Eagle fans on sports radio are hoping they can bring him back for the Rams game.

By Matt Miller
The top players in the 2019 NFL draft class are making their intentions known as they declare early, sit out bowl games and start training for the grueling predraft process that will begin in early January. Pro scouts are doing their own work now as they evaluate and rank the top players in the country for the NFL draft.

The mid-December update of my big board adds many underclassmen who have declared for the draft, adjusts for injuries and sees many players emerge at the top of their positions. In a year with no clear-cut leader at many positions emerging before midseason, we also get clarity as the final month of the NFL calendar begins.

Who is the top quarterback? Who are the best defenders in an absolutely loaded class?

It's all in here.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...big-board-matt-millers-latest-rankings#slide1

Up to the bye week, the Rams offense utilized a formula out of 11 personnel that was wildly successful. The close games and one loss were largely a result of defensive inefficiency. But the Lions and Bears both demonstrated how this offense can be attacked. McVay promised to adapt with three games and a bye to prepare.

In 99, Martz wasn’t really challenged or “figured out” until Tampa in the NFC Championship game. That helped the Titans in the SB come closer than they would’ve otherwise. In ‘01, it wasn’t until the first half of the Cheatriot Bowl.

The strength of McVay’s scheme is having so many options out of a single formation. But now the NFL has a formula to stop it. I doubt that would still be the case w Kupp, but that’s a different subject. Bottom line, Sean needs different options when defenses decide to load up on the running game and get to the QB along the way. Uncharacteristic errors by players aside, Sean has a chance to develop new formations and schemes and get reps in them before the real season begins. No, he won’t change the “core philosophy”, but I expect in January, we will see radically different options that provide a counterpunch.

My question to this board is what would YOU suggest he do? 12 personnel? Six OLinemen? Jared read low to high? Blythe at center w Noteboom at RG? Ideas anyone?

OK the offense struggled in the cold against a fine defense

But, the run defense is much more of a concern, as playoff teams are going to run the ball hard in order to keep our offense on the sideline and then hit us long if our safeties cheat up to the line

Atlanta did it last year and so will every playoff team this one coming if we don’t get it sorted and quick.

This is to my mind an emergency! What are your thoughts?

Short and sweet here for 2 reasons. I am on vacation and hungover. ( I guess thats only 1 reason)

The rules are the same as always. closest gets 10k...exact score gets 25k


and Go !!!!!

The Rams' approach to practice with crisp and efficient efforts has been lauded by the media and even remarked upon by leadership of other teams over the course of McVay's time with us. But I find myself wondering if said practices need to be adjusted to allow for more physicality on gameday.

In other words, this team looks like it needs some full pads thumping type practices. Defense has looked like they need it for, well, all season. Offense got manhandled so badly last night maybe they could use it too.

And I don't know that it would make a marked difference, btw. Just wondering whether it's something that is being considered in-house.

OK, big win against Chiefs. Then Thanksgiving and bye week.

Goff hasn't been the same since. McVay didn't do him any favors against Lions or last night, but he easily could have been the main reason we haven't won since then (got a few good against the Lions).

I am keeping the faith that he snaps out of it. He has completely forgotten how to look off defenders, not stare down the target, feel the rush, and step into the throws.

Let's hope the Eagles bring the tonic he needs to start gearing up for the playoffs. I think the Saints have one more loss in them and we can still grab 1st seed...

.

during the telecast yesterday worthless began talking about mcvay communicating to goff until the 15 second mark on the play clock. then on the next few plays they showed the play clock in half the screen until the 15 second mark.

they did this on a few occasions. does this irritate the fuck out of anyone else? how is it still news? why is it a thing for goff only? i don't get it.

so in summary, worthless is a fucking cocksucker.

.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25500888/raiders-fire-general-manager-reggie-mckenzie

Raiders fire general manager Reggie McKenzie
Paul Gutierrez

The Oakland Raiders have fired general manager Reggie McKenzie, effective immediately, the team announced Monday.

"We are grateful for everything Reggie has done for this organization as a player, executive and member of the Raider family," the team said in a statement, adding that the team "will immediately begin a search for a new front office executive and will have no further comment until that process is complete."

McKenzie, 55, has been the Raiders' GM since 2012. He was under contract through the 2021 NFL draft as part of a four-year extension he signed in 2016.

Many wondered whether McKenzie, the 2016 NFL executive of the year, would fit in the organizational flow chart when head coach Jon Gruden was hired in January. Both insisted they would work together, and McKenzie recently said his job as general manager was to get Gruden the players that he wanted, not necessarily players that McKenzie liked.

"We're building this thing in concert together," McKenzie said in late October. "I'm talking about me and Coach Gru. We're doing this thing together."

Asked who might be "untouchable" on the Raiders' roster as the trade deadline loomed, McKenzie joked, "I'm untouchable."

McKenzie also spoke of reports of a rift between him and Gruden, calling it "comical."

"You talked about pulling the strings, and you know, Gruden and I, we work together very well," McKenzie said at the time. "Let's make no mistakes about it. Him pushing me out, that's not happening. Me not being able to work with Gruden, that's furthest from the truth. OK? We work really well together.

"We're in each other's offices all the time. Talking about players, who's up, who's down. Who I would like to see play more. Practice squad guys. About moving this guy. Claiming this guy. Trading. Guys calling me about trading this guy -- here's what I think, what do you think?

"Moving forward, when you talk about the negativity that I hear is between me and Gruden, there's been times I want to make a statement and say, 'Really?'"

The roster has been torn down, with the high-profile trades of All-Pro edge-rusher Khalil Mack on Sept. 1 and Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooperon Oct. 22, hastening the rebuild in Oakland less than two years before the franchise moves to Las Vegas.

In fact, only nine of McKenzie's 50 pre-Gruden draft picks (from 2012 through 2017) are on the Raiders' 53-man roster, and 36 current players did not spend a single day on Oakland's 53-man roster last season.

Raiders owner Mark Davis lauded the financial efforts of McKenzie, whom he often referred to as his "guy" upon hiring him three months after the death of Al Davis, crediting McKenzie's acumen in getting the Raiders out of "salary-cap hell."

But other than the 2014 draft, which netted Mack, quarterback Derek Carr, right guard Gabe Jackson and defensive tackle Justin Ellis, McKenzie's picks have left much to be desired, Davis said in a recent interview.

"It's been all part of an evolution, but I think it's becoming clearer and clearer to Jon as well that the talent is just not here at this time," Davis told ESPN.com last month.

"The drafts did not help supplement what we were doing in the free-agent market. If you look at our roster now, it's a bunch of free-agent one-year guys that are mercenaries. And they're great guys and they're Raiders. Once a Raider, always a Raider ... but we just don't have the overall talent of a 22-man roster."

Davis said on the night of Nov. 11, when the Raiders fell to 1-8, that the "buck" stopped with him, although he and McKenzie needed to "sit down and talk and figure out how we are going to go about the future. We've got to look in the mirror and figure out, where the hell did we go wrong in trying to build this thing?

"We failed. I have failed. But at the same time, we wouldn't have been in the great position we were in without Reggie McKenzie being here."

Since that night, the Raiders are 2-2.

The Raiders went 39-70 with McKenzie as GM, 29th in the NFL (.358 win percentage) during that time span.

NFL Network first reported the news of McKenzie's firing.

Not going to lie! That game last night was VERY Disturbing and VERY Disappointing to me!!! But, A fellow worker told (Reminded!) me that the Rams are 11-2 and headed to the PLAYOFFS!!! He also told me that there are a LOT of TEAMS/COACHES/FANS that would LOVE to be 11-2 and guaranteed a spot in the Playoffs! While, That all does make sense I am sorry to say that it didn’t make me feel much better! Hopefully, The REAL Rams will show up this coming Sunday so we can forget the imposters that played/coached in last night’s Game!

My understanding is that if the Offense substitutes, the Defense gets to substitute also. What am I missing? It sounded like the only reason the Refs let the Rams substitute was because the ref got knocked over.

The Rams will be seeing one or both of the Saints and Bears this post season. Right now, as things are today, it's not likely they will see both since they probably wouldn't get past either of them the way things are right now.

Two different statements (don't recall the posters) ring very true.

McVay was baited into giving up on the run to easily. McVay called plays last night like he was down 20 points.

These are separate, but related problems.

Last night we saw what has been discussed on and off this year, and a little last year too. He's got a bit of that Martz passpasspass thing that's dangerous. And last night was a really, really bad time for it. Below freezing against an attacking defense with a QB that was not having his best night and you are on the road in a loud stadium.

McVay could have simply given the ball to Gurley more on draws and screens to slow down the Bears relentless pressure. By calling so many deep drops all he did was let them go after Goff. He complicated the game for his QB and his OL. Having to pass block on 7 step drops so many times started to wear them down and it was evident.

A few plays stand out for me. This certainly isn't all of them, but these are big ones IMO.

On the safety he called a play, a 4 wide formation, with Gurley in the backfield, who left on a pattern right after the ball was snapped. So on a 2nd and 15, an obvious passing situation, from his own 8 yard line he called a play that had his QB drop back to his own goal line with an attacking defense. Now the OL was having a tough game, and Goff was not playing well.

Why make that call? By the way the guy that got to Goff and wrapped him up went right behind Gurley as he left the backfield, had he stayed in he could have blocked him.

On a 2nd and 1 he passed when he could have handed it to Gurley. Why not get the first down on a run? And on a 3rd and 2 he went with an empty backfield pass attempt. It was like he was daring the Bears defense, and they were up to the challenge. That's a play that you call when it's 2nd and 15 or 3rd and 10.

They sold out to stop the run early in the game and McVay did what they figured he would do because it's his tendency. They baited him into going into passpasspass mode. And as another poster pointed out play action doesn't work without the threat of a run. And it's hard to pull off when youer opponent is in Nickel defense most of the night.

One other play that I will mention because it amplifies the Red Zone issues that keep popping up. On 3rd and 4 at the Bears 9 yard line after the Peters INT he called an empty backfield play that resulted in Goff almost taking a sack but he was able to throw it away. Why not keep Gurley in if you are going to throw it? He's an excellent blocker.

I like our teams HC a lot. He's been fantastic and I want him to be the HC for a long, long time. But he has crossed a line and become reckless about his play calling and seems to ignore the situation he is in, like he isn't in the moment.

I hope someone who is a mentor to him calls him today and gives him some uplifting words and let's him know that he has to learn from his mistakes in order to get better. Not just to talk about it, but actually effect change.

Not here to give any excuses for last night, but I think many of us who watch this team week in and week out would agree this was the most vanilla offensive game plan since the preseason, and before then, last years week 17 game against the niners.

I personally don’t think that’s a coincidence. Very possible McVay is not showing his hand, and is banking on winning 2 of the next 3 to get that first round bye and possible 1 seed. Certainly takes the fun out of watching these remaining games, but coaching is all about strategy, and we know he’s had his sights set on the postseason since the offseason.

(307) 622-9119

Call us and leave us a message about those frustrations. We really want to elaborate on some of your concerns.

JRob
Rampage Radio Podcast

Only Rams/Bears commentary posted. To read the whole article click the link below.
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https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...s-chiefs-mahomes-fmia-nfl-week-14-peter-king/

By Peter King

Night window—Either the Rams don’t like playing in 25-degree wind chill, or the Bears’ defense is going to make Chicago a threat to play into February. Or both. Bears 15, formerly explosive and wildly entertaining Rams 6.
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Chicago is going to be trouble in January. I’d say “big trouble” if Mitchell Trubisky was as trustworthy as a playoff quarterback needs to be. He might play well in January, but he hasn’t shown enough to make Bears fans confident that he will. Until he is, this team will have to win with defense, and it showed it can against one of the league’s most explosive offensive teams. This was a Butkus/Singletary type of performance.

The first 10 Rams possessions ended in: field goal, punt, pick, field goal, punt, safety, punt, pick, missed field goal. Yikes. It was 25 degrees at Soldier Field Sunday night, with virtually no wind. But the Bears gave the Rams no room to breathe. And that was without dominating performances from the best two Chicago defenders, Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks (two sacks, six tackles between them).

What makes this D so imposing? The fact that pressure comes not just from two men. The Bears now have 25 interceptions, by the way. They had 24 in the previous three years combined.


Getty Images

Don’t buy Sean McVay falling on the sword. When your offense stinks, the popular thing to do is for the coach and/or play-caller to take all the blame. “Certainly don’t blame Jared for the bad spots I put him in,” McVay said. What should we blame him for, exactly?

In the last two games, at Detroit and at Chicago, Goff has stunk it up: 48-percent passing, 193 passing yards per game, one touchdown, five picks. Maybe the weather bugged the California kid Sunday. It’s not time to panic, certainly. But Goff’s got to be much better for this team to win big in the playoffs.
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Regarding the debate over the MVP, and whether defensive tackle Aaron Donald should be a legitimate prime candidate for the award, I have three thoughts:

1. The name of the award is “Most Valuable Player,” not “Best Player, Regardless of Position,” or “Most Outstanding Player.” And it’s hard to think that a defensive tackle, even one as incredibly good as Donald, would contribute as much to a very good team as a top quarterback would to a very good team.

2. Putting emotion aside, ask this question: What would the record of the Rams—11-1 after 12 games—be without Donald, versus the record of the Saints (10-2) without Drew Brees or the Chiefs (10-2) without Patrick Mahomes? (Or even the Rams without Jared Goff or Todd Gurley?)

3. I asked Pro Football Focus to calculate the WAR (Wins Above Replacement), the metric showing how many wins each player is worth to his team versus an average player at the position, in the NFL after 13 weeks. The PFF list of WAR for the candidates most often mentioned as MVP candidates, and including Donald:

Patrick Mahomes, 6.22
Drew Brees, 6.22
Philip Rivers, 4.55
Jared Goff, 4.37
Russell Wilson, 3.59
Deshaun Watson, 2.20
Aaron Donald, 1.82
Todd Gurley, 0.56

Interesting that the value of the defensive tackle for the Rams is higher than the value of the running back, in the eyes of PFF.

Donald’s WAR is significantly higher than any other defensive player; Bobby Wagner (1.49) is next.

After watching last night's debacle in Chicago, I will admit McVay was outcoached by Nagy. McVay has been regarded as a creative genius but in the last two months have we seen anything new that we haven't seen before? Where has the jet sweep gone? The screens to Gurley, or Gurley up the seam? Where is our red zone creativity?

Last week on this forum I suggested McVay use Donald and/or Brockers in the red zone like the Bears had done last week vs the Giants. Instead, the Bears are the ones who pull it off while we do what we always do in the red zone...one run to Gurley, two forced passes and a field goal. How many times have we seen that this season? Do you know how affective a halfback pass from Gurley could be from the 10-yard line?

One thing I keep hearing on every Ram broadcast recently is how we run out of a 3-receiver set over 90% (I forgot the exact number) of the time. Maybe it's time we mix it up a bit, go double tight or put an extra lineman in and pound Gurley. Maybe throw a fullback or H-back in to help him out. It seems like our offensive line has regressed in the last month or so. Maybe it's the fact that they're pass-blocking on nearly every play and haven't been able to get in a rhythm. Have defenses caught on?

Last night McVay admitted he was very humbled and I think he just had so much confidence in his system that he couldn't see anyone shutting it down. Hopefully, this loss will be a wakeup call and force him to tweak things a bit. If not, I don't see us going as far as we want in the playoffs.

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Something we may all need this morning. Sunday can't come soon enough.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/monday...ngs-vs-seattle-seahawks-prediction-picks-2018

Monday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks

The race for the two NFC Wild Card spots heats up on Monday night at CenturyLink Field as the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings meet in a critical contest for both teams.

Russell Wilson completed 11 of 17 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns as Seattle (7-5) routed San Francisco 43-16 last Sunday. The Seahawks did a nice job of running the ball to produce a balanced attack, including 168 rushing yards on 29 carries. One point of concern is on defense as Seattle let Nick Mullens throw for 414 yards and couldn’t slow down Dante Pettis, who burned the Seahawks' secondary for 129 yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions.

Minnesota (6-5-1) is coming off of a tough 24-10 loss on the road against the New England Patriots. Kirk Cousins was inconsistent as he threw two interceptions and continued to give ammunition to those who question his ability to win spotlight-type of games. The defense also had its issues, as Tom Brady completed 24 of 32 passes for 311 yards and the Vikings weren't able to slow New England down on the ground either. Life on the road has not been easy for the Vikings, who 2-3-1 away from U.S. Bank Stadium. Things won't get any easier this week up in the Pacific Northwest as Minnesota aims for a potential season-defining road win.

Minnesota at Seattle

Kickoff: Monday, Dec 10 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Seahawks -3.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Seahawks' running attack vs. Minnesota defensive line

This battle will go a long way towards deciding who wins on Monday night. Seattle is averaging No. 1 in the NFL in rushing at 148.8 yards per game while the Vikings are seventh against the run, limiting teams to just 99.2 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. The Seahawks' offensive line has been a big reason why the ground game has taken off, but will likely be without D.J. Fluker, who is listed as doubtful with a first-degree hamstring strain. Jordan Simmons will likely step in for Fluker and will need to perform as he did in Week 10 when Seattle posted 273 rushing yards in a loss to the Rams. For Minnesota, Danielle Hunter leads the team with 11.5 sacks and you can expect him to be turned loose to try and harass Russell Wilson in the pocket all night long. Sheldon Richardson will get a shot at his former teammates and it will be up to the Seattle offensive line to neutralize Richardson to free up the running game.

2. Vikings' offense vs. Seahawks' defense

Minnesota offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has plenty of weapons to throw at the Seattle defense. Adam Thielen is having a great 2018 season with 1,166 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Stefon Diggs is another big-play wide receiver who has caught 84 passes for 839 yards and six scores. As for the Seahawks' defense, they have come up with timely plays in the red zone but have allowed more than 450 yards in each of their last two games. Bobby Wagner has collected 99 tackles on the season and had a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown last week against the 49ers. Seattle is going to need Wagner to carry the mail again this week until the secondary can get back on track and stop giving up big plays.

3. Sustaining and finishing drives

Another underrated key to victory for both teams will be the ability to extend drives. Minnesota is the best in the NFL at third-down defense, limiting teams to a 29.9 percent conversion rate. The Seahawks rank ninth in the NFL on third down, holding teams to a 37.3 conversion rate. So, for both offenses, it will be very crucial to avoid unnecessary penalties and to keep their quarterbacks upright to stay ahead of the sticks. If Wilson can get the ball in hands of Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown, it will slow down the Vikings' defensive line enough to give the Seattle offense a shot to succeed. Finishing drives and not settling for field goals will be important as well as the weather is calling for a chance of scattered showers, which could potentially affect the kicking game a little bit. The Seahawks rank eighth in the red zone in touchdown percentage, while the Vikings are 22nd.

Final Analysis

The Seahawks have won five straight games against the Vikings, including the epic 10-9 victory in the NFC Wild Card back in January 2016. If Seattle can take care of the football and grind out about 120 yards on the ground, the Seahawks will be in great position to get their eighth win. Minnesota will need to survive the initial wave of crowd noise and emotion of the primetime setting. If the Vikings can get the game into the fourth quarter they should be able to hang in until the very end. But look for the Seahawks to create a key turnover in the second half with the offense securing the victory via a game-winning drive in the final minutes.

Prediction: Seahawks 27, Vikings 23

or taking what the defense gives you.Clearly McVay is a take what the defense gives you kind of guy. If I were a defensive coordinator I would “convince” McVay to keep Gurley from touching the ball too much by baiting him into throwing the ball all night. Atlanta did that I’n the playoffs last year. Do you think McVay should Establish the run no matter what the defense is showing? I was hopeful that Goff was better than he showed tonight, but without a credible run game, play action is fantasy.

12 run plays versus 45 pass plays on a cold night game with temps below freezing???

That's fucking stooooopd.

He needs a sit down talking to but who is he accountable to?

Are making me as uncomfortable as John Stockton's shorts. Which were so short if he got knocked down the cameras had to turn away to avoid showing his taint to the television audience.

I get it, you're enjoying the high-flying result on the field, and all the winning. But it's time to make this dude the league's highest paid coach and establish the Rams as the elite franchise we all know they are now, the franchise who will pony up elite bucks for the best coaching.

Suggest 10 years but feel free to go further.

Oh and btw Coach does need to be notified that they make bigger pants, which might assist him in chasing down the refs and expending all that energy on the sideline.

Good news : Little to no wind. Caught a break. Bad news : Butt cold.

Game start time is 7:30 CST.

I probably missed this as I have been working my rear end off lately and have way too many projects going as well.
I can't recall them flexing a Sunday night game like this as my Lindy's magazine says it was supposed to be next week in Philadelphia.

Feel free to consolidate this with the correct answer.

Thnx!

Try this on for size, very delicious with a bite.