https://clutchpoints.com/how-long-can-the-los-angeles-rams-remain-title-contenders/

• 
  Mitchell Blahut
• July 6, 2019

The Los Angeles Rams have found relative success in getting into the title picture recently. After years of underperforming and underutilizing talent, they’ve found their groove with the current regime and players. Los Angeles features one of the brightest offensive minds at head coach with Sean McVay, as well as some incredible cornerstones.

They’ve worked their way from the 7-9 seasons under Jeff Fisher to getting to the Super Bowl in just the second year of McVay at the helm. But, some pieces can get in the way of Los Angeles remaining at the top of NFL landscape.

From health concerns to contract negotiations to even the play of these great players can get in the way of them achieving longevity. So it’s essential to look into how long the Rams have to remain as title contenders.

Todd Gurley’s Health
The Rams star running back has proven that he is one of the best offensive weapons in the league over the last two seasons. He’s earned offensive player of the year honors in 2017 and has led the league in both rushing touchdowns (30) and total touchdowns (40) during that span.

However, Gurley’s knee is a significant issue that’s keeping him from a long career and assisting the Rams’ long-term offensive success. Gurley suffered a torn ACL back in his junior year at the University of Georgia, and as much as he’s found success since then, it’s lingered and is keeping him from the field. A lot of this was shown in the postseason last season when CJ Anderson was cutting into Gurley’s carries. And this can be due to Gurley being overused.

Since his rookie season, Gurley has carried the ball 1,042 times. No other running back has 950 carries during that period. And the former Bulldog has missed six games as well.

Adding onto the large workload is the fact that Gurley’s knee has an arthritic component to it as well. Typically ACL tears come with this, but not usually this early in an athlete’s career.

Because of this, the Los Angeles Rams have already looked into replacement options in rookie Darrell Henderson, and are looking to not only keep Gurley’s weight down but his touches as well.

Gurley is a critical part of the team’s offensive success. So now this will hinder on the success of offensive weapons outside of the backfield. They do have this, but that’s another issue that will come up soon.

Keeping and Developing Talent
With the way the Los Angeles Rams were dealing trades and signing players in the 2018 offseason, it will be difficult to see them keep everyone together. New players will want to be signed to longer deals and veterans will play on until they get a championship. But with the amount of talent around, it’s going to be hard to satisfy everyone.

The Rams have the fourth-lowest cap space in the league, and they’re looking at plenty of players that either wants to re-sign or get an extension. Key players like safety John Johnson, receiver Cooper Kupp, and quarterback Jared Goff will all be looking for that money. The Rams would be crazy not to pay them what they want.

But it will be complicated with the many big contracts that have already been given to guys like Aaron Donald and Brandin Cooks, as well as some significantly-priced deals to Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews. This will make it challenging to look for other big names in free agency to help bolster them to the title that fell through their hands. Even worse when considering the draft picks they’ve given up as well.

They have yet to draft a player in the first round in the McVay era. The Rams found success in the 2017 class but fell apart with their 2018 draft class they ranked last in the NFL for what they came away with. Zero starts from any of their rookies last season and very little playing time at all from the 11 players they selected. And even this recent draft was just depth over trying to fill holes on the team.

And it won’t help with a division that they play in that continues to improve.

A Competitive NFC West
A critical factor in getting to the playoffs is by being the best team in your division. It’s only common sense.

However, the NFC West is beginning to turn the corner and provide a severe long-term threat to the Los Angeles Rams. And it shows with what’s happened during this offseason.

• Seattle Seahawks: A playoff contender any season that locked up franchise quarterback Russell Wilson for the future and filled needs in the draft and free agency.
• Arizona Cardinals: A team with a revitalized offense with their draft haul that’s looking to improve on the defense as they look to improve from last year.
• San Francisco 49ers: A team, that if healthy, can be very dangerous with their young talent and offensive-minded head coach.

All of these opponents in this division are getting better through developing young talent and utilizing transactions for long-term success. And Seattle and Arizona are due for a big free agency load with their cap space in the 2020 offseason.

All of these teams are built for the future and have plenty of depth to go around. The Rams need to be better in providing not only depth but players they can develop and bring in at any moment’s notice.

And a lot of this can be attested to the quarterback crop in this division. And speaking on that is the most essential part of this list.

Jared Goff
Quarterback is, without a doubt the most crucial position in football. It’s obvious, and the Rams will likely continue to go with him for the future.

But a lot of this will go back to the contracts situation from earlier. Signing Goff to likely being the highest-paid quarterback in the league is coming soon. And with this rolling around next offseason, it will destroy the Rams’ ability to sign other talents to build around Goff.

Every quarterback that has signed a deal making them the highest-paid quarterback in league history has missed the playoffs the following year. And with a lack of being able to sign other players and re-sign key contributors, Los Angeles will go down very quickly with the deals they have already in place.

Especially with a quarterback that has proven to be unreliable in the playoffs and unable to find success without Todd Gurley. Last postseason he completed 59 of his 106 passes (55.7 percent) for 712 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions and getting sacked five times (a passer rating of 71.7). Not the numbers you want to see from your franchise quarterback in the playoffs.

How Long do the Los Angeles Rams have left?
Realistically with the contracts, they have in place and the young talent that will likely be going away, we should expect them to be done in 2-3 years.

The Los Angeles Rams are a cautionary tale of a team that with a win-now mindset and overworking their star players will end a probable dynasty before it even starts. It’s unfortunate to see, but it’s always great while it lasted.

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LMAO

Obviously, this guy is just a talking head who has not really looked at this team in depth. If he had he would see that the FO has a plan. They aren't just selling out to win now. They have drafted well and now are beginning to release the heavy overhead and moving their developed young guys up into starting positions. He hasn't followed their drafts and seems to assume that if a player isn't taken in the first or second round they don't have talent, i.e. it shows the author really doesn't know football as much as he thinks. The Rams continue to be very selective in their FA signings to get key veteran players who are either upgrades to what they have, such as Fowler, or who can mentor their young guys for a year or two like Mathews and Weddle. Whose cap hit is slightly over $9M combined.

Next year they will clear a huge amount of cap space when just 3 players, i.e. Talib ($8M), Brockers ($10.7M) and Whitworth ($16.6M) are off the books. I didn't add in Peters ($9M) because I think they might re-sign him to a one year deal depending how he plays this year. This gives them a lot of flexibility in their ability to make extensions. Most of all they aren't creating holes in the roster as they already have good players to fill those positions with Long, JFM/Obo, and Noteboom. They allowed guys like Suh, Sullivan and Saffold to walk replacing them with Gaines, Noteboom (this year) and Allen. They got younger and maybe even better. Sullivan was beginning to show his age (34) in his play. It's not surprising that he remains unsigned. While Saffold got his last big payday in TN (around $11M/yr)

These kinds of move reveal that the Ram FO is clearly operating under a plan to sustain their success. I don't see the Ram's not being an elite franchise for years to come.

All I want is for the season to start.

Every single topic right now on the main page bores me to tears.

Don’t get me wrong... there are tons of posters who are insightful, interesting, and with great senses of humor. (Yes, shameless pandering).

But right now, I just don’t give a shit about almost every Rams related topic. I am sick to death of discussions about “projecting” who is going to start or who will “break out.” I can’t stand any more freaking speculation about TG3’s knee. Four entire pages about “don’t forget about Jamil Demby?” Seriously???

UntilTraining Camp begins, all I need are 2 threads: the Boobies thread and the Make Us Laugh thread.

As for everything else... please, just let these next three weeks pass by quickly so we can have some ACTUAL news to talk about!

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-clear-cut-no-2-all-time-more-of-a-system-qb/

Longtime Patriots nemesis says Tom Brady 'clear-cut No. 2' all time, more of a 'system' QB

Former NFL safety Bernard Pollard is probably best known for a Week 1 incident in 2008 where, while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, he swooped into the Patriots backfield and ended Tom Brady's season almost before it began. Pollard tackled Brady, tore his ACL and snuffed out the Patriots' attempt to run back their undefeated regular season from the year before.

It should be no surprise that Pollard is one of the most disliked athletes in Boston over the past few years. Which means his decision to call Brady the "clear cut No. 2" quarterback of all time and a "system" quarterback should go over very well in Boston.

NFL.com ranked the greatest quarterbacks of all time and, naturally, put Brady No. 1. He's the undisputed top quarterback of all time. Unless you're Pollard, who would actually lean toward Peyton Manning based on the reply he sent to the league's social media account on Twitter.

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One of Pollard's nicknames while he was playing, along with "Bonecrusher," was "Patriots Killer." It grew out of his hit on Brady as well as him briefly knocking out Rob Gronkowski in the 2011 AFC Championship Game. Pollard is clearly not a fan of the Patriots either. He does not, however, appreciate how Patriots fans feel about him.

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He didn't play with Manning, so at least there's not a next-level bias creeping in here, but clearly there is some bias.

Does he have a case for this? Well, not really. I think you can make a case that if the Earth rotates a little bit differently on its axis over the history of time that Manning could be considered better than Brady. He has the résumé for sure: the passing yards (71,940), passing touchdowns (539), MVP seasons (5), Super Bowls (2), All Pros (7) and Pro Bowls (14) speak for themselves.

There was a time when Brady was the "super clutch game manager" and Manning was the statistical monolith of the NFL for the better part of a decade. Brady flipped everything with the 2007 Patriots -- ironically, since he didn't win the Super Bowl that year -- by shattering records.

And when Manning re-emerged in Denver putting up cartoon numbers with the Broncos after being overly ceremoniously dumped by the Colts, Brady countered by ripping off a bunch of Super Bowl wins in the late stages of his career, including the ridiculous 28-3 comeback against the Falcons that saw him shatter records he would break the next year in a loss to the Eagles.

The "what if" scenario that would propel Manning above Brady? It's basically asking for like 10 plays to be changed. One, the onside kick and/or the Tracy Porter pick six by the Saints needs to be flipped so Manning has three titles (although you could argue if he wins a second with Indy they won't let him go, but just play along). Two, Brady needs to lose to the Falcons (very doable), Seahawks (VERY doable) and maybe the Panthers (totally doable) early on in his career.

If he and Manning both had three rings and Brady was 3-6 in Super Bowls, imagine how the narrative would shift. Again, asking a lot, but we're only talking a few plays here and there if you wanted to change the argument.

As far as the "system" portion of the program, well, it's tough to call Brady that.

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EVERY quarterback operates a system and some are better at it than others. I don't think that the term, which is traditionally considered disparaging, applies to Brady in the way that it normally would. Usually we're talking about an offensive scheme and system.

What I think Pollard might mean is that by landing in New England with Bill Belchick and the SYSTEM that he put in place (i.e. the structure, etc), Brady benefited greatly. There's not doubt about that. But Belichick's system probably doesn't exist without a quarterback like Brady buying in, taking less money over the course of his career and setting the standard for how the Patriots operate.

There's a reason why Brady is the greatest QB of all time, Belichick is the greatest coach of all time and the Patriots are the greatest dynasty of all time -- the two came together in a perfect marriage and managed to change how we look at quarterbacks and coaches forever.

https://www.therams.com/news/could-the-rams-rotate-more-at-wide-receiver-in-2019

Could the Rams rotate more at wide receiver in 2019?

When Sean McVay took over as head coach in 2017, it took a few weeks for the team to really find its groove offensively. But once the Rams figured out that the best way to score efficiently was to stick in 11 personnel — one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers — the club rarely deviated from that group.

As NFL Next Gen stats pointed out last week, the Rams have — by far — used the fewest personnel groupings over the last two years with five. The Chiefs are No. 31 on the list with 12.

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And that meant most of the offensive starters were on the field for the vast majority of snaps. That was especially true in the early going of the 2018 season, when the offensive substitutions were mainly limited to Gerald Everett at tight end for certain known-passing situations, and Malcolm Brown at running back on the rare occasions Todd Gurley got a blow.

That meant starters at wideout Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp were also on the field for nearly 100 percent of the offensive snaps.

Those numbers changed a bit after Kupp went down with a season-ending ACL tear, particularly in the last few weeks of the season as the Rams employed more 12 personnel — one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.

But if there was a silver lining in Kupp’s injury, it was that wide receiver Josh Reynolds got to see the field as a full-time starter down the stretch and all throughout the postseason. He caught 29 passes for 402 yards with five touchdowns in the regular season, and made eight receptions for 121 yards in the playoffs — displaying he has the ability to be a full-time starter.

Earlier in the offseason, McVay said part of the reason the club wanted to draft running back Darrell Henderson was to get another explosive playmaker in the building that could also allow some of the club’s offensive skill players the luxury of not having to play almost every single snap.

But with the club also anticipating having a healthy Kupp in Week 1, the Rams could have a surplus of weapons. And that’s a positive problem to have according to passing game coordinator Shane Waldron, who said he can see a scenario where Los Angeles rotates its wide receivers more in 2019.

“Sure, it’s great to have all those guys back and I don’t think Jared [Goff] would ever complain about having too many options,” Waldron said. “So it’d just be a balancing act when that time comes and home how to utilize each guy and maximize their skillset when that time comes. And that really goes for all the positions, because a lot of guys have had a great offseason and guys have continued to improve when they were asked in different areas.”

Exactly how Los Angeles could rotate its wideouts remains to be seen. But it will certainly be one factor to monitor throughout training camp and in Los Angeles’ joint practices.

A friend of mine turned me onto the Goodwill online auction site recently. Big mistake. I'm bidding and buying things just for the fun of it.

Well this came up the other day and I just won the auction for a total of $26, shipping included!

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/71279031

I really don't have anything from our only Super Bowl victory so I am really excited to have this. I did a check on Ebay and found only one identical to this and they wanted $90!

Trial for Ted Rath, Rams' strength and performance coach, begins in Ventura

By GARY KLEIN
JUL 05, 2019 | 7:15 PM

After nearly three days of jury selection Erik Nasarenko, senior deputy district attorney for Ventura County, gave an opening statement late Friday. Rath’s attorney, Vicki Podberesky, will give an opening statement Monday.

If convicted on all counts, Rath could face a maximum of 18 months in jail and would be required to register as a sex offender.

on, the trial for Ted Rath, the Rams’ director of strength training and performance who pleaded not guilty to three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery, began Friday in Ventura County Superior Court.

Rath, 35, has been on leave from his position with the Rams since mid-January, after he was charged for an alleged June 2018 incident that involved a woman he knew at her residence in Moorpark.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-ted-rath-trial-begins-20190705-story.html

https://larrybrownsports.com/football/10-nfl-players-most-prove-2019-training-camp/499258

10 NFL players with most to prove in training camp

Before long, all 32 NFL teams will officially report to training camp in preparation for the 2019 regular season. It will be the beginning of a quest for Super Bowl LIV, and everyone should legitimately feel like they have a chance.

That extends to the players — both rookies and veterans — who will be trying to earn a job or secure a starting position.

It’s easy to point out highly-drafted rookies or fringe players who need to perform well in training camp, but what about players of prominence? Whether they’re coming off injury, switching positions, or just looking to rebound from a poor 2018 season, here are 10 players with the most to prove in training camp.

10. Joe Flacco, QB, Denver Broncos

The Broncos and John Elway are head-over-heels in love with Drew Lock if you listen to them tell the story, so what does that mean for veteran Joe Flacco, who came over from Baltimore after being put on the back burner in favor of a rookie quarterback last season? It must feel like the Twilight Zone for the former Super Bowl MVP. Needless to say, his starting job is anything but a given and a battle will ultimately rage in training camp. Flacco will need to prove he can still sling it at a top-end level, and he’ll have to do that with Lock breathing down his neck. Maybe the Broncos think the competition will bring out the best in Flacco. He seems to think it will.

9. Matt Kalil, OT, Houston Texans

The Texans allowed a remarkable 62 quarterbacks sacks in 2018, which isn’t going to get the job done at any level. In an effort to address that, they went out and signed veteran tackle Matt Kalil, who missed all of last season and had been underwhelming in each of the previous two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers, respectively. However, Houston believes he still has some gas left in the tank, so they’ve set him up to battle for the starting left tackle job. That role won’t come easy though, as Kalil may have to beat out both Tytus Howard and Julie’n Davenport in training camp in order to walk away with the gig.

8. Matt LaCosse, TE, New England Patriots

The Patriots not only need to find a replacement for future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, but they also need to replace his replacement, Benjamin Watson, who will start the year by serving a four-game suspension. That role initially appeared destined for Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but he’s since been released so that he can deal with personal issues. That sets the table for Matt LaCosse, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and took until 2018 to flash some of his talent on the field. He’ll lead the way entering training camp, but he’ll have to prove to Bill Belichick that he belongs at the head of the pack.

7. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo will start under center for the 49ers in 2019, but that’s not to say he has nothing to prove. He appeared in just three games last season before tearing his ACL, preventing him from building upon a remarkable 2017 campaign in which he came out hot. There are some questions beginning to build in regard to his long-term value to the 49ers, but that may be little more than fear after a lost season. Garoppolo needs to not only calm the pessimists by proving he’s recovered from knee reconstruction, but he also needs to regain his 2017 form and help steady things in San Francisco.

6. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Ross, a former first-round pick, is entering the third year of his rookie deal, and after two sub-par seasons highlighted by injuries, it’s make-or-break time in Cincinnati. Every practice throughout training camp and every moment on the field during the preseason will be vital for Ross, who not only needs to prove to the Bengals he’s over his injury issues, but that he has also developed enough over the past two seasons to make a much-needed impact offensively. The team needs a legitimate threat behind A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, and now is the time for Ross to make that a reality.

5. Tavon Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Expectations were high for Tavon Austin entering the 2018 season, but he fell well short of expectations, finishing the year with just 195 yards from scrimmage and becoming an afterthought following Dallas’ acquisition of Amari Cooper. Austin went on to create little to no buzz in free agency, ultimately choosing to return to the Cowboys on a one-year, prove-it deal. He’ll enter camp facing an uphill battle, landing on the depth chart behind Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb and Allen Hurns. And while he stands no chance to unseat Cooper, Austin needs to out-perform the team’s other wide receivers or risk finding a pink slip in his locker come cut-down day.

4. Damon Harrison, DT, Detroit Lions

The notion that Damon Harrison, arguably the league’s best run defender, has anything to prove is almost laughable. However, he opened the door to criticism and higher expectations by not only skipping organized team activities, but also by remaining away from the Lions during mandatory minicamp. If he doesn’t get the contract extension he’s seeking, Harrison will need to show up for camp and prove he’s a team player or run the risk of being let go. And assuming he does reach the desired end of his power play and lands a lucrative new deal, he’ll have to live up to it and not let his dominance on the field slip. Either way, Harrison has positioned himself as a player with something to prove come training camp.

3. Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in 2018, was expected to handle the leading role as a rookie, but ultimately lost out on that job to Peyton Barber. He then proceeded to struggle through a wildly underwhelming rookie campaign, gaining just 44 yards on the ground while averaging a meager 1.9 yards per carry in nine games. He’ll now enter training camp as the No. 2 running back, but once again be given the opportunity to take over as the lead dog. The good news? Jones drew rave reviews throughout the team’s offseason workout program and appears ready to make the next step in his development, but the true test will come once the pads are on in training camp.

2. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Eli Manning’s career is obviously coming to an end, but just how soon that curtain call arrives remains to be seen. However, if he doesn’t put together a solid training camp and preseason, it will undoubtedly be sooner than later, especially with rookie Daniel Jones lighting up spring practices and all but getting his head coach to admit there is a competition at hand. For the two-time Super Bowl MVP, this will be the most important training camp of his entire career and just the first time since his own rookie campaign in 2004 that he’s faced any real competition. A new era in New York is coming.

1. Josh Rosen, QB, Miami Dolphins

Josh Rosen will lead the NFL’s most interesting and watched quarterback competition of the year when he battles it out with Ryan Fitzpatrick, the magician looking to keep his career alive in Miami. Rosen is already considered the future of the franchise, but that doesn’t mean he’ll start straight away despite being thrust into that role with Arizona a year ago. It’s an interesting and unique situation to say the very least, and how that plays out will be must-watch TV. But regardless of how the dominoes fall to start the season, Rosen must prove his 2018 struggles were situational and that the Dolphins do, in fact, have their franchise quarterback in the building.

https://www.therams.com/news/ramblings-with-john-franklin-myers

RAMblings with John Franklin-Myers

Sarina: Now that Game of Thrones is over, I don’t have anything to watch. What is your favorite show right now?

John: It was Prison Break, but now I’m watching Blindspot. You know it? The woman with the tattoos. She gets left in New York.

Sarina: What is that on?

John: I’m watching on Hulu. Hulu needs to sponsor me haha.

Sarina: We always look at you guys as athletes and guys who watch sports. What is a sport you won’t watch?

John: Maybe tennis or golf?

Sarina: You know Micah (Kiser) picked up golf? I hear a lot of you guys picked up golf in the off-season.

John: Everybody said I would play golf, but I’m not. I don’t even play Top Golf or putt putt or mini golf.

Sarina: What’s the biggest improvement you have made personally since becoming a professional football player?

John: Learning how to be a pro. As a rookie, that is the thing you don’t really know. Whether it be the walk-through tempo or the actual practice tempo. What you do in the off-season and in your free-time. What you do after practice, getting in that extra work. Recovery… all that goes into being a pro. And they don’t teach you that until you get here.

Sarina: Joey (Joey Blake, Team Nutritionist) told me how proud he is of you. Why?

John: I work with Joey a lot. They wanted me to gain a little weight… and I gained the weight, and then it was, I couldn’t stop gaining the weight (laughs). I got to the point where I wasn’t too heavy, but maybe too heavy to play (defensive) end. Maybe a 3 (technique). So just trying to find that correct weight. There was a lot of fluctuation there. When I started losing weight, I needed to work on different techniques to lose weight. And here I am now, at a constant. Who knows what the next me will be, but Joey is someone who has always helped me when it comes to nutrition and losing weight and gaining weight.

Sarina: (Joey) told me, ‘this is my guy now.’ You’ve made it into Joey’s good graces.

John: John Franklin-Myers Blake. (laughs)

Sarina: Has Aaron (Donald) motivated you to get abs?

John: I think he does for the team… but I tell everybody… I’m not AD. Obviously everybody wants his contract.(laughs) But more, I want to know what he does outside of this, during the off-season. Yeah it looks good, but at the end of the day, I’m a D lineman. AD isn’t the heaviest guy on the team. (laughs) He’s 6 foot, 250-260 or whatever he is. *(Aaron Donald is listed at 280 pounds), but there isn’t another D lineman that is that small. For me to sit here and want a six pack, is unrealistic.

Sarina: You are just happy Aaron (Donald) is doing that.

John: Oh yeah! We need him, so whatever makes him play how he plays, is what he should do. (laughs)

Sarina: If not football then what?

John: My dream would be to play in the NBA. But if not football or the NBA, coaching? I don’t know.

Sarina: Would you be a coach?

John: I don’t want to. I didn’t really have a plan B. It was either football… or football. I haven’t even thought about what I am going to be when I retire. I got at least… hopefully 10 (years)… as long as possible. At that time, I don’t want to work anymore. I just want to make sure I am there for my kids. Be there for their games. Pick up from school. Stuff like that. I want to be a stay at home mom.

Sarina: When was the first time you realized you became an adult?

John: Probably after my rookie year. After the season, going into the playoffs. You don’t realize how hard the NFL is until you make it to the playoffs. After we made it to the Super Bowl I became an adult. Experiencing the Super Bowl… that made me grow up whether I wanted to or not. It’s just a different level of focus and attention to detail.

Sarina: Why was it so hard? Was it just because you were physically asked to play longer than usual?

John: That and being a rookie and having some type of role. I played on our dime package and a little bit on our base and just having that role in those game. The pace picks up so much more. Our coach told us all the time, ‘You think this is fast, just wait for the playoffs’. Well, we get to the playoffs and it’s nothing you can prepare for. Experience is the best teacher. (At the Super Bowl) I don’t think we were outplayed, but sometimes it’s hard to beat experience.

Sarina: How does your size help you or hurt you off the field?

John: It helps not having to ask people for anything. What helps and hurts is the intimidation factor where maybe I don’t have a lot of people trying me. But also, I walk in a place, and they know I am in the NFL and they just want me to be the tough guy…. And that’s not me. I don’t need to be the tough guy. You can be the tough guy.

Sarina: You are not that type of guy…

John: I just like to chill. Sometimes being big sucks. Also on planes, that’s probably the worst time. Because I’m not getting a private jet. I’m not going to get first class. I mean, unless I am going overseas. I’m getting the cheapest flight, and that’s always a problem.

Sarina: How do you even fit?

John: Uncomfortably. I get the aisle seat. Sometimes that doesn’t help. The carts bump into me every two seconds. My shoulders are wider than the seats. I just flew back from Texas and I was like, this has to be the last airplane ride I take.

Sarina: Best moment this off-season?

John: Going on a cruise. I’ve never been on a cruise. I got a chance to visit Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman and Costa Maya. It was a long cruise. A week on a boat could be torture, but they made it fun. Just seeing new places. I don’t travel much and I don’t like flying, travel wise, you only have three options. Being on a boat seemed like the best option for me. I’ve never been to these places, and I saw the Mayan ruins. At one spot, there was a water park. They had water slides… 12 stories high, 18 stories high and 24 stories high. Sliding from those big slides was crazy. I saw all types of lizards. I didn’t like them, but looking back on it now that I am alive and well, it was fun.

Sarina: What are you superstitious about?

John: I don’t think I am. I don’t have a routine or anything.

Sarina: Who is the most superstitious guy on the team?

John: Probably Brandin Cooks, but then you see the success he’s had… maybe I do need to be superstitious. (laughs) But I’m at the point where it’s almost too late to create a routine. Like, what am I supposed to do? Make a tackle and then jog three steps down the field… I can’t do anything like that. But that’s what he does. He’ll catch the ball, or even when he doesn’t catch the ball, he’ll act like he caught it and about to run. Dline can’t do that.

Sarina: Who is the guy on offense you are most like?

John: A lot of my friends are defensive players, but if I had to throw a name out there, I would say Big Whit (Andrew Whitworth)… just as a mentor. Anytime I need a hand, or need help. He put me on a new place to workout. I worked out there for three weeks and lost 3.5 percent body fat and seven pounds. It turned me around. He’ll help me on the weekends, or last season, when I struggled, he kept me after practice and showed me stuff I did wrong when I went against him or when he would watch. He does that for everybody. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I got drafted, he was the first person to text me and congratulate me. I don’t even know how he got my number. (laughs) But he was the very first person to text me. He’s one of the vets here that changes the rookie’s lives.

Sarina: Goal this season? Personally and professionally?

John: Contribute more to the team. Do what I can to help us win the Super Bowl this year. I would like to see us get back and do what I can to help. Outside of football… maybe workout a little more. Recover more. My life revolves around this. I don’t have a hobby. When I get home, I go to sleep. I don’t watch film at home, but I stay up here and watch film. I come back up every night. When I go home, I settle down. That’s when life kicks in.

I think we go with 5 guys each year.

I'll say

Goff, Woods, Donald, Weddle, Hekker

Who you got?

Doing NY strip steaks today on the BBQ.

Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, be safe out there in your yards with all that lighter fluid, gas, and fireworks.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...as-champs-seahawks-facing-nightmare-schedule/

2019 NFL schedule rankings, NFC West: Rams in position to repeat as champs, Seahawks facing nightmare schedule

After watching the Rams win the NFC West for the past two seasons, the Seahawks might be stuck watching them win it again this year and that's because the Rams have one slight advantage heading into 2019: They have an easier schedule, at least according to our NFL schedule ratings.

According to our formula, not only do the Seahawks have the toughest schedule in the NFC West this year, but they also have the seventh most difficult schedule in the NFL. On the other hand, the Rams schedule ranks as just the 20th most difficult in the NFL.

With the regular season still three months away, you might be wondering how we already know that the Rams have an easier schedule than the Seahawks, and that's because we went ahead and ranked all 32 schedules.

The easiest way to rank each schedule in the NFL is to use strength of schedule, but the problem with going that route is that it's not exactly the most efficient way to rate schedule difficulty, which is why we went ahead and devised a formula.

So how does this formula work? Glad you asked.

First, we looked at Super Bowl odds from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Since the oddsmakers in Vegas seem to know what they're doing, we incorporated their odds into our formula, which didn't work out so well for the Seahawks. Seattle's schedule is filled with teams that are all considered serious Super Bowl contenders in Vegas, and five of their most difficult games will come on the road (At Eagles, at Rams, at Steelers, at Browns, at Falcons).

Another part of the formula is the first three games of the season. Those are going to be weighted slightly more than the other 13 games because they tend to be a good indication of how a team will play throughout the year. Basically, teams that go winless in their first three games almost never make the playoffs.

Since 1990, only four teams have started 0-3 and made the postseason (1992 Chargers,1995 Lions, 1998 Bills, 2018 Texans). Although the Texans pulled off the feat last year, there's a reason it's only happened four times in 29 seasons, and that's because it's nearly impossible to pull off.

Although an 0-3 start almost always means you'll miss the postseason, 3-0 usually means good things in the NFL: From 1990 to 2010, 75.9 percent of the teams that started 3-0 made the playoffs. Those odds drop to 54.9 percent for 2-1 teams and 23.3 percent for 1-2 teams.

This basically means that if your favorite team has a murderer's row in the first three weeks of the season, you should probably just give up on 2019 and start planning for the 2020 draft.

Speaking of the first three games, it's probably worth nothing that starting off the year with a winning record through the first three weeks has almost become a prerequisite for getting into a conference title game. Over the past four seasons, 15 of the 16 teams that took part in the AFC and NFC title games started the season at 2-1 or better. That doesn't necessarily mean you're favorite team will make it if they start 2-1, it just means they almost certainly won't make it if they start 1-2 or 0-3. (Since 2015, the one team that bucked this trend was the 2018 Patriots, but the Patriots have bucked a lot of trends over the years and it's unlikely that another team would be able to emulate them).

On the other end of the schedule, the reason the final three games of the season aren't being given more weight is because the final games don't always mean the same for everybody, especially when a team is resting its starters. The Saints went 0-3 in their final three games in 2009 and still won the Super Bowl. The Ravens went 1-2 in their final three in 2012 and also won the Super Bowl.

Finally, each individual game on each team's schedule is also being ranked based on difficulty. For instance, the Seahawks have to travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers this season. On the other hand, the 49ers get to play the Steelers at home.

From a strength of schedule standpoint, the game is the same: Both teams are playing the Steelers. However, the Seahawks game against Pittsburgh is viewed as more difficult in our formula, because they have to go on the road to face a Steelers team that's 7-1 against the NFC in home games over the past four seasons. On the other hand, the 49ers will be getting a serious home-field advantage in their game, and that's because they'll be hosting a Steelers team that features a coach and quarterback combo that has never won a single game together on the west coast (0-5). Those individual nuances are factored into the schedule ratings.

Alright, that's enough rambling, let's get to these rankings.

Wait, one more thing, if you're interested in checking out the schedule rankings for every other team in the NFL, you can do that here. Just click on your favorite division and that will take you to those rankings: AFC East, AFC South, AFC North, AFC West, NFC East, NFC North and NFC South.

Ranking the NFC West schedules
4. San Francisco 49ers
Schedule difficulty rating: 96.625
Overall NFL schedule difficulty ranking: 24th

Easiest stretch: On paper, the 49ers easiest stretch of the season will come during the first two weeks of 2019 when they play the Buccaneers (Week 1) and Bengals (Week 2). However, we might want to crumple that paper up into a ball and set it on fire, because this stretch might not end up being too easy for the 49ers for one reason: Both of these games are being played on the road. Playing on the road in Tampa and Cincinnati means playing in the eastern time zone, and you'll find out in our 'Weird scheduling note" section why that's a bad thing for the 49ers.

Roughest stretch: If 49ers fans start to feel a little sick around Thanksgiving, it will probably have nothing to do with the food and everything to do with the fact that San Francisco has an impossibly loaded schedule over the final six weeks of the season. The 49ers roughest stretch will start four days before Thanksgiving and it looks like this: Packers (Week 12), at Ravens (Week 13), at Saints (Week 14), Falcons (Week 15), Rams (Week 16), at Seahawks (Week 17).

If you're scoring at home, that stretch includes four playoff teams from last season, including both teams that played in the NFC title game. Oh, and the two teams in that stretch that didn't make the playoffs are both being quarterbacked by former NFL MVPs (Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan). To make things worse, the 49ers have to travel 10,038 miles during the month of December, which is more than five NFL teams will travel over the course of their entire season.

Weird scheduling note: The 49ers have four games in the eastern time zone this year, which we're only mentioning, because that time zone has been like some sort of Bermuda triangle for them over the past four years. Since 2015, San Francisco has gone 0-12 when playing in eastern time. You know what, maybe that easy stretch won't be so easy after all.

3. Los Angeles Rams
Schedule difficulty rating: 97.625
Overall NFL schedule difficulty ranking: 20th

Easiest stretch: Sean McVay was probably the happiest guy in the room when he found out who the Rams would be playing over the final two weeks of the season, and that's because it's two games the Rams should win. First, the Rams will travel to San Francisco in Week 16 before hosting the Cardinalsin Week 17. The reason McVay is probably thrilled with the fact that his team is closing the season with the 49ers and Cards is because L.A. went 4-0 combined against those two teams last season (McVay is also 7-1 overall against those two teams with his only loss coming to the 49ers in the 2017 season finale when the Rams' rested all their starters).
Roughest stretch: The Rams better get some serious rest during their bye week, and that's because their roughest stretch starts as soon as their bye week ends. Coming out of their Week 9 bye, the Rams schedule looks like this: At Steelers (Week 10), Bears (Week 11), Ravens (Week 12), at Cardinals (Week 13), Seahawks (Week 14). Not only will the Rams be playing against three teams that made the playoffs last season, but all three of those games will be played in primetime. The upside for the Rams is that all three of those games will be at home and they should also be getting a breather in Week 13 when they play the Cardinals.

Weird scheduling note: Thanks in large part to their trip to London, the Rams will be traveling more miles than any other team in the NFC this year and the second most miles in the NFL. The Rams will be traveling 29,974 miles in 2019, which ranks second in the league, behind only the Raiders (32,023).

2. Arizona Cardinals
Schedule difficulty rating: 98.75
Overall NFL schedule difficulty ranking: 17th

Easiest stretch: When you're coming off a season where you had the worst record in the NFL, there aren't really any "easy" stretches on your schedule, but there is one spot on their schedule where they get to play three straight teams who all struggled last season, and that stretch starts in Week 5: At Bengals, Falcons, at Giants. The only problem with this stretch is that the Cards' have to play two of the three games on the road, which could be an issue for a team that's only finished the season with a winning road record one time over the past nine seasons.

Roughest stretch: There's a good chance Kliff's Kingsbury's first season with the Cardinals is going to end with a thud, and that's because Arizona's roughest stretch of the season will come at the very end of the year. After getting a Week 12 bye, the Cards will face a gauntlet that looks like this: Rams (Week 13), Steelers (Week 14), Browns (Week 15), at Seahawks (Week 16), at Rams (Week 17). Unless Kyler Murray turns out to have a combination of Patrick Mahomes' right arm and Lamar Jackson's legs, the Cards are probably going to be in some serious trouble during this stretch.

Weird scheduling note: The month of November is going to be a boring one for Cardinals' season-ticket holders and that's because Arizona won't play a single home game during the entire month. The Cards are one of just two teams in the NFL this year that will go a calendar month without playing a home game (The Jaguars are the other team, and November will also be rough for them, because they won't be playing any games in Jacksonville).

1. Seattle Seahawks
Schedule difficulty rating: 106.125
Overall NFL schedule difficulty ranking: Seventh

Easiest stretch: If the race for the NFC West title goes down to the wire this year, that will definitely be an advantage for the Seahawks, and that's because they'll be closing the season with two very winnable games. Not only does Seattle get to play the Cardinals (Week 16) and 49ers (Week 17) to close the year, but the Seahawks get to play both games at home, making them one of just five teams in the NFL this season that gets to finish the season with two straight games at home. The NFL clearly must have felt guilty for everything on Seattle's schedule prior to that, including the roughest stretch, which we're about to get to.
Roughest stretch: The Seahawks have one of the best home-field advantages in football, but it won't mean much come November and that's because the NFL decided to throw that advantage out the window. From Nov. 3 until Dec. 21, the Seahawks will only get to play one home game during a stretch where they'll be playing four of five games on the road. The stretch starts in Week 10 and looks like this: at 49ers, BYE, at Eagles, Vikings, at Rams, at Panthers. It's probably also worth noting that every single one of those games will be played in primetime, except for the one in Carolina. The Seahawks are just 12-11-1 on the road over the past three seasons, which is why that could be a rough stretch for Seattle.

Weird scheduling note: As things currently stand, the Seahawks are the only team in the NFL this year that will play four straight games in primetime. The streak will start in Week 10 with a Monday game against the 49ers. After taking their bye in Week 11, the Seahawks will return and play on Sunday night in Week 12 (at Eagles), Monday night in Week 13 (Vikings) and Sunday night in Week 14 (at Rams). The Cowboys, Patriots, Rams, Vikings and Steelers could join the four-straight primetime game club, but that will only happen if they get flexed.

https://www.therams.com/news/cooper-kupp-enjoying-having-his-brother-ketner-in-l-a

Cooper Kupp enjoying having his brother Ketner in L.A.

It’s pretty rare to have a pair of brothers on the same NFL team.

But that’s exactly what the Rams made happen back on May 15, when they signed undrafted linebacker Ketner Kupp to the 90-man roster.

Ketner, 22, has now followed in his 26-year-old brother Cooper’s footsteps both in college and in the NFL. And while Cooper and Ketner weren’t sharing the same field much during the offseason program as the elder Kupp continued to rehab his torn ACL, Cooper seemed to really enjoy the experience of having his brother around during the spring.

“It’s so much fun, so much fun,” Cooper said at minicamp. “We’ve had just a couple times where I’ve had to block him on defense — kind of a throwback to our college days when we were doing that.”

Beyond the time shared spent in the building, Cooper said Ketner spent plenty of time at his local residence. Cooper noted that he hadn’t put Ketner on babysitting duty for his just under one-year-old child (“I’m worried June will beat him up a little bit. I’ve held off not because I don’t think he can handle it, but I’m worried for him,” Cooper said), but that hasn’t stopped Ketner from hanging around.

And given the unique nature of the situation, Cooper truly cherished being able to spend that time together.

“He eats a lot of my food at my house, sleeps on my couch almost every night,” Cooper said with a smile. “It’s so much fun — total blessing. Any time you are able to be around family at this point in your life and have family as much as we do, I don’t take that for granted at all. It’s an incredible experience and a blessing for us.”

Anyone caught wishing me a happy 4th of July will be punched in the junk.

But Mr. Adams
Login to view embedded media View: https://vimeo.com/214099218


The Egg
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJJhKEzgEGQ

Ranking the 32 team helmets from worst to best
By: Barry Werner |

Some of the NFL teams have iconic logos/designs on their helmets.

Others are not so memorable.

There are different spins on the same look for many franchises.

What’s the worst? What’s the best and what’s in-between?



32. Washington Redskins

The logo isn’t PC now and hasn’t been for a long time. Washington has dug its cleats in on keeping the nickname and the look. It’s unfortunate because 2019 calls for change. Ask the Cleveland Indians.


31. Tennesee Titans

The Titans suffer from their franchise’s past. Not many helmets were better than the Houston Oilers’ look. This one is fine but in no way does it stack up to the Oilers’ helmet.


30. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals had the second-best look when they played in St. Louis, to the baseball birds. And now that they are in the desert, the basic white helmet with the bird on it is pretty tame, no matter how much bite they try to make the bird have.


29. San Francisco 49ers

Ths is a case where the entire package is better than the helmet. Put the helmet together with the uniform and things look fantastic, The helmet itself is nice. The gold is a perfect accent to the red and white. The logo stands the test of time but isn’t sending anyone rushing out to buy it.


28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pewter helmet is cool, but like other teams change is not always for the better. The orange and white helmet was likely way better than the jerseys but the Tampa Bay Bucs had an interesting look.


27. Cleveland Browns

Another strong and solid design that has stood the test of time. Nothing wrong with the color scheme. The look is basic and historic and that’s perfectly fine.


26. New York Jets

The Jets’ look and scheme is pretty common. Nothing fancy or fantastic about the logo or the helmet. Sort of like the team that wears it.


25. Houston Texans

Hard to top the other team that has a star on its helmet while based in Texas. It is smart and confident-looking. Just that when you choose a star and the Cowboys already rule that …One of the classic looks that has stood the test of time is the Green Bay Packers helmet and logo.


24. Buffalo Bills

Solid looking helmet with neat buffalo. Just doesn’t stack up to the herd of better designs around the league.


23. Green Bay Packers

One of the classic looks that has stood the test of time is the Green Bay Packers helmet and logo.


22. Indianapolis Colts

The horseshoe is cool and has been around forever. Hard to modernize one of the helmets that has been around forever. Never hurts to tinker.


21. Seattle Seahawks

This is an instance where the variety of uniforms the team has it far better than the helmet. Love the multiple looks the Seahawks have and they are far more grabbing than the headgear.


20. New York Giants

The iconic red, white and blue of the New York Giants. The NY is sharp and has grown through the decades.


19. Miami Dolphins

Nothing fishy about this helmet. The Dolphins always look cool in their uniforms and the teal Dolphin is a nice accessory.


18. Carolina Panthers

The Panther is fierce and strong. The color combination works and the helmet shows its teeth in style.


17. Chicago Bears

This is as classic as it comes. The Bears’ helmet is solid and perfectly associated with the team. The design doesn’t quite compete with other teams that have sharpened their look.


16. New England Patriots

This was a tough one. The Pats’ helmet is crisp and cool. Many people love this look as opposed to the original team logo/design. That one didn’t bring many wins, but it certainly was a strong image.


15. Denver Broncos

The logo has changed through years. This is a clever twist on the Bronco and the colors are powerful. However, the older versions had more of a feel to them.


14. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs and Arrowhead are synonymous so the helmet matches the fit of the uniform and the franchise. Love the interlocking KC.


13. Atlanta Falcons

There are so many birds in the NFL. This is one that would benefit from a bit of a change. The logo is too but the face of the Falcon is minuscule. You want to intimidate!


12. Minnesota Vikings

Love the nickname and the look of the Minnesota team and its helmet. The colors are great and the design on the side of the helmet is memorable and unique.


11. Pittsburgh Steelers

Classic and comfortable. Unless you are an opponent being hit by one of the Pittsburgh players in the Steelers’ helmet. No reason to mess with this kind of look and success.


10. Detroit Lions

Honolulu blue and silver are the Lions’ touch. The Lion itself is more design than frightening. Sort of like the team. However, the look is wonderful.


9. Baltimore Ravens

Now this is a great look that conveys anger and mean. Love the Raven on the helmet The lightning bolt is a treasure. And so glad the Chargers are ditching the Navy for the powder blue.


8. Los Angeles Chargers

The lightning bolt is a treasure. And so glad the Chargers are ditching the Navy for the powder blue. One interesting thought is the uniform pops more in powder while the helmet actually had more oomph when it was Navy Blue. Can’t have it all.


7. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ look takes flight. Great set of wings. The folks in Philly love their birds and wear the team’s logo and colors proudly. With good reason. A spectacular look.


6. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals may not have much success on the field in the long game. However, the stripes on the helmet are amazing and a strong look. Unique to say the least.


5. Jacksonville Jaguars

One cool cat is the Jaguar on the side of the Jacksonville helmet. Now, if only the team can match the duds and headgear.


4. Dallas Cowboys

A classic combination of color and design. The Cowboys’ star rocks. It is iconic and totally finds its mark. Stands the test of time and could easily have been higher on the list.


3. New Orleans Saints

What’s there not to love about the fleur-de-lis? The helmet says New Orleans in every way.




2. Los Angeles Rams

This is the one look that the Rams need to stay with from a week-to-week basis. They have played in gold and blue and have had helmets of blue and white. But this pops, especially with darkness of the blue and the vibrance of the yellow.


1. Oakland Raiders

There is no more perfect helmet and logo than the Oakland Raiders’ look. The color scheme and design on it totally fits the team and its fans. Maybe not now, but throughout the decades, the Raiders have been just that: Raiders.
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2019/06/27/ranking-the-32-team-helmets-from-worst-to-best/33/

https://sports.yahoo.com/why-they-g...-scouting-director-brad-holmes-165715155.html

The whole thing is worth a read, lots of interesting stuff in there, but here's one question with very Rams-specific info-

Yahoo Sports: That in-person eye test can be huge in splitting hairs, it seems.

Brad Holmes: Oh, yes. Like with the Rams here, I remember when we drafted Cooper Kupp. The first time I saw him live — I didn’t get a chance to make it to Eastern Washington his senior year, even though I did see him the prior year. I remember seeing him the year before because I had heard so much, and I remembered he was pretty good. But at the Senior Bowl, he just looked like a different player. It looked like he was different than everybody else on the field. He just went through the process, went to the combine, and he doesn’t run really fast. But it was like, every time you saw him play football with shoulder pads and a helmet, he was great.

Or when [former Rams corner] Janoris Jenkins came out, I was doing the Southeast area at the time. I remember he lined up man-to-man versus Julio Jones and A.J. Green in the SEC and did very, very well. So when he got in the NFL early in his career, you’d just see him lined up — they just slid him in, in man coverage — you saw that superpower. You’re seeing what you saw early on.

Take someone like [Rams safety] John Johnson. His instincts just stood out so much. He’s just turned into a heck of a run supporter. He’s just been terrific. But I remember during his evaluation process, it wasn’t really … I mean, he’s a good-sized kid, but you know, he didn’t run the fastest. I remember watching him live and then again at his Senior Bowl, it’s not like he was picking off a bunch of balls — and he might have had six picks or something in his [college] career.

But he was just cutting off so many routes. He just instinctively knew the angles to take. So I look at him now — I remember that first start he had against Seattle and his picks that ball off on the sideline and I am just like, yep, that’s what you saw.

Or like, [Rams 2019 second-round pick] Taylor Rapp is a guy that, whew, we loved him. We had [a first-round grade on him]. And you’re probably going to say, OK, why didn’t you take him at 31 then? Well, we just kind of thought that with all the information we had that we’d have that opportunity to move back and pick up some more draft capital and be in a position to get him.

We’re really excited about Taylor and Darrell Henderson and David Long and [Greg] Gaines has a lot of ability. Bobby Evans, he’s gonna be … in a great situation for our line. Yeah, we’re really excited about all those guys.

BACK
REDD FOXX’S "L’IL RED WRECKER"


Made for Redd Foxx star of "Sanford & Son." This all hand built body is made of metal and sculptured with the tilt styled front cab tinted sky top window and all. The oval tunneled grille shell housed quad rectangular English headlights and a chrome mesh inserts. The midship engine and design is powered by a Super charged 392 cubic inch Chrysler and all chrome plated. Another unusual feature is the Center Steering with right hand power braking plus left hand hydraulic gas pedal. A square foam styled crushed blue velvet interior was created by Joe Perez plus trimmed in a wet look antique vinyl. The rear wrench is electric push button power operated and completely chrome plated. Dual MOON gas tanks are installed on each side of the body panels and finished in a machine groove. Extra wide deep chrome reversed wheels are mounted on Formula Super Stock tires. Unique pin stripe and gold leafing with Redd's character image was performed by the artistic talents of Ralph Stiers. The finishing touches are in 30 coats of fine sprayed Kandy Redd over a Sungleam platinum underbase.


@2013 BKI. Cars featured are either

Unless I missed it, this was the first I heard of a possible new deal before THIS season.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ons-eyeing-a-new-deal-before-the-2019-season/

NFL, NFLPA reportedly ramp up CBA negotiations eyeing a new deal before the 2019 season
It's looking increasingly likely that a lockout will be avoided

Even though the collective bargaining agreement doesn't expire until after the 2020 season, there appears to be an opportunity for the NFL and NFL Players Association to come to a new agreement not just before the current CBA expires, but also before the 2019 NFL season kicks off.

That's according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, who reported on Tuesday that CBA talks between the NFL and NFLPA will ramp up in July as the two sides eye a deal before the new season begins. According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, the NFL and NFLPA have scheduled negotiations for July 17-19, during which the "potentially most contentious items" will be discussed. Finally, Graziano wrote that while "it's too soon to know whether a new agreement can be reached by the time this one expires," the NFL and NFLPA are both "optimistic" there won't be a work stoppage this time around.

Back in May, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that a deal could possibly be reached before the upcoming season, but "negotiations would have to ramp up considerably. Unless the pace changes, that's not seen as feasible." Well, the pace appears to be ramping up.

Obviously, all of this is good news for fans, players, and executives who have feared a potential lockout. It's also a little surprising given so much of what we've heard from players over the past couple years.

Last summer, Rams running back Todd Gurley indicated that he believed the players were willing to strike. Then, there was 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman saying in September that a lockout is "going to happen." In May, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith advised players to "plan for a work stoppage of at least a year in length." Given all of the issues that should be debated between the two sides, none of that was surprising.

Back in May, our John Breech wrote about some of the areas the players are looking to improve:

For the players, that will likely mean a deal that gives them an increased share of league revenue, exempting marijuana from future drug tests and getting contracts to include more guarantees. Players currently get 47 percent of league revenues and any number above that would most likely mean that the salary would make bigger jumps each season.

Meanwhile, team owners could reportedly push for an 18-game schedule, which the players likely wouldn't support due to injury concerns. According to The Monday Morning Quarterback's Albert Breer, some issues that should be addressed are stadium credits, media deals, and the revenue split. Breer added the franchise tag is not expected to be a big discussion point during negotiations.

In 2011, there was a brief lockout, but it ended before the season. If there is a lockout this time around, it wouldn't happen until the 2021 season. But at this point, even though there's still a long ways to go and negotiations could always take a turn for the worse once the contentious items are debated, it's beginning to look like a new deal will be reached before it comes to that.

Thought you may like the books outline with some run zone explanation plus other excerpts.

https://rileykolstefootball.com/2019/01/25/book-preview-breaking-down-the-2018-l-a-rams-offense/


Great clips that support the book. One run after another with two views. Plus passing. Very mesmerizing. All 22 clips. Probably remember most plays. Nice to see the view especially if you don't get the all 22 replays.

https://rileykolstefootball.com/rams-film-clips/

Enjoy

https://www.therams.com/news/how-do-coaches-evaluate-offensive-linemen-during-the-offseason-program

How do coaches evaluate offensive linemen during the offseason program?

No contact, no pads.

Those are the provisions that all NFL teams must follow during the offseason program, and the Rams certainly are in that camp.

But there are certain positions that almost need to have pads in order to be properly evaluated — including the offensive line. The five up front routinely have to use every tool at their disposal in order for plays to be successful. And without pads, that can’t entirely happen — which is why defensively linemen often run past quarterbacks in the backfield during OTAs and minicamp.

So what’s the best thing to look for in the offensive line during the spring?

“The biggest thing that you’re trying to do is, we spend a lot of time as an offensive line in individual drills. So in those periods we will use a shield or a bag or a sled to really reenact or really create that physicality that you need and how you’re really going to hit these blocks,” run game coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer said at minicamp. “And then when you get to team [drills] you know, you lighten up because of the no pads. So I think you really try to get it during those periods, and then we are continuing some run periods where the guys on defense are using shields so we can use a little more power.”

As Kromer put it, really the strong evaluations have to come during training camp and preseason games. That’s part of why running back Todd Gurley not participating in the on-field elements of OTAs and minicamp isn’t as big of a deal as it could’ve been.

Kromer pointed to the fact that L.A. wasn’t in pads when addressing how much not having Gurley affected the club’s preparation for the season.

“We don’t have our shoulder pads on, we’re not in full pads, and to get the full realm of the run game we can’t bang against each other too much and get the full amount of technique and those kind of things to get a perfect look at the run game,” Kromer said. “So right now it’s just understanding the nuances of the run game, everyone just upping their game a step or two from last year, seeing what we can improve on looking forward to next year.”

“So it’s really a passing camp this time of year,” Kromer continued. “The majority of them are passes and you do a little bit of run game and a lot of times to go fast you might use some guys with shields so guys can come off the ball harder because they are using a shield and you can maybe contact them a little more physically. But this time of year isn’t a time other than watching the tape, doing the things in individual that you need to get done, and then when you get to team without the pads, it’s really preseason and the season when you get to that level.”

But now, that part is effectively done. After a couple camp practices, the Rams will be in full pads and the true evaluations will begin — particularly with one-on-one blocking drills. That’s where the individuals on the offensive and defensive lines can truly improve and start to separate themselves from the pack — especially if they can block back-to-back AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

COMING SOON. !!!

have waited a lifetime

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...son-raves-about-rams-addition-of-eric-weddle/

John Johnson raves about Rams addition of Eric Weddle

Strong safety John Johnson will have a new colleague in the back-end of the Los Angels Rams defense this fall as the team added 12-year veteran Eric Weddlefollowing his release from the Baltimore Ravens.

Johnson is getting set to enter his third season in the league. Lamarcus Joynerhas served as his counterpart at safety with the Rams the last two seasons. While Joyner had some decent moments for the Rams, Weddle’s track record of six Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections brings a different dynamic to the Rams secondary.

“He’s just a genius. I haven’t seen anybody like him,” Johnson said on NFL Network on Monday. “I haven’t been in the league long but I know he’s a special one and I’m excited to see what we can do. Not just how it can make me better but I’m excited to see what he and I can do for this whole defense.”

The Rams signed Weddle in early March just days after his release from the Ravens. Weddle returns to Southern California, where he spent the first nine years of his career with the San Diego Chargers. Weddle has also vowed to help Johnson take the next step in his game.

“I’m here to push him to that next level. He’s got a chance to be an exceptional safety for a long time and I can see it in him,” Weddle said in Mat. “He’s got to get there, so I’ll push him every day that’s for sure.”

Weddle may not be the player he used to be at his peak, but he’s coming off three straight Pro Bowl appearances from his time in Baltimore. Having a veteran voice in the secondary could be a big boost for Johnson and the rest of the Rams defensive backs.

A Young Man’s Game
With mandatory minicamps opening all over the NFL, it’s truly time to look forward to a new season coming up this fall.

link: http://www.sj39.com/young-mans-game/

One of the things that I’ve noticed over the past few seasons is that there seems to be a greater emphasis on youth in two facets of the game: players and coaches. Both of those groups seem to be getting younger with each passing year, and it’s made me wonder what the implications are, especially when it comes to leadership.

What are the benefits of having younger players and coaches? What’s being lost as the focus shifts from veterans to youth? Finally, is there a better balance that we can achieve when it comes to the fresh ideas and energy of youth, and the wisdom and insight of experience?

Today, the average NFL player is 25 years old, as young as players in the league have ever been. More young guys are entering, but with an average career length of just over three years, many young guys don’t even make it to their second contracts. At the same time, fewer older players are staying around. The result is that you have a bunch of young guys filling up locker rooms, no OGs around to show them the ropes, and a lot of positional coaches who have to try to shoulder a mentor role more than ever before.

At the same, you’ve got a bunch of younger coaches taking over teams, too. While some of them might be brilliant football minds, they also don’t necessarily have a lot of experience when it comes to managing personalities, either.

Teams of every era have issues that are specific to their time. The challenge for current teams is dealing with so much youth across the board. With all of these younger players and coaches, and a lack of veteran leadership, the cracks are starting to show in the foundations of rosters around the league.

THE CHALLENGES OF YOUTH

Young players today seem to struggle with the art of handling subtle differences, and keeping issues private or restricted to meetings with teammates and coaches. Maybe it’s because social media gives them the ability to have a platform, but it’s important not to mistake the ability to speak your mind with having to speak your mind at all times.

Things that should stay behind closed doors leak out too much. How you say the things that you say—especially if you’re critical of your team or your franchise in a selfish way—can come back to haunt you down the road. People get a bad taste in their mouths, and it can effect everything, including things you might not even be thinking about.

Athletes need to understand that they’re not the only focus, or the only thing that matters. Your point of view isn’t the only one that matters. Saying what you think when you think it isn’t the only thing that matters. Not reacting publicly to everything little thing that happens—whether it’s in your career or in your personal life—in my opinion, it allows you to mature, and that maturity helps you stay in the game longer.

That’s the thing: Players also need to keep their eyes on the big picture. You only play this game for a limited amount of time. You hope that you can go back to these places you’ve played and have a relationship with the markets and fans there. Those relationships can lead to opportunities—business opportunities, endorsement opportunities, that kind of thing.

If you burn all of those bridges, those opportunities won’t exist for you.

ACHIEVING BALANCE

To me, it’s in the interest of every NFL team to push things back in the direction of more balanced rosters when it comes to how old your average player is. (To some extent, the same holds true for coaches, too.) The truth is that both young and older can benefit from the presence of the other on a team.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to play with a lot of guys who will be in the Hall of Fame one day. One of those guys was Isaac Bruce. He played with a focus and ferociousness that I admired. The thing was, you would never have known it. He was a quiet individual and typically shied away from the spotlight. He was well respected by his teammates because of the level he played at, and because of the way he carried himself and valued his team. Even at the end of his career, when his skill level dropped —like it does for all of us — and he wasn’t the same Isaac Bruce, he still had the support and respect of the fans because they knew he was giving everything he had for the Rams. It was never about himself. You may lose that burst. You may have an injury and not be the same player anymore. The game is always changing for you, and you have to change with it.

Those were all things I took note of as a younger player. I tried to do that with every veteran I respected: look at each of them, and see what things about them I could cherry pick, that I could learn from and adapt into who I was, on the field and off it.

People also assume that younger guys who played at big schools know how to handle big-time pressure, but it’s not the same at the pro level. College kids are still protected by their schools and the NCAA. You have certain classroom commitments. You can only play and practice a certain amount. There’s none of that in the pros. There’s no structure like that. Playing in front of 80,000 people might not bother you, but the minute you get a contract, an agent whose relationship with you can be fluid, have to deal with taxes, all of that—chances are you don’t have anyone in your life at that point who can help you with that. You don’t know what you don’t know. Veterans can be a trusted voice that can help you with that.

Toward the end of my career, I was that guy. When I was sharing the backfield with Devonta Freeman on the Falcons and then James White on the Patriots, they had a ton of questions. “How do you stick around for so long and stay in such great shape? How do you deal with these outside situations when you have an issue with your agent? How do you know that person has your best interest at heart, or that he’s asking the right questions?” A younger player could have a bad game because the night before, he got in an argument with a significant other and it was still bothering him. Nobody on the outside knows about that or really cares. They just care about what you do on Sundays, as they should.

That’s the value in having a veteran teammate to talk to about that kind of thing, so you can learn about how to handle all of these kinds of situations.

For older players, there are also lot of benefits from having young talent around you. When you’re a younger player, you put your head down and push the starter in a way where you’re helping him. In all likelihood, you’re probably not going to take the starter’s job, but for that veteran player, the competition is a good thing. When young players enter the league, they’re hungry (or should be). Putting on an NFL helmet is what they’ve been working for their entire lives. They don’t want to settle for being mediocre.

That’s what youth brings to the table for older players. It takes that veteran who maybe has become used to life in the NFL, who doesn’t practice as hard, who isn’t as invested in his craft as he used to be before life got comfortable for him, and it motivates him. That’s why I loved training camp. It was like boxing—whoever I sparred with made me better. I always loved that. I always wanted to go against talented younger guys.

WHO’S PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP?

There are definitely benefits when it comes to having younger head coaches, position coaches and scouts. That said, you also have to understand the life cycle or world experience of a year in the NFL.

If a particular player doesn’t pick up on a scheme very well or is drafted into a scheme that doesn’t complement him, that doesn’t mean that he’s a bad athlete. It doesn’t mean he can’t have a long, successful NFL career. But it does mean that, for that player, it really helps to have the right coach to recognize that talent.

To have the right coach in that situation can often mean having someone who’s been around. Someone who can say, “I can help with this. I’ve been through this before.” A coach who’s been in the NFL for 30 years might be a bit older, but he’s got the experience that can allow him to become the voice of reason in the room.

Veterans and young guys alike make the game great, but with every trend comes concerns. It’s important to remember that every active player will eventually become what we in the NFL player community call Legends. No young player wants to hear that, and for many, it probably seems like a distant thing right now. But it is inevitable.

If the NFL isn’t careful, the years of veterans sharing stories of their pasts, their legendary failures and successes, will become a thing of the past. That’s not something that any generation of player should condone. We have an incredible brotherhood that links Legends, veterans and current players together, and that connection will only become more important with the continuing inflow of youthful talent.

If everybody’s young in the room, if everybody’s vying to be the top guy and get all the attention, where does the leadership come—especially for the younger players in the locker room, who need it the most?

Starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs #45 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 26, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2019/07/01...kaggs-dies-dfw-rangers-angels-game-postponed/

It's a video series the NFL produces where a coach or player sits down with Baldinger and Jaworski and they break down film. It gives us a focused step by step look at the subtle things we miss while watching a game like, hand and foot technique, reading the play, reading keys, OLine/DLine battles, route running, etc. It's a pretty fun and enlightening series, it's on youtube and there's more but I'll post some that I really enjoyed.

Run D with Mike Daniels
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DLine Techniques with Akiem Hicks
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OLine Techniques with Joe Thomas
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Pre-Snap Reads with Jamal Adams
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Zone Coverage Basics with Spags
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