Pretty sure we are scheduled to play Goff and the Lions this year.

Sounds to me like a perfect Thanksgiving Day Game

As any purveyor of Dad Jokes knows, the only thing better than a good pun is a really bad one that makes people, particularly teenage children, cringe.

With that, I give you the Puntastic Dad Joke Rams Name Game.

Can you figure out the names of the current Rams that fit these descriptions?

Hector probably climbed one.

The coffee mug of a guy you might hang with.

Fairchild was one, in the 70s.

A bookworm, nonetheless fooled by a wooden horse.

A small floor covering that loves its own kind (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

A vast field of machine parts.

George drove one to his dry cleaning stores.

Michael, after a big meal.

Customize a hip hop tune.

As the race with Marsha for class president gets closer.

Too easy?

How about, as a bonus... who are these former Rams?

One who portends, in an abrupt, slightly rude, manner.

Spanish rum made by the uncle of Bo and Luke.

Horn blowing angel, in Italy.

The speed at which one walks at Disney World.

How Brady feels about pass rushers.

Good luck!

Login to view embedded media
Last one, he throws his hat down
Wish I could hear him instead of Troy Aikman

Here's his first interview about it.

Shocked to see Goff go.

Very excited to have Stafford.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/rFh8Tygl66U

Seattle Seahawks' Shane Waldron says there's 'philosophical alignment' with Pete Carroll

SEATTLE -- During his introductory news conference Tuesday, new Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron sounded a lot like the head coach who just hired him.

He said his offensive approach starts with the belief that it's "all about the ball," a go-to phrase of Pete Carroll's that emphasizes the importance of winning the turnover battle. He made several mentions of his desire for offensive balance and one about playing complementary football, two more Carroll favorites.

It's no wonder the Seahawks tabbed Waldron to replace Brian Schottenheimer, whose clashing with Carroll led the team to announce last month that he would not return after three seasons because of "philosophical differences."

"That was really, in my opinion, what was so natural about the interview process, was that there was so much philosophical alignment between he and I," Waldron said. "I had mentioned this to him: It wasn't like an interview where you're trying to sell yourself to win the job in any sort of sales pitch. It was a conversation, and it was a football discussion that had so many things in alignment that it felt just like a natural progression as we got to know each other and talk through things. So, so many of those things were just naturally in alignment, and that's where I think I felt really good about the process."

As much as Carroll and Waldron found themselves on the same page as they spoke via phone, FaceTime and Zoom over the course of several days, Carroll didn't arrive at his decision alone. Quarterback Russell Wilson made it clear he wanted to be involved in the hiring process -- and he was. A source told ESPN that Waldron was among the candidates Wilson was most fond of during the two-week search and that the quarterback was excited over the hire.

Jake Heaps, Wilson's personal quarterback coach and a co-host on 710 ESPN Seattle, called Waldron the "perfect mesh" of what Carroll and Wilson want in their new OC.

"I had the great chance to get to know him as a person," Waldron said of his conversations with Wilson both during the interview process and since. "[We] talked a lot about our families and just really getting to know each other more as people because I do think the football part of it, that's going to be an important part of it when the time is right, but our conversations really have centered around just who we are as people because you're in a room with some guys for a lot of hours every day when that season gets rolling. ... He seems like he has this unrelenting desire to be better, to be the best that he can be, so I think when we started talking about those things, that's where it was some really fun conversations."

Waldron's coaching career has included college stints at Notre Dame and UMass, one year in the UFL and NFL jobs with the New England Patriots and Washington Football Team before his four-year run with the Los Angeles Rams. He said he took things from each stop to build an offensive philosophy centered around three things: protecting the ball, fundamentals and balance.

"I think the great part about Russell Wilson within this system is he does have an ability to do a lot of different things, and just because I'm saying that it's a balanced attack doesn't mean that that's a conservative attack," he said. "I don't ever want to get that confused."

What wasn't clear from Waldron's first comments to Seattle-area reports was how much of the Seahawks' offense will be what he brings in versus what they were already doing.

"I have a core set of beliefs that I'm going to stick to, but we're going to build this thing together," he said. "I think that the one thing with Russell and with the rest of the players that are on this team, they have a great foundation and they have won a lot of football games together, so will there be parts of stuff that carries over? Absolutely, because there's been some great things they've done in the past."

Waldron called Sean McVay a friend and mentor while saying the Rams' head coach has been instrumental in helping him get to where he's gotten. Waldron spent the past three seasons as Los Angeles' passing-game coordinator and said he wore various hats in that role, including being responsible for certain situational aspects of games, helping with game-planning and being on the headsets with McVay. Waldron also held the title of QB coach in 2019.

One thing he didn't do: call plays. McVay handled those duties with the Rams. Waldron has not done so in college or the NFL, at least not in an actual game.

"It's a great challenge, and it's a challenge that I've been preparing for my whole life," he said. "So I think it's one of those things that I'm ready to get going with and excited to attack that opportunity. I've learned a ton from Sean along the way. With that play-calling experience, he's allowed me the opportunity to do it in different settings, whether it's the preseason or scrimmages or practices. So I've had a little hand in it that way knowing that's obviously not the real deal and there is going to be that opportunity here coming up.

"I'm a guy that likes to prepare. I want to be organized, I want to have that really consistent approach, and in my mind, that preparation began a long time ago and I can't wait for this chance to go ahead and do it."

Waldron is bringing one assistant with him from Los Angeles in Andy Dickerson, who will be Seattle's run-game coordinator. That position was vacant with Brennan Carroll leaving Seattle's staff to be the offensive coordinator at the University of Arizona. Waldron said that when Carroll asked him if he wanted to bring anyone with him who could help with the transition, his first thought was Dickerson, who spent nine seasons as the Rams' assistant offensive-line coach. He and Waldron were college teammates at Tufts University.

Man... Lions have had it rough.

Stafford on losing teams that have gotten hosed! Quite a compilation here

Login to view embedded media View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_yLPJp3-c70

FWIW, here are the top 100 free agents of 2021 according to PFF with predictions where they sign and for how much. They predict the Rams re-sign Troy Hill and John Johnson III and pick up Alex Mack on a one year deal. Who knows, but it’s an easy read.

Teddy Bruschi’s not too thrilled with Stafford’s comments of basically anybody but the Patriots and fired back saying Stafford’s not tough enough to play for Belichek. And to top it off there’s a snarky comment on going to LA to be best friends with McVay. Sucks to be pats fan these days.
Here’s the link, I hope.

We’ve heard from just about everyone about Jared Goff’s exit from LA, now Gurley is giving his opinion on how the rams do business. This should be good.

Hey we've humiliated Goff in just about every way as he leaves us, how about one more shot at his hands?

Average NFL QB hand size is around 9.5 inches (thumb to pinky). Although its not the only predictor of success (Brady's are 9.38"), Goff's hands infamously measured well below average at a mere 9".

What about Stafford's hands? Well, I'm glad you asked. He measured a full 10.0" at the combine. He's just 6'3", but he has the hands of a 7' man according to this webpage.


Goff's hands were still larger than the average adult male (8.5") but that's kind of like saying Johnny Depp (5'10") is taller than the average adult male.

Stafford's hands are 11% larger than Goff's. That's like going from an Iphone 12 to an Iphone 12 Pro Max. Awesome upgrade (if you have big enough hands to hold it).

LeRoy Butler -


John Lynch-


Eddie Meador-

The Rams have received criticism for providing early contract extensions to players who, for various reasons, are no longer on the team. From a dead money standpoint, it is not difficult to understand these critiques. That said, there is a more than a bit of hindsight at work here.

I’m going to look at the early extensions for three of these players - Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks - from a “what if?” standpoint and postulate what would have happened if we had waited until their contracts expired.

Jared Goff
Goff’s rookie deal, which would have expired this offseason, was extended in September 2019. What if, instead, the Rams simply picked up the 5th year option (which they undoubtedly would have done) and let him play out the 2020 season?

Presumably, we still would have entered the 2021 offseason with a desire to move on from Goff. The difference would have been that Goff would have been a UFA and, consequently, would not have been a trade asset. I think its safe to say that we still would have made the Jalen Ramsey trade, so we would not have a 2021 first round pick to offer. Given this, I think its likely we still would have made a run at Matthew Stafford. To get him, we’d still have to beat out the other suitors. Would our 2022 and 2023 first round picks have been enough? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Without Goff in the mix, Detroit would have needed to consider its own QB situation. That would have made offers for 2021 early first round picks (i.e. Carolina’s offer of the 8th pick) tempting. We likely would have needed to add more – perhaps this year’s second round pick.

So, in the end, we would have had less dead cap money, but possibly the same QB (Stafford) and fewer draft picks.

Todd Gurley
Gurley’s rookie deal, which would have expired in the 2020 offseason, was extended in July 2018. What if, instead, the Rams picked up Gurley’s option, and let him play out his contract?

Presumably, Gurley would have still had his strong 2018 campaign (with its oddly poor ending in the playoffs), so we would have retained him in 2019. At the end of the 2019 season, we presumably would have simply declined to re-sign him, given the concerns about his knee and his declining production.

We still would have drafted Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers, so our RB situation would be the same today. The only difference is dead money.

Brandin Cooks
Cooks’ contract, set to expire in 2019, was extended in July 2018. What if we had waited?

Cooks would have given us the same strong 2018 season, and then been a UFA. At that point, we certainly would have wished to re-sign him but, given his option of testing the market at that point, he may have cost more. Assume we paid that price, and he then had the 2019 down year.

Perhaps we try to make that same trade (to the Texans for a 2nd round pick), but would Cooks’ contract have been too rich for that deal, forcing us to take less (maybe a 3rd round pick)? If you assume the same trade, then we’re right back where we are now: no Cooks, a 2nd round pick (used on Van Jefferson), and dead money.

So, in the end, things probably would not have turned out much differently from a personnel standpoint. From a cap room standpoint, we would have had less dead cap from the Goff and Gurley departures, but the same or, perhaps, a bit more, from the Cooks departure. We also may have ended up with less total draft capital, having to invest even more picks for Stafford, and getting less for Cooks.

My overall impression is the criticism of the early deals is not entirely unwarranted, but certainly is overblown. The Rams have given early extensions to others (Woods, Kupp, Ramsey) that seem to be working out.

In the end, as long as we keep having winning seasons and making the playoffs, its hard to question the results. There may seem to be a bit of madness in the method, but there is method to the madness.

The NFL ruled that the cannons will not be allowed to fire after any Tampon scores during the Bowl on Sunday. Their reasoning is to keep the location as neutral as possible. Tampon normally fires the cannons on the pirate ship that is permanently affixed above one of the end zones in Ray-J one time for every point the bucs score during games. Those fuckers are super load too. They totally scare people the 1st time they're experienced.

The Tampon fans are crying about it here locally. Which obviously makes me smile.

But in thinking about this... my warped mind showed me something completely amazing about this cannon firing ban on Sunday. Holy Fucking Shit Man...

Jimmy Buffett predicted Tampon Tom losing this game on Sunday all the way back in 1975. I'm fucking serious.

You don't believe you say? Well, just read the following verses from the Buffett song A Pirate Looks At Forty and you will become a BELIEVER too...

Yes I am a pirate, two hundred years too late
The cannons don't thunder, there's nothing to plunder
I'm an OVER-FORTY victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late


You heard it here 1st my Brethren. Go place your bets now!!!


Jimmy Buffett can see the future...

Login to view embedded media

Another season has come and gone, and it looks like it is going to be an exciting off season. I just wanted to thank the Moderators of this great forum and it's members. I happen to be a member of other forums that will go unnamed, but they just are not like this place. Our members here are smart, articulate, and truly love the game of football and the Rams. It has been another season of enjoying posts of others, learning more about the sport, and sharing events and ideas. This place is truly a step up and over the rest and I hope the members here understand how special this forum is for all of us. Even when we disagree, it's a fun read, and I learn another's perspective. Thanks to all of you, and I know we will keep it up. I will be sponsoring in the very near future.

Let's break this down into tiers:

A (starter)
B (contributor)
C (was on the roster for at least two years)
D (not on the roster for two years)
F (bust/never played)

Gerald Everett - B
Cooper Kupp - A
John Johnson - A
Josh Reynolds - B
Samson Ebukam - B
Tanziel Smart - C
Sam Rogers - F
Ejuan Price - F

Joseph Noteboom - B
Brian Allen - C
John Franklin-Meyers - D
Micah Kiser - B
Obo - C
John Kelly - F
Jamil Demby - F
SJD - A
Trevon Young - F
Travin Howard - C
Justin Lawler - F

Taylor Rapp - B
Darrell Henderson - B
David Long - C
Bobby Evans - B
Greg Gaines - B
David Edwards - A
Nick Scott - C

(projection for 2020 class based on one year)

Cam Akers - A
Van Jefferson - B
Terrell Lewis - B
Terrell Burgess - B
Brycen Hopkins - C
Jordan Fuller - A
Clay Johnston - C (not Rams fault he was signed off the practice squad)
Sam Sloman - F
Tremayne Anchrum - C



Now, these are obviously my opinions - but I wanted to lay out every draft pick because somehow people have missed how well the Rams have drafted with no first round pick. Jefferson/Lewis/Burgess are all on track to be starters, so those could move up to As, and Hopkins could easily end up as a 'B'.

But the 2019 draft class is will quietly fuel this team. Not only is that no misses, but all 7 were active on most gamedays last year. I'd love to have the time to go through and check how many teams have a draft class of at least 7 players all active on gamedays.

The 2020 class looks to be just as good. The Rams were the youngest team in the NFC last year, yet people keep saying we went "all in" - when we can draft like this, who cares about first round picks? Even in the dreaded 2018 draft, we landed SJD and Kiser, two defensive starters from this past season. Obviously the 2017 draft was one of the best in the league too.

So all this "all in" talk needs to stop. We'll continue to have roughly the same picks that we've excelled with for the next two years.

Bradshaw was the great Advocate for the Rams to dump Goff and pick up Stafford on December 6th 2020.

You can review and compare both of his takes as of February 3rd 2021 vs December 6th 2020.


This is Bradshaw's take on February 3rd 2021.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/iSXPB2_TQXE?t=609


This is Bradshaw's take on December 6th 2020.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/cZ8Ni-1j2uQ?t=67

(Yes, my dad's birthday is in February on the 10th. I decided to do this mock in his honor, given that he's the man I go to to talk sports...even if he doesn't recognize me as a transwoman.)

But on that happy note, here's a mock offseason with Stafford. I said it would be tough, but I just...well, here it is. Hope it helps. As a note, I will only include one of my draft crushes (sorry, Jaelon Darden and Mike Strachan) on the mock, so...yeah, here it is:

Cut:

Kenny Young
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Justin Lawler
Nick Scott

(All of these players save valuable cap dollars, cap which will go to free agency.)

Re-sign:

Darious Williams - RFA (second round tender).
Coleman Shelton - ERFA
Travin Howard - ERFA
Raymond Calais - ERFA
JuJu Hughes - ERFA

(Darious Williams gets a tender, and we'll see if a team wants to pay it. Other than that, these are ERFAs.)

Restructure:

Aaron Donald
Jalen Ramsey
Robert Woods

(I hate to ask this of them because I don't know much about the cap this year, but I'm planning on a big ticket free agent or two, since we're going all in, especially considering some of the trades I'll be making.)

Release:

John Johnson III
Leonard Floyd
Troy Hill
Gerald Everett
Malcolm Brown
Josh Reynolds
Samson Ebukam
Johnny Mundt
Derek Rivers
Austin Blythe
Morgan Fox
Jake McQuaide
Kai Forbath

(I hate to let JJ3 and Floyd leave, but both of them could return a third round compensatory pick each - picks that will be useful with a lack of first round picks for the next two years. Hill has been a solid player, but I could see him going for a number 2 cornerback job. Brown should be replaced by Akers, Henderson, and a draft pick or two. Ebukam hasn't been effective this year and can be replaced by the combination of Hollins, Lewis, and three draft picks. Fox will go for a starting role. Blythe, Everett, and Reynolds can all leave without regrets. Rivers is gone as well, along with Mundt. McQuaide has been great, but I can't see us paying huge money for an aging long snapper, and with the latest long-snapper free agent signings, I doubt he stays. As for Forbath, I'd rather forget he was ever on the team.)

Free Agency:

Corey Linsley - four years, thirty-six million overall.

(My big ticket free agent signing this year. Linsley should be an automatic upgrade over Blythe in every aspect. He's still more technically inclined at 305 lbs., but he has the strength to at least hold up against most nose tackles, unlike Blythe, who struggled.)

Larry Warford - two years, twelve million overall.

(Warford, despite opting out of last season, should still get six million per year. He's an automatic upgrade at right guard, no offense meant to Corbett. This contract is worth 8 million in the beginning, so if Warford's play declines, we have an opt out.)

Alex Smith - one year, two million.

(Given that Stafford has had injuries in the past, I don't feel comfortable putting a quarterback who lacks experience behind him. And Smith, regardless of how you think of his abilities, is a smart quarterback and deserves a Super Bowl chance.)

Artie Burns - one year, one million overall.

(Burns had an ACL tear with the Bears after signing with them as a free agent, and I think we could get him at a cheap price. A former first round pick, I think Burns could fit into this system very well. I'm not sure it would cost a compensatory pick for us, but I think - along with a draft pick or two - he could be a solid replacement for Hill and Williams - yes, I believe that Williams will easily get poached at a second round price.)

Trades:

Darious Williams signed by the Denver Broncos, we refuse to sign, get second round pick.

(Is this a risk? Sure, but I can see someone with a huge cornerback need sign a player of ours for quite a bit of money. It would suck to lose Williams, but that's what will likely happen if we sign Linsley and Warford; we'll end up losing someone.

A'Shawn Robinson to the Tennessee Titans for 2021 fourth round pick.

(Tennessee needs good players on the defensive line; both DaQuan Jones and Jack Crawford are unrestricted free agents. Robinson could easily fit in the middle of that defense, and we could get much needed salary relief and a pick, to boot. And that's not even mentioning the amount of depth we have on our defensive line; even without Robinson, we have Joseph-Day and Gaines in the middle, Donald and Brockers as other starters, and Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams ready for large roles - hell, even Marquise Copeland and Eric Banks could find potential roles on the D-line. We can afford to lose Robinson and Fox.)

Cooper Kupp to the Jacksonville Jaguars for 2021 second (formerly Vikings) and 2021 fourth (Jaguars).

(Kupp is a talented receiver for sure, but he does the same things that Woods and Jefferson do, and he has injury concerns. We need a deep threat or two for this system, and I think we can find them in the draft.)

Brycen Hopkins to the Houston Texans for 2021 sixth (theirs).

(Yeah, I've never been a fan of Hopkins, but Houston needs a tight end, and they have sixth round picks to spend.)

Tyler Higbee to the Carolina Panthers for 2021 fourth round pick.

(To me, Higbee is who he is: a decent receiver and a good blocker. His contract is a hold-up, but I think that a team like the Panthers, who desperately need weapons and help for their quarterback, could definitely be interested. And in case, you're worried about us having only Kendall Blanton at tight end? I have a plan to fix it, with two players who will be an upgrade over Higbee and Everett respectively.)

Joseph Noteboom to the Indianapolis Colts for 2021 fifth.

(After Anthony Castonzo retired, the Colts are without a left tackle and have a lot of cap space to play with. Noteboom goes for a fifth and fills their void.)

Rob Havenstein to the Cincinnati Bengals for 2021 fourth and 2021 seventh.

(Havenstein is easy to move; he has a large contract, and with Warford and Linsley signing here, I think that we could move one of Edwards or Evans to right tackle. Meanwhile, Cincy needs offensive line help for Burrow not to be killed.)

2021 third (Holmes comp) to the Minnesota Vikings for 2021 fourth (Chicago) and 2021 fourth (Buffalo).

(Minnesota moves up, we move down. Simple.)

2021 third round pick (Fowler comp) and 2021 fourth (Littleton comp) to the Philadelphia Eagles for 2021 third round pick.

(Stealing a bit from Jerry. We trade two picks to the cash-strapped Eagles for a higher pick.)

2021 second (Vikings) to Washington for 2021 second and 2021 third.

(Washington moves up for a wide receiver, while we move down and get picks.)

Draft:

2nd (Broncos) - Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State. (6'5", 250 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Freiermuth's called Baby Gronk for a reason, and it clearly shows. He's a physical do-it-all tight end who has the potential to dominate a game. In my mind, the only reason he's not a first round pick is because of his injury history, but he's flat-out the second best tight end in this class only to Pitts, and if he was healthy, in my opinion, he'd challenge him for that spot. You may wonder why I picked him this high over a cornerback. I say that he's the best player available, and Higbee, as much as I like him, is more of a blocking tight end with decent receiver skills. Freiermuth could potentially be elite.)

2nd (Washington) - Nico Collins, WR, Michigan. (6'4", 215 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Want size, speed, and a giant catch radius? Look no further than Collins. He sat out because of Covid, and that's the only reason he's here. His speed is for real, and he's got a my-ball mentality that some tall players don't have. Maybe we could even use those slants that we did with Watkins for Collins?)

2nd - Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson. (6'5", 345 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Carman is a dancing bear at left tackle. He's so big, carries his weight well, and is surprisingly-athletic for his size. If you're asking for a current replacement for Havenstein and an eventual replacement for Whitworth, you can't do much better.)

3rd (Eagles) - Pete Werner, ILB, Ohio State. (6'3", 242 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Werner has it all: sideline-to-sideline speed and coverage that - while it won't look impressive - does the job, tackling, and great run-stuffing ability. I have no idea why he's not regarded higher than the first round; his overall skillset is amazing.)

3rd (Washington) - Dayo Odeyingbo, OLB, Vanderbilt. (6'6", 265 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Odeyingbo is a moldable piece of clay for us. He's adept at both rushing the passer and defending against the run, has length and speed, and has amazing versatility; he has been in 4-3s and 3-4s alike in various roles, including a 3-4 pass-rusher, 4-3 end, and even defensive tackle at times. He's got a great get-off, which helps him a ton. He needs to learn how to refine his approach to rushing the passer, needs to learn moves and counter moves, but I can't think of a better teacher than Coach Henderson. This could be a pick that changes our edge rushers.)

4th (Jaguars) - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue. (5'9", 175 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Moore is one of the most electrifying players in this year's draft, but he's also one of the biggest wildcards. Why? Because of his size and injury history. He missed a few games in his sophomore year and sat out his junior year due to Covid concerns. Still, with his blazing speed, his advanced route-running for a freshman, and his ability to return punts to the house, I'd love to have him.)

4th (Bengals) - Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina. (6'3", 205 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Mukuamu is a tall and lengthy cornerback with great ball skills. He's had questions about his athleticism after being torched by Florida. I think he can stick at cornerback, and he thrives on man-to-man coverage.)

4th (Panthers) - Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame. (6'4", 248 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Tremble could be our answer to the Whiners Juszczyk: a do-it-all blocker with good receiving upside. I love how Tremble blocks, I really do. He understands leverage, and has underrated strength. And his receiving, while he's played behind solid tight ends at Notre Dame and wasn't always the primary option, is quite good as well. He could be a very good tight end for us.)

4th (Vikings, originally Bears) - Malcolm Koonce, OLB, Buffalo. (6'3", 248 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Koonce provides a solid depth piece as an edge rusher. He struggles against the run and setting the edge; he'll need to gain significant lower-body strength for him to be trusted on anything other than pass-rushing downs. He also needs a counter-move when his original plan fails. But his speed to bend the edge, his length, and his motor could make him a great pass-rusher.)

4th (Titans) - Chris Rumph II, ILB/OLB, Duke. (6'3", 225 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Rumph II is underweight, and not likely to gain much more. That's all the bad I can see. I absolutely love his film; he's an intelligent, versatile player who has a motor that constantly runs hot. He has underrated athleticism, smart hand usage, and is a dangerous blitzer. I hope this kid is in horns.)

4th (Bills) - Tony Fields II, ILB, West Virginia. (6'1", 222 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Fields is another undersized player, but he reminds me a lot of Littleton, both good and bad. He's got great athleticism for the position, can cover with the best of them, has significant special teams value, and is better in run defense than one would think. He is undersized, though, and if an offensive lineman can get their hands on him, it's over; he struggles to disengage. But Fields could be a good player on special teams alone.)

5th (Colts) - Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State. (6'0", 193 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Williams is durable, aggressive, and lengthy, causing a lot of pass-breakups. His flaws stem from lack of interceptions and an unwillingness to bite on a double move so much that he'll allow other completions. In a press-man scheme, I can imagine him being a lot better.)

6th (Texans) - Divine Deablo, SS, Virginia Tech. (6'3", 226 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Deablo is someone who caught my eye. He has good ball skills, is instinctive, and is physical. He may not have the athleticism to stick at safety; he could end up being a nickel linebacker. But he'll be solid for special teams, and he should be a solid addition.)

6th - C.J. Verdell, RB/KR, Oregon. (5'9", 205 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Verdell is an interesting option as both a running back and a kick returner. He has the speed to completely break away from most defenders. He's been Oregon's main back and is also a solid receiving option. He's not a good blocker, and while he's a north-south runner, he's not especially elusive, and his vision on zone reads is worrisome. Still, Verdell could end up being a good kick-returner.)

7th (Bengals) - Rico Bussey Jr., WR, Hawaii. (6'2", 193 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(

7th - Jah-Maine Martin, RB, North Carolina A&T. (5'10", 214 lbs.)

Login to view embedded media
(Martin is not a three-down back. Let's make that perfectly clear. He's a decent blocker...but he does not have the hands to be a threat in the passing game, unless we're talking screens and maybe checkdowns - and even those are iffy. But he's a big physical back who dominated at his level, has breakaway speed, and is quite scary with the ball in his hands.)

Roster: (starters = bold; rookies = italics.)

QB - Matt Stafford, Alex Smith, John Wolford.)

(Stafford is obviously the starter. Still, he and Smith have had injury issues in the past, so I don't feel comfortable putting two quarterbacks on the roster. But Smith is one of the best backups you can find, and Wolford should be solid. I do like Perkins, but I think he'll be a solid practice squad option.)

RB - Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., C.J. Verdell (KR), Jah-Maine Martin.

(Akers and Henderson are your go-to one-two punch. Verdell provides a kick-returning option, while Martin is your Malcolm Brown replacement.)

WR - Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, Nico Collins, Rondale Moore (PR), Rico Bussey Jr.

(Woods and Jefferson provide options out of the slot and outside. Collins provides a big receiving threat, while Moore gets occasional snaps. Bussey will be a solid gunner for special teams for now, with the potential for more.)

TE - Pat Freiermuth, Brycen Hopkins, Tommy Tremble.

(Freiermuth should be a solid starter. Tremble provides a solid secondary receiving option and can block with the best of them. I still really like Blanton to make the team this year as an extra blocker and special teams.)

OL - Andrew Whitworth, Bobby Evans, Corey Linsley, Larry Warford, David Edwards, Austin Corbett, Chandler Brewer, Tremayne Anchrum, Jackson Carman.

(Yeah, I'm putting Evans at guard and Edwards at tackle. Corbett and Anchrum should be solid interior options in case of injury, or, in Anchrum's case, it'll be all over the line, Brewer - if he opts back in, which I think he will - should be a solid backup for guard and tackle, and Carman will redshirt this year, unless there's injuries.)

DL - Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams.

(AD is AD. Brockers, SJD, and Gaines make for the veterans of the group. Hoecht and Williams are new, but I love their potential; I think both of them could be like Morgan Fox given time. Eric Banks and Marquise Copeland should also compete, and will be solid practice squad options, should they fail to grab a roster spot.)

LB - Terrell Lewis, Pete Werner, Travin Howard, Justin Hollins, Dayo Odeyingbo, Chris Rumph II, Malcolm Koonce, Micah Kiser, Tony Fields II, Christian Rozeboom.

(No Troy Reeder this time! Sorry, Reeder fans. Werner is one of the few starting rookies on this team, and I think Howard bounces back in a huge way. I also think that Lewis will earn a starting job, along with Hollins. Odeyingbo, Rumph, and Koonce start off as designated pass-rushers. Fields, Kiser, and Rozeboom should be solid backups in case of injury, and should also do well on special teams.)

DB - Jalen Ramsey, Artie Burns, Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, David Long, Israel Mukuamu, Rodarius Williams, J.R. Reed, Divine Deablo.

(Yeah, I'm putting Burns ahead of Long, but that could change if Long makes improvements. Either one of them could alternate between outside and slot. But I think Burgess wins the big nickel, and I think big nickel is where we go. Mukuamu and Williams wait their turn, while Reed and Deablo provide solid special teams play, along with being solid backups. And yes, I think Rapp wins the strong safety job, while Fuller moves to free safety.)

ST - Matt Gay, Johnny Hekker, LS (one of Colin Holba/Steven Wirtel).

(Thankfully, the kicker situation is settled. Our punter is the best in the business, and nobody will tell me otherwise. I'm not sure who wins the long-snapper job, but it's obviously not going to be McQuaide, since he'll cost too much.)

So, that's my mock. Feel free to shred it.

Call me crazy but I'm feeling that the NFC West is all about the Rams vs the 9ers. And I'm not talking solely in terms of who wins the division, but also who can beat who head to head. It's a really interesting dynamic, to have two top offensive minds squaring off with both having had their moments but neither has yet dunked on the other with a Super Bowl victory.

All of this stuff that's been going on ties to that element, the two stud offensive-minded roosters eyeing each other across the yard knowing it's all in. The more I look at what's transpired so far from Goff losing his shit on to them going deeper in hock with their first round picks everything that has to do with this division in the future is to do with these two guys. Everything.

Carroll up in Seattle doesn't have a chance against these two. He doesn't. The dude has a roster and some crazy talent but he's at a disadvantage schematically and no matter what they do I doubt they can stack enough talent to overcome that disadvantage.

Kingsbury does some cool shit schematically but I don't think he's on the level of these two. And the QB down there with the high expectations yeah I don't think that's a long term success model maybe I'm wrong of course but not buying on all that. He's gonna have his moments but over time and full seasons he will trail these guys.

As to the Rams the problem is that they have backed themselves into a situation where there's no room for fucking up. And don't get me wrong I know that we upgraded at QB which is significant and I still like our chances vs Shanny going forward. But I do have that sense that at some point they're gonna get burned with this business model. Where that point will come, morseo than if it will come, well that's probably the most important discussion.

So what we have come to here is McVay trying to position this roster to ride the emergence of Akers and QB improvement to dunk that basketball in Kyle M. Shanahan's MFing face. And I'm buying that shit in spades. Am I crazy?

I am so excited to see what McVey's O can look like with a QB who uses his eyes and pump fakes to move safeties. Stafford is VERY good at both of those things, and it is something that has been missing. Man am I ready for next season. Lets Go!!!

I hope you guys get a good laugh from this...

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWnRTU0P6u4

Moderator: Please do not merge this thread

Here is an interesting article from the Lions

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/01/31/detroit-lions-jared-goff-matthew-stafford-sean-mcvay/

I want folks here to focus on this quote from the article.

By now everyone probably knows how Sean McVay was able to prop up Goff and make him effective in the Rams’ offense. Using eye candy, play-action and a very quarterback-friendly scheme, McVay put Goff in a position to be successful. But even in that environment, Goff never fully developed. Yes, the McVay/Shanahan system has proved that it can make average quarterbacks look good due to the scheme, but does it perhaps hold back their development? By creating so many crutches for them, does it stunt their growth?

Click to expand...

What are your thoughts on this quote?

What's next for Los Angeles Rams after trading Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford?

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay decided he wanted a new quarterback. He set his sights on the Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford and not long after, Rams general manager Les Snead got the deal done.

Apparently a lot can change in nearly 17 months, from the time Goff signed a four-year, $110 million guaranteed contract to him being dealt in a blockbuster trade.

Along with Goff, the Rams sent two first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Lions in exchange for Stafford.

It's a rare quarterback-for-quarterback swap, along with the Rams' additional compensation to acquire Stafford and unload Goff's burdensome contract.

The trade will not become official until the start of the league year on March 17, and neither team can publicly comment about the move until then.

In the meantime, here are some answers to your most pressing questions about where the Rams go from here.

What does Stafford bring?

Stafford, who turns 33 Sunday, arrives in L.A. with a talented arm, instincts to navigate pressure and a lifetime of statistics.

As an added bonus, his addition is expected to reinvigorate McVay as a play designer and playcaller.

The biggest question, however, is whether Stafford’s impressive numbers from 12 seasons in Detroit translate to playoff wins in L.A.

Stafford -- the first overall pick in 2009 -- ranks first in Lions history in completion percentage (62.6%), passing yards (45,109) and passing touchdowns (282) and his 74 wins are the most for a starting quarterback in Detroit.

And he did it without much support. Since 2009, the Lions have ranked among the worst rushing teams in the NFL and have fielded mostly subpar defensive units.

But the glaring fact remains: Stafford hasn’t won a playoff game in three postseason appearances. That must change for the Rams' bold trade to pay off.

Why was Goff traded?

McVay, who gave his approval for the Goff extension prior to the 2019 season, decided an upgrade was needed to return to the Super Bowl.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Goff helped guide the Rams to consecutive division titles, an NFC championship and Super Bowl appearance in his first two seasons partnered with McVay, who was hired in 2017 to nurture the development of the second-year quarterback and bring an explosive offense to Los Angeles.

However, the offense has steadily declined since a discombobulating 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.

In 2018, the Rams' explosive unit averaged 30.5 points per game (third), but dropped to 22.8 in 2019 (12th) and 21.4 this past season (23rd).

With a sporadic running game the past two seasons, Goff has struggled when forced to play outside of his play-action comfort zone. And he has been inconsistent dealing with pressure, while proving prone to turnovers.

Since 2019, Goff ranks second in the NFL with 38 turnovers, one behind the New York Giants' Daniel Jones.

What's the Rams' salary-cap situation after the move?

It's impossible to know the exact ramifications the trade will have on the salary cap until the NFL determines the 2021 cap number.

The Rams will incur a $22.2 million dead-money charge for trading Goff, but that will amount to a $12.75 million cap savings from what his cap charge ($34.95 million) would have been, according to ESPN Roster Management. Stafford will cost $20 million in salary-cap charges.

Last season, the salary cap was $198.2 million, but it is expected to drop in 2021 due to a lack of revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Before the season, a salary-cap floor of $175 million was implemented, but the cap is not expected to drop that low.

Similar to last season, there will be a significant gap between the Rams' top talent and other players who will be relied on to start or provide depth.

Six players -- defensive tackle Aaron Donald ($27.89 million), cornerback Jalen Ramsey ($22.5 million), Stafford ($20.0 million), receiver Cooper Kupp ($14.5 million), receiver Robert Woods ($13.86 million) and left tackle Andrew Whitworth ($11.17 million) -- amount to nearly $110 million of the 2021 cap.

What is the Rams' draft situation?

First-round picks, who needs them? Not the Rams.

Since making a historic trade up the draft board in 2016, jumping from the No. 15 pick to No. 1 to pick Goff, the Rams have not made another first-round pick.

In fact, the Rams are now scheduled to go seven years without making a first-round selection after sending their 2022 and 2023 first-picks to Detroit as part of the Goff-Stafford trade.

Unless a future trade is made to move into the first round, the Rams will become the third team since the 1970 merger to go seven years without a first-round pick, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Where did all the picks go?

The 2017 pick went to the Tennessee Titans as part of the package to move up for Goff. In 2018, Snead sent the No. 23 overall pick to the Patriots in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The following year, the Rams had the No. 31 pick, but traded down and finally, their 2020 and 2021 first-round selections were sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars as part of the blockbuster move to acquire Ramsey in October 2019.

In the upcoming draft, the Rams own second-, third-, sixth- and seventh-round selections and are expected to gain additional third- and fourth-round compensatory picks due to the departures of outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. and linebacker Cory Littleton last year.

Are the Rams positioned to win a Super Bowl now?

That was the intent of the trade -- to win now, with Donald and Ramsey in their prime and anchoring a defense that last season ranked No. 1 in the league, and with Kupp, Woods and tight end Tyler Higbee on offense to provide a solid supporting cast, along with up-and-coming feature running back Cam Akers.

However, the Rams must shore up some holes before they can sharpie Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on their calendar.

In 2020, behind first-year coordinator Brandon Staley, the defense allowed an NFL-best 18.5 points per game. That performance will be difficult to repeat.

Staley departed after one season to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. NFL veteran coach and assistant Raheem Morris replaces Staley. However, McVay wants to keep Staley's defense and Morris comes from a 4-3 background -- not the 3-4 the Rams play -- and must quickly learn the intricacies of Staley's system.

Plus, there could be turnover at key positions. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill are scheduled for free agency. Given the Rams' anticipated salary-cap constraints, it will be a challenge for them to return.

On offense, the Rams' most pressing need after acquiring Stafford is finding a deep threat to stretch a defense, which has been lacking since they traded Cooks to the Houston Texans last offseason.

Seriously...

I have that double-check feeling going where, the season feels over already.

Like... “who won again?”