I always supported Jared Goff. I believed, and still believe, he has the potential to be a very good starting QB and, with the right team around him, a Champion.

That said, after the trade I found myself feeling like Tommy Lee Jones at the end of The Fugitive...

“It’s over. You know, I’m glad. I need the rest.”

Therein lies my confession. I was tired of defending Goff. The combination of the constant criticism, and Goff’s failure to silence those critics, put a strain on my nearly boundless optimism.

So now he’s gone, and I’m glad. At least for a while, I can go back to my primary role - Rams fan - rather than constantly having to defend one player.

I wish Goff well..but I’m glad he’s gone.

Stafford is a fucking warrior.

Excellent article. I'm so jacked!

Super Bowl Streaker Claims He Won $370,000 For Stunt, Sports Book Investigating

Super Bowl Streaker Claims He won $375,000 For Stunt, I Literally Bet On Myself!

Okay, maybe the Super Bowl streaker deserves a little more credit than we thought ...

WILD 94.1

7:17 AM PT -- 2/10 A rep for the betting site Bovada tells TMZ Sports the company has launched an investigation into the claims -- and DID "identify some betting irregularities on our Super Bowl prop ‘Will a fan run onto the field during the game?'"

As a result, Bovada says it will refund all losing bets on the streaker wager -- along with "all those 'YES' wagers we’ve determined to have had no part in the betting irregularities."

The implication from the statement is Bovada could nullify wagers connected to the pre-meditated stunt -- which would mean they would NOT get paid.

"We’ll be reaching out to all those players impacted by this event shortly."

Okay, maybe the Super Bowl streaker deserves a little more credit than we thought ...

Yuri Andrade -- the man who broke onto the field while wearing a pink thong bathing suit -- says he came up with the idea for the stunt after seeing a prop bet that offered GREAT ODDS if someone actually ran onto the field during the SB55.

Andrade explained the whole thing during an interview with WILD 94.1 -- saying the gambling website Bovada offered +750 odds ($100 bet pays $750) so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He called up everyone he knew and had them BET on someone storming the field -- then he got tickets to the game and recruited a buddy to serve as a decoy.

Andrade says once security was distracted by his pal -- he ran onto the field ... and the rest is history.

The 31-year-old says he also sent someone to Vegas to make the prop bet at a sportsbook there -- but he didn't identify which book took the action.

Bottom line ... Andrade says he walked away with $370,000 in profit!!

Of course, he was arrested and booked for trespassing -- but chalks the whole thing up as no big deal.

The worst part was he couldn't pick the wedgie that was up his ass while in custody because he was in handcuffs ... but he's clearly over that now.

We know what you're thinking ... is it even legal to make a bet and then personally interfere with the game to get the desired result?? We're looking into it.

But, until someone says otherwise ... tip of the cap to you, sir.


MOD EDIT: Snoops “unconfirmed”

NFL offseason power rankings: Are the Rams elite with Stafford?

VIDEO AT LINK

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Troy Hill gives the Rams secondary flexibility | Free Agent Spotlight

Discussing how he put together what he believed was the best season of his NFL career thus far, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey said in January that it was partially a credit to fellow cornerback Troy Hill, who played both inside at star – the hybrid nickel defensive back position in former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley scheme – and outside at cornerback.

Head coach Sean McVay echoed similar sentiments in his end-of-season news conference, saying last month their ability to activate Ramsey in multiple positions across the secondary was due to Hill's versatility.

Hill also influenced Los Angeles' defense in direct ways, accounting for three of its four defensive scores with two pick-sixes and a fumble return for a touchdown in the regular season.

After providing all of that, Hill is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 17.

So what are the options for the Rams and Hill?

That partly depends on new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris' vision for the defense, in particular what he wants out of the Rams' cornerbacks in scheme, and whether Hill – in both Morris and McVay's eyes, as McVay will likely also have a say in personnel decisions – fits the mold they're looking for. Morris' prototypical cornerback may be different from Staley's.

If the Rams re-sign Hill, it would give them depth and experience at a position that is increasingly becoming one of the premium ones in the game. Having both at that spot int he secondary is valuable, especially when facing quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray each twice a year during the regular season. Hill has also been durable and available over the last five seasons, playing in 70 out of 80 regular season games during that span.

If the Rams don't re-sign Hill, they could look internally at 2019 third-round pick David Long Jr, who played both inside and outside as a rookie and has two seasons of experience, or potentially versatile 2020 third-round pick Terrell Burgess, who played every position in Utah's secondary in college, as potential replacements. They could also look for a replacement through the draft this year.

Thought this could be fun. How often do we say "what ever happened to...?"

This could be a chance to throw out some knowledge we have on something and share it with others as well as enjoying the ride down memory lane.

It can be about anything. Anything that made an impact on you and gets you wondering.

6 Rams players who could earn bigger roles in 2021
Cameron DaSilva/Wed, February 10, 2021
6 Rams players who could earn bigger roles in 2021 (yahoo.com)

The Los Angeles Rams could get hit hard in free agency this offseason as the salary cap is set to drop and they will see 17 players hit the market, including eight who played big roles in 2020. But as they always do, the Rams prepared for this in the draft by selecting players who play positions where they could suffer losses.As a result, these six players should be in line for bigger roles next season, many of whom were selected in the last couple of drafts.

CB David Long Jr.

Two of the Rams’ three starting cornerbacks will become free agents in March. Troy Hill will be an unrestricted free agent and could be difficult to re-sign. Darious Williams will be a restricted free agent and should almost certainly be back. If even one of them leaves, Long will be in line for a bigger role in the secondary. He played more than 10 snaps in just three games this past season, but in 2021, it’s possible he’ll be one of the three starters at cornerback in 2021. As a former third-round pick, that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. He should get a shot eventually, but that will likely only happen if either Williams or Hill leaves.

TE Brycen Hopkins

Hopkins’ role also depends on free agency, in some sense. Gerald Everett will be a free agent and with it being unlikely that the Rams will re-sign him after drafting Hopkins and extending Tyler Higbee, there will be an opening in the No. 2 tight end spot. Hopkins is the perfect candidate to take over that role, too. He’s an athletic tight end like Everett and can be a legitimate receiving threat in the middle of the field. He only played two offensive snaps as a rookie in 2020, but his athleticism and potential are too good to keep on the bench for another season. If he can improve as a blocker and become a more well-rounded tight end, Hopkins will likely take over the role of Everett next to Higbee.

WR Van Jefferson

It seems very implausible that Josh Reynolds will be back with the Rams. They drafted Jefferson to eventually become a starter and while Reynolds won’t break the bank with his next contract, some team will pay him to be a No. 2 or 3 receiver. Jefferson already got some exposure as a rookie and looked promising in limited action. The Rams didn’t draft him No. 57 overall to have him ride the bench for another season and by all accounts, they like what they’ve seen from the Florida product. Expect Jefferson to be the No. 3 receiver alongside Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, essentially becoming a starter on offense in the role that Reynolds held.

ILB Travin Howard

Inside linebacker will be a position of need for the Rams this offseason, or at least it should be. Troy Reeder was decent as Micah Kiser’s replacement, but Kenny Young didn’t make enough plays and can be cut to save the team $2.2 million. Essentially, there is no clear-cut starter at this position for 2021, making it an open competition in camp – barring a big move in the draft or free agency. Howard was in line to be a starter next to Kiser in 2020 but suffered a season-ending injury before Week 1. He has the traits the Rams want in a linebacker, possessing good range and coverage ability as a former safety in college. Expect him to be in the mix for a starting spot next season.

DB Terrell Burgess

John Johnson should be paid as one of the top safeties in the NFL this offseason when he hits free agency, and the Rams will have a hard time being the team to make that happen. So with Johnson on his way out, the Rams will need a new starter at safety next to Jordan Fuller. Taylor Rapp could be that guy, but Burgess will also be a key contributor in the secondary, whether it’s at safety or in more of a nickel role. His versatility was beginning to show through before he got hurt in Week 7. He can play deep safety, in the box or cover the slot, which is the type of position flexibility teams covet nowadays. Whether he’s a true starter or a chess piece in the secondary when sub-packages are used, Burgess’ role will grow in a big way after barely playing as a rookie.

OLB Terrell Lewis

Like inside linebacker, outside linebacker could be somewhat of an open competition. Leonard Floyd and Samson Ebukam will be free agents, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo hasn’t done enough to prove he’s worth of a starting job, and Justin Hollins and Derek Rivers fit the mold of what the Rams want in edge rushers with their size and length. Lewis was a third-round pick last year and has the potential to be a starter – but only if he can stay healthy. That was a challenge for him as a rookie, playing only eight games due to various injuries. Lewis is a big part of the Rams’ future plans and hopefully, that future starts in 2021 because they need pass rushers.

I think that there will be untold subtle positive ripple effects from the Stafford addition.

The obvious ones are that the Ram deep passing game will be back and the entire playbook will once again be open.

But I also think many other more subtle ones will be helping the Rams in less obvious ways.

For example...

Stafford will read D’s better and faster which reduces stress on his OL. Might make his OL look better without requiring massive upgrades.
Play action will be improved which can only make Akers/Hendy even more effective.
Perhaps Stafford will be able to find success on more deep throws with our current WR’s, which means resources could be invested elsewhere.
I think that our TE’s will once again be a big part of this McVay/Stafford O.
Stafford excels at the pump fake and looking off Safeties which will further turbocharge our passing O. This one thing could be quite an improvement in effectiveness.
Stafford is unafraid to throw deep into contested catch situations which puts tremendous stress on secondaries, something that Goff pretty much stopped doing 2 years ago.
The ‘new’ Rams O under Stafford should improve the TOP battle even more, helping DC Morris even more and giving the D more rest.

Bottom line is that I think we’ll see a 30-32 ppg Ram O once more directed by Stafford. I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you how THAT improves chances for a deep playoff run.

Let’s see if we can get this going...

I’ll start...

What did Dick “Night Train” Lane have in common with John Madden and Raymond Babbitt?

I am surprise this has not been a topic yet


Could Russell Wilson be traded? There's one clear landing spot, and it could reignite a franchise
From an offensive-minded coach to a clutch location, this team makes more sense than you may have thought
[IMG alt=" Jason La Canfora
"]https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2016/05/25/9fcfb34b-6306-4689-841c-b99503d9a244/thumbnail/80x80/7a3420af0c4237c046827cce3c8343e2/jasonlacanfora.png[/IMG]

By Jason La Canfora

58 mins ago5 min read




Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
I don't know if Russell Wilson will be traded or not. I'm not sure anyone does at this point, even the Seahawks themselves.
The reality of professional sports is that everyone playing the game has a price on their heads. There is an unstated value on every player at any time, and even if the owner and management don't know exactly what that is, or aren't even actively pondering it, it exists. One phone call with the right offer on the other end of the line, and suddenly they know what that value is. It's like art -- maybe you haven't defined it, but you know it when you see it.
So if the perennial Pro Bowl quarterback does have a certain -- even currently undefined -- trade value attached (even Wayne Gretzky did, in his prime, despite being Edmonton's world ambassador), it's fair to wonder who might meet it in this instance. Who could make the offer that the Seahawks can't refuse?
And as much as at first, I'll admit, the Raiders were far from the first team I considered when conducting this exercise, they are a team I continue to come back to the more effort I put into it. They check basically every box. It actually makes a lot of sense. And I believe Mark Davis, if he puts his mind to it, can pull it off.

Bear in mind, at the onset, that Davis has already accomplished two things that many would have said were, if not impossible, at least implausible. He got a world-class stadium built in Las Vegas (at precious little cost to himself) and was able to move the franchise yet again. And he got Jon Gruden to return to coach that team ahead of the move, giving him a blank check (a $100 million, 10-year deal) to do so. So don't tell me Davis doesn't think big and that he can't be bold. Loving P.F. Changs and being uber comfortable in a starter jacket isn't mutually exclusive to being able to pull off this type of maneuver.
You can't tell me that Davis wouldn't be willing and able to get very creative in terms of how much draft capital he'd commit to land a quarterback of this pedigree. He knows that the team has yet to come close to the heights it attained under his father's watchful eye. He wants star power for his sparkling new football Taj Mahal, with fans perhaps able to finally pour in during the 2021 season.
Doesn't sound like the quintessential Raiders move? A throwback to Al? Pretty swashbuckling if you ask me.
Also keep in mind that Wilson and Gruden really hit it off during the pre-draft process, when the coach was doing his QB specials for ESPN, and have kept up a mutual admiration since, I'm told. Wilson has never played for an offensive-minded head coach, a true quarterback guy. Gruden is the polar opposite of Pete Carroll in many ways, and the answer to achieving maximum offensive potential in Vegas ain't "Run the ball more!" the way it has long been in Seattle.

Wilson has gone public with his frustration with being beaten up year after year, with the offensive line not getting better and his frustration with all of the sacks mounting. The Raiders have invested a ton of money and capital into their offensive line already, and with Wilson on an affordable deal, they could continue to spend on free agents there if need be. They have a stud running back (Josh Jacobs), one of the dominant tight ends in the game (Darren Waller) and perhaps a budding star outside receiver in Henry Ruggs. Yeah, checks a lot of boxes.
The defense needs all kinds of help. It's ugly. Fairly brutal. But Vegas is now a destination city in the NFL, with top-notch amenities and attractions. Roster isn't perfect, but you can certainly work with it. There are no utopias.
Also, if the Seahawks wanted a quality starting quarterback on a team-friendly, pay-as-you-go contract as part of any Wilson trade ... Well, hello Derek Carr! Come on down! That'll work. And Seattle could remain competitive while the front office amassed a haul of draft capital to address other needs in the short and long term. Plus, you get Wilson out of the NFC (last thing you want is him keeping you from a Super Bowl).

Oh, and I almost forgot: Vegas is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. Duh. Wilson's wife, Ciara, has headlining residency at one of the glitzy casinos while Russ competes for an MVP award down the street? I think they could live with that. Easy three-hour drive from their beach house in So Cal, and, what, a half hour in a private jet? Okay.
How many other NFL teams could compete with that if the Raiders went all-in to make this happen? Maybe Miami? Maybe Dallas? Maybe the Jets? Yeah, that one is probably a stretch. With a no-trade clause, any intense trade conversations, if we reach that point, would clearly have influence from the QB. So don't presume his wishes won't matter. They will.
There was a time when discounting Davis was all the rage. He couldn't get a stadium deal in the Bay Area. He got left at the alter in his joint proposal with the Chargers to move outside L.A. His franchise lagged at the bottom of the NFL in revenue and their facilities were probably the worst in the NFL. Overflowing toilets in the stadium locker rooms. Yeah, it was that bad. And did anyone ever know what the hell the name of the stadium was, anyway? O.co or something like that?

No longer.
Feels like a long time ago to me. We've seen Davis achieve the unthinkable in terms of the business operation of his football team. He landed his dream coach. His franchise is poised to be a crown jewel of the league, tapping back into its rich history, worthy of hosting Super Bowls and NCAA title games and maybe the World Cup.
But Davis has yet to make a truly iconic move with his roster, a signature acquisition to try to tie all this together. Wilson could, most definitely, be that guy. I have a pretty good idea what Al Davis would be thinking right now. And I suspect that his son is thinking the exact same thing.

PFF is projecting him to get a 1 year 13 million dollar contract in free agency. He is of the same mold as Fowler and Floyd in terms of a high draft pick with talent never really putting it all together. I think maybe we can get him on a 1 year prove it deal just as we did with Fowler and Floyd. It would make sense for him as he can see the trend here of players lining up next to AD and getting paid the following year. He’s still only 27. What say you?

Per PFF: “ Just like any free agent signing, the key is understanding what a player is bringing to the table. Clowney has elite tools, but he's never been an elite pass-rusher, as he has posted a pass-rushing grade in the 70s in each of the last three years and a 69.6 mark in 2020. The sack totals will fluctuate from year to year, so don't let that change the narrative: Clowney is a good, not great, pass-rusher. He does his best work in the run game, using those elite tools and heavy hands to win at the point of attack. Since entering the league, Clowney is a 95th percentile run defender and a 77th percentile pass-rusher, so his future team should expect similar snap-to-snap production at this point.”

The impact of restricted travel on scouting.... It sure feels like a cocktail to have good players land all over the draft.

Inability to scout as much as usual, weaker data, more projection.

You also can’t help but wonder the “word of mouth effect“ (i.e. more heavy reliance upon “people who did get to see the player”... hyping a player more than usual, letting another slip thru. The social media effect, so to speak.

It sure looks like.... The more picks the better this draft. More lottery tickets.

Do we know the pulse of McVay & Snead?

We know they are both in agreement and balls to the walls when it comes to going all in for another SB run.

I think many of us a have a good grasp of preferable upgrades but knowing the pulse of the team/roster and moving pieces the same way McVay, Snead, Rahim Morris and the other coaches and scouts do is a tough cookie to sell.

In my little Rams world they need a WR big time. Like many others I hope they can land Marvin Jones Jr (or someone to compliment Staff).

I think Marvin Jones Jr. is better than Woods and Kupp in the RedZone. A lot better............

He's older now but we all know Stafford can chuck the ball to Jones Jr. past 10 yards. He may not run a 4.3 40 but his catch radius and ability to get open beyond 20 yards is impressive.

Cooper Kupp is a stud but due to bad injury luck of his knees, he's been out the last 2 postseasons.

I disagree with anyone that thinks Woods, Kupp and Van Jefferson are plenty good enough just because Stafford is now on board.

If either one of Woods or Kupp get hurt, the depth after Van Jefferson is a pipedream to think they can survive the post season.

We all expect an upgrade at center over Blythe. How this won't happen would be a huge surprise.

As far as losing Floyd and upgrading LB and maybe even adding another sleeper Offensive Lineman besides center to stabilize moving parts it's all on the table after the Rams signed Stafford. (Staff knows this) He's already a rich man and he knows by now this team needs some more help.

The secondary with possible losses of JJ and Hill is also not to be ignored

I'm not going down the long path with all my solutions on Feb 9th 2021. Too much time to figure out in the next 30 days about the pulse of Rams brass and how the dominos will fall. I do appreciate reading predictions to pass the time.

After the Rams brass sit down with Stafford (and maybe Donald & Ramsey and 1, 2 or 3 other high cap players on the current roster) about the team building goals for 2021 salary cap help, there is no way the draft is going to be enough to upgarde this roster in the offseason (not even close).

Now that the Rams went all in with Mr. Stafford, I have no reason to believe Matthew won't sign an extension. I have to believe others players that want to get past the divisional round like Donald & Ramsey restructuring is going to be the behind closed doors chatter in the next 3 or 4 weeks.

If Donald or Ramsey get on board maybe 1, 2 or 3 more contracted Rams players restructure and "go all in" so this team can sign some key Free Agent missing pieces.

I know I'm not the only one that has thought of this but I think the Rams players are going to surprise us by how much they will be willing to help free up salary cap space in the the next 30 days.

All in is what McVay and Snead have done. I share their vision and support it.

There surely has to be more than a couple of players willing to follow their vision. There will be a cost for hosting the Lombardi trophy. The way this team does business has been very exciting.

This is not the way our fathers and grandfathers NFL teams did business but I've been in compliance with their ways since the 2018 offseason.

Call it robbing the future. Call it what you want. Imo... 2021 is A HUGE Year for the RAMS to Free Up Salary Cap Space

That coaching staff is potentially, amazing. So many ex players. If they can gel, you know damn well they will command the respect for players to buy in.

This may be an attractive free agent destination. The could very easily become division bullies very soon. And with this staff, that's what they will be. Bullies.

Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson both had difficulty staying healthy this year. However, when they were at their healthiest, their productivity was impressive.

Henderson's best stretch was over the first half of the season. In the first 8 games, he had 95 carries for 458 yards (4.8 ypc) and 3 TDs (plus one receiving TD).

Cam Akers' final 8 games, spanning the final 7 games (he missed one game with an ankle injury) and the playoffs were even more impressive: 146 carries, 660 yards (4.5 ypc), 4 TDs (and 1 receiving TD).

I think its fair to say that, if these two guys can stay healthy next year, they could be one of the better RB tandems in the league.

That's where Matthew Stafford comes in...

You may have heard this one: in 165 starts with the Lions, Stafford had the support of a 100 yard rusher in 11 games (Henderson/Akers had 3 combined just last year).

This one is even more telling: the average yards by the Lions' leading rusher in Stafford's 12 years in the league: 635.8. In the past 6 years... 525.7 yards.

Stafford has never had consistent run support. He's never been able to take advantage of play action on a regular basis. He's really had to do it all on his own.

Welcome to L.A., Matthew... Cam and Darrell are ready to help you win.

Several things...

I just love JJ, but the money for him just isn’t there AND we are deep at S if he walks. Too many other positions need those cap dollars.

It’s possible that Hav’s replacement (even overall upgrade) is already on the roster. Boom, Evans, or Edwards?

Burgess is gonna be a starter this year. Might be nickel, might be at S, but he’s no longer a backup with Hill and JJ departing. Bank it.

Our secondary is gonna be Top 5 at least, even with the 2 departures.

Hav could be traded for player or pick. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit, in fact I make it better than 50-50 likely.

C will be addressed one way or another. I favor a Sully type FA for the short term, but they may use their 2nd on C if one of their targets falls. Stay tuned.

I expect a hungry FA to be signed as Floyd’s replacement and next in line to benefit from the AD Effect. And another edge player drafted among our top 3 picks, as well.

As to the much desired deep threat WR? I just don’t know what they’re thinking. Maybe they think Stafford could ignite a guy already on the roster? Maybe an inexpensive FA (Emphasis inexpensive). Or maybe a 4th-7th pick?

I expect a RB drafted on Day 3. Brown will be gone and they haven’t given Xavier Jones a single snap yet despite multiple injuries to Akers and Hendy. Not exactly a huge vote of confidence, you know?

Brockers could well be traded away in a cap move. Again, player or pick, depending. This cap dollars are really needed elsewhere.

Might see a surprise ILB pick for Morris earlier than expected. Just depends on if value/need intersect nicely.

A better blocking TE might also be on their radar, too. Can never have too many good TE’s and we all know that Everett is a goner.

We should brace ourselves for the strong possibility that Rams will do some extensive restructuring to get down to the new lower cap and still be able to make modest FA moves. Otherwise, their hands will be tied, don’t you think?

This is reportedly a deep draft, so don’t discount the possibility that Snead might trade down a time or two on Day 2 or 3. Not exactly a stunning prediction, I know. Lol.

Don’t know if they’re gonna draft a backup QB now. McVay likes Wolford and Perkins behind Stafford, I think.

Well, those are my highlights. Expect the unexpected with Snead/McVay.

Great interview with our new DC:

Raheem Morris details journey to becoming Rams defensive coordinator (therams.com)

Here is an updated list of 20 players I like as Rams prospects for Round 2 and beyond:

Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech
Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke
D’wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh
Richie Grant, S, Central Florida
Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Patrick Jones, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Quinn Meinerz, C/OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Assante Samuel, Jr., CB, Florida State
Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State

This could be our LT of the future. He is 24 made the pro bowl twice and still on his rookie deal. He wants to be a LT to honour his dad. They have Stanley at LT who is paid handsomely.

I feel we match up extremely well with Baltimore. They need a real receiver they also may need a real RT who is cheap for the next couple years and they run the ball a lot so Havenstein fits here big time.
As far a receiver trade well this could be where if Havenstein and a low round pick don't work then perhaps a receiver like kupp?
I prefer to do the Havenstein trade. I do think it fits and Brown can be resigned next year or even franchised if need be when the cap gets better/right. This makes a lot of sense. Love this guy and this would be a target of mine no doubt.

Marty Schottenheimer, seventh-winningest coach in NFL history, dies at 77

Jim Trotter
NFL.com Columnist


The San Diego Chargers had not had a winning campaign in eight consecutive years when they opened the 2004 NFL season in Houston. Tension lined the walls of the training facility because everyone seemed to be on notice, from second-year general manager A.J. Smith, who oversaw a 4-12 finish in his first year, to quarterback Drew Brees, who was so underwhelming the previous season the front office sought to bring in his replacement via a draft-day trade for rookie Philip Rivers.

And yet no one seemed to be under greater pressure than Marty Schottenheimer, who was hired in 2002 to turn around the struggling franchise. Schottenheimer was considered as close to a guarantee as there could be, having had only one losing season in his first 14 years as a head coach. But an 8-8 finish, followed by a 4-12 disaster had people wondering if ownership had made a mistake. The question grew louder after that first game in Houston when Schottenheimer refused to change quarterbacks after the offense struggled against the third-year Texans, who had won just nine games total in their two seasons since entering the league as an expansion team.

"If I'm going to (mess) it up," Schottenheimer said of sticking with Brees, whom he had benched three previous times "I'm going to (mess) it up my way."

That moment, perhaps more than any other, personifies the essence of the man who died of complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. Schottenheimer, 77, was a proud and forceful figure. He was known as much for his cliche-like mantras -- the most popular was "one play at a time" -- as he was for his emotional press conferences, where his voice would break and tears would well in the corners of his eyes.

"Our family and the entire Chiefs Kingdom mourn the loss of Marty Schottenheimer, and our prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his wonderful wife Pat and the entire Schottenheimer family today," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement Tuesday. "Marty will rightfully be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, but his legacy extends far beyond his winning percentage. He was a passionate leader who cared deeply for his players and coaches, and his influence on the game can still be seen today on a number of coaching staffs around the league.

He believed the safest and truest road to success was with a strong running game, an attacking defense and a veteran quarterback who could limit turnovers. That style of play came to be known as Martyball, and while it was unpopular with some because it lacked pizazz and sizzle, Schottenheimer refused to stray far from it, even as rules changes created more opportunities for passing games to flourish. He would simply point to the results.

Over 20 full seasons coaching in Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego, his clubs won eight division titles and finished second on eight occasions, third on two, and fourth twice. He had just two losing seasons, posting a 200-126-1 regular-season record that ranks seventh all-time in victories. And yet that success was tempered by a 5-13 mark in the playoffs. Thrice his clubs lost in the AFC Championship Game, making him the only coach in the modern era with 200 or more wins to never reach a league championship game.

"I always believed that life is about taking one step at a time," Schottenheimer told NFL Films in 2013 for an episode of A Football Life. "Every time you take a step, you'd like to be able to take it forward, moving toward whatever it is your goals are. God gives you no assurances that you will get where it is where you aspire to be. If you go in that arena, there's only going to be one that comes out happy. ... Do I like it? Hell no, I don't like it. But that's what it is. You learn how to deal with that stuff, because that's what life is all about.

"One play at a time. It's like life -- you live today. Live it to the fullest, because you can't do a thing about yesterday.

Schottenheimer never ran from those disappointments. The former Bills and Patriots linebacker sometimes joked that he wasn't fast enough or athletic enough to evade them. But rather than dwell on the negative, he took great pride in his ability to turn around struggling franchises. It began with the Browns, who had gone to the playoffs just twice in the 12 years before his first full season. Schottenheimer got them there in each of his four years and twice advanced to the conference final, where in back-to-back seasons they lost to the Broncos in heartbreaking fashion, first on The Drive, then on The Fumble. He left Cleveland after the 1988 season over a dispute with ownership about his coaching staff, and the Browns subsequently reached the postseason just twice in the next 10 years.

In 1989, a Chiefs franchise hungry for success after advancing to the postseason just once in the previous 17 years, eagerly hired Schottenheimer. Again, he made them instant contenders, reaching the playoffs seven times in 10 seasons, including six consecutive years from 1990-'95.

Washington went to the playoffs only once in the eight seasons before Schottenheimer was hired, and while he did not reach the postseason in his only season there -- owner Daniel Snyder fired him in part because Schottenheimer's style of play was not sexy enough -- it arguably was his finest coaching effort as he rallied the team to an 8-8 record after an 0-5 start.

The Chargers had missed the playoffs six consecutive seasons before Schottenheimer arrived in 2002, two seasons after the club finished 1-15. They went 8-8 his first season and 4-12 the next. Then came that fateful year of 2004, when he chose to stick with Brees instead of feeding the critics by turning to Rivers. The decision was rewarded with a 12-4 record, the team's first trip to the playoffs in eight years, and his first Coach of the Year honor.

He remained with the team two more seasons but was fired after going 14-2 and losing his playoff opener in 2006. His departure was less about the loss and more about a dysfunctional relationship with Smith, the gruff general manager who never hid his dislike for the coach he didn't hire.

Schottenheimer never coached in the NFL again. In 2011, at the age of 67, he was hired by the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL to be their coach and general manager and led them to a league championship that year -- his first and only title as head coach.

In 2014, Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. On Jan. 30, he was placed in a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. When he passed, he was surrounded by his family.

"I think the worst thing anyone can do is spend time worrying about something they missed out on," Schottenheimer said about not winning a championship in the NFL. "Disappointment? Sure. But I never let it consume me.

"It's been a great journey."

Schottenheimer is survived by his wife, Pat, their two children, Brian and Kristin, and four grandchildren.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell anticipates virtual offseason in 2021, here's what it means for the Rams

Rams fans wondering what's in store for their team's offseason program – and moreover, what the offseason as a whole will look like – will already have somewhat of an idea based on last year.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell anticipates the 2021 offseason looking like what the league did last year.

"Virtual is going to be a part of our lives for the long-term," Goodell said during a news conference with reporters in Tampa Bay, Florida, last Thursday

In mid-January, it was reported via a memo issued to teams that the league effectively scrapped this year's NFL Scouting Combine due to the pandemic. It will not be held in Indianapolis; instead, on-field drills and workouts will be conducted at on-campus pro days – team personnel will be able to attend these to evaluate prospects – with interviews between prospects and teams to be conducted virtually, as well as the psychological testing.

Rams general manager Les Snead said it shouldn't affect their draft process too much, citing advancements in technology used for evaluations and being used to the virtual experience.

"Eventually, if you need to see a workout, right, you'll be able see that," Snead said during his end-of-season video conference on Jan. 26. "At the end of the day, they will do the traditional testing, so those numbers will be calculated, measured, recorded and shared. It's just (that) you might get it a little bit later than normal. You might get it in March instead of February, in terms of seeing a workout, maybe getting some timed speeds or short-shuttle speeds, vertical jumps, things like that."

As for what organized team activities might look like, that's still to be determined.

Goodell said teams learned they were very capable of installing offenses virtually, but at the same time, coaches feel strongly about the value of training camp and on-field practices, and value in preseason games where younger players are afforded opportunities to develop. Goodell acknowledged the veterans may not need that as much. He also said they will work with the NFLPA to balance those issues and expects to come up with feasible solutions.

When the Rams kicked off their virtual offseason program last year, head coach Sean McVay laid out a nine-week program with the first three weeks featuring 90-minute meetings four days a week, with special teams days later on in the offseason. He anticipated all nine weeks being done in that manner. The best case-scenario, according to McVay, was six weeks virtual and three weeks at facility, but ultimately the entire program was conducted virtually.

Coaches communicated with players to hold them accountable for offseason workouts, but did not monitor them because they trusted they would be responsible. Training camp practices began with an acclimation period in early August, and the Rams held two scrimmages at SoFi Stadium to make up for all preseason games being cancelled.

MOD NOTE: Please keep topic on virtual off-season and it’s effects.

Just asking the question, for those of you who have taken the time to observe the OL.

I know it’s current conventional wisdom on ROD that Blythe is the weakest link on the OL. For those of you who have watched him... are you sure you agree? Do you remember particular games—or particular plays—where Blythe got crushed?

I only ask because I know many have questioned Edwards in pass pro. And I certainly remember plays where Hav was whipped by the speed rush. And is Corbett truly good enough to be counted on?

I know many of you have a low opinion of PFF. Having said that... I noticed that PFF gave Edwards, Blythe, and Corbett almost identical overall grades: all were rated at either 69 or 70. But everyone is still sure that Blythe is inferior to the other two?

Lastly... again, taken with a huge grain of salt... I was pretty shocked to learn that PFF rated the Rams as having the THIRD best OL in the entire league this year. Wow! They sure didn’t look like it to me. Maybe the run blocking was good, but the pass blocking seemed awfully suspect.

Anyway... I’d be glad if the Rams somehow upgraded the OL. I’d just be curious to know if people strongly believe that the quality of line play is clearly in this order:

Whit
Hav
Corbett
Edwards
Blythe

Thanks for input, and again, comments about OL play from specific games would be appreciated (I might re-watch some games)

Here is the PFF link, for those who wish to complain about it

You ever see a movie where you figured, "Welp, there goes my man card...." It's February and definitely Rom-Com month.
Pretty Woman
When Harry Met Sally
Casablanca
Same Time Next Year


I loved all of these movies, which one was your favorite and whether your cried....(lol).

1. When Harry Met Sally (cried)
2. Same Time Next Year (cried)
3. Pretty Woman (hell nah!)
4. Casablanca (cried when La Marsellaise was played vs Die Wacht am Rein as an expression of pride while being crushed daily in Vichy held Morocco)

Viva La France!

This is so disturbing if facts are true. To what extent is Reid responsible for basically giving this job to his underqualified troubled son?

Chiefs owe more than 'thoughts and prayers' to family of 5-year-old fighting for life after crash with Britt Reid

As a father, this truly breaks my heart.