With the 2020 offseason coming to an end, here is my list of superlatives:

Best Move: Locking in Jalen Ramsey
Given the amount of draft capital expended, this had to happen. The fact that it got done before the season through a smooth process that never resulted in Ramsey openly complaining or, worse yet, sitting out, is a big plus. The Rams are banking on a Donald/Ramsey core being the key to having a strong defense in the next few years. I think that's a good bet.

Worst Departure: Corey Littleton
While I get the economics, I wish we could have retained Littleton, who was a Swiss Army Knife for the defense. His ability in coverage could be tough to replicate.

Best Draft Pick: Van Jefferson
I have high hopes for Cam Akers, but I think Jefferson could prove to be a real steal. While some prospects may have better measurables, on the surface, throughout the pre-draft period and forward through training camp, all I've heard about this guy is that he really knows how to separate and has great hands. Isn't that pretty much the job description for a WR? Remember - the pick that was used to acquire Jefferson was the one obtained in the Brandin Cooks trade, so Jefferson could also save us money in the long run.

Riskiest Draft Pick: Terrell Lewis
This one is pretty obvious, particularly with Lewis being shelved for at least 3 weeks. Of course, risky does not necessarily mean bad. He has a ton of potential which, hopefully, will display itself if he gets (and stays) on the field.

Biggest Surprise: David Edwards/Bobby Evans - both backups?
If the Rams' "unofficial" depth chart is to be believed, neither Edwards nor Evans will be starters on opening day. This surprises me (particularly Edwards), as I thought they showed potential last year. Perhaps they will work their way back to the starting lineup or, perhaps, I just overestimated them.

Key Sleeper: Jordan Fuller
The positive reviews he has been receiving are encouraging. For this year, he could be a valuable backup and contributor on special teams (and, perhaps, in dime packages). More importantly, if the Rams can't retain John Johnson, he could be a quality replacement at a bargain price next year.

Addition by Subtraction (tie): Saying Good Bye to Todd Gurley and Wade Phillips
Its hard to say good bye to people who had a positive impact in the past, but when its time, its time. Todd Gurley, in my opinion, has never really been a "we, not me" kind of guy. When he was at his peak physically, that was okay, as he was good enough to be a bit selfish. Last year, he was not at that level, and I don't know that he'll ever get back. Phillips was a great support system for Sean McVay in his first couple of years, but I think it was time for some innovation and change on the defense. I think Brandon Staley will bring those elements.

And it FEELS like it too! A good chunk of the country got a cold front, it's after Labor Day, and it's the longest stretch we've ever gone without NFL.

All the off-field shit is done, get back to what actually matters! I think I smell the field, even though KC is like 800 miles away.

Enjoy it, b/c who knows how long it will last. Let's go!!!!

I didn't find this in the search but have any of you watched or Followed 'The Boys'?

No??

Well then..




I could never get over how you UK, Irish, Aussies, and Kiwi's curse! It's fucking epic!

Anyways, the shows about what would happen in real life if there were super heroes. Which is probably waaaay more accurate than the Marvel shit!


If you are bored, curious, or whatever I'm telling you it's funny asf, has some dark moments (dark humor) and pretty damned unique!

Grab a beer, make dinner, grab the Mrs or Mr and sit down and watch an episode or two! It'll be something you don't forget either way!

Season 1 Trailer

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Season 2 Trailer

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Thursday Night Football: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City

The last time we saw the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs play together, the NFL — and the country — was in a very different place. It was Jan. 19, 2020, and most Americans didn't even know what a coronavirus was. Tom Brady was still a New England Patriot, Kobe Bryant was a living NBA ambassador, and the Chiefs hadn't yet won a Super Bowl under Andy Reid.

It sure looked like that drought would continue, too. The Texans sucker-punched the Chiefs right out of the gate, capitalizing on a series of sloppy errors to build a 24-0 lead by the second quarter. Patrick Mahomes and Co. appeared to be punched in the face by Deshaun Watson's group.

Boy, did they punch back. The rest of the quarter, the Chiefs scored 28 unanswered points, an explosive offensive attack in which three of four scoring drives were less than two minutes. (The fourth? A measly 2:03.) That 28-24 halftime lead was one the Chiefs would never relinquish; they dominated the second half en route to a 51-31 thrashing.

And they never looked back. It was a confidence-building moment, momentum the Chiefs carried all the way through to their Super Bowl LIV victory. Their title defense begins on the precipice of an uncertain future, COVID-19 dominating the news but rearmed with most puzzle pieces that got them the trophy: head coach Reid, Pro Bowl quarterback Mahomes, and offensive weapons Travis Kelce (TE), Tyreek Hill (WR), and Sammy Watkins (WR). This 2020 NFL kickoff serves as their coronation; will they retain their place atop the NFL elite, building their own dynasty now that the New England Patriots are in a post-Brady era?

The Texans, meanwhile, remain reeling from that January TKO. The team traded away Watson's top weapon, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, during the offseason for oft-injured running back David Johnson. The move fueled criticism of head coach/GM Bill O'Brien, who seemingly enters 2020 on the hot seat despite four playoff appearances in the past five seasons.

Starting the year by enacting revenge on the Chiefs would be a great way to quiet the critics. Even with the uncertainty of play with COVID-19... that's a tall order.

Houston at Kansas City
Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Chiefs -9

Three Things To Watch

1. How will the COVID-19 pandemic affect the level of play?

Looming over this game, Week 1 and the entire NFL season is the COVID-19 pandemic. You can't get around it; continued daily testing means this preview could become outdated the second a player tests positive the day of a game. The entire preseason was canceled, meaning for many fans, the first time they get to see any football action is Thursday night. Roster cuts, depth charts, and building camaraderie were done through scrimmages, practice sessions, and front office maneuvering. Even the best media experts, through limited team interaction, don't really know what's coming out of the gate.

Already, several players have opted out due to fears of catching the virus. The Chiefs starting right guard last season, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, has opted out for the season in order to work at a medical facility in Canada. Damien Williams, the team's leading rusher from 2019, is joining him on the sidelines. That means first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have a larger workload earlier than expected; no one really knows how he'll do in an NFL game setting.

Home-field advantage, long a strength of the Chiefs, will also be muted. Arrowhead Stadium has been reduced to 22 percent capacity for Thursday night's home game. Mask-wearing will be required, tailgating will be limited, and physical distancing means the "crowd" will be spread out in pods.

The Texans, as the road team with a more limited COVID-19 impact, should be on a more level playing field in theory. But you just don't know; any positive tests between now and Thursday could take out key cogs in their lineup. It's a weekly mystery that will continue to unfold and impact every game of the 2020 NFL season up through the Super Bowl.

2. Does Deshaun Watson have enough offensive weapons to compete?

Watson, the leader of the Texans offense, was rewarded last week with a four-year, $160 million contract extension. While not quite the level of Mahomes' 10-year, $477 million extension signed this offseason, it's clear this elite-level quarterback will be contending with Houston in the AFC for years to come.

The question for Watson is who steps up in the receiving corps with Hopkins catching passes elsewhere. Will Fuller V was a boom-or-bust receiver at times last year, balancing a 217-yard, three-touchdown performance against Atlanta in October with four games catching two passes or fewer. (Fuller also missed five more games due to injury.) He had 89 receiving yards against the Chiefs in January and will be asked to step up to a leading role.

Offseason trade acquisition Brandin Cooks, limited in practice this week (quad), will combine with free agent Randall Cobb to give Watson some deep threats. But both are coming off so-so seasons, at best, with Cooks posting just 583 yards with the Los Angeles Rams (less than half his total from 2018). Cobb benefited greatly from Amari Cooper alongside him in Dallas and, at 30, is at a pivotal moment in his career.

As the season progresses, the Texans running game will take center stage after their blockbuster trade. But the Chiefs are going to score points; that much is clear. You're going to have to beat them punch-for-punch, and that means Watson working magic through the air.

3. Travis Kelce, Take II?

Mahomes should Mahomes Thursday night; that perhaps give 2020 a brief moment of normalcy. The 2019 NFL MVP torched the Texans in January with 321 passing yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions in that playoff romp.

Don't expect a slow 2020 start. In fact, last year it took Mahomes until Week 6 to throw a pick (ironically, vs. Houston during a 31-24 regular season loss Oct. 13, a game which feels like it happened 100 years ago).

It's unlikely lightning will strike twice and Mahomes will make silly mistakes versus the Texans. However, one of his top weapons, Travis Kelce, was limited in practice this week with a knee injury. He was the top receiver in Mahomes' arsenal during the January comeback, torching the Texans for 10 receptions, 134 yards, and three touchdowns. It would be a tough loss to have him sit with Edwards-Helaire debuting at running back and Mahomes adjusting to new protection without Duvernay-Tardif.

Final Analysis

The Texans have come into this stadium and defeated the Chiefs before, knocking them onto their knees last October. But that was a very different team than the Super Bowl champions that they'll face Thursday night.

This offseason, you could argue the Chiefs held serve, even with their COVID-19 dropouts. The Texans? They got worse, in particular on offense. That's not a good mix on a night where the Chiefs will already be on an emotional high beginning their title defense.

This one won't be close.

Prediction: Kansas City 38, Houston 21

What do you think?

I was thinking of the hilarity of Hillary Clinton and that voice, starting a PODCAST this year. Also Bill is starting one in 2021, which from the way he looks is pretty damn optimistic.

It made me think, *I need a PODCAST!" My next thought was, *what would ROD members PODcasts be like?


@Memento: "Horror Fiction, Bitches!"
@den-the-coach : Texas Dreams and New York Snowstorms in my 70's.
@Selassie I : Fishing with Warren Sapp and Other Sea Disasters
@-X- : " Point - Counterpoint With Old Larry
@RamFan503 : My Struggle With Pineapple
@CGI_Ram : When My avatar finally conquered the Big Hamburger
@Mojo Ram: Bluto and I hate the Cards and the Dead.

For real, what would your personal PODCAST be about?

Well, this is it boys and girls. The last day before football season starts. It’s been a lot of fun and I’m glad I did this. We end on a high note, IMO, with Mike Lansford. The barefoot kicker.
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I was really looking forward to having A’Shawn be the center piece of this D and helping AD become more disruptive than he already is. This is the only area I’m really worried outside of ILB position but I know having studs up front help the ILB and our run D up the gut exponentially. I’m not sold on SJD or the other dude at NT.

I seen he had a potential cardiovascular issue but he’s not on the PuP list for 8 weeks?


Anybody heard or read Anything?

I really felt this was the key with all things considered to ensure us a deep run I the playoffs, maybe another SB.

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Hopefully this won't be another #questfor100pages...

Jourdan has posted a lot of tweets tonight and I didnt want this one to get lost. Hopefully more good news on the way.

This guy was surprise that he didn't get drafted.

Very productive player & leader at Georgia. Son of former Viking WR Jake Reed.

Sounds a lot like Fuller. Not a freak athlete, and had an ACL in HS that was flagged during combine.

I’m guessing still a player vote.

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I bought the package 3 weeks ago and still can't access it. Now I learn this is a very frequent problem. They won't answer my complaint and there is no phone to call. People are telling me that if you can't access I will just have to get a refund because they aren't going to do a damn thing. Apparently it's an incompatibility with some networks, system or software or some stupid thing like that. I had problems simply purchasing it. I worked around it and now I'm unable to access the product I purchased. If you have problems purchasing Game Pass don't do it!! Just look for pirated internet feeds or something. People say they fight you over the refund and when they do send it the chargeback takes forever.

If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to them.

Can someone please explain?
All that he is owed is remaining guaranteed money and that all goes against this years cap?

8/3 IMHO Kill the White Walkers lol.

Jerry Buss, yes Doctor Jerry Buss they are a rockin.........

According to Schefter.

5yrs $105m

First Look: Rams open 2020 season, SoFi Stadium against Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

Los Angeles opens the 2020 regular season on Sunday Night Football against Dallas with kickoff set for 5:20 p.m. pacific time on NBC.

In advance of the contest, here is your first look at Rams vs. Cowboys on Sept. 13 presented by SoFi, including notable additions, some of their top statistical performers from 2019 and key storylines:

Notable Cowboys additions

Signed former Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein to a 3-year deal. In eight seasons with the Rams, Zuerlein converted 201 of 245 field goal attempts during the regular season and made 264 of 270 extra point attempts.

Drafted Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round (17th overall) of this year's NFL Draft. Regarded as one of the top receivers in this year's class, Lamb's 14 receiving touchdowns in his final collegiate season tied for fifth-most nationally, while his 21.4 yards per catch were third-most. His 102.1 receiving yards per game ranked 10th nationally, and he was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award (given annually to nation's most outstanding receiver, regardless of position).

Top performers in 2019

QB Dak Prescott led the Cowboys' passing attack, completing 388 of 596 attempts for 4,902 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

RB Ezekiel Elliott paced Dallas' backfield with 301 rushing attempts for 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns, all team-highs.

WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup emerged as Prescott's top passing targets. Cooper led the Cowboys with 79 catches for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns, but Gallup wasn't far behind with 66 for 1,107 and six respectively.

LB Jaylon Smith posted a team-high 142 total tackles for the Cowboys' defense, tied for sixth-most among all defensive players during the 2019 regular season.

CB Jourdan Lewis and safety Xavier Woods each finished with two interceptions to lead the secondary.

On special teams, kicker Brett Maher went 20 for 30 on field goal attempts and 36 for 36 on extra point attempts but was replaced after 13 games by Kai Forbath, who was a perfect 10 for 10 on both field goal and extra point attempts. The team brought Forbath back after the season, then cut him before the start of training camp.

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

Cooper expects three 1,000-yard receivers for the Cowboys this season. Rams quarterback Jared Goff has made it his goal to produce the same for Los Angeles.

Whether those goals are realized remains to be seen, but it does make for an intriguing battle between both offenses under the lights at SoFi Stadium. The Cowboys finished No. 1 in the NFL in total offense last season, the Rams seventh. Entering 2020, the Cowboys have the No. 3 offensive arsenal in the league, according to ESPN, while the Rams' ranks 11th.

At the same time, while Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and much of the personnel that contributed to the league's most productive offense last year return, there are new wrinkles that Los Angeles defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell will be mindful of.

New Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy handled playcalling duties for all but one of his nearly 13 years in the same position with the Green Bay Packers, but will let Moore, whom he retained from former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett's old staff, continue to handle those duties instead. Still, McCarthy figures to have a say in what the scheme will look like – so for Staley, his influence on Dallas' offense shouldn't be dismissed, and it shouldn't be assumed the Rams will be preparing for the exact same offense they faced last December at AT&T Stadium.

As for O'Connell, he'll be tasked with helping prepare the offense for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. While Nolan last held that position with the Atlanta Falcons from 2012-14, he has 17 years of experience as a defensive coordinator overall between stints with Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Baltimore, the Jets, Washington and the Giants dating back to 1993. Nolan has been coaching in the NFL since 1987.

Other storylines specific to the Rams:

How do the carries get divvied up between the running backs in Week 1?

What does the starting offensive line look like?

How involved will rookie Van Jefferson be in the wide receiver rotation after a strong training camp?

McVay eyeing three-man rotation at RB against Cowboys

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Since running back Todd Gurley's release in March, many have been wondering what the approach to the Rams' backfield will look like.

For obvious competitive reasons, the details have been scarce. However, this much is known: Rams head coach Sean McVay is planning to deploy a three-running back rotation of Malcolm Brown, Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. in their season- and home-opener against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

"Exactly how those carries are distributed, will be something that will be determined really as the week progresses and as the game unfolds," McVay said during a Monday video conference with reporters. "I think we feel good about all those guys and however the game is going is kind of what we'll end up getting a feel for. (Running Backs) Coach (Thomas) Brown has an excellent feel for that stuff where he'll be able to rotate those guys accordingly."

McVay's breakdown of each running back in that projected rotation was as follows:

On Malcolm Brown, "a guy that's played a lot of games, had a lot of significant contributions over the last couple of years. I think he's been steady and been exactly what you want for a veteran leader and a guy that we know that we can count on in a variety of different ways."

On Akers, "continuing to get better. You know, you forget sometimes he's a young player, but we are going to ask a lot of him. I expect those two to be ready to roll and do a great job for us."

On Henderson, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury sustained in the team's first preseason scrimmage, "we're optimistic that Darrell will be ready to go as well."

When Thomas Brown spoke with reporters on Aug. 28 and was asked about the range of possibilities between a clear-cut number one running back and a running back by committee, he said it was whatever helps Los Angeles win games.

"Every situation is going to be different," Thomas Brown said. "Obviously you would prefer to have a clear-cut guy to kind of take the majority of the reps and having certain guys have a role in that offense, but I think it's all about how those guys continue to develop, what they do well for us offensively and what can help us win football games."

Looking at the bigger picture, McVay said "it's a balance" between having a clear-cut number one running back and a rotation.

McVay said having an established three-down running back has helped the Rams' offense in the past, pointing to what Gurley was able to accomplish in that role. At the same time, he has three young players he's confident in.

The natural progression of the season may offer clarity, according to McVay, but having three different running backs whose skillsets "present a different kind of change of pace and a different dynamic" to defenses and "can help keep people off balance as well" appeals to him.

"It's really our job to maximize the skillsets of all of our players," McVay said. "If someone establishes themselves as the clear-cut front runner, then I think you'll see that reflected in their play."

So, which running back will be on the field for the first series Sunday night?

"I do not (know) yet," McVay said with a smile. "We might go with five wide (receivers) set, no backs, or we might put all three (running) backs on the field and then two other skill guys. You never know."

Anyone see his ludicrous 27 million a year deal ?
Cardinals are nuts.

Great time for this with Zeke coming to town.

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https://www.therams.com/team/depth-chart

UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART

• OFFENSE
• DEFENSE
• SPECIAL TEAMS

Offense
Offense

Defense
Defense

Special Teams
Special Teams

...and we'll see who comes the closest to ESPN, LA Times and NFL.com headlines.

(Try to keep it in a typical headline format.)

Mine:

SOFI, SO GOOD: RAMS OPEN NEW STADIUM WITH BIG WIN

Jared Goff has 'new edge' after disappointing season, unprecedented offseason
Published: Sep 08, 2020 at 12:23 PM


CALABASAS, Calif. -- Jared Goff plopped himself into a comfortable chair on the back patio of his Hidden Hills home last Thursday evening, smiling at a socially distanced guest at the other end of a round, glass table. The quarterback was barefoot and expectant about the season to come.
In the wake of a disappointing 2019 campaign -- and the most surreal offseason in NFL history -- the 25-year-old believes he and the Los Angeles Rams are headed for an emphatic bounce-back. Beginning Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys at brand-new SoFi Stadium, in front of a massive television audience but with zero fans in the stands, Goff will attempt to help redirect the Rams' trajectory back toward Super Bowl contention as a skeptical football-watching public moves on to brighter and shinier things.
In the stacked NFC West, with the defending champion San Francisco 49ers now at the top of the heap and the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals also generating ample excitement, the Rams are regarded by many as almost an afterthought. Goff gets it -- but the two-time Pro Bowl passer concedes nothing as he prepares for his fifth NFL season.
"There were a lot of things that I've learned from last season that I know I'm better from," Goff told me. "And sometimes you need, you know, a punch in the face, a kick in the face, like, 'Oh man -- I can be better than that.' (But) we didn't have a catastrophe of a year, and that's what it seems to be thought of often when you're coming off a really good year.
"Every year, there seem to be different storylines and different narratives that people want to perpetuate. The Niners had a great year, and so did the Seahawks, and the Cardinals are ascending -- they are a better team than they were last year, at least on paper. Those teams deserve that. It's a tough division. But at the same time, we've gotten better, and I've gotten better. And it's gonna be a fun year."
Twenty months earlier, Goff and I sat in the same backyard for an NFL Network feature that ran on the afternoon of Super Bowl LIII. He was a few days removed from a gritty and clutch NFC Championship Game performance in New Orleans, and the former No. 1 overall pick appeared to be on the verge of showcasing his California Cool on the sport's grandest stage.
Super Sunday turned out to be a massive buzzkill for Goff, who played poorly in a 13-3 defeat to the New England Patriots and then did everything he could to shoulder the blame for his team's offensive ineptitude, despite coach Sean McVay's efforts to do the same.

After signing a four-year, $134 million contract extension five days before the start of the 2019 season, Goff led the Rams to a 3-0 start, and optimism abounded. Then L.A. lost its next three games and Goff leveled off, enduring a two-month stretch of statistically subpar play during which he threw more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven). Despite a strong December, Goff finished with 16 picks and an 86.5 passer rating -- after having been over 100 in each of the previous two season -- and the Rams, winners of the previous two NFC West titles, missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

Game Theory: Rams' 2020 projected win total
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You know the rest: A global pandemic hit, and as hundreds of millions stayed home to try to stem the spread of COVID-19, the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer triggered a wave of protests against racial injustice and police brutality -- and provoked raw and emotional exchanges in virtual meeting rooms across the NFL landscape.
It also helped stir something in Goff, who has locked in on his leadership role and exuded a palpable sense of urgency as a pivotal season approaches.
"There's a new edge to him," said Andrew Whitworth, the Rams' veteran left tackle. "He's got more fight in him, to me. He's always been an exceptional young man with talent. But he's becoming more a young man willing to realize it's all on him to lead and get his team moving forward -- to put it on himself to make it happen, rather than waiting for it to happen to him. He's embraced that."
Goff's transformation transcends football; he's acutely attuned to his peers' perspectives when it comes to the fight against racial inequities. Like many white players, the quarterback was moved by what he heard from many of his African-American teammates in those virtual meetings that occurred in the wake of Floyd's death this past spring. Having grown up in Novato, a largely white suburb north of San Francisco, Goff enjoyed a relatively sheltered existence. At Cal, he took some classes that made him further cognizant of the struggles experienced by minorities, but this time he connected with their collective pain on a more personal level.
"I think this offseason, specifically with what's gone on, has definitely hit me differently than anything before," Goff said. "I would imagine it's centered around hearing stories from my own teammates about some of the ways they've been treated, actually hearing that firsthand. It was just one after another -- teammates, coaches, staff members -- just allowing them to speak their heart out and speak from their experiences.
"As a white guy from a primarily white area, a lot of that stuff is eye-opening and changes the way you see things. You always knew that there were injustices going on against Black people in different communities, but you never really were affected by it, to an extent. As a white person, it's not directly affecting you. You say, 'That doesn't exist near me. ... That's not on the West Coast.'

"And I think when I was able to really listen and hear some of my teammates talk, guys I consider my brothers -- and it affects you differently. Sure enough, you hear guys that are from the West Coast talk about some of the stuff (they've experienced) and you're like, 'Man -- this is obviously not OK.' You really want to act out and want to stand up for them and want to be an ally for them. And just having those continued conversations, that continued dialogue and being a good listener. I think I've learned so much this offseason."
Consequently, Goff plans to translate his principles into action, beginning with an initiative he's announcing Tuesday that launches an ongoing association with the Inglewood Unified School District -- serving a predominantly African-American city near the Los Angeles Airport where SoFi Stadium sits. In what he calls "an effort to help level the educational playing field," Goff purchased scholastic backpacks for 1,000 first-through-third graders. He also announced that the apparel company he launched last year, JG16, will donate all proceeds from merchandise sales to the school district in perpetuity, with Goff matching every dollar.
As Goff explained last Thursday, "Ultimately, I see this building to where I'm able to give a lot of these kids college scholarships."
Said tight end Tyler Higbee: "It's about right and wrong, and he sees that. It shows what type of guy he is when he is willing to step forward, speak up and take initiative with issues off the field."

Hard Knocks: The After Show - Sean McVay describes how sports impacted him
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Goff expects that the locker room conversations about structural racism will continue -- and concedes that things could reach a tipping point if another high-profile incident were to take place during the season. Just as the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer led the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks to walk out on a playoff game last month, with numerous teams across the professional sports landscape following suit, Goff believes he and his Rams teammates could find themselves in a similar situation this fall.
"I mean, if the Jacob Blake incident happened on the Saturday before a Sunday game, I would imagine there would be conversations not to play ... and I would imagine a lot of people wouldn't want to play," said Goff, who believes the team would make a collective decision. "And you hope that doesn't happen ever again, but if it were to, those discussions will be had."
Goff's desire to speak out against injustices falls in line with his continued evolution as a leader. Just as McVay was heartened by the quarterback's willingness to take ownership for his part in the team's disappointing Super Bowl LIII effort, the fourth-year coach appreciates Goff's push for societal change.

"He's got a heart for people and he's really been listening," McVay said. "I think he's really been enlightened and gotten a perspective from so many of our players and coaches who were able to share their experiences. And I think it's really touched him and he wants to be able to take action and do what he can to try to be part of the solution, to be able to speak out against some of these inequalities that have gone on far too long."
In terms of football preparation, Goff took charge in June when he organized informal workouts during the protracted period when players weren't allowed inside team facilities. From flying in teammates who don't spend their offseasons in the Los Angeles area to coordinating drills and practice plans with defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and John Johnson, Goff tried to make the best of a challenging situation.
"That was something Jared took the lead on, and without a doubt it led to our whole team getting better," wide receiver Cooper Kupp said. "We had a solid group of guys that were able to get together and get some great work in, learn our systems and get some invaluable competitive reps against each other."
Said Goff: "It wasn't anything close to what a real practice would be, but we ran seven-on-seven and we were able to run plays as an offense. We had to move fields a few times because of COVID (restrictions), and were getting kicked out of the high school here -- we actually ended up using three different high schools. But we got a couple of weeks of really good work in."
Goff's excitement about the Rams' 2020 offensive prospects stems largely from a late-season stretch that featured three victories in their final five games -- along with a heartbreaking road defeat to the 49ers that extinguished the team's playoff hopes. During that stretch, McVay energized the team's attack by deviating more from the "11" personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) that has served as the Rams' primary formation, injecting players like Higbee into the passing game and moving the pocket to reduce stress on the team's struggling offensive line.
The offseason departures of running back Todd Gurley, a former All-Pro whose effectiveness has been reduced by persistent knee pain, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks increased the outside skepticism about the Rams' offensive prospects. But McVay and Goff are excited about the expected emergence of tight end Gerald Everett and wide receiver Josh Reynolds, a fortified offensive line (with right tackle Rob Havenstein having returned to health after being hobbled by a knee injury in 2019) and the injection of a pair of potential impact rookies (running back Cam Akers and wide receiver Van Jefferson, both second-round draft picks) into the mix.
"I think it's really just about executing more efficiently and then being able to utilize all the skill players that we have, whether that's mixing up your personnel groupings or activating guys to different spots," McVay said. "It's really looking at the things that we didn't do well, and being able to make sure that we get those things fixed. And I think the big thing is, just running the football more efficiently on early downs -- usually, a lot of other good things follow if you're able to do that."

Schrager: Rams WR Van Jefferson drawing Keenan Allen comps at camp
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Said Goff: "I think that's the best thing about Sean: his humility. As good a coach as he is, he's the first one to look inward. Last year, those last five or six games, we really started involving more of our offense, so we didn't live or die by one thing."
And as for the most important man on the offense? Well, Goff concedes that he needs to play better than he did in 2019, beginning with reining in his desire to bail out the team when adversity hits.
"I think I tried to do too much, for sure," Goff said. "That was definitely part of it. Whenever things aren't going exactly how you want them to, as the quarterback, you want to fix it -- you always want to make it right, right now.
"I'm super hard on myself, and that's always been the way I am. Ever since I was at Cal, I was always looking internally -- how can I be better? How can I fix it? How can I make it right? You beat yourself up about it and you look back at some of those games and say, 'Man, if I just didn't make that throw there ... if I made that throw there ... if I made that decision differently there.' You think about that for the whole offseason. But it's something I've learned from and will look back on and get better from. And my process and confidence hasn't changed one bit because of last year."
One area in which Goff has noticeably improved -- and which was on full display in that 34-31 defeat to the Niners in December -- is his ability to throw on the move.
"It's something I've really worked on -- going back to my rookie year, just noticing it as a flaw in my game," Goff said. "And I'm really, really working on it every offseason, with (private throwing coach) Adam Dedeaux and those guys at 3DQB. It's part of my daily routine now, just something I do every day is work on those throws on the run. It's to the point now where I'm confident in any throw when I'm making any movement on any part of the field, and it really, really opens up our offense."
As always in 2020, all eyes will be on the man executing McVay's attack, with plenty of accompanying scrutiny. In Goff's estimation, he has never been more ready -- or eager -- to lead.

Read these lame summaries:
#2 San Fran whiners- They have no one to throw to but Kittle
We're all about giving Kyle Shanahan the benefit of the doubt, but the defending NFC champs will begin the season with serious issues at wide receiver. Let's recap where they're at: Deebo Samuel is working his way back from a broken foot. Richie James Jr. missed camp with a broken wrist. First-round pick Brandon Aiyuk is week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Jalen Hurd tore his ACL. Tavon Austin hit IR with his own knee issue. Emmanuel Sanders exited via free agency, and Travis Benjamin was a COVID-19 opt-out.

#7 Dallas Cowgirls- All they mention is the offensive weapons
In a mailbag on the Cowboys' official site, reporters Nick Eatman and Rob Phillips broke down the similarities in the training camps of first-round pick CeeDee Lamb and 2010 first-rounder Dez Bryant. Lamb has impressed this summer, and it makes you think how truly dangerous Dallas' offense has the potential to be if Lamb quickly develops the way Dez did a decade ago. This is a team that already has an alpha dog No. 1 WR in Amari Cooper and a dynamic Year 3 talent in Michael Gallup. They don't need Lamb to hit the ground running ... but if he does? If Dak Prescott has three receiving stars at his disposal plus Ezekiel Elliott? The 'Boys could field their best offense ever.

#8 Green Puke- Rogers, Rogers, Rogers
Aaron Rodgers told reporters last week he used this bizarre pandemic year of 2020 to "[find his] center a little bit." He said this period of isolation and self-introspection has provided him with an extremely healthy perspective on football and life. You could say this awakening comes at a pretty convenient time for Rodgers, who's about to enter the most pivotal year of his football life. He won't say it, but the 36-year-old Rodgers knows he has to do better than the efficient-but-not-special play he's put on tape the last two years. And if he's secretly harboring bitterness toward the Packers for their decision to draft a quarterback in the first round? There's no better way to stick it to the organization than to deliver a vintage season that makes their impending QB decision as agonizing as possible. Can't you see it?

#9 Seadicks- This is one of the worst, counting on Mr pot head
Josh Gordon is back in the building, adding another intriguing name to a wide receiver room that will do damage if Brian Schottenheimer lets Russell Wilson truly be unlimmmmmmittted. (I'm sorry.) We're not sure what Gordon has left in the tank at 29 with five drug-related bans (he remains suspended as of this writing), but he could provide value for a team in need of receiver depth. The Seahawks are set in their first two spots: Tyler Lockett was excellent last year stepping in for the retired Doug Baldwin, and D.K. Metcalf's gradual bloom as a playmaker was pretty much a best-case scenario for what you hope for out of a rookie wideout.

#14 Philadelphia Beagles-
Vulnerability continues to be a trait connected to the wide receivers room. Alshon Jeffery avoided the PUP list, but stands a good chance of missing the first month of the season as he recovers from foot surgery. The now obligatory summer praise aside, DeSean Jackson (33) has passed the stage where he can be trusted to stay on the field. First-round pick Jalen Reagor is sidelined after suffering a slight tear in his shoulder in the last week of camp. It will be on the likes of J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Greg Ward to keep this group competent and allow Carson Wentz to make this offense go. We remain a tad skeptical.

#17 And this one is the worst; they only write about our QB and most of that is in a negative context
Jared Goff might be the Least Valuable Player on Hard Knocks (the man could put a rabid raccoon to sleep with his monotone delivery), but it feels like people have prematurely written him off as a quarterback who can be a difference-maker. Yes, last year was not pretty, and it's fair to wonder if Goff's statue-like presence in the pocket will continue to be an issue behind the Rams' suspect offensive line. But Goff is still just 25, and he's proven in the past he can light up defenses in Sean McVay's scheme. With Todd Gurley out of the picture, McVay (still one of the game's best minds, by the way) has had an offseason to cook up an attack that puts his QB in the best position to succeed. Cue the Goffaissance!