Okay... ROD-BOT called it something else, whatever.

Of recent weeks, we’ve started word and thread games over the offseason weekends...

So...building off the casual offseason vibe; The Conversation Thread.

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

So, why not use the chat room? Well, this isn’t exactly in realtime... Just chime in like you‘ve dropped by a friends house.

It’s random chat. Post whatever. Ask a question. Tell us what your up to. Comment. BYOB.

Good thread idea, or bad, it’s a thread... and we are here to make them!

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

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So... what you up to?

Drizzle here. 10 degrees, 50F.

Beer. Tunes.

Anybody using this lockdown for any projects?

I got this song on play and hooked on it.

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Anyone else see the crescent moon, hammer and sickle?

10 things with Nsimba Webster

Each week, we interview a different Rams player to find out about their lives on the field as well as off of it. Team Reporter, Sarina Morales, asks the questions fans want to know, in a fun and conversational interview. This week, wide receiver, Nsimba Webster, spoke to Sarina about having an identical twin brother, the Last Dance and why he doesn't like raccoons.

1: Got to be extra

Sarina: You are one of the undrafted rookies that made the 53-man roster last season. The Rams just brought on 22 new undrafted rookies. What advice would you give to these athletes?

Nsimba: Go out there ready to earn it. Earn it on the field, earn it in the meeting room, earn it on your days off by doing the extra studying. Nothing will be given, so you have to prove to the league that you deserve to stay.

2: It's good to be special

Sarina: As a versatile player, what did playing on special teams teach you?

Nsimba: Special Teams taught me how to be a complete football player by doing all aspects of the game. Blocking, tackling, and making plays with the football in your hands. Very important aspect of the sport.

3: Just what the Doc ordered

Sarina: Doc Rivers spoke to the team this week at one of your virtual meetings. What was that like? What stood out to you?

Nsimba: Having Doc Rivers speaking to us was huge. Him being a head coach of an NBA championship team in the past and listening to the experience he had to go through was definitely beneficial. What stood out to me was the perseverance he spoke about during that championship run, and how everybody had to be on the same page. Some had to sacrifice, and some had to step up in certain roles. Overall, they all held each other accountable which is very important.

4: The Last Dance

Sarina: Have you been watching The Last Dance the past few Sundays? You were born around the time of those great Bulls teams. What do you think of MJ and the Bulls now?

Nsimba: I already thought Michael Jordan was the GOAT based off of people who actually watched him during that time, who can compare Jordan to guys like LeBron James. But after seeing the first four episodes of the documentary series, I'm even more confident that MJ is the greatest. Also, knowing more about Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, those guys are so underrated.

5: Seeing double

Sarina: You have an identical twin. When was the last time you swapped identities with your brother?

Nsimba: The week we played the Bengals in London my brother came on the trip as well. After the game, he came by the hotel to hang out with me and some of the players. We were all at a table and I went to the bathroom. Coaches and other players came by the table, [while I was gone] talking with my brother as if he was me the whole time (laughs). When I came back, they were all in disbelief, thinking the whole time my twin was me (laughs). They thought we did that on purpose, but it definitely wasn't planned.



6: Nsimba Simba

Sarina: How many times have you actually seen the Lion King…considering your name is Nsimba?

Nsimba: I literally saw the movie with my nephew three nights ago (laughs). However, I've seen The Lion King over 100 times for sure. I can probably recite the whole movie if I tried honestly. Definitely my favorite animated movie.

7: Hair for days

Sarina: You have some of the best hair on the Rams. When did you decide to grow it out?

Nsimba: It all started during the beginning of my senior year in high school. I wanted to do something different, so I decided to twist my hair from an idea I got from a friend. I committed to it and the rest is history.

8: The stare down

Sarina: What is your biggest irrational fear?

Nsimba: I'm afraid of raccoons. I tried to scare one away from the front of my house one night, but the raccoon didn't flinch. Not once. It just kept staring at me. Even though I was literally four feet away from it. So, I ran back in the house. Ever since then, I look at them differently.

9: Quavo FTW

Sarina: If you had a celebrity play you in a movie, who would it be?

Nsimba: I would choose the rapper Quavo.

10: Squad goals

Sarina: Goal for year two in the NFL?

Nsimba: Build upon my rookie season by taking my game even higher than before. Being impactful in as many ways as possible.

So it should be coming out sometime this week and theres a leak on teddit for the buccs we play them week 5 at 2 PM my time or 10 am for you folks in cali. Idk how true it is, but id rather play them early and hope they havent gelled yet lol

We are always open to trying new things... This one may crash and burn. But, we think there is potential here...

We love the Rams. We love the NFL. We love food.

We have some great cooks here...

The concept of this forum is a searchable way to access the many great menu ideas shared here at ROD.

Simply;

1. Over the years, we have shared so many ideas, but they are difficult to search.
2. This will be our space for recipes and food ideas, techniques, and... bragging!
3. We will archive our Game Day Menu threads, to this location.

In time, this is our space for FOOD IDEAS from your trusted pals!

Now we just need FOOTBALL GAMES!

They have a TimeLine - Last Day In L.A. special about the Rams/Raiders ... L.A. losing their teams. Interesting commentary.

A'Shawn Robinson brings size, familiarity to Rams defense

While playing pop warner football in Texas from 4th-8th grade, A'Shawn Robinson was so big for his age that his mother had to bring his birth certificate to every game to prove he was indeed playing with the group of peers.

"They thought I was a high school kid trying to play middle school," Robinson said on a video conference Thursday, laughing.

That size paved the way for a scholarship and standout three-year career at Alabama and becoming a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2016. Today, the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Robinson is one of the newest members of the Rams defense.

Besides boasting a frame that will help Los Angeles' run defense, Robinson also brings a sense of familiarity.

While he spent his first four years in the NFL in Detroit, he was already well-acquainted with L.A. defensive tackle Aaron Donald and safety John Johnson III by way of working out at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. He said most of the players he worked out with there were Rams players.

"At Mamba, (Aaron and I) worked out a little bit right before all this happened, so I got to talk to him a little bit," Robinson said. "Being in the meetings, talking to him, (Michael) Brockers and the rest of the guys, it's been cool getting to know everybody."

As Robinson alluded to, the COVID-19 pandemic caused public gyms and private NFL team facilities to shut down, with access limited to essential medical personnel and players with rehab needs. The circumstances also prevent players from getting on-field reps with their teams.

The on-field work can be made up during training camp, according to Robinson. Although virtual meetings are helpful getting to know his new teammates, there is a benefit to interpersonal interaction during that portion of a normal offseason program.

"Just getting there and really getting to hang out and know those guys, on and off the field, to really see that body language on and off the field, you're missing that to connect," Robinson said.

From a strength-and-conditioning standpoint, Robinson is staying in shape by working out at his friends' home gyms.

"With them not having wives and kids and it just being me and them, I can go work out and still be able to get it in," Robinson said. "Still go on runs and still get cardio in, ride a bike."

Robinson said the opportunity to play alongside the 6-5, 300-pound Brockers and 6-1, 280 Donald is a "great one."

"What I already can bring, I feel like I can contribute a little bit more learning some things from (Donald)," Robinson said. "Having Brockers there, being another older guy I can learn some things from him, too."

Five things to know about new Rams OLB Leonard Floyd

Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Here are five key things you should know about him:

1) He carried an impressive streak into the NFL

From his senior season at Georgia through his third NFL season with the Chicago Bears, Floyd registered at least one defensive score in each of those four years.

It started with returning a fumble 96 yards for a touchdown against the University of Tennessee on Oct. 2015 and ended with a pick-six against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 of the 2018 NFL season. He had a strip-sack against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 7 of his rookie season in 2016, recovering the ensuing fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Six weeks later in that same season, Floyd recorded a safety against the 49ers. He also posted a safety Week 5 against the Vikings in 2017.

Those performances in the pros coincided with three of the six games in his career in which he tallied 2.0 sacks.

2) New Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is a familiar face

Floyd worked directly with Staley in 2017 and 2018 when Staley was the Bears' outside linebackers coach.

It was a productive partnership, too: Floyd made 81 combined tackles, 8.5 sacks, six pass breakups and one interception (pick-six vs. Bills) during that span.

Staley followed then-Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to the Denver Broncos in 2019, in what would be Floyd's fourth and final season in Chicago. Now, Floyd is reunited with his old position coach.

3) A player with high potential

Former NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, now general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, made an interesting comment about Floyd as a prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft.

"Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was in San Francisco when it drafted Aldon Smith. Floyd is very similar," Mayock said, according to Floyd's draft profile from that year. "... He has the best burst and get-off in this entire draft. He's a sub-package, designated pass rusher on Day 1, just like Aldon Smith was in San Francisco."

During his first two seasons working under Fangio, Smith posted 14 sacks as a rookie in 2011 and 19.5 in 2012. The 2012 season saw Smith earn First Team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press plus a Super Bowl appearance. That isn't mentioned to place those kind of expectations on Floyd, but rather the connection by Mayock that was made when figuring out what led the Bears to taking Floyd with the ninth overall pick.

4) Durable and available

Last season, Floyd started all 16 games for the second-straight year.

Overall, he started in each of the 54 games he appeared in with the Bears.

5) One of the top college linebackers in America as a junior

If draft pedigree didn't already indicate this, his college resume will.

During his third and final season at Georgia, Floyd was one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's most outstanding collegiate linebacker.

Floyd collected 17 sacks (11th in school history) and 28.5 tackles for loss (ninth in school history), five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his time as a Bulldog.

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Seeing fans screaming about how it's all gonna change for them, to freaking out over bad picks (my personal favorite), you may get a kick out of it like I did.

This is a very good team right now. In my opinion, it's an underrated team, especially by the media. They have improved in key areas and are set to make a comeback.

OFFENSE

The o-line has largely been rebuilt with 2 exceptions at both OT's. Whitworth clearly showed his age last year with his playing grade dropping significantly from the previous 2 years. That said he's still a better than average LT and hopefully, he remains so because the Rams are committed to him for the next two years. Assuming that Allen returns, they are improved on the interior o-line. I see no reason Allen can't return and continue to develop. Last year I judged Allen's play to be at a slightly better than average level overall, which is good for a first year starter and better than Sullivan and Blythe. He can build on that and continue to improve. Corbett joined the team during the season yet he stepped right in and helped to stabilize a disintegrating o-line devastated by injuries. He played well and should play better with a season to train and gel with his teammates. Edwards at RG also elevated the play at his position. Even though his metrics scream OT, he showed he can play at this level. His experience on the right side will serve him well as I expect him to slide outside next year to RT when Havenstein is released or traded. With an entire TC to practice the implementation of a new blocking scheme, the overall play of the o-line should improve.

I expect this offense to transition to a power gap run scheme focusing upon running between the tackles. They have 2 good RBs who should thrive in that kind of run scheme. Both have the speed to take advantage of the blocks and are one cut RBs who can break arm tackles. Last year the RBs clearly had problems reading the blocking when they switched during the season to a gap blocked run attack. Both RBs now will be in sync with the scheme and their execution should be at a high level. As I speculated in other posts, a power run game requires a lead blocker. Teams like the Niners employ a FB. But that lead blocker can also be a TE. I believe that is the reason they drafted Hopkins. All the media types are saying he can't block. But blocking is a skill that is taught. Also, Hopkins did perform wham blocks at Purdue. Using a TE, especially one that can catch (unlike Mundt) does not tip the play to the defense. He can play from the H-back position or come in motion.

With the drafting of Jefferson, the Ram passing game does not miss Cooks. Jefferson still can provide the possession routes and receptions and he has the speed to go deep along with Woods. Think of him as a hybrid of Woods (vertical routes) and Kupp (possession routes). I see Jefferson ahead of Reynolds on the depth chart as the #3 WR. He can play all 3 WR positions but I think the slot maximizes his ability to be a mismatch. He's too fast and elusive for safeties and LBs and will force them to cover him with their #3 CB. IMO Jefferson is Wood's eventual replacement in 2022.

The inside run game will pay big dividends in the play-action game. Defenses will have to honor it whereas with the old simplistic outside zone it was a far easier read. I still see them playing with their 11 personnel most of the time. It forces teams out of their base and to play with their nickel. This takes one man out of the box. I still see McVay layering his receivers but now with Higbee, Everett, Henderson and Akers they have dump-off options that can still threaten a defense. This offense will be designed to give Goff easier and faster reads allowing him to throw quickly. I can envision Woods running his patented deep sideline route (9 route), Jefferson running a post route (8) forcing the FS to double leaving Woods in single coverage, with Kupp on a 10-15 yard in (6 route) with Higbee or Everett on a short slant (2 route) for a quick throw option. While all that's going on do they run a draw with Henderson or Akers?

This offense is designed to play ball control, but be able to strike quickly when it has to. They will be dangerous on any part of the field both in their run game as well as their passing offense. I really like what I'm seeing developing on this team.

DEFENSE

Staley is going to stay with the 3-4 hybrid as he should as it will give him maximum flexibility on how he plays his guys. But the Ram front 4 could end up being one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. With Donald and Robinson, they can blow up the pocket or disrupt any inside run. They have speed on the edges with Floyd and Lewis. They will only have to rush 4 to get quick pressure on the QB.

Though relatively untested, the Rams have talent at LB. They have one of the better SAM OLBs in Ebukam who is a bonafide impact player. He can rush the passer, play pass defense in coverage, and most of all he sets a hard edge in the run defense. They have good speed at ILB in Kiser, Young, Howard and Reed all running in the 4.6 range. Kiser can be that classic MIKE who is a real thumper. If he can stay healthy he looks like he could be a force inside in the run defense. Young has a solid resume during his last year with the Ravens. He can blitz, cover and tackle. He's the size and speed of a SS but he plays like an OLB and I wouldn't be surprised if Staley slides him outside opposite Ebukam or uses him in relief of Samson. People view the LBs as a weakness but there is real talent there and I think their play will open a lot of eyes because I expect Staley to use them properly, in ways Wade didn't.

The Rams have the CBs to play tight man coverage with Ramsey and Long. Their safeties are very good as well. Johnson lacks the range you really want in a FS but his play recognition skills are improving and it allows him to read the plays faster. I really think however, this will be Johnson's last season with Burgess replacing him. But this year I think Burgess will see the field as a slot CB. He has the agility and quickness, coupled with boundary CB speed to play that position.

Adonis Alexander is an interesting prospect. I'm not sure where he fits in. He's got ILB size and good speed for a man of his size at 4.6. At 6'2" he's a Richard Sherman type of boundary CB. He doesn't have the burst or agility to play slot CB. He struggles in zone coverage so he's not a safety. I see him as strictly a backup/rotational boundary CB.

Hill is another DB I'm not sure how he fits in this scheme. He has shown repeatedly how he struggles in man coverage. He lacks the agility and burst to mirror receivers particularly out of their breaks. Hill's stats are inflated from last year simply because Wade played mostly zone coverage. In that coverage he posted his best numbers. But in man coverage schemes he allowed a terrible 65% completion rate vs his coverage and some of those incompletions were bad throws by the QB so his numbers are probably closer to 70%.

Once Burgess moves to FS Williams will provide a good slot CB. I liked what I saw last year from Williams, he looked solid as a slot CB. I think the Rams are set this year and next with a very good secondary built to provide good man coverage. That will force most QBs to hold the ball that extra second or two and give the d-line time to get to him.

I really like the makeup of this team and think they are a contender this year and next as well.

With some coaching, I think we got a STUD. WOW...

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Also, in other highlights, his time-to-kick is VERY fast, yet still very accurate.

It seemed like Rams used very little of their clock time before making all of their 2nd and 3rd round picks. I mean, noticeably so.

Sure gave the impression that they were solidly behind each of those 4 players, huh? Like, maybe they felt that there was a significant dropoff at each position (for Ram schemes) after ‘their’ player?

For that matter, they didn’t exactly dilly-dally before snapping up Hopkins.

I suspect that the Rams were very happy with the way the draft fell. Geez, Snead even passed up a trade down opportunity from one of the 2nds. Who’d a thunk that would ever happen?

I dunno. Just building on the randomness of @So Ram’s thread...

To the 49’ers, even at a young age, we have opinions...

“Son, what do you think of the 49’ers?”

Why the Kansas City Chiefs won't repeat as Super Bowl champs

Following February’s thrilling Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers, it seems as if the Kansas City Chiefs are ripe for a repeat. They are seen as the Vegas favorites to come away with the hardware once again next season.

However, there’s a lot that goes into repeating. There’s a reason it’s not done too often. For the Chiefs, there’s also a few big-time hurdles to overcome. Here’s why the Chiefs won’t repeat as champs.

The AFC West: This division has improved leaps and bounds from a season ago. It’s going to be tough sledding, potentially leading to worst record than 2019.

• Despite moving on from future Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers have gotten a whole lot better this offseason. They will likely rely on former Pro Bowl quarterback Tyrod Taylor to be the stopgap starter next season. Although, rookie No. 6 pick Justin Herbert could challenge for the starting job.
• John Elway has had himself a tremendous offseason. The embattled Broncos general manager capped that off by acquiring the steal of the 2020 NFL Draft in that of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The addition of star running back Melvin Gordon to go with fellow Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton and a high-upside young quarterback in that of Drew Lock makes Denver dangerous.
• Outside of getting competition for Derek Carr under center, Jon Gruden and the Raiders have also improved leaps and bounds from a season ago. Las Vegas aced the 2020 NFL Draft by going after multiple skill-position players. It added depth and talent on defense via free agency. The Raiders’ first season in the Nevada desert will be much better than their final season in Northern California.

Some shortcomings: Despite boasting one of most talented and deepest rosters in the NFL, there are certainly some issues the Chiefs must resolve to repeat.

• The recent arrest of top cornerback Bashaud Breeland underscores depth concerns at that position. His arrest, coupled with the departure of Kendall Fuller in free agency, could loom large moving forward.
• We have absolutely no idea if Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chris Jones is going to report to training camp after the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on their top defender. Heck, there’s a chance he might be traded. That would create a major hole in the defensive front seven.
• On offense, the Chiefs were able to get Sammy Watkins to take a pay cut in order to return for another season. However, the former Buffalo Bills top-five pick has not lived up to expectations in Kansas City. He’s averaging fewer than 600 receiving yards in two seasons with the team.
• The offensive line could also be a concern with unproven interior linemen Nick Allegretti and Austin Reiter slated to start next season. Reiter has been a full-time starter for just one season, while Allegretti was a backup as a rookie last season.

The AFC is tough: Top-end teams in this conference have improved a great deal over the past couple months.

• Fresh off boasting the best record in the NFL last season, the Baltimore Ravens have added to their talent stockpile in a big way. We’re talking about a team that added star veteran defensive linemen Derek Wolfe and Calais Campbell to the mix. Let’s not even focus on stud rookie running back J.K. Dobbins, who will team up with reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson in a potent backfield.
• The Rivers signing changes the dynamic big-time in Indianapolis. Rivers gives the Colts a legit quarterback after seeing Jacoby Brissett struggle under center last season. Picking up stud rookies, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., helps here, too. As does the trade for All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. General manager Chris Ballard and Co. are going all-in for 2020.
• Fresh off a surprise trip to the AFC Championship Game, the Tennessee Titans return star quarterback Ryan Tannehill and reigning NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry. Tennessee also has a stud young receiver in that of A.J. Brown who is ready to take his game to the next level. Boasting one of the most talented defenses in the NFL, expect these Titans to be a problem for Kansas City in 2020.
• Are we ready to proclaim the Pittsburgh Steelers conference championship contenders simply because Ben Roethlisberger is back from injury? I wouldn’t go that far. However, any team coached by Mike Tomlin has to be seen as dangerous. Getting Big Ben back is going to help Pittsburgh become relevant once again this coming season.
• What’s not to like about the Buffalo Bills? They are coming off a surprising trip to the playoffs. They added star receiver Stefon Diggs to be the No. 1 target for young quarterback Josh Allen. Defensively, Buffalo might have the most talented defense in the NFL outside of San Francisco. As the division favorites in the AFC East, these Bills will be heard from when all is said and done.

San Francisco 49ers: Remember, Kyle Shanahan and Co. held a double-digit lead against the Chiefs in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.

• San Francisco has improved a lot this offseason, too. Even after trading DeForest Buckner, the team’s defense is among the best in the game. Rookie first-round pick Javon Kinlaw should be a seamless replacement for Buckner.
• The 49ers also upgraded their offensive line by trading for future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams during the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s an upgrade over the recently retired Joe Staley.
• The expectation here is that youngsters will also take their games to the next level. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is coming off a brilliant rookie season. He’s joined by rookie first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk and record-breaking tight end George Kittle at the skill positions. There’s a reason San Francisco is right up there with Kansas City as the favorite to hoist the Lombardi next February. This team is absolutely loaded.

Bottom line

Kansas City boasts the best quarterback in the NFL in that of Patrick Mahomes. It has a plethora of talent at the skill positions and is well coached.

However, there’s a reason very few end up repeating as champions. That’s no truer than in the current NFL with multiple teams eyeing Kansas City.

It’s going to be tough sledding for head coach Andy Reid and Co. When all is said and done, don’t expect these Chiefs to be hoisting that trophy for a second consecutive year come February.

View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2888939-nfl-teams-headed-in-the-wrong-direction-in-2020

NFL Teams Headed in the Wrong Direction in 2020

The optimism of draft season fades, and reality sets in for some NFL teams.

A handful simply aren't headed in the right direction. Granted, "right" can mean different things to different front offices. When the Miami Dolphins were clearly tanking last year, it was the wrong direction in the short term, but those at the controls were hopeful it was the right move long-term.

With the emphasis on winning games in 2020, some teams just aren't making good moves. Whether it's intentional or not, key losses, a head-scratching approach to acquiring personnel and muted projections leave some teams looking at a slog of a rough season.

These are the few teams that stick out as heading in the wrong direction.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Be honest—this one was easy to see coming when the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to throw nearly $90 million at Nick Foles an offseason ago.

The move reeked of desperation at the time. Foles didn't have a good track record in the regular season, and it was a gross overpay. He ended up getting outplayed and eventually replaced by Gardner Minshew II, a sixth-round pick.

Jacksonville was able to get out from under the Foles contract this offseason. But that's been the theme—shedding.

After winning just six games and moving disgruntled Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey midseason, the front office chose to retain head coach Doug Marrone yet again and trade defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Bouye prior to the start of free agency. It presumably still wants to dump running back Leonard Fournette, and franchise-tagged edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue doesn't seem long for the team after getting into a public spat with Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan.

Jacksonville's draft wasn't terrible, for what it's worth. But cornerback CJ Henderson (ninth overall pick) and edge-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson (20th overall) are merely remedies for losses of current stars who never felt like a priority to begin with. Evidently, neither was a quarterback, as Jacksonville only invested a sixth-round pick in Oregon State's Jake Luton. So it's the Minshew-or-bust train.

Besides one blip in 2017, Jacksonville hasn't hovered above .500 since 2007. It feels like the front office has orchestrated another underwhelming outcome rather than a revival this offseason.

New England Patriots

Losing Tom Brady hurts.

But this is the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick—it merely felt like a matter of time before they pulled off a wicked move to make it all work and remain in contention.

Or not.

Belichick and Co. to date haven't done much to fix the problem under center, which just so happens to be the most important position on the field. Rumors of Brady's demise were greatly exaggerated, as even last year he threw for 4,000-plus yards and 24 touchdowns with eight picks while having nothing resembling a running game and only one wideout who broke the 400-yard mark.

Unless there is a shocker of a late move in an unorthodox offseason, the Patriots will hinge all hope on Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 fourth-rounder with four career attempts—one of them an interception.

It's a very un-Patriots-like situation. New England spent most of the offseason losing other notables like linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins Sr. and slapping the franchise tag on guard Joe Thuney while currently only sitting on roughly $2 million in cap space.

The NFL revolves around the quarterback spot. Belichick's first three picks in the draft were defenders before doubling up on tight end and a kicker. It all adds up to what could be a very long season while the team tries to figure out if it has anything at all in Stidham.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are the most predictable team on lists like this for the foreseeable future.

Bill O'Brien trading DeAndre Hopkins is the first thing that comes to mind, of course. The Texans saw fit to move a top-10 wideout in his prime for less than a first-round pick in return, as well as David Johnson on a massive contract. The immediate, odd Hopkins replacement was Randall Cobb on a three-year, $27 million deal.

This came on the heels of the Texans' decision to cough up two first-round picks for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Also tucked in here for the odd stretch by the front office was shipping away Jadeveon Clowney. While protecting Deshaun Watson is priority No. 1 in Houston, turning right around and letting go of his top weapon in a widely panned deal didn't make a ton of sense.

Houston then hit the draft with just five selections, the first coming at No. 40, and took defenders with three of the five picks. It wasn't until the Texans' final pick in the fifth round that they selected wide receiver Isaiah Coulter out of Rhode Island.

Look, the Texans have still won double-digit games in each of the last two seasons. But removing a perennial All-Pro in Hopkins and adding an over-the-hill running back, plus an underwhelming Brandin Cooks after a sub-600-yard season, might mean even tougher sledding.

In the backdrop to all this is Watson's contract situation. Extension talks will dominate the headlines with one year left on his rookie deal beyond 2020. If things get worse this season as projected, the downward trend could pick up some serious momentum.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers were one of the offseason's biggest winners a year ago when they unexpectedly got aggressive in free agency and added both Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith.

Said aggression played a big part in the Packers' jump from six to 13 wins under the guidance of first-year head coach Matt LaFleur.

But the approach seemed to be an outlier of sorts. This offseason, the Packers watched as notable free agents like offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and linebacker Blake Martinez leave via free agency. The front office then turned around and drafted quarterback Jordan Love No. 26 overall in a shocker.

Grooming a first-round rookie behind Aaron Rodgers, who turns 37 in December, isn't the worst idea in a vacuum. But it came at the expense of adding more help for Rodgers, a theme that continued over the course of seven rounds and nine selections—none of which addressed a barren wideout room. The front office saw no issues with taking second-round running back AJ Dillon or spending a third-round pick on an H-back type of player in Josiah Deguara.

With approximately $11 million in cap space, Green Bay now has a potentially distracting dynamic at quarterback and a general strategy that seems more about life after Rodgers than helping Rodgers. The Packers were one game removed from the Super Bowl a season ago, yet this feels like improper team building while in a position of luxury given the lack of motivation to address problem areas. So it wouldn't be a surprise to see a notable regression next year.

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"they lost a lot of defensive talent, matthews and weddle to name a couple". haha, fuck me.

burleson is on the mark.

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& his following!!

You Know as a Ram Fan I have seen as many thing as most. Truth is I’m just a True Fan that Breathes Ram Blood.

Just for an example as a Ram & USC Fan how times has been. Start with The 90’s & tell me about the dedication as a Fan!!
Add the LA Colosseum & where things have progressed in time. I’m not a Cleveland Ram Fan & Really don’t know the History??

Where do we go back as Ram Fans ??

Everyone Knows it hasn’t always been the Best of Times.

My Goal Now is to create a Woman I’m in Love with to be a Sports & Rams Fan ??? I go back to Dave from Simi Valley & Keep it True.
Always wanted to go up on Top of the Hill of The Lou to watch a Practice.

Life is short & Love The One’s you Love!!

Gosh to tell the Truth, McSnead is pretty awesome!! Copper Kupp !!

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please if you come across any of the calls made this season on youtube please post them in here.

here is the extended version of the van jefferson call. i could watch this every day.

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Five things to know about new Rams WR Van Jefferson

The Rams used their second draft pick this year on wide receiver Van Jefferson, selecting him 57th overall in the second round. Here are five things you should know about the former Florida standout.

1) Pro football pedigree

Van's father, Shawn Jefferson, played 13 seasons in the NFL and has coached in the league as a wide receivers coach for the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and is currently in his second season with the New York Jets.

In a Sports Illustrated story published last September, former six-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson called Shawn – whom Van credits for teaching him everything he knows – the best wide receivers coach he's seen in the league.

2) SEC veteran

Jefferson began his career at Mississippi, then went to Florida as a graduate transfer prior to his redshirt junior year.

In 48 total games as a Rebel (2015-17) and a Gator (2018-19), he finished his career with 175 receptions for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns.

3) Another Senior Bowl product for the Rams

In the Sean McVay era, Los Angeles has seemed to make the Senior Bowl a crucial part of its evaluation process, and Jefferson is the latest participant to join the Rams.

Others include wide receiver Cooper Kupp, tight end Gerald Everett, safety John Johnson III, offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, cornerback David Long and defensive tackle Greg Gaines. Draft classmates Terrell Lewis, Terrell Burgess, Brycen Hopkins and Tremayne Anchrum also participated in this year's Senior Bowl.

Jefferson earned respect from opposing cornerbacks in Mobile, as he was named one of five South squad offensive practice players of the week at the Senior Bowl – a distinction voted on by the position group they competed against in practice.

4) Potential Day 1 impact player

A couple of weeks before the draft, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah tabbed Jefferson as one of this year's prospects who has the chance to make an impact right away.

5) Future weatherman?

According to his Mississippi bio, Jefferson was a journalism major with an emphasis in broadcast whose goal was to play in the NFL then become a meteorologist.

Because if so ... AWESOME!!!

Did

If healthy and right in the head he might be a good pick up.

I was just on a zoom meeting with a new consultant to my firm. He sees all the Rams paraphernalia in my home office and say to me his godson play RT for the Rams, I ask Havenstein and he says no BJ Evens. Says BJ is a good kid and mentioned that he played football since high school with Kyle Murray. Anyways it sounds like he goes by BJ not Bobby.

I think it's off-line. I've tried to log in there for several weeks now, with no luck.
If it's gone, so many great Rams discussions are now gone forever. We've also lost posts by those we've lost here as well, including Thordaddy.
Yes I know it was a rival board, & mostly connected to the Lou, but at one point it was the place to go for Rams news, camp reports, etc.
Sad. But life moves on.

GO RAMS