http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ensable-offensive-players-for-the-2019-season

NFL's most indispensable offensive players for the 2019 season

Every offseason, I identify the nine most indispensable offensive players in the NFL. And every offseason, I explain why the list doesn't include quarterbacks. But something tells me I should spell out my rationale once again ...

Type "indispensable" into Dictionary.com, and here's the first definition that pops up: absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite. If finding players who embody those words is the goal, and I allow myself to include quarterbacks, well, then the entire list will be quarterbacks. What's the fun in that?

So, QBs are excluded from this rundown. Before you tweet me, read that sentence again. And once more.

Another thing I want to make clear: This is not a simple ranking of the best players in the game today. My aim is to spotlight the guys who are most critical to their teams' success, taking into account surrounding talent, game planning and all of the other factors that are unique to each franchise.

Additionally, I didn't include Odell Beckham Jr. or Antonio Brown. I think both can be brilliant in new situations. But both come with baggage. So I'm going to need to see how they settle in before giving them a spot on this list.

With all of that as the backdrop, here's my annual rundown of the most indispensable offensive players, Schein Nine style:

1) DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

Plain and simple: He's the best wide receiver in the NFL. And without him, the Texans wouldn't have a chance.

Hopkins is the perfect blend of hands, size, speed and clutchness -- the guy puts it all together in electric fashion. For years, he produced in spite of Houston's lackluster quarterback play. Then last season, he finally got to play 16 games with a legit signal-caller in Deshaun Watson. And the results were 115 catches for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns -- robust numbers that earned Hopkins a second consecutive first-team All-Pro nod.

But here's the real reason Nuk tops this list: Who's the next-best offensive weapon on the roster? Will Fuller can't stay healthy. The tight end group's unproven/underwhelming. And Lamar Miller somehow remains RB1. Take Hopkins out of the equation, and the Texans' skill-position talent would be among the league's worst.

2) Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

When Todd Gurley is healthy, he's a candidate for MVP (remember midway through last season?) and Offensive Player of the Year (remember the 2017 campaign?). When No. 30's firing on all cylinders, the Rams can be considered the best team in the NFL. L.A. was nearly perfect in the first three months of last season, sitting at 11-1 in early December.

When Gurley's compromised, the entire complexion of Sean McVay's team changes. A grand total of three points on Super Bowl Sunday? Yeah, I don't think that happens with a healthy Gurley.

Gurley is not only an incredible runner -- he's a security blanket for Jared Goff out of the backfield catching the football (see: ten receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons). He's the Swiss Army Knife that makes this offense go. The Rams need to do everything they can to keep that balky left knee from barking.

3) Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Zeke makes Dak. Never get it twisted. And Elliott makes the Cowboys a contender to go deep into the playoffs, as a game-changing back and the perfect complement to one of the best defenses in the league.

Elliott has been in the NFL for three seasons, and in each of those years, he's paced the league in rushing yards per game. He's also a potent weapon in the pass game, fresh off a season that saw him set career highs in catches (77), yards (567) and touchdowns (3). Not to mention, he stones opposing QB hunters in pass pro.

In today's NFL, committee backfields are the norm. But Elliott's a true bell cow, the motor that Dallas' entire game plan revolves around.

4) Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts

It was hardly a coincidence Andrew Luck -- and the Colts as a whole -- returned to prominence when Nelson entered the fray. With the No. 6 overall pick earning first-team All-Pro honors in Year 1, Luck finally had the dominant offensive lineman in front of him that the prior regime failed to bring aboard for years. Nelson gave Luck time to be sensational (the QB was sacked just 18 times, as opposed to 41 when he was last healthy in 2016), made good running backs great (Marlon Mack blossomed in Year 2) and helped bring cohesion to the entire line.

Oh, and the Colts shocked many by winning nine of their last 10 regular-season games and marching to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

5) Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a down season in 2018, finishing below .500 for the first time in Dan Quinn's tenure. But don't blame Julio, who eclipsed 1,400 receiving yards for the fifth straight year (hauling in 113 balls for 1,677 yards). Through the years, some folks have dwelled on the freakish athlete's low touchdown totals, but A) that's more on Atlanta's approach in the red zone and B) Jones notched a respectable eight scores last season. And look for Julio's numbers to be even more eye-popping this fall, with Dirk Koetter back calling the plays.

Bottom line: This is a special talent. A 6-foot-3, 220-pound specimen who possesses every talent you'd want from a receiver, from run-after-catch ability to run blocking. With him, Atlanta's offense is always a threat to be a top-five unit. Without him, well, you cannot even go there mentally if you are a Falconsfan.

6) Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

McCaffrey is one of my favorite players in the league today. He's scary great, with the kind of all-around skill set every team is looking for in a modern back. Sometimes stats lie, but McCaffrey's output in 2018 was the truth. Eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing and 100 catches in the same season? He's only the third man to achieve that feat, joining Matt Forte and LaDainian Tomlinson.

McCaffrey was the critical cog in Carolina's offense in 2018, especially with Cam Newton's shoulder issue down the back half of the season. With the Panthers undoubtedly looking to lighten the franchise quarterback's load as much as possible, McCaffrey figures to be a touch monster again in 2019.

7) Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The only reason he's ranked in the bottom third of this list is because I have serious doubts about these Giants racking up that many wins -- even with Barkley in the fold. Without him, though, they'd REALLY be in trouble.

Barkley has a Barry Sanders feel to him. This is the ultimate team sport, but Saquon truly changes games with his individual brilliance. The Giants might be trailing by two scores because of inept quarterback play, a porous line or leaky defense, but Barkley is always capable of breaking one. Ninety-one catches to go with his 1,307 rushing yards -- as a rookie?! I gave him my AP vote for first-team All-Pro. Barkley was truly a Giant amid chaos.

8) Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

In theory, it's difficult to differentiate Thomas from [URL='http://www.nfl.com/player/alvinkamara/2558019/profile']Alvin Kamara in terms of impact on the offense. I've already listed Kamara as a dark-horse MVP candidate and I stand by that. But Thomas is everything for Drew Breesand Asshole Face in the passing attack. And the numbers he's put up in in first three seasons -- averaging 107 catches for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns -- speak for themselves. [/URL]

Jared Cook was a nice offseason edition, but it's not like this receiving corps is teeming with encouraging options beyond Thomas. Brees understandably targets Thomas at an extremely high rate, and the wide receiver certainly makes it worth the QB's while. On 147 targets last year, Thomas logged 125 catches -- that's a crazy-high catch rate of 85 percent. What would Brees and Co. do without him? Not be Super Bowl contenders, for one thing.

9) Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Yes, Patrick Mahomes is amazing and makes everyone better. But Kareem Hunt is gone. And who knows what's next for Tyreek Hill? Kelce is the best pass-catching tight end in the game today. Even the mighty Mahomes would have issues adjusting to life without his tight end's amazing hands, ability to get open and dominant ways on third down and in the red zone.

Kansas City's defense remains a huge question mark, so the Chiefs will have to keep scoring points in bunches. And Kelce, who just set career highs in catches (103), yards (1,336) and touchdowns (10), is absolutely critical to this attack.

It’s when legit battles for starting positions are few and far between. By this definition, Rams are indeed loaded.

Here are the only legit starting positions that are considered at all up in the air.

By a process of elimination and in no particular order:

Backup RB. Not even as starter, if Gurley is healthy. Can Henderson prove himself in pass pro? If yes, then he could get significant snaps ahead of the talented Brown. Still tbd, of course, and might be a reach to call a battle, besides, it’s for backup.

Blythe at RG seems to be the only even remote battle for OL starter and I think Blythe is the definite consensus favorite. The other 4 are locks, I think. Heck, might be another reach to call this a battle.

I think Everett has secured the “starter” position at TE, so that isn’t really a battle anymore, IMO.

Okay, I have to admit that I have to really strain to find a legit battle for starting position anywhere on the O. Lol.

A few battles on D, though.

Gaines or Joseph-Day next to AD? One will be the starter, but the other will surely have many snaps in rotation. This one might be the most competitive for starter of all.

Brockers or JFM? Don’t laugh. Brockers is not an absolute lock to start and must come back healthier and more effective if he wants to stave off the improving JFM. Not the biggest battle in camp, but a battle nonetheless. Kinda.

Edge looks like a rotation situation but only when Matthews, the starter, either moves inside or gets a breather, and he will likely need quite a few breathers. Ebu or Obo? Or someone else that steps up? Technically, this is a battle for backup but it’s still about significant snaps. Here’s a thought. What if Kiser excels on first 2 downs? That would mean Matthews would be able to stay at Edge except for breathers, right? Wouldn’t that be best case scenario for the Rams? I think that this could actually happen.

I see no legit battles in the secondary for starting positions. That starting 5 is set.

So, how many legit starter battles are there, really? Two, maybe 3?

That sounds like a loaded roster to me. Elite even.

Kareem Hunt...dude.
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I grabbed one from each decade. We all tend to remember where we were, what we were doing, when significant events occur. Feel free to add more.

Any stories to share, from these events?

1986 Challenger exploded

1995 OJ verdict

2001 World Trade Center 9/11

2011 Bin Laden killed

https://www.downtownrams.com/single...geles-rams-move-to-more-12-personnel-in-2019/

Film Study: Could the Los Angeles Rams Move To More 12 Personnel in 2019?

The Los Angeles Rams went from using 11 personnel to more 12 personnel at the end of last season. Will Sean McVay utilize two tight ends more in 2019 or will he go back to what got him here?

Over the past two seasons, the Los Angeles Rams have been the home of one of the most explosive and creative offenses in the league under head coach Sean McVay. Since McVay took over, no team has scored more points than the Rams, Jared Goff went from draft “bust” to “franchise quarterback”, Robert Woods has led one of the most prolific wide receiver groups in the NFL, and Todd Gurley became a staple in MVP conversations.

To say the least, McVay’s offense took the NFL by storm.

What makes that even more impressive is that he is doing it with one personnel grouping. The Rams offense isn’t diverse and they don’t show multiple looks. They run everything in one formation. With the Rams, McVay has primarily used the same personnel grouping on the field: three wide receivers, one running back and one tight end – otherwise known as 11 personnel.

In fact, over the last two seasons, the Rams have only used a total of only five personnel groupings which is by far the least in NFL with the Chiefs being the next closest at 12.

In 2017, the Rams ran 11 personnel 81% of the time which was 9% more than any other team in the NFL and way up from the league average of 52%. It was no different last season. In fact, McVay increased his usage of 11 personnel as the Rams ran 11 personnel on an astounding 90% of their plays.

However, that 90% mentioned is slightly misleading. In Week 1-15 the Rams actually ran 11 personnel on an extraordinary 95% of their plays. The next closest in that time span was the Miami Dolphins at 76%. In other words, in Weeks 1-15, the Rams ran 11 personnel 19% more than any other team in the NFL.

No team utilized 11 personnel more than the Rams last season, and only the New England Patriots (5%) and Oakland Raiders (10%) used 12 personnel less (13%)

It makes sense for the Rams to use 11 personnel. With wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Woods, and Cooper Kupp, the Rams are able to have all three on the field along with Gurley and the tight end of their choice. One of the main reasons the Rams are able to get away with this high of a percentage of one personnel grouping, specifically 11 personnel, is because of the blocking abilities of both Kupp and Woods.

While most teams need to insert a second tight end for blocking purposes, whether it be for pass protection or run blocking, Kupp and Woods excel in this area. According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams duo are both ranked in the top-5 when it comes to blocking.

Lots more... here;

https://www.downtownrams.com/single...geles-rams-move-to-more-12-personnel-in-2019/

https://www.downtownrams.com/single...-rams-5-bold-predictions-for-the-2019-season/

Los Angeles Rams: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2019 season

The Los Angeles Rams 2018 season ended at the last stage possible for an NFL team – the Super Bowl. The new roster in 2019 brings in some new faces as well as some returning faces for a team that just missed out on the ultimate season goal of winning the Lombardi Trophy. That goal won’t change heading into 2019 when the Rams will look to get over the hump. Here are five bold predictions for the 2019 Los Angeles Rams.

5. The Rams offense and defense will finish the season ranked first in the league

This prediction might seem extremely bold to start, but the Rams offense was second to only the Kansas City Chiefs and was first the year prior. The Chiefs averaged just more than four offensive yards per game and only two more points per game.

Looking back to the Rams 2017 campaign on offense – they finished 10th in total yards, but led the league in points, averaging 29.9. The Rams were much more improved, consistent and efficient this past year, but because of the increase in the competition of the Chiefs, it hid the fact the Rams offense got even better in 2018.

Fast-forward now to 2019 and the Rams have their entire offensive arsenal back and ready to go with the addition of Darrell Henderson. The Rams added Henderson via the draft to play in an Alvin Kamara role that he started in his rookie year. Factoring in the fact that Jared Goff will continue to improve as he enters his third year with the same offensive weapons and his offensive play-caller/play-designer remains in place. Continuity and consistency are what drives an NFL offense, and the Rams have both of those heading into 2019.

The only question and possible derailment is the fact that the Rams only return three starters on the offensive line and will start Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen for the first time. That uncertainty paired with the fact that Whitworth is aging and Blythe could very well have been a one-year wonder, the Rams have questions up front.

The Rams struggled with a patched offensive line in Goff’s rookie year as it brought down the entire offense. While that seems unlikely to happen with McVay, it still could pose enough of a threat to knock the Rams off track and leave them falling just short of their goal.

Adding up all the variables for the Rams to be the potential best offense, the Chiefs could lose their featured weapon Tyreek Hill to a four-game suspension or more. It’s also worth mentioning that Kareem Hunt isn’t going to be returning after the team released him last season due to off-field issues as well. While the Chiefs will have Damien Williams, they won’t have the dynamic nature of Hunt like they did the majority of last year.

Travis Kelce will be back and probably even more of a part of the offense. On top of that, the Chiefs did add offensive weapons via the draft. Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman and Utah State running back Darwin Thompson join Andy Reid‘s toolbox, but with all of these moving parts, it could take time to make them all work together.

That leaves one other offense that could find their way into this discussion – the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Antonio Callaway and David Njoku on their offense. The offensive line looks solid as well. While Reid designed the Chiefs offense and McVay the Rams offense, Freddie Kitchens will be designing the Browns,’ and he’s not on the tier of the previous two names. Great offensive minds have become head coaches before and the positive results don’t always transfer.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball is where this prediction gets extremely bold. The Rams defense was ranked 20th in the NFL in points allowed and 19th in yards allowed last season. Moving up to No. 1 is quite the improvement.

It’s worth mentioning that the Rams weren’t fully healthy in 2018 as they lost Aqib Talib early on and Mark Barron didn’t get acclimated to the defense until later in the year as he battled back from an ankle injury. Marcus Peters was banged up with a calf injury as well. Injuries hurt the defense, but once Talib returned to the field, everything tightened up.

The lasting impression on the 2018 season ending in Atlanta was the defense and how they held the same Tom Brady who threw a combined 971 passing yards and five touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls to only 262 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception.

The Rams showed that they were turning a corner at the end of last year. Peters’ play improved, Cory Littleton got more comfortable as the year went on, Aaron Donaldsomehow got even better, and the Rams acquired a legitimate pass rusher in Dante Fowler Jr.

Going into the 2019 season, as long as the Rams stay healthy on defense, this could be the top defense in the league. With a defensive line that includes the trio of Donald, Michael Brockers, John Franklin-Myers with the depth of Morgan Fox, fourth-round pick Greg Gaines and 2018 seventh-round selection Sebastian Joseph-Day, there’s a lot to like.

Then, the linebackers include Littleton, Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews, Samson Ebukam, and second-year players Micah Kiser, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Trevon Young, and Justin Lawler. That’s not to leave to out rookies like Dakota Allen, Troy Reeder, Landis Durham, and Natrez Patrick either.

Lastly, the defensive backs will be led by newly-signed star safety Eric Weddle, John Johnson III, Talib, Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, third-round pick David Long, second-round pick Taylor Rapp, Marqui Christian, seventh-round pick Nick Scott, Troy Hill and Kevin Peterson. It’s a deep and inexperienced group, but also younger group coordinated by one of the best in Wade Phillips.

After just scratching the surface in his first year and being inconsistent in his second year, the third year for the Rams defense under Wade will be their biggest yet.

The final prediction here is that the Rams and their high-powered offense will average 37.2 points per game while the Rams defense holds teams to an average of 17.2 points allowed per game. It’s bold, but the Rams are primed for it.

4. The Rams will ink Cornerback Marcus Peters to a long-term deal mid-season

This prediction is especially bold because the Rams tend not to sign their own during the regular season. They have been a team that has been consistent in signing players to contracts right before the season, preseason or right after the NFL off-season begins.

However, NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche joined the Downtown Rams podcast and seemed confident that Peters could be on his way to an extension. The Rams like what they have in the former Chiefs cornerback and they gave up a large haul to acquire him. Peters is one of the most dynamic young defensive backs in the league and while it’s fair to say that he’s coming off his worst season to this point, it’s also fair to say that he found his stride near the end of the season.

Peters racked up an astounding 22 interceptions, including three of which were taken for touchdowns, to go with 63 pass breakups. Peters is an elite corner that just had a bad season to his standards but the 26-year old to should be back and better than ever this year. Peters has a full year in Phillips’ system and can build on that.

As far as the negotiations go, Peters is making a little over $9M this year due to the 5th-year option. Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard just signed a long-term deal that made him the highest-paid cornerback at $15M per year. Howard is also is almost two years younger than Peters.

However, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore signed a $13M deal which might be more of Peters’ range. The Rams don’t fleece their guys, and they don’t play hardball unless they have to. While $13 million might seem like an overpay, if Peters goes back form, the Rams should reward him.

If Peters plays well, the Rams will reward him with a lucrative 5-year deal worth close to $80 million. The Rams loved Peters despite his play last year, and even with the upcoming contracts, they can afford to do it before paying their franchise quarterback.

The longer the season goes on, the more of a chance Peters has of driving up his price tag. Another thing that’s worth mentioning is that the Rams do have a franchise tag to play with, but that tag is expected to be $16,486,000 per OverTheCap. It makes much more sense if the Rams want Peters on their roster for the long-term, just to extend him now. General manager Les Snead is well aware of this and will get it done during the regular season.

3. Aaron Donald will break Michael Strahan‘s sack record

Arguably one of the best defensive players almost broke one of the most sought after milestones in the NFL. Aaron Donald has terrifyingly gotten better every season since entering the league. The former “undersized” defensive lineman got the last laugh.

The 28-year old interior defensive lineman has a bevy of hardware which now includes back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year selections. He recently signed a six-year deal worth $135M, and while things are great for Donald, he’s not content with what he has. He’s the type of player that is never satisfied. He wants Super Bowl rings, and he wouldn’t mind breaking that sack record.

Donald started his career in a base 4-3 defense as a 4-3 defensive tackle racking up nine sacks in 12 starts during his rookie year. The next year in 2015 he topped that, finishing with 11 sacks. After a “down year” in 2016 in which he recorded eight sacks, he tied his career-high in sacks with 11 in Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 scheme.

None of this would compare to what Donald was going to accomplish in 2018. The Rams defensive lineman finished with 20.5 sacks – two away from breaking Michael Strahan’s 22 single-season sack record in 2001. Even though Donald did not accomplish the phenomenal feat, it’s worth mentioning he had two sacks taken away due to roughing the passer calls. It’s also worth mentioning that Donald didn’t log a sack until week four. If Donald was able to get 20.5 sacks in a mere 12 games, he could undoubtedly surpass 22.5.

The fact that this is now his third year under Phillips, the secondary improved, and the pass rushers on the team either are getting better, Donald should have an easier time getting to the quarterback in year six. With that said Donald could end up finishing with 24 sacks and breaking Strahan’s record in what will go down as the greatest defensive season of all time en route to winning the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award.

2. Jared Goff will break every Rams single-season record held by Kurt Warner

Jared Goff is going to have a great 2019 season that completely shuts down his critics. Goff is going to surpass 5,000 yards and become the first Rams quarterback to do so, breaking Kurt Warner’s record. He’ll also break Warner’s record of touchdown passes (41), completion percentage (68.7%), and passer rating (109.2).

Goff may have Sean McVay calling the plays and have the best running back in Todd Gurley with one of the best receiver cores in the league. However, that shouldn’t take away from the player Goff has become. The Rams quarterback has already done a great job of leading his team and becoming the youngest quarterback of all-time to win an NFC Championship game.

Returning to the same system for the third year with the same weapons means good things for No. 16 and the rest of the offense. Goff’s attempts went up from 477 to 561 last season and should only increase in year three. Goff could easily surpass the 600-mark while the Rams install the best passing offense in the game.

Goff is no longer learning the offense and has moved on to mastering it. The Rams will be able to add to the playbook and keep opposing defenses guessing. 2019 may not end with Goff winning MVP, but he will be in the finalist conversation.

The final stat prediction for Jared Goff:

Starts: 16
Completions: 444
Attempts: 640
Completion Percentage: 69%
Passing Yards: 5,284 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 42 Touchdowns
Interceptions: 9 Interceptions
Passer Rating: 110.3

1. The Rams will defeat the New England Patriots In a Super Bowl rematch
Alas, the most important bold prediction ends here with the Rams not only hoisting the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season but also in a rematch against the New England Patriots.

In 2019 it was a tale of the defenses and the lack of experience for McVay and Goff. This year will be the theme of passing the torch. The Rams will take the torch from the Patriots signaling a potential long reign as the next great NFL dynasty.

The rematch would be another close game, but every time Goff and the Rams have been knocked down, they’ve gotten back up and prevailed. The Rams have had enough of the “only three points in the Super Bowl” joke. Aaron Donald hasn’t gotten over how he was entirely ineffective. Todd Gurley hasn’t gotten over the fact he barely saw the field due to his injury. And you can be sure that Brandin Cooks hasn’t gotten over his dropped pass that could have been a touchdown.

Both teams improved and it would appear these two are on a collision course once again. The Patriots reign has to end sooner or later and why shouldn’t the team that takes over be the Rams?

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/29/nfl-rams-running-backs-darrell-henderson/

Rams love potential of Darrell Henderson, versatile RB group

Most of the talk surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ backfield has centered around Todd Gurley and his knee. That’s not where all of the focus should go, however, because the Rams’ running back room is one of the best in the NFL.

After retaining Malcolm Brown in free agency and drafting Darrell Henderson in Round 3, the Rams have a deep backfield filled with talent and versatility. Questions still remain about Gurley’s knee and Henderson’s transition to the NFL, but it’s impossible not to get excited about the potential.

Pass game coordinator Shane Waldron knows the Rams have a good group of backs, but he also knows Henderson has a lot to learn about the team’s system.

“For Darrell, just like any other rookie, he’s got a lot to learn as far as building the foundation of the system in his own mind, not just in one particular area,” Waldron said at minicamp. “And he’s done a great job picking it up and he’ll do nothing but grow as training camp gets here too.”

Gurley and Henderson are going to get most of the attention from fans and analysts because they’re the most explosive and dynamic players, possibly on the entire roster. But Waldron is excited about Brown, John Kelly and Justin Davis, too, because of the different skill sets they all bring.

“I think just in general with our group of backs, we have a bunch of guys with a bunch of great traits – and some of them are different than others. You want to call it a change-of-pace back, but I mean, I see them all as great running backs and certain guys have skill sets are good at one thing or maybe a little better at another thing. But the great thing about our room, starting with Todd and Malcolm and the guys that have been here, with John and Justin, you’ve got a great group of guys that can do a little bit of everything. And then you add Darrell into the mix and just like anything else, it adds great competition into a room that’s got some great talent in there. And then Matt [Colburn] came in this year in the offseason, as well. So you’ve just got a great room and [running backs coach Skip Peete] has done a great job with those guys as far as developing them in all aspects of the game.”

If the Rams want to run the ball often this season, whether it’s with Gurley or not, they certainly have the talent to do so. It’s going to be fun to watch how the coaching staff deploys this unique group of backs during the regular season.

Been thinking about this and here’s the way I see both, in general...

First, the D which is the unit that has been improved the most, I think.

At Edge we have the ascending Fowler on one side and in a contract year. On the other side we will have a rotation of Matthews, Ebu, possibly Obo after his red shirt/ injured year. Maybe a surprise player will emerge, as well. Overall, an improvement on both edges, I think.

Suh’s departure creates an opportunity for Gaines and/or Joseph-Day. Both youngsters bring energy and desire, something that the “regular season” Suh sorely lacked. I honestly see a net improvement here in run D.

Speaking of run D, Kiser seems like an upgrade on first 2 downs over the departed Barron.

In nickel and dime, Wade now has more options than before. Rapp and Long now join the impressive secondary of Talib, Peters, NRC, Weddle, and JJ. Damn! The package combinations are almost endless, now. And how valuable is the proper usage of Peters for all 16 games?

This could be a top 5 scoring D, y’all. Maybe even better.

As to the O?

A healthy Kupp is expected back. ‘Nuff said.

Henderson is a plus, no matter how one slices it.

Goff is reportedly improving on his reads and progression speed. He’s improved every year since HS, sooooo...

Allen is probably a slight upgrade over the late season Sully. And Allen is only gonna grow from there.

The departed Saffold leaves some big shoes to fill, but Boom sure looks like a capable replacement. Not an upgrade, but not a significant downgrade, either. I see Boom as our starting LOT in ‘20. That’s how highly I regard him.

Everett was the star in OTA;s and the one day of mini-camp. So, I see an upgrade at TE for this year.

Also, I’m feeling good about our depth at OL. Heck, I see 2-3 potential future starters there for ‘20 and beyond in Demby, Evans, and Edwards unless Kromer has lost his touch.

Last, but not least, I’m convinced that McVay has grown from that SB lesson and will be back with antidotes for the Ram O struggles vs the Bears, Eagles, and Patriots.

In short, I foresee an improved Ram team on both sides of the ball this year over that impressive 13-3 team last year.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...o-be-broken-in-2019-drew-brees-tom-brady-lurk

NFL records to be broken in 2019? Drew Brees, Tom Brady lurk

There are few moments more special in football than when a player writes himself into the history books.

Think LaDainian Tomlinson setting the mark for most touchdowns in a single season and being hoisted upon his teammates' shoulders. Think Peyton Manning breaking Brett Favre's all-time passing record in 2015 -- the Broncos QB received a prolonged standing ovation in the midst of the worst game of his career. Think Drew Brees leaping ahead of Manning last year ... with a long touchdown pass ... on "Monday Night Football." The pomp and circumstance was overwhelming, almost too perfect, yet so deserved.

Those are the moments that tie the history of the game to its present and future -- and make loving the sport completely worthwhile. But not all records are set under the spotlight.

Other accomplishments fly under the radar. Like last year, when Philip Rivers completed a game-record 96.6 percent of his passes in a blowout win over the lowly Cardinals; or when the Texanswon nine straight games after starting 0-3; or when the Buccaneers' defense nearly went eight straight games without a single takeaway; or when the Jets scored a modern third-quarter record of 31 points in their Week 1 win over Detroit. I could go on, but how obscure do you want to go?

So which records -- those marks worthy of halting a game for, those random and inconspicuous cocktail-party fun facts -- will be broken in 2019? Try these on for size:

Career passing TDs: 539

Record holder: Peyton Manning
2019 challengers: Drew Brees and Tom Brady

Brees and Brady are breathing down the repaired, retired neck of Manning, who left the game with 539 passing touchdowns. The Saints signal-caller is 19 scores behind Peyton, while the Patriots passer is 22 touchdowns shy. This battle of quadragenarians is setting up to rival Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire in 1998 -- or for the pre-PED purists, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961 -- for one of the great arms races in American sports history. Barring injury (as always), both quarterbacks are sure to surpass Manning by the end of the season. But getting past Peyton is just the start. With Brady aiming to play until he's 45 and with New Orleans building a roster meant to compete for years to come, this record might not be settled for quite some time. Not that I'm complaining, nor are the rest of yous, I imagine.

Career pass attempts: 10,169

Record holder: Brett Favre
2019 challenger: Drew Brees

Breesus can't stop/won't stop breaking records. Last season, he passed Brett Favre and Peyton Manning for most career passing yards. This year, he'll pass Favre once again. Brees needs 387 pass attempts to hop over Favre on the all-time list. That ain't no problem, that ain't no problem for the Saints legend, who, since joining New Orleans, has averaged 420.1 completions per season.

Single-season receptions: 143

Record holder: Marvin Harrison
2019 challenger: Michael Thomas

Who's going to catch all those pass attempts? Well, there are few options in the NFL as worthy as Thomas, who led the league in receptions (125) and catch percentage (85.0) in 2018. The Saints' general lack of secondary receiving options not named Alvin Kamara last year led to Thomas' obscene output, and New Orleans didn't make a concerted effort to add any other wide receivers. Now, New Orleans still might trend away from Thomas a bit. The Saints' signing of tight end Jared Cookand the aging of Brees figure to decrease targets for Thomas and, in general, Saints pass catchers. But if there's one player capable of breaking Harrison's record of 143 receptions, it is Thomas, who could earn more than just that honor this year.

Career field-goal attempts: 709

Record holder: Morten Andersen
2019 challenger: Adam Vinatieri

The ageless wonder and future Hall of Famer is heading into his 24th season in the NFL. His career is older than Parris Campbell, Indy's 2019 second-round receiver pick. And yet, setting this mark is almost a sure thing for the Colts kicker. Vinatieri needs just 20 FG attempts to pass Anderson for most in NFL history. In only one season, an injury-shortened 2009 campaign, has Vinatieri attempted fewer than 25 field goals. So barring injury -- a big factor for any other 46-year-old graybeard -- this record is Vinatieri's for the taking, er, attempting.

Single-season passing TDs by a player age 42 or older: 11

Record holder: Warren Moon
2019 challenger: Tom Brady

All "The Pharaoh" needs is 12 passing touchdowns to top the mark set by Warren Moon in 1998, then of the Seahawks. Brady hitting that number is not a matter of if, but how soon. The only time as New England's starter that Brady didn't hit 12 passing touchdowns in a season, Bernard Pollard dove at his knees. So when will the GOAT jump over the Moon? If the last four years are any indication, somewhere between Weeks 4 and 6. For purposes of holding me to account, I'll say midway through the second quarter of New England's Week 5 win over the Redskins, Brady dumps a 2-yard screen to Braxton Berrios, the FedExField faithful rise to their feet and Scott Hanson holds a moment of silence on RedZone in the QB's honor.

Career sacks taken: 525

Record holder: Brett Favre
2019 challenger: Ben Roethlisberger

Three thousand seven hundred thirteen miles away from Heinz Field, Big Ben is under repairs, saddled with scaffolding as years of wear and tear are tended to. It's a miracle the same is not true in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger is just 25 sacks away from breaking a record held by Favre, the holder of only the most ignominious of NFL records, for most taken by a QB in league history. Now Big Ben(human edition) hasn't been taken down more than 24 times since 2014, but over the last three seasons, that number has been trending upward with Roethlisberger taking 24 sacks last season -- a far cry from his league-leading 50 in 2009, but still good for 24th among quarterbacks in 2018. With the other Bs (Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell) having buzzed out of the Steelers' hive, my funny money is on Big Ben struggling to find the open receivers he once did and succumbing to a quarter's worth of sacks and usurping Favre from this holy mantle.

Single-season punting yards: 5,209

Record holder: Dave Zastudil
2019 challenger: Matt Haack

This isn't one of those honors a punter wants to have, I guess. And it's not truly indicative of the player's technique, range or damn near anything, other than his team's general suckiness. In fact, no punter in the top 10 on this list played for a team with an above-.500 record; Britton Colquitt racked up 4,783 punting yards on a 2011 Broncos team that went 8-8, was quarterbacked by Tim Tebow and even won a playoff game! The starting/only punter for the 2019 Dolphins, Haack has the pedigree and potential to set a new mark. He was second in the league in punting yards last year, a bit behind Arizona's Andy Lee, whose 4,568 punting yards were good for 17th all-time and who played on a team that started Josh Rosen under center. Ah, there's the link. With Rosen now in South Beach, where the Dolphins are somewhere between a teardown and a fixer-upper, perhaps the QB's play can inspire another great output from his punter.

Single-season extra points made: 75

Record holder: Matt Prater
2019 challenger: Harrison Butker

Just as the punter who punts a lot isn't to blame for punting a lot, a kicker who makes a ton of extra points is only partially responsible for his prolificity. His team has to first reach the end zone and then choose not to attempt a two-point conversion just to make this statistical achievement possible. So for Butker, the kicker from Kansas City, to break Prater's record of 75 extra points converted, the Chiefs will have to score at least 76 touchdowns in 2019, or five more than they did in 2018, and attempt zero two-point conversions (two fewer). Then Butker has to make 76 extra points. No biggie, for the kicker who led all booters in 2018 with 65 extra points, good for sixth all-time. OK, his four missed extra points last season worry me a bit, but Kansas City didn't just sign Butker to a five-year, $20 million extension to miss points-after. He'll live up to the paycheck and then some in 2019.

Super Bowl victories: 6

Record holders: New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 challengers (i.e., tie-breakers): New England Patriots

Playing out the season is futile. The result, inevitable. It is written in igneous rock from the mouth of Vesuvius, predetermined by the gods of all religions -- western, eastern and Northeastern -- that New England will leave Pittsburgh in the Lombardi dust this season and/or keep winning titles until the sun absorbs us all.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...jj-watt-among-best-of-past-nine-draft-classes

Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt among best of past nine draft classes

Zion Williamson is going to be a legend. The first overall pick in the NBA draft is going to be great right away. And it won't take him long to graduate from great to iconic.

Williamson's entrance to the NBA last week got me to thinking: Who would be at the head of the class in each of the past nine NFL drafts? If you examined each class from 2011 to 2019, who would stand out as the best player picked?

With the latest edition of The Schein Nine, I present the best member of each of the last nine draft classes. (Spoiler: 2012 kept me up for a long time.)

NOTE: These players are not ranked from 1 to 9; rather, I simply picked the best player from each class, with classes presented in chronological order.

2011: J.J. Watt, DT, Houston Texans

Drafted: Round 1, No. 11 overall.

I would make the case that this class is shaping up to be an all-timer. I've long argued that Bengalsreceiver A.J. Green (drafted No. 4 overall) is Hall of Fame worthy -- and he's the second-best receiver in this class, behind the freak that is Atlanta's Julio Jones (No. 6 overall). The Broncos' Von Miller(No. 2 overall) is a dominant, game-changing pass rusher. First overall pick Cam Newton has won an MVP as the Panthers' quarterback. Cornerback Richard Sherman (selected by Seattle in Round 5 at No. 154) is headed to Canton as a star, the longtime leader and face of a dominant Seahawksdefense.

But Watt is the headliner. Yes, even taking into account the time lost to injury (Watt missed 24 games in 2016 and '17 because of back issues and a left tibial plateau fracture), we're talking about a special, unstoppable, game-changing, well-rounded, historically outstanding talent. From 2012 to '15, Watt made first-team All-Pro four straight times and recorded 69.0 sacks, 18.5 more than anyone else in the NFL in that span; in the first five years of his career, he piled up 74.5 sacks, second most in a player's first five seasons, behind only Reggie White (81.0). And the 30-year-old got back on track last season, finishing second in the NFL with 16.0 sacks. Watt is worthy of consideration as an all-time great defender, not just from this special class.

2012: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Drafted: Round 3, No. 75 overall.

Of all the classes, it was the most difficult to pick just one player from the 2012 group, which includes four Hall of Fame-caliber players as I see it now. My first instinct was to give Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (Round 2, No. 47 overall) the love he deserves. He has put together a special career as the heartbeat of the aforementioned great Seahawks defenses. But I had to hold off on Wagner, because Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (Round 1, No. 9 overall) has had a more decorated career, possessing the edge in Pro Bowls (six for Kuechly, five for Wagner) and All-Pro nods (five for Kuechly, four for Wagner). First overall pick Andrew Luck has been sensational as the Colts' quarterback; he's more talented than Wilson, and I would take Luck over Wilson as the better down-the-road bet. In fact, if I were writing this a few years from now, I would likely go in a different direction with this choice.

But Wilson's had a better career thus far than Luck. The results speak for themselves: Wilson has started 16 games in each of his seven NFL seasons, compiling 75 regular-season QB wins (more than anyone else in that span besides Tom Brady) and capturing a Lombardi Trophy, while Luck missed nine games in 2015 and all of 2017, putting together a 53-33 career record (plus a 4-4 playoff mark, never advancing beyond the AFC title game). It's amazing to remember the Seahawks landed Wilson after 74 other NFL players were already drafted.

Oh, and how about a little love for Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (Round 1, No. 12 overall), who always receives a first-team All-Pro vote from me? Cox is one of 18 multiple-time Pro Bowlers from this group, with four Pro Bowls to his name.

2013: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

Drafted: Round 1, No. 27 overall

I've been making the case that Hopkins is the best receiver in the NFL. Now, you could argue that classmates Le'Veon Bell (now with the Jets, picked in the second round by the Steelers) and Travis Kelce (chosen in Round 3 by the Chiefs) are the best running back and tight end, respectively. But Bell missed all of 2018 as part of a contract dispute with Pittsburgh, and Hopkins is just too special, outpacing Kelce in catches (by 118) and yardage (2,201). Don't forget the here come the clownsrotation at quarterback Hopkins had to work with for most of his career in Houston, before Deshaun Watson took over in 2017. From 2013 to '16, Texans quarterbacks combined for a passer rating of 79.4, 28th worst in the NFL over that span -- and still, Hopkins posted the sixth-most receiving yards (4,487) in that time. Last season, Hopkins caught 115 balls for 1,572 yards (a career high) and 11 touchdowns. Like I said: special!

2014: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams

Drafted: Round 1, No. 13 overall.

With all due respect to pass-rushing great Khalil Mack (now with the Bears, picked fifth overall by the Raiders), receiver Mike Evans (picked seventh overall by the Buccaneers), receiver Odell BeckhamJr. (now with the Browns, taken 12th overall by the Giants) and guard Zack Martin (picked 16th overall by the Cowboys), this one was easy. When it's all said and done, the league might have to name the Defensive Player of the Year award after Donald, who's won it the past two years (in addition to being the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014). Donald is an unstoppable, tone-setting, game-changing force in the middle of the defensive line for the Rams. He posted 20.5 sacks last season, more in one year than any other interior defender in NFL history. The four-time All-Pro is special, mesmerizing and a joy to watch.

2015: Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Drafted: Round 1, No. 10 overall.

This class is tricky -- and relatively weak. We are still waiting for quarterbacks Jameis Winston (taken first overall by the Buccaneers) and Marcus Mariota (picked second overall by the Titans) to truly arrive as starters in the NFL. You can make the case that running back David Johnson (taken in Round 3 by the Cardinals) will get back in this conversation; two years removed from a 2,118-scrimmage yard campaign in 2016, Johnson missed all but one game in 2017 with a wrist injury and struggled to make an impact in 2018, but now he's healthy and working with a new coach in Kliff Kingsbury. You could also argue that receiver Amari Cooper (picked fourth overall by the Raiders) will shine moving forward in Dallas, considering the numbers he put up (725 yards and six scores in nine games) after being traded to the Cowboys last October. And I love Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (Round 1, No. 15 overall).

But no player, not even Johnson, has been able to stay at the highest point reached by Gurley. A knee issue seemed to limit him last season, but when Gurley is healthy, he plays like an MVP. In the four seasons since he entered the NFL, no one has more rushing yards (4,547), scrimmage yards (6,430), total touchdowns (56) or touches (1,229) than Gurley.

2016: Michael Thomas, receiver, Saints

Drafted: Round 2, No. 47 overall.

I love Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (No. 2 overall) -- that's been well-documented. And I am so impressed with quarterback Jared Goff (first overall) under Rams coach Sean McVay. Jaguarscornerback Jalen Ramsey (No. 5 overall) is great, at least when he's focused on football and not running commentary. Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa (No. 3 overall) is stellar when healthy, but he's only appeared in 35 of 48 possible career games. The choice here came down to Thomas and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4 overall). As the driving force of Dallas' offense, Elliott is special, but based upon sheer productivity in the last three years, Thomas is at the head of the class. He has 321 career receptions, the most ever by any player in the first three years of his career. And 3,787 receiving yards (fourth most in a player's first three seasons). Oh, and 23 touchdowns. General manager Mickey Loomis could be arrested for stealing Thomas at pick No. 47.

2017: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Drafted: Round 1, No. 10 overall.

Versatile Saints running back Alvin Kamara is the steal of this class, becoming a megastar after being picked at No. 67 (in Round 3). Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett (No. 1 overall) can play. Jetssafety Jamal Adams (No. 6 overall) is terrific. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (No. 12 overall) has a knack.

Mahomes, meanwhile, sat on the bench behind Alex Smith for most of his rookie season -- and yet, he's the top player of this class, and it's not even close. Mahomes' MVP campaign of 2018 was an all-timer. He threw for 50 touchdown passes against just 12 picks and over 5,000 yards while leading the Chiefs to the AFC West title, falling short of the Super Bowl because of an offsides call (thanks, Dee Ford). Mahomes is amazing, and he hasn't even gotten started. His talent and smarts are off the charts. And with his flair and improvisational skills (no-look passes, anyone?), Mahomes has become the greatest show in all of sports.

2018: Quenton Nelson, LG, Indianapolis Colts

Drafted: Round 1, No. 6 overall.

How about this class? Consider that I voted for Nelson, Giants running back Saquon Barkley (No. 2 overall), Chargers safety Derwin James (No. 17 overall), Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (No. 19 overall) and Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (Round 2, No. 36 overall) to be first-team All-Pros -- as rookies! Nelson, James and Leonard won the honor, while Leonard was also the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Meanwhile, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (No. 1 overall) could've easily been Offensive Rookie of the Year instead of Barkley. And I still think the other quarterbacks selected in the first round -- the Jets' Sam Darnold (No. 3 overall), the Bills' Josh Allen (No. 7), the Ravens' Lamar Jackson(No. 32) and No. 10 overall choice Josh Rosen (now with the Dolphins but drafted by the Cardinals) -- have greatness attached.

But here's my early prediction for Nelson: He'll be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And I'm not just overreacting to a rookie year in which he gave Colts QB Andrew Luck time; this is consistent with a prediction for him that a GM gave me when Nelson was coming out of Notre Dame. It's only been a year, but Nelson has shown he has the physical and mental tools to become one of the best offensive guards to ever play in the NFL. What a steal by GM Chris Ballard, nabbing a building block like that after five other players had already come off the board.

2019: Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets

Drafted: Round 1, No. 3 overall.

This is a sheer projection, obviously, as no one drafted in 2019 has been on the field for a meaningful snap yet. I love 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa (No. 2 overall), and I really like quarterback Kyler Murray (No. 1 overall) in new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense. But before the draft, I called for the Jets to pounce on Williams -- who had been, as I wrote then, pegged by my friend and CBS Sports Network colleague Aaron Taylor as the defensive equivalent of none other than Quenton Nelson -- were he to become available to them with the third overall choice. Now, Williams gets to join a defense that also includes studs like Leonard Williams, C.J. Mosley and Jamal Adams. The Alabama product is the surest thing in the Class of 2019.

https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angel...wade-phillips-ready-for-another-year-together

Rams' BFFs, Sean McVay and Wade Phillips, ready for another year together

LOS ANGELES -- It was Week 3 of the 2017 season, in the aftermath of an exhilarating Thursday night game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The two division rivals combined for 80 points, accumulating four touchdowns within the final 13 minutes. The Rams stopped the two-point conversion that would have tied it, then fumbled the ensuing onside kick and needed a fourth-down, Aaron Donald sack to win a game that at one point seemed destined for a blowout. Emotions ran high in the coaches’ locker room immediately thereafter, exhaustion and adrenaline clogging the air. Wade Phillips casually strolled inside and cut through all of the tension with one sentence.

“We sure kicked their ass, didn’t we.”

The Rams’ coaches burst into collective laughter. Sean McVay, only three games into his rookie season as a 31-year-old head coach, couldn’t help but smile. It was a moment that captured the very essence of Phillips, the now-72-year-old defensive coordinator who never lets the stress of his job sap any of the joy that he extracts from it.

“He always enjoys the moment,” McVay said. “And I just think that’s such a good reminder, because people feel that.”

McVay was asked if his personality would ever allow him to do the same -- to take the ebbs and flows in stride, laugh off the inevitable struggles along the way, even take a moment to appreciate his place in the world from time to time.

“I don’t think so,” he said, “but I think it’s a good measuring stick.”

McVay is one of boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm, the type that sticks out within a profession composed of the hyper-obsessed. But he is also an unrelenting perfectionist. The smallest indiscretions -- misused timeouts, botched playcalls, inefficient practices -- ceaselessly gnaw at him. It is both his gift and his curse.

“He would probably say he’s got a little ADD or something,” said Phillips’ son, Wes. “He’s just on all the time.”

Phillips navigates through life with distinct ease and calm. An urgency lies within it, but one enveloped by perspective, upheld by a mantra of enjoying successes without lamenting failures. Nothing seems serious enough to dwell on.

“Wade’s got a really neat, easygoing way about him that camouflages he’s one hell of a competitor,” said McVay’s father, Tim. “He’s a great competitor, but he’s a real cool customer about it.”

The two coaches reside on opposite ends of the spectrum, both in age and in personality, which is what makes their dynamic so fascinating.

“The yin and the yang,” is how Rams assistant head coach Joe Barry described McVay and Phillips.

“Totally different personalities, totally different coaching styles on the field,” Wes said. “But I think philosophically they’re very similar in how you treat players, how you approach the teaching aspect of the game, and how you ultimately get players to play better is to show them respect, give them the knowledge, and motivate them to want to do it for their team and do it for themselves.”

Wes, now the Rams’ tight ends coach, had an office next to McVay’s when the two were on Jay Gruden’s staff with the Washington Redskins from 2014 to 2016. Wes was constantly getting called over to check out a new play McVay had either drawn up or seen on film. McVay spoke so passionately, so thoroughly, so quickly. He’d ask a question and move on to a different topic before Wes could summon an answer.

Wes can understand how his father might struggle to get a word in with McVay.

“I don’t know that he wants to get a word in either,” Wes said with a laugh. “He’s fine just letting Sean go.”

When Phillips agreed to join McVay’s staff in 2017 -- a prearranged deal simply because McVay asked and Phillips wanted to work -- he also vowed to remain in the background, to never be overbearing. If McVay had a question, he could ask (and often, he did). Otherwise, Phillips would let him be. His only advice was to address the entire team rather than focus exclusively on the offense.

His approach reminds McVay of his grandfather, John, the decorated former 49ers executive.

“He’s always been so willing to share, but it’s never pushed on you, and Wade’s very similar,” McVay said. “He’s got experience, and he’s got his hands on everything, but I think there’s a refreshing security that he has in himself, that he doesn’t have to prove himself. He just wants to be an advocate to help our football team, and me, in this role.”

Phillips was quickly blown away by McVay’s work ethic and leadership ability. Over time, he came to appreciate his understanding of defenses and his constant willingness to shoulder blame. He never saw himself as a critical sounding board for an up-and-coming coach, and he recently dismissed the notion of providing a necessary balance for McVay.

“I mean, he’s a terrific coach now,” Phillips said. "And he’s a terrific head coach. I think that’s the key thing. He’s not only a really good coach and he’s really smart -- he’s a terrific head coach. He’s a great leader that the players follow. And I’m just one of the guys that follow him.”

Phillips once famously made a joke about how the Rams were the only team with a defensive coordinator on Medicare and a head coach in day care. When McVay became a viral sensation for naming all 11 of the Chicago Bears’ defensive starters, Phillips came back the next day and named all 11 offensive starters. When the Arizona Cardinals made it a point to note that their new head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, is “friends” with McVay, Phillips quipped that his son, Wes, knows McVay “real well.”

They banter with one another, but with a mutual respect that is ever-present.

“I just like their ability to have a conversation that’s very constructive,” said Rams special-teams coordinator John Fassel, who served as a ball boy for Phillips when he was in high school. “Everybody can, but they talk a lot. And the conversations are very constructive, always about what’s in the best interest of the team. It’s really as simple as that.”

McVay, who led a downtrodden franchise to back-to-back division titles and a Super Bowl appearance through his first two seasons, quickly became a dynamo in the head-coaching ranks. He is considered an offensive genius and a master leader, at an age that allows him to relate to players in ways few head coaches ever could. Phillips never had the outgoing, magnetic personality that could so easily rally a group. He had to find his own voice within a laid-back personality.

“It’s always been a challenge to me,” said Phillips, who fully intends on coaching beyond this coming season. “I’m not a holler guy, so I’ve gotta do it a different way. I gotta tell them that I’m disappointed in them, and it’s gotta mean something.”

In Phillips, McVay has found what he lacks -- what he might forever lack. He sees someone who is always even-keeled, who seamlessly transitions from one play to the next and who is constantly present in the moment. He sees the same passion in a complete different package.

“That’s something that has definitely helped me, where I’m always struggling with the balance,” McVay said. “Watching the way that he’s been able to sustain such a high level over a course of time; I think you’re seeing why -- because he enjoys it, he really has fun with it, and he doesn’t take it too seriously. He’ll never forget that it’s a game.”

Tomorrow starts the movement around the NBA. Even though the action isn't supposed to start until tomorrow late afternoon, there are already reports of players committing.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...g-superstar-viewed-as-true-threat-to-raptors/

Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors: Lakers extremely confident about landing superstar, viewed as 'true threat' to Raptors
LeBron and A.D. will reportedly help pitch Kawhi to the Lakers, who plan to meet with the star along with the Clips and Raps

The Los Angeles Lakers have managed to land LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Could Kawhi Leonard be next?

Although they were once considered long shots -- especially after acquiring Davis and having as little as $23.7 million remaining in cap space for the 2019 free agency period -- the Lakers have reportedly secured a meeting with the reigning NBA Finals MVP after reworking their trade with the Pelicans to include the Washington Wizardsso the Purple and Gold could open enough space to offer a max contract this summer. CBS Sports' Bill Reiter reports that the Lakers are extremely confident about landing Leonard when free agency begins on Sunday.

In addition, Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that the Lakers are being viewed as the "true threat" to the Raptors in terms of signing Leonard.


Things change fast in #thisleague: With free agency a day and change away, it's the Lakers who have convinced Las Vegas -- and an increasing number of league insiders -- that they are LA's true threat to limiting Kawhi Leonard's Raptors career to a single season. Not the Clippers

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Leonard and his representation intend to grant meetings to the Lakers and the Clippers, in addition to meeting with the Raptors, once free agency opens on June 30.

Interestingly enough, it was initially reported by Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times that former Lakers president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, would join Jeanie Buss in pitching Kawhi on joining forces with LeBron and Davis. However, this report is being squashed by Magic himself as he says he's not permitted by NBA rules to participate in official meetings with free agents.


Johnson says “A friend of mine called and says Kawhi wants to meet with you,” Johnson told ESPN. “I said no problem. I’m available if that’s what this man wants.

“But I got a great life. I’m not trying to mess with anybody’s job.”

Sam Amick of The Athletic also reports that LeBron and Davis are planning on being part of the Lakers' recruiting pitch to Kawhi.

In addition to those three meetings, Haynes' initial reporting included that the New York Knicks are working to secure a meeting of their own with the All-Star forward but, at this time, no meeting has been scheduled yet.

Leonard will be a free agent this summer after officially opting out of his deal with the Toronto Raptors. Considering he is coming off the biggest season of his career after leading the Raptors to an NBA championship and winning Finals MVP in his first season with the franchise, Leonard won't have any shortage of suitors. However, it was largely expected that there would be two teams as the front-runners for his services -- none other than the Raptors and hometown Los Angeles Clippers.

It had been reported over the weekend by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports that the Raptors -- not the Clippers -- are the favorites to sign Leonard.


"The appeal of returning home to Southern California is enticing to the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, but with the trust the Raptors built while Leonard led the franchise to its first NBA title by upsetting the Golden State Warriors, rival executives view his current team as the favorite to land him when the free-agent negotiating period begins June 30, sources said."

Considering the Lakers have only three players under contract after reworking this trade (James, Davis and Kyle Kuzma) for the 2019-20 season, Rob Pelinka will have to get creative in attempting to fill out this roster whether Los Angeles adds Leonard or another max contract level free agent to the fold in the coming weeks.

By: Cameron DaSilva | June 28, 2019 10:29 am ET

It’s hard to complain about much from the Los Angeles Rams’ 2018 season. They won the NFC West, tied for the best record in football and made it all the way to the Super Bowl.

However, they weren’t perfect and there are always areas that need improvement. Here are four as the Rams head into the 2019 season.


Run defense
Put simply, the Rams’ run defense was bad last season. They ranked dead last in yards per carry allowed (5.1) and 23rd in yards against, showing just how easy it was for teams to run against the Rams. That wasn’t the case in the postseason, which gives reason for optimism heading into 2019.

Los Angeles did set out to improve that aspect of the defense this offseason, adding players such as Greg Gaines, Clay Matthews, Eric Weddle and replacing Mark Barron with Micah Kiser. If the run defense improves this season, it’ll help keep offenses behind the sticks and force tougher down-and-distance situations. Only good things can come from getting better in that department.

Red zone efficiency
It’s pretty amazing that the Rams ranked second in points scored last season despite finishing 19th in red zone touchdown percentage. For comparison, the Chiefs led the NFL in points and ranked second in red zone efficiency. Had the Rams been better inside the 20, they would have easily led the NFL in scoring.


With all the weapons they have and an elite back such as Todd Gurley, there’s no excuse for the Rams to rank in the bottom half of red zone efficiency. By improving in that area of the field, they’ll put more pressure on opposing offenses to score touchdowns instead of keeping it close with field goals. Scoring TDs 57 percent of the time in the red zone versus 73 percent (as the Chiefs did) is a huge difference.

Outside pass rush
You could argue that with Aaron Donald on the interior, the Rams don’t have a pressing need to be better at outside linebacker. After all, they led the NFL with the highest pressure rate last season (40.1 percent). Granted, a lot of that came from Donald, while very little pressure was generated outside.


Dante Fowler Jr., Samson Ebukam, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and the rest of the young outside linebackers are all relatively unproven as consistent pass rushers, so there’s reason for concern at that spot. Matthews is somewhat of a safety net, but the Rams would greatly benefit from improve edge rushers.

Having someone who can consistently pressure the quarterback off the edge and force him into the lap of Donald would be huge for Los Angeles. The hope is that Fowler can be that guy.

Fourth-down conversions
The Rams were excellent on third down last season, ranking fifth with a 45 percent conversion rate. Fourth down was a different story. The Rams went for it 15 times on fourth down, which ranked 20th in the NFL. However, their six successful conversions were 30th, as was their 40 success rate.


In 2017, the Rams weren’t much better, ranking 20th in the NFL by converting 41.7 percent of the time on fourth. The Cowboys, who were in the middle of the pack (16th overall), converted 57 percent of their fourth-down tries (12-for-21) in 2018.

Gaining the necessary yardage on fourth down isn’t a huge point of emphasis, especially considering how often the Rams attempt fake punts, but they have to be better in short-yardage situations on crucial downs. Staying on the field and converting fourth downs will help take the offense up another notch.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/28/nfl-rams-improvement-2019-defense/

https://www.espn.com/blog/arizona-c...liff-kingsburys-mysterious-offense-in-arizona

What we know about Kliff Kingsbury's mysterious offense in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. -- There are state secrets, and then there is first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense with the Arizona Cardinals.

Yes, they'll have an offense -- that much has been confirmed. Beyond that we've heard only whispers. What will it look like? Will it be a true Air Raid or an adapted one? Could he roll out a traditional, pro-style offense?

Unclear. One thing we know is that it doesn't have a name yet.

"It's an offense," rookie quarterback Kyler Murray said when asked for a name. "An explosive offense."

So there's that.

After a voluntary veteran minicamp, three weeks of organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp, little is officially known about Kingsbury's offense. In fact, Kingsbury said he has been tight-lipped about it because even he doesn't know exactly what it'll look like, and he might not until after the team gets through parts of training camp.

"I have a feeling how it's going to go, but we're going to do what we're good at," Kingsbury said.

Still, over the past two months, enough hints have been dropped that we can piece together an idea of the offense Kingsbury is developing. With a little bit of decoding and a few rounds of interviews through the locker room, here's what we know about the Cardinals' offense as we approach July:

It will utilize the shotgun. Earlier this offseason, center A.Q. Shipleysaid on The Pat McAfee Show that Arizona will be in shotgun "99%" of the time. While that is yet to be seen, what's almost certain is that the Cardinals will likely play out of the shotgun a lot.

"Probably more shotgun's our home, which is good because I did that in college, and we had a running quarterback," running back David Johnson said.

The Cardinals also have a running quarterback in Murray. Also, Kingsbury said he likes what he has seen from the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost in the AFC Championship Game with second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who, coincidentally, is a Kingsbury disciple. They went shotgun "80%-plus," Kingsbury said.

It will be fast-paced. Johnson said the plan is go up-tempo -- so much so that he said the offense will have to "get used to no-huddle."

"We're going to get the ball down the field as fast as we can," Johnson said. "We're trying to get a lot of plays in the game."

Just how many plays is Johnson talking? About 90 to 95 per game, he said. That has never been done before, according to ESPN Stats & Information. No team has averaged 80 offensive plays per game. In fact, it's rare for a team to run 90 plays in a game at all. There have been only 66 instances in which a team has reached that mark in a game, including overtime games, in the Super Bowl Era.

Even if it's fewer than 90 on average, it's sure to be a lot of plays, and thinking critically in an offense that fast will be the hardest part about playing in Kingsbury's offense.

"You want to have that fine line of not thinking too much, but we want to have enough in that we can still be attacking," Kingsbury said. "Kind of given the illusion of complexity out there. And so, I think when we start going fast, sometimes it freezes guys up, but once they get accustomed to it, they can pick it up."

Kingsbury said the Cardinals aren't going to play as fast as they can every play. The intention, he said, is to find a pace that'll be comfortable for Murray, one that gives him a chance to see and evaluate the defense.

"I want him to be able to work in a good rhythm," Kingsbury said.

It will spread the field. The Cardinals probably won't spread the field the way Kingsbury did at Texas Tech. Kingsbury said some of his concepts from college won't work in the NFL, but "you're still spreading the field."

The biggest adjustment for Kingsbury in developing his offense will be the hashmarks. In the NFL, they're 18 feet, 6 inches apart. In college, they're 40 feet apart, allowing for an entirely different type of spread offense to be employed. Kingsbury said he has used OTAs and minicamp -- and plans to use training camp -- to try new concepts with the shorter hashmarks.

However, Kingsbury said "a lot" of his spread concepts carry over. His is a plan that has his players excited.

Said Murray: "That's what this offense does: puts people in space, makes defenders make decisions. I think it'll be very dangerous."

Said Johnson: "I think it's going to be really helpful because only having to worry about one guy tackling you compared to three, four guys loading the box."

It will be balanced. Even though Kingsbury is trying to keep his scheme a secret, there's one misnomer floating around, he said.

People think "it's going to be wide-open every single snap, throw it every play," Kingsbury said. "That's not what it's going to be."

That's not what it has ever been, actually. In his six seasons at Texas Tech, Kingsbury's running backs averaged more than 20 carries per game four times. The other two seasons, they averaged 19.2 and 19.6 carries per game. In Kingsbury's last two seasons in Lubbock, his running backs peaked, averaging 26.7 carries per game in 2017 and 24.3 carries in 2018.

Kingsbury has been adamant that his offense will be fluid on a game-by-game, play-by-play basis.

"We just try to do things that we think the defense will struggle with," Kingsbury said. "If it's run it every play, we'll run it every play. If we got to throw it a bunch, we'll do that as well. Basically, take what they give you."

Guard J.R. Sweezy broke it down in simpler terms: "It is the NFL. Everybody knows you got to be balanced."

David Johnson will be a focal point. Johnson believes he'll be used "similar" to how he was under former coach Bruce Arians in 2016, when Johnson had 2,118 all-purpose yards.

"I think I'll be utilized as a running back and a receiver," Johnson said.

The ratio of Johnson's snaps at running back and receiver is yet clear, but he believes it'll come down to the defenses more than anything else.

Kingsbury said Johnson "could have a pretty extensive role in this offense." That could mean asking him to carry the ball 35 times or catch 10 passes, Kingsbury said. But balance will be necessary to keep Johnson fresh.

Final analysis? Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones is among the players most qualified to opine on the team's new offense. After all, he has already experienced the stresses that this still-developing offense can present.

"You just have to be sound in order to defend this offense," Jones said. "Everyone has to do their job, and if you don't, they'll definitely catch you."

We'll know more in training camp, but it's unlikely that Arizona will run any of its scheme during the preseason. We might not know what this offense will look like until the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8.

No matter what it looks like, though, there's one thing we know for certain.

"It's going to be fun to watch," Sweezy said. "It's going to be real fun to watch."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...mong-defensive-backs-ready-to-break-out-in-19

John Johnson among defensive backs ready to break out in '19

In this four-part series, NFL Network analysts Willie McGinest, Terrell Davis, Reggie Wayne and Gil Brandt examine youngsters who are poised for a breakout campaign. Today, Gil Brandt identifies defensive backs.

Entering last season, Falcons safety Damontae Kazee had one start, 23 tackles and zero interceptions to his name. Sixteen games later, he'd picked off seven passes, tied for the most in the NFL in 2018, and logged 82 more tackles, third-most on the team.

Kazee's rookie contract is set to run through 2020, and his breakout season should help set him up nicely when it comes time to negotiate a second NFL deal. Which NFL defensive backs could follow in Kazee's footsteps this season, putting their stamp on the league and boosting their future financial prospects? Below, I've ranked nine defensive backs primed to break out in 2019.

Note: Like the other writers in this series, I've limited my pool of prospective breakout candidates to players still on their rookie contracts.

1) Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Drafted: Round 1, No. 18 overall, in 2018.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was among those singing Alexander's praises last season -- and the Alexander bandwagon will only get more crowded if the second-year pro makes good on his June vow to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Alexander's confidence in himself is justified, coming off a rookie season in which he had 66 tackles, 11 passes defensed and a pick. The Packers' No. 1 cornerback should get a boost if Kyler Fackrell and free-agent signees Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith provide the kind of pass-rush complement the Packers are expecting them to. Alexander is competitive and has ball skills, and I think we'll see him follow up his strong debut by graduating to shutdown corner status.

2) John Johnson, S, Los Angeles Rams
Drafted: Round 3, No. 91 overall, in 2017.

Johnson's name came to mind right away when I first started working on this piece. He really blossomed in 2018, logging 119 tackles and four interceptions -- and that total doesn't include the pick he recorded against Drew Brees in overtime of the NFC title game to set up the winning kick. I'm expecting Johnson to advance again in 2019 and join the ranks of elite NFL safeties. One of the reasons to feel good about him is the Rams' addition of veteran safety Eric Weddle, who can serve as an important mentor. Johnson also appears to have an exceptional ability to find the ball -- he's one of those guys who seems to know where the ball is going before it's thrown. This is an exceptional player who will get even better.

3) Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Miami Dolphins
Drafted: Round 1, No. 11 overall, in 2018.

The Dolphins wasted no time throwing Fitzpatrick into the fire during his rookie year, giving him defensive responsibilities normally associated with more seasoned players. He started five games at safety, three at outside corner and three at nickel, which led to some bumps in the road; Fitzpatrick committed 10 penalties for an NFL-high 152 yards, according to NFLPenalites.com. Still, getting experience in that jack-of-all-trades role should benefit him in the multiple-look defense being installed by new head coach Brian Flores, who plans to highlight the Alabama product in a similar way. Fitzpatrick doesn't have one single trait that sets him apart from others, and he needs to work with a coach who knows how to use him, but I think we could see him take a major step forward under Flores.

4) Sidney Jones, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Drafted: Round 2, No. 43 overall, in 2017.

Jones was ticketed for a first-round draft slot until he suffered an Achilles injury at his pro day, knocking him into the second round, where the Eagles -- who are always so good at ferreting out opportunities like this -- scooped him up for his potential. He sat out most of 2017, then battled a hamstring injury in 2018 that limited him to nine games and four starts. If he can stay healthy in 2019, he has a chance to seize the No. 1 cornerback job. Jones looked the part at times in OTAs and minicamp, taking reps at left corner. He has two traits that lead to success at the cornerback position: size (he checks in at 6 feet tall and 181 pounds) and exceptional quickness. You have to give the Eagles credit for making a pick two years ago with the future in mind -- especially if they wind up reaping the rewards for their foresight in 2019.

5) Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals
Drafted: Round 2, No. 54 overall, in 2018.

There were few positives for a Bengals defense that surrendered a league-high 413.6 yards per game in 2018 -- but Bates' emergence was one of them. The Bengals were so impressed by the Wake Forest product last preseason that they released George Iloka to clear a path for Bates to start. He proceeded to play 98.7% of Cincinnati's defensive snaps, becoming the first Bengals rookie to start 16 games on defense since Takeo Spikes and Artrell Hawkins both did it in 1998. Bates is something of an overachiever. Despite growing up in the heart of Big Ten country -- in Fort Wayne, Indiana -- no one from the conference offered him a scholarship, and he ended up at Wake Forest, where he began a growth process that continued through his first NFL season. He just got better every game. The offseason hiring of new Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, whose specialty coming up has been coaching defensive backs, should only help Bates take his game to an even higher level.

6) Shaquill Griffin, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Drafted: Round 3, No. 90 overall, in 2017.

The Seahawks felt so confident in Griffin heading into last season that he was shifted from right to left cornerback following Richard Sherman's release last offseason. Griffin started all 16 games and finished with 62 tackles, eight passes defensed and two picks. It's tough to directly follow in the footsteps of a future Hall of Famer like Sherman. That said, Griffin himself recently labeled his efforts last season as "average," adding that as the No. 1 corner, he "can't have average years." In the interest of improving, Griffin dropped 12 pounds and hired a personal chef to help him with his dietary goals. He also focused on improving his mental approach, admitting that the pressure of replacing Sherman affected him last season. The fact that Seattle did not draft a cornerback this year shows Pete Carroll and Co. have confidence that Griffin will resume his upward career trajectory in 2019.

7) Terrell Edmunds, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Drafted: Round 1, No. 28 overall, in 2018.

Edmunds was projected by most people to be a second-round pick, but the Steelers jumped up and snagged the safety -- and he proceeded to play 1,189 snaps (including special teams), which was more than any other rookie in 2018, while proving he warranted the use of that first-round choice. The brother of fellow first-round pick Tremaine Edmunds, Terrell stepped in for injured safety Morgan Burnett early in the year and never looked back, collecting the second-most tackles on the team (78). That said, Edmunds finished the year with just one interception and zero forced fumbles. The hope is that both Edmunds and defensive back Sean Davis can generate more impact plays under the tutelage of new staffer Teryl Austin, the former Lions and Bengals defensive coordinator.

8) Xavier Woods, S, Dallas Cowboys
Drafted: Round 6, No. 191 overall, in 2017.

Though safety was considered the biggest weakness on the Cowboys' roster entering this offseason, Dallas did not go all out to land a big-money player like Earl Thomas. I expect Woods to justify that strategy by taking a big step forward in 2019. Secondary coach Kris Richard expects him to generate more turnovers(he had two picks last season) while remaining physical in coverage with receivers and tight ends, and it's safe to say Richard knows what he's talking about, given the success he had grooming Thomas and Kam Chancellor in Seattle. Woods will be a key contributor this season to a defense that ranked seventh overall and sixth in scoring in 2018.

9) Adoree' Jackson, CB, Tennessee Titans
Drafted: Round 1, No. 18 overall, in 2017.

Physical skills aren't an issue with Jackson, an Olympic-level athlete. Rather, the key for him is getting more consistent. Jackson has to put up more performances like his stellar outing against Patriots receiver Josh Gordon in Tennessee's Week 10 win over New England -- and eliminate duds like his effort against the Colts' T.Y. Hilton in Week 11. If he can become more consistent, Jackson can become one of the NFL's top cornerbacks. Jackson reportedly spent more time at the Titans' headquarters this offseason in an effort to become a better student of the game, and his hard work should pay dividends as he returns from a foot injury that sidelined him from doing on-field work during OTAs and minicamp. Jackson has a chance to be an All-Pro if he can put it all together.

https://www.therams.com/news/phillips-expects-micah-kiser-to-step-into-larger-defensive-role

Phillips expects Micah Kiser to step into larger defensive role

When the Rams selected linebacker Micah Kiser in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, they picked up a player who could come in and immediately contribute on special teams.

A Virginia product, Kiser led the ACC in tackles for three straight seasons before entering the league, becoming only the second player to ever do so. He translated that prowess to football’s third phase at the highest level, as he was on the field for 63 percent of Los Angeles’ special teams snaps as a rookie — finishing No. 4 in the category.

But now, according to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Kiser has a good chance to play in the Rams’ base 3-4 scheme as the second inside linebacker. Cory Littleton is still slated to be the club’s ‘Mike’ linebacker and defensive signal-caller. But Kiser could help fill the void left by the departed Mark Barron.

“I think for where he is in his career and where we need him, it’ll be in those first and second-down plays for sure,” Phillips said of Kiser’s role during the offseason program. “Cory is such a good coverage guy and then we’ve got a lot of safeties that can come in and help us on third downs, so I think his main role certainly right now will be first and second down as a base defensive player.”

And part of the reason why Phillips feels Kiser can be successful in that role is how he excelled on special teams — much like Littleton did for his first two years before transitioning to a full-time linebacker.

“Micah showed a lot of things last year, he came in, you always have high hopes I think, and he basically only got to play special teams. He was one of our best special teamers — you know Cory Littleton also went that path too, and turned out to be really good backer, and I think Micah is going in the same direction,” Phillips said. “When they show things, they show the ability to get to the football on special teams and they carry it over to defense and he moves well, he’s a smart player, and he’s had a really good spring. He’s fit in really well.”

By: Cameron DaSilva | June 27, 2019 9:48 am ET


On “Good Morning Football” this week, Schrager was asked which quarterback in the NFC West he’d take for the next five years. His pick? Goff.

“I’m going with Jared Goff, which might be a surprise to some,” Schrager said. “But I look at the landscape around the NFL and I look at Russell Wilson and I say, OK, what’s he got around him as far as wide receivers? His offensive coordinator, is he a pass guy, Schottenheimer? Not necessarily. I look at the experiment down in Arizona. Until I see it, I don’t know what I’m getting. And then I look at the 49ers and [Jimmy] Garoppolo’s started 10 games in his career. I can’t go anywhere with him yet.”

Schrager’s right: There are questions across the division with each quarterback – Goff included. Wilson is clearly the more accomplished player than Goff, but he’s going to be in a run-heavy offense and he doesn’t have the weapons around him that Goff does. Kyle Murray is still an unknown as an NFL quarterback, while Garoppolo is inexperienced and is coming off a torn ACL.

It’s not bold to take Goff over Murray and Garoppolo, but it is to pick him over Wilson. But in Schrager’s mind, his supporting cast and coach (Sean McVay) make him the best choice in the division over the next five years.

“I’ll take the guy who I’ve seen do it on the field, do it in this offense. And no offense to Russell Wilson, if you want to ask me whose career I’d rather have, Russell Wilson 10 out of 10 right now. Russell Wilson is a Hall of Fame quarterback,” Schrager said. “But if you’re telling me for the next five years, knowing what Jared Goff has around him in three talented wide receivers and Todd Gurley and Sean McVay calling the plays, I will roll with Jared Goff over any of those quarterbacks in that division.”

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...m_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=pos1headline

I just had a very disturbing thought. For my whole life I was able to look forward to future happy events. For the Rams, I saw Marshall Faulk and thought, "I can't wait to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame." I hoped that for Kurt Warner, Torry Holy, Isaac Bruce, and Big O.

I see Aaron Donald as a once in a generation player. Although different positional players, I saw Gayle Sayers as a HOF player, even though he had such a short career. He was head and shoulders above every player at his position, just as Aaron Donald is as Defensive Tackle. He is changing the requirements of a 3Tech. DT. Literally, there has never been a DT with as much natural talent, fierceness, and work ethic. Chris Long recently said that they jokingly called AD a HOFer in his first training camp in St Louis, but he really wasn't kidding.

So no hedging. Aaron Donald is a Hall of Famer right now if he never played another snap in the NFL.

But, my personal problem is that AD shows no signs of slowing down and he is healthy/strong as a bull. I bet he plays at least 5-7 years more at a high level. If he retired after 7 years, it would take an additional 5 years for him to enter 1st ballot into the Hall of Fame. Twelve years from now, I'd be 67 years old. This is older than any male direct ancestor of mine since 1800, so it's not likely I will be around to see him don the Gold jacket, and that makes me a little sad, and feeling very mortal. :death:

[www.pro-football-reference.com]

[www.pro-football-reference.com]

[www.pro-football-reference.com]

Well, in ‘17 Kupp and JJ were clear HR’s. Especially where they were picked, respectively. Everett looks promising as he enters his 3rd year, to say the least. And Reynolds could start for some teams. Neither Everett or Reynolds are HR’s (yet), but they may be doubles or triples don’t you think? BTW, Ebu was a starter in his 2nd year, sooooo...

In ‘18 it’s not so clear. Noteboom, Allen, and Kiser are all projected ‘19 starters on an elite SB level team. All drafted in the 3rd round or later. Not yet with the lofty status of a Kupp or a JJ, however. In addition, JFM and Joseph-Day are expected to be strong rotational contributors, if not outright starters. Demby appears to be well positioned to be first off the bench for our OL, maybe even a potential starter at RG. Very impressive group, to say the least, but no HR’s.

Way too early to judge the ‘19 draft class, of course, but what Ram fan isn’t excited about the potential of Rapp, Long, Henderson, and Gaines? I mean, for THIS year, maybe? And nobody better go to sleep on Evans and Edwards, either. One, or both, could be starters as soon as the ‘20 season based upon Kromer’s track record. Looking like a great draft class at this point, huh?

Helluva start by Snead and McVay. Two clear HR’s already and quite a few triples and doubles as well in this small sample.

This article was nearly impossible to post here, but here are the Rams part as they were listed a lot in this article.

———

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/st...lay-action-awards-picking-best-teams-qbs-more

The NFL Play-Action Awards: Picking the best teams, QBs and more

Play-action is so important in football. It puts defenders in conflict. It creates space. It's also the first answer for offenses when looking for a numbers advantage in the passing game. And when executed on early downs, to mimic the base run game, play-action becomes an aggressive tool in the call sheet.

The routes haven't changed much since I played safety in the league: flood one side of the field, open a window to throw the seam, sneak a running back out on a screen pass, take the deep ball shot over the top to hit the post for six points. But in today's NFL, creative and smart offensive minds have molded those old-school concepts to fit the modern schemes that win with tempo and interchangeable parts in the playbook. More movement, more misdirection and more speed to set the bait, with quick-release QBs who can rip the ball to a manufactured throwing lane.

Let's figure out who is the best in several play-action categories. The best rhythm quarterback out of play-action? I've got that. Best deep ball receiver out of play-action? Check. Best movement tight end out of play-action? I've got that too. I'll even pick out the single best play-action concept I saw in all of 2018.

McVay, Shanahan, Goff, Mahomes, Wilson, Julio, Zeke, Kittle -- these are the NFL's play-action all-stars:

The best play-action team overall

Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the league last season with 124.5 passing yards per game off play-action concepts.

What makes the Rams the best: In Sean McVay's system, L.A. can marry the outside zone run game, screen package and play-action concepts out of its 11 personnel grouping (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) with wide receivers in reduced sets. This means the Rams can lean on the run action while using pre- and post-snap misdirection to create open-window throws for quarterback Jared Goff -- and an open field for running back Todd Gurley in the screen game. And it all looks the same to a defender. McVay makes it tough to stop.

Runner-up: New England Patriots

The best zone play-action team

Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the NFL with 6.9 first downs per game off play-action concepts. As we discussed above, Sean McVay's play-action system is tied into the zone run game. For a better look, check out the video below from NFL Matchup to see how the Rams can open throwing windows inside the numbers for Jared Goff to pack the stat sheet.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NFLMatchup/status/1083824071941472256?s=20


The play-action concept I saw most in 2018
Post-cross
What it is: The post-cross concept showed up consistently on NFL tape in 2018, out of multiple personnel groupings. Take a look at the example in the diagram below from the Rams' playbook.



Off the jet sweep (Z), Jared Goff (Q) shows the ball to Todd Gurley (H) on the split-flow (Y) outside zone run action. This will draw the second-level defenders downhill, while the Rams clear out over the top on the post/go (X) with the crosser (W) working to the opposite numbers. This gives Goff a high-to-low read and often an open void in the coverage to dial up the high-percentage throw to the crossing route -- with room to run after the catch. It's easy money versus both split safety and single-high safety defensive schemes. That brings us to a great play design from Sean McVay ...

The coolest play-action concept I saw in 2018

Los Angeles Rams' throwback wheel
What makes them so good: Remember that Vikings-Rams game on Thursday in Week 4? Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a sweet, 70-yard score in the second quarter. The concept? The same outside zone action the Rams always run, with McVay running off the cornerback and safety to the play side. With Kupp releasing underneath to run the throwback wheel, however, the Rams got the matchup they wanted: a wide receiver versus a linebacker. And Goff threw a dime. Check out the clip of the play:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1045479969554485248?s=20


The best rhythm play-action QB

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Goff led the NFL with 204 pass attempts and 15 touchdowns off play-action concepts in 2018.

What to look for in 2019: Goff played lights-out in the play-action game last season outside of two matchups: the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots and the Week 14 defeat in Chicago. I want to see how Goff, McVay and the Rams adjust to the film from those two games being passed around the league this offseason. What's the answer for the split- safety coverages that can take away the frontside skinny post, backside dig and post-cross concept? I'm betting McVay has the answers that allow Goff to get to the top of the drop and rip the ball -- on rhythm -- to a clean window.

Runner-up: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings. Cousins completed 78.5% of his play-action throws in 2018 (No. 2 in the NFL), with eight touchdown passes and a QBR of 86.9. Those are top-tier numbers, and the Vikings' play-action system should expand even more under new offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

The best QB-WR/TE play-action combo

Jared Goff to Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Cooks and Woods combined for 55 receptions and six touchdowns off play-action throws from Goff a year ago.

What to look for in 2019: Cooper Kupp can be added to the mix here, as he caught 17 play-action targets in just eight games last season. That speaks to the Rams' aggressive approach on early downs out of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). They led the NFL with 959 snaps out of 11 personnel last season, almost 200 more than the second-ranked team (Packers with 776). Yes, Sean McVay will have to make adjustments after the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, but that system can create productive situations for Goff and the Rams' top three wideouts off the run action.

Runner-up:Carson Wentz to Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, Wentz ranked seventh overall on play-action QBR (82.8). When he's on the field, Wentz is a top-10 quarterback. The system under Doug Pederson will continue to put both Wentz and Ertz -- the league's best route runner at tight end -- in winning matchups.

https://www.therams.com/news/waldro...ett-potentially-taking-a-step-forward-in-2019

Waldron sees both Higbee, Everett potentially taking a step forward in 2019

One of the consistent storylines throughout the offseason program was how much progress tight end Gerald Everett appeared to be making heading into his third season as a pro. During OTAs, it seemed the South Alabama product made an impressive catch or two each day, demonstrating his value to an already productive offense.

But passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Waldron — who coached Los Angeles’ tight ends in 2017 and 2018 — has noticed progress from Tyler Higbee, too.

And if both Higbee and Everett can take steps forward in 2019, that will give the Rams a significant offensive boost. Over the last two years, Los Angeles’ tight ends have accounted for an average of 53.5 receptions for 613.5 yards and four touchdowns as a whole — and that’s for a team that has finished within the top two in points scored in that same time span.

So increasing the production from Higbee and Everett could pay big dividends. And how did those two players look during the offseason program?

“I think Higbee since day one has had that steady improving of his game overall as a tight end that can do everything,” Waldron said during minicamp. “And then Gerald, like any young player, had his rookie year last year and had some times where he really shined once he overcame his early setback with an injury. Just like similar to Josh [Reynolds] and other guys that now we are talking about getting into year two, year three, some into year four, where they’ve really started to master the overall system and it’s great to have those tools at your disposal, so that whatever that matchup is that presents itself, you can maximize the individual skill set within those matchups.”

For Los Angeles, that could mean more targets to tight ends down in the red zone, where the club has finished middle of the pack over the last couple years. We’ll see how the targets and receptions are distributed during training camp, which could give a good indication of how things might go once the regular season hits.

By Sean Wilkinson@Papa_Lurch Jun 26, 2019, 1:00pm PDT
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...th-chart-troy-reeder-linebacker-special-teams

I truly enjoy the first batch of roster previews we do every season. Everyone knows who Aaron Donald and Jared Goff are, so while those are just as much fun to write they aren’t nearly as interesting to research.

Writing these early previews forces you to do a little digging and every year you come across someone who is so clearly a fit for the Los Angeles Rams that you have to tip your cap to the Rams front office.

Enter Troy Reeder.

Roster Battle
Reeder played one season for the Penn State Nittany Lions before transferring to play for the Blue Hens of Deleware and be closer to home. While him transferring to a smaller school may have cost him a draft slot, the Rams will be the beneficiaries here

ILB is possibly the thinnest position on the Rams roster. Cory Littleton and Clay Matthews are listed as the starters, but Matthews will likely be used frequently as a pass rusher, which will open up snaps for other LBs. Reeder will be competing with the likes of Micah Kiser, Patrick Natrez, and Dakota Allen. Not the stiffest of competition.

Another wrinkle to the back end of the roster that I enjoy is what Special Teams Coordinator can pull from the group. It’s worth noting that Reeder was a special teams standout at Delaware.

Expectations
Reeder will have to stay true to himself and be willing to accept a lesser role that could build into something more - a la Cory Littleton.

Chances of Making Roster (7/10)
7/10 seems high for the back end of the roster, but Reeder has a lot of things working for him. Lack of depth, his leadership ability (2x captain at Delaware), and special teams prowess make me feel really good about his chances.

Probably neither.

It was a big trade of draft positions from the Rams #11 pick to the Broncos, for their 15th pick (and more?).
The Broncos got the diabetes havin', smoker Jay Cutler. The Rams chose a CB that couldn't ride many roller coasters across the country...Our 2nd round pick was Joe Klopfenstein

We barely missed out on that other USC stud, Matt Leinart.

I am blown away that it was that long ago. 2006 wasn't that far removed from the GSOT and SJAX was still a freakin stud. We all had hope in first year HC Scott Linehan (freak), and he did take the team to 8-8 that year. We all know the team fell off a cliff after that season. What players could we have picked in this draft to save our team from the collapse that followed?