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Clues to plans, identities of Rams’ new coordinators emerge: The Athletic article
- By PressureD41
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 18 Replies
By: Jourdan Rodrigue May 26, 2020
PressureD41: I am quickly becoming a huge Jourdan Rodrigue fan. This is a deep dive, and you can see the talent. Love her work so far!!!
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Clues to plans, identities of Rams’ new coordinators emerge
By Jourdan Rodrigue May 26, 2020
15
So, what exactly are the Rams getting in new coordinators Kevin O’Connell and Brandon Staley? Will their respective offensive and defensive units reflect their own identities?
As the team inches closer to in-person and on-field workouts — with hopeful estimations of holding training camp on time in July, and in California — we can glean clues bit by bit about O’Connell, the offensive coordinator who also will have a big say in the continued development of quarterback Jared Goff, and about Staley, the first-time NFL defensive coordinator who one national pundit called a “secret weapon” for the Rams last week.
They share more than similar backgrounds with head coach Sean McVay
Each of McVay’s new coordinators was, like McVay himself, once a high school quarterback. And we know that while McVay went on to play receiver at Miami University (Ohio), O’Connell stuck with quarterback at San Diego State (and in a few places in the NFL), while Staley played quarterback at Dayton.
And O’Connell shares a vaguely similar NFL coaching path with McVay. Both worked under Jay Gruden in Washington as offensive coordinators, with both serving as position coaches before their promotions (they never worked on the same staff).
But more important, perhaps, than any parallels on their resume seem to be — upon early appraisal — the similarities in their approaches to coaching, teaching and studying the game.
“We’ve been able to really slow it down, strip it down to the point where we’re teaching every single day. Great detail on the technique and fundamentals as well as scheme and growing, kind of putting it all together so that players can really understand the sequence of the ‘why,'” said O’Connell, of how offensive meetings have adjusted in an all-virtual setting.
Yes, O’Connell is a “why” guy — something McVay emphasized heavily upon his own arrival in Los Angeles in 2017. As McVay searched for his coordinators, he wasn’t looking for a “mentor” type anymore — instead, he seemed to key in on specific qualities that he has known to work for himself over the years. Understanding not just what a plan is, but why it is — and teaching accordingly — seems to be one of them.
“You come in, and you have to learn first,” O’Connell said. “You have to really submerge yourself in the details of how the ‘why’ has come about, because that’s the only way you can coach it.”
In Staley, McVay seemed to seek another similar quality represented in himself: Experience coaching a ton of different positions, and the ability to translate all of those different “languages” into a smart, cohesive plan. Staley is a former quarterback who found his calling on the defensive side of the ball and since has coached in each defensive tier, including coordinating experience in the secondary.
“You guys that know Sean, that’s how he is on offense. He can coach all the positions on the field,” Staley said, “and certainly I’ve tried to be as well-rounded as possible so that I can communicate effectively to everybody in the room and not just a certain (position group).”
O’Connell wants Goff to take ownership of the details of the offense
O’Connell, who has an extensive background as a quarterbacks coach, will have a large role with Goff. He’s expected to work with the fifth-year quarterback quite a bit, with the goal that Goff becomes more consistent but also grows in his command of the offense and of the position room.
O’Connell said that elevating Goff’s play overall might be about improving even the most minute of details by “one or two percent.”
“There are a lot of layers to it,” he said. “You have the fundamentals of playing the position, where you strip it down and it can be as pure as a first step on a dropback from underneath the center. It could be his base at the top of the drop. It could be where his eyes are going off a play-action fake. It could be understanding what’s happening on the other side of the ball, versus the play call and what our job is at the quarterback position to give our offense the best possible chance of success.”
To O’Connell, excellence at the position means the ability to marry the details of the day-to-day with the bigger picture as Goff comes of age as an NFL quarterback.
“There’s a layer, going into his fifth year … in the offense, of ownership,” O’Connell said. “Where you feel strongly about presenting him with a plan where he can truly have some ownership, while also understanding at the end of the day that it’s just about being great with the details of doing his job…
“If he does his job at a really high level (and is) consistent with that, whether it be technique, fundamentals, the Xs and Os of it, maybe it’s a leadership thing, maybe it’s making sure we’re great in and out of the huddle, maybe it’s little details like that where if we can just get one or two percent better across the board at all of those different things, I think he has a chance to have a great season.”
The staff is entrusting Goff with little details, even amid the challenges of working virtually during this time. Instead of mandating safe, socially distant workouts for him, they are leaving the organization of throwing sessions with receivers up to him, O’Connell said, to give him ownership over that important piece of the offseason.
Sean McVay and Jared Goff have had a strong relationship for three years. (Robert Deutsch / USA Today)
The quarterbacks room will be all about communication
“It’s really important to me that (the quarterback room) is a room of communication, open dialogue,” O’Connell said. “Sometimes you plan a two-hour meeting and you only get 25 percent of it done because Jared has had a great question, John (Wolford) has had a great question, Coach McVay maybe comes in with a layer of a topic that takes it to a whole other level.”
O’Connell compared it to preparing a lesson plan as a teacher, but being open to fluidity if the students bring up points that open up further dialogue. He believes that gives the quarterbacks a sense of ownership of their own room, while still working within the offense as a whole.
“(It’s about) understanding that we have an offense, we have a system, we have rules, and finding that real fine line between the two: Really letting the players grow while also allowing yourself to really present and sell the plan moving forward,” he said.
O’Connell sees big potential for rookie running back Cam Akers
Akers, a second-round draft pick last month — and the Rams’ initial pick — faces an uphill battle because he can’t fully get adjusted to an NFL offseason due to coronavirus restrictions. Akers, likely in combination with second-year back Darrell Henderson, is expected to shoulder a heavy workload in 2020 as the Rams look to re-establish a running identity after parting ways with former star Todd Gurley in March.
“You really saw the amount of personal grit and determination,” O’Connell said of Akers’ time at Florida State. “He was running against of loaded looks … and he was able to create a lot on his own. You see the upside — I think it was a great running back draft, there was a lot of depth there across the board — but for us, and for me personally with Cam, just watching and thinking about where he could possible get to and maximized in our offense, it’s really exciting.”
Staley is forming a strong bond with star corner Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey was an All-Pro cornerback in 2017, and after a couple of tumultuous seasons — including his trade to Los Angeles from Jacksonville last year — he is preparing for his first full season with the Rams.
And Staley has high expectations — which he believes Ramsey can match.
“I think there’s a lot more in him than he’s shown in the NFL,” Staley said. “I mean, he’s shown himself to be one of the premier guys. But I know there’s a lot more in him for him to showcase.”
Staley wants to get creative with Ramsey, who he feels can do a lot of different things for the Rams depending on how they need to counter an offense from week to week. If the Rams are struggling to contain the middle of the field — like against productive tight ends, for example — Staley wants to put Ramsey in the slot. Ramsey can even play safety, Staley added, and of course would take the lead against a team’s featured receiver when necessary.
“He’s got command of all the positions in the defensive backfield,” Staley said. “You know, I do not look at him just as a corner. I look at him as a (defensive back). This guy can do anything. He thinks like a quarterback. This game means a lot to him. His craft, his focus, his commitment … I couldn’t be more impressed with this guy.”
The two are developing a strong relationship and talk multiple times a day, according to Staley.
“I love coaching this guy,” he said. “It has been one of the unique parts about this whole thing, the relationship that I’ve been able to form with him in a short time.”
Jalen Ramsey had one interception in nine games with the Rams last season. (Kyle Terada / USA Today)
Staley keeps energy levels high in team meetings
Multiple players have said in the last few weeks that Staley has a way of getting everybody fired up in meetings, despite the virtual setting that could turn pretty monotonous.
“It’s a great privilege to get in front of your players,” Staley said. “I don’t care what level you get to coach … I think especially in times like this, you want to be able to create energy every day that they can feed off of. I think we’ve all been in classes, or at conferences or seminars, where a lot of it is depending on how good the teacher or the presenter is, about how you really learn the material.
“So what we try to do as coaches is be on fire every day to prepare something that is really going to help them get better and make it as like being in the office or on the field as possible … and try to come in each day with purpose, and then follow up with a lot of communication afterwards.”
Staley’s gusto for coaching has long been a major aspect of his personality.
“I’m a son of a teacher and a coach,” he said. “My parents are my heroes. I started drinking coffee and reading the newspaper when I was in first grade … I fell in love with sports a long time ago. I’ve always felt that passion to teach and to coach…
“I feel like being a competitor is really important as a coach. I think your players need to know that you’re competing, just like they are. I feel like that’s what I probably see myself more as than anything, is a competitor. That probably expresses itself to players — I hope it does — and I want those guys to know that we’re not just going to talk about things, we’re going to be those things.”
Defense will be multiple as Staley hopes to get creative
Yes, if you want to categorize Staley’s “base defense,” it’s a 3-4. But try to avoid getting boxed-in with the terminology here, because Staley wants to be as multiple as possible while maximizing the skill sets of players such as Aaron Donald, the star defensive tackle who brings so much versatility and ability up front, and Ramsey in the back half.
“We play so many different packages,” said Staley, who added that while technically the defense he coached in while in Chicago was also a 3-4 “base,” they were in nickel 84 percent of the time.
“I think the 3-4 just is a framework of who your personnel is, but how you activate that personnel … that will express itself when those best players emerge, the matchup within the game. We like that personnel grouping because it gives you a lot of flexibility in how you can play people.”
PressureD41: I am quickly becoming a huge Jourdan Rodrigue fan. This is a deep dive, and you can see the talent. Love her work so far!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clues to plans, identities of Rams’ new coordinators emerge
By Jourdan Rodrigue May 26, 2020
So, what exactly are the Rams getting in new coordinators Kevin O’Connell and Brandon Staley? Will their respective offensive and defensive units reflect their own identities?
As the team inches closer to in-person and on-field workouts — with hopeful estimations of holding training camp on time in July, and in California — we can glean clues bit by bit about O’Connell, the offensive coordinator who also will have a big say in the continued development of quarterback Jared Goff, and about Staley, the first-time NFL defensive coordinator who one national pundit called a “secret weapon” for the Rams last week.
They share more than similar backgrounds with head coach Sean McVay
Each of McVay’s new coordinators was, like McVay himself, once a high school quarterback. And we know that while McVay went on to play receiver at Miami University (Ohio), O’Connell stuck with quarterback at San Diego State (and in a few places in the NFL), while Staley played quarterback at Dayton.
And O’Connell shares a vaguely similar NFL coaching path with McVay. Both worked under Jay Gruden in Washington as offensive coordinators, with both serving as position coaches before their promotions (they never worked on the same staff).
But more important, perhaps, than any parallels on their resume seem to be — upon early appraisal — the similarities in their approaches to coaching, teaching and studying the game.
“We’ve been able to really slow it down, strip it down to the point where we’re teaching every single day. Great detail on the technique and fundamentals as well as scheme and growing, kind of putting it all together so that players can really understand the sequence of the ‘why,'” said O’Connell, of how offensive meetings have adjusted in an all-virtual setting.
Yes, O’Connell is a “why” guy — something McVay emphasized heavily upon his own arrival in Los Angeles in 2017. As McVay searched for his coordinators, he wasn’t looking for a “mentor” type anymore — instead, he seemed to key in on specific qualities that he has known to work for himself over the years. Understanding not just what a plan is, but why it is — and teaching accordingly — seems to be one of them.
“You come in, and you have to learn first,” O’Connell said. “You have to really submerge yourself in the details of how the ‘why’ has come about, because that’s the only way you can coach it.”
In Staley, McVay seemed to seek another similar quality represented in himself: Experience coaching a ton of different positions, and the ability to translate all of those different “languages” into a smart, cohesive plan. Staley is a former quarterback who found his calling on the defensive side of the ball and since has coached in each defensive tier, including coordinating experience in the secondary.
“You guys that know Sean, that’s how he is on offense. He can coach all the positions on the field,” Staley said, “and certainly I’ve tried to be as well-rounded as possible so that I can communicate effectively to everybody in the room and not just a certain (position group).”
O’Connell wants Goff to take ownership of the details of the offense
O’Connell, who has an extensive background as a quarterbacks coach, will have a large role with Goff. He’s expected to work with the fifth-year quarterback quite a bit, with the goal that Goff becomes more consistent but also grows in his command of the offense and of the position room.
O’Connell said that elevating Goff’s play overall might be about improving even the most minute of details by “one or two percent.”
“There are a lot of layers to it,” he said. “You have the fundamentals of playing the position, where you strip it down and it can be as pure as a first step on a dropback from underneath the center. It could be his base at the top of the drop. It could be where his eyes are going off a play-action fake. It could be understanding what’s happening on the other side of the ball, versus the play call and what our job is at the quarterback position to give our offense the best possible chance of success.”
To O’Connell, excellence at the position means the ability to marry the details of the day-to-day with the bigger picture as Goff comes of age as an NFL quarterback.
“There’s a layer, going into his fifth year … in the offense, of ownership,” O’Connell said. “Where you feel strongly about presenting him with a plan where he can truly have some ownership, while also understanding at the end of the day that it’s just about being great with the details of doing his job…
“If he does his job at a really high level (and is) consistent with that, whether it be technique, fundamentals, the Xs and Os of it, maybe it’s a leadership thing, maybe it’s making sure we’re great in and out of the huddle, maybe it’s little details like that where if we can just get one or two percent better across the board at all of those different things, I think he has a chance to have a great season.”
The staff is entrusting Goff with little details, even amid the challenges of working virtually during this time. Instead of mandating safe, socially distant workouts for him, they are leaving the organization of throwing sessions with receivers up to him, O’Connell said, to give him ownership over that important piece of the offseason.
Sean McVay and Jared Goff have had a strong relationship for three years. (Robert Deutsch / USA Today)
The quarterbacks room will be all about communication
“It’s really important to me that (the quarterback room) is a room of communication, open dialogue,” O’Connell said. “Sometimes you plan a two-hour meeting and you only get 25 percent of it done because Jared has had a great question, John (Wolford) has had a great question, Coach McVay maybe comes in with a layer of a topic that takes it to a whole other level.”
O’Connell compared it to preparing a lesson plan as a teacher, but being open to fluidity if the students bring up points that open up further dialogue. He believes that gives the quarterbacks a sense of ownership of their own room, while still working within the offense as a whole.
“(It’s about) understanding that we have an offense, we have a system, we have rules, and finding that real fine line between the two: Really letting the players grow while also allowing yourself to really present and sell the plan moving forward,” he said.
O’Connell sees big potential for rookie running back Cam Akers
Akers, a second-round draft pick last month — and the Rams’ initial pick — faces an uphill battle because he can’t fully get adjusted to an NFL offseason due to coronavirus restrictions. Akers, likely in combination with second-year back Darrell Henderson, is expected to shoulder a heavy workload in 2020 as the Rams look to re-establish a running identity after parting ways with former star Todd Gurley in March.
“You really saw the amount of personal grit and determination,” O’Connell said of Akers’ time at Florida State. “He was running against of loaded looks … and he was able to create a lot on his own. You see the upside — I think it was a great running back draft, there was a lot of depth there across the board — but for us, and for me personally with Cam, just watching and thinking about where he could possible get to and maximized in our offense, it’s really exciting.”
Staley is forming a strong bond with star corner Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey was an All-Pro cornerback in 2017, and after a couple of tumultuous seasons — including his trade to Los Angeles from Jacksonville last year — he is preparing for his first full season with the Rams.
And Staley has high expectations — which he believes Ramsey can match.
“I think there’s a lot more in him than he’s shown in the NFL,” Staley said. “I mean, he’s shown himself to be one of the premier guys. But I know there’s a lot more in him for him to showcase.”
Staley wants to get creative with Ramsey, who he feels can do a lot of different things for the Rams depending on how they need to counter an offense from week to week. If the Rams are struggling to contain the middle of the field — like against productive tight ends, for example — Staley wants to put Ramsey in the slot. Ramsey can even play safety, Staley added, and of course would take the lead against a team’s featured receiver when necessary.
“He’s got command of all the positions in the defensive backfield,” Staley said. “You know, I do not look at him just as a corner. I look at him as a (defensive back). This guy can do anything. He thinks like a quarterback. This game means a lot to him. His craft, his focus, his commitment … I couldn’t be more impressed with this guy.”
The two are developing a strong relationship and talk multiple times a day, according to Staley.
“I love coaching this guy,” he said. “It has been one of the unique parts about this whole thing, the relationship that I’ve been able to form with him in a short time.”
Jalen Ramsey had one interception in nine games with the Rams last season. (Kyle Terada / USA Today)
Staley keeps energy levels high in team meetings
Multiple players have said in the last few weeks that Staley has a way of getting everybody fired up in meetings, despite the virtual setting that could turn pretty monotonous.
“It’s a great privilege to get in front of your players,” Staley said. “I don’t care what level you get to coach … I think especially in times like this, you want to be able to create energy every day that they can feed off of. I think we’ve all been in classes, or at conferences or seminars, where a lot of it is depending on how good the teacher or the presenter is, about how you really learn the material.
“So what we try to do as coaches is be on fire every day to prepare something that is really going to help them get better and make it as like being in the office or on the field as possible … and try to come in each day with purpose, and then follow up with a lot of communication afterwards.”
Staley’s gusto for coaching has long been a major aspect of his personality.
“I’m a son of a teacher and a coach,” he said. “My parents are my heroes. I started drinking coffee and reading the newspaper when I was in first grade … I fell in love with sports a long time ago. I’ve always felt that passion to teach and to coach…
“I feel like being a competitor is really important as a coach. I think your players need to know that you’re competing, just like they are. I feel like that’s what I probably see myself more as than anything, is a competitor. That probably expresses itself to players — I hope it does — and I want those guys to know that we’re not just going to talk about things, we’re going to be those things.”
Defense will be multiple as Staley hopes to get creative
Yes, if you want to categorize Staley’s “base defense,” it’s a 3-4. But try to avoid getting boxed-in with the terminology here, because Staley wants to be as multiple as possible while maximizing the skill sets of players such as Aaron Donald, the star defensive tackle who brings so much versatility and ability up front, and Ramsey in the back half.
“We play so many different packages,” said Staley, who added that while technically the defense he coached in while in Chicago was also a 3-4 “base,” they were in nickel 84 percent of the time.
“I think the 3-4 just is a framework of who your personnel is, but how you activate that personnel … that will express itself when those best players emerge, the matchup within the game. We like that personnel grouping because it gives you a lot of flexibility in how you can play people.”
Jalen Ramsey will attend camp without extension:
- By IowaRam
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 26 Replies
Jalen Ramsey will attend camp without extension: 'It'll get handled'
The Los Angeles Rams knew when they traded for Jalen Ramsey last season, he’d only be under contract through 2020. He’s now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $13.7 million for the upcoming season before he becomes a free agent.
Ramsey has made it clear he wants to be paid handsomely after making several statements during his time with the Jaguars, but the Rams have yet to back up the Brinks truck for the All-Pro cornerback. That won’t prevent Ramsey from showing up to training camp whenever it takes place, though.
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Ramsey said he won’t hold out this summer if he doesn’t get an extension beforehand.
Ramsey reportedly told the Rams last year that he wouldn’t hold out in 2020, but all bets are off next offseason if the Rams use the franchise tag on him. In all likelihood, he would hold out in 2021 if tagged, given the lack of long-term security that comes with the franchise tender.
Considering the way he’s played since being drafted by the Jaguars, Ramsey deserves to be one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL – if not the top-paid guy. He says the Rams know where he stands in these contract negotiations, and that “everybody knew what type of situation it was going to be” when they traded for him.
In other words, the Rams should’ve known his price tag at the time of the deal, and he’s probably not budging on it.
The Rams gave up two first-round picks to acquire Ramsey, and letting him leave after just a season and a half would be a massive mistake. Sure, they would receive a compensatory pick in return, but it wouldn’t be any earlier than the third round.
Getting Ramsey signed has to be one of the top priorities of the offseason for Los Angeles, otherwise this situation could get messy next year. By not extending him when the trade happened, Ramsey’s price tag went up with Byron Jones getting $16.5 million per year from the Dolphins.
That’s the floor for Ramsey’s next contract, with the ceiling likely north of $20 million per season.
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Jalen Ramsey will attend camp without extension: 'It'll get handled'
The Los Angeles Rams knew when they traded for Jalen Ramsey last season, he’d only be under contract through 2020. He’s now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $13.7 million for the upcoming season before he becomes a free agent.…
theramswire.usatoday.com
The Los Angeles Rams knew when they traded for Jalen Ramsey last season, he’d only be under contract through 2020. He’s now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $13.7 million for the upcoming season before he becomes a free agent.
Ramsey has made it clear he wants to be paid handsomely after making several statements during his time with the Jaguars, but the Rams have yet to back up the Brinks truck for the All-Pro cornerback. That won’t prevent Ramsey from showing up to training camp whenever it takes place, though.
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Ramsey said he won’t hold out this summer if he doesn’t get an extension beforehand.
Ramsey reportedly told the Rams last year that he wouldn’t hold out in 2020, but all bets are off next offseason if the Rams use the franchise tag on him. In all likelihood, he would hold out in 2021 if tagged, given the lack of long-term security that comes with the franchise tender.
Considering the way he’s played since being drafted by the Jaguars, Ramsey deserves to be one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL – if not the top-paid guy. He says the Rams know where he stands in these contract negotiations, and that “everybody knew what type of situation it was going to be” when they traded for him.
In other words, the Rams should’ve known his price tag at the time of the deal, and he’s probably not budging on it.
The Rams gave up two first-round picks to acquire Ramsey, and letting him leave after just a season and a half would be a massive mistake. Sure, they would receive a compensatory pick in return, but it wouldn’t be any earlier than the third round.
Getting Ramsey signed has to be one of the top priorities of the offseason for Los Angeles, otherwise this situation could get messy next year. By not extending him when the trade happened, Ramsey’s price tag went up with Byron Jones getting $16.5 million per year from the Dolphins.
That’s the floor for Ramsey’s next contract, with the ceiling likely north of $20 million per season.
Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/StuJRams/status/1265332098904162304
Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/gregbeacham/status/1265329562193297408
Redshirt LB Micah Kiser better than many know
- By ROD-BOT
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 13 Replies
LA Rams News: Redshirt LB Micah Kiser better than many know
LA Rams' redshirt linebacker Micah Kiser is far better suited to start this season than many realize. Despite open competition, here's why Kiser is starter
ramblinfan.com
When the LA Rams linebacker Micah Kiser fell to a pectoral muscle injury in a preseason game to the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, nobody could have predicted the outcome. That event derailed Kiser’s first season as an NFL Starter. That was a goal he had set for himself since being drafted to the Rams as the 147th selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. In the draft, Kiser’s strengths included great football IQ, good pass coverage, good blitzes, great tackler, and leadership. His weaknesses was a lack of athleticism.
His first season in the NFL was entirely special teams. He played 298 special teams snaps and recorded four tackles. While that wasn’t much of a debut, it was a year of training camp, practices, and strength training. After the LA Rams failed to use an early-round draft pick linebacker, many feared the Rams failed to adequately fill the void. But what if the team had an Ace-in-the-hole already?
Attention getter
Kiser was an intelligent linebacker who bulked up for the team over his rookie season. He proved to be a relentless nose-to-the-grindstone workaholic. That was enough to get the attention of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Kiser’s work ethic did more than catch defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ attention. That drive-to-be-the-best was obvious to his position coach, to his head coach. But when that reputation also hooked the attention of general manager Les Snead, the stage was set:
““From a conscientiousness standpoint, whatever you’re rating in – I don’t know if ‘Madden’ can give a perfect score – but in conscientiousness and saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to be one of the best linebackers in the Rams organization, I do know this: His vision to be that, the conscientiousness matches that,” Snead said. “I don’t know if there’s been a day he’s missed here. Buy stock in Micah Kiser. Don’t want to interfere with his relationships, but if you have a daughter, see if you can somehow set them up because you just want to buy stock in that man.”-Les Snead as per Rams Revealed podcast Episode 27 (at 43:50). LINK
That’s a pretty huge endorsement.
The proof is on the field
Is this a case of that-was-then-this-is-now dynamics? After all, the LA Rams have a changing of the guard, having moved on from Wade Phillips to welcome new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Now, everything has been reset, and the newcomers have as much chance as yesterday’s shoe-ins because the measurement has changed. The rule is no longer “can you be the best?” but rather “can you fill the most roles?”. Does Kiser measure up this year?
He does. He’s 6-foot-0 and 244 pounds. He’s stout and powerful, a 38-inch waist and 36-inch thighs, which is a throwback to players like Earl Campbell and Robert Newhouse. There is always a place on the team for that type of power. If Kiser’s shortcomings at the draft were athleticism, then that point has certainly been addressed. His stature of 6-foot-0 will limit him in terms of swapping to an outside linebacker role. But the name of the game in 2020 is to bolster the run defense. Kiser is a fireplug in the middle of the defense. That’s what the Rams need.
Multi-role vs. primary role
Even now, he is one of the best on the field. Regardless of past success in multiple roles, the key is the player comprehension, and that is where Kiser has excelled. Kiser has been “the guy”, inasmuch as he has been in the batter’s box awaiting his chance to swing at the starting role. The team has not changed the function of the linebacker. All that has happened in the offseason defense design is the addition of other roles to the defense at the ILB slot.
Kiser is not just a one-trick pony. He is not “just” a run defender. But he is new to the starting role of the NFL. And for the LA Rams, no matter who fills the defense, that interior linebacking role – whether a pure linebacker, a hybrid linebacker/safety, or a hybrid defensive back who can defend the run, that player will be new to the defense. And in that situation, I want a player who can think quickly on his feet, who can diagnose the play, and who can make the tackle. That’s Micah Kiser.
LA Rams DC Staley will field multi-faceted 3-4 defense
- By ROD-BOT
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 15 Replies
Why LA Rams base 3-4 defense means very little
LA Rams new Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley will field a multi-faceted 3-4 defense, which means the team will seldom be in a 3-4 base D.
ramblinfan.com
The LA Rams new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is one of the NFL’s best-kept secrets. Secrets in that nobody is touting much excitement about the innovative “mad scientist” who is taking over the reins of the Rams steady-Freddie defense. Best in that he is the defensive equivalent of head coach Sean McVay, a young savant whose energy ideas and innovations turn the page to a new chapter of the NFL.
He is a young coach with just three years of NFL experience, but whose analytical mind has grasped every defensive concept he has been exposed to. And he has followed the career of NFL defensive genius Vic Fangio. While that is not a certain guarantee, it creates very fertile ground from which to grow his own defensive concepts and coaching tree. Now the question is, what will those be?
A 3-4 defense by any other name
The LA Rams are about to undertake a journey, a series of trial and error concepts as the Staley experiments with the defense to create the most effective version. These experiments will involve personnel packages, defensive formations, and unorthodox defensive assignments as he scrambles the defense to thwart each new offense the Rams face. That means that the defense can be as exotic in a formation as a 2-5-4, a 3-3-4, a 6-1-4, or any other version designed to confuse and deny the opposing quarterback’s ability to read the defense.
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Emphasizing versatility and player strengths? Let’s discuss that.
Able to adapt to many different functions
That word “versatility” is simply a buzzword today. When the season starts, it will be the bread and butter of the Rams defense. In short, it means that the LA Rams defense will be able to adapt to many different functions. How that works in defense is the key. Since offensive coordinators have become so effective at cracking the basic defensive formation codes, Staley’s route is to improve the encryption of the defensive formation.
The concepts will be based in the Fangio philosophy, where defenses show zone coverage, but transform into man coverage. That’s very similar to the defense Wade Phillips uses as well, and one of the key reasons why McVay sought Staley to be Phillips successor as defensive coordinator.
Match zone
The match zone defense is very much like basketball, where defenders play man to man with a receiver, but hand that player off to another defender to cover at a specific range. Former Rams DC Phillips explained the match zone like this:
“We say, ‘Hey, you’re playing this zone, but when a guy comes over there, you match with him,’” Phillips explained. “You pass it off, just like in basketball. When another guy comes there, you go there. That’s the simple way to tell you how we played matchup zone. We play a lot of match zone, but people think we’re playing man-to-man. Hopefully that confuses them. It probably confused you already.” – per interview with Rich Kurtzman, Broncoswire.usatoday.com
That begs the question, what are the differences we can expect for the Rams 3-4 defense right out of the gates?
3-4 defenses are like fingerprints
The LA Rams will not be blitzing much in this new defense. That’s part of the Vic Fangio DNA that has likely passed down to Staley. Phillips defenses tend to be formulated to the down and distance, a prescribed but a finite number of options for the defense, a base of “here’s our 11 best guys on defense, and we dare you to move the ball against them”. Defensive players have defined roles, and it was a coaching decision to blitz in order to create pressure on the quarterback.
But the new defense will be far more rotations. far fewer blitzes, and a host of “what are they doing” role-changing elements which are designed to pressure the quarterback at his most vulnerable spot- his ability to read the defense effectively. That means hesitation in the pocket, giving defenders more time to record a sack. Even more, it triggers misreads and running plays into a defense designed to thwart that play.
Mirage management
The Rams defense taps into the second-guessing nature that is embedded in each of us. So how does that work? As the Rams replace defensive players in situations to respond in unexpected ways, their confidence is soon erased with a need to diagnose unexpected personnel packages. Let’s walk through a scenario:
The season opener against the Dallas Cowboys finds the Cowboys at third down and six at their 24-yard line. The Rams show just two defenders as down linemen and Aaron Donald is in a two-point stance at linebacker depth. Seeing this, the Cowboys call an audible out of a pass to run the ball by Ezekiel Elliott. But by doing so, the Rams have dictated the offensive play by the confusing formation. The Rams are running a 2-5-4 defense on this play, with Aaron Donald over the center. Now the Rams can swarm to the runner on this play, and with Donald flexing, the offense has no chance to double team him. The result of the play? Elliot gets a one-yard gain, resulting in a fourth-down punt.
Different faces, same results
That same type of defense dictating the direction of offense happens any time the Rams throw a new wrinkle at the offense. That’s why the Ram emphasized versatility on the defense. Players like Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller, Adonis Alexander, even Clay Johnston give the Rams players who can line up in one role, but take on a different role as soon as that ball is snapped.
The Rams can even change up elite players into unexpected roles. The LA Rams traded a pretty stiff package of draft picks to bring in elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the team. So now that they have him on the roster, he’ll play shutdown outside cornerback exclusively, right? Not if you believe the recent statements Staley has made about his star defensive back. In short, Staley believes that Ramsey could dominate in virtually any defensive back role on the team.
Why mess with success? More success
The LA Rams will face San Francisco tight end George Kittle twice a season. In 2019, he feasted on the Rams for 13 receptions, 182 yards, and a touchdown in just two games. One of the first objectives for the Rams defense in 2020 is stopping that type of house burning performance from an opponent.
Kittle typically draws the slot cornerback. But what if the Rams were able to position Jalen Ramsey as his primary defender? That would force the 49ers to either throw into one of the NFL’s best pass defenders or direct the ball to another receiver. That not only shuts Kittle down, but it would force 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to read his progressions, giving Aaron Donald and the Rams defense more time to zero in on him. But if that’s the case, what are the goals of the defense?
Goals
So what are the defensive goals of Staley’s defense? His mentor, Vic Fangio, focused on points allowed, turnovers, and then yards allowed. The Rams are coming off the 2019 season where the defense was ranked 17th in the league for points allowed, and tied for 15th in the league in the takeaway/giveaway ratio. So there is definitely some ground to make up.
While the LA Rams were ranked 12th in pass defense in 2019, their run defense was ranked 19th in the NFL. That’s concerning, as the offense was able to score points. The Rams have taken strides to bolster their run defense in free agency by adding OLB Leonard Floyd and NT A’Shawn Robinson while re-signing DE Michael Brockers. All three will contribute to creating a solid run defense.
What are the takeaways from this Rams defense?
While the Rams defense has little to do with giveaways, the team will most certainly emphasize takeaways in 2020. The Rams did a good job in 2019, ranking 12th in interceptions and seventh in fumble recoveries. Can the Rams do more in 2020? Likely so. The Rams boasted six different defensive backs with two interceptions each. While the Rams no longer have either Marcus Peters or Cory Littleton, the Rams will not struggle with swapping out both starting cornerbacks in mid-season this year.
As the Rams emphasize deception, the likelihood of mistakes committed by the offense increases exponentially. A stiffer defense also plays into giving the offense opportunities to play higher percentages. In 2019, the Rams lost four times by double digits. Falling behind by that much in a game forces higher risk plays by the offense. That gives the offense better options to move the ball. Meanwhile, the defense focuses upon stopping the run, generating turnovers, and preventing scores. Strip away everything else, and the LA Rams are simply going to create unspeakable headaches for offenses in 2020. And their pain is the LA Rams gain.
Jason La Canfora sucks
- By Legatron4
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 46 Replies
I don’t even know where to start with this horrendous list. First of all, a bonafide franchise QB to me is a guy who is established and is going to be the guy for a long time. That would exclude Brees, Brady, Roethlisberger and Rodgers. Who are all over 35 years old.
Also, I think a franchise QB should be on their second contract. To prove the team is committed. Mahomes is probably the only exception.
I like Watson, but he is slightly overrated. He has some really bad clunkers and hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet over a full season. I would peg him as a proven winner. Same with Lamar Jackson. He had an incredible year. But let’s withhold judgement to see if teams can follow what the Titans did.
Wentz is confusing. He hasn’t won a playoff game. He’s had one great year and is otherwise pretty good. Yet people see him as this all world QB. Technically under my criteria, he’s a franchise QB.
Proven Winners are just that. Guys who consistently have winning records. Matt Stafford should be considered a franchise QB. That’s what he’s been and is still only 32. But he hasn’t exactly won games. And hasn’t performed amazing in the playoffs. If he was on a better team his career would be looked at differently. Him and Matt Ryan are one on the same though. Ryan has just been on a better team. Both franchise guys.
Dak, Wentz and Goff should all be considered on the same level. They’ve all won games and have put up stats. But if we are numbering them 1-3 within the same tier. It’s Goff, Wentz, Dak. We’ve seen all three QBs have a great team around them. And Goff has far outplayed either of them in those circumstances.
I really have no idea what the fuck Jason is thinking putting Goff with QBs like Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater. That Super Bowl is the worst thing to ever happen to Goff. Allen? Mayfield? Why are they ahead of Darnold? Tannehill is 49-49 in his career! What the fuck is this list!?!
Needless to say, fuck Jason La Canfora.
Raiders red hot in Las Vegas
- By CGI_Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 5 Replies
This was such a smart move for the Raiders. It sort of feels like they lucked into it, being Plan B.
Talk about an opportunity to build a nationwide audience... check out the amount of out-of-area PSL holders. That’s crazy!
profootballtalk.nbcsports.com
PSL sales reach $549 million at Raiders’ new Las Vegas stadium
The Raiders knew moving from Oakland to Las Vegas would be lucrative, but the revenue at the new stadium is exceeding the team’s expectations.
The Raiders have made $549 million from the sale of personal seat licenses at Allegiant Stadium, more than doubling the team’s initial projections of $250 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The additional money from personal seating licenses has allowed the team to add additional features to the stadium, more suites, a field-level club, and enhanced internet connections for fans.
PSLs are non-refundable one-time expenses that give the holders exclusive rights to buy tickets in their seats. PSL holders who don’t buy season tickets can have their PSLs revoked and sold to someone else.
The Raiders sold PSLs for 55,000 of the 65,000 seats at Allegiant Stadium, ranging in price from $500 for the cheap seats to $75,000 for primo locations. About 33,000 PSL buyers are from Nevada and about 7,000 are fans who had season tickets in Oakland. Many PSL owners are from elsewhere in the United States and plan to use NFL tickets in Las Vegas for business and entertainment purposes. The cache of seeing the NFL in the Entertainment Capital of the World made PSLs valuable, although whether there’s still high demand to visit a 65,000-seat stadium after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world remains to be seen.
Talk about an opportunity to build a nationwide audience... check out the amount of out-of-area PSL holders. That’s crazy!
PSL sales reach $549 million at Raiders' new Las Vegas stadium
The Raiders knew moving from Oakland to Las Vegas would be lucrative, but the revenue at the new stadium is exceeding the team's expectations.
profootballtalk.nbcsports.com
The Raiders knew moving from Oakland to Las Vegas would be lucrative, but the revenue at the new stadium is exceeding the team’s expectations.
The Raiders have made $549 million from the sale of personal seat licenses at Allegiant Stadium, more than doubling the team’s initial projections of $250 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The additional money from personal seating licenses has allowed the team to add additional features to the stadium, more suites, a field-level club, and enhanced internet connections for fans.
PSLs are non-refundable one-time expenses that give the holders exclusive rights to buy tickets in their seats. PSL holders who don’t buy season tickets can have their PSLs revoked and sold to someone else.
The Raiders sold PSLs for 55,000 of the 65,000 seats at Allegiant Stadium, ranging in price from $500 for the cheap seats to $75,000 for primo locations. About 33,000 PSL buyers are from Nevada and about 7,000 are fans who had season tickets in Oakland. Many PSL owners are from elsewhere in the United States and plan to use NFL tickets in Las Vegas for business and entertainment purposes. The cache of seeing the NFL in the Entertainment Capital of the World made PSLs valuable, although whether there’s still high demand to visit a 65,000-seat stadium after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world remains to be seen.
LA Rams running game rebuilding around Cam Akers
- By ROD-BOT
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 5 Replies
LA Rams running game rebuilding around Cam Akers
LA Rams running game is rebuilding. Not only will the Rams rely upon rookie Cam Akers' legs, but look for some innovations in the ground game.
ramblinfan.com
The LA Rams restoration of their running attack officially transitioned from demolition to construction when the team selected Florida State running back Cam Akers with the 52nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. But that was several steps into the entire transformation. In fact, the Rams began to rework their ground attack from the moment the 2019 season ended.
While nobody sat in the meeting rooms, the clues were laid out in a very obvious fashion. The first signs of a huge transformation began in January 2020 when a reputable football sportswriter, Mike Silva, first broke the rumor that the LA Rams were prepared to part ways with star running back Todd Gurley. Rather than fade away, the rumors grew in frequency and intensity, eventually focusing upon trading away both Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Coaching changes
Meanwhile, on a separate track, the Rams parted ways with running back coach Skip Peete. Peete was a favorite of Gurley, who lobbied hard to retain his running back coach when the team moved away from Jeff Fisher and hired head coach Sean Mcvay. In his place, the Rams hired on former South Carolina RB coach Thomas Brown.
Without Gurley, the LA Rams faced a shallow stable of running backs: 5-foot-11 222-pound Malcolm Brown, 5-foot-8 208-pound Darrell Henderson, and 5-foot-10 205-pound John Kelly, who combined for just 111 total rushes in 2019 for 411 yards and five touchdowns. Unphased, the Rams made the plunge and parted ways with their lead runner, Todd Gurley.
The first step to restore the running game was not just to add a feature back, but enough talent to allow a redesign of the running attack. So in addition to 5-foot-10 217-pound Akers, the Rams signed up 5-foot-9 198-pound Kansas State RB James Gilbert and 5-foot-11 208-pound SMU scoring star Xavier Jones.
What to expect?
For starters, the Rams offense will not suddenly revert back to a run-first mentality. The Rams have two 1000 yard receivers in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, two tight ends itching to get more involved in the passing game in Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, a reserve receiver aching to set himself up for a huge 2021 contract in Josh Reynolds, and two rookies chomping at the bit in wide receiver Van Jefferson and tight end Brycen Hopkins. With a passing offense ranked fourth in the NFL behind an injury-riddled offensive line in 2019, the Rams will likely come out shooting in 2020.
Of course, the underlying offense will be of McVay’s design. But there will be changes. With the LA Rams no longer handing the ball off to Todd Gurley, everything changes. Gurley’s presence on the football introduced certain levels of confidence in the running game. The expectation whenever the ball was placed in his hands was that he would gain nearly five yards per play, and could break it for a first down at any time.
Show-me something
Now, the Rams are back to proving everything. Whether the ball is handed off to Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, James Gilbert, or Xavier Jones, the team will be more along the lines of “Let’s see what happens now” mindset. While that may seem like a step back, it could very much be positive for 2020.
Facing uncertainty, the LA Rams players will be particularly vigilant over their performance. With Gurley rushing, his ability to gain positive yards camouflaged blocking mistakes. Now, each block on each play will be scrutinized, which could help the inconsistent play from 2019 develop into more dependable play at the line of scrimmage.
Rams starting three
Right now, the Rams will likely stick with three running backs for the 55-man roster and will go with veterans Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson to pair up with rookie Cam Akers. Similar to 2019, look for the Rams to platoon on offense, giving Cam Akers looks in early downs, bringing in Darrell Henderson for third down plays at six yards or better, and going with Malcolm Brown when the team gets into the red zone.
With a lack of direct contact, the Rams are truly limited as to how much they can customize the offense to accentuate the play of Akers. So, the team will likely roll out a similar game plan from 2019, and tweak it a bit out of the box. In the first three games, the Rams worked almost exclusively with a Gurley / Brown backfield until mid-October, when the Rams began to give Henderson a share of the load.
Henderson Brown breakout year?
Of course, the team sticks to the plan as long as everyone remains healthy. And of course, if Malcolm Brown or Darrell Henderson suddenly start putting up stellar numbers, the Rams will most certainly shift towards giving more opportunities to the hot running back.
Malcolm Brown had the makings of a breakout season to start off 2019. Likewise, many expect that LA Rams’ second-year running back Darrell Henderson will have a headliner season in 2020. Much like the offensive line, Henderson’s debut was clouded with injury, which seemed to hamper his timing with the offense. Look for him to synch up in 2020, and perhaps with tremendous effects.
Easing in Akers
The Rams are not big on tossing a rookie into the game, just to sit back and see if he can play or not. That means that Cam Akers will likely not get 30 carries in his first game, nor in any game in the month of September. Some headlines will even ask “What’s wrong with Akers?” as many will scramble to understand why the Rams do not run him into the ground early in the season.
While Akers may not start the season with a huge workload, you can expect the team to ensure he carries the ball. In a 16 game season, we expect Akers will rush 230 times and break 1000 yards rushing for his rookie season. For our money, we expect Akers will be 2/3rds of the Rams rushing offense in 2020 by season’s end.
Rams’ rushing legacy restored
The LA Rams’ history of elite running backs in the NFL is amazing. The list of former Rams rushers is a virtual who’s who of elite running backs in the history of the NFL. That lineage continued through Todd Gurley, who was undoubtedly the keystone of Sean McVay’s offense. Now, that coaching reputation is on the hook. Can McVay’s offense work for the next running back chapter of the Rams?
We think it will. Akers embodies nearly all of the attributes the Rams sought in the 2020 NFL Draft. While an argument can be made that other rushers had an incredible offensive line blocking for them, or that they faced inferior defenses, no such argument can be made to discount Akers collegiate production. He faced the toughest competition and benefited the least from a robust offensive line. While the LA Rams offensive line will likely not be one of the top-ranked units in the NFL, they need only to be consistent and open holes for Akers. He’s proven that he can do the rest.
Woods/Manning vs Mickelson/Brady
- By CGI_Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 20 Replies
Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson match primer: Start time, format, event rules with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning
Four all-time greats will tee it up at Medalist this Sunday in The Match: Champions for Charity
www.cbssports.com
Four sports legends will tee it up this weekend as Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning team up to face Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady at Medalist Golf Club in The Match: Champions for Charity. The four icons of their respective sports will be competing in an 18-hole golf match on Sunday to raise money to help battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Woods and Mickelson are obviously all-time greats on the course, while Manning and Brady -- who thrived on a different kind of turf -- have golf games that should be able to stand up against the tough test of Medalist.
When; Sunday, May 24, 2020, 3 p.m. ET on TNT.
Let's take a look at what this match means and what Sunday is going to look like as we get live golf for the second Sunday in as many weeks with 28 championships (majors and Super Bowls) represented in this unique foursome.
How 'The Match' developed
The Woods-Mickelson match-play event has a (brief) history. The duo squared off in Las Vegas back in November 2018 for $9 million. They never really closed the door on running it back after Mickelson took that iteration (and the cash) in extra holes. The opportunity to play it again and raise some money for charity during this pandemic presented itself, and they took it. Mickelson addressed this recently on the Dan Patrick Show.
"[Producer] Bryan Zuriff and I were the ones who came up with the idea years ago and brought it to CAA and had it developed before we even brought it to Tiger," said Mickelson. "He has a very creative mind and thought the interaction between two other players was going to be an important part of improving our match. When Tiger and I came down the stretch in Vegas, we clammed up. We didn't talk. We didn't communicate. We tightened up."
That's part of why Brady and Manning are involved (along with their star power) as caddies will not be present so all mic'd-up interaction will only be between the four golfers (well, two football players and two golfers).
What's at stake?
None of the four will walk away with any cash this time, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot on the line. WarnerMedia and the golfers will collectively make a charitable donation of $10 million to benefit entities such as Direct Relief, the American Red Cross, Save Small Business and the ALL IN Challenge (an initiative provides food to those in need). More money will be raised during the actual event as viewers donate and will have the ability to enter live raffles featuring experiences with all four men at a later date.
So the $10 million serves as a baseline for how much will be raised on Sunday with even more than that expected when everything is said and done.
"This is different than what Phil and I did two years ago," Woods said. "That was he and I just having a great time, trying to showcase golf in a different way. We're coming together to showcase golf in a different way, but it's about charity. That's the reason why we're all doing this."
Match format
The event will be match play, and the front nine will be best ball. Here's an example of how that works. If Manning, Brady and Woods all make par at No. 1 but Mickelson makes birdie, the Mickelson-Brady team is 1 up. Manning and Brady receive one stroke each on No. 3, No. 6 and No. 8 per their handicaps, and that's how the front nine will be played.
One wrinkle is a one-club challenge on No. 5 -- a par 4 -- in which golfers must choose one club to play the entire hole with (including putting!). I'm excited about that because it gives us a genuine look at how skilled players like Woods and Mickelson are when faced with an adversity. In the point-and-shoot world of professional golf, we often don't get to see the extreme creativity they possess, which a 30-yard chip shot with a 4-iron can disclose.
The back nine is where it gets intriguing. It's a modified alternate-shot format, which means that everybody tees off but after that you have to alternate. So one golfer's drive will be chosen, and then the teammates -- Brady and Mickelson, for example -- will alternate shots until they hole out and move on to the next hole. The quarterbacks will not be teeing off from the same tee boxes as Woods and Mickelson.
The odds
Woods and Manning are -190, while Mickelson and Brady are +170. This is probably the right call as Manning is a bit better than Brady, and Woods -- when healthy! -- is better than Mickelson at this point in their careers (and at every point in their careers).
Medalist course rundown
Medalist is a monster that has, at various times, ranked among the hardest courses in the country. When architect Bobby Weed renovated the Pete Dye-Greg Norman course, he put in place five "Tiger tees," which are used by the pros (like Woods) that play it as their home course.
"I can't wait to go to Tiger's place and take him down," Mickelson told Golfweek. "Tiger thinks he has a huge advantage playing there because he was insistent that this event is played on his home course despite everyone else wanting to play it elsewhere. That's fine. We'll take it to him and Peyton. There will be no excuses. It's his home course, but Tom and I are going to go down there and put it to them, and we'll make it that every time Tiger shows up at his home course, he'll have a bad memory."
This makes the track 7,500 yards (although not for Manning and Brady) and an absolute beast coming home. Here's how tour pro Jamie Lovemark describes the 18th hole.
Viewing experience
This event will be televised everywhere: TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN with a pre-match show streaming on Bleacher Report. Commentators include Brian Anderson, Trevor Immelman and Charles Barkley with Amanda Balionis and Justin Thomas (!) conducting on-course interviews.
There's a lot going on here, and I love that Barkley and J.T. are involved. Barkley doing anything is amazing, and Thomas will be great on the course with Woods and the other stars. They have a good rapport, and he won't be afraid to take a few shots if, say, Mickelson can't find a fairway or Woods is legitimately upset with Manning.
The prediction
I always go with the underdogs in events like these. Last time we saw Woods, he was spraying shots all over the place at Riviera Country Club en route to a 79 and last-place finish at the Genesis Invitational. And he's on the team that's the favorite here. I know his body is far better now than it was then, but it's probably going to come down to the quarterbacks, and Brady is 11-6 against him. It's about to be 12-6 after Sunday.
Pick: Mickelson and Brady +170