NFL management rankings: How do all 32 head coaches stack up?

theScore's football staff evaluates the leadership positions within each NFL organization to determine which franchise possesses the best management group.

32. Adam Gase - Jets

The New York Jets hired Gase to be something of an offensive guru, but they finished dead last in total offense and second-last in scoring in 2019. Though he inherited a leaky offensive line and few playmakers with the Jets, this isn't the first time Gase has struggled as a head coach; he's never produced an offense ranked better than 24th in his four years with the title. Accordingly, fans soured on him by the end of the season, with "Fire Adam Gase" appearing on banners and billboards.

31. Joe Judge - Giants

There's little evidence on which to judge this move by the New York Giants. The former New England Patriots special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach was a surprise hire this offseason, becoming the first special teams coordinator since 2008 to land a head coaching job. Judge is just 38 years old and learned under Bill Belichick, but he's held a job outside of special teams for only one season. He begins the 2020 campaign as our lowest-ranked rookie coach.

30. Matt Patricia - Lions

The rocket scientist hasn't figured out how to get the Detroit Lions to launch; Patricia has a 9-22-1 record in two years as a head coach. His tenure has been a rocky one, to say the least. And though the organization has stuck by him, the same can't be said for some of his players. Former Lions corner Darius Slay petitioned for a trade, afterward revealing that he and his ex-coach didn't see eye to eye and that it was hard to play for Patricia. The 45-year-old enters 2020 firmly on the hot seat.

29. Zac Taylor - Bengals

Taylor has just one season of work to evaluate, but he couldn't have made a worse head coaching debut. The Cincinnati Bengals lost their first 11 games of 2019 and were the last team to record a win. Taylor benched franchise quarterback Andy Dalton only to reinstall him as the starter three weeks later, and Cincinnati finished with the league's worst record. By the end of the year, the Bengals were drawing record-low crowds. The only positive is that Taylor enters his second season with more input on a roster that will be built around No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow.

28. Kevin Stefanski - Browns

Stefanski enters his first head coaching gig as a relative unknown. The 38-year-old had spent his entire 14-year coaching career with the Minnesota Vikings and ascended to offensive coordinator for the 2019 season. Minnesota finished middle of the pack in offense but ranked eighth in scoring offense. The Cleveland Browns are counting on him to turn around a moribund franchise and get Baker Mayfield back on track. Stefanski spent two years as a quarterbacks coach and another five as an assistant QB coach, so perhaps he's the right person to help Mayfield rediscover his rookie form.

27. Doug Marrone - Jaguars

It becomes increasingly more clear with each passing season that the 2017 campaign in which Marrone led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game was an outlier. Jacksonville has gone 5-11 and 6-10 since. Marrone was retained despite owner Shad Khan labeling 2019's results as "unacceptable," and he now enters a make-or-break year with a barren roster. It's not a recipe for job security.

26. Matt Rhule - Panthers

Arguably the biggest question mark on this list, Rhule has only one season of NFL experience in any capacity, serving as the Giants assistant offensive line coach in 2012. He does, however, boast an incredible track record when it comes to turning around struggling college programs in short order, most notably bringing Baylor out of the Big 12 basement in the wake of the Art Briles scandal. The 45-year-old is an excellent leader, but it remains to be seen whether Rhule's skills can translate to the pros and guide the Carolina Panthers in a competitive NFC South.

25. Dan Quinn - Falcons

Quinn escaped the ax again in 2019 by winning the last four games of the season and six of the final eight. It appeared Quinn wasn't long for the role when the Atlanta Falcons opened the campaign 1-7, but the late-season turnaround earned him another year. Though the Falcons hired Quinn as a defensive guru, he's cycled through coordinators before finally relinquishing play-calling duties to new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Quinn has run out of moves and needs results in 2020.

24. Vic Fangio - Broncos

Fangio got his first head coaching gig at the tender age of 61 after 19 years as a defensive coordinator. In just one season, the Denver Broncos improved from 22nd in team defense to 12th, though they still needed to win four of their last five contests to finish just 7-9. The offense also improved late in the year when Fangio installed rookie Drew Lock at quarterback. The two will enter their sophomore seasons with far more expected of them.

23. Kliff Kingsbury - Cardinals

An offensive guru who joined the Arizona Cardinals after a six-year stint at Texas Tech, Kingsbury proved his highly anticipated system can function in the pros. With a season of experience under his belt and an improved roster at his disposal, he should take the next step in 2020. However, Kingsbury needs to display more control on both sides of the ball and improve his contingency plans for injuries to star players before we can rank him above some veterans.

22. Mike McCarthy - Cowboys

After spending a year out of the league, McCarthy returns as Jason Garrett's replacement with the Dallas Cowboys. The 56-year-old's track record speaks for itself: eight straight playoff berths, five division titles, and 2010's Super Bowl win. Though McCarthy's run of success was no fluke, his inability to adapt - and a deteriorated relationship with Aaron Rodgers - led to his downfall with the Green Bay Packers. He has to show he's learned from his mistakes to earn a higher ranking.

21. Anthony Lynn - Chargers

Lynn joined the Los Angeles Chargers as a relatively surprising candidate but has enjoyed success in his first three seasons with the club. A former running backs coach, the 51-year-old is known for establishing a dynamic ground game with multiple tailbacks. Despite a multitude of injuries seemingly every year, Lynn has guided the Chargers to a 26-22 record and a playoff win in 2018. He needs to add more to his resume and produce consistent results to climb this list.

20. Matt LaFleur - Packers

LaFleur may have landed this job by virtue of his friendship with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, but he accomplished his most important goal in Year 1: get on the same page with Rodgers. However, it's somewhat concerning that the San Francisco 49ers obliterated his 13-win Packers twice in one year, and LaFleur failed to make Green Bay's passing game more explosive.

19. Matt Nagy - Bears

The 2018 Coach of the Year's stock sunk with a woeful second season, during which the Chicago Bears regressed on both sides of the ball. In particular, Nagy drew criticism for prematurely abandoning the run and assigning too much responsibility to struggling quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The league seemed to catch up to his scheme in 2019, and now Nagy must counter in 2020.

18. Brian Flores - Dolphins

A 5-11 record is generally nothing to write home about, but Flores' rookie campaign with the Miami Dolphins was anything but normal. Miami stripped its roster of almost all high-end talent to position itself for the future, but the Dolphins wound up winning five of their final nine games. More importantly, they showed major improvement as the season progressed, which is a sign of solid coaching.

17. Bill O'Brien - Texans

With four division titles in six years, O'Brien clearly has a general understanding of how to run a football team. But he makes too many questionable in-game decisions to be considered an elite coach, and it never seems the Houston Texans quite live up to their potential. Overall, O'Brien is both an asset and a liability.

16. Jon Gruden - Raiders

An 11-21 record through two seasons leaves plenty to be desired, though Gruden does appear to have the Las Vegas Raiders moving in the right direction. No one can doubt the adoration players have for him, which is important considering it'd be easy to question a coach who spent nine years out of the league. The Raiders made significant strides on offense last season as Derek Carr set career highs in several passing categories and Josh Jacobs gave them a dynamic rushing attack.

15. Ron Rivera - Redskins

Rivera's most successful seasons may feel like ancient history, but the two-time Coach of the Year isn't to blame for the limited roster and quarterback injuries the Panthers suffered from before his dismissal. Rivera will have a chance for a fresh start with the rebuilding Washington Redskins. His experience and credibility will be important for a once-proud organization trying to restore respectability.

14. Frank Reich - Colts

In Reich's first year, the Indianapolis Colts rebounded from a 1-5 start and surged to the divisional round of the playoffs. In 2019, he showed it wasn't just beginner's luck, as the Colts won seven games with an unspectacular roster after losing their franchise quarterback two weeks before the season kicked off. Indy missed the playoffs, but the team started 5-2 before Jacoby Brissett sprained his MCL. The Colts' efforts to give Reich an improved roster this offseason could help him jump a few spots on this list.

13. Mike Vrabel - Titans

A pair of 9-7 seasons don't tell the full story of Vrabel's time with the Tennessee Titans. He made the tough - but correct - call to bench Marcus Mariota last season for Ryan Tannehill, who went on to guide the Titans to the AFC Championship Game. He also helped Malcolm Butler iron out some issues in his technique and recover from a poor start to his tenure. Without much star power, Tennessee has had to become disciplined, tough, and fundamentally sound - qualities that were associated with Vrabel throughout his playing days.

12. Bruce Arians - Buccaneers

Arians is one of only three active head coaches in the NFL with multiple Coach of the Year awards sitting on his mantle. He made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers competitive again in his first season with the club, giving hope to a franchise that was stuck in the mud. Tampa Bay won seven games thanks to improvements on both sides of the ball throughout the campaign, and Arians then helped lure Tom Brady from the Patriots in free agency.

11. Mike Zimmer - Vikings

Though the offense hasn't been as consistent as he'd like, Zimmer is responsible for the vaunted Vikings defense. He led Minnesota to 10-plus wins in two of the last three years, as well as to the 2017 NFC Championship Game with Case Keenum under center - an accomplishment that can't be ignored. The question now is whether Zimmer can take the Vikings any further.

10. Sean McVay - Rams

When a 9-7 season feels like a losing campaign, you've set a high bar. The Rams' offense didn't click for most of last year, and McVay will need to wave his magic wand again in 2020 to fix what was broken. There's no doubt he's one the most brilliant offensive minds in the NFL and a capable head coach. McVay is 33-15 during the regular season with two playoff appearances and one Super Bowl berth since the Rams hired him following a 4-12 campaign in 2016.

9. Sean McDermott - Bills

The Buffalo Bills went from a 17-year playoff drought to two postseason appearances in three years with McDermott in charge. The defensive-minded coach has built a sustainable culture in Buffalo, and now he has the necessary talent to take the Bills to the next level. The only knock is that his game management could use some improvement.

8. Pete Carroll - Seahawks

Enthusiastic as ever at 68 years old, few coaches are able to connect with and motivate players better than Carroll does. His charm is one of the reasons the Seattle Seahawks are seemingly always playoff contenders, years - and a significant amount of talent - removed from the teams that went to back-to-back Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014. Under Carroll, Seattle has never been shy about taking on talented players with big personalities, and it's worked out favorably more often than not.

7. Mike Tomlin - Steelers

A shaky 2018 campaign put Tomlin under a microscope, but he rebounded last season by nearly making the playoffs while flipping between a pair of XFL-caliber quarterbacks. Questions arose about his leadership when the Pittsburgh Steelers came unglued two years ago. However, those concerns were put to rest in 2019 when the locker room stepped up following the departures of multiple star players. Tomlin still owns the distinction of being the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl.

6. Kyle Shanahan - 49ers

Even when Shanahan was losing games during his first two years with the 49ers, his undermanned offense showed great promise. With a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo in 2019, San Fran suddenly looked invincible. The only coaches ranked ahead of Shanahan have championship rings, and the 40-year-old could have been among them if Garoppolo hit an open Emmanuel Sanders late in Super Bowl LIV.

5. John Harbaugh - Ravens

Harbaugh is among the most accomplished head coaches of the last decade and one of the few who has been with his team for 10-plus seasons. His resume with the Baltimore Ravens includes six 10-win campaigns, 10 playoff wins, four division titles, and a Super Bowl championship in 2012. The Ravens are among the league's most stable franchises thanks in large part to their longtime head coach. One of Harbaugh's best qualities is that he accepts his strengths and weaknesses and delegates when necessary, but his lack of mastery on either side of the ball keeps him a small step behind the top-tier bosses below.

4. Doug Pederson - Eagles

How many coaches on this list can say they've beaten Belichick in the Super Bowl with a backup quarterback and earned three straight postseason berths despite a litany of injuries each year? Only Pederson. He isn't the NFL's flashiest head coach, but he understands how to manage a team and always gets the most out of his players. He's earned more playoff victories this decade than all but five current coaches despite holding the position for only four seasons, and the Philadelphia Eagles always seem to be in playoff contention in an ultra-competitive NFC.

3. Asshole Face - Saints

It's a credit to Payton that nobody can figure out how to stymie his offense after all these years. While many of his colleagues struggle with a change in circumstances, Payton has adjusted perfectly to an aging Drew Brees, moving from a vertical system to a quick-pass scheme. The New Orleans Saints have ranked in the top 10 in yards every season and in points all but twice since the head coach joined the team in 2006. With the defense finally stable, Payton and Co. have morphed into perennial Super Bowl contenders.

2. Andy Reid - Chiefs

No coach squeezes more juice out of his quarterback than Reid does, as he most recently displayed by helping Patrick Mahomes become the most dominant player in football. In 21 seasons as a head coach with the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Reid's teams have been to the playoffs an astounding 15 times. Now that he's finally won a Super Bowl, we can shove Reid's lifelong clock-management issues under the rug and celebrate his brilliance.

1. Bill Belichick - Patriots

The only thing missing from Belichick's resume - and his argument for the greatest head coach of all time over Don Shula - is an undefeated season. Belichick will be tested more than ever without Brady, but it's not as though he hasn't won before without the future Hall of Famer. He went 11-5 with Matt Cassell at quarterback in 2008 and 3-1 with Garoppolo and Brissett in 2016 when Brady was suspended for "Deflategate." Nobody puts players in positions to be successful better than Belichick does.

.

Has anyone perused any nfl site lately for any news?

It's one big pile of shit.

Krapondick, protests, reactions to protests, kneeling, not kneeling, players bickering over kneeling, more krapondick, how the nfl should react, why aren't owners speaking up, krapondick, etc.

And i just got that from the headlines. The headlines have even become unreadable without irritating the fuck out you.

FUCK OFF.

We don't care you motherfuckers. We want to read about football you fucks.

.

Think this needs a Thread of it’s own.

No real excuse, but they have to play a BIG part of 2020 to make the playoffs ?
Thoughts ??!

2020 Offseason Opponent Breakdown: New York Jets

Now that the Rams' 2020 schedule is officially out, it's time to resume our offseason opponent breakdowns on theRams.com. The series concludes with the Rams' Week 15 home opponent, the New York Jets.

2019

The Jets brought in a star running back, signing former Steeler Le'Veon Bell to a four-year contract, and a new head coach, Adam Gase. These additions brought some improvement – they raised their win total from 2018 by three games – but their 7-9 overall record left them with a third-place finish in the AFC East division and the No. 11 overall pick in the draft.

Changes

That high draft pick was used to select Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, who ran an official 5.10-second 40-yard dash at the combine at 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds. This was part of an offensive line overhaul which also included signing former Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant and former Broncos center Connor McGovern each to three-year deals.

Elsewhere on offense, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was signed to back up Sam Darnold.
The Jets also released cornerback Trumaine Johnson and allowed second-leading receiver Robby Anderson to walk as an unrestricted free agent. Anderson later signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.

Head coach

Gase enters his second season as head coach of the Jets. Prior to joining the franchise, he held the same position with the Miami Dolphins from 2016-18.

What to watch for

Rams defense vs. Jets re-tooled offensive line

Having allowed the fourth-most sacks last season (52), it made sense that the Jets invested in better protection for starting quarterback Sam Darnold.

It's dependent on those new additions staying healthy, of course, but it will be interesting to see their impact and whether the Rams will be preparing for an improved Jets offensive line or a Jets offensive line that still looks the same as last year's by Week 15.

Gil Brandt makes big statement about Rams’ offensive line

Gil Brandt is an NFL institution and he is one of the most respected voices the game has ever seen.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame member was the architect of 1970s great Dallas Cowboys team. He now works for the NFL Network and has a show on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

I’ve known Gil for nearly 20 years and I Iearn something every time I talk to him. In short, if Brandt speaks about the NFL, you need to listen as he doesn’t just say stuff to say it.

That’s why a tweet by Brandt on Monday caught my attention.

Check this out:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/gil_brandt/status/1270041022282657795?s=21


I can’t lie. I was shocked seeing the Rams on this list. We all know the Rams had issues on the offensive line last year and many of those problems were caused by injuries. But the Rams were not nearly as effective on offense in 2019 as they were in 2018 — and the issues last year started on the line.

That doesn’t mean this unit can’t be very good in 2020, but it was, indeed, surprising to see them listed among the league’s best lines.

Predictably, Brandt received blowback about the tweet in his mentions, including from a colleague.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/greggrosenthal/status/1270053806236037120?s=21


Brandt clapped back to Rosenthal, stating that there’s too much analytical bias against the Rams.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/gil_brandt/status/1270079007422156802?s=21


Again, I roll with Team Brandt. He’s a living cliché: He has forgotten more about football than most of us will ever know. So, the fact that Brandt is making this stance should give you hope that this unit can be successful in 2020.

The Rams definitely need it to happen.

Has picking a QB 1st overall gotten out of hand?

In 2020, I probably would have taken Joe Burrow over Chase Young if I were running the Cincinnati Bengals, and the same applies to most other franchises. This is a testament to how blown away I was by Burrow’s 2019 season more than it is a statement about always needing to draft a quarterback first if there’s one in the draft who even somewhat resembles the “model” of a first overall selection.

But in most years, it seems as though Young would be bounced out of the top spot for a QB anyway.

Teams have taken a QB first overall in five of the last six years, the only exception being 2017, when Myles Garrett was the “Chase Young” of the draft and Mitchell Trubisky was no “Joe Burrow.” Of course, 2017 was also the year that an MVP/Super Bowl champion QB did go in the top 10, while the Houston Texans got a QB two picks later who seems to have the potential to also do those things.

It’s sensible. The quarterback is the most important player in football and the position’s value to a team could be more important than any other position in all major American sports. However, not every draft class is going to have someone like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in it (and when they do, teams often don’t comprehend which QB prospect is actually going to become elite) — but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying to force it to be true.

This is not the way it has always been. It only feels that way and now we’ve come to simply accept that when discussions start about “who is going to be first?” they now always start with the quarterbacks. You must first start to look at Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields in 2021 or another QB and any other considerations will render you a public fool.

What about the fools in hindsight though? We tend to forget about them.

Prior to these last six years, Eric Fisher and Jadeveon Clowney had been the first overall picks in 2013 and 2014. Before that, from Peyton Manning in 1998 to Andrew Luck in 2012, a quarterback went first overall in 12 of 15 years. It’s also fair to say that there’s plenty of success within those 12 picks:

Three Super Bowl appearances and two championships for Peyton Manning
Two Super Bowl championships for Eli Manning
Multiple Pro Bowls for Michael Vick, Alex Smith, Cam Newton, and Luck
And while players like Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford may not have as many accolades, you can see why they were high draft picks and perhaps under other circumstances, would’ve been quite successful.

There is also Tim Couch, David Carr, and JaMarcus Russell. Maybe other under circumstances they also would’ve been better, but that was not the case. What has been the case is that since Manning in ‘98, out of 15 first overall QBs, only Peyton and Eli have won a Super Bowl. If the goal is to win the Super Bowl, and if picking a QB first overall is the best possible outcome of a draft (based on the idea that you “Suck for Luck” or “Tank for Tua” or “Bore for Lawr”) — then what evidence do we have that getting a QB first overall is such a big deal?

In the last 30 years, we’ve got Peyton Manning as the only widely acceptable answer of “What quarterback picked first overall won a Super Bowl and is a clear Hall of Famer in his own right?”

This wasn’t always the case.

Prior to Peyton, no QB had been drafted first overall since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Bledsoe went to the Pro Bowl in three of his first five seasons, went to the Super Bowl in his fourth season, and became the NFL’s highest-paid player in 2001. He followed Jeff George in 1990, a disappointment for the Indianapolis Colts and other teams, but that was one season after the Dallas Cowboys took Troy Aikman.

Aikman was two years after Vinny Testaverde, who was four years after John Elway. Only three quarterbacks were drafted first overall in the 80s, and two of them in the Hall of Fame, with five combined Super Bowl championships, while Testaverde is 15th all-time in passing yards.

Similarly, three quarterbacks went first overall in the 70s, with Terry Bradshaw winning four Super Bowl championships. Steve Barktkowski went to the Pro Bowl twice and had a few successful seasons. Jim Plunkett never went to the Pro Bowl, but he won two Super Bowls with the Raiders.

And the QB drafted first overall before Bradshaw in 1970 was Joe Namath in 1965.

Recapping 1965-1998:

Joe Namath*, Terry Bradshaw*, Jim Plunkett^, Steve Bartkowski#, John Elway*, Vinny Testaverde#, Troy Aikman*, Jeff George, Drew Bledsoe#, Peyton Manning*
Recapping 1999-2019:

Tim Couch, Michael Vick#, David Carr, Carson Palmer#, Eli Manning^#, Alex Smith#, JaMarcus Russell, Matthew Stafford#, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton#, Andrew Luck#, Jameis Winston#, Jared Goff#, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray

* Hall of Fame / Pro Bowl / Super Bowl (Peyton will be there)
^ Super Bowl champion
# Pro Bowl

It’s true that many players drafted since 1999 have not had eligibility to make the Hall of Fame, but I’d like to know which of those names seems on the path to the Hall of Fame to you.

Eli could get in for his two Super Bowls, but I still doubt it. Either way, you know all you need to know based on the fact that he’s the best candidate to go to the Hall of Fame out of this group. Palmer, Vick, Newton, and Luck certainly had their moments, but for whatever reason didn’t stick on the same trajectory as their counterparts in 65-98.

One of the reasons for that would appear to be quality vs quantity. It’s the “Daniel Day-Lewis” model vs the “Samuel L. Jackson” one.

10 quarterbacks in 34 years as compared to 16 over the last 21. As expected, this is also true of QBs going 2nd and 3rd overall, which is also more frequent. Did you know that the first QB ever drafted 2nd overall (Sid Luckman, 1939) and the first ever drafted 3rd (Bobby Layne, 1948) are in the Hall of Fame? And that only one other QB drafted 2nd or 3rd since (Y.A. Tittle, 1951) has made the Hall of Fame?

Since 2012, six quarterbacks have gone 2nd or 3rd, and they’ve combined to make three Pro Bowls: one each by Robert Griffin, Carson Wentz, and Mitchell Trubisky. In the last 50 years of going 2nd or 3rd, Matt Ryan, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, and Wentz are the standouts. Take that for what it’s worth.

I know that this is a ‘passing league” and all that, but didn’t quarterbacks always matter? Isn’t that why Terry Bradshaw and Joe Namath and John Elway and Troy Aikman are so well known and in the Hall of Fame as the “leaders” of their Super Bowl teams? But teams didn’t treat quarterback as if it was the only position and while we aren’t likely (nor should we) go back to seeing running backs go first overall, other positions seem to be falling out of serious contention for the top overall pick.

And teams picking first seem to continue picking high year after year.

Among non-QB players selected in the top three who have made multiple All-Pro rosters are Von Miller, Ndamukong Suh, Joe Thomas, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, and Julius Peppers. Plus Larry Fitzgerald, Gerald McCoy, Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, and Marcell Dareus. That’s just in the 2000s.

Bosa went after Goff and Wentz. Miller went after Newton. Suh went after Bradford. Megatron and Joe Thomas went after Russell. None of which sounds unreasonable to us because we’re living in a world where the narrative is that you have to take a potential franchise quarterback over just about any other position — and I’m just not so sure it’s ever a good strategy to live in a world of “have-tos.”

“You have to take Cam Newton over Von Miller and only an idiot would pass up the chance to get a quarterback prospect of his pedigree!”

So the goal is to win the Super Bowl. The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos were picking 1st and 2nd in 2011. The Panthers took Newton, the Broncos took Miller ... and four years later, Denver beat Carolina in the Super Bowl. Why again did the Panthers have to take Newton?

Of course, the Rams are involved in this after taking Bradford and Goff first overall in those respective drafts. Both cases made logical sense. St. Louis was 1-15 in 2009 and no quarterback on the team had more than five touchdown passes. Bradford had the consensus behind him in spite of not playing much at all during his final season because of injury and his first two campaigns were enough to convince most people that he’d work out. His rookie season was more than encouraging.

But 5, 6, 7, 5, 2, 3 is the number of Pro Bowls that the next six players taken after him have gone to so far in their careers.

The team then traded up for Goff in 2016, another sensible and logical move (taking the QB, not necessarily trading up) given the needs and he went to the Super Bowl in his third season. What happens next, we’ll see, but:

1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1 is the number of Pro Bowls the six players drafted after him have been named to so far in their careers.

I look forward to following the careers of Burrow, Murray, and Mayfield in the next one to two years to see how they develop. Goff has less development on his curve it would seem but could still completely change his narrative. The quarterback who went first overall the year before him, Jameis Winston, has already seen his narrative change.

Will the NFL ever change the now 20-plus year narrative that a QB must go first?

Replay of 2019 Playoff game today.

Mentioned these two in another thread and it reminded me that I wanted to look at the before/after stats for these guys' positional groups. Both joined the Rams as primary position coaches in 2019. Could both have benefitted from timing of when they got their jobs? Sure. But in general gifted coaches will get more from their players and both these guys are off to a great start:

2018 Tight Ends
Everett 33 of 50, 320 yards, 9.7 YPR, 3 TDs.
Higbee 24 of 34, 292 yards, 12.2 YPR, 2 TDs.
Mundt 1 of 1, 5 yards, 5 YPR, 0 TDs.

2019 Tight Ends
Higbee 69 of 89, 734 yards, 10.6 YPR, 3 TDs.
Everett 37 of 60, 408 yards, 11.0 YPR, 2 TDs.
Mundt 4 of 7, 26 yards, 6.5 YPR, 0 TDs.

2018 Outside Linebackers
Fowler 21 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 17 hurries.
Ebukam 40 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 8 hurries.

2019 Outside Linebackers
Fowler 58 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 QB hit, 20 hurries.
Ebukam 48 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 QB hits, 9 hurries.

Higbee more than doubling his yardage total is huge. As is Fowler increasing his tackles for loss by 12, that is an outstanding one year increase/improvement.

Really looking forward to what these guys can do with their talent pools in 2020. And Shula in particular has his work cut out for him so if he can get one of these guys to step up big he'll be getting some DC looks after this season.

Andrew Whitworth planned to retire as a Bengal even after joining Rams

Cameron DaSilva

Andrew Whitworth put off retirement for at least one more year this offseason when he signed a three-year extension with the Rams back in March. The length of the deal was surprising, but Whitworth can still retire when he wants, whether it’s after the 2020 season or at the end of his contract.

When Whitworth does eventually retire, he’ll have to decide which team to go out as a member of. He spent more than a decade with the Bengals, but his tenure with the Rams has been quite successful with an All-Pro selection, Super Bowl appearance and the first playoff win of his career.

Full Article--
[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Taylor Rapp highlighted as a player ready to break out in 2020

Cameron DaSilva

Taylor Rapp had to wait a little while before becoming a starter for the Rams last season. It wasn’t until John Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in Week 6 that Rapp was promoted, though he was still playing snaps as a backup even before Johnson went down.

Rapp didn’t stand out right away as a starter, but it became apparent fairly quickly why the Rams liked him so much in the 2019 NFL Draft. His instincts stood out, his tackling was great and he was highly capable in coverage.

Full Article--
[theramswire.usatoday.com]

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OFFENSE

NFL's top 10 offenses: Chiefs, Ravens pulling away from pack

Now more than ever, it's a young man's game at quarterback. At just over 23 years and four months, Patrick Mahomes in 2018 became the youngest player to win MVP honors since Dan Marino in 1984. Having just turned 23 when he picked up the award a year later, Lamar Jackson is the youngest MVP winner since Jim Brown in 1957. Leading talented offenses of their own, a coterie of quarterbacks capable of creative out-of-structure magic may be vying for the next MVP trophy. Houston's Deshaun Watson, Dallas' Dak Prescott, Philadelphia's Carson Wentz and Arizona's Kyler Murray represent a new wave, featuring arms strong enough for designed passes, legs quick enough for designed runs and quick-twitch athleticism necessary for second-reaction plays once the pass rush breaches the castle walls.

Assessing the recent 2020 draft class in light of the sport's evolution, one AFC executive concluded, via Bob McGinn of The Athletic, "The stationary guy in today's football, I don't know how he survives. At any position."

The stationary signal-callers seemed to stand dumbfounded in 2019, no longer possessed of the nimble feet and rocket arm necessary to escape trouble, bolster a diminished supporting cast and make jailbreak defenses pay for their sins of aggression.

Tom Brady suffered through the worst season of his legendary career. Drew Brees was outplayed by his backup's backup in the season-ending loss to the Vikings. Philip Rivers barely staved off a midseason benching for Tyrod Taylor. Eli Manning was finally tapped on the shoulder. Ben Roethlisberger lasted just two games before an elbow injury sent him to the operating table.

As I survey the landscape of NFL offenses this offseason, I see the Chiefs and Ravens pulling away from the pack. Can Brady and Rivers reclaim some of that turf with the help of new -- and plausibly superior -- supporting casts?

With the draft and the bulk of free agency in the books, let's examine the hierarchy of NFL offenses.

THE TOP FIVE

1) Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback: A+ | Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shea Patterson

What can a 24-year-old quarterback do for an encore when he just authored one of the most epic playoff runs in his sport's history? Even without a reliable backup plan, the Chiefs are the envy of the league at the game's most important position. We have to go back to Aaron Rodgers' prime years to find a quarterback with the arm talent, athleticism, improvisational skills and decision making Mahomes has displayed since he took the reins of Andy Reid's offense in 2018.

Backfield: A- | Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DeAndre Washington, Darwin Thompson

AFC West defensive coordinators were already checking under their beds for Mahomes before they turn out their bedroom lights at night. Now they have to contend with Edwards-Helaire, a runner-receiver hybrid conjuring up images of a young Darren Sproles and Priest Holmes. Throw in Super Bowl hero Williams and former Raiders scat back Washington, and this backfield is deep and multi-faceted compared to last year's edition.

Receiving corps: A+ | Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce (TE), Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Ricky Seals-Jones (TE)

The quick-strike offense plays off Hill and Kelce, a pair of perennial Pro Bowlers and the focal points of opposing game plans. Against all odds, the Chiefs maintained their depth this offseason, agreeing to new deals with Watkins and Robinson -- a pair of secondary receivers capable of sailing past 100 yards when the coverage is slanted toward Hill and Kelce. The speedy Hardman is an intriguing wild card after amassing 1,426 all-purpose yards as a rookie.

Offensive line: B | Eric Fisher, Andrew Wylie, Austin Reiter, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz, Mike Remmers, Martinas Rankin, Lucas Niang

While Schwartz may be the best right tackle in football, the rest of the line operates at a high enough level with little fanfare to show for it. With Remmers on hand as a utility lineman and Niang drafted in the third round, this unit is in a better position to withstand a major injury in 2020.

2) Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback: A+ | Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley

Defensive coaches around the league are brainstorming new tactics to slow the reigning MVP, perhaps clinging to the Titans' game plan in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. That's easier said than done. Aided by an innovative coaching staff and an expanding arsenal of weapons at his disposal, Jackson is stating his case as the most electrifying dual-threat quarterback of all time.

Backfield: A+ | Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill

The Ravens aren't resting on their laurels after boasting one of the most unstoppable rushing attacks the NFL has ever seen. As if their three-headed backfield hydra wasn't scary enough, they landed Ohio State star J.K. Dobbins, a dynamic back viewed by some draftniks as the top talent at the position in this year's class. It speaks to Baltimore's largesse that Edwards is rendered an afterthought on the heels of an impressive second season, which featured 711 rushing yards at 5.3 yards per attempt.

Receiving corps: B | Mark Andrews (TE), Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Willie Snead, Devin Duvernay, Chris Moore, James Proche, Nick Boyle (TE)

Andrews' emergence as a Pro Bowl tight end and Jackson's go-to target enabled the Ravens to deal former first-round pick Hayden Hurst to Atlanta for valuable draft capital. Brown streaked out of the gates as a DeSean Jackson clone, burning defenses with his deep speed, before disappearing in November and December. His 126-yard performance in the loss to Tennessee bodes well for a strong sophomore campaign. An athletic freak perfectly suited for the NFL's slot role, Duvernay is just the sort of chain-mover who should capitalize on Jackson's quick strikes between the hashes.

Offensive line: B+ | Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, D.J. Fluker, Orlando Brown, Patrick Mekari, Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers, Ben Bredeson

Stanley's emergence as a first-team All-Pro gives Baltimore a tackle tandem unrivaled by any outside of New Orleans. The interior is questionable, on the other hand, with the retirement of all-decade guard Marshal Yanda and the severe late-season knee injury sustained by center Skura.

3) New Orleans Saints

Quarterback: A- | Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston

Still one of the league's most effective passers, Brees has left lingering doubts about his waning arm strength in each of the past two postseasons. In fact, jack-of-all-trades Hill was the best player on the field for the Saints in their upset loss to the Vikings, succeeding downfield where Brees failed. Fresh off laser eye surgery, Winston offers more upside than any backup in the league -- with the possible exception of the aforementioned enigmatic Hill.

Backfield: A- | Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr.

Playing through high-ankle and knee injuries, Kamara struggled to break tackles and make the first man miss last season. When he's fully healthy, there may be no better mismatch in football than Kamara versus a safety or linebacker with open space to roam. Murray proved to be a fine fallback option, filling Mark Ingram's vacancy as the power-back complement.

Receiving Corps: A | Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook (TE), Tre'Quan Smith, Adam Trautman (TE), Deonte Harris, Josh Hill (TE)

Thomas is the most reliable first down in the league, armed with vice-grip hands and a power forward's physicality at the catch point. A trade deadline savior in San Francisco last year, Sanders will fill the sidekick role that has been a revolving door ever since Brandin Cooks was shipped out after an 1,173-yard season in 2016. Despite a few hiccups early, Cook came through as a big-time playmaker in the second half of the season. Drafted in the third round last month, the 6-foot-5 Trautman is an intriguing red-zone weapon.

Offensive line: A | Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Cesar Ruiz, Cameron Tom, Nick Easton

Having assembled a deep, balanced roster, the Saints could afford to approach the first round of last month's draft with the idea of cherry-picking the best player available. That happened to be Michigan center Cesar Ruiz, who is expected to push veteran Warford for the starting job at right guard. Center is already manned by McCoy, who exceeded expectations as a rookie starter in 2019. Bookend tackles Armstead and Ramczyk are primed to enter each of the next handful of seasons as legitimate Pro Bowl candidates.

4) Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback: A- | Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci

Leading the league's most efficient offense by Football Outsiders' metrics through the first half of the 2019 season, Prescott played well enough to keep his name on the periphery of the MVP discussion until the Thanksgiving debacle versus Buffalo. Should the franchise quarterback go down with an injury, the surrounding talent is strong enough to elevate newfound backup Dalton to the first postseason victory of his career.

Backfield: A- | Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua

At first glance, Elliott's 2019 numbers don't look much different than his first three seasons. Look closer, though, and you'll see a back who struggled to make defenders miss at the second level. The big plays dried up, which helps explain why he lost more than 22 yards per game from his 2018 performance. Pollard proved to be a fine change of pace, averaging an efficient 5.6 yards on 101 touches.

Receiving corps: A- | Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Blake Jarwin (TE), Devin Smith, Dalton Schultz (TE)

Although he tends to disappear for stretches, Cooper has been one of the finest route runners and boundary receivers since landing in Dallas as Prescott's No. 1 receiver. Would the Cowboys have shelled out $20 million per year for a new contract if they had an inkling that Lamb -- the sixth-rated player on their draft board -- would be free for the picking with the first round's No. 17 overall pick? It's an interesting thought. The suitably named Gallup is already one of the NFL's most promising second fiddles, recording 1,107 yards despite missing two games with a knee injury early in his second season. Prescott might miss future Hall of Famer Jason Witten's leadership, but Jarwin is a more athletic pass catcher with better run-after-catch skills.

Offensive line: B+ | Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz

Between center Travis Frederick's retirement and left guard Connor Williams' November ACL injury, the interior will have a different look in 2020. Veteran Looney held up just fine as Frederick's 2018 stand-in, which bodes well for new coach Mike McCarthy. A third-round pick in 2019, McGovern could slide into Williams' guard spot after missing his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback: B | Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin

If Brady goes down, the suddenly swank Bucs can kiss their ballyhooed coming-out party goodbye. If Brady stays healthy, we'll have a better idea how much his skills have eroded after languishing last season in a broken offense with precious little playmaking ability at his disposal. I don't buy the trendy notion that the 42-year-old has seen no noticeable drop off in arm strength and mobility. His passes outside the numbers tend to dive at the catch point, and he's too often a sitting duck in the face of pressure. That said, he has mastered situational football and maintains a preternatural feel for attacking the right area of the field at just the right moment. As the roster stands now, this is among the most talented pass-catching groups of his storied career.

Backfield: B- | Ronald Jones, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Dare Ogunbowale, Raymond Calais

Jones was one of the most improved runners in the league last season, exploding through holes and breaking a slew of tackles. The problem is pass protection, a task he wasn't trusted to perform with aplomb while Jameis Winston was under center. Now that Brady is running the show, that role takes on added responsibility for a quarterback with a long line of expert chip-blockers from Kevin Faulk to Danny Woodhead to James White. Vaughn is an interesting flier as a third-down pick, but don't be surprised if a savvy veteran is brought in to round out this group.

Receiving corps: A+ | Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski (TE), O.J. Howard (TE), Cameron Brate (TE), Tyler Johnson, Scott Miller, Justin Watson

There were weeks last season when Evans made a run at Saints record-breaker Michael Thomas as the most dangerous big receiver in football. There were other weeks when Godwin made a run at Evans as the best all-around receiver on the roster. There may not be a better one-two punch out there. What can we expect from Gronkowski, fresh out of the WWE's squared circle? For the bulk of the 2018 season, he was outplayed by new teammate Howard, who was well on his way to a Pro Bowl berth of his own before a foot injury ended the younger tight end's season in November. With yet another Lombardi Trophy on the line, though, Gronkowski came through with game-changing plays against the Chiefs and Rams in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIII.

Offensive line: B- | Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs, Joe Haeg, Josh Wells

This will be an interesting experiment, watching Brady behind an offensive line that too often had Winston scrambling into and out of trouble. Although Marpet is a top-tier guard and Wirfs is loaded with potential at right tackle, the other three positions tend to be hit-or-miss depending on the competition level.

THE NEXT FIVE

6) San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback: B | Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
Backfield: A- | Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Kyle Juszczyk, Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Receiving corps: B+ | George Kittle (TE), Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin, Richie James Jr., Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Jauan Jennings
Offensive line: A- | Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Weston Richburg, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Justin Skule, Ben Garland, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz

7) Cleveland Browns

Quarterback: B- | Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert
Backfield: A | Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, Dontrell Hilliard
Receiving corps: A | Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper (TE), David Njoku (TE), Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Harrison Bryant (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Nick Harris

8) Indianapolis Colts

Quarterback: B | Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Jacob Eason
Backfield: A | Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins
Receiving corps: B | T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal, Jack Doyle (TE), Trey Burton (TE), Mo Alie-Cox (TE)
Offensive line: A | Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski, Braden Smith, Le'Raven Clark, Danny Pinter

9) Green Bay Packers

Quarterback: A- | Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Tim Boyle
Running back: A | Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin
Receiving corps: B- | Davante Adams, Devin Funchess, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jace Sternberger (TE), Josiah Deguara (TE), Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow
Offensive line: B+ | David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Rick Wagner, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson, Simon Stepaniak

10) Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback: A- | Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Kurt Benkert
Backfield: B- | Todd Gurley, Ito Smith, Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison
Receiving Corps: A | Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst (TE), Laquon Treadwell, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jaeden Graham (TE)
Offensive line: B- | Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Justin McCray, Matt Hennessy

OFFENSES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR:Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers.



Top 5 most explosive NFL offenses in 2020

As NFL coaches with young quarterbacks dream up schemes to confound opposing defenses, fans are the biggest beneficiaries. Big plays. Touchdowns galore. Electric playmakers. The age of explosive NFL offenses is here, and the 2020 season is loaded with potential for even more.

We’re looking at the teams that will feature the top-five most explosive NFL offenses this coming season.

5. San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t get enough love for the job he did last season in his first full season as the 49ers starter. He ranked third in the NFL averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Additionally, San Francisco’s passing offense ranked first in the league in explosive passes, per Warren Sharp of sharpfootballstats, with 50 explosive plays in 422 attempts.

George Kittle is a major force in the passing game. He’s a run-after-the-catch (RAC) specialist who punishes defenders every chance he gets. Deebo Samuel is a similar player in a smaller package and is just getting started. Adding rookie Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State should supercharge this passing offense.

San Francisco’s run game is absolutely lethal. No matter who is lined up behind Garoppolo, the 49ers can rip off big plays on the ground and do so regularly. The 49ers led the league with 23 rushing scores last season and should once again be dominant in 2020.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFC South as a whole should be a ton of fun to watch this season. Don’t be surprised if three of the four teams end up sporting top-five offenses when it’s all said and done. The reason we’re highlighting the Bucs here is that this team has talent galore and will be led by the NFL’s G.O.A.T. in 2020.

Tom Brady is still capable of slinging it all around the yard. He never had the strongest arm, but he also never had any issues with arm strength. He will be playing with the best overall contingency of offensive talent this season he’s ever had in 20 years. Mike Evans is a star who is known for making huge plays downfield. Chris Godwin is an up-and-coming elite talent who averaged 15.5 yards per catch last season and scored nine touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski, if healthy, is the best pass-catching tight end in the league. Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are also both capable of huge games and could thrive playing with Brady.

The run game may not be a huge strength. However, Ronald Jones II is dynamic in the open field and capable of ripping off touchdowns from anywhere. Throw in the exciting rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Tampa Bay might be better than you expect on the ground.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Personally, I cannot wait to see the Cowboys in action this coming season. First of all, the change at the top — Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett as head coach — will be a huge development for the offense. He’s a legendary coach who should help quarterback Dak Prescott improve, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the NFC.

Dallas also now has one of the best trios at wide receiver in the NFL. Amari Cooper is one of the best in the business. Michael Gallup is a big-play machine who is still just starting to tap into his potential. Now the ‘Boys can feature former Sooners star CeeDee Lamb, and that fact makes my head explode. Tight end Blake Jarwin is darn good, too.

Up front, Dallas’ offensive line is still one of the NFL’s best — even without star center Travis Frederick, who retired. With Ezekiel Elliott pounding the rock and taking screens to the house, this offense is absolutely loaded on every front.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Last year, it all started up front for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson had a phenomenal season passing the ball but it was all predicated on the run game. Jackson was a huge part of that. He smashed Michael Vick’s single-season record for most rushing yards by a quarterback — ripping off insane highlights (like this) on a weekly basis. Between him, Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, this Ravens trio racked up a stunning 2,035 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground.

Incredibly, Jackson also threw 36 touchdowns last year and averaged 7.8 yards per passing attempt on his way to the NFL’s second-ever unanimous MVP award. The biggest thing that has this scribe excited is that he’s said we should expect to see him passing much more in 2020.

Baltimore has done a great job surrounding Jackson with the talent needed to do just that, too. Marquise Brown is a budding star. Former Notre Dame star Miles Boykin has tremendous potential. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst are both capable of making huge plays downfield. Adding rookie Devin Duvernay out of Texas should lead to even more explosive plays in the passing game.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

What? You thought another team would be atop this list?

Patrick Mahomes is the best, most explosive pure passing quarterback to enter the league in many years. Blessed with extraordinary physical gifts, he’s only now starting to come to an understanding of how NFL defenses work. For a guy who already has an MVP trophy and Super Bowl ring under his belt, that’s a terrifying thought for anyone who’s not a Chiefs fan.

The Chiefs have, arguably, the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL. Tyreek Hill is lightning in a bottle. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are both speed demons. Sammy Watkins can absolutely shred opposing defenses on a good day. Tight end Travis Kelce is the second-best overall tight end in the game and has four straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons.

As if the Chiefs weren’t dangerous enough, they went out and selected LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1 this past April. CEH is incredibly potent, both on the ground and through the air. He roasted SEC defenses last year to the tune of 1,867 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage.

With Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy calling the shots, this offense is downright scary.

Rams Franchise Five: Kurt Warner, Eric Dickerson headline the franchise's all-time greats

When fans think of pro football royalty, the Rams are seldom one of the first teams that come to mind. Generally, the Patriots, Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers and Packers are typically the five teams that are mentioned first when discussing the greatest franchises in pro football. But don't forget about the Rams when discussing pro football's legendary franchises.

Founded in 1937, the Rams won their first NFL title in 1945. They won another title in 1951 while appearing in three other championship games during the 1950s. In the late 1960s, the Rams, led by their "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line, won two division titles. The 1970s Rams were even better, advancing to five NFC Championship Games before nearly upsetting the mighty Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. The '80s Rams made the playoffs seven times while appearing in two more NFC title games.

While they endured hard times for most of the 1990s, the Rams' fortunes changed dramatically in 1999, when the franchise, led by a dynamic offense nicknamed the "Greatest Show on Turf," won its first-ever Super Bowl. The Rams, after moving back to Los Angeles in 2016, went back to its winning ways, making it back to the Big Game at the end of the 2018 season. In all, the Rams have won three NFL titles, three NFC titles and one Super Bowl title while advancing to at least the NFC championship game 15 times. Throughout their history, the Rams have showcased some of the best players in pro football, players whose careers are currently on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

With the assistance of CBS Sports senior writer Pete Prisco, we present to you the Rams' "Franchise Five," the franchise's greatest coach, quarterback, and three non-quarterback players. We also included an honorable mention section for some of the Rams' great players that just missed the cut.

Coach Dick Vermeil

The Rams had won just 36 games in their previous seven seasons before Dick Vermeil came to St. Louis before the start of the 1997 season. Vermeil, who led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 1980, returned to the sideline after a 14-year hiatus. It's safe to say Vermeil's old-school demeanor took a while for the Rams' players to adjust to, as St. Louis won just nine games during Vermeil's first two seasons.

But in 1999, everything came together. After starting quarterback Trent Green went down with a season-ending injury during the preseason, a little-known quarterback named Kurt Warner took the league by storm, throwing 41 touchdowns and earning NFL MVP honors. With Warner, who was complemented by Hall of Fame lineman Orlando Pace, Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, and Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce, the Rams won 13 games during the regular season before defeating the Vikings and Buccaneers in the NFC playoffs.

After the Titans tied the score late in Super Bowl XXXIV, Vermeil instructed Warner to go for the win. Warner did just that, lofting a pass to Bruce that resulted in a 73-yard touchdown. The Rams then hung on to defeat the Titans, 23-16. While his coaching that season helped result in a Super Bowl, Vermeil's adjustment to his own coaching philosophy that summer -- shortening practices, specifically during training camp -- resulted in a fresher, more-energized team that delivered the franchise's only Lombardi Trophy.

QB Kurt Warner

As alluded to above, Warner was a unknown commodity before taking over for Green before the start of the 1999 season. An undrafted rookie in 1994, Warner played arena football as well as in NFL Europe before spending the 1998 season as the team's third-string quarterback. Warner's experience in the fast-paced, condensed world of arena football paid dividends when he got his opportunity to play in 1999, as he led a fast, explosive Rams offense that averaged nearly 33 points per game during the regular season.

The MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV, Warner earned his second league MVP award in 2001 after leading the league in completion percentage (68.7), passing yards (4,830) and touchdown passes (36) while leading the Rams to a franchise-record 14 regular season wins. Warner then led St. Louis to postseason victories over the Packers and Eagles before falling to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. Warner's success as a Ram greatly contributed to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

DT Merlin Olsen

A 14-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Olsen, regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history, was part of one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history, a group that was known as the "Fearsome Foursome." A member of the NFL's All-1960s and All-1970s teams, Olsen was also a member of the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Olsen, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, was named as the 27th-best player in NFL history by NFL Films in 2010.

Jerry Kramer, the Packers' Hall of Fame offensive lineman, called Olsen one of the top-five greatest players he ever played against during a 2017 interview with Bob Fox.

"Merlin was a Phi Beta Kappa who had a bright mind and an incredibly competitive spirit," Kramer said. "He was smart enough to be a great movie star and smart enough to be a great football player. He also had a vibe and an energy about him that just drove him. He never let up.

"If a game was 65 plays, Merlin was going to come at you 65 times. So with the brains, the physical abilities and the heart, Merlin was just a complete player."

DE Deacon Jones

An eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Jones was also part of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" that also included Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy. One of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history, Jones is a member of the NFL's All-1960s team as well as the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. A 1980 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Jones was named the NFL's 15th greatest player of all-time by NFL Films in 2010.

Jones is also created with coming up with term "sack" when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage by the opposition. He explained during a 2013 interview with the Denver Post how he came up with the term.

"You take all the offensive linemen and put them in a burlap bag, and then you take a baseball bat and beat on the bag," Jones said. "You're sacking them. You're bagging them. And that's what you're doing with a quarterback."

RB Eric Dickerson

No running back has enjoyed a better first two seasons than Eric Dickerson, who came to the Rams in 1983 after being the focal point of Southern Methodist's "Pony Express" offense. After leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie, Dickerson broke the NFL's single-season rushing record in 1984, rushing for an NFL record 2,105 yards that still stands while earning league MVP honors. He helped lead the Rams to the NFC Championship Game in 1985, rushing for a playoff record 248 yards in Los Angeles' divisional round victory over the Cowboys. Dickerson, arguably the best counter runners of all-time, won his third rushing title in 1986, his last full season with the Rams.

In 65 regular season games with the Rams, Dickerson rushed for a staggering 7,245 yards and 56 touchdowns while averaging nearly 112 rushing yards per game. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dickerson, who retired as the second-leading rusher in NFL history, was awarded a Super Bowl ring by the Rams after they defeated the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Honorable mention

Marshall Faulk, had we had another spot, would have made our list. One of the key members of the "Greatest Show on Turf," Faulk won league MVP honors in 2000, a year after becoming the second running back in league history to amass over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in one season. Offensive lineman Jackie Slater, who helped lead the Rams to their first Super Bowl while also helping Dickerson break O.J Simpson's single-season rushing record, set an NFL record by becoming the first player to play 20 years with the same team. Issac Bruce, who will be inducted in Canton later this year, is the franchise's career leader in catches (942), yards (14,109) and touchdowns (84). Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a five-time All-Pro and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, spearheaded the Rams' run to an NFC title in 2018.

2020 Offseason Opponent Breakdown: New England Patriots

Continuing this year's offseason opponent breakdowns on theRams.com, up next is Los Angeles' Week 14 Thursday Night Football opponent, the New England Patriots.

2019

A 12-4 regular season record captured the Patriots' 17th AFC East division title in the last 19 seasons and the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoff picture. However, a 20-13 loss to the sixth-seeded Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card round gave New England its earliest postseason exit since the 2009 season, when it lost in the same round to the sixth-seeded Baltimore Ravens.

That result also represented just the third time in the Bill Belichick era (2000-present) that the Patriots lost their postseason opener. They have qualified for the playoffs in 17 of Belichick's 20 seasons so far.

Changes

The Patriots' all-time leading passer Tom Brady said goodbye to the organization and announced "his football journey will take place elsewhere" via Instagram in March. Although he signed a two-year extension prior to the 2019 season, Brady was eligible to become a free agent because the final two years of his contract actually voided, and the deal prohibited New England from placing the franchise tag or transition tag on him. He later signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent.

Another key member of their offense from the previous decade, tight end Rob Gronkowski, was traded along with a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay for a fourth-round pick. Gronkowski retired in March 2019 but reportedly told the Patriots he wanted to resume his career with Brady and the Buccaneers. A trade was the only way for him to do so since he had one year left on his contract at the time he retired.

On special teams, New England released kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who originally joined the club as a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. Gostkowski departed as the Patriots' all-time leading scorer and most accurate field goal kicker in franchise history.

Head coach

Belichick enters his 21st season as head coach of the Patriots. Including playoff appearances, he has compiled a 267-94 overall record through 20 years with the franchise.

What to watch for

Rams defense vs. whoever starts at quarterback for the Patriots

Similar to its matchup with another AFC East team this season, Los Angeles' defense will be preparing for a new starting quarterback.

Will it be former Auburn standout and 2019 fourth-round pick Jarret Stidham under center, or will 12-year veteran Brian Hoyer be running the show? Stidham appeared in three games as a rookie, completing 2 of 4 pass attempts for 14 yards with one interception, while Hoyer is back with the organization for a third time.

By extension, it will also be interesting to see how different, if at all, the Patriots' offense looks with a different quarterback under center. Although there is continuity – offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels enters his 12th season in that position on New England's coaching staff – both Belichick and McDaniels will likely make some adjustments to better tailor the scheme to that player's strengths.

10 Most Memorable "Monday Night Football" Games of All Time

With the NFL's release of the 2020 schedule last week, fans now have the "Monday Night Football" slate for the fall. If pro football happens in the fall, this year's games looks promising as ever. "Monday Night Football" has been a staple of the NFL for 50 years, and there have been great games and moments every season. Here are the 10 most memorable, along with some others worth noting.

Honorable Mentions

Baltimore Colts 34, New England Patriots 27
Sept. 18, 1978 — Foxboro, Mass.

The Patriots entered the game as 17.5-point favorites and led the Colts 13-7 going into the fourth quarter. Then Baltimore running back Joe Washington had his finest hour, throwing one touchdown pass and catching another before returning a kickoff 90 yards for another score with less than a minute left to win the game.

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Miami Dolphins 16, New England Patriots 13
Dec. 8, 1980 — Miami

While this game was won with an Uwe von Schamann field goal in overtime, it's sadly best remembered because Howard Cosell had to break the news to millions of Americans that John Lennon had been murdered earlier that evening.

San Francisco 49ers 28, Seattle Seahawks 21
Oct. 14, 2002 — Seattle

San Francisco receiver Terrell Owens scored two touchdowns, including one where he pulled a Sharpie out of his sock and autographed the ball before giving it to one of his assistants in the stands.

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Top 10 "Monday Night Football" Games of All Time

10. Cleveland Browns 31, New York Jets 21
Sept. 21, 1970 — Cleveland

The first "Monday Night Football" broadcast went with the league's most marquee player in Joe Namath. However, the main attractions on this night were "Broadway Joe's" three interceptions and the Jets' team-record 161 penalized yards.

9. Washington Redskins 13, Dallas Cowboys 7
Oct. 19, 1987 — Irving, Texas

A players' strike in 1987 prompted NFL owners to continue the season with replacement players, much to public outcry. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs made the best of the situation and won his three games with replacement players before the strike ended. The final win was on the road against the Cowboys on "Monday Night Football" after Danny White and Tony Dorsett had rejoined the team. The win inspired the movie, "The Replacements."

8. Minnesota Vikings 31, Dallas Cowboys 27
Jan. 3, 1983 — Minneapolis

The 1982 players' strike led to a week three matchup between the Cowboys and the Vikings being rescheduled for the last "Monday Night Football" game of the season. Down 24-13 and lined up on his one-yard line, Dallas running back Tony Dorsett took the handoff and ran 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest run from scrimmage in NFL history. Although the Cowboys lost, Dorsett's run lives on.

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7. Los Angeles Raiders 37, Seattle Seahawks 14
Nov. 30, 1987 — Seattle

Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn in 1985 but opted to play baseball with the Kansas City Royals. The Raiders signed him in 1987 with a contract that allowed him to join the team after the MLB season ended. Jackson debuted in Week 7, but his breakout performance came in Week 11. Playing football before a national audience for the first time since college, Jackson rushed for 221 yards and scored three touchdowns, including one for 91 yards and another where he ran over Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth, who had been talking trash before the game.

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6. Seattle Seahawks 14, Green Bay Packers 12
Sept. 24, 2012 — Seattle, Wash.

The NFL referees went on strike in June 2012, and the issue remained unresolved going into that season. The league hired second-tier refs, who were not up to the challenge of calling an NFL game. Everything came to a head on the final play of the Week 3 "Monday Night Football" matchup. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a "Hail Mary" pass into the end zone, and receiver Golden Tate shoved Packers cornerback Sam Shields out of the way and caught it simultaneously with safety M.D. Jennings before securing it after the two players hit the ground. The officials missed the pass interference call and gave Seattle the touchdown, causing controversy to ensue. Ultimately, the "Fail Mary" prompted the NFL to come to the table and end the strike with its referees two days later.

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5. Green Bay Packers 26, Minnesota Vikings 20
Nov. 6, 2000 — Green Bay, Wis.

Tied 20-20 in overtime, Packers quarterback Brett Favre threw a pass to Antonio Freeman that was deflected by Chris Dishman and it appeared to be incomplete as Freeman fell to the ground with it. But the ball never touched the ground and Dishman never touched Freeman, who got up with it and raced into the end zone for the win.

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4. Los Angeles Rams 54, Kansas City Chiefs 51
Nov. 19, 2018 — Los Angeles

Both the Chiefs and Rams entered the game at 9-1 with high-powered offenses. In the highest-scoring affair in "Monday Night Football" history, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit Chris Conley with a 10-yard touchdown pass to take a 51-47 lead with less than three minutes to go. L.A. responded with a 40-yard strike from Jared Goff to Gerald Everett for the win less than a minute later. This game was originally supposed to be played in Mexico City but had to be relocated due to poor field conditions.

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3. Washington Redskins 23, New York Giants 21
Nov. 18, 1985 — Washington, D.C.

There have numerous devastating injuries on "Monday Night Football," including Steve Young being knocked unconscious and Napoleon McCallum injuring his knee, but the one that is etched in every fan's memory is that of Lawrence Taylor sacking Joe Theismann and breaking his leg. The injury ended Theismann's career.

2. New Orleans Saints 23, Atlanta Falcons 3
Sept. 25, 2006 — New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and turned the Saints into nomads who split their home games between LSU's Tiger Stadium and San Antonio's Alamodome. They returned to the Crescent City with a renovated Superdome, a sold-out crowd, and an audience of 10.8 million viewers, the largest in ESPN's history. "Monday Night Football" has been many things over its 50-year history, but this was the first time it had been a healing point for a city.

1. Miami Dolphins 38, Chicago Bears 24
Dec. 2, 1985 — Miami

The '85 Bears were 12-0 and the team with the best chance of stopping them from ending the '72 Dolphins' distinction as the only team with a perfect record were... the '85 Dolphins. Members of the 1972 team stood on the sidelines as the Dolphins took a 31-10 halftime lead, the most points the Bears had given up in the first half since 1972. Miami sealed the deal in the third quarter when Chicago defensive tackle Dan Hampton tipped a Dan Marino pass and it landed 30 yards downfield in the hands of Mark Clayton, who took it into the end zone for a 38-17 lead.

The Conversation Thread



Continuing the casual offseason vibe... The Conversation Thread.

Think a thread, that goes like a “Chat Room”.

Tell us what you are up to. Anything cool or interesting going on? Cooking anything special? Ask a question. Comment. Chat.

EASY

Randomness encouraged. Pics. Gifs. Music. Make us laugh. Whatever hits you.

BYOB.



Tomorrow we’ll move this thread to off topic. But for now... It’s Saturday Night!

Heading to dinner shortly, then some of these...



What are you up to?

By GARY KLEINSTAFF WRITER
JUNE 6, 20206 AM
The ritual was performed regularly in 1987, when Rams offensive linemen Jackie Slater and Dennis Harrah shared a ride to the team’s Anaheim facility during the NFL players strike.

After emerging from the car, and before they walked the picket line, Slater and Harrah exchanged a nonverbal pleasantry.

“He’d bend over, and I’d kick him right across his butt,” Slater said, laughing. “And then I would bend over, and he’d kick me right across mine.”

It was the second time in five years the longtime teammates were in the midst of a season that began amid uncertainty and ultimately was shortened because of a strike. The kicks to their backsides were reminders to remain committed to the cause.

Now, 33 years later, Slater, Harrah and other Rams players and coaches who endured NFL seasons impacted by black swan events are watching to see how teams prepare for and deal with a season already affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Team facilities have been closed. Offseason programs are being conducted virtually through Zoom meetings. Games, if they are played, could possibly be staged in stadiums without fans.

How does that affect players?

“It’s apples and oranges,” former Rams quarterback Jim Everett said of comparing strike-shortened seasons to one affected by a pandemic. “But the same factor is, it’s a distraction.”

In 1982, Rams receiver George Farmer was coming off knee surgery that had sidelined him for what would have been his rookie season. Despite the prospect of a looming strike, he said he was “on a quest to prove myself,” and he prepared accordingly.

“The real pros are doing their thing, grinding and figuring I’m not going to let the competition get ahead of me.”

Farmer said he worked out twice a day, and ran 10 miles on the beach every other day. He and other players also did passing drills at Santa Monica College.

“I wanted to be able to run all day and never be tired, to be in better shape than anyone on the team,” he said.

NFL teams played two games before a 57-day strike. The Rams finished the nine-game season with a 2-7 record. Farmer caught 17 passes, two for touchdowns. The performance helped set the stage for 1983, when he caught a career-best 40 passes.

“Some of these guys,” Farmer said of players today, “if they’re on the bubble in any way shape or form, they better be working out and better be doing what they need to do.”

In 1987, the Rams were optimistic they could build upon the season before, when they finished with a 10-6 record and made the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.

But the threat of another work stoppage loomed. The Rams started the season with two defeats before NFL players went on strike. Coach John Robinson and his staff, including first-year special teams coordinator Artie Gigantino, assembled to plot strategy.

“Coach Robinson said you can’t allow a strike that you have absolutely no control over … to stop you from doing the best you can,” Gigantino said. “You can’t sit around and go drink beer at night and @#$%&.”

Robinson eventually instructed Gigantino, a former USC assistant, to help assemble the team of replacement players.

“Was it a great team? Absolutely not,” Gigantino said. “But it was a team that was able to get by.”


Everett was in his second pro season. Slater and Harrah were in their 12th and 13th seasons, respectively. None of them crossed the picket line. But several veteran players joined the replacements, causing a fracture, Everett said.

“It really started pitting the older guys against the younger guys,” Everett said. “It really affected our leadership in an adverse way. And it affected us maybe more than other teams because we were an older team.”

The replacement roster went 1-2. When the strike ended, the regular players returned, and the Rams lost to the Cleveland Browns. A few days later, the Rams traded star running back Eric Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts. They finished with a 6-9 record and missed the playoffs.

“I look back at it as kind of a wasted year,” Everett said, “and it was unfortunate.”

The 1987 season marked Harrah’s final season. The six-time Pro Bowl player said he lost about $100,000 of his $330,000 salary because of the strike.

“I had to support the union and thought, ‘Hopefully, this will one day benefit me or my teammates and the guys coming in behind me,’ ” Harrah said. “It’s pretty obvious they benefited.

“The $330,000 I was going to make? Now the guys are making $13 million a year for my same position. I think something must have worked!”

Farmer, Everett, Slater and Harrah said that in the wake of COVID-19, players must find ways to stay on point despite the absence of on-field organized team activities. They must be ready for whatever happens before and during what will be among the most unusual NFL seasons in history.


“The real pros are doing their thing, grinding and figuring I’m not going to let the competition get ahead of me,” said Slater, a hall of famer.

Regardless of the environment when the season begins, focused preparation will be the key, Harrah said.

“I don’t care if there’s anybody in the stands or nobody in the stands,” he said. “There’s always someone across from you that wants to kick your ass.”

Edge rusher will be one of the Rams' most exciting camp battles

Cameron DaSilva

The Rams will have two new starting outside linebackers next season after losing Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency and cutting Clay Matthews, who still remains available. They filled one of the voids by signing Leonard Floyd, but the other spot remains very much up in the air.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.

For as little proven talent as L.A. has opposite Floyd on the weakside, there’s also a lot of upside in the young players who will be competing for the job. In fact, the competition at outside linebacker will be one of the most exciting on the roster this summer and will go a long way toward determining how successful the Rams defense will be.

Full Article--
[theramswire.usatoday.com]

I just got sucked into one article, that lead to a wiki, that lead to videos...

What a stunning place!

Mount Roraima is a giant flat-topped mountain that boundaries Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana. It is about 9 miles (14 km) long and 9,094 feet (2,772 metres) high, it is the source of many rivers of Guyana, and of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. Mount Roraima is the highest point in Guyana.

Here is a Cessna fly over. Short video, but shows the unworldly scene.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/rwCfRr8Gc0I


This video blog is awesome and well done with tons of quality shots. Amazing and worth a watch or zip thru.

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Here is the timelapse film result of that video blog. Gorgeous. It’s the closest you can get to being there!

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We’ve had several backup QB threads since the end of season. Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

This article puts data to it and concludes “there is little evidence that spending more than $2 million to $4 million in terms of a cap hit is warranted”.

Wolford or Perkins it is!

Examining the value of the backup quarterback position in the NFL

The backup quarterback position has taken on quite an evolution in the NFL. Far from the days when the San Francisco 49ers were able to carry two Hall of Famers in Joe Montana and Steve Young and the days when “quarterback controversies” and competitions existed well into August and throughout the regular season, most NFL teams have an established starter and put a considerable number of eggs in that basket each season in the form of salary and/or draft capital.

Even the likes of Brad Johnson, Rich Gannon, Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, Tony Romo and Jake Delhomme, to name a few, were once developmental guys nipping at the heels of established, but vulnerable, veterans ahead of them before becoming the unquestioned franchise quarterback — for whom the existence of a starter-worthy backup is considered a threat not worth bringing in by some.

Be that as it may, a fair share of backup quarterbacks have made the most of their opportunities in the past few years, headlined by Nick Foles — who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a win over backup Case Keenum’s Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title game, before beating Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. Ryan Tannehill, who opened 2019 as the Tennessee Titans‘ backup quarterback behind former first-round pick Marcus Mariota, earned more than two wins above replacementand led the league in a number of passing categories en route to the AFC Championship Game. Even Matt Moore, who went 1-1 in then-reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes’ stead, played a part in the Kansas City Chiefs earning a first-round bye in 2019 and an eventual Super Bowl title.

This season, the NFL backup quarterback situation (subject to change) is distributed as shown below, with exactly half of the league’s players at the position being veterans who have little-to-no chance of starting in the league again along with seven young players without the pedigree to be considered serious starting candidates. Furthermore, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers — with first-round quarterbacks waiting in the wings — have current starters in Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor who are not serious, long-term options to continue doing so.

First-round picks waiting in the wings (3)
Green Bay Packers — Jordan Love (Aaron Rodgers)
Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert (Tyrod Taylor)
Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa (Ryan Fitzpatrick)

QBs who can be eventual starters (6)
Chicago Bears — Mitchell Trubisky
Dallas Cowboys — Andy Dalton
Indianapolis Colts — Jacoby Brissett
Las Vegas Raiders — Marcus Mariota
Philadelphia Eagles — Jalen Hurts
New Orleans Saints — Jameis Winston

Young QBs with little to no shot to start in the NFL again/little pedigree (7)
Carolina Panthers — Phillip Walker
Cincinnati Bengals — Ryan Finley
Los Angeles Rams — John Wolford
Pittsburgh Steelers — Mason Rudolph/Devlin Hodges
San Francisco 49ers — Nick Mullens
Tennessee Titans — Logan Woodside/Cole McDonald
Washington Redskins — Kyle Allen

Veteran quarterbacks with little to no shot to start in the NFL again (16)
Arizona Cardinals — Brett Hundley
Atlanta Falcons — Matt Schaub
Baltimore Ravens — Robert Griffin III
Buffalo Bills — Matt Barkley
Cleveland Browns — Case Keenum
Denver Broncos — Jeff Driskel
Detroit Lions — Chase Daniel
Houston Texans — A.J. McCarron
Jacksonville Jaguars — Mike Glennon
Kansas City Chiefs — Chad Henne
Minnesota Vikings — Sean Mannion
New England Patriots — Brian Hoyer
New York Jets — Joe Flacco
Seattle Seahawks — Geno Smith
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Blaine Gabbert

To better understand various approaches to backup quarterbacks, I codified all of the backup quarterback situations in the PFF era (2006-2019) into four groups: rookie first-rounders, veterans (five years in the league or more), youngsters (four or fewer years in the league but not a rookie first-rounder) and special circumstances (think Andrew Luck in 2017 and 2019). While this doesn’t capture the whole of backup quarterback situations, it gets us in the right ballpark. The table below shows the average wins above replacement generated by non-starters in the different backup designations during the PFF era.


This is an interesting finding that suggests, at least in the aggregate, teams that opt for a veteran backup (if they are not going with a first-rounder as the backup initially or don’t have some Teddy Bridgewater calamity ruin their season) are doing better than teams that opt for a young, more developmental player at the backup position — especially per snap. There isn’t that much of a difference in terms of snaps played by the backup when the player is a veteran versus when he’s not, with some veterans playing a moderate amount of snaps and youngsters tasked with eventual big roles:

Backup Quarterback Snap Density | 2006-2019


Thus, if opting for a veteran quarterback is the better option for teams when filling their backup quarterback role, how much should a team spend on the position to get a fair value if they go in that direction?

To help answer this question, I looked at salary data from our friends at Over The Cap to model the worth of a veteran backup quarterback's in-game value, with data spanning back to 2013. While there is a ton of noise, in many ways because the number of snaps a quarterback plays is dependent on things he cannot control, there is a very small, positive relationship between the amount of money paid to a veteran quarterback and the amount of WAR earned by that player over the course of the season:

Relationship Between Backup QB WAR and Backup QB Salary


It is instructive to see where the negative outliers occur, and in this case, the worst veteran quarterback backup seasons are:


Here are the best veteran backup quarterback seasons:


There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to what we’re getting in terms of bang for the buck at the veteran backup spot, except for the fact that a lot of value can be obtained for relatively cheap (with a cap hit of $2 million to $4 million). But like everything, this amount of money doesn’t guarantee greatness when that player is called upon.

The last thing I want to look at is the position as a whole. Maybe there is a chance that having a veteran backup who is paid more money enhances the entire QB room through experience and the like. But this does not appear to be the case:

Relationship Between All QB WAR and Backup QB Salary


In general, the more money teams spend on the veteran backup, the less WAR the QB room generates. Some of this is wrapped up in the idea that the more you pay a veteran quarterback, the less you can pay your starter, as we still see the trend line when the variable is “percentage of QB salary taken up by the backup.” There are some outliers here, with Colin Kaepernick ($20 million cap hit in 2016), Nick Foles ($13.6 million in 2018) and Josh McCown ($10 million in 2018) possibly dragging down the trend line. If those players are removed, here is the resulting graph:

Relationship Between All QB WAR and Backup QB Salary (Outliers Removed)


The trend line is still negative, suggesting that the dollars spent on a veteran backup are not being used on things that can help the quarterback position succeed (indirectly, in the way of support on the offensive or defensive side of the ball). What if we include only veteran quarterbacks who cost $3 million or less in terms of a cap hit?

Relationship Between All QB WAR and Backup QB Salary (Only Backups Who Cost $3 million or less)


The relationship is far less pronounced than above but still slightly negative. Such a trend line is not seen if looking at young backups:

Relationship Between All QB WAR and Young Backup QB Salary


Notice that the more the backup plays, the worse the quarterback position does — but not so as a function of the salary, since most of the salaries are in the same window (with the higher salaries being younger quarterbacks who are picked early in the draft but not in the first round).

Actionable Items

As with starting quarterbacks, the situation is more complicated than “pay your backup quarterback X amount per year and prosper.” However, a combination of noise (injury- and performance-wise), scarcity of resources and the correlation between the performance of the rest of the team and the amount spent on the (starting) quarterback, mean that there are diminishing returns to paying a veteran backup, with very little evidence that a cap hit of $4 million or more yields positive results.

Hence, when looking at the landscape of backup quarterbacks above, it’s reasonable to assert that Jameis Winston ($2.86 million cap hit and would be 15th in our quarterback rankings if given a shot to start), Andy Dalton ($3.0 million), Case Keenum ($2.83 million), Matt Schaub ($2.38 million), Robert Griffin III ($2.5 million), Chase Daniel ($2.0 million), Chad Henne ($1.6 million), Brian Hoyer ($1.05 million) are all good values at the position. Meanwhile, players such as Marcus Mariota ($9.13 million), Nick Foles ($6.7 million), Taysom Hill ($4.8 million) and A.J. McCarron ($4.0 million) are not.

So, veteran backups do produce more value in a vacuum than young backups (who aren’t high draft picks), but when value is assessed at the entire position, there are diminishing returns. Hence, if the veteran backup quarterback is the choice, there is little evidence that spending more than $2 million to $4 million in terms of a cap hit is warranted. Insurance is usually a negative expected value proposition (especially along very finite time horizons), and the quarterback position is no different. Be thrifty.

Sad story:

SoFi Stadium construction worker killed in fall; work on project halted
An ironworker died after falling at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday morning and work has been temporarily stopped, according to the joint venture overseeing the $5-billion project.

One person briefed on the incident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the ironworker fell off the roof while working in the southeast corner of the stadium near one of the massive concrete columns that support the structure.

“This is an extremely sad day,” a spokesman for Turner-AECOM Hunt said in a statement confirming the death. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time. We work extremely hard to prevent days like this and we have halted all construction activity.”

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The statement said counseling is being provided to workers. It’s not clear when construction will resume.

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner said the victim is a male in his 30s who was pronounced dead by paramedics at 11:10 a.m. Identification is being withheld until his next of kin are notified. The death came a day after the number of known cases of COVID-19 among workers at the stadium increased to 12, seven coming in the last eight days.

According to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the worker fell from 110 feet. The agency is investigating the incident.

A large crane collapsed at the site in late February, but no one was injured.

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The first major event at the stadium is scheduled to be the preseason game between the Rams and the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 14.

A statement on behalf of SoFi Stadium, the Rams and Chargers called the death “heartbreaking.”

“The safety of our construction team and all of our employees is the foremost priority of our organizations, and we will continue to work with our partners and local authorities to deliver on this commitment,” the statement said.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/stor...m-construction-worker-falls-dies-halting-work

Alright, let’s hear ‘em.

Mine...

January 23, 2000
NFC Championship
Bucs at Rams

Garage Party. We started hours before game, if I had to add that... Plenty of booze. Food. Friends. But some strangers too. More than 20 people, less than 30. Afterward half the neighborhood.

The TV was set up in a garage. Lawn chairs, etc was the furniture.

After the amazing win... and lots of partying all day... out came bottles of red wine as our champagne spray...

Holy frigg.

Red wine everywhere, red wine soaked my clothes and hair. And you know what? Nobody freaking cared we partied hours more. We were all soaked, stained. Freaking awesome.

One of the best parties I’ve been too.

Let’s hear yours!

Early 2020 position outlook: Running back

After examining the Rams' offense, defense and special teams following the 2020 NFL Draft, theRams.com will take a deeper look at each position group as we get closer to the upcoming season. The running backs are up next.

Who's back

Malcolm Brown: Had 69 rushing attempts for 255 yards and five touchdowns as Todd Gurley's main backup.

Darrell Henderson: Played in 13 games as a rookie in 2019, finishing with 39 carries for 147 yards and four receptions for 37 yards.

John Kelly: Spent the majority of the 2019 season on the Rams' practice squad. He tallied three carries for nine yards in the four games he appeared in.

Who's gone

Gurley: The Rams' 2015 first-round pick out of Georgia started 72 games for the franchise, rushing for 5,404 yards and 58 touchdowns. His 70 total touchdowns rank fourth in team history, while his total rushing yards are fifth-most in team history.

He tallied 223 carries for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns, plus 31 receptions for 207 yards and a pair of receiving touchdowns in his final season with the club. After Los Angeles released him, he signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons as an unrestricted free agent.

Who's new

Cam Akers: A second-team All-ACC selection, Akers rushed for 1,144 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 231 carries in 2019. In the passing game, he added 30 receptions for 225 yards and four scores while starting 11 games.

James Gilbert: Undrafted free agent signee who led Kansas State with 737 yards and finished second on the team with six rushing touchdowns as a graduate transfer in 2019.

Xavier Jones: Undrafted free agent signee who set single-season SMU records for total touchdowns (25), rushing touchdowns (23), and points (150) during his senior season and was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back.

Key questions

Will we see a committee approach, or will one running back emerge as the primary contributor? General manager Les Snead previously said in early April that he envisions the Rams' offense utilizing "more than one workhorse running the ball" and "different genres of skillsets," but one running back could start getting more carries than the others if their performance warrants it. It will be fascinating to see how those roles play out.

What can Henderson show in year two? The former Memphis standout had a handful of opportunities to display his talents in 2019, but like the other returning running backs, Gurley's departure and the consequent number of snaps becoming available should give him more chances this year.

I know I am just repeating what so many Rams Fans have been saying that the Rams will be as good as their Offensive Line! I think the Rams have done an amazing job filling in holes (Gurley, Cooks, Zuerlein, Littleton, etc) that were created during the off-season and IF the Rams Offensive Line can play as good as the Coaching Staff must feel like they can (Didn’t seem to be much of a sense of urgency since there was very little attention paid to adding Offensive Linemen through the Draft or Free Agency) I think the Rams will have an excellent season and prove a lot of people and so-called experts (Other than us Rams Fans!) wrong who have already counted the Rams out for the 2020 Season!!! I am very, VERY Excited about the upcoming Season and will be Very Disappointed with anything less than a SUPERBOWl WINNING SEASON (Of Course, That is how I feel about every Season!)!!!

We havent talked about stocks lately. For those few here that are still trading...

LK- Luckin Coffee. The Chinese competition to Starbucks. Was $51 in January, then accounting scandal hit and share price plummeted. Everyone has been fired and Nasdaq kicked them out. But....alas there is an appeal process! Enjoy the volatility I got in at 1.48 and out at 2.40 then back in at 2.04 and out at 2.60 then in at 2.22 and out at 3.11 and yesterday back in again at 3.44 and currently 5.25

i think you get the point.

Watch list
LK- fraud over reaction
HTZ- Hertz bankruptcy over reaction went to .40 freaking cents! Kidding me?
GNUS- Genius Brands (Cartoon Network) has gone nuts. Extremely volatile.
NERV- Minerva Pharma. Over reaction to phase 3 trial and FDA fail. From $15 to $2 and um...yeah. I took some at 2.48 and rode in to 4.30

longer swing trades- anything oil that isnt bankrupt. When at the bottom, theres only one way to go!!! Look for small caps here like OAS (Im holding), NE (holding) , CPE, PACD (holding), QEP, CDEV to name a few. All trading near 52 week lows and all with incredible upside potential as compared to large caps like Exxon and Chevron.
Thank me later. Go make some money.