Had a troubled life

Film Study: What could Chris Shula’s defense look like with the Rams?​

For the first time since the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams will have a new defensive coordinator. Following Raheem Morris’ departure from the team to be appointed as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Sean McVay chose long-time defensive assistant Chris Shula to lead the defense.

With Shula being a first-time coordinator, there are a lot of questions on what his defense will look like. This will be the third derivation of the Brandon Staley defense in 2020. At the end of the day, the same structures that the Rams have implemented over the last few years will likely remain the same.

In 2018 when McVay struggled against Fangio, that defensive structure caught his attention and it’s all he’s wanted to run since. Despite McVay being an offensive head coach, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had more say than many realize over how the defense is structured. It is likely one reason why when Morris was hired, he essentially learned and taught the Staley scheme on the fly.

Under McVay, the Rams have had a fundamental understanding of who they are and what they want to be on both sides of the ball. This “less is more” approach that they’ve taken on defense has allowed them to adapt to challenges faster than a lot of other teams in the league, especially as it pertains to the lack of personnel over the last year.

With that said, that doesn’t mean that Shula still won’t implement some of his own twists or make some changes. Shula said as much in OTA’s and emphasized that the scheme will be fit around the players and put them in the best positions to succeed. In his introductory press conference Shula said, “My defensive philosophy is it’s about the players...We’re going to do whatever the players can execute at a high level where they can go out and play fast and play confident.”

Again, it all comes back to what that looks like. Cody Alexander of the Match Quarters Substack broke down the Rams defense and their defensive structures. The 27-minute video is certainly worth a watch as Alexander has written several books about modern NFL defenses.


One of the key things that Alexander mentions is the diversity and multiplicity within the scheme. The Rams run a base 3-4, but they will go also move into 5-1 looks with their nickel in a 4-2-5. Said Alexander,

“Just because they’re a base 3-4 doesn’t mean that they can’t get into a penny look or get into a 5-down look and walk Ernest Jones down when they’re in their 4-2-5 nickel or even when they’re in dime. You can do multiple things, but the coverages are all going to translate.”
Some of the big things that Alexander mentions is that the Rams could work in some more man coverages this year. Over the past two seasons, the Rams have been a heavy zone team, but the reasoning there was that they needed to protect their inexperienced cornerbacks. With the addition of Tre White and Darious Williams, the Rams should be able to mix in some more man coverages.

Last season, the Rams were in Cover 1, or man coverage, on 12.1 percent of their snaps. Comparatively, they were in Cover 3 on 38.5 percent of the time. Now, the Rams will still primarily be a Cover 3 team under Shula, but due to more experienced personnel on the outside at cornerback, more man coverages could be used.

Alexander also brought up how the Rams will adjust in a life post-Aaron Donald. It’s one of the biggest adjustment that Shula will have to work through in his first season as the defensive coordinator. Said Alexander,

“I really think they turned a weakness with Aaron Donald leaving and they’ve really kind of calibrated it to where they can have multiple guys, guys that can keep each other fresh, and then guys that can cause damage if they’re used properly....This is where I think this defense can really grow, especially now with Aaron Donald gone. You can have more guys play inside. Hoecht doesn’t have to play the defensive end, he can move back inside. You can have 2-3 techniques inside that can actually play and move guys around. You can have a big defensive end, you can have two edges out there. This package to me, the nickel package, they started using it a little bit last year, there’s going to be a lot of growth on this defense. They’re going to be able to do multiple different things.”

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Since 2021, the Rams have had an average to below average defense. However, with some of the additions that they’ve made, there is potential to push up. If they can become a top-15 defense, this is a team that could once again make some noise towards the end of the season.

Rams' pass rush is finally a strength of the team​

After years of relying on Aaron Donald to carry their pass rush, the Los Angeles Rams' 2024 roster feels like the first time in a decade they can call their pass rush unit a true strength of their roster. The Rams have drafted smartly to fill out this room, and it seems poised to be the rock they can build their defense on moving forward.

The main headline, naturally, is first-round pick Jared Verse. Verse's NFL-ready skillset and talent make him a shoo-in to be an uncontested starter for the team moving forward. He had at least nine sacks in each of his last three seasons in college, and he's poised to continue carrying that production into the pros. Verse is a popular pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year for good reason.

The Rams' other key starter is Byron Young, the team's third-round pick out of Tennessee. Young started virtually right away in 2023, playing the third-most snaps of the team. As a rookie, Young posted 50 pressures and eight sacks. While Young has plenty to work on, mainly developing a pass-rush plan, his immediate production and traits are exciting building blocks for the Rams' defense. He and Verse project as the team's two unquestioned starters.

The depth is the part that the Rams have really lacked over the years. They've been top-heavy, relying on players like Von Miller and Leonard Floyd to carry their entire EDGE room. I'd argue that their 2024 room could be better than the 2019 team that boasted Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews, Samson Ebukam, and Ogbo Okoronkwo.

Michael Hoecht was re-signed in the offseason, bringing back 39 pressures and six sacks. Hoecht is an effective depth rusher, whose disruption should continue now that he likely will be able to rush fully as a depth piece instead of a full-time starter. Hoecht's 11.1% pass rush win rate led the Rams' pass rushers last season, and his leadership will be valuable for a group as young as the Rams' pass rush room.

Behind Hoecht, the Rams boast three intriguing young pass rushers: 2024 fifth-round pick Brennan Jackson and 2023 Day 3 picks Nick Hampton and Ochaun Mathis.

Jackson is a hot motor, high-effort pass rusher. His play strength, motor, and awareness make him a candidate to be an impactful player in the Rams' base fronts as an edge-setter. He also adds a player who can be a dependable special teamer, something the Rams have lacked in recent years.

Both Hampton and Mathis are coming off of relatively unremarkable rookie seasons. Neither posted a sack and neither played over 75 snaps as rookies. However, the tale of the tape shows promising players. Mathis battled injuries as a rookie, but has raw talent worth developing.

Hampton the player I'm most interested in of the two, however.

His quickness makes him a player that offenses have to account for, as he'll knife into the backfield before teams can blink if they aren't careful. His pursuit ability, bend, and coverage ability shone on his college film and offer the Rams an exciting player they can rotate in sub-packages. He has the talent to earn a significant role in the Rams' pass rush rotation.

For the first time in a few years, the Rams edge rusher corps feel like a unit that is a real strength of the team. It's certainly their deepest position on defense and the additions of Verse and Jackson make it even more potent. The Rams now have the depth to get creative with how they deploy their pass rush, instead of just relying on one or two players to carry the unit. If players like Young, Hampton, and Mathis take that next step with their development, the Rams' pass rush can carry the defense to a potential playoff run.

The Los Angeles Rams Need to Trade for Courtland Sutton​

The Los Angeles Rams have a huge 2024 season in store. They’re primed to make a run to the playoffs, but that could be their last chance with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford on the team. With that, the Rams need to make sure they do everything to ensure the offense performs at a high level. That’s why they must trade for Courtland Sutton.

The Denver Broncos just traded Jerry Jeudy this offseason which would make it seem as though they are going to keep Sutton as their top receiver. While that would be the common thought, it would be more ideal for Denver to trade him. Sutton is a field stretching receiver, who necessarily isn’t known for his quickness. The Asshole Face offense is predicated on getting the ball out quickly and efficiently to limit negative plays. That’s displayed after drafting Marvin Mims last season and Troy Franklin this season. While Denver will be competitive, they won’t be in position to win the division and instead should continue to propel the team forward with younger talent through the draft.

The Rams would be ideal for Sutton. The Rams need another field stretching receiver because while Puka Nacua had a phenomenal rookie season, he also solidified himself as the new top threat. While Cooper Kupp is still good, he has missed time the last two seasons and the Rams need another threat to take attention off Nacua in case Kupp misses time. With Sutton, he would bring a red zone threat as well to fully elevate the offense and maximize it.

Again, the Rams need to make sure they do everything they can to go as far as they can with this team this season. That starts with making sure their receiver room is fully set and has enough talent to uplift the offense and not hold it back. Plus, with Sutton having just this season and 2025 left on his current contract, this allows the Broncos to free up cap space to build the team under Payton the way they can the most to truly be contenders.

10 Rams on the roster bubble ahead of training camp​

Training camp is a pivotal point of the offseason for every NFL team. Teams truly begin ramping up for the season and it's at this point you really begin to see players separate and prove themselves worthy of a larger role in the season ahead. Most of the depth chart for the Los Angeles Rams is pretty set, but some spots are left wide open to fight over throughout camp.

Here are my ten players on the Rams' roster who have to earn their spot in camp and aren't guaranteed to stick on the roster come the final 53-man roster cuts.

1. Tutu Atwell

I spoke about this last week, but Atwell shouldn't be a lock at all for the final roster. He had a leap in production in 2023, caused mainly by being on the field when Cooper Kupp was hurt. When Kupp returned, Atwell was replaced by Demarcus Robinson and averaged just 13 snaps a game over the last five weeks of the season (outside of the backup-led Week 18 game). Atwell's speed stands out versus the rest of the wide receiver room, but his lack of blocking and inability to play special teams lowers his value. With Jordan Whittington standing out and players like Tyler Johnson, Drake Stoops, and Sam Wiglusz vying for a spot, their ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game could give them the edge over Atwell.

2. Logan Bruss

A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Bruss seemed like a lock to play at right guard as a rookie before a season-ending injury. The Rams (foolishly) tried to move him back to tackle, despite him not being an NFL tackle, and Bruss spent 2023 on the practice squad. Now with the Rams adding to their offensive line in the draft with Beaux Limmer and KT Leveston, both of whom can play guard, and Warren McClendon seemingly holding the edge for the backup right tackle spot, Bruss went from third-round pick to relative afterthought. He might spend yet another year on the practice squad, but the Rams should see if there is any trade interest first.

3. Russ Yeast

After the Rams signed John Johnson III, Yeast's future with the team feels uncertain. Only three safeties on the Rams have posted over 100 snaps over the last two seasons, and it feels like the Rams have their three in Johnson, Kinchens, and free-agent signee Kamren Curl. With reports that the team was trying to find spots for Yeast by trying him out at STAR, my doubts only grow. With 2023 seventh-round pick Jason Taylor II carving out a role on special teams last year, Yeast could find himself on the outside looking in.

4. Derion Kendrick

Kendrick has been benched multiple times in his career, and the Rams added Tre'Davious White and Darious Williams in the offseason. With Cobie Durant looking for a rebound 2024 season as the team's CB3 and the Rams already trying to find a different position for Kendrick, I'm not optimistic about his chances to make the final 53, barring an injury.

5. Zach Evans

The staff didn't trust Evans to do much of anything last year, even when Kyren Williams got hurt. After the Rams added Blake Corum and Boston Scott to the room, there's not a lot of hope that Evans deserves a spot in the room-especially with Ronnie Rivers being held in such high regard by the staff.

6. Larell Murchison

How the Rams handle the defensive line depth is worth monitoring, but Murchison hasn't been enough of a standout to feel like he has a spot. He's not produced much outside of the Rams' 2022 Christmas blowout of the Denver Broncos, and with the Rams adding both Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis in the draft, Murchison's spot is far from assured.

7. Ochaun Mathis

The Rams' pass rush room is suddenly stacked after adding Jared Verse and Brennan Jackson to this room. If the Rams still opt to keep five OLBs, Mathis will have to earn a spot, but his age and capital might put him behind Nick Hampton for that fifth spot.

8. Hunter Long

Acquired as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade, Hunter Long has done little to earn a spot on the roster since. With the Rams adding Colby Parkinson and their belief in second-year player Davis Allen, Long is seemingly the TE4. It helps that Tyler Higbee might open the season on the PUP list, making him the TE3, but it's a shaky position with plenty of young UDFAs looking to earn their spot over him.

9. A.J. Arcuri

Arcuri was selected with the second-to-last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, so it might not be fair to include him here, but he has a tough road ahead to make the roster. Alaric Jackson has the starting left tackle role held down and Joe Noteboom's contract will keep him as the primary LT backup. With Warren McClendon having the edge for the primary backup right tackle spot, Arcuri is already the fifth offensive tackle on the depth chart, depending on how the Rams feel about the aforementioned Logan Bruss.

10. UDFA pass rushers

I'm lumping Keir Thomas and Zach VanValkenburg together here for this final spot. Both played roughly 100 snaps down the stretch of 2023, but much like Mathis, there's no room for either of them on the Rams' depth chart. Both seem likely to be stashed on the practice squad.

For my 2 cents best known for her role in The Shining. Sad to see anybody pass on though.

Without any legitimate team news this board this board has become really lame and uninteresting. I know it is a slow time of the year for the NFL but give me a break. I come here for information about the Rams not to hear about others personal woes.

Sean McVay ranked ahead of Division Rival Kyle Shanahan as NFC's best HC.

That's what being undefeated in the Conference championship and winning a SB will get you...

So far. It's a shitters and Lions porno.

The misery of them losing is gonna be great though.

God i hope them asses gonna get kicked.

When's QB season 2???

Hello all,

I'm planning on going to my first Sofi experience for Rams vs Vikings 10/24 on Thursday night with a buddy. I don't have the tickets yet though we're going to be purchasing them in the next few days.

My main questions are for those who have gone to Sofi before and what's the best course of action. We plan on taking an Uber there and back... about a 30-40 min drive I think? Also want to avoid the worst traffic so I want to get there no later than 3 hours before game time if that works. Can any of you who've been there done that offer any do's and don'ts as far as getting to and from the stadium and other helpful advice on game day? Would also love to meet up with any ROD fans who also plan on going.

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Anybody know much about them? Which brands to avoid. Which brands are reliable?

Anyone recognize this Gentleman ?

How good can the Rams offensive line be in 2024?​

As the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay has benefitted from some of the best offensive line play in the league. The 2017-2018 Los Angeles Rams offensive line featuring Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Austin Blythe, and Rob Havenstein helped the Rams take the league by storm in McVay's beginning years, catapulting them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018. In 2021, the play of Whitworth, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, and Havenstein helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI.

Now the Rams are counting on their offensive line to put them back in the Super Bowl hunt. The Rams invested in their offensive line this offseason, drafting two players and making guards Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson some of the highest-paid guards in the NFL. Havenstein returns as the longest-tenured member of the team, and Alaric Jackson helped solidify the left tackle spot. All-rookie left guard Steve Avila is moving over to center, a position he played extensively in college.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Rams' offensive line heading into 2024. Pro Football Focus doesn't share that same optimism, ranking the Rams' unit 16th in the NFL.

"The Rams' shrewd trade acquisition of Kevin Dotson ahead of the 2023 campaign paid massive dividends. He put together a breakout season, finishing with the second-highest PFF grade among guards and earning himself a new contract with the Rams. Los Angeles will hope Jonah Jackson, who the team signed in free agency, will yield similar results, as they are expected to be once again among the better run-blocking units in the NFL."

How the Steelers and Cowboys, teams relying on rookies throughout the unit, ranked in the top 10 but the Rams fell to 16th is beyond me, but regardless, PFF isn't sold on the Rams' ability up front ahead of the 2024 season.

I think their 2024 offensive line could be as good or even better than their 2018 unit. The Rams have built this unit well to fit exactly what they want to do: Run Power Often. The Rams have one of the heaviest offensive lines in football for a reason, and it's the key to their identity as a power-run team. This unit is built to bulldoze and pave the way while the 1-2 train of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum is full steam ahead behind them.

Both Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein are physical, rugged run blockers at the tackle spot. Jackson isn't anything more than average in pass protection and Havenstein has lost a step from his prime days, but they both are superb run blockers who can help drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. With the Rams potentially moving to using heavier personnel in 2024 as well, the Rams can offer both some help in pass protection with tight ends or their running backs to help mitigate their deficiencies as pass blockers.

The real strength of this team is in their interior, however. Jonah Jackson-Steve Avila-Kevin Dotson might be the most physically intimidating interior in the NFL, and each of those players are road graders in the run game. All three are stout in pass protection as well. Dotson and Jackson were top-15 in pressures allowed last season, and Avila allowed the fewest sacks of any rookie offensive lineman last season. This unit is the anchor of the Rams' offense, and this could be the best interior trio in the NFL in 2024 if Avila's move to center goes well.

The Rams' 2024 offensive line also boasts the best depth of any unit in recent memory. Joe Noteboom is the primary backup at left tackle, while 2023 fifth-round pick Warren McClendon is the primary backup at right tackle. Los Angeles spent two draft picks boosting their interior as well, adding center Beaux Limmer out of Arkansas and guard KT Leveston out of Kansas State. Those two have the edge for backup spots inside but will have to fight off former third-round pick Logan Bruss and 2022 sixth-round pick Zachary Thomas.

Offensive line play is the backbone for any offense, at all levels of the game. The Rams were wise to invest heavily into this unit this offseason, as it seems poised to propel their talented offense to another postseason run.

Rams Were One of Six Teams To Score Poorly In Food Survey Among NFL Teams​

Los Angeles is in the process of upgrading everything.

Matt Levine | 1 Hour Ago​

In this story:

• Los Angeles Rams

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http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=ht...o Score Poorly In Food Survey Among NFL Teams

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The Los Angeles Rams have put themselves into position to be one of the better teams in the NFC once again after making a surprising run to the postseason last year. Within this, Los Angeles has changed how they do things and it resulted in success on the field.
However, there are still areas that the Rams still lack. One of those seems to be in the food area of the team.
Earlier this season, the annual NFL Player's Association survey came out which ranks different metrics within organizations. Six teams scored below a C letter grade in terms of food and cafeteria, including the Rams.
"The Rams were one of six teams to get below a C in the food and cafeteria category, ranking 31st overall in food taste and 28th overall in food freshness. According to Zorn, part of that is because of the Rams' setup: trailers on the campus of California Lutheran University. While that was intended to be a temporary facility, it has lasted eight years."
Los Angeles is moving to Woodland Hills soon which should help the ranking next season. The Rams never wanted Cal Lutheran to be a permanent spot for them but things worked out the way they did.
If the move to Woodland Hills works out well, the Rams could jump up the ranking in the survey next season. The team has taken the approach of making diets more of a priority and they believe it will help translate to more winning on the field.

Actually 10…

5 for Training Camp / 5 for the NFC West… Let’s see yours! No rules, don’t need to do all 10.

CAMP THOUGHTS

Something I Feel Good About

The offensive line. The addition of Jonah Jackson slides Avila to center strengthening two positions on an already good offensive line.

The Concern I Have

As been said around here ad nauseam, linebacker depth… It feels like we’ll trade from another team’s depth, at some point before cut down.

A Prediction

Stetson Bennett plays well. Jimmy G continues to look weird in horns.

Something I am Rooting For

Jordan Whittington & Colby Parkinson. Depth at PASS CATCHER would sure feel good… another Puka surprise isn’t too much to ask for?

The Big Unknown, For Me

Our CB unit… 2 new starters… How do they look? If Tre'Davious White is healthy our CB room should be pretty solid.

THE NFC WEST

Something I Feel Good About

The Rams are the best team.

The Concern I Have

Not sure I’m liking Marvin Harrison Jr to the Cardinals… he could become a nemesis.

A Prediction

The 49’ers are getting a lot of hype, overdue for key injuries, and primed for an off year. They close their current window with an epic implosion!

Something I am Rooting For

Black Ops 6 is scheduled for release on October 25, 2024… Just in time for the wheels to fall off Kyler Murray.

The Big Unknown, For Me

Are the Seattle Seahawks still in the NFCW? They are under the radar, a little.

I heard this question today and it took me back to hot summer days when I was 6-7 years old in Southern California. We had no AC in the early 70's and we were always outside, waiting for the ice cream truck's music, getting closer and closer, not that it always mattered because I normally had no money. My Great Uncle from Miami came to visit us one summer when that familiar tune came rolling around the corner. He seemed very tall and thin with white hair and spoke with a heavy New Jersey accent. With several neighborhood boys around me, he offered to treat all of us to an ice cream, which made me the most popular kid on the block. He did this a couple of times before returning home. He also bought our family our first wall unit air conditioning unit before he left. It might sound crazy, but Uncle Lou (and Aunt Jean) changed our family's life that summer.

Now tell a story of your greatest summer time memory as a kid.

I like it.

or most assuredly , we will all hang separately

Happy Independence Day

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No pics @CGI​

I didn't see this posted surprisingly, yank it like your first grey hair if it has been.
It is more of a topic than a thread but it is pretty slow, a lot of recycled info other than the A.D & Fiske teaming up to work out part

Have a great & safe 4th Ram Fam

Braden Fiske to Train with Retired Legend Aaron Donald Before Rams Camp​

July 3, 2024


In a strategic move to rebuild their defensive line, the Los Angeles Rams looked to the draft, selecting Braden Fiske early in the second round. The young defensive tackle is stepping into a challenging role, aiming to make his mark following the retirement of legendary Aaron Donald. Though Fiske is not expected to directly replace Donald, he brings promising talent that the Rams hope will address the significant void left behind.
Aaron Donald, despite his retirement, is not severing his ties with the Rams just yet. He has taken an interest in mentoring Fiske, a gesture that speaks volumes about his dedication to the franchise. Fiske recently disclosed to Forbes that he would be training with Donald prior to the start of the upcoming training camp, a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best.

Donald, renowned for his relentless work ethic and extraordinary commitment, famously returned to training just one day after the Rams’ Super Bowl triumph in 2021. Fiske appears to share a similar dedication, one of the key traits that attracted the Rams to him during the scouting process.
While it’s inevitable that comparisons to Donald will arise due to their positional alignment and the timing of Fiske’s draft pick, Fiske is focused on carving out his own path. “I have to be me,” he stated, emphasizing his desire to forge his own legacy rather than filling someone else’s shoes. He acknowledges the enormity of the task ahead, fully understanding the legendary status Donald holds within the sports community.

The new Rams recruit has openly expressed his admiration for Donald, repeatedly calling him “the greatest ever” and acknowledging the weight of the responsibility he is taking on. Yet, Fiske is poised to embrace the challenge, focusing on bringing his own strengths and qualities to the team as he steps onto the NFL field. The mentorship with Donald could be crucial in helping him adjust to the professional level and thrive in a demanding environment.

imagine if faulk, bruce, holt & warner were jet planes.

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What a class act

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So as you all may know, I haven't missed a training camp since the Rams moved back to LA in 2016. So this year being at a different venue that is much smaller than UCI, tickets were limited. Once I saw they were available I clicked on each and every day that they were available and saved two tickets for each day, one for @bubbaramfan and one for me. Well guess what...

I didn't get any email notification that my tickets were ready for download so I waited a couple of days figuring they (the ticket company, Universe) was busy. I'm checking on it today and I see no tickets in my account. I see last years and years prior but nothing for 2024. I sent them an email, explaining my situation. Their reply "We're sorry but we see no tickets with your name associated. Please try the wait list." YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?

What did I miss? Now everyday is all sold out and I'm going to miss training camp and so is Bubba.

I'm sorry guys. Maybe I went a little to fast on requesting them and missed a step like "download now" or something.
Guess it was meant to be.