Yeah, it's about time I did one of these. Definitely assuming that the Rams win the Super Bowl, like every one of my really early mocks. First off, I'll predict a trade of Troy Hill, and the fifty-three man roster and twelve man practice squad for the 2020-2021 season (I'm assuming that the CBA goes back to twelve men allowed after 2020 is over.), so that there aren't any surprises. Also going to predict who leaves via free agency and trades, so...yeah. Here it goes:

Preseason trades:

Troy Hill and 2022 fifth to the New York Giants for 2021 fourth round pick.

(This all depends on if the Giants re-sign Leonard Williams at the beginning of the 2021 season or not or not. If they do re-sign him, the Giants will give up their fourth to the Jets; if not, they'll give the Jets a fifth. I'll go with a 2021 fourth, as that hasn't come to pass yet. The Giants make the most sense as a team that needs a corner; two have opted out, and DeAndre Baker's is an idiot who will likely get prison time. They need secondary help, and with an aggressive new coach and a general manager on the hot seat in a weak division, I could see them making a trade like this.)

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53-man roster:

QB - Jared Goff, John Wolford.
RB - Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown.
WR - Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Josh Reynolds, Nsimba Webster, Easop Winston, Earnest Edwards.
TE - Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Brycen Hopkins, Johnny Mundt.
OL - Andrew Whitworth, Joseph Noteboom, Austin Blythe, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Tremayne Anchrum, Brian Allen. (Chandler Brewer, opt out.)
DL - Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Marquise Copeland (A'Shawn Robinson on PUP, possible IR).
OLB - Leonard Floyd, Samson Ebukam, Travin Howard, Clay Johnston, Micah Kiser, Kenny Young, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Jachai Polite, Natrez Patrick.
DB - Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long, John Johnson, Taylor Rapp, Donte Deayon, Adonis Alexander, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller, Jake Gervase.
ST - Lirim Hajrullahu, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide.

(Yeah, I see us keeping two quarterbacks on the active roster, since they're both durable. Three running backs might be too few, but I can't justify moving Xavier Jones over Webster, Winston, or Edwards, all of whom I'd hate to lose. I think that Mundt will fight for the fourth tight end spot with Blanton, and while I'd like Blanton to win, I see Mundt winning the job. I think that Allen stays on as the backup center, much as I hate the thought, but the other offensive linemen aren't surprising. I don't know if Robinson will make the roster or PUP or - worse still - not play at all during his tenure as a Ram. I'm not going to think too negative yet, but it's concerning. I think that Reeder is a surprise cut Young. As for kicker, I think Hajrullahu makes the roster, considering how his camp has gone.)

12 man practice squad:

Bryce Perkins, QB
Cohl Cabral, OC
Xavier Jones, RB
Kendall Blanton, TE
J.J. Koski, WR
Christian Rozeboom, ILB
Daniel Bituli, ILB
Michael Hoecht, DE
Jonah Williams, DE
Tyrique McGhee, CB
Dayan Lake, CB
Sam Sloman, K

(Perkins is the only other quarterback on the roster, so I see him winning the spot on the practice squad. Cabral will serve as our offensive lineman on the squad. Blanton and Jones will make the squad along with Koski, whose name I've heard a lot in camp. Bituli and Rozeboom will make the practice squad as well. Hoecht and Williams will be our defensive linemen. McGhee and Lake have potential in the backend. Sloman is there in case Hajrullahu fails.)

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Retire/Cut:

Andrew Whitworth.

(I honestly think that if we win the Super Bowl like I think we will, Whitworth will retire. If we don't and he doesn't, I can see us moving on from a soon-to-be forty-year-old left tackle and letting someone else take the job, be it Noteboom, Evans, Edwards, Brewer, or a draft pick.)

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Re-sign:

Jalen Ramsey (five years)
Cooper Kupp (four years)
Darious Williams (RFA)
Travin Howard (ERFA)
Coleman Shelton (ERFA)
Johnny Mundt (RFA)

(No real surprises here. Ramsey and Kupp are must-signs. Williams and Howard showed potential last year. Shelton is a necessary offensive lineman, and Mundt is the current third tight end.)

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Release:

John Johnson
Gerald Everett
Samson Ebukam
Leonard Floyd
Austin Blythe
Malcolm Brown
Josh Reynolds
Donte Deayon
Jake McQuaide
Jamil Demby

(Unfortunately, I don't think we are going to keep JJ3 or Ebukam. Everett offers a tantalizing mix of skills, but has never put it all together. Floyd will likely do well enough for him to sign somewhere else. Reynolds and Brown would have bigger roles on less talented teams. McQuaide is a loss, but we'll probably sign a younger, cheaper long snapper after the draft. Deayon is a nickel back only, and the less said about Blythe and Demby, the better.)

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Trades:

Robert Woods to the Miami Dolphins for 2021 second round pick and 2021 fourth round pick.

(I can't see us keeping Woods at an extended salary, especially if we keep Kupp and Ramsey,. I love Woods as a player and a person, but we simply have to face facts: we can't keep everyone. Miami has an extremely desperate need for a wide receiver. DeVante Parker is the only one of the roster who has proven to be any good, and he's on their franchise tag this year.)

Rob Havenstein to the Cincinnati Bengals for 2021 fourth round pick.

(Havenstein could very well be cut if he doesn't show up this season, but even if he isn't, one of Evans, Edwards, or Brewer (if he comes back) could end up replacing him. Thus we send him to the Bengals, who desperately need help protecting Burrow, and whose signing of Bobby Hart has been a complete failure.)

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Draft:

2nd (Dolphins) - Josh Myers, OC, Ohio State. (6'5", 312 lbs.)

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(Myers is our center of the future. He's an absolute load in the running game, and has no problems simply moving people. He's intelligent as well; he made all of the line calls for Ohio State. He needs work in pass protection, but it's not like he's bad there. He also needs to prove that he's not a product of the two guards next to him.)

2nd - Joseph Ossai, OLB, Texas. (6'3" 245 lbs.)

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(Ossai is an absolute beast, to put it lightly, and he's a perfect fit for what Staley wants to do with his linebackers. He's been used primarily as an edge rusher for the Longhorns, and as such, his coverage skills need a lot of work. But he's an athletic freak who singlehandedly wrecked a good Utah offense in the Alamo Bowl.)

3rd - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, South California. (6'1", 195 lbs.)

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(Yes, it's ironic that Woods' replacement is another USC wideout. St. Brown does everything well. He is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands with the ability to run crisp routes. The only thing he doesn't do well is run blocking, but that's a nitpick. He's been projected in the third round because of this insane receiver class this year.)

3rd (compensatory for Fowler) - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State. (6'6", 301 lbs.)

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(Here's our left tackle of the future. You may ask why Radunz is falling down so far. It's simple: his team isn't playing at all this year, and his level of competition isn't good either. He has issues with technique as well. But the good thing is that he's athletic, strong with more room to grow, and mean, all of which are qualities I love in an offensive lineman.)

4th (Bengals) - Charles Snowden, ILB/OLB, Virginia. (6'7", 235 lbs.)

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(No, the height is not a typo. Snowden is a legit 6'6"/6'7" inside linebacker who could also put on more weight without losing his speed. His length is subsequently insane for a linebacker. He can also play outside linebacker with his length. He really needs to get stronger and work on his coverage and pass-rush moves, but he's a solid inside linebacker to step in.)

4th (Dolphins) - Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri. (6'0", 232 lbs.)

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(Bolton's lack of size and length is the only reason he falls here. He does everything great, whether it's filling in against the run, covering tight ends and running backs, or blitzing. He's incredibly physical, is a leader for Mizzou's top ranked defense, and is like the Energizer bunny in that he never takes off plays.)

4th (Giants) - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina. (6'1", 205 lbs.)

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(Yes, he's the son of Joe Horn, and he's a great cornerback prospect. So far, the younger Horn has proven to be a shutdown cornerback in a tandem at South Carolina. He's athletic, instinctive and physical. The reason he falls here is because he can get grabby and because he hasn't had a single interception in his college career as of yet.)

4th (compensatory for Littleton) - Mustafa Johnson, DE, Colorado. (6'2", 290 lbs.)

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(Johnson is simply too good to pass up at this point. He's a pass-rusher first and foremost, and he can easily get into the backfield. He's light for a defensive tackle and doesn't have the best length either, but he's an intelligent and explosive player who can play all over the defensive line. I like him as a pass-rushing backup to Brockers.)

6th - Cole Van Lanen, OL, Wisconsin. (6'5", 312 lbs.)

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(Van Lanen is already an amazing run blocker. He has country strength for days and enough technique to make him a force at left tackle. He's all right at pass blocking as well, but struggles with stiff hips and a lack of mobility. That could force him to right tackle or guard, but he's versatile enough to play all three of those positions.)

7th - Talanoa Hufanga, SS, South California. (6'1", 215 lbs.)

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(Hufanga is projected as a seventh round pick because of numerous injuries to his collarbone and shoulder. Now for the good: this kid simply flies around the field as a heat-seeking missile, almost never misses tackles, covers tight ends, and plays as a big nickel safety who can play special teams as well.)

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Priority UDFAs:

Max Borghi, RB, Washington State. (5'9", 195 lbs.)

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(Borghi is one of two running backs I'd target in the ranks of the undrafted. He's too light to stay in for pass-protection, but he's an amazing receiver, cat-quick, has great speed, and plays more physical than his size indicates.)

Trey Ragas, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette. (5'10", 227 lbs.)

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(Ragas is my sleeper for this draft. He's not a good pass-catcher, isn't fast at all, but pass protects well, is physical, breaks many tackles, has incredible vision, and was dominant against Alabama in 2018.)

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As you noticed, I didn't include a long snapper in the draft or UDFA. I cannot, for the life of me, find a good site for draft eligible long snappers. However, I trust Snead to find one.

So, thoughts, comments, critiques, all are welcome.

It will NOT be easy!!!

I took a little different approach to this today but I’m excited for this dude. Van Jefferson.
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Last week was fun to follow these shows, then tweets of the scrimmage as it happens.

If you see tweets and news, discussion as it happens.... put all that here!

———

Saturday's second and final Scrimmage / SoFi Stadium
Scheduled kick off: 1 p.m. pacific time

The Rams will air pre- and post-scrimmage shows on their website, YouTube channel and Facebook and Twitter pages.

therams.com/trainingcamp
www.facebook.com/rams
www.youtube.com/larams
www.therams.com/app
therams.com

Voice of the Rams J.B. Long, co-host Maurice Jones-Drew, team reporter Sarina Morales and Rams legend D'Marco Farr will preview the action before the start of the scrimmage, then cover the highlights and top takeaways once the scrimmage concludes.

Additionally, theRams.com will be publishing halftime notes and a post-scrimmage 10 observations recap.

Okay, hoping to start or restart this convo. I would ask even if it means tons of copy pasta to have folks say why they think a game is a win or loss.

With no further ado

Week 1 DALLAS (home): WIN

I think most home teams win this week with zero travel prep and increased requirements. Couple that with such late cuts and I think being home week 1 may be one of the biggest advantages of the season. I think it will be close as we'll be tasked with stopping the run early and often, but I like our LB corps better than most and think they're up for the job. I KNOW our secondary is. Likewise, I have a feeling that McVay is gonna unleash the RBs in creative ways that help take pressure off of Goff. I like this game, though there will be concerns all around afterward.

Week 2 PHILADELPHIA (away): WIN

They're getting bit by the injury bug at maybe the worst position to be bit against the Rams... interior OL. We match up well with them and I think our secondary is a better match against their passing game than theirs secondary is with our passing game.

Week 3 BUFFALO (away): LOSS

Just basic statistics says that winning the second of two road games is difficult. Couple that with the NFL not allowing us to remain on the east coast means two weeks of traveling to the east coast and the time change issues. We are strong enough to have a chance in every game, but early on with two weeks of travel, I expect a bit of a let down.

Week 4 NY GIANTS (home): WIN

The Giants remind me of the Fisher Rams. They have talent at important positions, but it's just not coming together. They will give some teams fits and others they'll lose ugly to. Young QB, but not enough offensive coaching to put it to work.

Week 5 WASHINGTON (away): WIN

The Rams have always been one of the best road teams in the league under McVay and Washington has pretty much been a mess under Daniel Snyder's ownership. This is an early year east coast trip and the Washington Football Team will not have an answer for any of our units.

Week 6 SAN FRANCISCO (away): WIN

The Rams know how to beat this team now and with Ramsey likely to spend a fair bit of time on Kittle and the Rams committing to the run, I think the Rams are well poised to win this slobberknocker. SF is close enough that this won't feel like a road game and the familiarity with the 49ers will obviate much of the factors which go into that "it's very difficult to win the 2nd straight away game" deal. Their D will give us problems, but Van Jefferson is a dimension we haven't had (basically 3 of the same type of receiver in Woods, Kupp and Jefferson) and if McVay would just listen to me and look at a few ways Martz used Faulk for ideas for utilizing Cam Akers, they could potentially embarrass the Niners in their own home.

Week 7 CHICAGO (home): WIN

Trubiski isn't gonna be the guy and the Bears have taken a step back in what is a tough division with both Green Bay and the Vikes working hard to improve. This isn't a game in Soldier Field in December and this is a relatively easy win for the Rams.

Week 8 MIAMI (away): WIN

The Rams are on a 5 game winning streak going to a team that only seems to rise up against their own division. Rams are on a roll and this continues in Miami

Week 9 BYE

Week 10 SEATTLE (home): WIN

McVay's Rams do very well coming off of a bye week and this is no exception. Division game at home after a bye? Yeah, this is a win. Tough win because Russell Wilson keeps them in the game.

Week 11 TAMPA (away): WIN

Rams have generally done well against Tampa unless they screw up early like the last time. Their front 7 is legit and their offense isn't likely to take a step down with Brady at the helm. Maybe fewer explosive plays, but more consistent play over all will make this a tough day for our D. That said, their D still has issues in the secondary and that's where we shine. I expect this to be a very high scoring affair with the Rams winning late.

Week 12 SAN FRANCISCO (home): WIN

We should have A'Shawn Robinson back and he's going to be slowly improving and gelling with the DL and this is the game where he shows up, really improving the run D and forcing Jimmy G to throw. Ramsey on Kittle makes it a tough day for Jimmy G. Another slobberknocker, but this win will be easier than the last one.

Week 13 ARIZONA (away): WIN

The Cards had weapons last year and a defense last year and they weren't really close. Their issues on the OL continue and while Kyler Murray improves, he's not Russell Wilson and has no idea how to handle Aaron Donald in his face all day.

Week 14 NEW ENGLAND (home): WIN

Coach B may be the best ever even as a cheater (sorta like Lance Armstrong), but I think they are undervaluing Brady and how fast his release was based on his knowledge of that offense which isn't the easiest to learn. Considering we're using a Fangio based 3-4 which uses many more disguises than Wade's D did and whoever is their QB will be facing a defense rounding into playoff form. Their D keeps it close, but our D contributes to the scoring and we win in a game that's both closer and under what oddsmakers expect.

Week 15 NEW YORK JETS (home): WIN

This is a flex game and we're likely not gonna be flexed to Sunday Night because I don't expect the Jets to do much. Sam Darnold is okay, but I just don't see the Jets getting much of a break. We're gonna be fighting like hell for home field throughout and no way we let up here.

Week 16 SEATTLE (away): LOSS

I hate these late season games in Seattle. There may be fans at this point, it'll be cold and rainy and with both teams likely playing for a playoff spot, this is gonna be one of those games where it's close, but they get us.

Week 17 ARIZONA (home): WIN

First season in the new place and this team will want to go undefeated at home and they do. AZ is gonna want to play spoiler, but we aren't gonna be resting anyone as Tampa, Green Bay and New Orleans are chasing us for that #1 spot

That's how I see it. 14-2 and the #1 spot in the NFC.

I think the NFC East is terrible this year and the Cowboys are basically a disappointment that barely squeaks into the playoffs.

I think with the Bears and Lions having down years, the NFC North isn't as competitive which leads both the Pack and the Vikes to have inflated records.

I think Carolina is gonna be a tough out, but see a lot of losses and Atlanta doesn't have a bounce back as they fail in doing the balancing act with Gurley as we did.

The teams I think are gonna be in the playoffs for the NFC are

1 Rams 14-2
2 New Orleans 13-3
3 Green Bay 12-4
4 Dallas 9-7
5 San Francisco 12-4
6 Tampa 11-5
7 Seattle 11-5

I realize this may seem very optimistic, but the only thing I'm really being optimistic about is our health and there's no accounting for that, really.

I've only given any bonus for A'Shawn Robinson in one game and I think we still win without him.

I think the league is gonna recognize how good we have it with Van Jefferson, Cam Akers is gonna be a revelation especially in the second half of the season and Terrell Lewis is gonna make waves even as a situational player because we're STACKED at OLB now.

Lastly, I think far too many of the prognosticators are looking at last year's teams, only looking at names and not contribution (e.g. slamming for losing Weddell, Matthews, Gurley and Cooks when in each case, it's been addition by subtraction). This team is better than last year's team at a number of positions and McVay has another offensive mind both to help game plan and to help ensure that he doesn't get predictable as he has in the past.

I think our floor is 10-6 and our ceiling is 16-0 insofar as every game on our schedule is winnable.

But yeah, I think we can definitely go 14-2 and this is how I see that we'd get there.

I don't know how this isn't leading every single news network.


The U.S. Marshals Service found 39 missing children in Georgia over two weeks in a mission known as "Operation Not Forgotten," the agency announced in a press release Thursday. The operation led to the rescue of 26 children and the safe location of 13 others.

"These missing children were considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area, based on indications of high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions," the press release reads.

The U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit worked with the agency's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, state and local agencies in Georgia, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a non-profit organization.

Nine criminal associates were also arrested and investigators cleared 26 arrest warrants. Investigators also filed additional charges for alleged crimes related to sex trafficking, parental kidnapping, registered sex offender violations, drugs and weapons possession, and custodial interference, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

"When we track down fugitives, it's a good feeling to know that we're putting the bad guy behind bars. But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child," Darby Kirby, chief of the Missing Child Unit, said in a statement.

"We are working to protect them and get them the help they need," he said.

The USMS said that last year it helped recover 295 missing children and has contributed to the recovery of a missing child in 75 percent of cases. Sixty-six percent of recovered missing children were recovered within a week of the USMS helping with the case, according to the release.

"The message to missing children and their families is that we will never stop looking for you," director of the Marshals Service, Donald Washington, said in a statement.

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Just straight fuck 2020 you can go away and never come back.

Just letting you know, not only is it almost 4 months since I ordered my son his AD jersey, they just moved the delivery date to late November.

Meanwhile, I've received many ads to buy the same thing from Dicks and my son would be wearing it by now.

Great partner you all chose, NFL/Rams.

Ironic Epilogue: Just received an email from the Rams Store to buy the exact AD jersey I've been waiting for all these months! Sure, let's do THAT!

NFL execs name Cooper Kupp one of the most underrated players

Cameron DaSilva

11 hours ago
Cooper Kupp isn’t widely considered one of the NFL’s best wide receivers – not yet, at least. However, he is deserving of being placed in that second tier of players after am 1,161-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2019.
His peers recognized his talent on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2020 list by voting him the 89th-best player in the league, and executives are taking notice, too. ESPN polled executives across the NFL to find out who are the most underrated players in the league.
Kupp was among them, getting praise from an NFL coach who said the Rams receiver rarely has a matchup that doesn’t favor him.
“Show me a matchup that’s been unfavorable for him,” one NFL head coach said. “I know DBs are always concerned about him. He rarely goes down on first contact, makes the most of his speed. He’ll show a lot this year.”
Kupp wasn’t voted one of the 10 best receivers in the NFL when ESPN originally polled executives to rank players at each position. He didn’t get enough votes to land in the next three spots, either. However, he’s rising the ranks as a highly productive slot receiver, which should continue in 2021 after last year’s breakout season.
He was the only Ram to make the list of the most underrated players in the league, but hopefully next year he’ll be ranked in the top 10 at wideout.

Crisper execution, continued roster evaluation the focuses of second and final preseason scrimmage

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – One last dress rehearsal, one last chance to assess the back-end of the 80-man roster.

With no preseason games this year, Saturday's second and final scrimmage inside SoFi Stadium – scheduled to kick off around 1 p.m. pacific time – will give Rams head coach Sean McVay and his staff their final best chance to do both.

"Just good, crisp execution on both sides," McVay said, when asked during a video conference Thursday morning what he's looking to get out of the team's last scrimmage. "You want to limit the self-inflicted wounds, the pre-snap penalties. Whether it's jumping off sides offensively or defensively. You want to see guys play with the right fundamentals and techniques, communicate at a high level."

The first scrimmage gave Los Angeles' coaching staff "about 150 plays" by McVay's estimation to evaluate on film, though the players' workload won't be quite as intensive this time around. McVay attributed the playcount last Saturday to "getting guys up to speed and in game shape."

"I think you'll see a lot of our top guys try to get in between anywhere from 45 and 50 snaps and the same for some of our other players in that second half," McVay said. "I think you're looking more at 90-100 plays, as opposed to 140 or something that we got (last week)."

That still leaves plenty of opportunities for the rest of the roster ahead of a key deadline.

One week after Saturday's scrimmage – Sept. 5, 1 p.m. pacific time – teams must reduce their 80-man rosters to their initial 53-man regular season form. While the Rams have been consistent about creating competition for players fighting for roster spots in training camp practice by having the reserves face the first team defense, for example, those remaining 50-55 snaps will be a crucial part of evaluating the rest of the roster.

"It's going to be a really good opportunity for some of our younger players to get a significant amount of work in the second part of this scrimmage," McVay said. "Everything we do is important and evaluated, but this certainly represents a big 'Opp' for a lot of guys."

Along with continued roster evaluation, one goal from the first scrimmage that will carry over to the second will be becoming more comfortable with a new home gameday routine.

"Staying at a new team hotel the night before and just being comfortable getting to the stadium, where they park, and how they're getting to the locker room," McVay said. "As you guys saw, that's quite a stadium. So, I just want to get all those things that sometimes you take for granted in a year where you don't have those preseason opportunities to usually get that stuff figured out. That's as big a part of this as anything."

From a player perspective, quarterback Jared Goff's goal is sharpness and efficiency during the time the first team offense and first team defense share the field.

"And just distribute the ball a little bit better than I did in the previous scrimmage, just take completions where they were," Goff said during a video conference Thursday evening. "I thought we had a good first half last scrimmage, the second half kind of got away from us a little bit. But get back to that first half-feeling we had and just distribute the ball."

SCRIMMAGE COVERAGE

The Rams will air pre- and post-scrimmage shows on their website, YouTube channel and Facebook and Twitter pages.

Voice of the Rams J.B. Long, co-host Maurice Jones-Drew, team reporter Sarina Morales and Rams legend D'Marco Farr will preview the action before the start of the scrimmage, then cover the highlights and top takeaways once the scrimmage concludes.

Additionally, theRams.com will be publishing halftime notes and a post-scrimmage 10 observations recap.

The official ROD leagues are open! Join Today!

We have 2 official ROD games: Pick’em and Survivor (double-elimination).

We may add additional leagues, but these are the annual “official ones”.

To Join...

Click Pick’em from the top ribbon. Or simply click here; JOIN

Then select your league.




Then select, JOIN POOL;



From here, you can make your week #1 picks;




PICK’EM

Pick’em Straight Up Winner (no spread)

General

• Pick all available games each week, your goal is to pick the winners.
• For each correct pick, you earn 1 point. Highest points each week, wins the week.
• Ties count as a win
• Thursday games will not be in this pool.
• Highest points at the end of our 17 week season will be the ROD Champion!

Picks

• Notifications and reminders will be sent on Tuesday.
• It is YOUR RESPOSIBILITY to verify that you’ve selected who you intended to select.

Picks Deadlines

• The new week begins every Tuesday at 8 am EST.
• You can change your picks up to (about) an hour before game time.
• The league has been set to auto pick visitors, if a player forgets to make his picks.

SURVIVOR

Survivor Double Elimination

General

• Pick one team each week that you think will WIN.
• You can only pick each team once.
• Thursday games will not be in this pool... so factor that in to strategy.
• If the team you pick loses, you get a strike.
• You are eliminated after 2 strikes.
• Ties count as a win
• Pool ends when there is one player left who survives the longest!

Picks

• Teams that you have already picked will automatically set to unavailable.
• Notifications and reminders will be sent on Tuesday.
• Once a player makes their pick, it shows as hidden. If there is no “hidden” then no pick has been made yet.
• It is YOUR RESPOSIBILITY to verify that the pick you made is the one you intended to select.

Picks Deadlines

• The new week begins every Tuesday at 8 am EST.
• You can change your pick up to (about) an hour before game time.
• Once your selected game starts (within an hour) your pick is locked in.

Pretty ironic, but today marks 21 years since Trent Green went down with an injury. So we celebrate the birth of the GSOT by repping Kurt Warner in today’s countdown. Who else would it be anyway, right?
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Also, fuck Rodney Harrison.

Forgot to post yesterday. The best kicker in Rams history, Jeff “Money” Wilkins.
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3 takeaways from QB John Wolford’s command of the Rams offense

The performance of LA Rams backup QB John Wolford at Saturday’s scrimmage was very impressive. Or perhaps was very confirming of the Rams decision to stick with him as the primary backup. Of course, he has yet to play in an NFL game, but some backup quarterbacks never really do. All Wolford can do in the scenarios that he plays football is to prove that he is the guy deserving of lining up under center.

Wolford is still wet behind the ears in terms of NFL experience, and particularly in terms of the LA Rams. From the moment the Rams cut QB Brandon Allen in 2019, they committed to Wolford as their quarterback of the future. Even as the team’s confidence level in Wolford rose, they tucked him away on the 2019 practice squad. The 6-foot-1 200-pound dual-threat quarterback is somebody who just seems to “fit” what the Rams offense is designed to do.

Dual-threat swarming NFL

Looking at the NFL, the presence of dual-threat quarterbacks is on the rise. The latest examples of excellence in the NFL at the quarterback position are Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Lamar Jackson. While they each have their own respective talents, the shape of the NFL game is changing rapidly as a result. Think of the newest quarterbacks in the NFL creating buzz? Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray, Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, and Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts.

With the momentum behind the NFL movement to “go mobile”, the ability to defend dual-threat quarterbacks will rise as well. In the past, the key to defending mobile quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Cam Newton was to assign one defender as the “spy” to mirror the quarterback and use the pass rush to stay in their lanes and create containment. But over time, defenses have become faster and leaner. That paves the way for Wolford’s skills at the position.

He deserves the primary backup role

Has LA Rams quarterback put in his dues for a shot to backup Jared Goff? That’s not exactly how this should, or will, work. After all, the question is never raised if a player is drafted in the first round in the NFL draft. So why should it work that way for a backup? So far, it’s not working that way for the Rams. The Rams roster is based on the merit system. The fact that John Wolford is the presumed backup quarterback already means that he’s earned the role.

While he wasn’t drafted early in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s certainly made the most of his NFL opportunities since. He was signed after the 2018 draft by the New York Jets. After his release from the Jets, the Rams added Wolford to their quarterbacks’ squad in the spring of 2019 along with veteran quarterback Blake Bortles.

2019 preseason hero

It was Wolford’s 2019 preseason performance that caught the LA Rams coaches attention. In the preseason, Wolford was just,. very effective. In four preseason games in 2019, he passed for 54, 26, 105, and 64 yards. But he did pass for three touchdowns and threw no interceptions. While that may not seem like much, it was very impressive for a player who shared time with other quarterbacks in each game.

Wolford made the most of what he was given. And so far, he is picking right up in the 2020 training camp. In the scrimmage game, Wolford was able to score against both the first and second string. In one sequence, he tossed a needle threader to Nsimba Webster. In the other, he put one out there to the rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson, who dragged a toe to get the second touchdown. One scrimmage, a couple of touchdowns. What’s not to love?

Rams HC Sean McVay is leaning on his RGIII history

While the arrival of the mobile quarterback seems to be taking the NFL by storm. Keep in mind that the LA Rams head coach Sean McVay has a rich and robust history with coaching a very mobile dual-threat quarterback when he was the Washington Football Team’s offensive coordinator. During his time, he had the opportunity to design plays for quarterback Robert Griffin III.

While Griffin is the backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. he certainly afforded the Washington offense a wide range of new play options That type of wide-open offense is a bit tough to forget. Much like driving a clutch automobile, every new car will never deliver the same thrill of listening to the engine purr, watching the tachometer, and the rhythmic shift to the next gear. The need to remain engaged is invigorating.

Dual-threat planning

With a dual-threat quarterback, offensive coaches need to remain just as engaged. Not just in runs or passes, but also how the play sets up potential escape routes for the quarterback to choose when scrambling to extend the play. Planning for a dual-threat quarterback truly takes it up a notch, even to the point of running lanes.

Griffen was eventually replaced in the Washington offense by teammate Kirk Cousins. After he injured his knee, the goal was to prevent injuries by designing more pocket plays for him. It’s not just McVay who has that background with mobile quarterbacks. New offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell worked a miraculous job by transforming Washington’s rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins

The impact of OC Kevin O’ Connell is apparent

The Rams quarterbacks will develop rapidly this year. How so? Well, the Rams offense has HC Sean McVay as the offensive playbook, play-caller sort of guy. The Rams quarterbacks, Jared Goff, John Wolford, and Bryce Perkins have their own offensive coordinator in Kevin O’Connell.

While we have talked at length about the impact of O’Connell on Goff’s game: Not only how he will help Goff read defenses more effectively, but also in the way that the Rams package the offense to be more “Goff friendly”. But while the Rams work to help Goff, the more critical work is after Goff on the depth chart.

QB whisperer

The LA Rams did not retain any veteran quarterbacks with the team this year. While you can debate the proper number of backups to carry on the roster in 2020, the fact is that Wolford is the Rams backup quarterback. With no NFL game experience, and partial duty in four 2019 preseason games, how can the Rams be so trusting he can answer the bell? Simple, because they have O’Connell.

The most difficult thing for young quarterbacks in the NFL is processing what they see. But O’Connell is like adding another CPU chip to their brains. He breaks down what they see, aims them at the proper keys, and helps them digest the plays so that they too can be in a position to make a game-winning throw. Wolford has not played in an NFL game, yet. But thanks to the help from offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, he’ll look like a veteran if and when he does.

10 Observations from the Rams' Aug. 27 training camp practice

After each practice of Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, Rams staff writer Stu Jackson will share 10 observations from the session. Here are his notes from Thursday, Aug. 27:

1) Following the team's stretching period, Rams head coach Sean McVay paused practice to give players a chance to say what's on their mind. While McVay wanted to keep the specifics "in-house," he said after practice that those types of conversations are "always about being able to connect with our guys, make sure we understand their perspectives and really be able to figure out a way to put some tangible things in place to try and move the needle in the right direction."

2) Rams players wore helmets but no pads today, though this was likely by design. While the current contact integration period that began Aug. 18 encompasses 20 calendar days, the modified Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates a maximum of 14 practices in pads.

3) Safety Taylor Rapp (helmet) and running back Darrell Henderson (no helmet) were once again doing work off to the side.

4) Left tackle Andrew Whitworth and cornerback Jalen Ramsey each had a veteran's day off, per McVay. This naturally created more opportunities for younger offensive linemen and defensive backs, especially during 1-on-1 and 11-on-11 work.

5) With Whitworth getting a veteran's day off, rookie offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum Jr. saw some reps with the first team offensive line during 11-on-11 drills.

6) As for the defensive backs, cornerback Dont'e Deayon, rookie safety Terrell Burgess and cornerback Darious Williams each had some nice moments during 1-on-1 drills. Deayon had a pass breakup against rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson, Williams against wide receiver Robert Woods and Burgess against wide receiver Nsimba Webster.

7) Toe-drag/tap swag. For as much as these observations have discussed Jefferson's separation and footwork, we can't forget about fourth-year wide receiver Cooper Kupp's, either. During 1-on-1 redzone work, Kupp hauled in an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch in the back corner of the endzone on a pass from quarterback Jared Goff. Kupp displayed his footwork again during 7-on-7 drills by getting both feet in for a tight back-of-the-endzone touchdown catch on another Goff pass.

8) John Wolford keeps looking sharp. The second-year reserve quarterback had touchdown passes to Webster, Jefferson and rookie wide receiver J.J. Koski during 7-on-7 drills.

9) Lots of near-interceptions. Deayon nearly picked off Goff during 11-on-11 work, and rookie safety Jordan Fuller nearly jumped in front of a Wolford pass for rookie wide receiver Trishton Jackson during the same period. In 7-on-7 work, inside linebacker Micah Kiser nearly intercepted a Goff pass that turned into a touchdown to tight end Gerald Everett. In fairness to the offense, this anticipation from the defense shouldn't be surprising since they've been going against the same offense for two weeks. Meanwhile, the offense is practicing against a new defense after seeing the same one in practice for three years.

10) Kickers Austin MacGinnis and Lirim Hajrullahu both got work during the 11-on-11 portion of practice, with each attempting a pair field goals from about 49 yards. MacGinnis went 1 for 2, while Hajrullahu converted both.

Yeah, I’m fully aware that it’s much too early for this conversation. But what else is there to talk about in this Covid offseason without even preseason games? Besides, it could be fun.

They say that any draft that yields 3 starters is a great draft. On a team with a pretty loaded roster 3 new starters is a tremendous draft.

Well, I’m not seeing 3 new starters from this rookie class by opening day for the Rams. Not by opening day, anyway, but by midseason? Maybe 4 new starters are possible plus a few other significant contributors that are not actual starters.

Here’s what my crystal ball is telling me.

Akers and a kicker will be our only rookie new opening day starters. And the kicker might be considered a ‘starter’ as a technicality.

By midseason, though, I see the rookie ‘starters’ expanding.

Darrell Lewis
Van Jefferson (this kid might actually beat out Reynolds by opening day) Now we’re up to 4 new starters.

By midseason, if not much before, I foresee both Burgess and Fuller as significant contributors in various Staley schemes. Burgess has a decent shot as opening day nickel CB.

So, if we take a couple of steps back for better perspective on this draft, I’m thinking that Snead/McVay really nailed this draft, especially at the top. Not an easy thing to do with a loaded roster such as the Rams enjoy.

I LOVE this draft! Hot Damn!

Rams’ kicking game still in good hands with Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide

THOUSAND OAKS — They were together for eight years. As long as the Dodgers’ infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey. Almost as long as the special team of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Then, for the Rams’ kicking game, the band broke up.

Special-teams coordinator John Fassel left for the Cowboys in January, and placekicker Greg Zuerlein followed his coach to Dallas as a free agent. Left behind in L.A. were punter and holder Johnny Hekker and long snapper Jake McQuaide.

In training camp, Hekker, 30, and McQuaide, 32, find themselves breaking in a new coordinator, NFL coaching veteran John Bonamego, and three candidates to be the team’s kicker.

“It’s been, actually, kind of cool,” McQuaide, whose phrasing suggests he’s surprised too, told reporters Tuesday, noting he began working with Fassel in St. Louis in 2012, as did Hekker and Zuerlein.

“Those relationships and those friendships and that trust isn’t something that happens overnight. We’ve been working since we started getting together on these Zoom (meetings), to start building towards that.”

They miss Zuerlein. The kicker and his holder and snapper made the Pro Bowl together in 2017, and combined on the biggest single moment in the Rams’ new L.A. era: the 57-yard field goal that won the 2018 NFC championship game. But Hekker pointed out that, coincidentally, Zuerlein and the Cowboys will be at SoFi Stadium for both teams’ season opener Sept. 13.

“The weird part about this is I’m going to get to see him – he’s just going to be on the other sideline. So, that’s kind of a great way to open up the season and just a cool way to see an old friend,” said Hekker, who is still in a texting group with Zuerlein and McQuaide.

Hekker and McQuaide welcomed Bonamego, based on what they’d seen of the special teams he coached for the Detroit Lions and four previous NFL teams.

“I was obviously sad when Bones (Fassel) moved on — he’s a great friend of mine and a great coach,” McQuaide said. “But I was excited to get a new coach that I have a lot of respect for. Anytime you get a new set of eyes on you, it’s a great opportunity as a player to grow.”

Two questions face the Rams kicking team – one silly, one serious.

First, can Hekker hit SoFi Stadium’s Oculus video board with a punt?

He tried before the scrimmage there Saturday.

“I connected on one pretty good, and it was still pretty short,” Hekker said Monday. “So, I’m not sure. I just have to keep working, keep grinding, and I’m going to get one off the Oculus one of these days.”

Second, but not least, who will be the Rams’ new kicker?

Free agents Lirim Hajrullahu (from the CFL) and Austin MacGinnis (AAF, XFL) and seventh-round draft pick Sam Sloman (Miami of Ohio) have been tested since training camp opened Aug. 3, including game-situation field-goal tries from as long as 50 yards in the SoFi Stadium scrimmage.

“I think you would be comfortable with any of the three going into the season,” McQuaide said. “It’s competition, and each one of them is handling it, and we will see how it pans out.

“You can have talent as a kicker and not be the best kicker. They all have the physical abilities to kick it as far as you need it. And (on) the mental side of it, they all have done very well so far.”

McVay said the coaches are in no hurry to choose. They’d like to have one man handle field goals and kickoffs.

Whoever kicks, McVay said, he’ll be in good hands with McQuaide snapping and Hekker holding.

“Everybody already attributes the misses or the makes to the kicker, but it truly is a reflection of the entire operation of the snap, the hold and the kick,” McVay said.

“That’s why you feel so good about two of those three parts being reflective of true consistency over the years.”

Notes

• Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey pledged to donate $1 million to Purpose Preparatory Academy in his home town of Nashville, allowing the school to expand its programming, according to the Athletes First sports agency. Ramsey said he wants “to help level the playing field” in education.

• Sean McVay said the Rams and Ramsey’s agent continue to work on a contract extension. The coach said he wouldn’t worry if it weren’t agreed to before the season. “You know this guy’s not going to be distracted by whether it is or isn’t done,” McVay said Wednesday.

• Injured running back Darrell Henderson (hamstring) and safety Taylor Rapp (knee) weren’t on the practice field, but they did rehab drills on the sideline. McVay, who hopes they’ll be OK for the opener, called it a “step in the right direction.”

• All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald had a “veteran’s day off” from practice. “We had to give some of those interior (offensive) linemen a breather,” McVay joked.

• McVay said the Rams’ scrimmage at SoFi Stadium on Saturday afternoon will be more like a game run-through than the first one Saturday. They’ll mimic the routine right down to staying at a team hotel the night before.

• Rookie defensive back Terrell Burgess, who is from the San Diego area, is disappointed that the Rams’ plan to have no fans at SoFi Stadium to start the season could mean his family can’t attend games. “My mom called me last night, and she wasn’t too happy about that,” Burgess said.

10 Observations from the Rams' Aug. 26 training camp practice

1) Saw safety Taylor Rapp (knee) in uniform – pads and helmet included – doing some work off to the side with members of the Rams' athletic training staff. While running back Darrell Henderson (hamstring) didn't have pads and a helmet on, he was also doing the same. Rams head coach Sean McVay said after practice this activity was "a step in the right direction" for both.

2) In a setting that prompted flashbacks to last Saturday's scrimmage, rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson matched up with cornerback Jalen Ramsey twice during one-on-one redzone work. While Ramsey got the best of Jefferson on Saturday, it was Jefferson who won each of those two reps in today's practice.

3) Also similar to last Saturday's scrimmage, Jefferson got reps with both reserves and the first-team offense and was routinely getting open against defensive backs belonging to both groups.

4) Defensive tackle Aaron Donald had a veteran's day off. "We needed to give those interior (offensive) lineman a breather," McVay joked.

5) Even on his day off, though, Donald was still active throughout practice by helping defensive line coach Eric Henderson coach the group during drills.

6) At the same time, the offense seemed to capitalize on Donald's absence. During 11-on-11 work, Goff connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp over the middle on what would've been roughly a 20-yard touchdown pass and also completed a short pass to wide receiver Robert Woods for a 2-point conversion.

7) The first-team run defense did a nice job of getting penetration during situational redzone work. One notable play was defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day stopping rookie running back Cam Akers in the backfield for a loss.

8) While it was against the third-team defense, Akers delivered another display of his physicality with the the first-team offense. From near midfield in opponent territory, he broke off what would've been a long run to the right side and ran over the only defensive back who stood in his way. Like we saw during the second practice in pads, Akers is not one to shy away from contact.

9) Rookie offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum Jr. saw action with the second-team unit today. This comes after seeing veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth taking the time to mentor Anchrum during yesterday's practice.

10) Kickers Sam Sloman and Lirim Hajrullahu each hit a roughly 40-yard field goal during situational 11-on-11 work. The scenario for both was the end of a drive during the final two minutes of the first half.

Are we having our Fantasy Football Leagues this year?

I say things get hyped because of the past, etc etc etc.

I've posted one of these the last few seasons because IMO it's nice to see these things instead of all the negativity. Say what you want about Ramsey but he's a good dude for doing this.

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Share what you see them doing please.

Oldie but goldie. The QB to take us to our first Super Bowl, Vince Ferragamo.
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When the SR71 was retired it was because it wasn't needed anymore. The rumor mill circulated that the new spy plane code named Aurora must be in operation. Well they were right only it wasn't an aircraft as we know it. How do I know UFO's are real? Why do I feel the US Government is actively in contact with Aliens? It's because of this paper given to National Security Vendors in 2018. But my knowledge of the project goes back to around 2000. The technology was reversed engineered and with technical help from "friendlies". How do you think the US is decades ahead of everyone else in stealth technology. Both the Russians and Chinese know we have it and they know they can't stop it from spying on them. It's why there have been huge number of sightings of triangular UFO's in NV and the Southwest. It's also one of the reason's I'm here specifically in Tucson. To tell you how far the US is ahead of everyone in some areas, a dogflight flyoff combat simulation pitting a seasoned F16 fighter instructor and an AI fighter plane saw the human lose every engagement. This is why the AF and Navy are building AI flown combat wingmen in drones. Sorry for the poor quality it's a scan of a scan.