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Quotes and Notes 8/15 & 8/14


Quotes & Notes 8/15: Aaron Donald looking forward to supporting teammates in Hawaii

After each media session, Quotes and Notes will bring you what was said, who said it, and what it means for your Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what you should know from Thursday, Aug. 15.

“Just going to go out there to support the guys. Also got some business stuff out there.”
– DT Aaron Donald
  • Donald will be one of a few starters making the trip to Hawaii.
  • Although he will not play, he still wanted to make the trip to be there for his teammates.
  • His presence will be especially beneficial for Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines and the other defensive tackles competing for the starting spot beside him which was vacated by departure of Ndamukong Suh this offseason.

“I think you feel good. It’s always a tough dynamic.”
– HC Sean McVay

  • With the majority of the starters not traveling for this week’s preseason game against the Cowboys in Hawaii, McVay was asked how he feels about where the starters are at this point in training camp.
  • McVay cited the work done by that group in joint practices with the Chargers and Raiders as the main reason why.
  • The Rams have ramped up the intensity in practice this week, and the challenge, according to McVay, is maintaining that edge so that it peaks come Weak 1 against Carolina.

“Those are three guys that have definitely made a name for themselves and we’re closely looking at to see what kind of role they shape and carve out for themselves come regular season.”
– HC Sean McVay
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines and Tanzel Smart are all competing for the second starting defensive tackle job alongside Aaron Donald, and McVay has been pleased with what he’s seen from each player thus far.
  • Joseph-Day has been a “bright spot” for the Rams because of how he’s picked up where he left off from training camp, according to McVay, while the rookie Gaines is becoming more confident and comfortable within the system. McVay said Smart’s ability to play both the three-technique and nose tackle, plus his dependability, makes him very valuable to Los Angeles.
  • While McVay said that competition is “really sorting itself out,” it remains an ongoing evaluation.

  • Poll Poll
Can Kaepernick still play?

Who thinks Colin Kaepernick could be a starting QB in the NFL in 2019

  • Yes, he is good enough

    Votes: 10 13.0%
  • No, he sucks

    Votes: 67 87.0%

I got into a discussion with a guy on Fakebook about wether or not Kaepernick could be a starter in the NFL now. Former NFL player Quintus McDonald was in on the discussion and he thinks that Kaepernick absolutely should be starting in the league. This other Rufus was posting stats and ignoring my more telling stats. I think I know what most of you think.

NFL 100: Best players in Rams history

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By: Cameron DaSilva | August 14, 2019 4:52 pm ET
100. WR/KR Az-Zahir Hakim (1998-2001)
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(JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images)

A Super Bowl champion with the Rams in the 1999 season, Hakim wasn’t the most productive receiver. But he did win a ring and had two respectable seasons in 1999 and 2000, racking up at least 677 yards in each year. His eight touchdowns in 1999 ranked second on the team, which featured Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. As the third wide receiver, he didn’t garner as much attention or as many targets as his teammates.
99. DB/WR Woodley Lewis (1950-1955)
Lewis did everything for the Rams. He played defense and had 12 interceptions with a league-high 275 yards as a rookie in 1950, earning Pro Bowl honors. In 1952, he became a return specialist, too, leading the NFL twice in punt return touchdowns and once in punt return yards. He also finished first in the league in kick return yards twice, too.
Lewis finished his Rams career with 21 catches for 218 yards and 188 yards rushing, as well.

98. LT Joe Carollo (1962-1968, 1971)
Carollo was a seven-year starter at left tackle for the Rams, making the Pro Bowl once in 1968. He only made the playoffs once, playing on a lot of poor teams during the ’60s.
97. CB Dre’ Bly (1999-2002)
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Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Bly was a two-time Pro Bowler, both selections coming after he left the Rams. During his tenure in St. Louis, he did reach two Super Bowls, winning one of them against the Titans. His two pick-sixes led the NFL in 2001, a year in which he had six interceptions.
96. DB Will Sherman (1954-1960)
Sherman picked off 11 passes in 1955, leading the NFL in that statistic. He was named an All-Pro that season and a Pro Bowler in 1958, when he returned two of his five interceptions for touchdowns.
95. RB Willie Ellison (1967-1972)
Ellison earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1971 with a 1,000-yard season, by far his best year in the NFL. His two trips to the playoffs were uneventful, but that 1971 season was the highlight of his career.
94. RB Charles White (1985-1988)
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Getty Images
When it comes to outlier seasons, White’s 1987 campaign certainly stands out. After never rushing for more than 342 yards in a season, he gained a league-high 1,374 and 11 touchdowns on 324 carries. His 324 carries nearly matched his career total up to that point, with the same going for his 11 touchdowns. He deservingly made the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro selection that year, though the Rams unfortunately missed the playoffs.
93. RB/FB Cullen Bryant (1973-1982, 1987)
Bryant played in one Super Bowl with the Rams, a loss to the Steelers after the 1979 season. As a return specialist, he scored three touchdowns in a four-year span, while also playing running back and fullback later in his career.
92. WR Ricky Proehl (1998-2002)
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(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Proehl helped send the Rams to the Super Bowl with a six-catch, 100-yard game in the 1999 NFC championship game, hauling in the game-winning touchdown to punch St. Louis’ ticket. He almost helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXVI two years later, too, tying the game with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to tie the game. His regular-season numbers aren’t eye-popping, but his clutch play in the postseason was as memorable as any.
91. LT Andrew Whitworth (2017-present)
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Whitworth has played some of his best football the last two seasons and is a huge reason the Rams offense has been as dominant as it’s been. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2017, though he surprisingly missed the cut on both marks in 2018. As a leader and premier left tackle, Whitworth is highly valuable to the Rams and his quality play should continue in 2019.

90. LB Mike Jones (1997-2000)
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(Photo by: Tom Hauck /Getty Images)

Jones started for four seasons in St. Louis and made quite possibly the most important tackle in franchise history, stopping Kevin Dyson short of the goal line on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV. His regular-season accomplishments shouldn’t be overlooked, either, as he picked off seven passes with the Rams, returning two for touchdowns in 1999 alone. That tackle in the big game is what really landed him on this list, though.

89. CB Janoris Jenkins (2012-2015)
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Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
If not for his solid play with the Rams, Jenkins wouldn’t have landed a five-year, $62.5 million deal with the Giants. He scored five touchdowns in four seasons in St. Louis, picking off four passes as a rookie in 2012. It’s unfortunate that he played on bad teams because Jenkins was a standout playmaker for the Rams. The ball always seemed to find him and with it in his hands, he was always a threat to take it to the house.


88. WR/KR Ron Brown (1984-1989, 1991)
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Rick Stewart /Allsport
Brown was an electric return man for the Rams, scoring three touchdowns on kick returns in 1985, an All-Pro season for him. He also contributed as a receiver, catching 98 passes for 1,791 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the 1985 playoffs, he returned a kickoff 45 yards in a losing effort.

87. QB Pat Haden (1976-1981)
Haden ended his NFL career fairly early in order to take a broadcasting job, spending only six years with the Rams. He only threw 52 touchdown passes to 60 interceptions, making one Pro Bowl in 1977. That year, the Rams went 8-2 with Haden as the starter, making a trip to the postseason.

86. Jim Youngblood, LB, 1973-1984
Though not related to Jack Youngblood, Jim was a quality linebacker himself. He was a one-time Pro Bowler in 1979 and spent six years as a starter for the Rams, though he was limited to only 14 games in his final two seasons with the team. In 1979, he intercepted five passes and returned two of them for a league-high two touchdowns.

85. OL Rodger Saffold (2010-2018)
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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Saffold was a huge loss for the Rams in free agency, given the way he had developed into a premier left guard. That came after he played several different positions up front, putting the team first before his individual goals. A selfless player, Saffold had an impact on the field and off it. He’ll always be well-respected by the organization after nine years as a starter.

84. RB Les Josephson (1964-1974)
Josephson never suited up for anyone besides the Rams, spending his entire 11-year career with Los Angeles. By far his best season came in 1967 when he was a Pro Bowler after rushing for 800 yards and four touchdowns with 37 receptions for another 400 yards.

83. FB/LB Tank Younger (1949-1957)
A two-way player for the Rams, Younger lined up at fullback and linebacker and was productive at both spots. He was a four-time Pro Bowler with 3,296 yards rushing while playing for the Rams, leading the league in yards per game in 1955. Younger won an NFL championship in 1951 – the same year he was an All-Pro – playing a big role on defense in the playoffs. He ranks ninth in Rams history in rushing yards.

82. LB Roman Phifer (1991-1998)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
A seven-year starter with the Rams, Phifer always found the ball. He had three years of at least 100 tackles, picking off seven passes as a member of the Rams, too. His three Super Bowl rings came later with the Patriots, though he was still productive in St. Louis and L.A. Phifer was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September 1995.

81. P Johnny Hekker (2012-present)
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Punters are people too, and Hekker is arguably the best the Rams have ever had. In seven seasons, he’s never missed a game and has four first-team All-Pro selections. The Rams’ inept offenses under Jeff Fisher got him a lot of work, which hasn’t been the case under Sean McVay, helping Hekker lead the league in punt yards twice (2015, 2016). His ability as a trick-play artist only adds to his value.

80. QB Vince Ferragamo (1977-1984)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Ferragamo only had two seasons of at least 10 starts and each time, he led the Rams to a winning record – including an 11-4 finish in 1980. That year, he threw 30 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions but struggled in the playoffs with one touchdown and three picks in the Rams’ loss to the Cowboys.

79. DL Michael Brockers (2012-present)
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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Brockers hasn’t been spectacular with the Rams, but his consistent production along the defensive line is worth a spot on this list. He’s played every position up front and recorded multiple sacks in five of his seven seasons. A down year in 2016 hurt his career numbers, but Brockers doesn’t get enough recognition for the job he’s done wearing the horns.


78. RB/PR Jon Arnett (1957-1963)
Arnett came right in as the second overall pick in 1957 and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, rushing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, also catching 18 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons, contributing as a returner on punts and kickoffs. In 1958, he led the league with 223 punt return yards.

77. RT Bob Brown (1969-1970)
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(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
It’s unfortunate that Brown only spent two years with the Rams because the Hall of Famer was truly one of the best right tackles in the game. He was traded by the team after just two seasons, as he continued to play at a Pro Bowl level for one more year. He was obviously best known for being a three-time All-Pro with the Eagles, but he was a two-time selection with the Rams, too. His lack of time in Los Angeles puts him lower in this top 100.

76. RB Jerome Bettis (1993-1995)
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Al Bello /Allsport
Bettis is obviously best known for being a bulldozing running back with the Steelers, but let’s not forget he was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Rams, twice rushing for at least 1,000 yards. His best seasons as a receiver came with the Rams, too, as he was an impactful player right from the start. Trading him to the Steelers for almost nothing was clearly a huge mistake after the team went to a more pass-heavy offense.

75. FS O.J. Atogwe (2005-2010)
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(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Atogwe was excellent in pass coverage for the Rams for six years, picking off eight passes alone in 2007 and returning one for a touchdown. He finished his career in St. Louis with 22 interceptions in only 75 games started, scoring two touchdowns, as well. For a third-round pick, he made a name for himself as a playmaker in the deep part of the field.

74. CB Dick ‘Night Train’ Lane (1952-1953)
Lane is one of the best defensive backs in NFL history, picking off 68 passes in his career. He only spent two seasons with the Rams, but as a rookie, he picked off 14 passes and returned them for 298 yards and two touchdowns – all three of which led the NFL. Surprisingly, he wasn’t named a Pro Bowler, but that season alone earns him a spot on this list.

73. DE Lamar Lundy (1957-1969)
Lundy played 13 years with the Rams and was a starter for just about every one of them. He contributed as a receiver early in his career, catching 35 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns in his first three seasons, but he also played defensive end where he did most of his damage. He scored three defensive touchdowns and was a Pro Bowler in 1959.

72. DT Cody Jones (1974-1982)
Jones turned into a Pro Bowler after going in the fifth round of the 1974 draft, becoming a starter in 1977. His Pro Bowl season came in 1978, which is the year he had 1.5 sacks in the postseason. He made the playoffs with the Rams in five straight years from 1974-78, as well as 1980.

71. LT Doug France (1975-81)
A two-time Pro Bowler in the 1970s, France was excellent in pass protection for the Rams. he protected the blindside of Pat Haden and Vince Ferragamo, making 74 career starts in St. Louis. He finished his career with the Oilers in 1983.

70. LG Duane Putnam (1952-1959, 1962)
Putnam made five consecutive Pro Bowls with the Rams, proving to be a reliable starter at left guard in the ’50s. He earned three All-Pro selections, too, which is evidence of how highly he was viewed during his playing days. Putnam played on an offensive line that blocked for Norm Van Brocklin, Dan Towler and Ron Waller, among others.


69. DT D’Marco Farr (1994-2000)
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Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Farr was a standout defensive tackle in 1995, when he had 11.5 sacks to lead the team, nearly doubling the next-closest Ram. He never quite got back to that production, but he was a starter for five straight years in St. Louis and had at least three sacks in each of those seasons.

68. OL Andy McCollum (1999-2007)

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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
McCollum slid in as the starting center in 2000 after being a backup on the Super Bowl-winning team one year prior, playing alongside Orlando Pace and Adam Timmerman. He started every game between 2000 and 2005, showing excellent durability and consistency – even if he never made a Pro Bowl.

67. WR Red Phillips (1958-1964)
Phillips was an immediate contributor for the Rams after being drafted fifth overall, catching the longest pass in the NFL (93 yards) as a rookie in 1958. He went on to make three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team, leading the league with 78 catches in 1961.

66. DE Grant Wistrom (1998-2003)
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Elsa /Getty Images
Wistrom peaked in 2000 with 11 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, batting down five passes, as well. He followed that up in 2001 with nine more sacks, but his production began to slide after that season. He was still productive, nonetheless, and won a ring with the Rams in 1999.

65. LB/TE Marlin McKeever (1961-1972)
Tight ends weren’t used the way they are today, but McKeever also contributed on defense as a linebacker, increasing his value to the team. He made the Pro Bowl in 1966 when he had 23 catches for 277 yards in 11 games, but his best season came in 1965 (44 catches, 542 yards, four TDs).

64. CB Rod Perry (1975-1982)
Perry made the Pro Bowl twice with the Rams and played in 11 postseason games across six appearances. He returned three of his eight interceptions for touchdowns in 1978 and ranks sixth in Rams history with 26 career interceptions.

63. WR Harold Jackson (1968, 1973-1977)
Jackson’s best seasons came before his second stint with the Rams in 1973, twice leading the league in receiving yards with the Eagles in 1969 and ’72. Still, he was a Pro Bowler in 1973, ’75 and ’77, leading the NFL in touchdown receptions in 1973 with 13 scores.

62. FS Keith Lyle (1994-2000)
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Harry How /Allsport
Lyle led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1996 and somehow didn’t make the Pro Bowl, and then pulled down eight picks the following year – once again being snubbed from the Pro Bowl. He never made the all-star game in his career but he was a quality safety for the Rams who could do it all. Lyle was a starter on the 1999 team that won the Super Bowl.

61. DE Chris Long (2008-2015)
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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Long came into the NFL with sky-high expectations as the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, and while he wasn’t a star right away, he did start 16 games as a rookie. He hit his stride in 2011 when he had 13 sacks and 11.5 the following year to go along with 40 quarterback hits over that two-year span. He has two Super Bowl rings, none with the Rams, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year award, proving to be a great player both on and off the field.

60. RB Dan Towler (1950-1955)
Towler was an old-school fullback who carried the ball regularly, having 672 rush attempts in his career. He led the league in rushing in 1952 with 894 yards and 10 touchdowns, one of four career Pro Bowl selections for him. Towler was a dominant runner who defenders dreaded tackling, finishing with 43 touchdowns in just six seasons.


59. SS Dave Elmendorf (1971-1979)
In nine seasons, Elmendorf never missed a single game. He pulled in 27 interceptions, which is the ninth-most in Rams history, and recovered 11 fumbles. Elmendorf also contributed on special teams as a punt returner, returning 57 for 502 yards in his career.

58. CB Pat Thomas (1976-1982)
Thomas’ career wasn’t exactly long, spending just seven years in the NFL despite being a two-time Pro Bowler. He finished with 26 interceptions (10th in Rams history) and made the playoffs in all but two seasons, making five starts in the playoffs.


57. C Ken Iman (1965-1974)
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(Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP/Getty Images)
Iman played and started 140 games in a row for the Rams when he came to L.A. in 1965, and although he didn’t make any Pro Bowls, he was a big part of the offensive line. His consistency and reliability made him extremely valuable, always giving the Rams assurance that their starting center would be out there on Sundays.

56. RG Adam Timmerman (1999-2006)
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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Timmerman won a Super Bowl with the Rams in the 1999 season after winning one with the Packers three years prior, anchoring the right side of the line for both teams. He was a Pro Bowler in 2001 and was a cog in the Rams offensive line for eight years.

55. DE Robert Quinn (2011-2017)
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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
If not for injuries, Quinn could’ve stood among the best pass rushers in the league. He was PFWA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 when he finished second in sacks (19) and first in tackles for loss (23), earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Injuries struck in 2015, limiting him to just 17 games over the next two seasons. And he hasn’t been the same since. At his best, Quinn was a dominant pass rusher with rare skills.

54. LB Carl Ekern (1976-1988)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Ekern was always a well-respected player, to the point where the Rams now have a sportsmanship award named after him. As a starter for most of his career, Ekern made the postseason nine times, five times in the starting lineup.

53. CB Jerry Gray (1985-1991)
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Gray was a ballhawk for the Rams, picking off an astounding 22 passes in only seven seasons. He had eight in 1986 – his first season as a Pro Bowler – and six in 1989, proving to be a playmaker in the secondary. In the 1985 playoffs, he had an interception and three fumble recoveries, too.

52. LB Maxie Baughan (1966-1970)
From his rookie year in 1960 to 1969, Baughan only missed the Pro Bowl one time (1962). He was always on the field and producing at a high level for the Rams, making the Pro Bowl in four of his five years with the team. He finished his career in L.A. with 11 interceptions and one All-Pro selection.

51. LB James Laurinaitis (2009-2015)
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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Laurinaitis was a tackling machine for the Rams after being a second-round pick in 2009. He had at least 100 tackles each season in St. Louis and led the NFL in solo tackles once (117 in 2012). He didn’t have the lengthy career that many others on this list did, playing just seven seasons with the Rams, but he was highly productive and never missed a game.

50. CB Aeneas Williams (2001-2004)
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(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Williams only played four seasons with the Rams, but his impact was felt immediately. In his first season in St. Louis, he was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler. That postseason, he picked off three passes, scored two touchdowns and made 23 total tackles. He was also a Pro Bowler in 2003 and helped lead the Rams to the postseason that year, too. Williams was best known for his time with the Cardinals, but the Hall of Famer was a stud for the Rams, too.

49. DE Kevin Carter (1995-2000)
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Elsa Hasch /Allsport
Considering the physical nature of his position, Carter was remarkably durable. He missed just three games with the Rams, which were the only three he missed in his entire career. He was an All-Pro in 1999 and won a Super Bowl with the Rams that year, recording three sacks in the postseason.

48. QB Marc Bulger (2002-2009)
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Bulger wasn’t exactly the most consistent quarterback, throwing a league-high 22 interceptions in 2003 but only eight in 2006 – both Pro Bowl seasons for him. He led the Rams to the playoffs twice and won one postseason game in his career, taking a beating for much of his career. Still, he’s second in franchise history with 22,814 yards and third in touchdown passes (122) with the third-best passer rating (84.4) as well.

47. LG Kent Hill (1979-1986)
Hill played at a very high level for the Rams in the ’80s, making five trips to the Pro Bowl in a six-year span. Incredibly, he was a Pro Bowler in 1982 despite only playing nine games, which is a testament to how well he played that season.

46. CB Todd Lyght (1991-2000)
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Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Lyght played a pivotal role in the Rams’ run to Super Bowl XXXIV, picking off one pass in the postseason and breaking up four others. In the big game, he blocked a Titans field goal attempt that would’ve made the score 9-3.

45. WR Flipper Anderson (1988-1994)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Anderson was a big play waiting to happen, twice leading the league in yards per reception. He holds the NFL record for the most yards receiving in a single game, racking up 336 yards against the Saints in 1989. He caught 15 passes in that game, second-most by a Rams player.

44. WR Jack Snow (1965-1975)
Despite never missing a game until his final season in 1975, Snow never reached 1,000 yards receiving. He had at least 500 yards each year until 1973 and ranks fifth all-time in Rams history with 6,012 yards in his career. He was consistent and could be counted on, displaying remarkable durability during his time in Los Angeles.

43. K Jeff Wilkins (1997-2007)
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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Wilkins gave the Rams someone reliable at kicker, which is often hard to find in the NFL. He led the league in field goal attempts and makes twice and in field goal percentage once – he made all 17 attempts in 11 games in 2000 – earning one Pro Bowl selection. He was clutch in the postseason from 2001-2004, making 13 of 16 field goals and all 15 PATs. His three field goals in Super Bowl XXXIV helped lift the Rams to victory, while his 265 made field goals are the most in franchise history.

42. LB Jack Reynolds (1970-1980)
Reynolds was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, though his rings came as a member of the 49ers. He was a hard-nosed linebacker who originally played fullback in college. “Hacksaw” didn’t become a starter until 1973, but from that point forward, he never relinquished the job on some stout defenses in L.A. and San Francisco.

41. QB Jared Goff (2016-present)
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Goff is just three years into his NFL career, but he’s already made the Pro Bowl twice, led the Rams to the Super Bowl and threw for 4,688 yards last season. He’s only gotten better each year he’s been in the league, too, which is a good sign for his development.

In just two and a half seasons as the starter, Goff has already risen to eighth in Rams history with 9,581 passing yards, eighth in touchdown passes (65) and second in career passer rating (94.7).

It might seem premature to put Goff in the top 50, but given the way he’s played thus far and his future potential, he’s earned a spot this high on the list. With Sean McVay at the helm and Goff under center, the Rams have a great chance to get back to the Super Bowl soon.

40. FB Dick Bass (1960-1969)
Bass was an old-school fullback unlike today’s modern version of the position, carrying the ball 1,218 times for 5,417 yards in 10 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl three times and had the longest run in the NFL in 1961 (73 yards), also returning a punt 90 yards for a touchdown that same year.


39. DE Leonard Little (1998-2009)
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(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Little knew how to pry the ball from the opponent’s hands better than most other players, forcing a mind-blowing 33 fumbles in his career. He led the league in that department back-to-back years in 2002 and 2003, earning a Pro Bowl selection in the latter season. He had 87.5 sacks in 12 seasons with the Rams despite only becoming a starter in his fifth season. Arguably his best season came in 2001 when he had a career-high 14.5 sacks despite not starting any games.

38. QB Jim Everett (1986-1993)

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Everett didn’t have eye-popping numbers with the Rams, but he did lead the NFL in touchdown passes twice (1988 and ’89). He also made the Pro Bowl once (1990) and led the Rams to the NFC championship game in the 1989 season – which they lost 30-3 to San Francisco. Everett is one of the more revered players in Rams history and if not for their fire sale of players in 1994, he likely would’ve been their quarterback much longer.

37. DE Andy Robustelli (1951-1955)
If including his nine years with the Giants, Robustelli would be much higher on this list. But by only counting his seasons in Los Angeles, his ranking is slightly lower. In five years with the Rams, he had two All-Pro selections and made two Pro Bowls, wreaking havoc off the edge at defensive end. He would go on to make four more All-Pro teams and five more Pro Bowls, earning a spot in Canton.

36. LB/DE Kevin Greene (1985-1992)
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Mike Powell /Allsport
Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, 72.5 of which came with the Rams. He had eight productive seasons in Los Angeles and while he was never named an All-Pro with the Rams, he was a Pro Bowler in 1989. He led the league in sacks twice – not with the Rams, however – and is viewed as an all-time great pass rusher.

35. OG Joe Scibelli (1961-1975)
Scibelli played his entire career with the Rams, earning one trip to the Pro Bowl (1968). He helped the Rams lead the league in rushing twice as the starting right guard for more than a decade. His 202 games played are the fifth-most of any player in franchise history, showing just how reliable he was with the Rams.

34. LB Jack Pardee (1957-1970)
Pardee is well known for his coaching career, but he was an excellent player, too. He played 13 years with the Rams and made the Pro Bowl once, though surprisingly that selection didn’t come when he had six interceptions and two touchdowns in 1967. Pardee was a valuable player for the Rams in the ‘60s and ’70 as a stout linebacker in the middle of the defense.

33. WR Jim Benton (1938-1942, 1944-1947)
Benton had two stints with the Rams, bookending one year with the Bears in 1943. He won one NFL championship with Los Angeles, making two All-Pro teams and one Pro Bowl. He led the NFL with 1,067 yards in 1945 and 981 in 1946, also ranking No. 1 in receptions in ’46 with 63 catches. His numbers were limited by the era in which he played, but compared to others during his playing days, he was an excellent receiver.

32. CB LeRoy Irvin (1980-1989)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Irvin was a dynamic cornerback and return specialist, being named a first-team All-Pro punt returner in 1981 for his league-high 615 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the NFL with two pick-sixes in 1984 and one the following year, intercepting 34 passes in his Rams career – third-most in team history. He was simply a playmaker for the Rams.

31. DE Fred Dryer (1972-1981)
Dryer played 10 seasons with the Rams and was a full-time starter in all but one of those years. He holds the NFL record for the most safeties by a single player in a game, recording two against the Packers in 1973. Dryer returned his only interception 20 yards for a touchdown and also recovered 20 fumbles in his career. His lone Pro Bowl appearance came in 1975. After his playing days, he went on to a successful career as a TV and film actor.

30. RB Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-1979)
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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

McCutcheon didn’t carry the ball at all as a rookie, but the next five years were very productive. He made five straight Pro Bowls and gained at least 1,000 yards rushing in all but one of those seasons, consistently carrying the load for the Rams in the ‘70s. At one point, he held the NFL postseason single-game rushing record with 202 yards against the Cardinals in 1975, which has since been surpassed by Eric Dickerson (248 yards in 1986).

29. OG Dennis Harrah (1975-1987)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Harrah was drafted 11th overall by the Rams in 1975 and spent the next 14 seasons in Los Angeles – the majority of which as the starting right guard. Injuries limited him a bit throughout his career, but he made six Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 1986 – by far his best season in the NFL.


28. C Doug Smith (1978-1991)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Smith’s best seasons came in his late 20s and early 30s, making six straight Pro Bowls from 1984-1989. He spent his entire 14-year career with the Rams, which raises his stock on this list, but he was also a very consistent player – as evidenced by his Pro Bowl appearances. He helped lead the way for Eric Dickerson from 1983-1986, playing a pivotal role in the middle of the line.

27. DT Larry Brooks (1972-1982)
Brooks spent all 11 years of his career in Los Angeles with the Rams, making the Pro Bowl five times. He played in 11 playoff games in seven appearances, making it to the Super Bowl after the 1979 season – a year in which he was a first-team All-Pro. Unfortunately, he was limited to only 14 games in his final two seasons before retiring after the 1982 campaign.

26. FS Nolan Cromwell (1977-1987)
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Cromwell is second all-time in Rams history with 37 interceptions, picking off at least two passes in every season except for his first two. He had eight interceptions for 140 yards and a touchdown in 1980, his first year being named to the Pro Bowl. Cromwell was on the Rams’ 1979 Super Bowl team, helping them make it to the big game.

25. LB/K Les Richter (1954-1962)
Incredibly, Richter was both a linebacker and kicker. He made 29 field goals in his career to go along with 16 interceptions, earning him a place in Canton as a 2011 inductee. Richter only missed the Pro Bowl once (his final NFL season) and was a first-team All-Pro in 1956. Richter was traded to the Rams after being selected second overall in 1952, netting the Dallas Texans 11 players – a massive haul for the linebacker.

24. C Rich Saul (1970-1981)
Saul was a mauling center, particularly toward the end of his career. He made the Pro Bowl six years in a row from 1976 to his final season in 1981, never missing a single game in his entire career. He didn’t become a starter until 1975, but that didn’t stop him from having success late.

23. WR Tom Fears (1948-1956)
As soon as he entered the NFL, Fears was a key contributor for the Rams. He led the league in receptions in each of his first three seasons, topping the NFL with 1,116 yards in 1950, as well. That was his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, but the Hall of Famer was an impactful player from the word go. His nine touchdown receptions in 1949 also led the league. In 1950, he caught a franchise-record 18 passes against the Packers, which still stands today.

22. QB Bob Waterfield (1945-1952)
Waterfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 after a somewhat brief eight-year career. In that time, though, he was a three-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler who won two championships. He led the Rams to the playoffs five out of eight years and was tops in the NFL in touchdown passes twice (1945 and 1946). It was a vastly different era than the pass-happy league of today, but Waterfield is one of the best quarterbacks in Rams history.

21. LB Isiah Robertson (1971-1978)
Robertson was a member of the Rams for eight years and made the Pro Bowl in six of them. That’s an excellent ratio, and he also made two All-Pro teams. Robertson had a knack for finding the ball, picking off 18 passes and recovering 11 fumbles with the Rams. The 1971 Defensive Rookie of the Year was a standout for Los Angeles in the second line of defense.

20. OL Charlie Cowan (1961-1975)
Cowan’s ranking on this list is improved by the fact that he played 15 years with the Rams, lining up at guard and both tackle spots. He was incredibly durable, too, only missing a handful of games in his career. Cowan made three Pro Bowls (1968-1970).


19. WR Henry Ellard (1983-1993)
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(Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)
Ellard probably won’t make it to the Hall of Fame unless it’s as a senior candidate, but his impact with the Rams was felt. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Ellard led the league in yards receiving (1,414) in 1988, hauling in 10 touchdown catches. Ellard was also a dynamic return man, scoring four kick return touchdowns in his career – including a league-high two in 1984.

18. DB Eddie Meador (1959-1970)

Meador was the definition of a ballhawk for the Rams, picking off 46 passes in 12 seasons. It’s nine more than any other player in Rams history, returning five of them for touchdowns. Meador made the Pro Bowl six times and was a first-team All-Pro twice in 1968 and ’69.

17. RB Todd Gurley (2015-present)
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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Is No. 17 too high for Gurley? In the eyes of some, maybe. But he has the accolades to back up this placement. In just four seasons, Gurley has won Offensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, led the league in touchdowns twice and yards from scrimmage once, and been named to the Pro Bowl three times.

In each of the last two seasons, he’s also been named a first-team All-Pro. Accounting for future success, it’s reasonable to think Gurley is one of the 17 best Rams already with plenty of room to rise.

16. QB Roman Gabriel (1962-1972)
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Gabriel was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Rams, winning NFL MVP in 1969 when he led the league with 24 touchdown passes. Between 1967 and ’69, he made three Pro Bowls and led the Rams to a remarkable 32-7-3 record with two playoff appearances. The biggest knock on Gabriel was that he never won a playoff game, going 0-2 in his career.

15. OG Tom Mack (1966-1978)
Mack played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Rams, and he only missed the Pro Bowl twice. He was the model of consistency in Los Angeles, anchoring the left side of the offensive line for more than a decade. Mack didn’t miss a single game, either, playing 184 in his career.

14. RB Steven Jackson (2004-2012)
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jackson signed a one-day contract to officially retire with the Rams, a deserving honor for the St. Louis legend. He’s the franchise’s all-time leading rusher (2,396 yards), partly because he had 871 more carries than anyone else in Rams history. As one of the best players to ever don the horns, Jackson was the epitome of a tough runner and a workhorse in St. Louis.

Although he never led the NFL in anything, he did have eight straight years with at least 1,000 yards rushing – which is quite the feat.

13. RB/WR Elroy Hirsch (1949-1957)
“Crazy Legs” was a do-it-all player for the Rams in the 1950s, carrying the ball, catching it and playing defense. He led the league in every major receiving category in 1951, ranking first in receptions, yards, touchdowns, yards per game and yards per reception. He was a key piece of the offense that year, helping the Rams win an NFL championship.

12. QB Norm Van Brocklin (1949-1957)
Van Brocklin played in a different era of football, but that doesn’t diminish his accomplishments. He won two NFL championships in his career (one with the Rams) and made the Pro Bowl six times while playing for Los Angeles.

It’s remarkable that he’s fourth all-time in Rams history in passing yards despite playing in the ’50s, when throwing the ball wasn’t nearly as common as it is today.

11. WR Torry Holt (1999-2008)
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(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
If not for Isaac Bruce, Holt would likely receive far more recognition as an all-time great. He’s second in Rams history in every receiving category, from receptions to yards to touchdowns. He was more productive on a per-game basis than Bruce, ranking first in receptions and yards per game.

A longer career with the Rams would’ve put him even higher on this list.

10. QB Kurt Warner (1998-2003)
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(JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

Warner’s stay in St. Louis was relatively brief, but his impact was felt. He helped lead the Rams to Super Bowl XXXIV, topping the NFL in completion percentage three times and passing yards once (2001). His 41 touchdown passes in 1999 and 36 in 2001 also led the NFL.

His path to the NFL is remarkable enough, but the success he had in St. Louis made it that much better. He finished his career fifth in Rams history in passing yards and touchdowns, and fourth in completions. His 97.2 passer rating is the highest by any Rams quarterback, too.

9. LT Orlando Pace (1997-2008)
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Chris Livingston /Allsport

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Pace was an absolute stud for the Rams during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The blindside protector of Kurt Warner for the Rams’ Super Bowl win, Pace was crucial during the team’s years of success during their Greatest Show on Turf days. Even though he didn’t play a skill position, Pace was one of the most important players on that roster.

8. RB Eric Dickerson (1983-1987)
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Mike Powell /Allsport
Dickerson would’ve been higher on this list had he not been traded by the Rams. But in his brief time with the team, he was wildly productive. He won Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and made four All-Pro teams, leading the league in rushing three out of four-plus years with the Rams.

He was a transcendent running back, as evidenced by his numbers. Based purely on talent and ignoring longevity, not many players were better than Dickerson in Rams history.

7. RB Marshall Faulk (1999-2005)
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Elsa /Getty Images
Faulk was a game-changer at the running back position. Although he only played seven years in St. Louis, his impact was massive. A three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler with the Rams, Faulk was a dynamic player on offense. He’s one of just two players in NFL history with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

Faulk is third in franchise history in rushing with 6,959 yards and first in touchdowns (58). Without him, the Rams don’t make a run to Super Bowl XXXIV.

6. RT Jackie Slater (1976-1995)
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Mandatory Credit: Steve Dun
Slater played a whopping 259 games with the Rams, 51 more than any other player in the team’s history. The Hall of Famer made seven Pro Bowls, and that number likely would’ve been higher if not for injuries. Slater remains an all-time great offensive lineman.

5. WR Isaac Bruce (1994-2007)
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(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Bruce hasn’t been inducted into the Hall of Fame (yet), but that doesn’t take away from his accomplishments with the Rams. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (942), receiving yards (14,109) and touchdown catches (84), playing 197 games with St. Louis. A cog in the Greatest Show on Turf, Bruce is one of the best wide receivers in history and a big reason the Rams have their lone Super Bowl ring.

4. DE Jack Youngblood (1971-1984)
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Tom Pidgeon/Allsport
Youngblood’s name is almost synonymous with the Rams, playing his entire career in Los Angeles. Despite all those playoff appearances, he never won a Super Bowl, making it all the way there in 1979 – on a broken leg, nonetheless. Like countless others, his sack totals would’ve been incredible as he recorded 20 in his final two seasons in the NFL alone.

3. DT Aaron Donald (2014-present)
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Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
It’s difficult to properly rank Donald on this list because A) he’s only played five seasons and B) he’s been one of the best players in the NFL each year. With two Defensive Player of the Year awards, four All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowls, he has a better list of accolades than most players in Rams history.

Only four Rams have more sacks all-time than Donald, and based on his current trajectory, he’ll be No. 1 in the next few years. He’s almost a lock to make the Hall of Fame one day.

2. DT Merlin Olsen (1962-1976)
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Olsen has a strong case as the best player in Rams history. He played 15 seasons with the Rams and holds the franchise’s all-time record with 14 Pro Bowl selections. It’s scary to think that he and Deacon Jones played on the same defensive line, considering how good both of them were at getting to the quarterback and making plays up front.

1. DE Deacon Jones (1961-1971)
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(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
Jones was durable, consistent and as dominant as they come in the NFL, earning more All-Pro selections (five) than he had games missed (three) in his career with the Rams. He’s credited with inventing the phrase “sacking the quarterback.” It wasn’t an official stat during his playing days, but he came up with the term.

An eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer, Jones gets the nod as the greatest Ram of all time. He gave opposing offensive linemen nightmares, especially with his patented head-slap move, and would’ve had incredible sack numbers had they been officially recorded when he played.


Don't shoot the messenger folks ... there is plenty here to debate.

L.A. Coliseum looks brand new with renovations officially completed

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By: Cameron DaSilva | 6 hours ago


The Los Angeles Rams will move into their new Inglewood stadium in 2020, but this season, they’ll also be playing in a new stadium – sort of. After two years of renovations, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is looking like a more modern venue.
The remodeling was officially completed on Thursday and it looks great. The new press box and suites give it an updated look, while all the seats are also up to date. There’s no getting around the temporary bleachers behind the end zone, but that’s because of the size of the stadium.

Here’s a good view of the new-look Coliseum from Thursday.



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The updates made to the Coliseum include Wi-Fi throughout the venue, improved concession stands and more aisles. The new seats also include cup-holders, while the Scholarship Tower will house suites, loge boxes, the new press box and a Sky Deck.
USC, which will open its 2019 football season against Fresno State on Aug. 31, shared a thread of pictures at the updated stadium. The photos include views of the concourse, upper-deck restaurant and suites.

Here’s a sweeping view inside the Coliseum, too, which shows one end zone still has bleachers for seats.


The Rams will play their first game of 2019 at the Coliseum on Aug. 24, a preseason game against the Broncos. Their first regular-season home game is on Sept. 15 against the Saints, a rematch of the NFC championship game.


Todd Gurley running 121 mph in practice, hitting speeds as fast as ever

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By: Cameron DaSilva | 2 hours ago

Todd Gurley and the Rams have been reluctant to put a number on how the running back’s knee is feeling, whether it’s 80 percent or 100. We may never know exactly where he stands as far as the health of his knee, but one statistic might help give some indication.
Sean McVay told Peter King of NBC Sports in a recent interview that Gurley is making good progress and running as fast as he ever has in practice.

The data comes from GPS sensors players wear on the field, giving trainers and coaches some insight into how players are performing.
“When you look at the way that we monitor these guys with the GPS and the tracking system, he’s hitting speeds that are as high as he’s ever hit before. So you can see the guy’s strong,” McVay said. “He hit 21 miles an hour running yesterday at practice and I think he’s feeling good.”
Gurley’s top speed in 2017 was 21.23 mph. He hit at least 21 mph a few times in games that season, showing great explosiveness. Last season, he was hitting speeds in around 20 mph, though he didn’t touch 21 mph, according to Next Gen Stats. Surprisingly, he was the fastest ball carrier in Super Bowl LIII (19.78 mph).
He seems to be healthy based on what the Rams are saying, but we won’t know how exactly he’s feeling until the real games begin – something even McVay admits.

“Todd’s the only one to be able to really say exactly how he’s feeling, and until we get out into a game, you never know exactly how it’s going to respond, but you feel great about where he’s at,” McVay said. “I think he’s done an outstanding job, and until I’m told otherwise, the plan is, hey, this is Todd Gurley, we’re going to hand him the ball and he’s going to be a featured guy for us and we’re looking forward to seeing it and it’s going to be Carolina when you get a chance to first see him do his thing.”

SAVE TIME - READ ME

To all -

Read me! Yes, I'm long, but I might save you time.

First things first… Let's make sure I look good... The new ROD is built to adjust the layout based on screen size. Most screens it will look the same… but on tablets, depending the orientation mode, it may adjust. Widgets down the sidebar become hidden behind a collapsible that can be opened.

The collapsable is the little grey button (top right of your screen);
Screen Shot 2019-08-15 at 5.37.45 PM.png


ROD should look great out of the box, but you may find adjusting the font size (in your preferences - upper right of the screen... click on your avatar) to LARGE may trigger a look you prefer. This is very important to remember and perhaps worth trying. It really depends on the device you use as your primary and/or simply a desire for LARGER text.

IF requIred, clear your browser cache if anything just doesn’t look right.

We ARE having a problem with the image window on the front page. It may be white or turn white. This is on our end. It will be resolved Friday. Not all users may experience this.

"Long Press" reaction buttons are here. This will eliminate most of the accidental fat-finger hits we get today. We are still adjusting the available reactions (available emoticons). Reactions are tallied and displayed on your member page. (POINT OF CLARITY; LONG PRESS ON DEVICES, HOVER YOUR MOUSE ON PC)

Also with the reactions, there is a trick to read. With each emotion there is a "," between member names who rated that emotion. It's pretty easy to figure out, but takes a second.

The Chat system has been enhanced considerably. We have two rooms set up by default; General Chit Chat and Game Day. Addition rooms can be created. Members can create their own rooms. The chat engine is pretty nice.

Along the top menu you'll notice a label "Calendar". This is tied to the events forum. Events are created in the Calendar area. They are posted in the Events area for discussion as before.

All of the widgets are dynamic along the side of pages, or in the collapsible areas. You sort of need to poke around and learn what they do. They don't do much, but they do have features or launch things.

The member cards are full of goodies.

"Forum" along the top menu (has a lot of drop down options). "What's New" summarizes recent board activity. This is a handy page.

You can post photos directly from your phone into the post box (on suitable browsers). If you click the "upload files" button, you will be prompted to choose from photos or camera. This will be helpful for ROD events or Camp where a quick photo upload makes sense.

System Alerts; by default you will get most of the alerts. If you wish to (turn some off) and choose the alerts you receive, go to your profile and/or member page. In your preferences, you can toggle on/off any alerts.

Giphy integration @tiger1971
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IMPORTANT: regular pasting in of gifs must be done by copying then press MEDIA then paste.

Smiles; I am still loading these. Please be patient. They are still not sequenced optimally either.

FAQ Pages are not fully updated. We're working on those.

SportsBook hasn't been fully combed over, so we might see a bug or two there.

----

If you run into something you can't figure out, or seems off.... Please be patient and try many things. Some of the items have changed slightly, so you may need to try new things to accomplish the same things as before.

And lastly; please be patient with fixes. The primary goal for the first few days is optimizing the performance so it may take some time to deal with all bugs.

As the board fills up, if the site stutters, we will focus on those fixes first.

Tip, tap here to reply;
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Ok, Talk Me Off the Cliff...

I remembered a nightmare that seemed real. I dreamed the Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Champion game this year.

I don't care about the Panthers and really don't fear Cam Newton that much. So where the hell did this come from? Are you guys thinking the Panthers are going to do well this year?

Tell me I'm not Nostradmus.

Garoppolo throws 5 straight interceptions in practice

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/14/jimmy-garoppolo-throws-five-consecutive-interceptions-practice

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a practice day he'll likely want to forget: He threw five straight interceptions.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reports he threw interceptions to Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jaquiski Tartt and Tarvarius Moore (twice).

He finally ended the streak with a touchdown pass to Jalen Hurd.

"He threw it to the wrong team five plays in a row," Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I was a defensive coach today, so I was pumped. But no, the defense did great today and obviously he struggled.

"You hope to never have a day like that, but I don't think it's never not happened to anyone. When you do that, you hope you can practice long enough and give him a chance to play out of it and use it as an opportunity that hopefully you can do in a game. Hopefully you don't have five in the game, but you can play yourself out of two in a row or something like that."

Garoppolo is expected to make his first on-field appearance since he tore his ACL last year on Monday when the 49ers take on the Broncos in a preseason contest.

___________________________________________________________________

Just one comment. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sean McVay: 'Mike Thomas has really separated himself' in WR battle

I didn't see this in the search. I hope it's not a duplicate.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/14/nfl-rams-mike-thomas-roster-battle-depth-chart/

Whether the Los Angeles Rams keep five or six wide receivers this season, it sounds like Mike Thomas will be one of them. He hasn’t yet secured a spot on the 53-man roster, but he’s on his way to doing exactly that.

Thanks to a strong few weeks of practice and an overall solid offseason, Thomas is ascending up the depth chart. He’s someone the Rams are once again excited about at wide receiver, hoping he can tap into his potential and become a contributor.

Sean McVay said on Tuesday that Thomas has done a nice job this summer, singling him out as someone who’s emerged in the wide receiver battle.

“He’s done a really good job,” McVay said. “Mike is a guy that I’ve always been a huge fan of, extremely tough competitor, he’s got great speed, I think he’s catching the ball really consistently. Eric Yarber and Liam Coen – our receivers coaches – have done a great job really with that group as a whole. In a lot of instances, you talk about Brandin (Cooks), Robert (Woods), Cooper (Kupp) – Josh Reynolds now has really ascended to where you’re talking about him. And then I think Mike Thomas has really separated himself as one of those guys that stands out with the way that he’s consistently played.”

Thomas has always been someone who fans got excited about, only to be let down by either an injury or suspension. He missed the first four weeks of the 2017 season due to a PED violation, and last year he landed on IR after suffering a groin injury in Week 1.

He’s stuck around each time as a former sixth-round pick, so clearly McVay has seen something in him to warrant a roster spot.

“It’s really never been an issue about talent. He’s kind of had some unfortunate issues that have kept him out of the lineup due to injury, but he’s a special guy,” McVay continued. “Just love his consistent demeanor, he’s really valuable for ‘Bones’ (special teams coordinator John Fassel), but he’s a guy that we’re hoping can stay healthy because he can definitely help us at that receiver position.”

That doesn’t sound like someone who’s on track to be cut. Sure, McVay has said similar things about other players in the past, but Thomas has seemingly elevated his game in a big way this offseason.

Thomas is still competing with JoJo Natson, KhaDarel Hodge and a few undrafted free agents at wide receiver. At this point in time, though, he seems like the frontrunner to be WR5 – a spot that should almost certainly be safe when final roster cuts come.

BIG-BANG-BOOM: SITE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Now that I got your attention.... we'll let this post ride as a non-sticky to get maximum visibility.

RamsOnDemand will be launching a new site Thursday!

Accordingly; the site will be taken off line tonight around midnight, and will not be back up until Thursday afternoon/evening.


The driver behind this update is simple; to keep RamsOnDemand running the best available software maximizing our performance, security, and features.

The look and feel of RamsOnDemand will change slightly, but mostly in a refined way that addresses some of the limitations of our current setup. But don't worry, you won't feel "lost"... it will feel familiar, but there will be lots to learn, too.

Many of the features we enjoy today will be present when we go live; such as SportsBook, Survivor, Chat, and others. However... there are a few not available for the new software version or will need to be added later.

A few areas of the site have been enhanced considerably, like the chat area, and we'll announce more at launch.

There will also be a few cosmetic things to be cleaned up, once live. So, some things might be a little buggy for Thursday and Friday. May not have the whole smiley library loaded, etc. Can do those things when live.

That said... behind the scenes we've tested considerably, including involving a few members online when we needed some testers. They didn't break much.

So... We expect the update to go well, yet there is no test for loading the site with members and traffic. We should expect some issues that will need to be resolved.

Exciting! Maybe... Scary! :)

WEEEEE!

CGI

Rams' Aaron Donald loves training camp and that's bad for everyone else

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    Lindsey ThiryESPN

IRVINE, Calif. -- Aaron Donald’s smile appeared as wide as the No. 99 on his jersey.

The Los Angeles Rams’ superstar resembled an excited kid on his first day of school as he made his way through a throng of fans to enter the practice fields on the campus of UC Irvine.

Donald greeted teammates and coaches, then stood alone, opened his arms and looked to the sky.

“So this is what training camp feels like!” he exclaimed, before the Rams began their first practice of the 2019 season.

Donald, 28, skipped camp the past two seasons because of a contract dispute. Last year’s holdout ended before the start of last season, when he signed a record-breaking six-year, $135 million extension, with $87 million guaranteed.

His return to camp has been more than welcomed by Rams coach Sean McVay, who had yet to experience it in his first two seasons as coach. “He raises the level of play of everybody here,” McVay said.

New York Giants linebacker Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record, which was set in 2001, and the Rams clinched a second-consecutive division title, the NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl LIII.

While some players bemoan the everyday grind of camp life, Donald, a four-time All-Pro, embraces it.

“He has a great attitude all the time,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said.

Donald has friends and family attending the workouts at UC Irvine and talks with them before practice. After practices, he retrieves his daughter, Jaeda, and son A.J., from their seats so they can join Dad on the field. Jaeda has become a fixture at Donald’s side and carries a smile as big as her father’s. A.J. took to following behind Donald as attempted with every ounce of muscle on his 3-year-old frame to carry Donald's helmet.

“She doesn’t remember the last time she was at camp,” Donald said about his 6-year-old daughter. “And my son has never seen camp. So, to have them being around and watching me play football and them getting to run around the field, these are the types of memories that last forever.”

Donald reported to the Rams' headquarters the past two seasons after camp in shape and ready to play after training throughout the offseasons at the University of Pittsburgh, where he starred before the Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft. But Donald’s hope this season is taking part in camp will lead to a faster start. Last season, he did not approve of his performance through the first three games as he failed to record a sack, though he went on to finish with 20.5 -- the most ever in a single season by a defensive tackle. He also led the NFL in pass-rush win rate, beating his block within 2.5 seconds, at 46.3 percent, according to ESPN pass rush metrics powered by NFL Next Gen Stats.

However, a quick start in 2019, could mean a chance at the single-season sack record of 22.5. If he does that, a third-consecutive NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, something no player has done, could be right behind it.

“If it happens, it happens,” Donald said. “My main goal is trying to win the Super Bowl.”

Before the start of camp, McVay joked half-heartedly about Donald’s presence at practices and said it could be difficult to accomplish much on offense if Donald was on the field.

“You have to temper your expectations when you’re trying to block Aaron Donald, whether you have a single blocker or a double team,” said offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who is tasked with preparing first-year starting center Brian Allen and left guard Joe Noteboom. “He’s so good that he can make you lose confidence.”

“You see there’s a few plays where I can’t even get to my run-fit,” cornerback Aqib Talib said, chuckling. “Aaron just tears the play up.”

The defensive line has gone through some changes since last season, when Donald was double-teamed on 63 percent of his pass rushes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Veteran end Michael Brockers returns, but the team did not re-sign tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Second-year pro Sebastian Joseph-Day, a sixth-round pick from Rutgers, is projected to start at nose tackle, though the Rams drafted Greg Gaines from Washington in the fourth round with the foresight that he could soon plug the middle.

After he proved a knack for making plays late in the season, the Rams also re-signed outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. before he hit free agency, then added veteran Clay Matthews. Together they are expected to provide an improved presence off the edge.

Last week, in a combined practice against the Oakland Raiders, Donald and Fowler reached quarterback Derek Carr multiple times. Afterward, a veteran Raiders offensive lineman said he had never faced a defensive lineman who exerted such effort on every single down in practice as Donald did.

Phillips, who also is experiencing Donald in camp for the first time since he became coordinator, praised the sixth-year pro’s performance but said there’s also room for improvement.

“He made some plays where he’s standing -- they’re handing off the ball in the backfield, and he’s standing right in front of the guy and there’s two guys supposed to block him,” said Phillips, adding later, “He’s got some things he could work on, too, and he knows that.”

When Donald last attended camp in 2016, the season when the Rams relocated to L.A. after 21 seasons in St. Louis, fans were sparse and few could identify the already accomplished All-Pro.

Three years later, the ovation for Donald was bigger than he could have anticipated. At one point, a woman shrieked, “Aaron Donald!” repeatedly, as Donald could only glance up and grin, as he signed as many autographs as possible. Later, a young boy began to cry when Donald gave him a hug.

“I’m just here working,” Donald said, when asked about his camp reception. “I ain’t been here in two years, so it’s just good to be back in the grind with the guys.

“This is what I missed the most.”


https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation...training-camp-and-thats-bad-for-everyone-else

Quotes & Notes 8/13: “More likely than not” that Todd Gurley doesn’t make trip to Hawaii (Dallas)

https://www.therams.com/news/quotes-notes-more-likely-than-not-todd-gurley-doesnt-make-trip

Quotes & Notes 8/13: “More likely than not” that Todd Gurley doesn’t make the trip to Hawaii

After each media session, Quotes and Notes will bring you what was said, who said it, and what it means for your Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what you should know from Tuesday, Aug. 13.

"I don’t have the full answer, but more likely than not, he will not go.”
– HC Sean McVay
  • While it is still an ongoing discussion, according to McVay, it is unlikely Rams running back Todd Gurley will travel to Hawaii for this week’s preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
  • McVay said there’s multiple layers to this decision, one of which is looking out for the best interest of Los Angeles’ players.
  • One of several starters that Los Angeles rested in last week’s preseason opener at Oakland, Gurley said it’s McVay's decision to make.

"(Darrell Henderson) did a pretty good job. Obviously, a couple tough runs. There wasn’t too much there, but the times he had two good runs, there’s nothing really to tell him."
– RB Todd Gurley
  • With Gurley sitting out, several reserves in Los Angeles’ backfield saw action during week 1 of the preseason.
  • While Henderson did not start, the University of Memphis product did make the most of his chances, posting six carries for 13 yards, both team-highs.
  • Gurley said that he does give some feedback to Henderson on “little stuff,” but his main focus is making sure Henderson and the rest of the Rams running backs pick up their assignments in pass protection.
  • Henderson said that Gurley and the rest of the running backs have all been helpful during his transition into the NFL.

"I can’t believe I had those sideburns. I thought, ‘Man, I think I’ve gotten handsome in my old age.’ (laughs) It makes you appreciate how fortunate I’ve been in such a short amount of time to be exposed to guys like (Raiders Head) Coach (Jon) Gruden, the other people that have invested in me."
– HC Sean McVay
  • A clip published on Twitter Tuesday afternoon previewing Episode 2 of Hard Knocks highlighted how McVay got his start in the NFL 11 years ago by working for Gruden when Gruden was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • McVay was 22 when he began working for Gruden, and his work didn’t exactly come with the most exciting responsibilities based on how Gruden described it. However, McVay eventually was helping coach Tampa Bay’s wide receivers and contributing gameplans, according to Gruden.
  • Though McVay said the footage was “embarrassing,” but it also prompted him to express his gratitude toward those who have helped him get to where he is now. You can watch the full clip below:
Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/jb_long/status/1161300775047323648?s=21

Anonymous keys to the Rams 2019 season

https://www.therams.com/news/anonymous-keys-to-the-rams-2019-season

Anonymous keys to the Rams 2019 season

In the span of three years, the Rams have been transformed from a collection of promising but relatively unknown commodities to an organization of household names. A good portion of that rise in Q-rating has occurred through individual development, while marquee trades and free agency have layered in All-Pros and Super Bowl-winning veterans.

It’s why multiple outlets have listed Los Angeles as boasting one of the NFL’s most talented rostersentering 2019.

However, in the spirit of “We Not Me,” what if we presented keys to the upcoming season withoutmentioning a single one of those players? After all, haven’t you read enough this summer about the left knee of a certain No. 30, and how the Rams fate will hinge on whether or not he’s able to score another 21 touchdowns?

Let’s go a different direction: What macro trends have enabled this franchise to win 24 regular season games and two division titles since the youngest coach in NFL history arrived?

(Yes, I’m even avoiding his name. You have my permission to throw a penalty flag if I slip up.)

Here are five that come to mind.

Turnover Margin

In many ways, it starts and ends here.

In 2018, the Rams were fourth in the league with a plus-11 turnover margin. Similarly, in 2017, they finished in the black at plus-7. Over that two-year span, only Kansas City and Seattle have better cumulative margins.

Last year, just two of the 14 teams that had neutral or negative turnover margins – BAL and PHI – made the postseason. So this is virtually imperative.

The current Rams coaching staff is unbeaten when wining the turnover battle and has only been beaten twice when the margin was even (at NO in Week 9, 2018 and Super Bowl LIII).

Injury Luck

Football Outsiders quantifies health with their Adjusted Games Lost metric. After leading the NFL in that category in 2017, the Rams rated as the fourth healthiest team in 2018.

The coaching and medical and nutrition and operations and analytics staffs all deserve major kudos for prioritizing team health, especially when it comes to avoiding soft-tissue injuries. (Unfortunately, we can’t give them credit by name, here.)

That being said, the Rams also have been extremely fortunate since their Los Angeles homecoming when it comes to the injury report.

Offensive Line Continuity

The closest corollary to health has been the durability of the offensive line.

Last season, the same five lineman started all 16 regular season games and three postseason contests. In 2017, the only variation in the starting lineup occurred in Week 17, when the Rams opted to rest starters, having clinched the division.

We know the Rams will have two new starters on their offensive line in 2019. However, maintaining continuity within that group could go a very long way to replacing lost production.

Yards After Catch

Throughout the offseason program and training camp, the Rams attention to detail on this attribute cannot be overstated.

From schemes that put shifty weapons in space to delivering passes on time and on target, from players blocking for each other downfield to ball-carriers habitually finishing through tacklers, the Rams are elite at racking up yards after the catch. Over the past two years, they rank second in the NFL in YAC/reception (6.2).

Consider the play-calling options available on 2nd & 5 versus 2nd & 7. Or the impact of an extra yard per play over the course of the 1,060 snaps the offense ran last season.

Fast Starts

Last one, as this was meant to be a light exercise, not an endurance test. And unlike a marathon, the sprint out of the starting blocks has proven to be significant to the Rams reign in the NFC West.

They led the league in first half scoring in 2017 and ranked second in 2018.

Since the most recent head coaching change, Los Angeles is 19-0 when leading at halftime.

I don’t put much stock in Time of Possession, except in this regard: Like any team, when the Rams play with the lead, they tend to stay ahead of the chains, stay on the field, and run up their play count. Having led the NFC in scoring in back-to-back seasons, there aren’t many opponents that stand a chance of orchestrating a comeback against the Rams – especially if they don’t possess the football.

Gerald Everett is a sleeping giant in Rams offense

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By: Steve Rebeiro | 1 hour ago

When Sean McVay took over the Rams in 2017, the team was without a first-round pick. The first pick of the McVay era would be 44th overall in the second round. They chose to select a high-upside tight end out of South Alabama.

Gerald Everett immediately drew comparisons to Washington’s Jordan Reed. Many assumed that McVay believed Everett could develop similarly to Reed, who McVay coached in Washington. Reed was recruited to the University of Florida as a dual-threat quarterback but quickly switched to tight end. He showed enough promise to be confident enough to leave after his junior season despite having under 1,000 career receiving yards. His risk did pay off, however, when Washington selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Everett’s path to the NFL may have been even more unlikely. He didn’t play football until his senior year of high school. He attended community college for two years before joining UAB’s football program for the 2014 season. Everett had just 17 receptions for 292 yards in his one season at UAB before the university shut down their football program. He finished out his career at South Alabama, piling up nearly 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in his two years with the Jaguars.

Reed put up better numbers than Everett over their first two seasons in the NFL, but both guys were still viewed as high-upside guys who occasionally flashed why the team was so high on them. In Year 3, Reed finally burst onto the scene as one of the NFL’s best tight ends, hauling in 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 14 games and nine starts. Could Everett also be heading for a breakout season in Year 3 under McVay?

Last season, Everett was on the field for 34.55% of the team’s offensive snaps, the seventh-highest among Rams pass-catchers. He was targeted on just over 13% of these snaps. This was the highest percentage on the team. More than Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and even Cooper Kupp.

Everett is clearly one of Goff’s favorite targets when he’s on the field. You can see it in both the numbers and the eye test. How many big receptions do you remember Everett hauling in last year? He was responsible for the game-winning touchdown against Kansas City and grabbed a massive 39-yard reception late in the NFC championship. Everett doesn’t need to earn Goff’s trust to break out. He already has it.

The biggest obstacle for Everett to overcome is his low snap count. Tyler Higbee dominated the overall snap-share last year and he remains the Rams starting tight end. But if you dig into the numbers, the tide did start to shift near the end of the season. Everett out-snapped Higbee in five of the team’s last seven games, including the playoff run. He was on the field for 68% of the team’s snaps in both the NFC championship and the Super Bowl.

Everett needs to continue to develop as a run blocker to overtake Higbee full-time and dominate the snap-share at tight end. He’s already viewed as the far superior pass catcher, and the numbers show it. He just isn’t the trusted run blocker that Higbee is.

Everett stepping into a larger role doesn’t mean he’s going to eat targets like he’s at a Chinese buffet and become a dominant fantasy option. But if he can take the next step and become a dual-threat tight end who’s a dangerous downfield pass-catcher, he would add yet another dynamic to the Rams offense. Defenses are already accounting for the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and three guys who could be the WR1 on other teams in the league. How many teams have five must-defend passing targets on the field together?

An Everett breakout season most likely wouldn’t look like the 11-touchdown season Reed had in 2015. But it would take the Rams passing game to another level, which doesn’t even feel plausible after last season. Both Everett and Reed were project players who were tutored by McVay. His experiment with Jordan Reed panned out. Will it with Gerald Everett? It certainly feels possible.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/13/gerald-everett-is-a-sleeping-giant-in-rams-offense/

Pay Him (Goff) Now or Pay Him Later?

Either way, I certainly think the Rams are going to be paying Jared Goff a lot of money! And, as much as I like and respect Eric Dickerson, I personally think the longer the Rams put off extending Goff’s contract the more expensive (A LOT more expensive!) it is going to be for the Rams! And, IF, it is true that Dickerson thinks Goff still has a lot more to prove before the Rams should extend his contract I have to say that I think that is going to be a HUGE mistake! I certainly don’t know the Rams Financial/Cap situation and maybe they just don’t have the money to extend at this time but I certainly hope they are not extending because they think Goff has more to prove! I think he is an outstanding QB and I hope he remains a Ram for the next 15 or more seasons!!! I hope the Rams extend Goff ASAP!!!

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