And in no particular order...

Why do they schedule International games? Especially in multiple time zones away? And ESPECIALLY for teams traveling from West coast to London? Insane.

How the heck can they call a London or a Mexico City game a “home” game for an LA based team? Isn’t this the 3rd straight year that the Rams have been screwed in this way? What about OUR season ticket fans?

Thursday night games are just wrong on multiple levels. Not enough time for players to recover. Not enough time for coaches to really prepare. And for the poor team on one coast to be further hobbled by a cross country flight? C’mon...

Another thing about TNF is that they must schedule all teams. That guarantees some sucky matchups. Not good for TV or the fans, either. Terminate TNF games.

Why have 4 preseason games? Why not 2 Preseason games followed by 18 regular season games?

Why have only 46 actives on game day? The explanations have sounded like BS to me.

WTH were both sides thinking in the CBA when they limited practices and coaching so much? Hurts everybody.

Why aren’t all byes scheduled within weeks 6-11? So what if we have a couple less games then? We’d have a couple more in weeks 4-5 and 12. And besides, all fans would appreciate their favorite teams getting more benefit from the better timed byes. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Some of today’s rules are too difficult and subjective for refs to fairly call and enforce. Simplify or eliminate them! Helluva note when AD has to worry whether he should sack a QB, don’t you think? Too many rules can spoil this wonderful game.

Okay, what did I miss?

After squeaking out a last second win against the lowly cards are the cards and their new qb any good or are the hags that bad. And are the niners not terrible? The Chargers tried their best to lose that game but the niners tried harder.

Well, we won't have to worry about Earl Thomas next week. Or maybe ever again in a Seahawks uniform. That was directed toward his own bench, apparently.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/rams-show-rest-league-way-135055602.html

Sports
Rams show rest of league the right way to take down a quarterback
Mike Florio,ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports 7 hours ago

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While the NFL’s roughing-the-passer rules continue to be unsettled and uncertain (more on that in a bit), here’s one thing that is settled and certain: The best team in the NFL has provided the best examples of getting a quarterback to the ground without also landing on top of him.

NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent has posted a video with three sacks from Thursday night’s Vikings-Rams game, a game that included no fouls for quarterback hits. And it’s easy to see why, when watching the video.

Twice, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald approaches Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Instead of laying on Cousins or executing the scoop-and-dump maneuver (either of which are aimed at compressing the chest and/or busting a shoulder), Donald struck Cousins from the side and rolled him to the ground. On the other play, Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, one of the most-fined players in recent years, used the same technique.

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That’s not a mistake or a coincidence. It’s coached, practiced, and planned. And it keeps quarterbacks from being crushed, injured, and ultimately unable to play possibly for weeks.

The overriding goal is clear: The NFL wants exciting games, and the NFL knows that exciting games won’t happen if backup quarterbacks are playing. If fans are going to be complaining about anything, it’s better that they complain about too many flags than not enough games worth watching, because too many substandard signal-callers are on the field playing.

I hope he and his agent are paying attention.

Nobody trusts you enough to acquire your services.

If I was a player and this happened I would fire my agent since he failed to do what he was supposed to do and I would sign the tender and work hard the rest of the season.

These two idiots can't seem to figure it out together so guess which one should be out of the equation.

HINT: It's not the guy who actually plays football.

I came across a bunch of these old Joel Bushbaum draft books while cleaning out the garage.




My dad and I used to go over the Rams picks every year. He would circle the picks in pencil, I remember. Good times. Oh well. Time to move on. You can’t keep everything.













Oh who am I kidding?

Man, it’s like a dream, isn’t it?

Let’s talk about this O.

Goff from “bust” to possible MVP.
Gurley from “possible bust” to OPOY and runnerup MVP.
An OL from pathetic to among the league’s best at both run blocking and pass pro.
WR corps from dismal to possibly best trio in the league.
Scoring O from worst to first.

Any single one of those accomplishments would have been impressive, but to achieve ALL of them? Almost unbelievable. There are now no weaknesses on this O worth mentioning. Think about that for a minute.

And how about that D?

An amazing DL.
An outstanding CB corps, even without Talib.
Very good Safeties.
LB corps does need work. Hope Snead can bring in outside help.

When healthy, this D could be a top 5 unit. They’re gonna have to defend against lots of passing because I think their opponents will be forced to do so while playing from behind early and often.

ST is hurting right now, but when healthy are among the league’s best. And I think they’re gonna be healthy real soon.

To summarize, this team experienced a record turnaround in the first year, literally. And they picked up where they left off from last year and in full afterburner.

I liken them to my favorite aircraft of all time. The generational ahead-of-it’s-time SR-71 Blackbird. “I will fear no evil because I am at Mach 3 through 80,000 feet. And climbing...”

These ‘18 Rams kinda remind me of that quote.

IMO yes they are. I can't look at the standings and find a better duo.

Gurley is having a repeat of last year but with more TD's, and we are all seeing Goff playing like a perennial All Pro.

I'm glad we got Donald under contract for sure, but my priority was Gurley.

There is some real talent in the critical positions on the Rams. Playcaller, QB, GM and Gurley is the cherry on top.

Post 3 straight games with 75% completion percentage & >350 Yards passing.


He was the 3rd in history to do it 2 straight games, along with Trent Green in 2004 and Ryan Fitzpatrick this year, but those 2 guys only did it 2 weeks in a row.

GOFF IS ON FIRE

http://www.espn.com/nfl/preview?gameId=401030933

Ravens renew bitter rivalry at Steelers

One of the league's most bitter rivalries will resume when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night in the first of two meetings this season between the AFC North foes.

The Steelers have had the upper hand of late against Baltimore by winning the past three matchups, including a sweep last season. Yet the series has been among the most fiercely contested in the league with nine of the past 13 meetings decided by four points or fewer, including Pittsburgh's 39-38 victory on Dec. 10.

"It's a great environment to play," Ravens tackle James Hurst said. "Their fans hate us, obviously. It's fun to run out and get booed, but it's a four-quarter game. It's the greatest game in football."

It will have early ramifications on the division standings. Baltimore (2-1) is tied with the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North while the Steelers (1-1-1) are just a half-game behind after securing their first victory with a 30-27 win at Tampa Bay on Monday night.

"No time to pat ourselves on the back," Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said after beating the Buccaneers. "We have AFC North football at Heinz (Field), and we respect and understand what that's about. We didn't give a good accounting of ourselves the last time we were at home, so we are excited to get back into Heinz Field and performing for our fans."

The rivalry long has been noted for defense and physical play, but both squads feature explosive offenses. The Ravens are averaging 32.3 points per game and Pittsburgh is scoring 29.3.

So while that suggests a high-scoring matchup may be in the offing, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco sees the game as a chance to send an early message -- and more -- to the Steelers.

"It's more than just winning and losing a game," Flacco said. "It's beating a division opponent up a little bit, so they feel the effects the next week."

While both offenses have been clicking, the defenses have each had their moments. The Ravens are ranked No. 1 overall, allowing 819 yards over three games. Pittsburgh is tied with Dallas for second in the league with 11 sacks.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 353 yards and three scores against Tampa Bay and is second in the NFL with 1,140 yards, sees plenty of room for improvement for the Steelers.

"To only have one win, I would say offensively we're not doing our job," Roethlisberger said. "Obviously, their secondary is very good. It starts with (safety Eric) Weddle, who kind of leads that charge now. I also think the pass rush helps the secondary. You look at pass breakups, interceptions, a lot of times that has to do with pressure on the quarterback. They're just a really good defense all around."

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been Roethlisberger's favorite target with 27 receptions and a touchdown and Antonio Brown has 24 catches, but the running game continues to struggle in the absence of unsigned running back Le'Veon Bell.

James Conner erupted for 135 yards and two TDs in the season-opening tie at Cleveland, but has been limited to a combined 78 yards in the past two games. The Steelers are reportedly fielding trade offers for Bell but Baltimore is still preparing for the ultra-slim possibility that he could return.

"Of course, their running backs that they're playing now, James Conner and Co., that's who we'll looking at mainly," said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. "But, we've seen Le'Veon enough to understand what he brings to the table and how he affects what they do."

Flacco also has been impressive despite an overhauled wide receiving corps featuring Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead IV, who each have at least 12 catches and a combined four touchdowns.

Not only had Flacco thrown for 889 yards with six touchdowns and just two interceptions, but the Ravens have cashed in on all 12 of their opportunities in the red zone.

With another physical matchup expected against Baltimore, Tomlin said his team must keep its emotions in check. Pittsburgh has been penalized for an average of 120 yards per game, by far the worst in the league.

"We have to play cleaner than we did (Monday) night," said Tomlin. "We played hard, but we have to play cleaner, and we have to play smarter."

SportsBook Wagers Here;

https://ramsondemand.com/sportsbook/

Jared Goff isn’t just a product of McVay’s system, he’s making it better

[huge gaps are from missing images]

By Austin Gayle • Sep 28, 2018



Lost in the shuffle of Sean McVay’s award-winning debut as an NFL head coach was the Los Angeles Rams‘ No. 1 overall pick, the signal-caller at the helm of it all, Jared Goff.

Fans and media alike were quick to tag Goff as a merely a product of McVay’s system – not one capable of taking it to the next level – as he improved his overall grade from 42.9 in 2016 to 75.6 with McVay in 2017. Goff, now four games into his second season with McVay, is proving his doubters wrong, rising above the infamous “system QB” label.

In Los Angles’ 38-31 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, Goff earned the highest single-game grade (96.3) of his career, completing 26-of-33 passes for 465 yards and five touchdowns in the process. He also recorded a sky-high adjusted completion percentage (92.9), a perfect 158.3 passer rating, had six big-time throws and committed zero turnover-worthy plays. All five scores were big-time throws.

Yes, McVay’s system put Goff in a position to take advantage of mismatches and pass into open windows, but Goff still processed coverages quickly, made the right decisions and had perfect ball placement on all five touchdown passes. McVay and Goff both had fantastic games; both can be true.

Here, McVay begins what would go on to be repeated abuse of Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr in coverage, as he calls for his star running back Todd Gurley to beat Barr vertically for a red-zone touchdown. Goff, however, takes the mismatch from favorable to indefensible when he throws the pass on a frozen rope in a spot only Gurley can make the catch and easily keep his feet in bounds.



Operation: Target Barr continued without a hitch on Goff’s subsequent touchdown pass, as McVay has second-year wide receiver Cooper Kupp come across the formation to the opposite side of the field – Barr’s side of the field. Kupp comes out of the route wide open streaking down the sideline, and Goff hits him in stride to turn what would be a 30-yard pass if the throw was errant into a 70-yard touchdown because of the high-end ball placement. Again, it’s another instance McVay and Goff both playing well.



Goff then breaks away from Operation: Target Barr on his next trip to the red zone, taking it upon himself to rise above the system and throw Kupp, who is fighting double coverage, open in the back of the end zone. Oh, and Goff’s on the run, too.



System QBs don’t make throws like the one above, nor do they make the deep throws Goff completes to punch in his final two touchdowns of the contest.

Goff finds his two speedsters, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, for deep touchdowns of 47 and 31 yards to cap off his stellar performance. Going to Cooks first, Goff hits his speedy wideout in stride as he crosses the goal line after creating just a step or so of separation against Vikings’ Trae Waynes in one-on-one coverage. Waynes was surely behind Cooks on the play, but his diving effort as the pass approaches breaks up an inaccurate throw; Goff’s was, again, indefensible.



Late in the third quarter, Goff revisited Operation: Target Barr to place what was arguably his best ball in the hands of a Woods streaking into the end zone. Goff’s pass doesn’t force Woods to break stride and falls over the appropriate shoulder to keep him from having to make any late adjustments after the throw. Despite the mismatch of Woods-Barr, the play is far from a guaranteed completion; Goff just makes it that easy.



With his performance Thursday night, Goff now has 819 passing yards, a 148.7 passer rating and 10 big-time throws in his last two games. His two-game grade of 98.0 in Weeks 3 and 4 is the highest of his career by a significant margin. He is taking the next step in McVay’s system rather than simply enjoying the ride, a step that will push him into the conversation of top quarterbacks in the league if keeps it up.

Rampage Radio is looking for the boys from this board to give feedback.

One thing on offense and one thing on Defense

-JRob

.

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.

What do you think about getting Elon Musk and Sean Mcvay together?

the fun you’ve robbed from us banning my semi buddy LAChamp

cuz, right about now; he’d have some ‘splaining to do


Aw heck, just “fooling around” of course

I sure would like to find someone who does cause i would like last nights game.would send my payment for a copy of it.

Some of these are more outside-the-box than others...

Rams release Ficken and replace with an outsider until GZ returns.

Rams trade for a vet OLB that is affordable. Could be a future pick or could be a current promising depth player, but it’s gotta happen. Gotta shore that up in this SB push year. Just gotta.

Franklin-Myers gets more and more snaps as the season unfolds, Longacre gets fewer and fewer.

Easley may not get many (or any) more snaps. His body has betrayed him. Sad.

Higbee and Everett will see more and more snaps together. Could be lethal under McVay’s scheming.

We’ll see more Suh outside snaps and sack and pressure totals will climb accordingly.

Shields will provide top drawer CB play by game 6-7 and will be a starter elsewhere in ‘19.

Expect Wade to keep tinkering all season long because there are so many new moving parts for him to fit together. Might go in many different directions just like last year.

Goff will put up 5000+ yards and 40+ TD’s.

Cooks, Woods, and Kupp combine for 4000+ yards receiving between them.

Edge will be a VERY high priority next offseason. Maybe even our 1st rounder.

How did I do?

I'm very much hyped for the Blues right now. Ryan O'Reilly with - eventually, when he gets healthy - Fabbri and Tarasenko? Schenn and Schwartz with possibly Jordan Kyrou (a rookie who looks extremely impressive)? Bozak on the third line with Steen and Perron? A fourth line that includes Robert Thomas (our other outstanding rookie)? Our defense is solid as always. Goalie is a concern, but if Allen sucks again, we can finally use Ville Husso.

How are your teams faring?

Ok, this a warning to all those that don’t like hard language, but this video is very entertaining because the guy is just reacting what he saw on Thurs Night Football. Worth a listen if you are so inclined...lol
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I wasn't as hype as everyone else when he was signed. I thought he was an asshole...and not the good kind of asshole, just one of those that did what he wanted and didn't care if hurt someone.

The sack near the end of the game he seemed legit happy, that's something I've never seen from him. And did he actually smile after that? Course winning makes the difference, but still.

He's been playing well and everyone seems to be talking about him for the right reasons. Even if there will be adversity at some point, I don't think his attitude is gonna change.

Kudos...he is now truly A Man Named Suh.

Other than their perfect 4-0 record, that is?

Well, here are a few reasons, and I’ll start with the O...

There is no defense against a well placed and perfectly thrown ball. Goff has been doing quite a few of those in his last 2 games. Jar dropping throws, actually.

Ask yourself what does one get when mixing the following:

A creative play designer that consistently exploits specific weaknesses in his opponents and never takes his foot off the gas pedal.

A football smart QB that can place the ball in tiny windows short, medium, and deep.

A world class RB that puts teeth into play action because he can kill you running inside, outside, and catching passes. Great in pass pro, never has to come off the field except for breathers. Once again an MVP candidate.

An OL that excels at both run blocking and pass pro from Big Whit all across to Hav. They open the entire playbook for the crafty McVay to utilize.

Three very football smart outstanding route running WR’s that seem to have flypaper hands and can snatch the ball out of the air. All three on the same page as Goff at all times.

There have even been TE sightings recently, as if the opposing D’s didn’t already have enough to worry about. Lol.

The result of the above is a highly combustible mixture that is already producing scoring averages in the mid thirties and it’s rising.


As to the D?

The run D has really clamped down and made opponents somewhat one dimensional. Advantage Rams.

Peters was back sooner than expected and should be close to 100% by the Seahawk game.

Shields seems to have shaken off the rust already and should more than hold the fort until Talib can return.

Wade continues to tinker with his front 7 and started getting better results by moving Suh and Brockers around.

Littleton has impressed me and I look forward to Barron’s return.

If Wade can somehow improve the edge rush, we are in business on D.


Gotta get an upgrade to Ficken. Hate to say “I told you so”... So I won’t. Anyway, GZ should return in a few weeks, I think. He’s only the league’s best kicker.

JoJo might be back by Seahawks game and Cooper should be back by midseason. If so, ST are back to top 5 status.


Bottom line? Unless we experience a devastating injury, I see no reason not to expect a 14-2 season and HFA throughout the playoffs. I mean, doesn’t this team look like the league’s best to y’all? And I honestly don’t think they have yet peaked. Probably won’t until late in the season.

No one enjoyed the GSOT more than yours truly. But I’ve gotta say that I think this new concoction might result in catching lightning in a bottle for the second time. And THIS time it’s built to last for maybe years and years.

THESE are the reasons that I’m happy this morning.

Hot Damn!

Thought this was worthy of a supplemental post!

It's much easier to get a perfect rating throwing less passes.

From nfl.com and it’s from 2017 but DAMN! A bunch of kids out there. ball:

If you combine McVay and Goff's ages (54), they're still younger than 13 of current head coaches in the league.


The age range of the 32 head coaches goes McVay who's 31 to Pete Carroll who's 66 years old. However, you get a bit more context of just how young McVay and his quarterback are when you take the sum of their ages and compare them to head coaches in the league. These are the current head coaches over the age of 54:

John Harbaugh, Ravens (55)
Ron Rivera, Panthers (55)
Mike Mularkey, Titans (55)
Chuck Pagano, Colts (57)
Dirk Koetter, Buccaneers (58)
Marvin Lewis, Bengals (59)
Andy Reid, Chiefs (59)
Mike Zimmer, Vikings (61)
John Fox, Bears (62)
Jim Caldwell, Lions (62)
Bruce Arians, Cardinals (65)
Bill Belichick, Patriots (65)
Pete Carroll, Seahawks (66)

Week 11 against the Chiefs in Mexico City (on MNF) is shaping up to be the biggest nonplayoff game in a decade.

What should we name it?

My nominee: The Mexican Gunfight.