalo Bills punter Corey Bojorquez.

Matt Gay solved the Rams’ 2020 kicking woes after signing in mid-November and making 14 of 16 field-goal attempts in the final seven games. Kicker Austin MacGinnis is on the practice squad.

Colin Holba and Steve Wirtel will compete to replace McQuaide.

Receiver Nsimba Webster returned punts and kickoffs in 2020. After signing a one-year contract, veteran receiver DeSean Jackson hinted he also might return kicks. Raymond Calais returned kicks in four gameas last season.

“We’ve got to get a guy that can ring the bell and drop the ball over the goal line,” DeCamillis said.

Under contract for 2021: Hekker ($4.9 million), Gay ($850,000), Holba ($920,000), Webster ($850,000), Calais ($780,000), MacGinnis ($660,00), Wright ($660,000), Wirtel ($660,000), Bojorquez (TBD).

Free agents: McQuaide, the Rams’ long-snapper for 10 seasons, signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys that could be worth as much as $1.2 million. The Rams signed Bojorquez this week after he was released by the Bills.

Draft: Last year, the Rams drafted kicker Samuel Sloman in the seventh round, and then released him after seven games. The Rams could be looking for receivers and running backs who also can serve as return specialists.

Roster decisions: Hekker has been one of the league’s top punters, but after a down year by his standards he could use a bounce-back performance to justify his salary. Gay and Webster are in the final year of their contracts.

Is Rams David Edwards an offensive tackle or guard?​

The LA Rams are facing another NFL Draft. With it comes another set of unresolved questions about the current and future state of the team’s offensive line. A year ago, it seemed as though the team was facing far more questions and far less certainty. And yet, the Rams rolled up their sleeves and dove into the draft undaunted by those OL concerns. That worked out okay for the team, didn’t it? But everyone was convinced that the team needed to pour draft picks into offensive linemen.

Instead, the Rams chose some offensive skilled players and some defensive types. But the LA Rams would only draft one offensive line, offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum, in the seventh-round. One offensive tackle and he was projected as an NFL guard. That made sense, as the Rams were in need of interior offensive linemen, and they enjoyed a surplus of offensive tackles.

Or do they?

David Edwards was an offensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers who was drafted by the LA Rams with the 169th pick (round five) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 308-pounds, he certainly had the prototypical size for an NFL offensive tackle. His draft profiles were in agreement. Strong and powerful. Slow foot speed. Poor pass blocking technique. He was hastily promoted to start for the Rams at offensive guard in 2019 due to numerous injuries.

But in 2020, he was again forced to sub in as an offensive guard. And even when the team had the option to put him back on the bench, he remained the starter. So now, the question is, is he an offensive guard or tackle?

It’s an important question because in 2022, the Rams project to lose both Joseph Noteboom and Austin Corbett. Noteboom is an offensive tackle who played at both the guard and tackle positions for the team in 2020. Corbett is the team’s sole ‘pure’ interior offensive lineman who starts at right guard. And the answer dictates what the Rams do in the 2021 NFL Draft.

If Edwards is a tackle, then the Rams will look to draft at least one interior offensive lineman. If Edwards is a guard, then flip that, and aim the Rams at an offensive tackle. The team has nearly a full room of returning offensive linemen, but their roles are a bit ambiguous for the time being. And that glaring hole at the center position is tough to ignore.

Is Edwards a guard or a tackle? While it may not seem to be that important, the answer could reshape the Rams 2021 NFL Draft strategy.

Rams need big-body receiver as deep threat for Matthew Stafford​

The Los Angeles Rams already one of the most productive receiver duos in the NFL in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

DeSean Jackson’s signing in free agency gives the Rams a deep, vertical threat with speed, and Van Jefferson should develop into a consistent, reliable third receiver in his second season.

That said, the Rams do not have a big, physical receiver that can consistently win contested catches down the field. And that’s something that Matthew Stafford had during his time with the Detroit Lions.

Most notably, Calvin Johnson provided a big, physical presence at receiver for the Lions and Stafford during his Hall of Fame career. Most recently, Kenny Golladay did that for the last couple seasons in Detroit.

The Rams do not have a big, physical receiver with those traits currently on the roster, and should look to add one in this year’s draft.

“If we can add firepower, someone to make a play, that’s good -- in whatever shape, form or genre,” Rams GM Les Snead said earlier this year. “We talk about receivers a lot and how can they make a play. Some people can run by people. Some people can make people miss. Some people can just go up and get a rebound, and things like that.”

There are a handful of receivers who fit that profile, including LSU’s Terrace Marshall and Michigan’s Nico Collins.

The Rams struggled to create big plays last season. L.A.’s six passing plays of 40-plus yards was tied for eight-worst in the NFL. The Rams’ 20 passing touchdowns was seventh-worst in the league. And L.A.’s 6.8 yards per pass play was No. 19 in the NFL.

Receivers currently on the roster

WR (7): Starters -- Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson. Reserves -- Van Jefferson, Trishton Jackson, Nsimba Webster, J.J. Koski.

Receivers to consider for the Rams

Round 2 (57)
Terrace Marshall, 6-3, 205, LSU
The skinny: Finished with 106 receptions for 1,594 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns at LSU, so the production is there. Marshall can create big plays down the field with his athleticism and wide catch radius, and also can play in the slot.

Round 3 (88)
Nico Collins, 6-4, 215, Michigan
The skinny: Collins averaged 17.8 yards per catch and finished with 13 total touchdowns at Michigan. Good size/speed athlete that needs to develop as a receiver. Collins ran a 4.42-second, 40-yard time at his pro day. He opted out of 2020 season.

Round 3 (103)
Tutu Atwell, 5-9 155, Louisville
The skinny: Yep, he’s small. However, like DeSean Jackson, Atwell has home-run speed and is a big play waiting to happen. Atwell finished with 139 receptions for 2,303 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns at Louisville.

Round 4 (141)
Tamorrion Terry, 6-3, 207, Florida State
The skinny: Big receiver with electric speed who can go up and win contested catches at the moment of truth. Terry holds school record with five touchdowns of 70-plus yards.

Round 6 (209)
Demetric Felton, 5-9, 189, UCLA
The skinny: Felton played running back for the Bruins but projects as a receiver in the NFL. He competed at that position with good results at the Senior Bowl. According to Ryan Dyrud of the Los Angeles Football Network, the Rams have had zoom conversations with Felton.

Round 7 (252)
Ben Skowronek, 6-3, 220, Notre Dame
The skinny: Physical receiver who is an effective run blocker and played against good competition with the Fighting Irish. He finished with 29 receptions for 439 receiving yards and five scores last season.

Rob Gronkowski sets Guinness World Record by catching football thrown 620 feet from helicopter​

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/oM8AU0LZdMQ

And I’m talking ‘absolutely, positively must have’ here.

Knowledgable posters have greatly differed on this topic, to be sure.

Some have said that OL must be improved because it all starts there. Perhaps new blocking schemes and maybe a couple of new players to implement them? These posters want a LOT and an OC early on Day 2. Period.

Others demand better run D. We’re currently okay against the lesser running teams, but good running teams have dominated our #1 D. Is it a DL problem? Or an ILB problem? Both? Might we see one of each taken on Day 2?

Still others insist that a CB at 57 is the way to go. Gotta be an outside CB to replace DW next year. Then take a slot CB later in the draft. This would keep our secondary at an elite level for years to come, a huge accomplishment in today’s NFL. That’s 2 CB’s in a CB rich draft.

How about WOLB? I mean, we currently have 3 wannabe’s over there opposite Floyd, 2 of those wannabe’s can’t even stay healthy. Are we serious about a SB run or are we gonna ‘settle’? C’mon...

Heck, maybe just take the BPA at a ‘need’ position at each pick and let the chips fall where they may is the way to go? A sorta shotgun approach?

We’ve seen Snead ‘flood’ an area of perceived need before. Do you think he might be preparing to do it again this year at one of the above position groups? Hmmmmm...

What do y’all think? Talk to me.

NFC West offseason rankings: Rams take charge Cardinals and Seahawks attempt to match serve​

It's tough to fathom a more difficult division in the NFL than the NFC West. The gauntlet is one that goes down to the wire nearly every season, and the head-to-head clashes are routinely instant classics. The same will likely be the case in 2021, and with each team going all in on making sure it's a contender for the division crown and much more, it's not something you'll want to look away from in a few months. All four teams hit the ground running in free agency -- led by the Los Angeles Rams but recently headlined by the San Francisco 49ers -- and the 2021 NFL Draft will see them all square off with the same fiery demeanor as if they were on the gridiron.

There can only be one, however, and last year it was the Seattle Seahawks again taking the NFC West crown. Repeating will be difficult, as is always the case for whomever took the throne last, and that's what makes things so downright spicy. And as we rank the offseason performance of each club, keep in mind that this fight is far from over.

But it's most certainly already begun.

1. Los Angeles Rams

Biggest addition: Matthew Stafford, quarterback

It became more and more evident as the back end of the 2020 season rolled along that the Rams had mentally began moving on from Jared Goff. In the offseason, they did so physically, shipping him off to the Detroit Lions in a deal that landed them Stafford, another former top pick at quarterback. On its face, it's a win for the Rams, considering Stafford is still presumably in his prime and has never seen his talent doubted -- more often it being the Lions who were vilified for wasting his NFL years with poor personnel decisions. With the addition of Stafford comes an instant excitement within the Rams organization, with execs and players alike viewing it as an upgrade over Goff. Time will tell if he truly is, but it's difficult to fathom how he wouldn't be, be it in experience and/or arm talent.

Biggest loss: Troy Hill, cornerback

This was mostly a toss up between Hill and safety John Johnson, but the nod goes to Hill. He's a player who grabbed three interceptions last season playing in tandem with All-Pro safety Jalen Ramsey, and his production plus overall demeanor must now be replaced. Hill signed a four-year, $24 million deal to join the Cleveland Browns in 2021, adding insult to the Rams injury by following Johnson to Ohio -- himself having signed a four-year, $33.75 million deal with the Browns. There's a reason Cleveland went shopping in the Rams cupboard, but in doing so they created gaping holes in the Los Angeles secondary that must now be filled. Honorable mention in this category also goes to tight end Gerald Everett and Samson Ebukam, who were both solid producers for the Rams in their respective roles, and the decision to send Michael Brockers to Detroit behind Goff creates a bit of a need on the defensive interior as well.

Top draft priority: Cornerback

With the loss of Hill comes a need at the position, one exacerbated by the loss of Johnson at safety. Having locked Ramsey in for the foreseeable future, it's all about identifying Hill's successor to complement their premier corner, and there's no shortage of available talent heading into the draft. The problem is, because of the acquisition of Ramsey in a trade deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Rams don't have a first-round pick this year. Barring a trade, they won't go on the clock until No. 57 in the second round, but the cornerback class is deep enough to make a quality grab there -- e.g., Asante Samuel Jr. or the like. However they decide to work their haul, it can't be without a feature corner and/or safety, and especially in a division that features Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray and whomever the 49ers choose to select with the No. 3 pick.

Where Rams stand heading into 2021:

To say Sean McVay is upset is an understatement. His team is not long removed from an appearance in the Super Bowl, but it disappointed greatly in that matchup with the New England Patriots and has been uneven ever since. The refusal to be mediocre is what fueled his split from Goff, a player he once adored (at least publicly), looking to usher in the Stafford era with added weapons like wideout DeSean Jackson. Assuming Jackson can remain healthy (big if), it'll help elevate the offense around incumbent targets and keeping defensive lineman Leonard Floyd helps provide a potent one-two punch with perennial All-Pro and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald to put the Rams in a good spot in the NFC West chase. That is if they address the secondary, because they'll otherwise find themselves in trouble when they play elite QBs on a day when Donald and Floyd might not be at their best (it happens).

2. Arizona Cardinals

Biggest addition: J.J. Watt, defensive end

Speaking of shopping in another team's cupboard, the Cardinals are perfecting how they poach talent from the Houston Texans. It began with how they fleeced the Texans to acquire All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins, and they circled back to grab J.J. Watt following his stunning release -- quietly stealing him away from other teams like the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers in the process. The wildly unexpected move sent shockwaves throughout the NFL and, in particular, the NFC West. Watt is a future first ballot Hall of Famer who also happens to be a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and while the five-time All-Pro has dealt with durability issues in recent seasons, he played in all 16 games of the 2020 season. By the way, he's also only two seasons removed from racking up 16 sacks, so if he is even remotely close to reaching prime form one last time on the back end of his career, the Cardinals pass rush will be a sight to behold; seeing as he's playing alongside Chandler Jones, an animal in his own right who has 60 sacks in the four seasons in Arizona prior to missing the majority of 2020 with injury (having missed zero games in those four seasons).

Biggest loss: Patrick Peterson, cornerback

The loss of Haason Reddick stings, after having seen him come on strong the past two seasons and completely break out in 2020 -- becoming the team's best pass rusher in the wake of losing Jones. But with the addition of Watt, the loss of Reddick is lessened, and the same can't be said for the cornerback position. The Cardinals were hoping to convince Peterson to stay put in the desert, and for a couple reasons. The first being he's still in his prime and the second being, well, he's still in his prime. The two sides couldn't come to terms in the end, even when it began to feel like there was no way he'd actually part ways with his longtime and beloved team, but the NFL is a business, and Peterson took his business to the Minnesota Vikings. Without him in the mix, and while the Cardinals need to tweak some things at other positions, they'll have a hell of a time trying to replace Peterson. An eight-time Pro Bowler and one of the top five ever selected at No. 5 in the NFL draft, he's still as dangerous in 2021 as he's ever been. Also, as far as losses go, they still don't know what Larry Fitzgerald plans to do.

Top draft priority: Cornerback

So, yeah, pick a cornerback in the draft, Mr. Kingsbury. If face value holds true in the division, the Cardinals will be up against stiff QB competition dying to exploit the absence of Peterson. The red birds like what they have in Dre Kirkpatrick and adore do-it-all talent Budda Baker, but help will be needed. Peterson reeled in three interceptions in 2020, tying the team high with Kirkpatrick, but the two of them combined for 55 percent of the Cardinals interceptions last season; and one of them is gone. That's quite the chunk being carved out of the takeaways category in the secondary. Like the Rams, they're walking into a draft that boasts great depth at the position. Unlike the Rams, however, they're sitting in the middle of the first round and have a much, much better chance at landing a primo CB -- be it then or when they go on the clock at No. 49 (a name like Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu comes to mind here).

Where Cardinals stand heading into 2021:

In what could easily be viewed as the most competitive division in football, the Cardinals weren't far from taking the crown. Close battles with the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers simply broke the opposite way more often than not, with the team finishing at 8-8 largely due to a 2-4 division record. That paints a clear and definitive bullseye on what the Cardinals need to aim for in 2021, because while they proved they can win outside the NFC West, they have to get better at closing out games against their most bitter rivals. All told, Murray and the offense is expected to again be dynamic, even if future first ballot Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald decides to call it a career. You'd like to see them take aim at the tight end position there, but it feels like their secondary needs to be addressed with more urgency. Expect the Cardinals to be more than a handful in 2021, and to make a very real run at the division throne, because until the clock hits all zeros, they're never out of it -- Hail Murray.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Biggest addition: Gabe Jackson, offensive lineman

Russell Wilson was fed up this offseason, and might still be, even if less so after seeing the Seahawks trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to secure Jackson, followed by signing him to a multiyear deal. This is the type of move Wilson wants to see, being he's the been the most sacked quarterback in the league for longer than he'd care to be. It was the mostly wanton disregard for upgrading the offensive line that had Wilson putting one foot out the door in Seattle, but things seem more smoothed over as of late with the addition of Jackson and the re-signing of wideout Tyler Lockett to another big money deal. You could make the argument Jackson is now the best offensive lineman on the team, and should instantly help keep Wilson upright more often, as well as being able to clear lanes for re-signed running back Chris Carson. It's a free agency move that indicates a change in thought by the team's front office, and while it shouldn't have had to devolve to the future Hall of Fame quarterback threatening to leave, desperate times called for desperate measures -- Wilson having now reportedly told Carson and Carlos Dunlap (a key re-signing as well) he plans to stick around.

Biggest loss: Shaquill Griffin, cornerback

The team won't much feel a burn from losing running back Carlos Hyde in free agency, but it might genuinely need a salve to overcome the loss of Griffin. Granted, he's no world-beater at cornerback, but Griffin has been one of the most productive in the unit and that's why the Seahawks were trying to get him to stay put. It went down to the wire, but when it most appeared Griffin would stick with Seattle, he did an about face and took his talents to the Jacksonville Jaguars -- returning home to Florida. Griffin leaves the Seahawks having grabbed three interceptions in 2020, second most on the team behind only safety Quandre Diggs, along with 63 combined tackles (53 solo). No one will treat the loss as if he's Richard Sherman, but he's earned respect in the Pacific Northwest and around the league, which is why the Jaguars awarded him a three-year, $44.5 million deal to help them build a new era in North Florida.

Top draft priority: Cornerback

Diggs looks great at safety, and then there's that other guy, what's his name? Oh yea, Jamal Adams, the All-Pro safety the team traded for last year. And with that very wise trade in the books, the safety unit is in great hands, but the cornerback position should cause very real concern. Even if Griffin stayed, the position would've needed to be addressed. With him gone, the problem is exacerbated. Kudos to D.J. Reed for grabbing two interceptions in 2020, but more will be asked of the 24-year-old going forward. The same goes for Ryan Neal, who himself logged two INTs but that's a total of 12 starts last season between the two. The re-signing of Carlos Dunlap helps the needy pass rush, along with Maliek Collins and stealing away Kerry Hyder Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers, while Bobby Wagner continues to patrol the middle for the linebackers. Let's put a pin in Aldon Smith for now -- given his legal issue in Louisiana -- and the Seahawks have done mostly well in free agency on defense, even if they split from Jarran Reed. So put a bullseye on cornerback in the draft, but good luck trying to fix the remaining holes (including O-line) with only three picks.

Where Seahawks stand heading into 2021:

Because of the toxic headlines surrounding the Seahawks and Wilson, you'd almost forgotten they finished 12-4 last season and won the division. It's how they finished the year that was disappointing -- being roundly thumped by Floyd, Donald and the Rams in the first round of the playoffs. Such an unceremonious dismissal led to a fiery back and forth behind closed doors that spilled over into the public square, but they're still the team to beat in the NFC West until further notice. This is the team the other three in the division are chasing, whether they admit it or not, and have been trying to best every year of the Pete Carroll and Wilson era. So unless Wilson is sent to the Chicago Bears in a blockbuster draft day trade, or unless the Seahawks suddenly forget how to win games, they're the front runner to again take their division throne, even if their offseason hasn't been the prettiest of the bunch.

4. San Francisco 49ers

Biggest addition: Trent Williams, offensive tackle

That sound you heard in late March was the 49ers planting dynamite beneath the first round of this year's NFL draft and blowing it sky high, striking a trade that sent them to No. 3 overall and rippling down to the Philadelphia Eagles moving back in a subsequent trade with the Miami Dolphins. This means they'll presumably select a quarterback, but having a dynamic QB is mostly irrelevant if you can't protect him -- ask Wilson in Seattle. To that point, the Niners went and pried Trent Williams away from the Washington Football Team and he was still every bit as advertised and one of the best offensive tackles in football in 2020. So when he hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, while there was interest from other teams, Williams wanted to remain in the Bay Area and the 49ers concurred in a big way. In the end, talks were smooth and landed on a gargantuan six-year, $138 million deal, making him their cornerstone tackle in what will likely become the post-Jimmy Garoppolo era.

Biggest loss: Kerry Hyder, defensive end

Losing Hyder is a bigger deal than most would probably admit, and even more of a problem when considering where he signed this offseason. Hyder is heading to the Seahawks, as noted above, after having given the 49ers a total of 8.5 sacks in 2020. He stepped up in a big way following a ravage of injuries on the team's defensive line, but while that unit is expected to recover fully from injury and get back to its dominant ways, having Hyder around would've been sprinkles on the ice cream for what is arguably already the best defensive line in the NFL. Hyder led the team in sacks last year, and by a hefty margin, with second-place Arik Armstead delivering only 3.5 in 16 starts. Having clawed his way from the Texans to the Cowboys to a return to notoriety with the 49ers and now his new home in Seattle, Hyder is poised to not only cause a problem by leaving San Francisco, but also in going to a team that guarantees it will have to try to stop him at least twice a year for the next three seasons.

Top draft priority: Quarterback

Sorry Jimmy G, but it's time to pass the sticks. It's reported head coach Kyle Shanahan never mentally recovered from watching Garoppolo falter in the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and the relationship has apparently now met its end. With the aforementioned draft trade in the books, the future for Garoppolo in San Francisco is either nonexistent or extends through 2021 only -- depending on who you ask. If you ask Shanahan, who openly admits the trade with the Dolphins likely angered his starting quarterback, the team isn't willing to part ways with Garoppolo in 2021 but instead to keep him around for a lame duck season as they bring their new draftee up to speed (this is quite literally his stance). Knowing this, there can be no debate on what position the 49ers are aiming for at No. 3, after a serviceable Garoppolo never became much more than that after being [prematurely] awarded a $137.5 million contract in 2018. Only three years later, the team is ready to usher in someone new at QB, be it Justin Fields, Mac Jones or another top prospect.

Where 49ers stand heading into 2021:

Of the four on this list, the 49ers have the tallest hill to climb. Facts are facts, and the fact is they're the only club with uncertainty at the most important position in football -- Wilson's issues with the Seahawks having a pin in them for now. The Rams grabbed Stafford and the Cardinals are all set with Murray, but no one knows who the 49ers will select and what that player will or will not become at the NFL level. So for as dominant as their defense will likely again be in 2021, the verdict is out on if Shanahan's prolific offensive mind will have the personnel to help pull it off. That said, as long as you have George Kittle on the team, you have a chance to put up points, and it certainly helps to see what Deebo Samuel has become. Still, if you're trying to figure out which NFC West team has the lowest odds of winning the division in 2021, it's the 49ers, who might have to take an intentional step back in order to take two steps forward in 2022 and beyond. They'd truly need to pull a rabbit out of their hat this season to return to the Super Bowl, and while it's not impossible, it's also not something you should bet on.

Pretty decent one is PFF and does some decent trades to.
here is mine.
What you guys think?

Got some value oicks toward the end of high ranked guys still on the board.

does anyone know how, or can point me to a tool, that can decode thread titles that look like these?

Subject: (002/101) - Description - 935486t90erjgioenfoettztghrg.part01.rar

Now that the system has been reset, we are starting a new SportsBook season

@Memento has been added to the bookie list and will be helping out.

I plan on getting some win total books up for the 2021 season along with some NHL games.

I believe @Corbin will be handling all MMA and UFC .

I can no longer cancel my thread alerts just by opening them. I have to click on each individual notice for it to no longer be counted as viewed.

as mentioned before the back arrows is gone.

Both of these issues are on the app version