Check out the block he lays in pass pro. Click the link.

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BTW, I simply re-watched, but without rewinding and watching every player on every snap. So, these thoughts should be taken as general impressions only.

On Offense.

Both Goff and McVay seem to be benefiting from O’Connell’s input. Goff seems more confident and poised, more of a master of this O. McVay’s gameplan was brilliant and playcalling was better than last year, including McVay staying with the run game even in a tossup game late.

Running game was just good enough to demand respect from the Dallas D. Akers got his feet wet but didn’t impress like I thought he would. Then again, chunk running plays are hard to come by if the OL doesn’t open the occasional big hole. I believe running game will improve over time if only because they’ll knock the rust off.

OL played pretty darned well, overall. Boom was the weakest link and needs to win me over as a LG. I’m pulling for him, of course, but there needs to be significant improvement or I would hope that Kromer replaces him at LG. I still think Boom’s future is at LOT (if Whit ever retires, lol).

Big Whit has obviously discovered the Fountain of Youth, huh? I would love to have a glass of that water, man. Amazing.

Blythe is making an early case supporting the wisdom of his 1 year extension. Don’t look now but he might be our starting C next year and beyond if this keeps up. Many a poster will be gnashing their teeth upon reading this, I know.

Don’t look now, but Corbett might be a gem for that 5th in trade. Fingers crossed.

Everett needs to step it up if he wants to be a Ram next year. Both Higbee and Everett need to improve their blocking and I mean ASAP! Both looked rusty there.

We’re absolutely loaded at WR, aren’t we? Heck both our 3rd and 4th WR’s made critical big catches that kept drives alive. But I must say that WR blocking I saw was not nearly up to their normal standards.


On Defense.

Floyd didn’t impress me, despite that one late sack. He needs to step it up in this ‘prove it’ year if he wants to be a Ram next season. I expected more from the vet, tbh.

Well, Staley has got to find an NFL edge on the other side. SOMEBODY has to seize that starting position because Ebu (and nobody else, really) seemed to want it. Might be our Achilles heel based upon this first game.

I’ve been saying this for several years, but why can’t other players take better advantage of AD’s presence and occupation by the opposing OL? I think that the others in that front 7 should be feasting when AD is on the field. Geez...

Tackling, other than DL looked worse than rusty, if you ask me. Gawd! Probably a result of no OTA’s, no normal camp (including scrimmages with other teams), and no preseason games. But still... Surely the coaches will be emphasizing that this week. Better tackling, even decent tackling would have really shut the Cowboys down.

Kiser also disappointed. Watching that game film couldn’t have been a pleasant experience for him. I thought tackling was his forte for crying out loud. The young man needs to win me over and PDQ, at that.

Love our secondary. Heck, who doesn’t? Talk about loaded. We’ve got two 3rd rounders in Long and Burgess that can scarcely see the field other than ST. Also, a 2nd rounder in Rapp May have at least temporarily lost his starting position to a 6th round rookie. An embarrassment of riches that I doubt even the most ardent among us really saw coming.


On ST.

Sloman needs to win me over, too. Missed short FG, a low 2nd kick, and short kickoffs? Really? Bonamego needs to keep those other 2 PK candidates on speed dial.

What the heck is up with Kupp as our ‘designated fair catcher’? Whose idea was that, McVay or Bonamego? When McVay tries ‘different’ things (like no vets playing in ps games) I at least can see the logic of his thinking. But this Kupp thing leaves me grasping at air. Wasn’t Calais supposedly brought in for this? Didn’t Webster do well as PR last year? C’mon, Coach...



Speaking of coaching, I think the Rams are better at HC, OC, and DC than at anytime since McVay came on board in ‘17 (with the possible exception of LaFleur that one year). And I think Bonamego is at least the equal of the recent Fassel for ST’s Coordinator. Staley gets special kudos from me for the deceptive nature of his D presented to opposing QB’s.

Well, that’s it. Overall, a good first game against a quality opponent. Lots of things to clean up, but doable with the possible exception of lack of sufficient talent at edge and ILB. Those are 2 areas where these coaches must really earn their money. Fingers REALLY crossed here. Gulp...

I see this team with a floor of no less that 10 wins and a ceiling of maybe 13 wins. Probably an 11-12 win team, even in the difficult NFC West.

Anybody see things differently? Or have something that I missed?

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What a monster

I wonder what "insight" Jamon Brown has...


Eagles sign G Jamon Brown

The Eagles announced on Tuesday that they signed guard Jamon Brown off of the Bears' practice squad to fill the open spot on the active roster.
A third-round pick of the Rams in 2015 out of Louisville, Brown has played 60 career games (47 starts) for the Rams, Giants, and Falcons. He started nine games for Atlanta in 2019. He has experience at both right and left guard. The 6-4, 340-pound Brown's knowledge of the Rams, especially All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, will come in handy this week as the Eagles prepare for Los Angeles.
The Eagles also protected the following practice squad players for Week 2:
• WR Deontay Burnett
• DT T.Y. McGill
• DE Joe Ostman
• CB Trevor Williams
Typically, a player on the practice squad can be signed to another team's active roster. Now, teams have until 4 PM Tuesday during game week to designate the four they wish to keep away from other teams. This is not applicable during the bye week, though.
Teams now have the option to have as many as 55 players on the active roster, as they can elevate two players from the practice squad. They have to do so on the day before the game (or day of the game for Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football) and no later than 4 PM. The players are automatically sent back to the practice squad without having to be placed on waivers first. However, a team can only do that with a player twice. After two times, a player must sign an active roster contract and be counted against the 53.

"The Old Man" is Andrew Whitworth, of course.
Woods is great. He's a huge part of this teams success, but Whitworth is up there for "best Rams FA acquisition ever". It goes well beyond his play on the field, which is still capable of being elite at 38 years old.

He had his best rated game as a Ram and his best in 10 years against a tough Dallas front, the 1st game back after having had covid-19 in the off-season.

I've never owned an OL jersey, but think I want a #77 this year. (Bone, naturally)
Last year, before the season started, I expressed my doubts in AW's ability to keep up his performance for another year, let alone two. I felt like trusting him to be our LT was a risky choice and thought it might be best to bite that bullet and get someone else going there. I was very wrong.

(How about how much more in sync, like choreography, did our line look moving downfield on screens, hitting 2nd level blocks... it was beautiful)

Here's to the monolith of our O-line, Andrew Whitworth, a guy whose impact on our team is understated and maybe unnoticed outside of our fan base, but who is as integral to our turn around as anyone not named Sean McVay.

Cheers to Big Whit! Here's to 10 more years....

For me, hands, down, Three O'Clock High.

Well we’re movin on up.

Who is going to win the NFC East this year?

The Football Team.

Right. Which team is going to win?

THE FOOTBALL TEAM!

You deaf? Only Washington has a win so far, will they win? If not, who?

Them! The Football Team!

Whatever dude.

Anyone know what areas are going to get it ? Or do I have to try the streaming thing again ?
This is only the second year since 95 I have not had the Sunday Ticket. Direct TV just gave me 60$ off per month for a year so I might just go that route.

...at least once in your life. I present this one, and it is wonderful.
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Not counting my chickens by any means, and while week one isn't the end all be all, looking ahead at the schedule now that the Cowboys are behind us, not too many scary offenses:

@Eagles - gave up 8 sacks and have injuries
@Bills - Josh Allen looks improved, but a lot less talent than Dallas
Giants - looked awful
@FT - offense struggled
@Niners - offense struggled
Bears - Trubisky or Foles
@Dolphins - offense struggled

Now, we can easily lose any of these games (save maybe the Giants) because of travel and/or these teams have good defenses. But Dallas was a measuring stick for the secondary, run defense and pass rush and considering how talented Dallas is, they all did outstanding IMO. I'm PUMPED to see what they can do the rest of the year now.

That Cowboys ass whooping we gave catapulted us 8 spots! We're back in the top 10!

When it’s a game that matters, and the score is close, a funny thing happens...

I stop thinking about logos and uniforms...

I’m not worrying about contracts and salary caps...

I take a break from political, social and societal issues...

I feel a sense of normalcy in a time of pandemic...

That’s why I like football. It’s an escape.

We sometimes forget that during a long offseason.

Good to have it back!

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This is the place where has a child my mother and stepfather took me, dang SOB was sober for a night, great times, the Dade County youth fair was Heaven sent we, I went There..

Then my 1st date/hookup yeap went there, lol, I;ll never ever forget her...

Then there;s the kids etc etc , yeah that this place is special and can;t be forgotten, ever.

So Food it;s them dang Sausage ,onions mustard a little relish,the roll OMG and my mother could cook almost any dish to the Max..

Ride don;t know the name, but it went backwards at about 25 30 degrees incline and pushed everyone nest 2 each other.

Man these State Fairs are some of my happiest moments and Trust me they were few and far apart.

Yum

The debate never ends. Or does it?

Iggles fans are getting close to giving up on Wentz.

For those who enjoy schadenboners, here’s one:

“I have always backed Wentz. Today, half way through the 3rd quarter, I ripped off my Wentz jersey, and put on a regular t-shirt. After FIVE YEARS, he doesn't know when to throw the ball away and not take a critical sack, doesn't have his footwork down, and made rookie mistakes. FIVE f- ing years, and he is STILL doing the same self defeating things. That tells me something. If after FIVE freekin years, you continue to make the same mistakes, it's not the coaches, it's not the o-line.... it's YOU. It's really sad, but Carson isn't who we thought he was.“

I was able to rewatch the entire Rams Cowboys game today focusing on the Oline. Every snap and every block.

I didn't take notes and perhaps someone else can do snapshots with notes if they want.

But I did watch every snap and block carefully rewinding several times to see each linemans blocks for each snap. Below is what I found.

Whitworth - A Whit is playing at a high level still. His run blocking is still Elite. He gets perfect position, locks on forever and pushes people. Not a lot of long developing pass plays, but when they were there he was solid.

Noteboom B- Noteboom was real solid knowing assignment and showed some push in this game. His biggest weakness is he is completely unable to lock on to his block. If you rewatch the game focus on Notebooms blocks. He has trouble holding his man virtually every play. I am not sure if its technique or weak hands, but he cannot lock on at all. This resulted in the Smith sack and several run plays where his man came off him to make the play. With his quick feet, smarts and initial punch he is by no means a slouch. He has value, but he HAS to learn how to sustain a block. I think Edwards is way ahead of Boom and would be an improvement.

Blythe - B+ Blythe is so assignment solid and technique solid that he is almost always getting the job done. He didn't have any breakdowns that I remember. Because we run so many zone runs, he is able to leverage that running block and translate it into pushing his man back. This scheme is really perfect for him.

Corbett - A Corbett was awesome on tape. He showed lots of power at times, quickness and a real understanding of what we were doing. He pushed him man back on most plays. He did get beat on a spin move one time during pass protection but overall his game was really awesome in this one. Lets see how he holds up to a better defensive front. Right now I am on his bandwagon big time.

Havenstein B+ Big Rob is back to being excellent in the run game. He used perfect positioning, hand usage and his wide frame to really stonewall people and push them back. His Pass protection in this one was mostly pretty solid. Considering the very few longer developing pass plays, he didn't have much opportunity to give up a sack. He looks like the old Rob that was rated at the top in run blocking.

TE's Everett and Higbee need work in the run game and failed on more than one occasion.

Kupp - Cooper is maybe our favorite player here. I love the guy, but he has a lot of work to do in the run game. At times he gets completely destroyed or missed his block. It was the same last year. Love the guy but he has a lot of work to do. People don't realize how important our WR blocking in in the run game, but at times a breakdown is due to our WR's.

There was a significant difference in what the Rams D surrendered in the first half and in the 2nd half.

In yardage, top, and points. I’ll leave the X’s and O’s to be explained by others more qualified. But it seems to me that Staley analyzed what Dallas was doing in the 1st half and made some darned effective adjustments at halftime.

The results speak for themselves. I think that this ability in a Coordinator is priceless. I further think that this is one of the reasons that McVay was so excited after the Staley hire.

I also think that if Staley can keep this up, he might have a very bright future.

Edit: just the tweet.

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https://defector.com/why-your-team-sucks-2020-los-angeles-rams/

Maybe some of you saw this. I had to post this hope it works if not type it in.

This A-hole is a pure hater while as fans deep down we know some of this may be accurate or how we feel at times (I use some and accurate loosely) I would like to be locked up in a room with this dude for 15 minutes. What a loser.

Usually I don't read trash but this was fascinating in how biased he is. He does it with other teams but then people wonder why the media is hated and not trusted.

Lastly the fact you have time to even write trash like this with all that's going on in the world or even in sports alone is a travesty.

Loser!!!

Monday Night Football: Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos

The last time the Tennessee Titans traveled to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos, it was more than an ugly 16-0 win for the home team — it was the start of a new era for the Titans. Week 6 of last season would be the last time Marcus Mariota would see the field for the team that drafted him with the second overall pick in 2015. After five seasons of inconsistent play, nagging injuries, and flashes of brilliance, Mariota's tenure as the Titans' franchise quarterback came to an end in the third quarter. The newly acquired Ryan Tannehill stepped in under center and never looked back. With Tannehill calling the shots, Tennessee turned an uninspired 2-4 start into a fourth straight 9-7 finish and a playoff run that's set the table for the most anticipated Titans' season in a very long time.

The Broncos are riding into the 2020 season on their own wave of positive momentum. After the failed Joe Flacco experiment and the inevitable benching of Brandon Allen, it was second-round pick Drew Lock's turn to take a crack at running the Denver offense — and Lock delivered. Denver went 4-1 with Lock at the helm, creating a renewed sense of excitement for the future despite missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season. The Broncos are looking to take the next step this year and snap their playoff skid in head coach Vic Fangio's second season.

Tennessee at Denver

Kickoff: Monday, Sept. 14, 10:10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Titans -2.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Drew Lock

Broncos fans should know better than to get excited about a potential franchise quarterback that's only started a handful of games. (See: Tebow, Tim) But in what little we saw of Lock last season, he certainly looked like the right man for the job going forward, leading two game-winning drives, a comeback win, with seven touchdown passes, an 89.7 rating, and only three interceptions.

In the first quarter of his first start a season ago, Lock found outstanding young receiver Courtland Sutton (1,112 yards, 6 TDs in 2019) twice in the end zone. On Monday night, Lock will likely be without his No. 1 pass catcher after Sutton sustained a shoulder injury in practice earlier in the week. However, Lock will have three new targets to throw to in rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (1st round, Alabama) and KJ Hamler (2nd round, Penn State) as well as veteran running back Melvin Gordon coming out of the backfield.

Lock will be facing a veteran Titans secondary, led by All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, that's dynamic when healthy, but more opportunistic than stout. It will be interesting to watch how Lock and his new targets jell after a limited offseason, no preseason, and against a recently re-tooled Tennessee pass rush.

2. Battle of the backfields

With the potential loss of Sutton and the Broncos' inexperienced receiving corps in the spotlight, it's reasonable to expect Denver to try and establish the running game early. With the return of Phillip Lindsay (1,011 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 4.5 ypc in 2019) and the addition of the aforementioned Gordon, expect Denver to try and match the Titans' defensive physicality by running the ball more times than not and avoid as many passing downs as possible.

For the Titans' offense, it's the same recipe they rode to the AFC Championship Game last season — feed the recently well-paid and reigning rushing king, Derrick Henry (1,540 yards, 16 TDs). Henry sets the tone for the entirety of Tennessee's offense. The run game sets up the play-action passing game where Tannehill did so much damage a season ago, completing 78 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and posting an absurd 143.5 rating. With new faces and uncertainty within the Denver defensive front seven, Monday night is a good opportunity for the Tennessee offense to pick up where it left off a season ago.

3. Who's in? Who's out? Who's where?

Friday, the Broncos were dealt even more terrible news. In addition to the potential loss of Sutton, star linebacker Von Miller, arguably the best defensive player of his generation, opted to have surgery on the ankle he injured earlier in the week during practice. The surgery will require at least three months of recovery and he could be out for the entirety of the season.

The loss of Miller is especially bitter since the Denver defense was welcoming back Miller's pass-rushing partner, Bradley Chubb, who missed most of last year with a partially torn ACL. But Chubb won't be taking on the Titans' offense by himself, not with the addition of former Titan and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Jurrell Casey, anchoring the Denver front line. The loss of Miller is immeasurable, but if Chubb can return to his 2018 self (60 tackles, 12 sacks) and Casey can help clog the middle, the Broncos should be able to attack a Titans offensive line that allowed the third-most sacks (56) a season ago.

Casey isn't the only new face in a new place. One week ago, after months of speculation, the Titans finally landed free agent Jadeveon Clowney with a one-year, $13 million contract. Clowney's sack numbers won't jump out and grab you (32 in six seasons), but he's a force nonetheless. He can line up anywhere in the front seven. He can rush off the edge from either the linebacker spot or from the end as well as across from the offensive guard. Adding Clowney adds even more physicality to a Titans defense that prides itself on being tougher than their opponents.

Final Analysis

While the Broncos may be on the upswing coming into 2020, the Titans open the schedule already knowing who they are — especially on offense. With injuries to Sutton and Miller, the Broncos will be without two of their most important playmakers, putting a lot of pressure on the inexperienced and youthful offense. I like King Henry and the Titans in a low-scoring affair to wrap up Week 1.

Prediction: Titans 21, Broncos 17

Monday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants

It's an intriguing AFC vs. NFC matchup in the first game of the season-opening "Monday Night Football" doubleheader as the New York Giants host the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York went 0-2 on MNF in 2019, losing to the Cowboys and Eagles. Meanwhile, the Steelers went 2-0 in their primetime contests although the victories came against the Bengals and Dolphins. Eli Manning was the starting quarterback opposite Ben Roethlisberger the last time these two teams played back in 2016 with Le'Veon Bell and Odell Beckham Jr. being the other offensive stars.

The Steelers will go as their long-time QB goes. We saw a really good Pittsburgh squad neutered by awful play from backups Mason Rudolph and Develin "Duck" Hodges after Roethlisberger went down in the second game with a season-ending elbow injury. Rudolph is back, but so is Roethlisberger's former backup, Joshua Dobbs, who was traded to Jacksonville last September and then claimed on waivers a year later. There's no denying that there's star power on this defense, but if the offense is consistently going three and out, it's just not going to help. It'll be interesting to see what second-round pick Chase Claypool adds to the receiving corps room. Tight end Eric Ebron is another intriguing new piece.

For the Giants, year two of the Daniel Jones era starts off with a tough matchup. We'll see what new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has cooked up for the quarterback who is behind a mediocre to poor offensive line and has mediocre wide receivers to throw to. Thank goodness for Saquon Barkley in the backfield and Evan Engram at tight end. The offense will have to put up some points because the defense has plenty of holes. There are some building blocks with Dexter Lawrence up front and James Bradberry at corner. It'll be interesting to see what rookie head coach Joe Judge does with this roster.

Pittsburgh at New York

Kickoff: Monday, Sept. 14 at 7:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Steelers -6

Three Things to Watch

1. Intangibles

The biggest intangible in this one is the uncertainty of what to expect from Joe Judge, the Giants' 38-year-old rookie head coach. You can look at what Jason Garrett did in Dallas to get some sort of idea as to how the offense will go. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is in just his second season in that role and Pittsburgh has some familiarity with him, facing Graham's Miami unit last season, a game the Steelers won 27-14. Week 1 may be soon to tell what kind of influence Judge will have on either side of the ball. With no preseason games, neither team has any film to digest, so there will probably be a feeling out sort of period. The continuity of Pittsburgh's coaching staff under Mike Tomlin would seemingly be a benefit for the Steelers but at the same time, they really don't know what to prepare for with all of the changes for the Giants.

2. Hold onto the ball

Daniel Jones had a roller-coaster rookie season, flashing his dual-threat potential at times, but he threw too many interceptions and had way too many fumbles. There's very little margin for error with this team especially if their defense has to be on the field after turnovers. To me, the Giants need to run the ball as much as possible with Saquon Barkley and free-agent pickup Dion Lewis with Jones throwing between 20-25 times. For Pittsburgh, acquiring safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami last September was huge as he paid dividends right away as a game-changer. In 14 games with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick recorded five interceptions, a forced fumble, recovered two, and scored two defensive touchdowns on his way to being named an All-Pro. I'm not the biggest fan of Pittsburgh's cornerbacks but Joe Haden flashed his old form at times in 2019. Keep the game close and keep your quarterback upright.

3. Big Ben... big spotlight

Roethlisberger actually admitted this week that he'll be nervous and "shaking like a leaf" during early portions of Monday's contest. He only played in two games in 2019 before needing season-ending elbow surgery and I'm sure he noticed how quickly the team fell off in his absence. Pittsburgh should make the playoffs in the AFC, but that only happens if the signal-caller returns to his 2018 form. Right guard David DeCastro, a two-time All-Pro, will most likely miss this game because of a knee injury. Rookie Kevin Dotson, a fourth-round pick who played at Louisiana, could get the start in his first NFL game. Fortunately, the Giants' pass rush shouldn't scare anyone so DeCastro's absence may not be that big of a deal.

Final Analysis

I really want to take the Giants. I think they will be better than last year with the new coaching staff, but I just don't think the improvement comes yet. The veteran Steelers come to New York and take care of business in this one. I actually think New York covers the spread but loses the game.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Giants 17