I want to put my whole life on that spread. Is anyone else taking it?

Opposing View: Giants head coach Joe Judge sees "aggressive," "downhill" and "physical" Rams special teams

A four-time First-Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hekker has averaged 47.0 yards per punt in eight-plus seasons. However, he's also adept at faking punts – he's completed 13 of 22 passes in his career, including one that went for a touchdown during his 2012 rookie season with the Rams.

"As we explained to our team, you have to picture this guy really as a quarterback who can punt. He's not a punter who throws the ball," Judge said. "I've known Johnny for some time, a lot of respect for him and his game. Anyone who really studies the NFL, he's really changed the punting position in a lot of ways, and he's really been a weapon for this team to establish and maintain field position consistently."

While this is the first meeting between the Giants and the Rams since 2017, Judge isn't very far removed from the last time he faced Los Angeles, having coached in Super Bowl LIII.

"I think every team is very unique," Judge said, when asked by a reporter if that familiarity and L.A. having many of the same weapons helps at all in preparing for it. "This Rams team is not the same team they were last year or two years ago."

Indeed, the Rams are a different team – special teams personnel and coaches are also different from the group judge prepared for more than a year and a half ago – but between his own expertise and his familiarity with Bonamego, Judge will have an idea of what to expect on Sunday.

A four-time First-Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Hekker has averaged 47.0 yards per punt in eight-plus seasons. However, he's also adept at faking punts – he's completed 13 of 22 passes in his career, including one that went for a touchdown during his 2012 rookie season with the Rams.

"As we explained to our team, you have to picture this guy really as a quarterback who can punt. He's not a punter who throws the ball," Judge said. "I've known Johnny for some time, a lot of respect for him and his game. Anyone who really studies the NFL, he's really changed the punting position in a lot of ways, and he's really been a weapon for this team to establish and maintain field position consistently."

While this is the first meeting between the Giants and the Rams since 2017, Judge isn't very far removed from the last time he faced Los Angeles, having coached in Super Bowl LIII.

"I think every team is very unique," Judge said, when asked by a reporter if that familiarity and L.A. having many of the same weapons helps at all in preparing for it. "This Rams team is not the same team they were last year or two years ago."

Indeed, the Rams are a different team – special teams personnel and coaches are also different from the group judge prepared for more than a year and a half ago – but between his own expertise and his familiarity with Bonamego, Judge will have an idea of what to expect on Sunday.

Was wondering if you guys would be interested in having a running thread on our adversary's in the NFC west.

Kind of a intel database of what the rest of the west are struggling or excelling in different areas.

I'm just thinking it would be a easy way to keep up with our division without having to do individual leg work.
Most definitely looking forward to any contributions you guys are able to add.

I will try to post at least once a week on any developments in our division.

We have envisioned the NFL’s greatest superstars representing their hometowns, states and regions with lineups that transcend the history of football. Below, the best professional players from the Southland are represented through the prism of an all-time Los Angeles Rams dream team.

To explain the background of our Homegrown Legends, we discuss their high school and college roots in the article below. However, the selections were based strictly on NFL performance. In most cases, hometown eligibility was determined by where an athlete played the majority of his high school career. Each team’s territorial draft area is slightly different, and we explain our selection methodology in detail in this article.

So suspend your disbelief and imagine these superstars teaming up to rep Southern California on the field.

Link - https://theramswire.usatoday.com/li...players-from-los-angeles-southern-california/

LOS ANGELES

QB Warren Moon

Moon is one of the best quarterbacks to step onto an NFL field, making nine Pro Bowls, leading the league in passing twice and winning Offensive Player of the Year in 1990. He was born in Los Angeles and attended Alexander Hamilton High School in L.A. before emerging as a star at the University of Washington and a five-time Grey Cup champion in the CFL. He then played 17 NFL seasons, including a decade with the Houston Oilers. He racked up 49,325 passing yards and 291 touchdown passes in the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

RB Hugh McElhenny

With long runs from scrimmage and dazzling returns, McElhenny ranked among the most exciting players of his day. He attended George Washington High in Los Angeles and the University of Washington before being selected ninth overall in the 1952 NFL draft by San Francisco. McElhenny would earn six Pro Bowl nods in 13 NFL seasons – five with the 49ers and one with the Vikings. He also played briefly for the Giants and Lions.

WR James Lofton

n High alum whose football journey would reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He received eight Pro Bowl nods in his 16-year career, racking up 14,004 receiving yards and 75 touchdown catches in the process. Lofton spent nine seasons with the Packers and later played in three Super Bowls with the Bills. He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1978 draft out of Stanford.

WR Steve Smith

Smith was born and raised in Los Angeles and played at University High and Santa Monica College before emerging as a standout at the University of Utah. He was named to five Pro Bowls during his 16-season NFL career, compiling 1,031 receptions, 14,731 receiving yards and 81 touchdown catches along the way. Smith also recorded 1,001 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches in 11 career postseason games, including Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Panthers.

WR Keyshawn Johnson

Johnson is an Angeleno through and through. The L.A. native starred at Dorsey High, West L.A. College and USC on his way to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft by the Jets. He would play 11 pro seasons, earning three Pro Bowl nods and winning Super Bowl XXXVII with the Buccaneers. Over the course of his NFL career, Johnson amassed 814 receptions for 10,571 yards with 64 touchdown catches.

TE Delanie Walker

Walker took a circuitous route to the NFL, going from Pomona High to Central Missouri State and back to the Golden State as a sixth-round pick by the 49ers in 2006. He emerged into one of the league’s most productive tight ends with the Titans, recording 356 receptions for 4,156 yards from 2013 through 2017 and earning Pro Bowl nods in his 10th, 11th and 12th seasons. Lewis edges out Long Beach Poly and UCLA alum Marcedes Lewis for the roster spot.

OT Anthony Muñoz

Muñoz, one of the greatest left tackles of all time, is an easy choice to anchor our offensive line. Born and raised in Ontario, he attended Chaffey High and USC. The Cincinnati Bengals made him the No. 3 overall draft pick in 1980, and Muñoz rewarded them with 11 Pro Bowl selections in 13 years. He a nine-time first-team All-Pro and played in two Super Bowls for the Bengals. Muñoz, who caught four touchdown passes as a pro, was named the 1991 NFL Man of the Year award for his work off the field and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

OT Tyron Smith

Smith has battled injuries in recent years, but he remains an elite left tackle with seven straight Pro Bowl selections since 2013 and two first-team All-Pro nods. Like Muñoz, Smith grew up in the Inland Empire and played college ball at USC. Still only 29, the alum of Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley has a lot of tread left on the tires as a player and could one day make it to Canton if he keeps up his current level of play.

OG Larry Allen

Allen is widely considered one of the best offensive linemen in league history. He was a dominant guard for the Cowboys during his prime, earning spots on the NFL’s All-Decade Teams of the 1990s and 2000s. Allen made 11 Pro Bowls, was a six-time All-Pro, won Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013. The Sonoma State alum grew up in Compton and attended Centennial High as a freshman.

OG Max Montoya

Montoya hailed from La Puente High School and went on to make the Pro Bowl three times with the Bengals and once with the Raiders. He played 16 NFL seasons, starting 195 of the 223 games in which he played. Montoya played college ball at UCLA and was a seventh-round pick by Cincinnati in 1979.

C Bruce Matthews

Matthews is one of the most versatile and durable linemen ever to play in the NFL. He played every position on the offensive line and made 14 Pro Bowls in his career, tied for the most ever. His seven first-team All-Pro selections are equally impressive. Matthews, who attended Arcadia High and USC, missed just eight games over the course of his 19-season pro career.

DE Willie McGinest

McGinest, a cornerstone of the stingy New England Patriots defenses of the 2000s, is arguably the most prominent NFL player from the talent wellspring that is Long Beach Poly High. He wore the famed No. 55 at USC and was drafted No. 4 overall by the Pats in 1994. McGinest won three Super Bowls and was named to two Pro Bowl squads with New England. He had at least five sacks in a season nine times and recorded 16 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries during his NFL career, which included 12 seasons with the Pats and three with the Cleveland Browns.

DT Jurrell Casey

Casey is another athlete whose career path started at Long Beach Poly, continued at USC and blossomed in the NFL. A hulking interior lineman who clogs running lanes and gets after the quarterback, he has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past five seasons and has recorded at least five sacks every year since 2013. Casey spent the first nine seasons of his pro career with the Tennessee Titans and was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 2020.

DT Brandon Mebane

Mebane has been a defensive anchor for the Seahawks and Chargers over the course of his 13 NFL seasons. He boasts a Super Bowl XLVIII ring from his time in Seattle and 176 total career starts. The Crenshaw High alum played his college ball at Cal, and Seattle selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft. The 2020 season will be his fifth with the Chargers.

DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila

To complete our defensive line, we tap another Crenshaw High alum. KGB enjoyed a standout college career at San Diego State and was drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers in 2000. He spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Packers, earning one Pro Bowl selection and recording 74.5 career sacks, including four consecutive seasons with at least 10 sacks. He also forced at least two fumbles each year from 2001 through 2007.

LB Bobby Wagner

Wagner is on a trajectory that could land him in Canton one day. In just eight NFL seasons, he’s made the Pro Bowl six times, won a Super Bowl, been named a first-team All-Pro five times and led the league in tackles twice. An alum of Colony High in Ontario and Utah State, Wagner is undoubtedly one of the best linebackers in the game and a great leader on the field.

LB Hardy Nickerson

Nickerson played a decade and a half in the NFL after attending Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles and the University of California. He made the Pro Bowl five times and was a two-time All-Pro, once leading the NFL in tackles with 214 in 1993. He started 200 of the 225 NFL games in which he appeared, recording 12 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries with the Steelers, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Packers.

LB Clay Matthews Jr.

The first family of football appears on both sides of the ball on our roster. With brother Bruce Matthews anchoring the offensive line, Clay Jr. edges out son Clay III for our final linebacker spot. Matthews played three seasons at Arcadia High and attended USC before entering the NFL as a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1978. He led the league in tackles three times and made four Pro Bowls, starting 248 of his 278 career NFL games. In 19 seasons as a pro, Matthews Jr. recorded more than 1,500 tackles, recording 16 interceptions, 27 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries with the Browns and Atlanta Falcons.

CB Richard Sherman

Sherman is known for being outspoken — and he has backed up the talk as one of the best NFL’s cornerbacks over the past decade. He attended Dominguez High in Compton and Stanford before emerging as a star with the Seattle Seahawks. A key member of the Legion of Boom secondary that helped lift Seattle to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII, he boasts five Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections. Sherman has recorded 35 career interceptions, including an NFL-best eight in 2013. The 2020 season will be his third with the San Francisco 49ers.

CB Mike Haynes

Haynes, a graduate of John Marshall High in Los Angeles, was one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks during a 14-season career in which he was named to nine Pro Bowl rosters and earned first-team All-Pro honors twice. The No. 5 overall pick by New England in 1976, he picked off eight passes in his first season and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1976. Haynes won a Super Bowl with the Raiders in the 1983 season and recorded 46 career interceptions. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

S Eric Weddle

Weddle was born and raised in the Inland Empire and attended Alta Loma High in Rancho Cucamonga before departing for the University of Utah. He returned to Southern California as a second-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2007. Weddle made six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice with the Chargers and Ravens before finishing his career with the Rams. He recorded 29 interceptions and more than 1,000 tackles in 13 NFL seasons.

S Dennis Smith

Smith honed his skills at Santa Monica High and USC before becoming a defensive cornerstone for the Denver Broncos. He made six Pro Bowls and started 170 games in 14 NFL seasons — all with the Broncos. He led the NFL in tackles with 114 stops in 1983 and recorded 30 career interceptions. A first-round draft pick in 1981, Smith was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2001.

KR/PR DeSean Jackson

Jackson attended Long Beach Poly before playing his college ball at Cal and he’s been a home run threat at every level of football. In the NFL, he’s returned four punts for touchdowns, racking up 1,313 punt return yards on 139 attempts.

K Norm Johnson

Johnson attended Pacifica High in Garden Grove and played his college ball at UCLA. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and scored 1,736 points in his 18 NFL seasons.

P Mike Horan

Horan attended Sunny Hills High in Fullerton and Long Beach State before embarking on a 16-year NFL career. He led the NFL in punts and yardage in 1996, recording 102 punts for the Giants that season.

MOD EDIT: CoVID thread here: LINK

League issued a mandate today introducing new protocols following the Titans outbreak.

Few highlights include all players and coaches must wear masks on the sideline, all players except QBs must wear gloves and all team meetings will be virtual.

Let’s see how many infractions there are in tonight’s TNF snooze fest. All of this comes amidst the league threatening to suspend coaches/players and dock draft picks if rules are violated.

Just wanted to see how we felt collectively about it. I'm ready for a change.
I am all for bringing back Lirim Hajrullahu from what I read he was very consistant
and I also liked the fact that he was ollder and more experienced.
Thought he would handle the pressure situations better than a rookie may.
The only problem with my evaluation is I have no clue about kicking
and I didn't attend a single practice. So what do I know?

Clemson vs the U.

My Hurricanes are going to get their Butts Wiped lol.

Thursday Night Football: Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets

Fans of the Denver Broncos and New York Jets might be watching Thursday night's Week 4 NFL game rooting for their team to lose. With a combined record of 0-6, these two teams are more likely to score the No. 1 draft pick than spark a season-long turnaround toward a playoff spot.

Only six NFL teams since 1980 have earned a postseason berth after stumbling out of the gate with three straight losses. Only one, the 2018 Houston Texans, have completed such a comeback this century. Both teams are already three games behind their undefeated division leaders, neither of whom show any signs of posting three losses over an entire season.

To put their holes in perspective, the Broncos would need to catch up to reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City without their starting quarterback, Pro Bowl defensive leader, and top wide receiver. And the Jets? Their point differential of -57 is the worst in the NFL through three weeks. They've yet to even hold a lead at any point during any game.

So, what do these teams have to play for with their seasons already on life support? Let's start with their coaching staffs. Jets head coach Adam Gase finds his seat so hot that rumors are building he'll be fired with a Thursday night loss. Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is in slightly better shape with injuries weighing down the franchise. But a 7-12 start isn't exactly meeting expectations for his 2-time Super Bowl-winning boss, former quarterback John Elway.

Just as important, there's a slew of players who could find their NFL futures tied to the next few weeks. Jets quarterback and 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold could be on his way out of the league altogether after an ugly start. The Broncos will be deciding on a permanent backup option after Jeff Driskel struggled in place of an injured Drew Lock this past Sunday. Brett Rypien, the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, along with Blake Bortles are potential options.

Like it or not, one of these teams should finally come out of this game with a win. (Although the Bengals and Eagles on Sunday reminded us the dreaded tie still exists in the NFL.) Which one is better positioned to get off the schneid and start building toward... something?

Thursday Night Football: Denver at New York

Kickoff: Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Spread: Broncos -3

Three Things To Watch

1. Which quarterback will play the most for the Broncos? And can they spark the offense?

We know this much: it won't be Drew Lock. The Broncos' purported quarterback of the future is out for a couple more weeks with a shoulder injury. Jeff Driskel subbed in his place last week but bungled his opportunity against Tampa Bay, dropping to 1-8 a career record as a starting quarterback.

Brett Rypien came off the bench in the fourth quarter, making his NFL debut in place of Driskel. He promptly led the team down the field, completing his first eight passes... only to get intercepted in the end zone. But, he will get the start on Thursday night, continuing a trend at the position for the Broncos in recent seasons.

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Neither Rypien nor Driskel breeds confidence as an appealing long-term option and there's not even a guarantee the former won't finish what he gets to start on Thursday night. So Denver went out and signed... Blake Bortles? The much-maligned former Jacksonville starter whose career record is 24-49? Oh boy.

The Broncos still have some young offensive weapons despite wide receiver Courtland Sutton on injured reserve. Last year's first-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, continues to develop with a team-high 14 catches in three weeks. This year's first-rounder, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, is right behind him with 13 despite fighting a rib injury. But Jeudy, a deep threat, needs someone capable of throwing him the ball downfield... instead of to the other team.

2. Can Sam Darnold turn his year around?

The third year was supposed to be the charm for Darnold with the Jets. Instead, it's been a downward spiral with Week 3 rock bottom against Indianapolis. Darnold produced three defensive scores for the other team — two pick-sixes and a safety — on the way to a 36-7 laugher that was never close.

Gase refused to consider benching Darnold this week, insisting to reporters, "He needs to keep playing." Backup quarterback Joe Flacco is coming off neck surgery and will likely remain inactive this week; the Jets' other option, Mike White, has never played in an NFL game.

So Darnold will press on despite the worst passer rating (70.7) in the AFC. His 5.9 yards per attempt ranks 31st in the NFL, ahead of only rookie Joe Burrow and the Eagles' Carson Wentz. The struggles look worse considering Josh Allen, a fellow 2018 draftee, plays in Darnold's division and has led the Bills to a red-hot 3-0 start.

"I've just got to play consistent," Darnold said to reporters after the game. "I'm just not playing consistent enough to play well in this league. Make the plays that are there and when they're not, just get rid of the ball, check it down, do all the right things I need to do."

There's one glimmer of hope for Darnold Thursday night: the Broncos have only two takeaways in three weeks. The defense is far less imposing missing three defensive starters, including newly injured defensive end Jurrell Casey (torn biceps, out for the year). No Von Miller will help an improving offensive line for the Jets, even if first-round pick Mekhi Becton cannot play (shoulder injury, questionable).

However, it's time for the 23-year-old former prodigy himself to step up. While Gase has shouldered the blame, an offensive mastermind hired to shepherd Darnold's development, he can't go out onto the field and throw himself. A fast start for the Jets offense is crucial as, again, the Jets have never even held a lead at any point during the 2020 NFL season.

3. Can the Broncos' run game make the difference?

Darnold has found his life even more difficult with 37-year-old Frank Gore as his lead running back; Le'Veon Bell is sitting on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Gore struggled to gain just 57 yards last week and will face an uphill battle with the Broncos' eighth-ranked run defense.

Free-agent pickup Melvin Gordon III, by comparison, has yet to catch fire with the Broncos. But the former 1,000-yard rusher with the L.A. Chargers has a better shot at success playing a team allowing 133.0 rushing yards a game (24th in the NFL). There's also a chance Phillip Lindsay joins him in the backfield after suffering through a turf toe injury the past few weeks. That 1-2 punch of Pro Bowl-quality talent may be enough in a game where both offenses are expected to be dreadful.

Final Analysis

In theory, the Jets should have a real shot Thursday night. The Broncos are playing without nearly a half-dozen starters, minimum, and have struggled to move the ball on offense. Their defense is a step behind last season and has struggled to pressure the quarterback without Miller.

But it feels like their franchise is rudderless, Gase and Darnold going down with the ship as they're inextricably linked together. Nothing either has done this season, from the Jets' lack of discipline to sloppiness with the football, instills confidence they'll be able to flip the script. And when so many rumors surround someone's job security... those rumors typically have teeth. Gase is in a no-win situation and no win Thursday could mean he'll find a pink slip on his desk after the game.

Prediction: Broncos 31, Jets 13

Brandon Staley fully confident in safeties

When safety Jordan Fuller suffered a shoulder injury early in last Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Rams' secondary was without one of its emerging, productive young players.

Challenging as Fuller's absence was, Los Angeles defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was not worried about the next men up in the rotation.

"Anytime you lose a player like Jordan, it stings," Staley said during a video conference with reporters Wednesday. "But we have full confidence in those guys to play equally good football. E.J. (Ejiro) Evero does a great job coaching those guys."

Taylor Rapp is one of those players.

The second-year safety stepped in for the injured Fuller and logged eight total tackles, tied with cornerback Troy Hill and safety John Johnson III for most on the defense last week, while playing 89 percent of L.A.'s defensive snaps.

Staley is also confident in the players that don't have the experience of Rapp, who started in 10 of 16 games as a rookie last year, or Johnson, who has started 35 games in three-plus seasons – players like rookie Terrell Burgess. Burgess chipped in one tackle playing 15 percent of the defensive snaps.

"We're fortunate, we've got safeties that are interchangeable and they can do a lot of the same things," Staley said. "So we felt very comfortable moving forward with Taylor, and then Terrell stepping in as well. J.J., we know how he is, with his command, his versatility."

Defensive lineman Michael Brockers agreed that losing a player like Fuller hurts, but it's the responsibility of the entire defense – not just one player – to ensure proper communication.

"Definitely, you hate to lose a guy like that, that starts and that's playing very well, but ultimately we have guys that back him up, know how to play this game, and have real game reps," Brockers said. "So I didn't really focus on it, I didn't really even feel it to be honest with you. I just know defensively that we have to be on the same page if we want to get things done."

That synchronization will be pivotal against a Giants offense with two passing targets who can stretch the field vertically with ease in wide receiver Darius Slayton and tight end Evan Engram, two players with double-digit, yards-per-reception averages in their careers.

Fuller has been praised for his ability to "run the show," as Staley likes to say regarding a safety's responsibilities within the Rams' defense. While Rams head coach Sean McVay doesn't expect Fuller to miss Sunday's game against the Giants, should his status change, Staley and the rest of the secondary will be comfortable with their options.

"It's a next-man-up league, no doubt about it," Johnson said during his postgame video conference last Sunday. "I mean, Taylor prepares like a starter all the time. It is a little different that first play, getting back into the swing of things, but in this league, we can't make any excuses about it."

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I didn't see it posted yet, so here's what we're looking at this week.

Every bobble head in the nation talked smack about our Oline and chastised Mr Snead for not
addressing in the draft. Now we have have one of the better olines in the league.
If you saw @Merlin s cut ups of our guys at work, you know it doesn't get much
better than some these holes they are opening up.

They laughed at us for acquiring That "Bust" Corbett from Cleveland.
When are these idiots gonna understand that Snead, Mcvay and Kromer know what the hell they're doing??
And that The Rams are gonna be winning for years to come!


Here's to the Boy's in the Trenches. Give'em Hell!!! Go Rams!!!

Are these guys struggling with the new scheme? It seems both were studs last year and appear to be struggling this season. Do they turn it around?

Now that that's settled, here are the five most physical rushing teams in the NFL right now.

Rank
1

Los Angeles Rams
2-1-0
Last year, the Rams struggled to find an offensive identity. This year, it's clear Sean McVay wants his team to be physical -- and it is. The Rams lead the league in rushing attempts through three weeks, averaging 37 carries per game, and their committee approach -- featuring Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown -- allows them to trot out fresh legs on nearly every play, from start to finish, even if one player (Henderson, lately) ends up with more carries than the others. Akers missed Week 3 with a rib injury, but when he's healthy, he'll rejoin Henderson and Brown in wearing defenses down behind an offensive line that has the second-highest run-blocking grade (79.0) by Pro Football Focus. Furthermore, the Rams lead the league in forced missed tackles with 26 (five more than any other team). You might expect that kind of performance with a high-profile star like Todd Gurley in the backfield, but Gurley is gone -- and this unheralded group is putting the league on notice.

A stream of consciousness thing in no particular order.

On D.

Where to start? Ummm, did Polite run over Staley’s dog or something? Only 2 snaps, I believe, in 3 games at a position where Ebu is rated worst in the league and Obo is sucking? Seriously? I’d be giving Hollins a lot more snaps, too. Anybody else with a damned pulse, really. I mean, WTH do they have to lose?

I hope Snead is burning the midnight oil trying to line up a trade for a vet edge player as a potential one year stopgap solution at edge. Too risky to count on Lewis just yet, don’t you think?

Why is Hill still starting either outside or in nickel? He particularly sucks at nickel. Our upcoming schedule of relatively weak teams offers an excellent opportunity to give Burgess and/or Long some opportunities to show that they would be upgrades. Hill is a goner next year anyway, so again, what do we have to lose?

Gawd, I hope that Staley is reintroducing the secondary players to each other this week. They played that first half and that final drive as if they never practiced together before. It was beyond embarrassing. Never seen so many blown coverage assignments.

Staley can’t afford to wait until mid-3rd quarter to dial up blitzes against good QB’s. Staley has GOT to find some pressure somehow, some way.

As to ST, I hate to sound like a broken record but Kupp as designated PR with players like Webster and Calais sitting on the bench is a mistake on multiple levels.

Offense is really humming, so no questions there for me. It appears that Boom will return as backup at both OG and LOT since Edwards kinda slammed the door on the LG ‘debate’. Akers, when healthy, will return in a rotation with Hendy, but Hendy definitely seems to have the inside track for ‘starter’ position.

That’s about it for my list of meaningful questions.

This is from a FF league-mate in a league-wide email exchange. I'd just dunked on somebody and was invited to become an honorary Browns fan. My reply:

" I was a Rams fan in the 90's, lived through the late 2000's and the Jeff Fisher era. Been there, done that! "

To which I was asked the following:

"Curious – how did their move to STL impact your support of the team, especially since you were living in LA at the time if I remember correctly?"

And lastly, my reply:

"I was still a fan at that point but it was difficult with the 'football team' they rolled out the last couple of years in LA. I was hopeful the move would inject some new life but after the Lawrence Phillips fiasco I was close to pulling the plug."

Wondering what others felt and thought back in those days...

With the recent announcement of the Titans game postponement, I wonder if the NFL will continue with the proposed "changes" to the sideline protocol for wearing masks and associated fines. The coaches involved already have pushed back on the fines, but now that shyte is hitting fan?

On that note, here is a blurb from the article:


So, unless the prior news is completely false, this is B.S. The coaches were warned by the NFL, and McVay claimed (rightfully so) that is was due to his behavior on the sidelines during the Cowboy game opening night. He was never fined.

The coaches NOT mentioned above, that actually WERE fined, were Pete Carroll and Kyle Shanahan as I recall.

I also don't understand why they can't adjust the microphone so it is under the mask (or even built into it with a little time for development)? We have the technology! NFL usually embraces bleeding edge tech. I feel sorry for these coaches who are barking out orders while wearing masks. Throw them a bone!

Robert Woods walked across the parking lot at the Los Angeles Rams practice facility, smiling like a kid who just raided the cookie jar. The wide receiver knew he was close to becoming the latest Rams player to earn a significant payday.

Sure enough, it soon became public: Woods had agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $68 million, with $32 million guaranteed, to rank him among the top 10 paid receivers in the NFL.

"Happy to be here producing," said Woods, whose five-year, $39 million contract was set to expire after the 2021 season. "And keep doing it for an extra four years."

Woods' extension was the third deal doled out by the Rams over a 10-day span near the start of the season. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey signed a five-year, $105 million deal that included $71.2 million guaranteed at signing, which made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, and wideout Cooper Kupp signed a three-year, $48 million extension that included $35.1 million guaranteed.

The flurry of extensions ensures that a core group of quarterback Jared Goff, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Ramsey, Kupp and Woods remains under contract through at least the 2023 season.

But because of salary-cap constraints, it begs the question: How are the Rams doing it? Even they're aware of the mystique surrounding the process.

It began over the offseason, when the Rams made the decision to cut running back Todd Gurley and trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans in exchange for a second- and fourth-round pick. Unloading their contracts amounted to a short-term hit for a long-term gain for salary-cap purposes.

Gurley and Cooks, who were under contract through the 2023 season, created a squeeze this year because they combined for $33.5 million in dead money, but their departures allowed for future flexibility to sign others to extensions.

Restructuring contracts, such as Goff's, also has created salary-cap space, though at the cost of committing more guaranteed money to the restructured players.

And the Rams also have delivered a combined $90 million in signing bonuses (at the time of signing) to their three highest-paid players -- Goff, Donald and Ramsey. These bonuses are amortized over the life of their contract for salary-cap purposes. This is somewhat of a departure from how the Rams paid players prior to the megadeals awarded to Cooks and Gurley in 2018, when they preferred a pay-as-you-go plan, which typically involved higher base salaries and less bonus money.

Rams coach Sean McVay, whose purview in the organization doesn't include managing the salary cap, explained how the recent deals fit in the most layman terms."It's elongated over the course of the deal, so that it's not $175 million or whatever the cap will be next year," McVay said, before a slight grin grew across his face and he began to chuckle. "So, you know, a couple of years from now, we'll see how it works out and maybe I'll be sitting on the other end talking to the coach that's sitting in my shoes if we're in big trouble."

At least for now, McVay doesn't need to worry.

Despite fielding the third-youngest roster in the NFL -- one that is considered top-heavy and features several inexperienced players who have been thrust into the starting lineup -- the Rams are 2-1 as they prepare to host the winless New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

Despite moving on from Gurley and Cooks, the Rams' offense is ranked among the top six in the NFL, averaging 449.7 yards and 29.7 points per game. The defense ranks 13th in average points allowed per game at 23.7.

"I've always had faith in our front office," Goff said after a dominant Week 2 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. "Every year, they make moves and people question and doubt. Every year, it seems to be the right move."

If the salary cap falls to $175 million in 2021 -- the floor agreed to between the NFL and NFL Players Association because of concern over the financial ramifications of the pandemic -- the Rams' roster could feel the effects (projections before the coronavirus had the salary cap surpassing $200 million next season).And it might.
The Rams were forced to make difficult decisions last spring when they cut Gurley, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. They also had to watch outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. and linebacker Cory Littleton depart in free agency.

And next offseason, difficult decisions must be made about the future of safety John Johnson III, tight end Gerald Everett, wideout Josh Reynolds and outside linebacker Samson Ebukam. All are in the final season of their rookie contracts.Several veterans also could be in danger of being cut.It's all part of the puzzle of fitting everyone under the salary cap while securing the ability to sign top performers to extensions.

The Rams have proved shifty -- if not eye-popping -- in how they utilize salary-cap space. And for now, it works. But as several established players who are no longer with the team found out, the Rams can't always keep everyone.

WOW! Isn't that a little high? Some usually pretty good teams recently find themselves in a must win situation already. Atlanta, Minnesota, Houston, and Philadelphia are on this list. Denver, Cincinnati, NY Giants and Jets are really not that much of a surprise to me but the other four, damn. Sucks to be them.

First Look: Rams return to SoFi Stadium to host Giants in Week 4

After two consecutive weeks on the road, the Rams (2-1) return home to host the New York Giants (0-3) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Week 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. pacific time on FOX.

In advance of the contest, here is your first look at Rams-Giants on Oct. 4, including notable additions, some of the Giants' top statistical performers in Week 3 and key storylines:

Notable Giants additions

Signed free agent running back Devonta Freeman on Sept. 23. After starter Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in their Week 2 loss to the Bears, the Giants turned to the 28-year-old Freeman for backfield reinforcement. Freeman spent his first six seasons with the Falcons, who released him in March.

Drafted Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas fourth overall in this year's draft. Giants general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge said this spring that Thomas would come in and compete early on, and with left tackle Nate Solder opting out of this season because of COVID-19 concerns, that thrusted Thomas into a starting role.

Top Performers in Week 3

QB Daniel Jones completed 17 of 32 pass attempts for 179 yards with one interception in the Giants' 36-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Jones was also the Giants' leading rusher in the contest with 49 yards on five carries. Freeman also had five carries, but managed just 10 rushing yards.

WR Darius Slayton led all Giants receivers with 53 receiving yards on three catches. Fellow WR Golden Tate led the Giants in catches with five, adding 36 yards.

Second-year DB Julian Love's 11 combined tackles paced the Giants' defense.

On special teams, kicker Graham Gano converted all three of his field goal attempts, including a long of 52 yards.

Early storylines to watch, and what they mean for the Rams

For a Rams defense that came away disappointed by how last week's game against the Bills ended, this week's game against the Giants might provide a prime bounceback opportunity.

The Giants are tied with the Vikings and Washington for the second-most giveaways in the NFL so far, throwing four interceptions and losing three fumbles. That propensity for mistakes could set up Los Angeles' defense – tied with the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers for ninth-most takeaways in the NFL (five) – with the chance to play a complementary role to its offense, as far as setting up scoring opportunities for the offense and affecting field position.

That said, it doesn't mean the Giants shouldn't be taken seriously by the Rams – L.A. head coach Sean McVay would be the first to say they respect every opponent, regardless of record or production.

Slayton, a 2019 fifth-round pick, can threaten defenses deep. In just 17 career games, he has averaged 15.5 yards per catch, so the Rams' secondary will have to be mindful of where he is at all times. Additionally, Evan Engram gives Jones a seam-stretching tight end who has also averaged double-digit yards per catch in his career (11.4).

Though without Barkley, Jones still has capable offensive playmakers at his disposal. Thus, this not only places added importance on a disciplined effort by the Rams' secondary, but also another strong performance by their run game to keep the ball out of the hands of Jones, Slayton and Engram. Freeman's Giants debut doesn't mean he should be ignored, either – he still had 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season, and another week to familiarize himself with their playbook could help him turn in a more productive performance.

12 point underdogs vs the Rams this Sunday.

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Does this team come out pissed after a God awful performance, and keep it close? Or do we get blown out again? Im just thinking of the damage Aaron Donald is going to do to Nick Gates and Will Hernandez. It’s not going to be pretty.
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The Rams are going to be pissed too after a horrendous call cost them the game in Buffalo, and they're better at every single position on the field.

You'd have to give the Giants 20 points for me to even consider betting on them.
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(Rams) are going to run the score up. The only question is when (or IF) McVay calls the dogs off. IMO, Sean is going to try and run it up each time he plays a Mara team.

The real question is how are the Giants going to score? I figure they're only good for 2 FG's at best. I wouldn't touch this game as a bettor at all, I think the Giants quit after the second quarter, once they see how inept the offense is.
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This has a trounced by 30+ feel to it
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The Rams are going to run the ball down our throats and the defense is going to kick are arss. Plus they have great TE's and a wr that gets first downs. Hmmm take the Rams in a land slide. We couldn't beat SF JV team
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Can play as bad as they did against San Francisco. I expect the Rams to win but something like 26-15.
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believe there is a typo, and it should read "120 point underdogs vs the Rams this Sunday."
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..you think San Fran uses misdirection?

The entire Rams offense uses it. Looks like on nearly every play.

The TE will probably kill us.
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I think the Rams crack 60 points Sunday.
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Rams winning by at least 3 TD's
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I know a big stat used to be teams that score over 30 two weeks in a row, have a down week the next. Not that they won't win, but the point total is lower.

Of course that's changed with today's NFL, but I bet it still holds some value.

The Giants +14 might be something to consider.
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last time Giants played McVay's Rams
he ran up the score 51–17
He HATES the Maras for what they did to his grandfather John McVay

Give the points Giants are going to get vaporized
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Bookmakers are setting up 30-17 Rams.
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That seems very low. I would have guessed at least 15, especially traveling west.

Something seems fishy. Maybe this is a sucker line and you take NYG...?
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...two weeks in row. NFL teams that get blown out tend not to get blown out the next week.

So by that logic, bet on the Giants. But the real question is are we an NFL team?
https://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=601328
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Rams vs. NYG Vegas Odds -13.5

Wow! These are college level point spreads.....13.5
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Rams need Terrell Lewis to make immediate pass-rush impact when activated



Cameron DaSilva
Tue, September 29, 2020, 9:41 AM EDT

There’s a lot to be excited about with the Rams this season, especially after a tumultuous offseason that involved major changes to both the roster and coaching staff. The pass rush, however, is not something fans (or the team) should feel good about after three weeks.

It’s been arguably the weakest part of the team, with everyone not named Aaron Donald struggling to generate much pressure on the quarterback. The edge rushers, in particular, have struggled through three games, with Leonard Floyd being the only one to record a sack; he has two so far.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Rams’ outside linebackers have combined for a total of four pressures on opposing quarterbacks. And as if that’s not bad enough, all four have been by Floyd.

Samson Ebukam, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Jachai Polite and Justin Hollins have zero quarterback pressures combined this season. They haven’t knocked down the quarterback once, generated one hurry and have just 12 total tackles.

All this is to say the Rams need Terrell Lewis now more than ever, which is a scary proposition considering he’s a third-round rookie with no NFL experience – not even a preseason snap. But that’s the position Los Angeles is in because Ebukam, Okoronkwo and the rest of the edge rushers are simply not getting it done. Even Floyd’s impact has been underwhelming despite the fact that he has two sacks in three games.

Samson Ebukam is ranked dead last (109th) in edge defenders per PFF with an overall grade of 39.6. Leonard Floyd is ranked 70th. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is ranked 90th.
— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) September 28, 2020

Click to expand...

Lewis is currently on the reserve/non-football injury list after undergoing a knee scope to determine whether he had an infection from a previous surgery. Fortunately, he didn’t have one, but his timetable to return remains unclear.

Titans-Steelers game in danger after players test positive for Covid-19

• NFL says eight players and staff have tested positive for virus
• Titans were due to play undefeated Steelers this weekend
• Unclear when game would be replayed if necessary

Associated Press
Tue 29 Sep 2020 17.40 BST




The Tennessee Titans are undefeated this season. Photograph: Bruce Kluckhohn/AP

Tennessee suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL said three Titans players and five other personnel tested positive for the coronavirus. The news means the NFL has its first Covid-19 outbreak since the start of the season.
The outbreak threatened to jeopardize the Titans’ game this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL issued a statement Tuesday saying both the Titans and Minnesota Vikings suspended in-person activities Tuesday following the test results. The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minneapolis last weekend.



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“Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments,” the NFL said.

The Vikings released a statement saying they had not received any positive results from their testing after Sunday’s game against the Titans. They also said they followed NFL protocol by closing their facility immediately and were working to determine when they can reopen.

The Titans are scheduled to host the Steelers on Sunday in a matchup of two of the league’s seven remaining undefeated teams. With the Titans not able to practice until Saturday at the earliest, when that game would be played is unknown.

“All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration,” the NFL said. “We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.”
Spokesman Burt Lauten said the Steelers have been in contact with the NFL about the Titans’ positive tests.

“We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday’s game until we are informed otherwise,” Lauten said in a statement.

The Titans initially announced Tuesday morning that they would be working remotely “out of an abundance of caution” after several test results came back positive. They beat the Vikings in Minneapolis without outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen, who did not travel with the Titans following a test result on Saturday.

Coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that Bowen was not with the team. Rookie offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson, their top draft pick out of Georgia, also has been on the reserve/Covid-19 list since 6 September.

IF we took the Delorean back in time to your bedroom in your freshman year, what would we find on the wall? EVEN IF you have a Bay City Rollers poster like -X- had, or a Saturday Night Fever poster like train had... BE HONEST!

This was on my wall.