http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...eterans-is-now-part-of-the-offseason-strategy
Rams' old folks home for veterans is now part of the offseason strategy

Lindsey Thiry

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- When the Baltimore Ravens released Eric Weddle, the veteran safety had a strong notion about where he wanted to go.

"I knew what L.A. brought and how I could fit," Weddle said. "... You want to go there first and see if it'll work out."

Weddle, who previously played for the Chargers, traveled to the Los Angeles Rams' headquarters before he visited any other teams, and never got the chance to think twice about returning to L.A. He signed a two-year contract on March 8.

It was a similar story for linebacker Clay Matthews, whom the Green Bay Packers did not re-sign after 10 seasons. "As soon as my chance to return to Green Bay was past me," Matthews said, "then I knew I wanted to come to the Rams." No visit necessary. Matthews, a Southern California native, agreed to a two-year deal.

And quarterback Blake Bortles? He said he was so sure after he was let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars that he wanted to sign with the Rams, that he did not need to visit, though his agent advised him a trip to L.A. would be wise. After a few minutes at the Rams' training facility, Bortles mind was more than made up. "I called my agent and said, 'Look, I'm done,'" Bortles said.

For a third consecutive offseason, the Rams have made a living attracting players in the final stage of their careers. Though that's not the case for Bortles, who is 26 years old and can serve as a backup, if not a starter, for seasons to come.

The attraction to the Rams is in part because of the weather, sunny and 75, and their Southern California location, where business opportunities off the field are available in excess. But it has more to do with Sean McVay, the 33-year-old coach who quickly developed a winning culture that resulted in back-to-back division titles, an NFC championship and a Super Bowl appearance.

"You look at the success and the organization, the way it's transcending, it's truly remarkable," Matthews said. "So from a football standpoint it makes perfect sense."

For the Rams, it makes perfect sense to pursue select veterans in free agency. They often come at a discounted price, or at minimum on a short-term deal, which relieves salary cap pressure when players the team has drafted earn big-time pay days. And the veterans can serve in complementary roles to a young, promising core that includes quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley II and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Kevin Demoff, the Rams' chief operating officer and executive vice president, said acquiring veteran free agents has become part of their offseason plan.

"We went into our February discussions saying we don't know who it's going to be," Demoff said. "But there hopefully will be some players at these positions that will get cut that hopefully we'll get first crack at."

Following their release, Weddle, 34, and Matthews, 32, became clear targets. Weddle, who last season did not intercept a pass after combining for 10 picks the previous two seasons, will play on a deal worth $12.78 million. Matthews, who had a career-low 3.5 sacks last season, will earn $9.3 million over two years.

The Rams were first able to capitalize on aging veteran free agents, who some teams considered past their prime, in 2016 when the signed left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan. Both started every game the past two seasons (with the exception of Week 17 in 2017, when McVay rested starters), and each played a significant role in the Rams' ascension, while proving, despite their age, they still had solid seasons remaining. Or in Whitworth's case, it was an All-Pro season.

Last season, the Rams traded for veteran cornerback Aqib Talib, who blocked a trade to the San Francisco 49ers to orchestrate a move to the Rams, where he would reunite with Wade Phillips, whose defense he starred in during a 2015 Super Bowl run. Then the Rams courted defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh after he was released from the Miami Dolphins. Suh identified the Rams as a team that could make a Super Bowl run and signed a one-year deal worth $14 million.

Talib spent eight weeks on injured reserve but otherwise provided leadership in the locker room, and his communication proved key during the playoff run. For his part, Suh played uninspired throughout the regular season with 4.5 sacks but appeared every bit of his All-Pro self during the playoffs.

An argument could be made why the Rams should not pay players past their prime, even if the price is reasonable. But over the past two seasons, it has proved fruitful. Given the team's recent history, there’s little reason to question if Weddle and Matthews can't also find late-career success.

"What's opportunistic is, they want to come to us because they know they're in the twilight of their career ... and they want to go out winning," Rams general manager Les Snead said. "They think the Rams give them as good an opportunity as any to have a chance to win collectively, not necessarily get another Pro Bowl or another All-Pro, so I think that's the thing we've learned and it's the one thing in the building we talk about you can't take advantage of."

After next season, the Rams' budget will tighten because of a long-term extension that will be owed to Goff. Coupled with the record-breaking contracts for Donald and Gurley, cash could be tight. But the Rams seem to have a reliable plan in courting veteran players, so long as they keep winning.

"I think you can absolutely rely on the fact that you're going to have a chance to be their first choice," Demoff said. "We've seen that with the guys this year."

https://www.therams.com/news/brian-allen-ready-to-compete-for-starting-center
Brian Allen ready to compete for starting center
Myles Simmons

When first-round picks enter the league, they’re often expected to start right away.Analysts break down their film and talk about the fit with their new team on draft night, as they’re often thought of as filling an immediate need.But for a fourth-round pick? That’s really not the case — especially because those players often sit.

Like Rams center Brian Allen, who was the 111th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft just over a year ago.

“Mel Kiper wasn’t talking about me when it came to draft time,” Allen joked in a recent interview with therams.com for Season 2 of Behind the Grind. “And I wasn’t some huge talent who ran fast or jumped high.”Instead, Allen says, he was “just a football player.” And that was enough for Los Angeles’ brass — including run game coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer — to bring in the 6-foot-2, 303-pound lineman out of Michigan State.“If you can play, you can play — and it’s the way it is,” Allen said of Kromer’s philosophy. “But not all offensive line coaches look at offensive linemen like that. So having a guy who believes in me and believes that I can play at this level is big.”

Allen, of course, didn’t play much during last year’s run to Super Bowl LIII. As a rookie, he saw mainly mop-up duty for a few games — both victories over Arizona and the Week 17 win over San Francisco. But he was also in for three plays in spot duty for starting center John Sullivan during the Week 14 matchup in Chicago.But even in limited playing time, Allen says he was able to learn a lot in his rookie year — mainly through the player in front of him.

“Being behind [Sullivan] was honestly one of the best things that I think has happened to me,” Allen said. “Coming from college, you get in a college offense, and being in the same system for four years, eventually I knew everything in that. And you get to a new system and you know the basics, and a guy like him starts talking and starts using words I don’t know and describing defenses in ways I’ve never even thought about. And being able to see the way he thinks and the way that he went about the calls and stuff like that — I don’t think there’s a center in the NFL who’s smarter than him as far as making the right ‘Mike’ point at the center position. That’s obviously huge.

“And the stuff he does is pretty unbelievable if you can really get in and grasp the stuff that he sees. So just being behind him for the whole year was honestly — at the end of my career, I’ll be most thankful for that because he took me from here to here,” Allen continued, displaying different levels with his hand. “And I still have a long way to go, but without having that I don’t — again, being behind another center on another team, I don’t if I’d be as good as I am now.”


Kromer noticed the kind of detail Allen put into his study last year — despite the fact that he wasn’t playing. And that’s part of the reason why Kromer and the team are confident in Allen’s ability to become a starter.

“Brian Allen really paid attention and was working closely with John Sullivan, who — what a great vet,” Kromer told therams.com. “But Brian shows that he has that innate intelligence and that vision that he can see the defense. But his number one overall trait is going to be his physical nature. He’s a powerful, quick offensive lineman who has the vision to see the defense. So we’re looking forward to him.”

And Allen is looking forward to his opportunity — and that’s as far as he’ll classify it. While general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have said that Allen slots in as Los Angeles’ starting center after the team declined the option on Sullivan’s contract in March, Allen realizes there’s a lot of time between now and Week 1.

Because of that, Allen wants to make sure he’s doing everything he can to truly earn the role between now and September.“I mean, the season’s a long way away. I don’t want to say that it’s mine by any means. There’s the draft coming up, free agency is still going on,” Allen said. “But at the same point, I’m not here to be a backup. That’s obviously the goal. I didn’t want to just get here and be on the team. I want to play, and I want to play at a high level.”

“So I’m excited for the opportunity that’s in front of me and I’m really just excited to be able to show what I learned this whole last year. I didn’t play a lot as you guys know, but I got a whole lot better from the last preseason game to the end of the year. So a lot of time, a lot of knowledge that I’ve learned a lot of everything. And back to our O-line room, I wouldn’t be here without them. And I’m kind of mind-blown myself at the steps and progressions I’ve made, just understanding football, being in that room every day with those guys.”

Good news a 5 can still bed a 10.

Alcosynth: Hangover Free Synthetic Alcohol is Coming

British scientists have synthesized a chemical molecule, called Alcosynth, which promises to get you drunk without the harmful effects of traditional alcoholic beverages.


Zayan GuedimApr 01, 2019 at 9:15 am GMT

Tired of being hungover? Meet alcosyth, the new synthetic alcohol that could make the morning-after fear a thing of the past. ¦ Pixabay

After a night of heavy drinking, we all know how painful its after-effects can be.

Dehydration, nausea, fatigue, and headaches are just a few hangover symptoms that vary from person and person.

Some believe in the “hair of the dog” theory and think drinking more alcohol is the best way to cure a hangover, others swear by some foods, and then there are those who use anti-hangover drugs.

Available online are many anti-hangover supplements, pills, and patches, that help your body process alcohol more effectively.

All these products claim to cure a hangover but there ’s no definitive evidence as to whether they work or not.

Don’t look any further for a hangover remedy because a new synthetic alcohol promises you all the fun without the hangover.

Is Alcosynth the Healthy Booze of Future?
A group of scientists at Alcarelle has been working on an ethanol-free synthetic alcohol, or Alcosynth, that causes drunkenness but without hangover effects.

Alcosynth is a new chemical formula that mimics the same “good effects” of alcohol on specific regions of the brain without triggering its usual bad after effects.

The developers of the Alcosynth molecule claim it gets you to relax without having to deal with the unpleasant diuretic effects of alcohol and other long-term health complications.

The team concocted and tested dozens of chemical combinations to get to their magic formula. Now, two of them are close to commercialization.

They hope to make Alcosynth, also referred to as Alcarelle, the alcohol of the future and aim to commercialize it, indirectly into other drinks, as an alternative to conventional alcohol.

David Orren, Alcarelle’s managing director, explains their vision:

“Alcarelle is an ingredient that would be manufactured and then sold to drinks companies, licensed to ingredients companies, and then distributed to the global drinks industry. Brands would then develop new products, and they would use this as an ingredient in ‘free-from ethanol’ adult drinks, mixing it with any formulations that made sense for their particular consumer.”

Alcarelle’s founders are getting ahead, confident in their product. To bring its synthetic hangover-free alcohol to the market, the company started luring seed investors last November, aiming to raise £20 million.

Doctor David Nutt is Alcarelle’s co-founder and former government drug adviser. As a psychiatrist, he has spent many years treating people with drinking problems.

For Nutt, alcohol is more harmful than heroin and crack. But that doesn’t make him an ascetic who rejects alcohol fun altogether. Dr. Nutt enjoys a “very small” single malt before bed while also co-owning a wine bar with his daughter.

After spending so many years on his Alcosynth project, Nutt thinks the world is ready for alcohol-free drinks.

“The industry knows alcohol is a toxic substance. If it were discovered today, it would be illegal as a foodstuff.,” Nutt told the Guardian. “The safe limit of alcohol, if you apply food standards criteria, would be one glass of wine a year.”
https://edgy.app/alcosynth-synthetic-alcohol

from NFL.com

• By Chad Reuter
• Bengals trade No. 42 overall (Round 2) to Rams for No. 31 (Round 1)
• http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-eight-trades-that-teams-should-make-on-day-1
  
  
  The Bengals' new coaching staff does not have deep ties to quarterback Andy Dalton, who has two years on his deal and no dead-cap potential. If former Duke star Daniel Jones is still available at the end of the first round, then new head coach Zac Taylor may have an interest in jumping up to grab his future starter. Taylor might also want to get ahead of the Patriots, who hold pick No. 32, if they think Bill Belichick is interested in Jones being Tom Brady's heir apparent. Taylor would probably need to part with a third-rounder (No. 72) or possibly the Bengals' 2020 second-rounder, as the price goes up a round when dealing in future picks, and one of their five sixth-round selections to make the move.

Bengals trade No. 42 overall (Round 2) to Rams for No. 31 (Round 1)
The Bengals' new coaching staff does not have deep ties to quarterback Andy Dalton, who has two years on his deal and no dead-cap potential. If former Duke star Daniel Jones is still available at the end of the first round, then new head coach Zac Taylor may have an interest in jumping up to grab his future starter. Taylor might also want to get ahead of the Patriots, who hold pick No. 32, if they think Bill Belichick is interested in Jones being Tom Brady's heir apparent. Taylor would probably need to part with a third-rounder (No. 72) or possibly the Bengals' 2020 second-rounder, as the price goes up a round when dealing in future picks, and one of their five sixth-round selections to make the move.

Would be an excellent move by Rams i'm thinkin
train

Bortles is trying to rehab his career and is looking for a starting gig, so what do the Rams do at backup in the future? I would think you’d want some continuity over time at that position and not just sign vets like Bortles every year.

Link:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001024984/article/lions-signing-rb-cj-anderson-to-oneyear-deal

Bummer, I was hoping he’d be in horns in 2019.

Best of luck CJ, and thanks for being a key part of a great playoff run last season.

Duke Johnson just requested a trade. He’s a pass catching stud. A nice checkdown safety net.
CJ Anderson just signed with the lions.
If we can get him for a low draft pick, I’d pull the trigger.

Meaning that there will be no immediate starters and that the players picked will be intended for a one year development cycle/ NFL strength training before taking on starter status?

I’m thinking that it could well be so, maybe even the new strategy.

The 2018 draft was a redshirt draft and it’s looking like a pretty smart one with the benefit of hindsight.

Then there’s the fact that we pick late. Very, very late. And have no 2nd rounder presently. Not to mention that our roster is fairly loaded except for maybe a couple of starting positions.

That sure seems like a recipe for a redshirt draft to me.

If I had to guess, and assuming that we stay at #31, I really see only 2 likely positions that any 31st pick would remotely become a rookie starter. DL and interior OL. That’s it. And of the two I think DL would be easier to crack the starting lineup.

The days of getting 3-4 new starters via draft every year are over, y’all. We is now much more like the Patriots than the Cardinals. Lol.

I love it!

Got an invitation to attend a TimeShare pitch and the inducement was paying me a little cash to sit through it and four free nights stay. My wife said fine since we were going to the area anyway and the forecast was gorgeous so we made a small trip of it. I've always heard (as I'm sure everyone has) that timeshares are a ripoff so we weren't going in without heightened skepticism. The salesman was slick. Super polished. I wish I could create a business just so he could sell for me. He was very impressive. So after the initial meet and greet and priming the pump the exciting fun and properties presentation really wasn't for us. Unfortunately for them my wife and I are about the numbers and we're quite in sync with how we like to spend time away. None of what we were presented with was of interest. In fact we found it repulsive. So no surprise we wouldn't buy.

But buy what? What were we being sold? A deed. A deed guaranteeing a set amount of points per year. Thats it. But later we learned that the points could only accrue for two years. Any additional points had to be switched to another program at a loss of 20% before a set date each year or those points would be forfeited. Then came the first inkling of the dirty financial truth- there is a yearly membership fee. Then well into the sales pitch designed to elicit visions of wonderful exciting life changing I am the shit dreams of future fantastic vacations with family for decades to come, the second inkling of the dirty financial truth emerged- yearly assessment fee (cost subject to change). The salient financial facts were doled out singly and sandwiched between 30-45 minutes of setting the dream before your eyes crap. I guess it must work on enough people.

So to set the final stage the deed buys you a set amount of points every year. The points can be used to stay at this company's many resorts around the lower 48, their other properties, and lastly in over 12,000 affiliated properties in the US and Canada. All subject to availability and at the amount of points specified for each property per time of year. Now for the third inkling of the dirty financial truth-you still have to pay money to use your points. Thats right it isn't a typo. You pay money to use your points. Always.

Oh, BTW if you need financing they are there for you at 17% interest.

Now for the numbers. Wait lets bring in the tag team. The numbers guy- huge well dressed with firm handshake looking you straight in the eyes throughout. While doing so a well rehearsed banter between the salesman and the numbers guy ensues designed to heighten the expectation of being able to leave making everyone happy. Questions designed to get you to agree, to say yes, at the risk of turning their smiles upside down. So the numbers-

For 100,000 points per year- $50K.
My wife and I had to turn the smiles upside down.
OK, $40K.
Smiles turned upside down.
$30K.
You guessed it. Well wait for it the fourth dirty financial truth-
Now because we really want you to become one of our family, $7K.
Still no lasting smiles.

So we were asked what is your rationale for turning down such a fantastic opportunity? Well time for those pesky numbers to come to the fore.

For $7K you get 100,000 points to use per year although they will gladly sell you more points as needed.

Yearly membership fee of $130. Assessment fee of $1600. A booking fee for each reservation from $60-$260 per week.

So for $7K upfront you still have to pay around $2K every year. No thanks. But you are buying ownership they said. You have a deed. That deed will be good for your kids or anyone else you wish to leave it. You can even sell the deed if you want, of course subject to renegotiation of dirty financial truths 1-3.

Sorry, no.
So now their positive vibe has long gone, no smile to be seen, and an older guy, quite pleasant, emerged from a room behind a long wall of one way mirrors in the negotiation area. He asks if they can arrange another meeting with us a year or two in the future to revisit this opportunity. We can stay at one of their properties to get first hand experience with their company. Of course at our not their expense. Thanks but still no.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

How Much Is A.J. Green Worth in Today's NFL?

It's a good time to be an elite wide receiver in the National Football League.

Last August, Odell Beckham Jr. inked a five-year, $90 million extension with the New York Giants that included almost $41 million guaranteed at signing. After a trade sent him from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Oakland Raiders, Antonio Brown received a three-year, $50.1 million extension with just over $30 million in guarantees. Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reported the Atlanta Falcons are in talks with Julio Jones on an extension worth $20 million per season.

Another high-end pass-catcher is entering a contract year—a receiver who, at his best, is on par with the likes of Beckham, Brown and Jones. But after two injury-marred seasons in the past three years, it's fair to wonder just how much A.J. Green is worth and whether the Cincinnati Bengals are willing to pay it.

As Fletcher Page reported for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals owner Mike Brown said his organization is more than willing to give Green, the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft, a third contract with the team—provided the price is right:

"Oh, I think he's a proven commodity, isn't he? The price range for him will be something we can figure out, will come together.

"It's true with anyone, if they suddenly get an injury that it reduces them. Well that changes the equation, but I never plan on that happening. I like to think that won't happen. If A.J. is healthy, he's as good a receiver as anybody in the league."

Therein lies the rub.

Brown is absolutely right.

When healthy, Green is as good a receiver as you'll find throughout the NFL. In eight seasons, he's topped 1,000 yards six times, including his first five years in the league. He's hit or surpassed the 10-touchdown mark three times. Seven of his seasons have ended with a trip to the Pro Bowl, and he was named a second-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2013.

Green's 80.2 career receiving yards per game do rank last among the four receivers already mentioned in this article.

But to be fair, Brown played with a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, Jones caught passes from an NFL MVP in Matt Ryan and Beckham reeled in throws from a two-time Super Bowl MVP in Eli Manning. Green has spent his career with a good but hardly great signal-caller in Andy Dalton.

However, he more than holds his own when looking at career yards per reception:

1. Julio Jones: 15.4
2. A.J. Green: 14.8
3. Odell Beckham Jr.: 14.0
4. Antonio Brown: 13.4

Green, Beckham and Jones are the only three active players averaging at least 14 yards per reception and 80 receiving yards per game, which might make Cincinnati feel better about a decision to pay him. The Bengals receiver also made it clear, per the Cincinnati Enquirer'sPaul Dehner, that he'd prefer to remain in the Queen City for the remainder of his career:

"My goal when I got drafted was to always stay in one place the whole time. No matter what the situation was. I want to win, I want to bring something to this city. I don't want to be like, 'Oh, A.J. left because he wasn't winning.' It's not about football, that's just who I am to stay loyal to whoever gave me an opportunity."

So we have an elite player who wants to stay with his team. No problem, right?

Actually, a large one might exist.

The "when healthy" caveat around which we've danced has become a significant one in recent seasons. In 2016, a hamstring tear limited him to just 10 appearances. Last year, he lost almost half the season to torn ligaments in his toe.

That's quite the potential bump in the road for a player who turns 31 this summer. In fact, he's three weeks to the day older than Brown. Jones is a bit younger; he won't celebrate his 31st birthday until the day after Super Bowl LIV.

Still, given the similarities in age and production, Brown's recent contract (three years, $51 million) and the reported upcoming deal for Jones (potentially five years, $100 million, per Freeman) offer an idea of the two directions the Bengals could go.

The first is the Brown route: a short-term deal with an average annual value around $18 million. (That's slightly more than the new Raiders wideout received because these contracts feature constant games of one-upmanship.)

The trade-off would be guaranteeing a larger percentage of the overall contract. In Brown's case, per Spotrac, the guarantee comprised 60 percent of the deal's total value. Given that Green has been a model player throughout his career and not the problem child Brown has been of late, that percentage would all but certainly be substantially higher.

But those injuries that have plagued Green would force the Bengals to assume risk. If they continue to be problematic, Cincinnati could be on the hook with millions of dollars in wasted cap space.

That leads to the Jones road, which would see the Georgia product earn a whopper of a deal. Perhaps he could even join Larry Fitzgerald and a hypothetical Jones—remember, that contract isn't yet signed—in the $100 million club.

The upside is that an out could be worked into the pact—an insurance policy of sorts that could be exercised should injuries continue to plague Green.

We know with near certainty that something will get worked out between the Bengals and their star receiver. The team has a history of locking up its own, whether it's Carlos Dunlap or Geno Atkins. A pretty strong argument can be made that Green is the best pick Brown has made since taking over as team owner in 1991.

We also know that whether it's a short-term deal with a hefty percentage guaranteed or a long-term deal with a built-in escape hatch, Green's extension will be massive. The floor is around $17 million annually. The ceiling rises over $20 million.

Most importantly, we know Green is worth it...so long as he stays healthy.

https://www.therams.com/news/cultur...ade-l-a-a-top-destination-team-for-free-agent

Culture, location, and coaches have made L.A. a top destination team for free agents

As the Rams navigate free agency following their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2001 season, one thing has become clear — players want to be a part of what head coach Sean McVay and company have going in L.A.

And it’s for reasons beyond — in addition to — the Southern California sunshine.

“First, it’s great to be out in L.A., I think the weather and that city is outstanding,” McVay told reporters from the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. “Then it’s our people and our players. We’ve got a lot of great players and their ability to produce on the field has attracted a lot of these guys because they feel like they have a chance to compete.”

As for general manager Les Snead, the one charged with bringing the NFL’s talent to the Rams and their facility on the Campus of California Lutheran University, located just off the 101, minutes from Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, the newest hip destination in professional football is a credit to the top person amongst the Rams’ “people,” in addition to the young head coach.

“I think it’s also a good time to thank Stan Kroenke, our owner, in terms of having a vision to bring this franchise back to an iconic city, having the commitment to build an iconic stadium and all of those things — the sunshine, the iconic city, the stadium, it makes this a preferred destination,” Snead said after introducing linebacker Clay Matthews.

“I also think Sean and his staff deserve a ton of credit as well, in terms of creating, designing, implementing, building, developing, executing an environment where we’re capable of winning and guys like Clay, [safety] Eric Weddle, and [left tackle Andrew Whitworth] ‘Big Whit’ wanting to stay.”

Of the Rams’ three pickups off the free agency wire, each expressed high interest in joining the defending NFC Champs. For quarterback Blake Bortles, the interest was so high that he almost joined the Rams without a visit.

“ kept coming around to L.A. and the being with the Rams as the best place, organization, and spot for me to be for the upcoming year,” Bortles explained. “A big part of that is coach McVay and what he’s done the past couple of years there and getting the opportunity to be around him.”

McVay was also on the frontlines of Weddle’s pre-free agency decision to join the decorated secondary in his home state. For Weddle, a bumped-up visit turned into hours of conversation with McVay, already dreaming up ways to win in 2019.

“Initially, I was going to take trips to other teams and then circle back to L.A. last. That was the gameplan set kind of initially. Then it probably changed within a half an hour,” Weddle said.

“This is really a great opportunity for myself to continue my dream and the challenge and desire to go out and be the best and to earn the respect of my teammates and the coaches and to earn a starting job.”

By the time the Rams added Matthews, it was clear no surprise free agency signing or offseason move was off the table McVay’s group. In Matthews’ introductory press conference, the 33-year-old head coach was relaxed in his chair, facing the L.A. media, sitting next to his newest superstar. He leaned toward the microphone to tease Matthews, saying, “He really made me wait for a couple of days longer than what we’re used to...” — after agreeing to terms less than a week into the league new year.

“As soon as my chance to return to Green Bay was past me, then I knew I wanted to come to the Rams. I put it on my agent, I put it on these guys here to try and get something done,” Matthews said in response to McVay’s banter. “It just seemed like a perfect fit.”

A lot has gone into the transformation that hoisted the Rams from nearly a decade without a winning record to the top-of-mind position for players in search of a shot at Super Bowl glory. For McVay, it boils down to the people in players in L.A. For many the players, it boils down to him.

“Our culture is a representation of our players and our coaches and their ability to work together to try to be able and win games consistently and be able to respond to adversity the right way,” McVay said.

“It’s been awesome.”

https://www.therams.com/news/when-rams-open-offseason-program-focus-will-be-on-present-not-the-past

When Rams open offseason program, focus will be on present — not the past

When the Rams assemble for the start of their offseason program on April 15, they’ll do so knowing that 2019 is a new year.

There will be new players to integrate into the system, new coaches to get familiar with.

But there’s also a factor that Los Angeles may have to combat — the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.

You’ve probably heard about it. When a team loses the Super Bowl, it’s difficult for that club to make it back to the postseason the following year. In just the last few years, for example, it’s happened to the Panthers after their appearance in Super Bowl 50. And it happened to the Falcons after their appearance in Super Bowl LI.

The Patriots, of course, are the exception — reaching the playoffs every season since 2009, and winning three of the last five Lombardi Trophies.

At this week’s league meetings in Phoenix, head coach Sean McVay told assembled reporters that he has spoken to Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn about learning lessons from losing the last game of the season.

“But at the end of the day, I think it happens to be the last game so it gets talked about a lot. But that was a blessing to our team to even be in that position,” McVay said. “And 2019 is a new season. I don’t think you want to lose sight of some of the things foundationally that we’ve been able to develop over the last couple years. But you’ve got to earn it every single day.”

Earning it every single day — that’s something McVay has stressed since he became Los Angeles’ head coach back in January 2017. Even in his introductory press conference, McVay spoke of creating a team that was focused on daily improvement and daily excellence. Those are the kinds of core principles that the Rams will focus on to begin the offseason program.

“I think we talk about not letting one game ever define you,” McVay said. “And clearly that’s a big game, and it’s the first time we’ve ever navigated through it as a coaching staff. But it’s going back to the foundational principles, some of the core values that you want to operate with — just in terms of being in the present, producing in that given day. And those are things that we’ll go back to doing.

“I think we’ve got to understand that every year presents new challenges. But foundationally, there’s a lot of the same things that we’ll continue to do moving forward. But last year is last year. You want to learn from every single game. The Super Bowl provides a great learning opportunity for us.”

That being said, McVay realizes that there will be a bit of a balancing act between using the past as fuel, and not letting it affect what has to happen in order to be successful in 2019.

“I think everybody talks about the consistency at what New England’s been able to do, and you look at the way they responded to a great game [in the Super Bowl] against Philly and they found a way to consistently produce and then find a way to get it done this year,” McVay said. “For us, it’s not about the end goal — it’s about producing in the present. And that’s what we’ll consistently focus on.

“I think everybody that has a natural inclination to say, ‘Oh, you’ll be back’ — it’s not like that at all. For us, it’s about building one day at a time, and understanding that there’s 31 other teams that have the same goals that we do, and great coaches, great players. And we’ve got to do it the right way. And, again, not lose sight of what helped us have success over the last couple year.s But we’ve got to adjust, adapt, evolve, and then figure out the 2019 Rams specific to our players and our coaches — how can we figure out [how] to be the best versions of ourselves every single day.”

When I was about 10 yrs old, my Dad broke the news to me that professional wrestling was fake. It immediately turned me off that I had been tricked, because I really liked it before then. I like Jake Ellenbogan and DTR, but I am dumbfounded that guys like him who take a sport so seriously that they create websites, do podcasts, and spend so much time researching and evaluating talent. Watching tape, etc. like Wrestlemania, although he did say that he doesn't follow it so much anymore., but was surprised that a certain wrestler was given a chance at a "championship." What value does such a championship give when it's all fake anyway?

Aside from cheering for good guys vs bad guys and that's how you like to spend your time (universal "you"), knock yourself out. It seems like an absolute waste of time and money to me.

What say you?

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...s-open-for-rams-so-its-super-bowl-or-bust-2-0

Rams' window remains open, so it's Super Bowl or bust 2.0

PHOENIX -- Last year, the Los Angeles Rams identified a window to go all-in, acquire the best players available to round out a talented roster and make a deep playoff run.

The result: a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in 17 seasons, though it ended in a 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots.

As the Rams prepare for the 2019 season, the window remains wide open, even as coach Sean McVay emphasizes the difficult nature of a repeat run.

"People say, 'Well, you'll be back,'" McVay said at the NFL's annual meetings. "But it's not like that."

However, with the return of several stars and minimal turnover in starting positions, it is within the realm of possibility. Several teams spanning the past three decades, including the Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, have made consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

The Rams have the talent and budget to join the list.

"Any time you have a young head coach and a young quarterback, somewhat young core players, you're in the window to do some of the things that we've talked about," general manager Les Snead said. "And you're always navigating that based on who comes on the roster and who comes off it."

Coming off a 13-3 season and back-to-back division titles, the Rams return star playmakers Aaron Donald, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year; quarterback Jared Goff, a two-time Pro Bowl selection; and running back Todd Gurley, a two-time All-Pro. Plus, a few key additions have been made in free agency.

Let's look at the defense.

Before the legal tampering period, the Rams secured a bargain in a hot market for pass-rushers when they signed outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year contract worth up to $12 million. Fowler started 11 games last season after the Rams acquired him from the Jacksonville Jaguars at the trade deadline. He proved himself valuable, especially in the NFC Championship Game, in which he pressured New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees into an errant pass that resulted in an interception and spurred the Rams to an overtime win.

The Rams also have added veteran safety Eric Weddle on a two-year, $12.78 million contract and veteran outside linebacker Clay Matthews on a two-year, $9.3 million deal.

Weddle's addition will soften the loss of Lamarcus Joyner, who departed for the Oakland Raiders in free agency. A 12-year veteran, Weddle is in the twilight of his career, and it remains to be seen after a season in which he produced no interceptions whether he still has elite playmaking ability.

Matthews, a 10-year pro who also has limited seasons remaining, knows how to win a Super Bowl. Given his experience playing inside and outside, he can provide flexibility in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.

But keeping in mind that the draft is yet to come, questions remain on the defense. Who will plug the hole left by Ndamukong Suh? The defensive tackle is not expected to return because of budgetary constraints (the Rams have about $4.8 million remaining in their salary cap, according to ESPN Roster Management). If promoted to a starter, will second-year pro Micah Kiser suffice in place of inside linebacker Mark Barron, who was released to save $6.33 million in salary?

On offense, few changes are expected on a unit that ranked second in the NFL in scoring last season, averaging 32.9 points per game.

Goff is entering Year 4 of his rookie contract, which allows for resources to be spent elsewhere. But a big payday is likely on the horizon, as he has steadily climbed the quarterback rankings. Last season, he not only recorded a perfect passer rating in a Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings but also finished the season with 4,688 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and helped orchestrate a come-from-behind win in the NFC Championship Game.

Goff's go-to targets return, notably Gurley and receivers Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, who will be coming off a season-ending knee injury. Last season, the three receivers were each on pace to record 1,000 receiving yards, and Cooks and Woods reached the mark.

Last season, Gurley rushed for more than 1,000 yards for a second consecutive season and added a league-best 21 touchdowns, though questions about the long-term durability of his left knee remain. "It's good," McVay said when asked about the status of Gurley's knee at the owners meetings.

Beside Gurley's knee, the biggest question looming on offense is how it will operate without two key veteran players. Left guard Rodger Saffold departed for the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and the Rams did not pick up the second-year option on center John Sullivan's contract.

The decision to move on from Sullivan and the loss of Saffold cannot be overstated. They contributed on the only offensive line to maintain the same five starters throughout the season, and they were among the top-rated groups in the league.

But the Rams entered last year's draft planning specifically for the line's future when they selected Joseph Noteboom from TCU in the third round and Brian Allen from Michigan State in the fourth round. Noteboom is expected to start in place of Saffold, and Allen will take over for Sullivan. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth's decision to hold off retirement eases the transition.

"Coming out of this season, what we do know is we can win back-to-back divisions. What we didn't know after the '17 season was, can we win a playoff game?" Snead said. "This year, we know that we can. ... The big-picture answer to the question: We know what we're capable of, but 2019 is different than '18."

After this season, everything could change. The contracts of Whitworth and cornerback Aqib Talib are set to expire, along with that of defensive lineman Michael Brockers.

The Rams certainly will have to pay Goff, and contract decisions must be made on the young core, which includes possible paydays for right guard Austin Blythe, cornerback Marcus Peters, linebacker Cory Littleton and safety John Johnson III, who intercepted a team-best four passes last season and couldn't help but smile when asked during free agency if he noticed the money doled out to safeties.

But those are issues for the future.

For now, it's Super Bowl or bust -- again

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/03/29/nfl-draft-rams-secondary-needs/
Rams boast strong secondary but DB is still a need in 2019 NFL draft
By: Cameron DaSilva
When it comes to star power, there are few secondaries in the NFL that boast more than the Los Angeles Rams’. From Eric Weddle to Aqib Talib, to Marcus Peters and John Johnson III, there’s no shortage of talent in L.A.’s defensive backfield.

The names are easily recognizable, but that doesn’t make the secondary a long-term strength of the roster. In fact, there are major questions about the future of the Rams’ cornerbacks and safeties.

Peters and Talib are both entering the final year of their contracts. The Rams have said they “absolutely” want to extend Peters, but let’s not pretend he was an All-Pro in 2018. Talib could wind up retiring after next season, given his age and contract situation.

At safety, Johnson isn’t going anywhere, but there’s no guarantee Weddle will be back in 2020 despite signing a two-year contract this offseason. He’s 34 years old and although durable, few safeties play this deep into their careers.

Safety isn’t a pressing need for the Rams, but you’d be foolish to think they won’t consider drafting one in the first round. Just look at the players they’re hosting for official top-30 visits: Darnell Savage, Johnathan Abram and Juan Thornhill, among others. Those are all candidates to be selected with the Rams’ first pick, be it at No. 31 or after a trade back into the second round.

The bigger need of the two is at cornerback. If the Rams don’t add one this year or re-sign any of their current corners, they’ll head into 2020 with this depth chart at the position: Nickell Robey-Coleman and Darious Williams. That’s it. No one else is under contract beyond next season.

They’re aware of that and they’ll almost certainly select at least one cornerback in the draft this year, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see that happen in Round 1. Justin Layne from Michigan State and Rock Ya-Sin out of Temple are two second-tier corners who could be options at No. 31.

Les Snead has said the Rams are freed up to take the best player available in the draft, and outside of quarterback, running back and wide receiver, that player could come at any position – even cornerback.

Depth is important and even if a rookie draft pick at cornerback or safety doesn’t start in 2019, he will most certainly be in the running for a top job two seasons from now. The Rams will likely address both spots in the draft, it just depends how early and often.

Any thoughts on this guy?

Not seeing a lot of you mock him to us in rd #1 but NFL Network analysts are currently listing him as our pick in their current mock draft.

Looks like a solid pick for our zone heavy scheme.

https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player-news/headlines/8937821

Always liked Robert. Wish he went to a more likable team.

https://www.therams.com/news/noteboom-feels-prepared-for-larger-role

Entering year two, Joe Noteboom feels prepared for larger role thanks to a season alongside his idols
by Clarence Dennis


Rams offense was reluctant to roll out its rookies in 2018. From a play-making perspective, head coach Sean McVay’s unit relied heavily on its shortlist of high-flying wide receivers and the NFL’s leader in touchdowns out of the backfield. In the trenches, the second-year head coach relied even more heavily on his heaviest players — members of the mostly-veteran Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year.


Each member of the Rams starting offensive line played at least 94-percent of offensive snaps in the Super Bowl season. The right side of the line — guard Austin Blythe and tackle Rob Havenstein — played every single snap.

If anyone felt the consequences of the L.A.’s enduring O-line, outside of the pass rushers who came up short of sacking quarterback Jared Goff and the defenses that watched running back Todd Gurley burst out of the backfield, it was rookie offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom.

Noteboom — the Rams top draft pick in 2018 (Round 3, No. 89) — appeared in all 16 games in of his rookie season, but played just seven percent of all snaps, making him the second-most called upon rook in McVay’s offense, but just by a smidge. He finished the year trailing undrafted wideout KhaDarel Hodge in snaps by fewer than one percentage point.

Following his first season as a pro, mostly spent a few feet from football’s top playing field, Noteboom is not complaining — in fact he doesn’t say much at all. The 6-foot-5, 321-pound 23-year-old is often teased for being the quiet guy around the Rams facility.

“Coming in being a rookie, you never want to be the loud and annoy the veterans, so just coming in, this is all still kind of star-striking for me,” Noteboom explained. “Just seeing guys like [LT] Andrew Whitworth, [former LG] Rodger Saffold, guys that I’ve been watching for 10 years now, idolizing those guys and then coming in here — it’s hard not to stay back and watch them, observe how they do things.”

“I don’t see any disadvantages to sitting out a year, you’re maybe getting less experience on the field, but getting those practice reps was basically all I needed and that film work,” the rookie added. “I’d say it's more advantageous than disadvantageous.”

Noteboom’s noticed former center John Sullivan’s impressive football knowledge and film study, Saffold’s weight room work ethic, and Whitworth’s leadership on and off the field in year one. He says the combination of those examples of veteran, role-model guidance, along with offensive line coach Aaron Kromer’s focus on developing youth in McVay’s line — specifically when his proven veterans took their weekly rest day — has readied him for the playing field whenever his time comes.

“That’s been one of the best things about being here so far, is just kind of having those veterans to just guide me along the way, having the redshirt year to watch those guys and see how they do things on and off the field,” Noteboom said. “Getting to sit behind those guys, getting to watch for an extra year, letting me sit back and kind of observe how they do things, I kind of modeled my game after that and got a bunch of practice reps for Whitworth and Saffold.”


The offensive line apprenticeship could flip to NFL action quick for Noteboom, considering Sullivan’s departure in free agency, Saffold becoming a Tennessee Titan, and Whitworth tossing retirement aside for season 14.

Addressing the media after adding safety Eric Weddle to the defense earlier this month, general manager Les Snead described Noteboom as the hypothetical “heir” to Saffold’s vacated seat at left guard after nine seasons on the offensive line. And although the GM did not rule out drafting a starting lineman, Noteboom, who is listed as a tackle, but cross-trained at guard — a staple of Kromer’s coaching — doesn’t blink when considering a larger role in 2019.


“Just knowing that anything can happen — guys can get hurt, guys can leave — you want to be prepared, you don’t want to be the new guy coming in and slacking, being a weak spot on the O-line, so you just kind of work hard,” Noteboom said, before describing the product of his time so far as the “new guy” in the offensive line room.

“Nothing when you go into the game is going to be unexpected, you just kind of know that and go out there and play 100 percent and it all works out.”


The next-in-line former Horned Frog doesn’t have it all figured out after his first professional season as a soft-spoken observer — but he sure wants to. Noteboom was quick to rattle off how he hopes to improve before the possibility of sliding into the spotlight next season.

“I want to figure out how to study the defense little more, kind of get a bigger picture. I know a lot about the D-line, linebackers, so I just want to work on seeing the whole picture, see what the center sees because they pretty much know everything because they make all the calls,” Noteboom said. “Once you get all the film work done and studying, you kind of just go out there and play.”

On the 22nd April at 1400 (UK time) fans from all 32 NFL teams will meet at The Hippodrome, Leicester Square, London.

The event has been organised by Cleveland SuperFan Paul Brown (check Twitter for his Vlogs) and a small group of fans. Each team will have 3 fans to represent the franchise front office and they will work their way through the first 3 rounds of the Draft.

The team behind Los Angeles Rams UK will be providing the Front Office for our Rams on the day.

I believe the whole event will be filmed but not sure about any live stream as yet.

Any advice for this Draft noob who doesn't watch College Football?

#UKRams

So I posted this video on the 100 year thread and something jumped out at me:

This day, game 5 of the 1999 season, marked a transition in time. The end of one era, and the beginning of another.


Login to view embedded media View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXnzNn8nKU



When the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995 there was hope for a change in fortune. The Rams had turned into a perennial loser after getting embarrassed by the SanFrancisco Forty Niners in the 1989 NFC Championship Game, moved from California to the Midwest, and wanted a fresh start.

But the hated Niners were determined to remind the Rams that things would remain the same.

Login to view embedded media View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ojEfD82fCwc


Guys like DeMarco Farr, Todd Lyght, Keith Lyle and Isaac Bruce were humiliated, year after year by their hated rivals. They were warriors, determined to change their fate, change their legacy, and avenge Dana Stubblefields SOSAR moniker and put the Whiners in their place.

And we as fans were determined, as well.

Then came that fateful day in October, 1999. Perhaps some of you ROD members were in attendance?

Go back and watch the video of Bruce’s incredible performance again, and make note of a few things. The Rams were in year 3 of a Dick Vermeil coached era, with no real reason for optimism.

But we all know the story. The Rams add Marshall Faulk, Adam Timmerman, and Trent Green, draft Tory Holt, and Dre Bly, take on offensive guru Mike Martz, and cautious whispers of optimism make their way through the organization as the preseason begins with a new feeling of success.

Then Green goes down for the year, Vermeil vows to rally around a grocery boy, and we all hold our collective breath.

And so it began. Kurt Warner stepped in and lead his team. The Rams began 4-0. The offense Was the talk of the league. But in stepped the bully on the block.

At 3-1, the San Francisco Forty Niners would set it straight. On the heals of several winning seasons under the leadership of Steve Mariucci, just four years removed from their fifth Super Bowl title, they came into St. Louis to show the upstart, first place Rams who was boss. With a win, they would pull into first place in the West, and not look back.

Bruce was determined to write a different chapter. And he would.

With four touchdowns, and the most emotional performance of his career, Reverend Ike personally killed off a dynasty, ended the SOSAR myth, and rubbed the beginning of the Greatest Show on Turf in the face of the enemy.

Hats of to the maker of the video, chronicling Bruce’s historic day. Some notes from every touchdown of that day:

Touchdown 1:



Bruce would roast the Niner secondary all day, but the first touchdown on the opening drive may have been the prettiest. He broke to the outside, then froze the corner with a sudden inside move and a perfect strike from Warner. 7-0 Rams.

Touchdown 2:



Still first quarter, Warner lofted a beautiful ball to the back of the end zone, and the graceful Bruce tapped in, and the Rams went up 14-0.



The crowd began to sense the excitement. This was going to be fun.



...and as Bruce celebrated the beginning of a route, he gestured to the crowd, “It’s over!” He seemed to be saying. Throat slash. These ain’t your same old Rams!!



...and the message seemed to be received loud and clear. Not only by the huge crowd of Ram fans that day, parched for the renewal of a proud franchise, but by the Niners themselves, represented perfectly by Mariucci himself.

Here he seemed to be saying, “We’re done.” And he was right, as the Rams victory that day would not only launch them to a 5-0 record, and eventual Super Bowl title, but seal the fate of the Whiner cucks, who would only win one more game in a pathetic 4-12 season.



It also served as a great reminder to Mariucci that day, that he once valued Ty Detmer more than this future Hall of Fame stud, just a few years earlier with the Packers.

Touchdown 3:


As the first quarter drew to a close, the Rams took advantage of a great kick return from Tony Horne, and Warner launched this perfect pass into the seam of the Niner defense.



...Bruce beautifully cut back, breaking the ankles of the Niner DB, and raced to glory!

The OMG Guy:



One of my favorite shots in this video is the cut to the crowd after the THIRD of Bruce’s first quarter touchdowns as fans cannot believe what they are seeing! This man in the white shirt clearly says, “Oh my God!” As he lets out years of frustration, echoing the sentiment every last one of you swinging d!cks were expressing at that moment, me included.

He said, “OMG! This is really happening!...OMG! I don’t have to take crap from my whiner buddies anymore!...OMG! THIS. FEELS. SOOOO. GOOOD!”





As teammates and Coaches congratulate Ike, he seems to have a breakdown on the bench. He’s having his OMG moment, and it is like casting out demons that tormented him for years.





Sobbing. Joy. Relief. Gratefulness. Thank you, Lord.

Touchdown 4:



But the Rams weren’t done yet. Those pesky Winers thought they were sneaking back into this game. But Bruce, Warner and the Rams would have none of it, as Kurt struck Isaac one more time early in the fourth quarter to seal the deal!

This beautiful pass would be reminiscent of another touchdown nearly two decades later, on a Monday Night in Los Angeles, against Missouri’s “other team”, and caught by Gerald Everett.



Finally, after Bruce’s fourth touchdown, he is greeted by his fellow long-sufferers. Lyght, Lyle, Farr. They knew what it was like to hear same-old-sorry-ass. They knew the pain. And now they would celebrate the sweet taste of victory. Together.

And look across at that sorry crew on the other sideline.