I bet the Rams would score 4 touchdowns or more and that the Charges would have more turnovers and give a ways than the Rams. Somehow I lost these two bets, am I missing something?

Making a decision on which Jersey to buy. Todd Gurley throwback, Arron Donald throwback, Marcus Peters throwback, Brandin Cooks, OR Robert Woods throwback (my last name is Woods). Me and the Wifey is going to the November 4th Game in New Orleans (we're from Baton Rouge). But anyway she wants a Todd Gurley Jersey and I'm undecided what jersey I want. This will be our 1st Rams game, so we WILL BE representing. LETS GO RAMS!!!!! So what do y'all think???

Not a big fan of this move. I mean yeah, he has experience and will probably do a great job. Just hate exposing him to the injury side of it. Figure they would use Blake to do both KR and PR's. Maybe he doesn't have the PR skill set?


https://www.therams.com/news/kupp-ready-for-double-duty-vs-vikings


Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018 02:00 PM

Kupp Ready for Double Duty vs. Vikings

Myles Simmons
RAMS INSIDER

The Rams have been unlucky at their returner position so far in 2018.

All-Pro Pharoh Cooper was sidelined by an ankle injury in Week 1. And the man who Los Angeles signed to replace him — JoJo Natson — went down with a broken hand during Sunday’s victory over the Chargers.

Enter wide receiver Cooper Kupp — who will take over punt return duties on Thursday as L.A. goes against Minnesota on a short week.


“I think sometimes this week requires a little bit different approach,” head coach Sean McVay said. “I think because it is a short week, because of the consistency that you feel that Cooper will be able to field that ball, [that’s why Kupp will return punts].”

Kupp has plenty of experience in that area, having done it quite successfully at Eastern Washington. Back in college, Kupp returned a punt for a touchdown in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

“It’s really unfortunate having Pharoh and JoJo go down,” Kupp said this week. “But, it’s next man up. Go do your job and prepare to be the best that you can be on Thursday night now. And [I’m] super comfortable stepping out there.”

While Kupp simply fair caught the one punt he was on the field for against the Raiders in Week 1, McVay said the Rams may look to stay aggressive on the return unit. Considering how vital Kupp is to the offensive unit — he’s played at least 97 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the first three games — that is somewhat of a risk.

“If he gets an opportunity, we’ll always try to compete to do the best thing that we can from a production standpoint,” McVay said. “You see when the ball is in Cooper’s hands, he’s able to create and get vertical and he knows how to naturally work edges on people as well.”

And not that this game has any special meaning for Kupp and the Rams, but the offense did have its worst performance of 2017 against Minnesota last year. And Kupp in particular had a few uncharacteristic plays, with a fumble coming near the goal line and a drop that would’ve put L.A. in field position.

Kupp said he did review the tape of that contest this week, but he realizes things are different now — for both teams.

“Yeah, you watch what they’ve done, what they’ve done before. Obviously a lot of stuff as an offense that we want back — a lot of stuff that I want as an individual, plays that you want back,” Kupp said. “But at the same time, you learn from those things and you move forward. And it’s more about trying to see what kind of coverage, what kind of little nuances to their game they might’ve put in up against us last year. But we’re a new team this year and what the 2018 Rams are about is different than what the 2017 Rams were about. So we’re just going to go out there and handle our business.”

One thing that hit me this season, and particularly watching the SNF, MNF, and TNF advertisements, the NFL is squarely in the middle of "turning over to a new generation" of star players.

Obviously, this is true with all positions… but none more glaring than the QB position;

Old Generation
Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Eli Manning
Alex Smith
Phillip Rivers

All of these guys are mid/late 30's.

New Generation
Goff
Wentz
Prescott
Mahommes
Garoppolo
Watson
Carr

To this list we might add Trubisky, Mayfield, Rosen, Allen, Darnold etc. as some of them will emerge.

I don't know... It just looks like two distinct groups of inbound stars and players at the ends of their career.

Looking closer, there is another slug of stars kind of caught in between; Luck, Cousins, Wilson, Dalton, Stafford, Ryan, Flacco, Keenum… later in their careers, but not as late as the "old generation". But, these guys feel caught between two groups.

Anyway, now more than ever it appears we are in the middle of a passing of the guard. It might take a few years, but the old generation is on their way out... and that group has some mega-stars in it.

You could maybe argue the elite teams are in transition too; Pittsburgh, New England, Seattle on the way down... Rams, Vikings, Jags, Eagles on the way up. But it might be too early to know that for sure.

The NFL is turning over to a new generation.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/26/nfl-los-angeles-rams-blake-countess-special-teams/

Blake Countess named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
By: Cameron DaSilva



With the Los Angeles Rams down their top three return specialists on Sunday after JoJo Natson broke his hand, Blake Countess was called upon to bring back kicks. He did so twice, averaging 25.5 yards per return, but his biggest play came on a punt.

In the second quarter of the Rams’ win over the Chargers, Cory Littleton blocked Drew Kaser’s punt, which was recovered by Countess for a touchdown. It was a good play by Countess to be in the right place at the right time, but Littleton was the one who made it happen yet again.

Countess was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Chargers.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1044944144198594561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1044944144198594561&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheramswire.usatoday.com%2F2018%2F09%2F26%2Fnfl-los-angeles-rams-blake-countess-special-teams%2F

This is the Rams’ second time having a player earn Special Teams Player of the Week this season with Countess joining Greg Zuerlein in Week 1. It’s been a common trend for the Rams the past two seasons, continuing their strong special teams play.

Who would win?

Well, the Rams would, of course.:sneak:

Who would be a distant second? I'd probably say the Iggles, but won't admit it anywhere but here....

At least it seems so...

To me, the Rams are THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM in the NFL. The Chefs are flashy with the Mahomes Show in KCMO, but they are dependent on massive throws by him. When they face some adversity in the cold of Fall/Winter, it will slow him down, and then they will have to rely on the run game and a sorry defense.

The Rams are a warm weather team, but the team is diversified and the defense is still really good, even without our star CB's. Peters will be back sooner, than later and Talib will hopefully be back for our Super Bowl run....A common theme is the LBer corp, especially OLB's...I am not so convinced that we totally suck there, but even so, opposing teams have not scored on us that much (lowest in the NFL). Our DT's are insanely good, even though the rushing avg is high against them..Are they pushing too much?

Every team has weaknesses, including the Rams. It just seems that we like to emphasize our weaknesses in here to counter optimistic forecasts. Of course, one person's optimism, is another person's abject homerism. Just as one person's negativity is another person's truth-telling. If I say the Rams will win 14 games this season and win a Super Bowl, that doesn't jinx anything. Jinx's don't exist, in my book, but your book may be another edition. Whether I don't have enough humility, doesn't matter about the independent performance of the team, just as your negativity doesn't counteract the supposed karmic effects of my bragging about the team. I'm not slowing my roll, period.

*Steps off soap box

I put this thread here, because fewer people will read it, after initially typing it in the NFL/Rams forum. I probably should have just deleted it, but I have felt this way for a long time, so there ya go!

I heard last night that the Rams have had only 1 three and out so far and that was the opening drive of the Raiders game. WOW

Rams backup cornerbacks are ready to take a step up in the absence of Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters

It’s been more than two years, but Sam Shields is ready.

With star cornerback Aqib Talib scheduled for ankle surgery, and star cornerback Marcus Peters regarded as a game-time decision because of a calf injury, Shields is on track to start for the Rams against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night at the Coliseum.

t would be Shields’ first start since the 2016 season opener, when he suffered a concussion while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Shields was sidelined for nearly two seasons.

“A lot of people still like want to know, ‘Is he all right?’ Things like that,” Shields said Tuesday. “For me, it’s just kind of show people I still got it.

“I can still do it.”

Shields, Troy Hill and slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman are expected to fill in for Talib and Peters, both of whom left last week’s victory over the Chargers because of injuries.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Talib would probably have surgery. On Tuesday, after the 11th-year pro received a second opinion, a procedure was scheduled for Thursday. McVay did not provide a timeline for Talib’s return.

“We’ll find out the specifics once [surgeons] get in there,” McVay said.

Peters is “taking steps in the right direction,” McVay said. It seems doubtful, however, that the Rams would risk a long-term problem by playing Peters only four days after the injury.

“If we get him, we’ll be extremely excited and that’s a big boost to us,” McVay said. “If not, like we said, we have a whole lot of confidence in Sam Shields and Troy Hill.”

The Rams, 3-0 for the first time since 2001, rank first in the NFL in scoring defense, giving up only 12 points a game.

They are sixth in total defense, giving up 296 yards per game, and also rank sixth in pass defense (199.3 yards per game). They have surrendered only two touchdown passes, which ties for the league lead.

“We’ll be fine,” Robey-Coleman said of possibly playing without Talib and Peters.

The Rams face a Vikings team that is 1-1-1 after a 27-6 defeat Sunday at home by the Buffalo Bills.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed an $84-million guaranteed contract before the season, has passed for seven touchdowns with two interceptions. He ranks second in the NFL with 965 yards passing.

Cousins has an array of weapons, including Adam Thielen (who has 32 receptions), Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

That combination presents a test for the Rams, but defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was encouraged after watching Shields and Hill play against Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

“It’s a challenge any time your second-team people are in there,” Phillips said, “but we have a lot of confidence in those guys.

“We can call the same calls.”

Shields, an eighth-year pro, intercepted a pass in a Week 2 victory against the Arizona Cardinals and broke up a pass against the Chargers.

He expects Cousins and the Vikings to test the backup cornerbacks early.

“That’s part of the game,” he said. “Backup’s in, hey you got to go at him. We’re ready for it.”

Hill began his pro career in 2015 with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the Rams before the 2016 season and started four games.

Last season, he started three games, including the wild-card playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’ve been here before,” Hill said. “It’s the same thing — just go out there and do what I’ve been doing.”

Other Rams players repeated the “next man up” mantra.

If the Vikings test the cornerbacks, so be it.

“Soon enough, early on in the game, they’ll realize that, ‘OK, we just got to go to our regular game plan. We can’t just try these guys on the outside,’ ” safety John Johnson said.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald said the backups would rise to the occasion.

“If they test them, they’re going to get interceptions just like Talib and Peters,” he said, adding, “Big shoes to fill. But they’ll do it.”

Etc. Linebacker Dominique Easley (knee) remains questionable for Thursday’s game.

The Rams will wear their blue, yellow and white “throwback” uniforms, and for remaining home games.

The Rams took out a full-page ad in The Times on Tuesday that featured a humorous letter from McVay urging Los Angeles area employers to let workers off early Thursday to attend the game at the Coliseum.

The Rams will distribute yellow “rally” towels emblazoned with “RAMS HOUSE!” at Thursday’s game.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-vikings-20180925-story.html

Troy Hill

Sam Shields

Nickell Robey-Coleman

Ho hum.

https://ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/angry-ranks-week-4.28/

Please read the Colts' ranking this week. That is all.

Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay
(On an update on CBs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and if he is having surgery)

”Yeah, so (CB) Aqib (Talib) I think I just got an alert on my phone that he’s going to have surgery scheduled for Thursday – from (Senior Director of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott). He obviously let me know. It’s not like I’m getting alerts from – you guys would probably know that before me. But, he got that second opinion. We’ll find out the specifics once we get in there. It’s unfortunate, but it is kind of what we had thought. So, I believe that’s going to be scheduled for Thursday.”

(On how long of a recovery that could require)

”It depends on once you get in there because of the specifics of what the severity is once you actually see what needs to be totally fixed. If there’s something going on with his deltoid (ligament), then it ends up being a little bit longer, but we’ll find out once that surgery takes place.”

(On going against the Vikings secondary)

”Yeah, they’re a great defense. I think you go back to last year when we played against them. You look at the production that they’ve had this year. Excellent coach in Mike Zimmer that does a great job presenting a variety of different looks. They play really sound on the early downs. They make you earn every single yard. Then when you talk about the secondary, you’re looking at guys like (CB Xavier) Rhodes – we’ll see if (CB Trae) Waynes is able to go – and then I think their two safeties in (S Andrew) Sendejo and (S) Harrison Smith do an excellent job. They’ve got some young guys with (CB Mike) Hughes, who’s made some plays. He had a pick to the house against San Francisco. Then, (CB) Mackensie Alexander has been a guy out of Clemson that’s had some good production for them and can play that nickel spot. So, they’re really tough and they’ve got great players all over the defense.”

(On Talib’s deltoid ligament)

”In his ankle. I think it’s deltoid. I’ll get the specifics – well, I know your deltoid is your shoulder too. I think there’s something in his ankle – (Senior Director of Communications) Artis (Twyman), we’ll find out exactly what the heck we’re calling that. Okay?”

(On if Talib also had a potential shoulder issue)

”Not that deltoid. I’m hopeful that there is an ankle, that there’s a deltoid thing so I can come back and give you a hard time. If not, I’ll say, ‘You know what, I was wrong.’ But, when you open it up I think the severity of what goes on, what needs to be fixed. If there’s something else going on – I hope it’s a deltoid, alright (laughs)? Whatever it might be, I hope it’s not, because if it’s something that we’re anticipating then it’ll be a little bit quicker recovery.”

(On the fact that there is a deltoid ligament in the ankle)

”Doctor McVay.”

(On Peters’ recovery)

”Marcus is day-to-day right now. I think he’s feeling good. I think it’s a great representation of his toughness to even still have it be a chance that he’s going to play. When you look at what occurred and you talk about what that position requires and entails in terms of the movement. So, he’s taking steps in the right direction. I would imagine it will be a game day decision for us just based on the nature of the way that we’re going to practice this week. If we get him, we’ll be extremely excited and that’s a big boost to us. If not, like we said, have a whole lot of confidence in (CB) Sam Shields and (CB) Troy Hill and (CB) Nickell Robey (-Coleman) is going to be a guy we continue to lean on as well.”

(On the recovery of OLB Dominique Easley)

”Same thing. He’s day-to-day. It’s a little bit more difficult because we’re walking-thru. So, in terms of the physical toll where you can get a little bit better gauge, it’s a little bit different in this short week. But, he’s day-to-day right now as well.”

(On if he’s concerned at all about putting WR Cooper Kupp back to return punts and if he’ll be conservative with that)

”Well, I think sometimes this week requires a little bit different approach. I think because it is a short week because of the consistency that you feel that Cooper (Kupp) will be able to field that ball. If he gets an opportunity, we’ll always try to compete to do the best that we can from a production standpoint. I think our punt return unit, specifically, has done an excellent job of creating good field position. It’s a big loss with (WR) Pharoh (Cooper), big loss for (WR) JoJo (Natson). Hopefully we’ll get him back sooner than later, but you do feel good about having somebody that’s able to consistently field it like that. You see when the ball is in Cooper’s hands, he’s able to create and get vertical and he knows how to naturally work edges on people as well.”

(On where his team is at as they approach the quarter-season mark and how they get better at making in-game adjustments throughout all four quarters)

”Yeah, I think really you just take it one day at a time. Whether we were 3-0 or 0-3, our approach this week would remain the same. You look at the tape from last week, you figure out what can you do to continue to improve, continue to try to set standards for the things that we deem important. This week provides a great challenge going against an excellent team – really sound in all three phases. They have great players, they’re very well coached, a team that went deep into the playoffs last year. They’re going to be ready to go and certainly we have to as well. It’s just like anything else. I thought our guys did some good things, but as coaches, first and foremost, and then as players, there’s things that we can look at and see if we can improve upon on a short week.”

(On how he’s seen Vikings QB Kirk Cousins grow and change since he last worked with him)

”I think anytime that you’re able to get experience at the quarterback position when you’re as conscientious as he is, you’re going to naturally get better. You take those mental reps, you bank them. Feel fortunate to have worked with Kirk (Cousins). I think he’s somebody that the game of football is so important to him with the way that he consistently approaches it. Wants to know all the little nuances, the details. Does a great job with his communication with his teammates. He’s able to change the launch point, making any throw. They’re able to utilize him in a variety of ways and he’s done an excellent job. You’re really happy for, obviously the contract, but I think he’s in a good place with his family and feeling good about the situation there. I’ll be rooting and always pulling for Kirk after Thursday.”

(On if he’s noticed if the Vikings are doing anything different this year and what he took away from last season’s matchup)

”You take away that it was a humbling day for us, specifically offensively I thought they did a great job. Really, after our first drive they regulated us. I put us in some bad down-and-distance situations, didn’t make very good calls and Coach Zimmer did and those guys made plays. Really for us, those previous experiences against other opponents or against the similar opponents – or the same opponents in this instance – definitely provides an opportunity to look back. But, there’s always going to be things situationally that a team or that a coaching staff will implement. You’re still seeing a really sound defense. You’re seeing a very sound offense. It’s a different play caller with (Vikings Offensive Coordinator) John DeFilippo calling it, but some of the things that they try to utilize their personnel to put them in good spots. They’ve got the right players to do it and they’ve got the schemes. So, it’s going to be a great challenge for us and we’ve got to be ready.”

(On the things he’s done differently as a young coach in the league)

”I don’t know that it’s really we’re doing anything too differently. I think it’s that I’m leaning on a lot of people that have more experience than I do. We really, truly try to collaborate as an organization here where – whether it’s Reggie and (Director of Strength Training and Performance) Ted (Rath), our strength coach and our head of athletic training, whether it’s leaning on Artis or from a coaching standpoint having (Defensive Coordinator) Wade Phillips and (Special Teams Coordinator) John Fassel, guys like (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers) Joe Barry, (Run Game Coordinator) Aaron Kromer. So, I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by great people that have had a lot more experience in a lot of these situations than I have. That’s where you lean on them and you try to make decisions that are best for our players and for our team. That’s what we try to do, like I think probably most places, and you use those experiences to try to learn, but it’s all about the people that you have around you and that’s where I feel lucky to be in that spot.”

(On what he takes away from the Vikings’ tape against the Bills last Sunday)

”I think the score is a little bit misleading. You don’t want to take away from the Bills’ performance, but I think there were some off-schedule plays, there were some short fields. You don’t take anything for granted. This is a great football team coming in here and it doesn’t really matter what they did the previous week. You know they’ll be ready to go. They’ve consistently played well. They have veteran players that have played at a high-caliber, All-Pro level, year after year and they’ve got those key players at the key spots. That’s something that you don’t ever take for granted. They’re extremely well coached. They’re sound, both from a fundamental standpoint and a schematic standpoint. It’s something that we’ve got to be ready to go for. That game is one of them that you look at, but by no means do you think that’s indicative of the caliber of football team that’s coming in here. Even when you look at the tape, they still did, really, a lot of really good things that provide a lot of issues and present a lot of issues for us. From an offensive standpoint, they’ve got some great stuff that they can do offensively to give us problems defensively and same thing with our special team.”

(On if they feel rushed with the short turnaround this week)

”You mean squeezing six, seven days’ worth of work into three? Rushed? Yes. It’s a little bit different. The one thing is everybody has to do it. So, it’s something that you don’t make any excuses. You just handle it because it’s something that everybody has to deal with. The Vikings are dealing with it this week and so are we. It’s a great opportunity for us to say, ‘Let’s figure out a way after a good win, gather ourselves together, move forward, get ready to go mentally and see if we can put together another good physical performance against a tough football team.’ Then, that’ll enable you to have a little bit more of an enjoyable weekend if you can do that.”

(On how many hours of sleep he’s averaging this week)

”Well, what does it look like? Maybe two? Don’t answer that question (laughs). No, I’ve gotten a little bit less sleep. So, I got a few hours last night.”

(On his get-out-of-work-early memo for the fans for Thursday)

”We did. Hopefully we can continue to create those atmospheres and those environments that we’ve had the last couple weeks. Our fans have done a great job creating a good atmosphere and environment at the Coliseum. Hopefully that’ll be the same at 5:20 (p.m.) on Thursday and people will be there ready to go in what will hopefully be a great game that they can be proud of our product that we’ll put out there.”

(On Wade Phillips wondering if he can also get out of work early on Thursday)

”I feel like I answer to Wade, so whatever Wade wants.”

#LARams LIVE Press Conference https://t.co/ZOt7GD4GvZ

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 25, 2018

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Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips
(Opening remarks)

”Thursday night comes quick. We just had Wednesday’s practice and this afternoon we’ll have Thursday’s practice. Minnesota (Vikings) had a tough game last game, but we know (Vikings QB) Kirk Cousins, he’s thrown seven touchdown passes and only thrown two interceptions in two games. He can throw the football. Then, we expect them, obviously, to go back to the running game. They weren’t able to because they got behind last game, but we expect the running game against us. We didn’t play very well the second half against the run, so we expect them to come after us in the running game. Then, they’ve got a quarterback that can make plays. (Vikings WR) Adam Thielen, he may have caught the most passes of all-time here in the last three games. I think he has 32 receptions and 380 yards. They’ve got some real good players on their team, we know that.”

(On how much his game plan changes without CB Aqib Talib and CB Marcus Peters)

”Well, we played without those two guys against (Chargers QB) Philip Rivers last game. It was good that (CB) Sam (Shields) and (CB) Troy (Hill) were ready to play. It says a lot for those two guys. They were ready to come in the game even though they weren’t starting. Yeah, it’s a challenge any time your second team people are in there, but we have a lot of confidence in those guys. We can call the same calls with those guys. In fact, we did in the ball game. We just have to, really, stop them down there at the end of the game in fourth down – those kind of plays. So, I feel confident in our guys. It doesn’t take away from our calls. Both those corners that we have can really run. They’re really fast and athletic. It’s good to have them even though we don’t have our starters.”

(On what he has had to do as a coach to emphasize how to hit quarterbacks with the new roughing the passer rules)

”Well, we’ve worked drills with it. With our D-lineman, we work drills where you tackle and roll – basically alligator tackle where you tackle and roll. We’ve emphasized to the players what the rule is. I don’t know that it’s completely clear overall, but we’re going to go by whatever the rule is. That’s what we’re trying to teach.”

(On if he knows what a sack is now)

”Yeah, I think that’s obviously a little bit of a controversy now. But, I think somebody is going to work it out where we know exactly what it is. I know if you literally put all of your weight on the guy, that’s obviously a penalty and it’s always been a penalty. The difference, I don’t know for sure. But, we’re teaching to not fall on the quarterback when we sack the quarterback. That’s what we worked on and we feel like that’s adequate.”

(On how he would evaluate the defensive line coming together)

”Yeah, we’ve got a strong group. I think we put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. We don’t have as many sacks, but we do have a lot of pressures. We’ve got good coverage and pressure, so they’re not throwing the ball. Even Philip Rivers, he had 200 and something yards, not 300 or 400. Our pass defense is pretty strong and the up front is part of it. We didn’t play well enough in the run game last week and we’ve got to play better there. We’ve got to shore up better. Most of the plays were not much, but those three big runs really hurt us as far as them moving the ball, number one, and then, number two, us playing good run defense.”

(On if he’s comfortable with the number of sacks not being high if they’re getting consistent pressure)

”Yeah, I think as long as we’re 3-0, I’m pretty comfortable. You always want to try and be better in everything you do and we’re striving for that. Winning games the way we’re winning games, I think when you’re ahead, the stats look a little different too because they’re going to throw the ball more when they’re behind – those kinds of things. We like to be in those situations.”

(On if there is something he can take away from playing QB Cousins last year)

”Last year, we played him, (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) had coached him before. We took about all that we could take, last year. He’s in a different offense this year. I don’t know if it’s an advantage, certainly, to have played him before except he’s in a different offense and they’ve got different reads and so forth. We’re going to have to adjust to whatever quarterback we play and what we think he’s going to do. He’s got different receivers. They run different routes than the guys he’s thrown to before. They’ve got some big-play receivers with (WR Stefon) Diggs, obviously, and Thielen and they’ve got a good tight end. He’s got all the pieces he needs. He’s a very accurate thrower. He’s got real arm talent and that’s why they paid him what they paid him, I’m sure.”

(On if he was able to take much from the Vikings tape of their game last Sunday and his approach when he sees a team that talented)

”I think some of their players said it, but they’ve had a game like that almost every year and then come back and played really well. I don’t expect to see that team, although, credit to Buffalo (Bills). Obviously, they played really well. Any time you get ahead 27-0 real early, it changes the whole game – how an offense plays, how a defense plays, all those things.”

(On what he loses when he has to play Shields and Hill and doesn’t have guys like Talib and Peters on the field)

”Well, they’re still elite players. Hopefully, these guys will step up and come close to what those guys can do, but those two are great players. Hopefully, these guys will play great and I have confidence they’ll play really well.”

(On if he heard about the online petition to have him dress as his father did for the games and if he’ll do it)

”I’m not the head coach, so they’re not going to let me dress in anything but Nike. So, if they have a Nike cowboy hat, maybe then I’ll do that (laughs). Also, I just read that I can get off Thursday afternoon (laughs). I can get off work early, so I’m looking forward to that.”

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Run Game Coordinator/Co-Offensive Coordinator Aaron Kromer
(On how he has evaluated OL Austin Blythe in recent weeks and what he sees in him)

”As far as the offensive line goes, I think we’ve had a very productive first three games and there’s always room for improvement. But, I think the five guys that have been playing have shown consistency in their play and have been solid throughout the three games. I think that (OL) Austin (Blythe) has been a big part of that. We’re lucky to be in this situation because we have two starters at the guard position that we could play and it just happens that Austin got the opportunity first this year. With the success we’ve been having, we want to keep the continuity and I think that has helped out. But at any time if (OL) Jamon Brown is needed, I can guarantee you that he’ll be ready. He’s had a wonderful attitude about it. He’s a team guy. He’s always been a team guy. He’s always been an upbeat person. He’s smart enough to see what’s going on on tape. Obviously, he wants his opportunity to get back in there like anybody would, but there’s no one happier for the Rams right now and the success we’re having up front than Jamon Brown, even though he’s not in the lineup.”

(On what he recalls from the running game when they played the Vikings last year)

”We didn’t run the ball as well as we had in other games against this defense. They’re a stout defense. They’re built to stop the run. That’s their number one goal, you can see it on tape. They talk about it. They do it. They live it. We’re built to run the ball. So, we have to do a much better job this year with this game and running the football. I think we’re more in tune with what we’re doing in the running game as a whole, as a unit – whether you’re talking a receiver blocking, tight end blocking, line blocking, running backs understanding the scheme that we’re trying to get done and how the defense is fit compared to the blocking schemes that we’re using. I think we’re a lot smarter football team than we were in the past, so I hope that shows on Thursday night.”

(On how much he has been able to tell that the defenses keying in on stopping the run game)

”There’s a motto in most defenses that say, ‘Listen, we’re going to stop the run first and we’re going to make this team pass.’ Then, there’s a couple theories on defense that they’re not going to give up the big run and they’re going to try to stop the run with the defensive line and keep the linebackers back and make sure that they don’t get a play-action deep over their head, so they’re going to play the play-action first and then the run. So, each week’s a little bit different. But, this team definitely would like to stop the run first, so they’ll be up and geared up for it.”

(On what he attributes to saying that the Rams are smarter than last year)

”Well, what happens is when you’re a new coaching staff and not only the combination of us, the staff, trying to learn the players, but the players trying to learn us. I think we’re at a point now where when we start a sentence, they can finish it. That’s where you want to be in an offense. They solve their own problems and then we add on to what they could even fix more. That’s the difference between last year and this year. We were still trying to figure out who we were and how we were doing it throughout the year and we continued to get better through the year. But, I think we started this year with an identity and a thought process in how we were going to approach these games. I think it benefited us so far.”

(On if he notices the Vikings are doing anything different on defense)

”They’re a talented bunch that continues to do the same thing over and over. They have the same mentality as we do as far as – this is our identity, this is the way we play defense, this is the techniques that we’re going to use and we’re going to be better than you. We’re going to out technique you. So, we have to go into this game and take advantage of their techniques with our techniques.”

What a great game between the Bucs & Steelers last night! I sit back watching the game & my emotions are pretty much like a roller coaster. I look at the game as if I’m out there. Looking at the formations, Checking pre snap reads, figuring out who may Be blitzing on the defensive side, & figuring out what coverage they maybe in, the whole 9.

From a physical standpoint I know I’m beyond ready to be on the field shaking life. Right about now, I’m still grinding & I feel Amazing! I’m just doing what I have to do & what is necessary for my health & my career. I recall thinking that I had to have been chosen for something bigger than me. At times, I sit and think about how blessed I am, just to be alive. That isn’t the same reality for many other victims of gun violence. All of these thoughts going through my head led me to remember why I was inspired to create my lifestyle and apparel brand, +ENERGEE. My inspiration was and still is If what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I can say I know that God isn’t done with me yet. So, I will continue to keep goin’. / Philippians 1:6, Jeremiah 29:11

I have prepared myself mentally, spiritually & physically for my life to change in the blink of an eye. If you understand how the league works, you know that they’re injuries & a long season. Anything can happen and I could get a call anytime between now & November. For that reason alone I must make sure my brain is good to go. This has all been an incredible journey for me & my family. #FYI this isn’t a post for any pity ! This is all a set up for something greater. #ForeverBlessed #ForeverThankful
#PositiveEnergee #KeepGoing #iInfluence #PEACE #KTSE

LINK

I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what's going on with the pass rush. I know a lot of people have been talking about edge rushers but I don't see that as the problem. I haven't went back and watched the game but I thought Wade played a pretty vanilla defense last week vs the Chargers. After watching the Bills-Vikings game from last week, I have to think he's licking his chops to bring some heat against their offensive line. I realize we're down two corners but it's not like the guys we'll be putting out there are untested. I'd like to see us bring some exotic blitzes and force Cousins to get rid of the ball faster than he wants. I think if we can jump out on this team and force them to be one-dimensional, we'll be in good shape. The loss of Griffen on the other side of the ball doesn't hurt our offense a bit, either.

Haven’t watched the Vikings much yet this year but found this stat interesting. I do believe that scoring percentage will go down even further after Thursday night, even with back up CB’s in place.

https://www.vikings.com/video/zimme...lenges-that-the-rams-will-present-on-thursday

J and his family had his baby! Therefore, JRob went solo and brought on ESPN Vikings beat writer Matthew Coller to preview the game. Check it out on iTunes or here

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http://www.footballzebras.com/2018/09/4-2018/

Vikings at Rams — Brad Allen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Allen

Allen's 2018 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Ruben Fowler, down judge Jim Mello, line judge Brian Bolinger, field judge Steve Zimmer, side judge Scott Novak, and back judge Terrence Miles.

Rams are #1. The other NFL West teams are bringing up the rear.

Minus both starting CB’s. (I’ll believe Peters starts only when I see it). This, alone, would fatally cripple most teams.

No GZ. And a very wobbly Ficken trying to fill in. Mercy.

No Pharoh Cooper and now no JoJo as returners. Yikes!

An apparent lack of even an average OLB opposite Ebu through 3 games.

AD and Suh have thus far fallen short of the high expectations. Hardly liabilities, to be sure, but hardly world class dominators, either.

And here come the ticked off and embarrassed Vikings on a short week. Gulp...

One good thing, though. There isn’t a damned thing wrong with the Ram O, is there? Lol.

Anybody seen it for the Rams/Chargers Game? I really enjoy watching those, as it is a peak into the chemistry and personalities, and how much these guys seem to really, genuinely like each other.

If anyone can post a link, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Lets hear it for the ladies in the booth!

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