Trade grades: Lions, Pats shine; Raiders get an F
https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-trade-grades-who-s-winning-losing-on-the-deal-making-front

Thisarticle is laughable, but I thought some of you would enjoy it

Most of you know this I’m sure. I’ve heard ppl talk of 11 personnel and I assumed it was part of ‘The Athletic’ subscription. I’ve read that a few others thought the same thing.

After the Goff trade @Memphis Ram, shared a link and I discovered that I could listen to it without a Sub.

I downloaded the podcast app and listen to every episode now.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-personnel-a-show-about-the-los-angeles-rams/id1477535034

So for any of you wondering here it is.

A guy to watch this year will be Burgess. Right now the apparent hole in the defense is SCB. But I don't really think that it is. Last year Staley would move Ramsey into that "star" position if the offense had a key receiver playing there. I think initially they will look to David Long to step up to fill the boundary CB position if Morris plays Ramsey in a similar manner. He has the speed to play the position and now has a year of experience under his belt. Normally it takes 3 years to develop an outside CB because in the NFL it's all about technique.

If Long struggles this is where IMO the versatility of Burgess comes into play. Burgess possesses boundary CB speed and has a good first step to match most receivers. Why does this matter? The Rams are basically 3 deep at safety. In college, Burgess play primarily as a SS. This would make him an option to allow Morris to keep Ramsey outside and simply allow Burgess to cover the Y receiver.

As a starting FS Burgess is an upgrade to Johnson because of that speed. Too many times Johnson was a step late in his coverages. Burgess gives Morris tremendous flexibility in how he uses his secondary. He can move Burgess up to basically play SCB or he can play him as a FS and play zone underneath with Fuller and Rapp, which isn't a bad option.

I think Morris' nickel will often be 3 safeties, Burgess, Rapp, & Fuller. Offenses really can't key off of that personnel package because of Burgess' versatility to play as a 3rd CB or safety. IMO Burgess made Hill expendable. Hill was too scheme-dependent (zone). Burgess gives Morris the flexibility of man or zone. This secondary was one of the best if not the best in the NFL last year. IMO they can still be and with Burgess, they can be even better.

This defense can be better. Lewis is an upgrade to Brockers. Gaines has shown he is capable of filling a rotational position behind AD at 3T. Morris has absolutely no excuses with this roster. I think we will see a more conventional 3-4 hybrid scheme in the front 7, which is the same scheme Baltimore has run with great success.

As much as I like Goff, there is no question that Stafford elevates this team from very good to potentially great. No more worries about the Rams being overmatched at QB. The Rams vs Tampa is going to be a great matchup. Stafford is very capable of outplaying Brady, especially with this team around him. In fact when you look at the schedule, only Jacksonville and NY Giants look completely outmatched. I can't wait for his season!!!

Rams Updated Depth Chart ? Looking at the Rams site and Ourlads I'm confused.

What is the Rams current updated depth chart at all the position groups?




OFFENSE

QB: Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins, Devlin Hodges

RB: Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais

WR 1: Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, J.J. Koski

WR 2: Robert Woods, Trishton Jackson

WR 3: DeSean Jackson, Nsimba Webster

TE: Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt, Brycen Hopkins, Kendall Blanton

LT: Andrew Whitworth, Joseph Noteboom

LG: David Edwards, Jamil Demby

C: Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, Tremayne Anchrum

RG: Austin Corbett, Tremayne Anchrum, Coleman Shelton

RT: Rob Havenstein, Bobby Evans


DEFENSE

OLB1 edge: Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis

OLB2 edge: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Derick Moncrief

LDE: Jonah Williams

NT: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Marquise Copeland, Michael Hoecht

DT: Aaron Donald, A'Shawn Robinson, Eric Banks

ILB: Micah Kiser, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom

OLB: Kenny Young, Justin Hollins

CB1: Jalen Ramsey

CB2: Darious Williams

CB3: David Long, Tyrique McGhee

FS: Nick Scott, Juju Hughes, Jake Gervase

SS: Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, J.R. Reed


SPECIAL TEAMS

P HEKKER, JOHNNY, Brandon Wright

PK Matt Gay, Austin MacGinnis

LS Colin Holba, Steve Wirtel

PR Nsimba Webster

KR Raymond Calais, Nsimba Webster

I haven’t seen anything about his rehab. I know he got pressure against us last year and had 9 sacks before injuring his Achilles.


OLIVIER VERNON
DL, CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns placed DE Olivier Vernon on injured reserve with a torn Achilles' tendon, ending his season.
It's a huge loss for a defense that was already soft against the pass. Still an every-down player at age 30, Vernon's nine sacks were second only to Myles Garrett's 12 on the Browns. What's bad for the Browns is catastrophic for Vernon, as he will become a free agent at season's end. Having trouble staying healthy over the past four years, Vernon will probably now have to settle for one-year, incentive-laden offers on the open market. Life isn't fair for NFL players over 30, but it's really not fair for injured players over 30.

Jan 4, 2021, 12:06 PM ET

Colin Cowherd is "touting" that the 2021 Bucs will be the best team Tom Brady ever played with.

The Bucs won the SB last season and there was no doubt they were the NFL's best NFL team after the postseason ended.

Tampa is becoming an overwhelming favorite to repeat as NFL champions.

Cowherd gives his 2 cents on why the Bucs in 2021 will be even better.

Paper champions often flame out but the Rams have some more work to do upgrading their current roster.



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9 Rams players who must step up following free-agent losses (yahoo.com)
9 Rams players who must step up following free-agent losses
Cameron DaSilva
Wed, March 24, 2021, 6:06 AM

Free agency has not been kind to the cap-strapped Rams this year, as they’ve suffered a number of losses at key positions. Gone are John Johnson, Morgan Fox, Gerald Everett and Josh Reynolds, as is Samson Ebukam.

While the draft is still to come, the Rams will be looking at many of their own players to replace some of those they lost in free agency. They need several players to step up, many of whom have not been starters before in the NFL.

Here are nine players who must step up in 2021 to help fill the voids left by those who departed as free agents.

CB David Long Jr.

Troy Hill signed with the Browns and even though Darious Williams will be back, the Rams need a new slot corner. Long could fill that role, and Sean McVay mentioned him as a player the team will ask to step up. But there’s also a good chance the Rams will draft a cornerback and potentially give Terrell Burgess to cover the slot, too, so Long won’t be handed the starting job. This is a golden opportunity to prove himself as a former third-round pick.

DB Terrell Burgess

Burgess is a versatile defensive back who can play just about any position in the secondary. With John Johnson gone, Burgess could get the chance to become a starting safety next to Jordan Fuller, who’s projected to once again be a starter. Burgess missed most of his rookie year with a broken ankle but the potential is unquestionably there. He’s a good tackler, is adept in coverage and can cover both receivers and tight ends. His playing time will increase next season with Johnson gone.

S Taylor Rapp

Rapp is in a similar situation as Burgess, only Rapp has been a starter before. Last season was a rough one for Rapp, missing time early with an injury, getting unseated by Fuller as a starter and then finishing the year on IR. The talent is still there for Rapp to be a good strong safety playing close to the line of scrimmage, which the Rams will need after losing Johnson. Rapp can contribute as a dime linebacker, too, which has a lot of value in today’s NFL. Rapp will likely compete with Burgess for the starting safety job alongside Fuller.

DL A’Shawn Robinson

McVay said recently that Robinson was signed as a replacement for Michael Brockers, who agreed to a deal with the Ravens last offseason. However, Brockers returned when that contract fell through, maintaining his starting role at defensive end. Now that Brockers is officially gone, Robinson will be asked to step up. He could be the Rams’ starting defensive end next season, and may rotate with Sebastian Joseph-Day at nose tackle, too. His presence against the run will be critical for the Rams defense.

OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Okoronkwo was viewed as a steal in the 2018 draft when Wade Phillips and the Rams landed him in the fifth round. But since then, he’s played just 20 games, has 2.5 sacks and 19 total tackles. This will be Okoronkwo’s fourth season, which is also the final year of his rookie contract. The time is now for him to prove himself as an NFL pass rusher. He’ll first have to make the 53-man roster, which is no sure thing, and if he does, there’s an opening at outside linebacker following the departure of Samson Ebukam. Terrell Lewis and Justin Hollins will also compete for that spot.

OLB Terrell Lewis

Lewis came into the NFL with durability concerns after an injury-plagued tenure at Alabama. Those issues didn’t subside as he missed eight games last season and played just 124 defensive snaps. Lewis has all the talent in the world, but he can't seem to stay healthy. The Rams need him now more than they did in 2020 because Ebukam is gone and Okoronkwo isn't a proven starter. Hollins is solid, but Lewis’ upside as a pass rusher is greater. He must prove he can stay healthy and productive in Year 2.

WR Van Jefferson

This one is obvious and was fully expected even before last season. Josh Reynolds was unlikely to return after the Rams drafted Jefferson in the second round and then re-signed both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Now with Reynolds’ departure official, Jefferson will almost certainly become WR3. DeSean Jackson will contribute as a deep threat in certain packages, but Jefferson will be the one playing the bulk of the snaps the same way Reynolds did as the No. 3 receiver. He showed promise as a rookie, but Jefferson has to take the next step in 2021 as a legitimate starter.

TE Brycen Hopkins

The Rams had absolutely no need at tight end in last year’s draft, yet they took Hopkins in the fourth round. To prove they didn’t need a tight end, consider this: Hopkins was active for only five games and played a measly two snaps on offense last season. But he wasn’t drafted for 2020. Hopkins was added as a future replacement for Gerald Everett. Tyler Higbee will remain TE1, but with Everett in Seattle, Hopkins will have an opportunity to fill in as the No. 2 tight end, which is an important position in McVay’s offense when they go to 12 personnel.
RB Xavier Jones

The Rams are set with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson atop their running back depth chart, but Malcolm Brown joined the Dolphins, leaving a void at RB3. Jones was kept on the team all season and the Rams like him a lot after signing him as an undrafted free agent, so expect his role to grow as the No. 3 running back. He’ll likely be active on game days next season and could contribute if an injury occurs to Akers or Henderson. Les Snead said the team almost played Jones late in the year when Akers injured his ankle, but Akers was able to battle through and continue playing.

Why Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins can’t be overlooked - Turf Show Times
Why Brycen Hopkins can’t be overlooked
The Rams seem comfortable getting Hopkins ready to be TE2

By Kenneth Arthur

In his final college season at Purdue, tight end Brycen Hopkins was 10th in the Big 10 in receiving yards, finishing with 61 receptions for 830 yards and seven touchdowns. The year before, Hopkins ranked 17th in the conference with 583 yards, while teammate Rondale Moore led everybody with 1,258 yards. Despite a lack of future pro talent around them, Purdue still produced at least those two NFL pass-catchers.

Hopkins was a fourth round selection of the LA Rams in 2020, while Moore ran an unofficial 4.29 at his pro day and could even flirt with day one this year. Will Hopkins see game action next season and hold off his former teammate from lapping him in yards at the pro level?

I think we have to hold out hope that Hopkins’ rookie season absence was simply another redshirt, development year.

.
Kyle Pitts is not only the top tight end in the upcoming draft, he might also be the most dangerous pass-catching weapon at any position, including receivers Ja’Marr Chase and 2020 Heisman winner Devonta Smith. However, Pitts might also not be a tight end at all, as mentioned by YouTuber Alex Rollins in this breakdown of the Florida products’ strengths and weaknesses. What stood out to me in watching the video had nothing to do with Pitts — he’ll be selected about 50 spots out of LA’s range — but the reminder that the tight end position is one that may take the longest to develop at the next level. Pitts could become the NFL’s best tight end in a few years. Or, if he doesn’t learn how to block adequately, he’ll be an oversized wide receiver who still likely lasts a decade in the league.

Hopkins could be in a similar position, albeit with a lower ceiling.

During his rookie campaign, Hopkins played in two offensive snaps and was not once mentioned as a potential solution — no matter how minor it would be — to the Rams’ offensive woes in the second half of the year. Harrison Bryant, another fourth round tight end in 2020, caught 24 of 38 targets for 238 yards with the Browns last season. Some fourth rounders at other positions, like receiver Gabe Davis, guard Solomon Kindley, safety L’Jarius Snead, and center Tyler Biadasz, were notable contributors as rookies.

But Hopkins stayed off of the field. Is that worrisome?

Above all else, it’s hard to imagine where Hopkins would have even snuck himself into the rotation. The Rams had no reasons to pull Tyler Higbee or Gerald Everett out of action, and the pair combined to miss only one game last season. Johnny Mundt was only targeted four times all year, but also played in a full 16-game season, like Everett.

There was no room for Hopkins, but that won’t be the case this year.

LA opted not to re-sign Everett, who went to the Seattle Seahawks for $6 million over one year. The Rams did re-sign Mundt, but all that proves is that they liked him as the TE3 and as one of their top special teams contributors. Until we’re given reason to believe otherwise, Brycen Hopkins enters 2021 training camp as the number two tight end and he does so with all of his pre-draft positives (“smooth, fluid route runner” with “fairly advanced route tree” and “seamless vertical cuts” that complement his “great effort as an in-line blocker”) and 16 months with which to work on his negatives (“doesn’t have ideal mass” for a blocker and “drop rate is concerning”).

Like many tight ends, like Pitts, Hopkins projects excellently as a receiving threat if he’s able to stick as an in-line blocker, but fades into a blob of other receiving options if he was a liability on the line of scrimmage next to a tackle. One advantage that Hopkins has in that area is that his father Brad Hopkins was a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle who played in the NFL for 13 years, so there’s reason to suspect that he’s getting good advice, but that’s only something we can speculate on for now.

When the Rams open and close training camp this August, we’ll know exactly where Hopkins stands. As of March, he stands right behind Tyler Higbee. And it could be that Higbee feels those hairs on his neck coming to attention.

Pfizer. First dose!

While waiting for the Rams to figure out their plan at C, check out the video of this guy. Yes, he's at Div 3 UW Whitewater, but the extent to which he dominates is almost laughable. Sounds like he was great at the Senior Bowl, too. Rams have shown interest in him... interviewed him twice already.

Haven't seen this many 'pancakes' since Orlando Pace! I for one would love it if he was the pick at 57.

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McVay confident in next players up on defense

The first wave of 2021 free agency saw the Rams trade one defensive starter, then lose three others and a key reserve to new teams as unrestricted free agents.

Filling the void created by the departures of defensive lineman Michael Brockers, safety John Johnson III, cornerback Troy Hill, edge Samson Ebukam and defensive lineman Morgan Fox won't be easy, but Rams head coach Sean McVay believes the team has the depth to sustain those losses.

"I don't think you would ever look at it (like a setback)," McVay said during a March 19 video conference. "You've always got to have contingency plans in place."

For Los Angeles, those plans will primarily focus on players acquired via free agency or the NFL Draft in previous years.

L.A. signed defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson to a two-year deal last offseason, effectively bringing him in as Brockers' replacement since Brockers appeared headed to Baltimore before Brockers wound up back in Los Angeles. With Brockers getting traded to Detroit last week, both Robinson and fourth-year defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day are expected to take on bigger roles.

Though his debut was delayed due to landing on the reserve/non-football injury list prior to the start of the regular season, Robinson still posted 12 total tackles, one pass breakup and one blocked field goal in eight games last year. Meanwhile, Joseph-Day turned in 55 total tackles, four QB hits, three pass breakups and one forced fumble as a starter in all 16 games.

"(Robinson) had some situations and we're excited about the development for him," McVay said. "I think Sebastian Joseph-Day is a guy that continues to show why he is a special interior player and those are the guys that are going to be asked to step up."

At edge, the Rams welcomed back Leonard Floyd via a four-year deal as Ebukam signed a two-year deal with the 49ers. Third-year pro Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and second-year pro Terrell Lewis remain under contract for Los Angeles.

Regarding Floyd specifically, Rams general manager Les Snead last week said Floyd is a special athlete whose versatility makes him valuable. As Floyd developed into a disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage, Okoronkwo tallied 12 total tackles, one sack and one pass breakup in 10 games, while Lewis collected five total tackles and two sacks in eight games.

The Rams' defensive backfield offers several familiar faces for reinforcements.

They placed a first-round tender on cornerback Darious Williams, who led L.A.'s defense with four interceptions. McVay also singled out third-year pro David Long Jr. as one of the players who will be asked to step up with Hill gone. Long made seven tackles while playing in all 16 games, and gained experience working on the inside and outside in the secondary under former cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant.

At safety, the Rams will lean on 2019 second-round pick Taylor Rapp and second-year pros Jordan Fuller and Terrell Burgess with Johnson gone.

Rapp posted 44 total tackles, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble in nine games before sustaining a knee injury that placed him on injured reserve for the rest of the season, but has starting experience from his 2019 rookie season. Fuller tied for second on the defense in interceptions with three while starting all 12 games he appeared in. Burgess mainly contributed on special teams before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7, but his versatility coming out of Utah makes him an intriguing piece to the secondary.

"You look at Darious Williams, he's done an outstanding job that you tender him as a one, which is what we felt like his worth was to us," McVay said. "You're going to ask some guys like David Long (Jr.) to really step up, when you lose a Troy Hill. You invest in the safety position the last couple of years with Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, we saw what Jordan Fuller was able to do. Those are three guys that we're very excited about."

With a defense built around foundational pieces like cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive lineman Aaron Donald, the Rams can afford to let veteran players walk and ascend younger players into larger roles. McVay was appreciative of what the departing players provided Los Angeles' defense, but remains confident in the next players up.

"To say you're going to take a step back, there's too much work that goes into it," McVay said. "There's too many people I still have confidence in, while not minimizing the huge impact that those four players that you mentioned had on the success of our defense in particular last year," McVay said.

Its quite remarkable to think that the Rams could begin the 2021 season with second year players starting at 4 positions: RB Cam Akers, OLB Terrell Lewis, SS Terrell Burgess and FS Jordan Fuller, as well as 2 key rotation spots: WR3 Van Jefferson and TE2 Brycen Hopkins.

With the exception of Hopkins, who didn't see any significant action, last years rookies all showed promise. On the down side, Akers, Lewis, Burgess and Fuller all missed time with injuries. While some injuries cannot be prevented (and, in Lewis' case, arose from lingering problems from prior injuries), I wonder if the Sophomore class will fare better after a full offseason under the supervision of the Rams' trainers. Last year's offseason was extremely truncated as a result of the pandemic, and perhaps that contributed to the bumps and bruises sustained during the season.

Certainly, the front office expects a lot from the Sophomore class, as they allowed Malcolm Brown, Josh Reynolds, Gerald Everett, Samson Ebukam and John Johnson - all of whom will likely be replaced by 2nd year players - to depart. Its a plan with some risk, but I feel pretty good about the prospects of achieving equal or better production with these rookie contract players.

Who knows... by this time next year, we may be looking at the 2020 draft class as one of the best the Rams have had in recent history.

Fun watch here...


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I know it is still early and the Rams still have the Draft coming up as well as more Free Agent Moves/Decisions coming but I am curious to hear opinions from other Rams Fans on how you think the Rams offseason is going! Are the Rams better as of now with their recent transactions or are you concerned that they have lost a lot of depth that might be difficult to replace/
overcome for this upcoming season.

I will admit that as much as I liked and appreciated Goff I do think Stafford is a definite upgrade at QB and the addition of DeSean Jackson will hopefully give Stafford and the Rams Offense that Deep Threat I think they really need!
But, They have lost quite a few good players (Johnson, Fox, Brockers, Hill, Everett, Reynolds, etc) that will be hard to replace.

Should be a very interesting and exciting year for the Rams!!!

@Merlin posted a comment HERE suggesting the Rams were top 3...

So... what do you see? Who has the best QB and RB combo, predraft? Unless I’ve missed a top combo... here are ones I see;

UN-RANKED TOP COMBOS
Mahommes and Edwards Helaire
Prescott and Elliott
Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones
Mayfield and Chubb
Tannehill and Derek Henry
Wilson and Carson
Stafford and Akers

Stafford and Akers certainly looks top 5, to me. Maybe even top 3.

I think most of us would pick Mahomes and Helaire tops. But... I start debating after that.

How do you see it?

Will Rams players explode into the NFT market?

Will the LA Rams find a new source of revenue to help out their cap space situation? Or will it pour directly into the pockets of their players? After recently reading about Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski announcing he was selling his Super Bowl highlights as an NFT, I was left wondering a few things. First of all, just exactly what is an NFT? And then, who might be the first LA Ram be to get into this new hot digital trend and come out with their own NFT?

NFTs are Non-Fungible Tokens, and they are the hottest collectible since Topps baseball cards. (Now there’s a word you don’t hear every day.) It’s just a high-falutin’ techno-word for something which cannot be exchanged. For example, you can exchange a $10 bill for ten ones – it’s fungible. NFT’s are, by definition, non-fungible, because you can’t exchange them for other cryptocurrencies or goods like money allows you to do.

It is the latest version of cryptocurrency to sweep the market, and it has become instant wealth for some. How rich? Well, the auction house for millionaires, Christie’s auction house, sold their first-ever NFT, it was a piece of Digital artwork designed (created? Inspired?) by digital artist Beeple, for a whopping $69.3 million. Now NFTs have suddenly captured the world’s attention. Even those of NFL players.

And considering that the Rams play in glitzy Hollywood’s backyard, you’d think they’d be among the first of NFL teams to embrace this new trend.

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All of this is happening with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aging tight end Rob Gronkowski. Imagine similar buzz about the LA Rams if they win the Super Bowl? What kind of market would the Rams players’ past, present, and future command in such a new version of digital imagery?

New NFL (Players) market?

A few ideas came to mind. Could the Rams’ first NFT be a collection of All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald’s most thunderous sacks? All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey high-pointing the ball and snatching INTs out of the sky or from wide receiver’s paws? Or, something else altogether from the Rams? Perhaps digital collage of a player’s career? Team statistics. Or something else altogether.

Anything but the new uniform designs, please?!

So since NFTs certainly appear to have taken hold in professional sports, perhaps we should learn a little more about this new collectible.

Be like Gronk?

If any Rams wanna be like Gronk, they’ll need to learn much more about this product, make connections with digital artists, and act fast. After all, he was actually the first professional U.S. athlete to commission, own, and sell his own NFT series. And he recently grossed $1.75 million for the sale of 348 digital collectible cards and one of the items even went for $433,000.

Think that the NFL market is one-and-done? Well, another player joined the market. He is Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahones. I’m betting you recognize that name. Well, he recently got into the NFT realm as well.

In a statement coinciding with the release of his NFT, Gronk explained,

“I wanted to take the business into my own hands and be the first professional athlete to launch my own NFT collection. Now, fans will be able to get a piece of the action and share these iconic Super Bowl moments with me in this all-new digital format.”- Rob Gronkowski per Justin Chan, news writer for Entrepreneur

NFT’s in the sports arena are like a digital trading card, only you can’t pin this kind of trading card in the spokes of your bicycle to make fluttering noises.

Indeed, just as cryptocurrency is to cash, NFT’s are to cardboard trading cards.

A new form of wealth

Just a new option, a new offering, a trading card in a new digital file format, also known as a “blockchain-enabled card.” It is the blockchain that tracks the work and gives the owner of the NFT proof of ownership and authenticity. That blockchain is the same technology that is used in bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. But NFTs do not allow their images to convert into other forms of currency. So they are unique and not mutually interchangeable, which means no two NFTs are the same.

There’s only one person walking around with a certified digital certificate saying they own Gronk’s (or any other player’s) Super Bowl highlights. And that owner has the rights to the original. It’s the scarcity that creates value. And these things? One in existence. The value of diamonds is dependent upon their scarcity. These are the new digital diamonds.

The virtual connection to NFL teams and players

For the NFL, NFTs could represent a new way for fans to connect with their teams, players, and the game. But let’s not be too altruistic (showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others). This is about the wealth that is on display by the rights owner. It’s about the wealth it creates for the digital artist. And it’s one more pecking order to answer the age-old debates of which NFL player is more valuable than another.

Now, it will no longer be just about statistics, wins or losses, or Super Bowl rings. Now? The market itself can decide who is more worthy, whose NFT image is so passionately sought by wealthy fans that it commands the highest price. And that will trigger the fan of another player to outbid others for the NFL of their favorite player. This is a never-ending story.

NBA was first, again?

The NBA was actually the first professional sports league to jump on the NFT bandwagon. (Why does it seem like the NBA is always out in front of new things?) It began in October of last year when an outfit called Dapper Labs launched its NBA Top Shot in coordination with the league and the players association.

Since then, and some $396 million in sales later, according to Front Office Sports, there are now conversations taking place between Dapper and the NFL, as well as other sports leagues.

That’s just the first wave. Consider this generation the Atari phase. Now you get the picture of how big and bold this is going to become.

What does it bring?

NFT technology creates new revenue streams for the NBA and NBA players. And it creates new collectibles for NBA Fans. So it should be a simple matter of just setting up a similar shop for NFL players, right? But wait, doesn’t the NFL own those images? How do players get to use the images? But on the other hand, players have the right to endorse products independently

Oh, if there are any barristers reading this, I’m willing to bet that mouths are watering over this one. The NFL is the grandaddy of professional sports. The market for this technology unleashed into the NFL’s past present and future is astronomical. And there’s the rub. Whose product line is it, anyway?

Whose line is it, anyway?

Well, according to Sports Business Journal, the NFL is currently engaged in what it is calling “active discussions” with possible NFT partners. And the scope of their interest has expanded into all digital collectibles, and for that matter, about the use of blockchain technology for NFL ticketing and other pragmatic applications.

And in a memo recently distributed to all NFL teams’ front offices, the league has asked teams to hold off on cutting their own NFT deals without checking with the league beforehand. The league’s memo goes on to say that a “measured and deliberate approach” to this new area will be forthcoming.

I reckon the NFL brass took notice that NFTs are a potential threat to its licensure money stream. Not to mention the money flows into player’s pockets. And so that’s a new player-empowering feature of NFTs – artists, or in this case, NFL players, retain a portion of future sales.

It’s yours, and only yours, with limits

You see the NFT bestows exclusive ownership to whatever it is, whether it’s a piece of artwork, a piece of music (the rock group Kings of Leon recently released an album in NFT format), or a player’s Super Bowl or NFL career highlights.

Its value is based on owning something that speaks to you, that you identify with, such as your favorite NFL team or LA Rams player. It could even be an NFL gameday ticket! (That’s another avenue the NFL is exploring – harnessing NFTs to drive ticket sales)

For example, the NBA’s Top Shot offers NFTs they call “Moments” which are essentially video clips of favorite players or teams. It could be Larry Bird’s three-point shooting performance at the NBA All-Star Game of the past but could be aimed at today’s game, a clip of a step-back three from James Harden. The NFT would give you exclusive ownership of a moment, a memory, a sports touchstone that resonates with you personally.

It’s similar to why some people buy art. It’s just something they like, that speaks to them. There may not be any deeper reason than that.

Person-to-person trading of NFTs is no different than when you wanted to trade your Jack Youngblood LA Rams trading card for your buddy’s Deacon Jones or Merlin Olsen LA Rams trading card of the past. That’s called the secondary NFT market and it’s been pegged at more than $380 million. That’s the tip of the iceberg.

Should the Rams get on board with NFTs, here’s hoping the upcoming season’s NFT is new WR DeSean Jackson reeling in aerial bombs from new QB Matthew Stafford and taking it all the way to the house.

NFL boldly opts for a mostly pre-pandemic style of entry draft

Here’s the NFL, trailblazing again at draft time during the pandemic.

Last April, the NFL became the first sports organization to prove a complex, mass-scale event could be held in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

Safely, virtually.

That is, its 2020 entry draft.

Everyone from commissioner Roger Goodell, to selectors from all 32 teams, to the 255 players picked participated from their homes, via live video-conferencing.

That was last April 23-25. It was the first live sports event conducted anywhere in North America, following the mid-March, society-wide shutdown of almost everything. And despite the screams of criticisms from the hair-trigger finger-wagging, faux-worrying crowd — that the league was being reckless, heartless, thoughtless and yada-yada — the event went off without a hitch.

Everyone loved it, and no one was endangered.

Many expected the NFL would repeat that creative, virtual, all-sports-trend-setting template for its 2021 draft, this coming April 29-May 1. But no.

In another bold move in the midst of the continuing pandemic, the league on Monday announced that, instead, its 86th entry draft will be held mostly in a business-as-usual manner.

Pre-pandemic usual.

Indeed, the 2021 NFL Draft will be staged mostly in person, outdoors, in Cleveland, along that Ohio city’s iconic Lake Erie south-shore waterfront, with the main stage in the same area as Cleveland Browns’ FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center.

The main viewing theatre will include an “inner circle” where invited guests as well as a fan from each club (designated as its “draft ambassador”) will be seated normally, all of whom must be “fully vaccinated.”

It’ll mostly look and feel like a pre-pandemic draft, both in person and on TV.

Many, if not most, first-round picks on Day 1 will each walk onto a glitzy stage — with lights flashing and music blaring — surely wearing a sterilized ball cap of the team that just selected him.

“We’re excited … to give prospects that moment to walk across the stage, as life-changing as it is,” the league’s executive VP of club business and league events, Peter O’Reilly, said Monday on a conference call with reporters.

What’s more . . .

The usual separate TV-host sets will be built for NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.

NFL legends will be on hand on Day 2 to announce team picks, per usual.

From a safety standpoint, the league said in a statement it will “continue to partner with public officials at the state and local levels,” and all fans attending any draft-associated activities “will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to appropriate physical distancing.”

Free fan events surrounding the lakefront draft stages are being arranged. Even those from outside Cleveland will be permitted to attend, but all details and capacity counts have yet to be determined, O’Reilly said.

“And yes, @nflcommish will be in Cleveland announcing picks from the stage. Bring the boos,” NFL PR man Brian McCarthy tweeted.

New wrinkles include all team talent evaluators and selectors remaining off-site, as in 2020, but not individually isolated in their respective homes. Rather, each team’s personnel can either safely congregate in the draft room at club headquarters, or locally off-site — as the Los Angeles Rams are doing.

Another wrinkle is clubs themselves will announce their own picks on Day 3, for the concluding Rounds 4-7.

Last year from April onward, the NFL took heaps of criticism and grief from those who said it would be irresponsible and unsafe to hold, first, a virtual draft, then a training camp, then an entire un-bubbled season. But the league pulled off each one and safely, all 269 games.

Those NFL models served as bellwether templates for how other sports leagues could continue to function through the early and middle stages of a pandemic, first only virtually, then in-person sans 24/7 bubble.

The league furthermore by season’s end learned so much about physical distancing and mask-wearing — and about COVID-19 testing through its novel, but immensely costly, daily testing program involving all players and team personnel from late July through last month’s Super Bowl — that the governing body of public health in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published the NFL’s findings, for application across society.

Is it accurate to characterize the league’s decision now — to hold its entry draft mostly in a pre-pandemic, in-person manner — as a mere continuation of a mindset that began with last year’s draft? That is, a calculated, deliberate push to boldly, but responsibly, stage all of its events and games as close to normal as possible, when permissible?

Yeah, pretty much.

O’Reilly touched on this Monday morning.

“Last year the world was shut down, the commissioner was in his basement and everyone was in their home,” O’Reilly said of the 2020 draft. “We did work our way through the year, from training camp and the season that was, and all that we learned, with 1.2 million fans in stadiums and ultimately the Super Bowl with 25,000 fans in there.

“And now as we sit here on the precipice of the draft, we are looking to reflect where society is today … and where we are all going, and showing that we can effectively and safely produce, and bring people together for, large-scale events.”

The league is even trying to organize “a taste of Cleveland” type of partnership with downtown Cleveland restaurants. How normal is that?

“We’ll continue to learn every day as we head over the next five-and-a-half weeks,” O’Reilly said, “and we’ll make sure that we’re doing this in similar (safe) ways as we head through the season, and through the Super Bowl.”

Hmmm.

Given the league’s boundaries-pushing, pandemic-fighting actions of the past 12 months, and given that O’Reilly statement, looks like we can all expect the NFL to attempt to boldly conduct its 2021 season — fans-in-the-stands-wise — as close to normal as possible, too.

Deshaun Jackson & Pressure on Stafford media talk

All of this us on the board already know this but here are some of NFL media talking heads with their takes.

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


Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/MLYFE0e9pbg?t=105

For all the talk about QBs moving, the 2021 QB carousel is starting to show more fizzle than sizzle.

The Texans spend weeks insisting that they would not move DeShaun Watson and, just as it seemed that they might be willing to talk, Watson's trade market dried up as he was hit with a dozen civil lawsuits (and counting). As of this moment, he's untradeable.

Russell Wilson has been a hot topic, but he remains a Seahawk. Again, despite some rumors and rumblings, it does not look like he's going anywhere.

Carson Wentz was moved, but does that move the needle for either the Colts (is Wentz better than Rivers?) or the Eagles (who will go with Jalen Hurts or a rookie)?

Sam Darnold is still a Jet.
Jimmy Garoppolo is still the 49ers' starter.
Dak Prescott is locked in to remain the Cowboys' starter.
The Broncos did not acquire a QB.
The Bears' big move was signing Andy Dalton.
The Dolphins are still riding with Tua.
David Carr is still the Raiders' starter.
Cam Newton is staying in New England.

The only team that has made a move that has, by clear consensus, resulted in a significant upgrade at the QB position is the Rams. So, while the Rams paid a big price, I'm feeling better and better about their quick and decisive move to address the position and bring in a guy who Sean McVay believes can take them to the next level.

Its been nearly two months since my first mock, and a lot has happened since my initial projections. The Rams retained Leonard Floyd and Darious Williams, but lost several FAs. Thought there is still some uncertainty at the center position, I feel like its time for an update.

Round 2(57): Assante Samuel, Jr., DB, Florida State
(Previous selection: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma)
I think Creed Humphrey (and my second choice at center, Josh Myers) will be gone by this point. While I do think that Quinn Meinerz, C/OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater is a possibility here (particularly if Blythe is not retained), with the departure of Troy Hill and John Johnson, I think the first priority is to bolster the defensive backfield. If Samuel is still there, I think he has the skill set for the nickel/slot role that the Rams will need to fill. He also gives the Rams needed depth in the future if Darious Williams becomes too expensive to lock down long term:
Player I might prefer, but think will be gone: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Alternate choice: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

Round 3(88): Victor Dimujeke, EDGE, Duke
(Previous selection: same)
Retaining Leonard Floyd arguably makes EDGE less of a priority, but I still think the Rams will want to add another pass rusher after losing Samson Ebukam and Morgan Fox in free agency (and given Terrell Lewis’ questionable durability).
Dimujeke had 16 sacks over the past two seasons, and has the size (270 lbs) to line up at DE or OLB.
Alternate choice: Chaunsey Golston, DE, Iowa

Round 3(COMP): Walker Little, OT, Stanford
(Previous selection: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina)
I think the Rams address the offensive line here, and take a player who might be a future replacement for Andrew Whitworth. There is an obvious connection here, as the Rams’ new OL coach, Kevin Carberry coached Little at Stanford. Little opted out of the 2020 season, so I don’t expect him to start right away, but he could be a long-term value pick.
Alternate choice: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

Round 4(COMP): Demetric Felton, WR/RB/KR, UCLA
(Previous selection: Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State)
In a recent interview, Les Snead responded to a question about speed WR as a need by indicating that the Rams want to add guys, regardless of the position. That could have been a description of Felton, who lined up at RB, WR and returned kicks for the Bruins.
Alternate choice: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

Round 6(183): Reed Blankenship, S, Middle Tennessee
(Previous choice: same)
Showed some promise, and some durability issues in college. If he can stay healthy, could be a value choice here. With John Johnson gone, depth at this spot is need.

Round 7(215): Spencer Brown, RB, UAB
(Previous choice: same)
Big back (235) who can catch the ball and does well in pass protection. A replacement for Malcolm Brown.

NFL announces their plans for how the 2021 draft will run - Turf Show Times

NFL announces their plans for how the 2021 draft will run
By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Mar 22, 2021, 1:37pm CDT

Cleveland was once home to the Rams, but this year it will be hosting the 2021 NFL Draft — the culmination of the strangest and most unpredictable draft season of at least my lifetime. In the fact of no NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and with dozens of top prospects playing in little-to-no college football last year, the league is moving forward — as it must, of course — with the draft in April and May.

Here are several excepts from the NFL’s announced plans on Monday:

The NFL announced today that the 86th annual NFL Draft will take place April 29-May 1 across iconic downtown Cleveland locations, including FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center.

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A select number of prospects will take the stage in Cleveland while fans, media, NFL Network, ESPN and ABC crews will also be on-site as the league welcomes the new rookie class. Building on the success of last year’s virtual Draft, additional prospects will also participate in Draft festivities remotely from their homes around the country.

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Club personnel involved in the selection process will be permitted to gather in a Draft Room at a location of their choosing, whether that be their facility or elsewhere while following appropriate protocols.
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All three days of the NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC, including two nights of primetime coverage on Thursday and Friday. Further details on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft will be announced at a later date.

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The Rams traded their 2021 first round pick in the package to acquire Jalen Ramsey, so they likely won’t be involved on day one, but LA has three picks on day two and could still acquire more to work with on day three.

What are you most interested in seeing unfold in the draft this year?

At 86 he had a good life. The man was a legend and a bit before my time but He was a great of the game.