On a team with quite a few characters he's gotta be one of the biggest (pun intended)...

Been trying to formulate exactly how I feel about this whole Demby situation, and it's kind of complicated tbh as you'll see below. Also there's a lot of polarization among the horned faithful with him, not so much here but elsewhere, for similar reasons, so I wanted to try to have some open discussion where we don't light the dude on fire. And obviously we might get Blythe back sooner than later, but with his FA looming and the unlikeliness of him being signed long-term I do think this is a conversation that might go into the offseason if someone doesn't step up (which I hope is not the case). At the very least behind closed doors I have to think Kromer's gameplan is to identify the next guy up not only for this season but for the playoffs as well as the future of the line. So anyway here goes nuthin loool...

1. Demby seems to be in this role due to his knowledge of the offense. He's been around with familiarity of the scheme and coaches long enough that the comfort level is there. Fans don't like how he played in preseason (and I am among them) but as Kromer pointed out this week in his press conference the guy was moved all over the joint in order to help prepare him for being the first lineman off the bench and that has plenty of drawbacks.

2. Perception of Demby's upside is different among fans than what Kromer is seeing. I am used to Kromer being right so currently I feel like I'm on crazy pills. Because I am not seeing a guy who gives me confidence that he's going to improve all that much. And that makes me look at the other options like Edwards and Evans who have a ton of potential between them and think that their upside is going to be much more. But back to Demby, I am willing to consider that maybe he does have some upside I'm not seeing on the film.

3. His best position is going to be OG. He is probably not going to play OT at this level and in fact I doubt he would have come in the game as first player off the bench for Hav for example. Of course we don't know the truth on that and whether or not that's true the need right now is RG until we get some kind of information on Blythe's status.

4. I am going to make an assumption here that both Edwards & Evans don't know the playbook well enough. If Edwards did, I would think he'd be in that mix like Boom was for us last season but obviously he's not at that level just yet and that's ok. And between the two of them I also assume Edwards is still ahead, although I would love to hear some rumblings about them liking Evans' progress behind the scenes. This is all guesswork of course as we are not privy to their progress. Also it is possible that the Rams are not high on either of them, and are making the best of a bad situation. My eyes during preseason lead me to think that's not true wrt Edwards but who knows.

5. I find myself wondering about the injuries in Sunday's game and how they might have affected things. Blythe was injured before Higs I think, going off memory here, so it's unlikely they wanted to reserve Edwards for TE duties in the event McVay wanted to run 12 personnel looks and mash the run game. Just throwing out things I've been thinkin about.

6. Last point here is that I don't believe a damn thing the Rams' staff says when it comes to players who don't play well. Demby we all know struggled in the game, just like he struggled in preseason. Rams talked him up and that's one thing I like about the org. But the talk and the moves are often two completely different things. So while I tend to think going back to point 2 that Kromer sees the right stuff in Demby, I am not sure about it.

Boiling it down I have to think the game vs the Browns is going to clear things up (assuming Blythe isn't ready to go). If the disconnect is that Kromer thinks Demby has more upside than the rest of us, then he's gonna start and hopefully continue to improve going forward. If it's that our two rooks don't quite have a good enough grasp of the playbook, we might see one of them get the nod with a week of practice and prep with the gameplan under their belt. And obtw at this point I have zero idea who's been getting the snaps in practice, because why would the media ask about that when they can ask about how the Saints got screwed over by another penalty right?

Find out how NFL teams make the crack toss play succeed

By Ted Nguyen | Posted 9/28/2017
The toss isn’t a new concept, but it seems that it’s starting to make a bit of comeback as more and more teams have started using it again. The toss play isn’t one that is used often, but it’s great against a defense that is too focused on playing the inside run. Sometimes it's necessary to run just to loosen up the defense.
If you’re going to do it, do it right. A well-executed “crack toss” play usually results in a big play. For the play to work, you need a couple of receivers that aren’t afraid to get physical with guys in the box, a tackle that can move in space, and a back with a little speed.
We’ll take a look at few different variations of the play at the NFL level from the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams. Each of these teams have some of the youngest and brightest offensive coordinators in the league, and it’s interesting to see how they put their own twist on this old concept.

Each of these variations have a few things in common:

• The play starts with the quarterback taking a reverse pivot and tossing the ball outside to the running back.
• There are two “crack” blocks from perimeter players. A crack block is when a player lined up outside blocks a player in the box for an outside run. These blocks are usually big collisions because defenders don’t see these blocks coming at them at full speed until it’s too late.
• At least one tackle pulls outside.
• There isn’t much attention paid to interior defensive linemen. The theory is that the interior defensive line is too slow to make a play on the toss.

Oakland Raiders Crack Toss

The Raiders offense is in 11 personnel and are in a bunch formation on third-and-short. The Titans defense is in a man-to-man coverage, which will turn out to be advantageous for the offense. The slot receiver Seth Roberts (No. 10) has the most vital block, as he has to crack the defensive end. He makes an excellent block and stalemates a defender that outweighs him by at least 50 pounds.
Michael Crabtree (No. 15), the receiver outside of him, cracks the defensive back that is playing man-to-man on Roberts. Crabtree essentially blocks two defenders because the defensive back that is playing man-to-man on him follows him outside and takes himself out of the play.
This allows tight end Jared Cook (No. 87) and tackle Marshall Newhouse (No. 73) to pull outside in space and lead the way for Jared Richard, who converts the critical third down.
Atlanta Falcons Crack Toss

The Falcons ran the crack toss over and over in the first half of the Super Bowl to help build a 28-3 lead. We all know what happened to the lead, but that’s what we are focused on.
The Falcons start out in a tight right broken-I strong twins left formation, but the fullback motions out wide to the twins side. The New England Patriots corner follows the fullback outside, which makes it more difficult for him to make a play on the toss.
The slot receiver, Mohamed Sanu (No. 12), cracks the defensive end like in the Raiders example. The difference with this toss is that the outside receiver, Julio Jones (No. 11), is responsible for cracking the inside linebacker, which he does exceptionally.
This allows the tackle to pull around and leaves him one-on-one with a defensive back. The tackle throws a cut block that is just good enough for the running back to cut the play back and use his athletic ability to make a play in the open field.
Los Angeles Rams Crack Toss

When a team is in shotgun, defenses will overplay the side away from the running backs alignment, because that’s where the ball is run a majority of the time. Defense linemen will step toward the opposite side of the back’s alignment, but when the ball is tossed toward the side of the back’s alignment, they’ll be out of position to defend the toss.

Remember when I said the theory behind not paying much attention to interior defensive linemen is that they shouldn’t be able to make a play on the toss anyway? That doesn’t apply to Aaron Donald (No. 99). Donald is in a 4i technique and the Redskins try to block reach him with a guard. This is a hard block on a normal defender, but an impossible one against Donald.
Donald steps in the opposite direction of the running back, but is still able to redirect and almost intercepts the toss.
This toss is similar to the Falcons’ crack toss because the outside receiver, Terelle Pryor (No. 11), has to crack the inside linebacker, but instead of going directly at him, he pushes vertically and then takes an angle to crack him. This freezes the defensive back in place and allows for an easier block for the pulling tackle.
The superb blocking on this play clears a lane outside for the running back to finish for a touchdown.
Follow Ted Nguyen on Twitter at @raidersanalysis
Want to see more content like this? Check out our Coaches Notes feature.

Some good stuff this week:

Nice highlight reel with some sideline action. And Yarbs is one funny MFer lol...
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.

anybody heard anything on when mcvay will start incorporating henderson into the offense?

i have to say i'm a little shocked he's only been in for two snaps thus far.

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Thursday Night Football: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction and Preview

The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars don't have long to pout. Five days after both teams dropped their Week 2 matchups in dramatic fashion against AFC South rivals, the two meet for their annual Thursday night get-together, this time in Jacksonville. At this point, it's practically a pseudo-national holiday celebrating mediocrity and bad start times.

As a whole, the Tennessee offense was lackluster against Indianapolis, going 1-for-10 on third downs and posting only 242 yards of total offense. The Titans defense forced two turnovers but the offense only added three points with the extra possessions. Mike Vrabel has less than a week to get his offense, that is now 3-for-20 on third downs, to figure out how to move the sticks against the Jags.

After getting blown out by the Chiefs last week, the Jacksonville defense played like its old self against Houston, sacking Deshaun Watson four times and only allowing 263 total yards. If not for Leonard Fournette's failed two-point conversion attempt (that was reviewed and upheld) with 30 seconds left, the Jags would have walked away with the upset road victory. Despite the loss, the Jags' players (sans Jalen Ramsey) were invigorated by Doug Marrone's call to go for the win and by the composure shown by their rookie quarterback, Gardner Minshew, making his first NFL start.

Tennessee at Jacksonville

Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 19 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Spread: Titans -2.5

1. Marcus Mariota's time is now

The Titans' 19-17 home loss to Indianapolis was disappointing, but not surprising. The Colts have beaten the Titans in 14 of their last 16 meetings, and it doesn't seem to matter who the quarterback is – Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Jacoby Brissett, Josh Freeman – it makes no difference. What does matter is how Mariota plays going forward. The general opinion surrounding the Titans, at least in Nashville, is that the team is ready to make the leap from good to great — but it's up to Mariota to lead the way.

Mariota's performance on Sunday left a lot to be desired, especially for a guy in search of a long-term contract. The Titans needed just a field goal to win and had two late fourth-quarter drives to get it done but failed. Mariota was just 2-for-5 for 12 yards and no first downs in Tennessee's final two possessions. The final pass attempt essentially ended the game when Mariota couldn't connect with A.J. Brown on 4th-and-2 with 13 seconds left. Mariota finished the day a very marginal 19-of-28 with 154 yards and a four-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle and cancer survivor Daniel Quessenberry for a really special moment. Otherwise, Mariota completed only one pass that covered more than 15 yards and he had just one third-down conversion through the air.

The big knock against the oft-injured Mariota has been his inconsistency, not only to stay healthy, but also to play in such a manner that warrants being considered a franchise quarterback. His play on Sunday was another example as to why general manager Jon Robinson hasn't offered the former No. 2 overall pick a long-term deal, despite this being the final year of his rookie contract. Sometimes Mariota is athletically brilliant and more than capable of leading a fourth-quarter, game-winning drive, like he's done 12 times before. Other times, like against Indy, he's simply... blah — rarely comfortable in the pocket, hardly stepping into throws, and not reading defenses quick enough.

Playing well against a stingy (and maybe somewhat emotionally unstable) Jacksonville defense that could be without both starting cornerbacks (Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye) could go a decent way toward silencing Mariota's critics — for now.

2. Minshew Mania... cont'd

Minshew was nothing short of historic when he replaced the injured Nick Foles in Week 1. On Sunday, the rookie sixth-round pick made his first career start and the man with the best 'stache in the game, didn't disappoint. Minshew finished the game 23-of-33 for 233 yards and a touchdown, while also leading the Jaguars' rushing attack with 56 yards on six carries.

He wasn't perfect, as he fumbled three times, losing one, and he often missed open targets downfield in the first half. But Minshew showed his poise and adjusted in the second half, checking down to open receivers and taking what the defense allowed. He was especially deadly in the fourth quarter. On the last two Jaguar drives, Minshew combined to complete 11-of-16 passes for 122 yards as Jacksonville scored on both opportunities.

The last effort was especially impressive as Minshew led the Jags down the field on a 14-play drive that resulted in their only touchdown on the day. On the drive he converted two third downs through the air and a fourth down on a gutsy scramble that put the Jaguars in the red zone with less than a minute remaining. Although Minshew didn't pick up his first career win, his efforts are giving his fellow teammates something to believe in.

3. Can Doug Marrone rally the Jags?

For the second straight week, a Jaguars' post-whistle outburst was the biggest postgame headline. In Week 1, captain Myles Jack's odd temper tantrum and refusal to leave the field after being ejected for taking a swing at a Chiefs wide receiver was baffling. Last week, Jalen Ramsey and Marrone had to be separated on the sideline after the cornerback yapped at his head coach for not challenging a completed pass on a Houston third-down conversion.

Both incidents were bizarre, but it seems only Ramsey's had any true consequences. On Monday night, Ramsey, via his agent, notified the Jaguars that he no longer wanted to play in Jacksonville and was formally requesting to be traded. If you've followed Ramsey's career at all, the trade request isn't shocking. This is a dude that once lobbied to have the entire Jacksonville defensive coaching staff fired and showed up to training camp in a Brink's truck to protest not getting a new contract.

Ramsey's availability for Thursday is uncertain as the Jags start to field offers from interested suitors. I can't help but think how this might affect the Jags as a team, a group that has had their fair share of temperamental issues the last few seasons. How does potentially losing the team's best player after two games, not because of injury, but for his desire to play elsewhere, impact a group in an early-season hole …with a rookie quarterback leading the way, and an already banged-up secondary?

On the flip side, losing Ramsey, as talented as he is, could be an addition by subtraction situation and a possible rallying point for the Jaguars should they knock off the Titans on Thursday night.

Final Analysis

Both teams can ill afford to drop to 0-2 in the AFC South just three weeks into the season. The win-now Titans are in a better position to respond after their loss last week, even on short rest. Look for Derrick Henry to get a heavy dose of carries against the Jags, and for Marcus Mariota to target tight end Delanie Walker and wide receiver Adam Humphries more than last week, especially on third down.

Prediction: Titans 24, Jaguars 17

Fellow Rams fans, I know there a number of Rams podcasts available for us to listen to these days but I wanted to make you aware of a new UK podcast.

You can find our website at larams.uk (also listed at the bottom of this webpage as a ROD Favourite), available across all major platforms on a weekly basis.

https://anchor.fm/s/da62018/podcast/rss

Be gentle with us as we're pretty new to this type of thing. Feedback is welcome though.

Los Angeles Rams UK (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

Some Matrix-level stuff on that delay move:

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...s-tight-end-david-njoku-out-with-broken-wrist


Obviously, any given Sunday, but I feel like we get on a roll this week.

Congrats to @Oregonram on winning the week 2 PTS contest. Your prize collection bet is in the sportsbook and will close on 9/27

@InnovatedMind , feel free to collect your prize from week 1 anytime. It will be closed on 9/22



Now on to this weeks contest.

The Rams are flying high after taking down the New Orleans Saints easy breesey and The Browns dismantled the hapless Jets

So get put your thinking caps on and get those guesses in early.

Coooop. These guys are a bit much on GMFB, but our boy gets some love over George Kittle. Suck it Kay.

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Kay be Kay

Sheesh. For a team who hasn’t won many games, they sure are confident.

GAME 3: Rams on the menu for Sunday Night

After 2 weeks we have seen the ugly Browns, and we have seen the workman Browns. What version will we see in week 3 on Sunday Night Football?

Offensively the Browns seem out of sync. Week 1 it was understandable playing behind a makeshift OL, but week 2 it just seemed somehow disjointed (was that due to GGG having inside info on Baker?). Can they continue to improve and put up points on the Rams?

Defensively the Browns put on a clinic in Week 2. Garret is now up to 5 sacks (on a pace for 40), but he also has too many penalties. The secondary has been very good, and the LB's have been better than we believed. Can they contain the high octane Rams O?


To me, the Browns are going through some growing pains on offense. The Rams D looks good on paper, but keep in mind they faced Cam Newton who just doesn't look right, and Bridgewater. They also have only 5 sacks to date (vs teams that gave up 9 sacks in their other games). INT's and huge blown officiating calls have again all gone their way. They have also struggled against the run.

I am expecting a close game, but I think the Browns will take the next step up offensively...although the score won't necessarily reflect much.

Browns 24
Rams 16

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It's simple for me.

Priefer - change nothing
Wilks - keep on keepin' on
Monkin/Kitchens - get the damn lead out and get the plays into Baker sooner.

Plays in to Baker sooner,
means to the line quicker,
means better reads of the D,
means a better pre-snap plan,
means time for an audible,
means less time panicking in the pocket.

Just start by giving Baker more than a single digit play clock as he breaks the huddle.

And that's all I have to say about that.
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As the saying goes "you only get better by playing a better opponent". I'm not sure they are buttoned up enough to win Sunday but maybe that'll change during a short week.
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Any given Sunday. Oh, and have a plan for number 99
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Rams are good but can absolutely be beat and that comes from a fan (my #2). Goff gets the ball out but isn't mobile, Garrett's speed could be an issue for them (and earth).

Browns pass offense is out of sorts. Baker made several wow throws yesterday, top 5-7 type of throws, but missed a lot and held the ball a ton. DCs have fooled him. Browns QB braintrust needs to put him in a way better situation on getting calls in... and getting over their Kitchens/Monkens erection for becoming homogeneously "deep ball." Gonna get him killed.

He clearly misses Higgins when he's out, no doubt about it. Missing his safe place. Callaway too. Landry is the only guy he had any real experience with, from last year through preseason. It's not ideal to toss guys out together, hope everybody chills on the idea of not playing together in preseason unless you've had years to run like clockwork. Silly.

Orlovsky broke it down great in Tweets and on NFLN... but so much from last year (back half) is just missing. We're doing one thing, throwing deep, and making it obvious by getting those plays in the slowest.

My point: It's better already and it's gonna keep getting better. Higgins (hopefully) returns, Kitchens/Monken get their shit together, and more reps start showing up.

Pass protection was very good. Well, line was good period, Hubbard weak link (not Kush).
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Run chubb early and often, run the ball more then, after that keep handing to chubb, mix in a few screams quick slants and wheel routes.
Our D will be fine.
Brown's 24
Rams 20
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Yah, everything that's been said. Also not very impressed with Wilks thus far. Heard he played to his players strengths, doesn't appear so. Garrett obviously has been phenomenal ...the rest of the defense, not the greatest. Especially our once dominant CB. Put Ward in position to play to his strengths, dude has to be losing some of his swagger at this point. I will be very interested to see how the D performs against the Rams, from what I have seen thus far my expectations aren't high. I am hoping they just play down to their competition.

Looking forward to throwing the "Kitchen" sink at them on offense, some creative play calling, formations, power run schemes, shallow quick hitting routes to mitigate Donald, etc.

This game is really going to tell us how good we are.
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When the titans said ‘we had no heart” of course I didn’t buy that but we are still lacking identity and that comes from continued progress together as a team.
This is the start of the schedule most of us worried about, after what Ive seen from this team so far the Rams game is winnable, the real test is Baltimore and I think there not nearly as good as there numbers would have you believe.
I’m not looking past the Rams I’m looking more at progress per week and if the titans loss was our turnaround i’ll Be fine with it but if they get spanked at home on national TV this team isn’t the prime time players we thought we had for this season, however should we win or die tryin I’m cool with that.
They need to show up,yeah Baker I’m talkin to you.
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The Rams kind of showed to me a lack of heart in last years Super Bowl I wasn't impressed with.

Won't be easy but I think we'll see the most polished effort this year so far.

Browns 31 Rams 20
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If Baker takes what he said in the post game presser (taking what's there instead of waiting for the longer routes) then.........maybe. 99 ain't gonna let him sit back there and wait.

Again better tackling this year from the front. Gotta be encouraged with that.
Secondary didn't really have much to do against jets passing game until 2nd half and the got beat more than once. Goff and his experienced wrs could have a game. I'd love to see Greedy make a few big plays and maybe that will inspire Ward to get his act together.During our 1-15, 0-16 nightmare I could always figure out a way to predict a win. Hence no more. But I'm thinking we get crushed Sunday. Feel free to slam me for the next few days but I've seen nothing on offense to think we can keep up with them. Garrett can only do so much.
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This game is really about who gets their shit together.

It is flying under the radar that Jared Goff has had a start similarly as off as Baker Mayfield. Baker has far more yardage and YPA, Goff doesn't have as many mistakes and has kept drives alive better, but it has been a really slow start for the Rams passing attack.

The Rams are much better running the ball but only in quantity. They are averaging 4.5 to our 4.2, but have something like 12 rushing attempts per game more.

The big difference is that the Rams aren't shooting themselves in the foot nearly as much as we have been. They're not turning it over, or having penalties, or big plays for a loss, etc.

In a way it is strength vs strength, and which offense is going to overcome their struggles. While I trust their OL more than ours, I also like our weapons more - especially with Higgins and Njoku almost certain to be back. Njoku tweeted out that he's good and Higgins probably would have played Monday night if the Jets were not so short-handed.

As Shep mentioned, I think we've missed Higgins more than we realize and it has been frustrating to lose Njoku during both games. We've covered his mistakes recently, but he's still a fucking nightmare to cover and his blocking has been excellent - we're going to need that because Kush vs Donald and Hubbard vs Fowler is fucking scary.

I'm not going to predit a win. The Rams are contenders. We've looked anything but. Do we have the talent to be contenders? Fuck yeah. Do we have the talent to beat the Rams? Fuck yeah. Do we look like a team who is playing to the level of talent that could beat the Rams? Fuck no. Not even close.

As we all discussed following the win over the Jets, there was improvement from the team. It isn't where we need it to be but it is a start. The question becomes if we can take strides forward and make the nessecary corrections. Baker and the offense have to find their feet, Kitchens needs to commit to the run, the OL needs to play at a higher level and everyone, accross the board, needs to do their job better.

The defence is our big strength. I'm tired of reading on Twitter that the Jets game is different if Darnold plays. Bullshit. He faltered in the face of the Browns last year and he isn't some mythical being who can handle Myles Garrett in his face. Ya'll know I love Jared Goff, but he's exactly the same because he's human too. You get after him, it is problematic. Period.

Cam Jordan had a big game against Rob Havenstein last week, which bodes well for Olivier Vernon, and Myles Garrett is on a whole 'nother level to Marcus Davenport. Andrew Whitworth is playing well but not the dominant level he was previously - He is almost 38 - so there could be opportunity to get some pressure on Goff.

But, this is all a long winded way of saying that the Rams are a better team. A more experienced team. A more disciplined team. The only way we win this game is by taking our game to the next level.

We fail to do that, we won't win.

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this game was put in prime-time on purpose. It wreaks Browns win.
The game is in Cleveland. Rams have looked sloppy.
half their points last week were penalty piggy-back rides.
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early signs are pointing to thunderstorms. i dont like it because the rams can and will run the ball. not sure the browns can/will. if its a slop fest i think it favors the rams. it could keep the game closer but points will be at a premium if major storms are in the area.

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I hope that Baker will appear in a lot of commercials this week to give us a better chance at winning. Because that's how entertainment works.


I also hope they will pass to set up the run. Running into stacked boxes doesn't work - just ask the Jets.

Also, just asking, who is the Rams backup QB?
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We really haven't seen any trickery from the offense yet. I wonder if that's on the cards. Odell and Landry are both decent throwers of the ball...

Yeah, I'm pretty much at that point because outside of "be perfect" I am not entirely sure how to beat the Rams. Just an overall good team. Any weaknesses they have are beyond my paygrade.
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Shep....let me help you.

RT - Rob Haverstein has been owned 2 weeks in a row...once by Cameron, and once by a combo of Noteboom and Allen??? Who??? Against Garrett and Vernon he should continue that trend.

Gurley is still not 100%. Got his yards against the Panthers who are giving up chunks...but not nearly as effective against NO.

Goff is dinking and dunking again. He is 22nd in y/a at 7.0 (Baker is 11th at 8.4). He has only 5 passes beyond 20 yards (Baker has 11). (see this as a possible reason for Gurley)

Sacks - despite having Darnold, they have only 5 sacks in 2 games (playing Cam the sack Newton and a backup), Browns have 8...5 by Garrett alone.


Not saying the above is terrible...just saying they are far from perfect and have areas that can be exploited...areas the Browns match up well with.
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I hear you but I can't help but being a bit old school here.

How do you beat the Rams? Play better fundamental football and don't lose the coach v coach game.

If Freddie does a good job of mixing things up (run/pass/special play) and our offense executes to a high (not perfect, but certainly high) level we have a chance to score points. I don't think we need to resort to a ton of trickery or anything bordering on desperation.

Same deal when they have the football.

I'm still of a mind that we have the collective talent to be competitive with anyone. The burning question is can we get it to translate onto the field.
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Agree with you on this and the old school thinking.

I'll admit I don't watch much football outside of the Browns. But I don't think teams use "trick plays" all that often. Maybe in a last ditch "Hail Mary" kinda way, or in a playoff situation. If every team did one trick play per game...how many would really be tricks, you know?

This team has the skills to beat any team in fundamentals, if they play smart.


Mostly, for game 3, I'm just thrilled I get to watch another game!!!
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I'm with you all the way. Anything extra curricular can provide a chunk or even a touchdown, but everything you mention is the requirement for consistent, sustained winning.

I only mention it because this game is being treated as an against-all-odds moment for the team. The only wins of that nature in our history that come to mind were the wins over New Orleans and New England in 2010. While having an elite quarterback in Colt McCoy, whose rugged handsomeness is matched only by his arm strength, made a significant difference, both of those games involved some trickery that aided in getting over the line.

But, as you say, it's ultimately going to come down to strong fundamental football, limiting errors, capitalizing on opportunities and having success from both coaching staff and the roster.
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they also seem to be the luckiest team in the NFL...2x in a row they get a BS call against the Saints. Meanwhile, the Browns seem to be fighting the other team AND the refs. Let's hope it evens out this week.

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In your Opinion....What is the center piece for all Teams?

QB
RB
WR
TE
OL
DB
LB
DL
Coaches

Many have talked about this in other threads, but I wanted a general feel for what a lot of Ram fans view as the most important part of a team.....any team in the NFL.

My opinion is Offensive Line. Without a doubt I see this as a center piece for all teams. Throughout the history of the NFL, teams with a good offensive line Win! That doesn't mean you can't win with an average O line, but can we say we have ever seen a team with an Oline that sucked win often?

Every year we talk about General managers and coaches' abilities to build a team. How often do you see teams add pieces like WR, QB, RB and Defense in the offseason? (All of the time). The media covers that because its hot and teams know it sells tickets for a year.

I just don't get how you can not understand how important an Offensive line is. Yes a defense is important and so is a QB, but how many Good QBs, RBs and WRs can make a team good with a bad Oline? How many teams have we seen over the years who have had average QBs, RBs and WRs win because their Oline is good?

Remember the Ravens with that awesome Defense and Trent Dilfer at QB. No one talks about the fact they had a great Oline and average everything else on the offensive side. I don't care how good your Defense is, they can't score often enough to win a game every week.

Ok, I threw up in my mouth a little bit, but hear me out. Hate both these teams, and lately I hate the Saints even more. But here's the thing, I think the Saints have a good chance to not even make the playoffs with Brees out. The Hawks are legit and I believe they will be one of two NFC West teams to make the playoffs. I think we win the division again and give it a 90% chance. Yet, injuries can plague a team and so any distance from the Hawks in the standings, is a good thing.

There is a perception out there that the interior OL at large struggled vs the Saints front. I disagree, and figured I'd throw up some stills to demonstrate how they played. Bottom line is when you face a good front in a playoff type game you're going to get pressure, which is why the top QBs make the big dough. The Rams did indeed get pressured, but they also won enough snaps to easily get the dub.

Before we get rolling and first off, Allen (and Goff) did a fine job with the line calls. I don't recall even one free rusher, i.e. someone not noted/assigned by him pre-snap. Now the Saints aren't the most varied front when it comes to blitzes, but still that means he's making good calls. And while we don't know the extent to which Goff is involved in the line calls, it looks like Jared is focusing mostly on the secondary and coverages. So I'd guess Allen was primarily to thank for a day of good calls.

Secondly these guys definitely have strengths and weaknesses. Boom is better is pass pro than the run. Allen is better in the run game. And so on. If I had to grade Allen overall I'd say he's an average Center right now in pass pro (a dropoff from Sully who was excellent in pass pro), but excellent in the run game. Boom is a big dropoff from Saff in the run game, but just as good as he was in pass pro.

Thirdly it's pretty clear the edges were our problem vs the Saints, which is Hav (who has been roasted for it) but also Whit, who you could see wasn't his normal self right out the gate in this game. He really had an uncharacteristically poor game and I think a lot of that was the quality of the Saints' edge play. If Whit wasn't such a pro I would be concerned about him, and that's even considering that much of his struggles were the strength of the Saints' rush.

Lastly I'll mix in best and worst here. Not trying to just cherry pick what they did right.

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11:40 1st Quarter, Rams on their 32 yard line, 3rd and 16. Big early-game situation in which it looks like the Rams are going to three 'n out in their first possession...

Pre-snap (note the doubled A gap):


Going after Allen & Blythe:


Goff has time to make a sammich, oh and put up a perfect pass too:


Result... Marcus "Toast" Lattimore:

Many years ago when I was young and single. I was invited to a party by a friend, it would be mostly people I didn't know but there would be booze and women so I was in. Once I got there and got a drink I started to mingle. After awhile I noticed an attractive young lady staring at me from a couch across the room. She wasn't hiding it but I couldn't quite puzzle out her stare, it was of amazement or even awe. I walked around for a time and she followed my every movement with her eyes. Finally thinking she had been overwhelmed with my being. I walked up and introduced myself saying I couldn't help noticing she had been staring at me for most of the evening. It was as if I had snapped her out of a trance. She came alive. I am so sorry. You wont believe this but I know your twin. I laughed and assured her I had no twin I did have brother that was younger but not a twin. So you know someone that looks like me? No she said you don't understand I know someone that is your exact double. I grew up with him. I know you cant be him because he lives 400 miles from here. I have been frozen here on this couch since you walked in because I am so freaked out. We continued the conversation for a while but I started to feel uncomfortable because she wouldnt let up about it and her amazement. She also started following me around the party going on and on. Finally I left, things were just getting to weird. So any way still not sure I like having a doppelganger out there. How about you do you have one?

7 things about Dante Fowler

Each week during the season, 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, linebacker, Dante Fowler spoke to Sarina about sleeping through his first opportunity to be on the show Ballers, who he is excited to see on Sunday and how to perfect the perfect bow.

Sarina: What do you do to treat yourself? You had two sacks in the Carolina game.

Dante: Honestly, you want to know what I really did?

Sarina: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Dante: So, I live in Calabasas and I have this really nice tub. It's pretty big. It's like a jacuzzi tub. So I put in some Epsom salt and some bubbles, and I opened up my windows, and I was able to see like the city view. That's how I treated myself.

Sarina: That's nice.

Dante: With some candles.

Sarina: Oh candles, scented?

Dante: Yeah.

Sarina: Little pumpkin spice?

Dante: No.

Sarina: I like that. The NFC Championship rematch.

Dante: Fun and intense. Definitely.

Sarina: What have you learned about yourself in year two as a Ram?

Dante: That I am who I always thought I was. Who I always knew I was, you know… people started to build (a) bad image... Well not build a bad image, I build my image myself. But… had this little image going around that is totally opposite of (me). So, if anything that I'm just proud of my growth.

Sarina: Your bowing. (After sacks)… Where'd you get that from?

Dante: Me. I did it. We (used to do) free-styling and dancing in my dorms sophomore year, summertime at (University of Florida). I just ended up doing that for some reason. I thought it'd be cool to wipe my shoes and kick up at the same time.

Dante: Pete was like, "Damn, bro, do that again." I did it, (and) they kept asking me to do it and I was like, "I'm going to do this in a game if I get a sack."

Sarina: You practiced that? In the mirror…

Dante: Yeah. I used to practice it all the time. But now it's like second nature.

Sarina: Your fellow Gator, Neiron Ball.

Dante: Yeah. That's my brother.

Sarina: He passed. I'm so sorry.

Dante: My big brother. Yep. We shared a lot memories with each other. That was one of my big brothers. Like, one of my first big brothers. He would get me a slice, get me anything at UF (Florida). That was my guy, he was super giving, super loving. He had a big heart. Never complain, never complained about what he was going through in life. He was going through a lot of stuff. You know, he's in a better place. Because he been going through that stuff for a long time. Long, long time. I remember reading articles on him when I was in high school. You know, I was committed so I'd be on Inside the Gators looking at the stuff. I remember they had a report that he might be out for the year. Actually, he was out my freshman year because of that. He was dealing with it. So, I'm just happy that he's able to rest and be at a better place.

Sarina: Who was your favorite athlete growing up? It could be basketball, football… hockey.

Dante: Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis inspired me to play football. Yeah.

Sarina: His intensity.

Dante: Yeah, his intensity. He inspired me to play football. Definitely, I love Ray Lewis… Lawrence Taylor.

Sarina: Hidden talent? Any other talents other than football? Something we don't know?

Dante: I think I'm a good actor.

Sarina: Oh, where are we going to see you this season?

Dante: See me on Ballers this season.

Sarina: Do you think you'll do more of that?

Dante: I don't know. I guess we'll see when the people watch it and stuff.

Sarina: How did that come about?.. Was that an agent call, or were you like, "I love Ballers and I want to be on it."

Dante: Well, they actually had a guy ... I was supposed to be on the other season, like a couple season before this.

Sarina: Because this was in Florida too.

Dante: Yeah. That's when I was in Florida. They invited me to Miami. I ended up having a really good night (and) I slept through my set.

Sarina: You were invited and you slept through?

Dante: That was my first off season and I was having so much fun.

Sarina: Oh, my God. You slept through freaking Ballers.

Dante: Yeah. So, I'm like damn. I don't know if they'll ever hit me up. But they ended up hitting me up again, so.

Sarina: Do you have a new alarm clock system?

Dante: Yeah.

First Look: Rams travel to Cleveland for Sunday Night Football matchup with Browns

*AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – *A 27-9 win over the New Orleans Saints last week pushed the Rams to 2-0. Now, Los Angeles gears up for its first primetime game of the season: a road contest against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football.

The Browns and the Rams last met in 2015 when the Rams were still playing in St. Louis, a 24-6 Rams win in late October that year. Thus, this will be the first meeting between the two clubs since the Rams relocated to Los Angeles.

In advance of the contest, here’s an early look at the Browns, including notable additions, their top statistical performers so far, where they rank in certain statistical categories and key storylines.

Notable additions

• Traded for WR Odell Beckham Jr. in March. Now in his sixth NFL season, the three-time Pro Bowler spent his first five years with the New York Giants, amassing 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns during that span. Beckham ranks third in targets per game (10.5), fourth in receptions per game (6.6), third in receiving yards per game (92.8) and third in receiving touchdowns (44) since entering the league in 2014.
• Signed DL Sheldon Richardson as an unrestricted free agent in March. A 2013 first-round pick by the Jets, Richardson played his first four years in New York before getting traded to the Seattle Seahawks prior to the start of the 2017 season. After one season in Seattle, he joined the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal, posting 49 tackles and 4.5 sacks while starting in all 16 games in 2018. Richardon has 335 tackles, 23.5 sacks, seven passes batted down, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and an interception in 89 career games with 87 starts.

Top performers in Week 2

QB Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 35 pass attempts for 325 yards with one touchdown and one interception. While his completion percentage was lower than what he posted against the Titans in the season opener, for the most part it was a bounceback performance considering he tossed one touchdown and three interceptions in Week 1.

RB Nick Chubb led the Browns' backfield with 16 carries for 62 yards and one touchdown, adding four receptions for 36 yards.

WR Odell Beckham Jr. posted six receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown, his yardage a game-high. He set a new career-long for a reception when he connected with Mayfield for an 89-yard touchdown.

Defensively, LB Joe Schobert recorded a team-high 10 tackles and created Cleveland's lone takeaway with a fourth-quarter forced fumble that was recovered by DB T.J. Carrie. The Browns' secondary failed to record an interception despite the Jets getting reduced to playing their third-string quarterback Monday night.

On special teams, rookie kicker Austin Seibert – a fifth-round pick in this year's NFL draft – was 3 for 3 on field goal attempts, including a long of 48. He also made both of his extra point attempts.

Rankings

Offense

• Points Per Game: Tied for 23rd (18.0)
• Yards Per Game: 15th (360.5)
• Passing Yards Per Game: Tied for 13th (274.5)
• Rushing Yards Per Game: Tied for 22nd (86.0)

Defense

• Points Allowed Per Game: Tied for 19th (23.0)
• Yards Allowed Per Game: 7th (300.5)
• Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 5th (192.5)
• Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 14th (108.0)

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

The Browns are dealing with injuries to a pair of offensive contributors as they prepare to host the Rams.

Starting TE David Njoku got knocked Monday night's game in the first quarter with a concussion and remains in concussion protocol as of Tuesday afternoon. Cleveland head coach Freddie Kitchens told reporters the team is "still awaiting final word" on Njoku. If Njoku can't go, Demetrius Harris would likely start against the Rams. Harris went on to play 54 of the Browns' 69 offensive snaps Monday night after replacing Njoku.

Meanwhile, WR Rashard Higgins was inactive against the Jets after being a gametime decision leading into the contest because of a knee injury. The fourth-year wide receiver had two catches for 46 yards in the Browns' season-opener. In 2018, he posted 39 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Second-year wide receiver Damion Ratley saw his role increase in Higgins' absence, catching two passes for 50 yards in Week 2.

Was looking at his passer rating and at home in 2018 he logged an overall 116.7 spanning Coliseum games. This season in one game he's at 112.6 talk about consistency.

Oh and he seems to like Levi's Stadium even more, doubtless due to family and friends, well that and the crappy whiner defense... He put up a 145.8 in SF in 2017. Followed by a 127.4 in 2018, so his average there is even higher lol. Niner tears, always delicious.

I saw an article on espn, written by Lindsay Thiry about AD. The first sentence was something like, the Rams defense hasn’t given up a td in 2 victories this year. I’m thinking I didn’t see the first game but the highlights I saw looked like McCaffrey had a heck of a day. And it’s not like Carolina barely avoided a shutout, they scored 20 something points. Not sure where she was going with that, maybe she got the Rams confused with the Pats.

If you’re a baseball fan, this has to make you smile a little.



Mike Yastrzemski and Grampa Carl walking in the shadow of the green monster before tonight’s game in Boston.

Yaz patrolled left field 36 years ago, and tonight, playing as a Giant, grandson Mike guarded that same spot, and hit his 20th homer, to the cheers of the crowd.

With Bees' thumb getting messed up by high fiving AD, and maybe ending his season, it got me to thinking that's not the only QB Rams have sidelined. Over the years I can think of a few more, Wentz and Palmer come to mind and I'm pretty sure there are more.

Not sure thats such a good statistic, like to know who else they've put on the sideline.

“He’s the most gifted, talented, best player at any position I’ve ever played with”

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We seem a little light in RB especially with injury concerns...