Been ruminating on this for awhile.

While the bull rush, swim, spin and dip & rip are all good moves, there's one that I haven't really seen an OT figure out.

I call it the Ghost. It probably has a name and I just don't know it

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You can see it at the 0:40 mark.

Edit: it's even more clear on the next play at the :50 sec mark, although it can be hard to catch it because the editing of the clip is so close and it happens so fast.

You can also see up close at the 2:38 mark how he launches, engages, fakes the chuck (although he's really not in a good position to do the move, the OT still falls for it) and then bull rushes the OT literally knocking him down and gets the sack. That's the kind of thing that sets up the Ghost.

Von Miller jumps off the snap with a medium deep route to the QB and he positions himself as if he's going to either bull rush or simply apply straight pressure to collapse the pocket as he might play it on a potential screen or dump off the the RB in the flat where he might need to turn and run.

The OT and Von Miller square up and the OT reaches for Von Miller to initiate contact.

What Von Miller does next is rather extraordinary.

He extends his hands (in this clip its very quick, in others he sets up the OT more deliberately with his hands), but does not engage the OT.

Instead, he extends his arms and then bursts upfield while withdrawing his hands. There's a slight downfield chuck on this play, but I've seen instances where he never actually touches the OT. Because the OT set expecting contact, he's unable to continue kick stepping, set his feet to anchor and is left grasping air. Von Miller simply speeds past him and gets the sack.

This is not a dip and rip or even a variant in that Von Miller doesn't dip. In fact, part of what makes this work is that he stays square the whole time. With a dip and rip, the attacker flips his hips and shoulders perpendicular to the OT, gets his inside arm under the OT's outside arm and uses that leverage to get around the OT. This is different. What really fools the OT is that Miller's extended hands end up being a feint. Von Miller's hands go forward, but his body never stops moving upfield.

Von Miller is quick enough that if the OT doesn't set, he risks Miller bursting inside and being easily defeated with a spin move or being bullrushed and being caught off balance and being driven into the QB.

I saw Demarcus Ware also use this move. I wish Quinn would have learned this. He certainly had the burst for it.

It's simply an amazing move and only a DE with exceptional burst can execute it. What's really interesting about this move is that the defeat of the OT happens almost solely because the hands extend which signal to the OT to initiate contact to hopefully get hands on him and then defeat him. What actually happens is that the extended hands are simply to maintain space and get the OT to set his feet.

Not many DEs or rush OLBs use this move, but every time I see it, I wonder what an OT can do to defend it.

I haven't watched too much Mack, but I don't think I've seen him use this move. I dunno if it's a matter that he plays a more physical 4-3 DE style versus being a speed 3-4 OLB or what.

Anyway, it's a slow time and I wanted to post this before I forgot.

2018 Rams

Team Overview:
Being in the same system, the offense should do better than last year (like the 2000 Rams upgraded the 1999 offense)---I think controlling the ball with the mid and short routes, along with Gurley will bring a possession time of around 33-34 minutes this year. I think it is unanimous that Cooks is an upgrade over Watkins in all ways—except for the short TD slants, of which Sammy gave 3 last year. Suh and Donald have the chance to make this ‘the’ year for the Rams. The quickest way to the QB is up the middle; yes, we may not have a great edge rusher, but we also have 4 high quality corners---and because 2 of those corners are exceedingly intelligent we will blitz a lot.

I expect NFC championship at least, and really a Super Bowl appearance….but, I expected that in 1978 and 2000, too. I am not sure the Rams exceed 11-5, though 13-3 could happen, too. The NFC is loaded like never before in the 45 yearas I watched. In 1980 the Eagles, Falcons, Rams, Dallas were neck and neck the whole season. I still think none of them was better than the other. However, in the playoffs, the Rams have the advantage with their interior pass rush, great corners and control offense than might look like the 1983 Redskins---a great mix of run game, excellent short pass game, and an O line that keeps Goff clean. Teams like the Panthers went to 15-1 because their QB got hot, and they put it together---so, anything can happen to upset the Rams 'all time' anticipated season.


Offense:
McVay, I believe, will use the offense to control other teams. Goff is so accurate in the short, and the O line pass blocks well, so Goff if we need to pass only, we still can control games; Teams will fear Gurley, but it is McVay who knows how to use him. I expect Gurley will have increased routes, and will line up wide quite a few times. Goff also isn’t at risk like other pocket passers because he clearly knows he has to get rid of the ball---I can’t think of a Ram QB, ever, who took less hits than him. I do wonder if Kupp will be that much better; except for the drops, I wonder what else he can do better in 2018.
Jamon Brown missing time is huge for me; Blythe may fill in decently, but Brown is superior in the run game, and knew how to work with his teammates. Having Noteboom off the bench is very important---as Chris Long’s sack over D Williams cost us the Eagles game last year.

By mid-season I am hoping that John Kelly becomes the next Delpino (1988-1991, kids). He is tough, and makes yards where there aren’t any (maybe better than Gurley), and is good in the passing game. He may not be pass pro ready yet.

At Everett may be a bit of a disappointment, but we can all agree that Woods, Cook and Cooper will keep all coaches occupied---and then you slip Everett in there 2-3 times a game, and he could have some big plays for us (like Redskins game).

The Rams offense is sooo consistent, in part due to the collective intelligence of the players, so I expect very similar, if not better results from all the players (except Whit and Sully)---however, the person who can make the biggest upgrade from his 2017 season is Higbee. Higbee is a good enough blocker, and Mundt and Everett aren’t….so, if he goes down, that will change the entire offense. Similar to the Eagle defense used in 1988-1989, where 5 LBs were used, the offense might be forced to become better if Higbee goes down; but, I would not like to see that change.

Someone said if Gurley goes down we are ‘over’. No way, we can still roll—Goff is the centerpiece because of his intelligence and accuracy. He will be a lot better this year, but with a little slippage in the O line, and we might not notice a huge statistical difference. If you re-watch 2017, I would say every game about 6-8 pass attempts were ‘lost’ for various mental reasons---that won’t happen this year. Goff was a 62% last year because of these ‘lost’ plays—I expect 68-73% this year. I do expect that Cooks and him will hook up for 4-5 long TDs (40+ yards) this year.

Defense
Wade is all about stopping the pass (look at his historical record). Marcus Peters is a top 1-3 corner in most peoples eyes. Suh, because of playing alongside AD and Brockers, becomes a top 3-5 DT as a pass rusher. AD is a #1 DT; the potentiation effect that could happen between those 3 players is what I think gives us the upper hand against the Eagles, Falcons and Vikings and Saints offenses. What team in NFL history has 2 pro bowl pass rushing DTs? Other teams had 2 pro bowlers, but one was primarily a run stopper.

The Eagles, because of Wentz, who is this generation’s Elway, are a wild card against the Rams offens, and so we can’t know until the games are played---but the the offenses of the rest of the NFC shouldn’t bother the Rams at all. The eagles don’t have great WRs, so I figure the Rams will do quite well against a healthy Wentz.

The D line will be the 1 rated D line against the run by PFF (they were #3, I believe, in 2016---yes, I know it was a 4-3). Aso: Suh is the NT, but I suspect he will rotate to different positions along the line, and be the DT, not NT, on passing downs. And, I wonder if Brockers sometimes goes to NT….just thinking…

The D line makes the OLBs go from 6/10 to 8/10 automatically. When Obo comes back, maybe he will get some nice sacks like Kevin Greene did late in his rookie year (1985 against Dallas in the playoffs). Lawler and Ebukam will get some sacks against TEs and RBs for sure---the mystery is the ROLB. But, with corners like we have, and 2 all-pro DTs everybody gets better.

ILB: No way Corey Littelton holds up as a full time 16 game ILB….look at his build. He is a very good player for Wade’s system. As long as he and Barron are around for the playoffs, I have full believe the Rams will be a top 2-5 team against the pass---like Wade’s Denver teams.

I don’t believe Talib is so great anymore; however, because of confidence, and knowing the system and our pass rush he can still be effective B/B+ player. Peters is a top 5 corners, and our safeties are great in coverage, too. I expect a top 5 at worst pass defense. Our slot man is good+, and Sam Shields still has the legs and the feet at all-pro level.

We have 4 solid corners. We lost to the Redskins and Eagles because of in-game injuries at Corner. It seems like we won’t have that problem this year. Joyner seems to get nicked up, but I like J Johnson backing him up at FS---though I don’t know if that is Wade’s plan. Our back up safeties know the system,and seem to know be able to run well, so maybe we are ok with short term injuries, there, too.

Special Teams:
Greg the leg will probably won’t be a pro bowler this year, but still be one of the best; Hekker may the all decade punter, but P. Cooper will never even be good again. But, the Rams will still be a top 5 special teams this year, anyway.

Conclusion:
The Bears, who looked like a bad taem last year, might be a 9-7 team this year, and AZ with the worst QBs in the league were 8-8 last year. Now they have Mr. Accuracy and Mike Glennon---so, those guys could roll to 10-6 easy with their top 5 D defense. 39ers might win 9+, too. Seattle may take a step back, but division opponents are tough….so, there is not ‘easy out’ in the Rams schedule. In fact, the Raiders look like the only easy team on the schedule, and who knows what will happen on MNF in the hole---with no preseason reps for the offense.

Every team seems to have serious problems in the starting lineup. The only (small) problem the Rams have is at ROLB---and with the synergy of adding 3 pro bowlers, it may not matter so much; so, we hope! Barron and Littleton are not problems. They are great against the pass, and sometimes really good against the run. Now that guards have to worry about Donald and Suh, not so many guards/centers will reach Barron and Littleton this year, anyway.

Goff will have much more command this year; I expect more no-huddle, and more plays that challenge the entire width and length of the field---yes, Brandin Cooks will be huge this year. IF you watch the Pats, Brady gets rid of the ball fast, Goff does not---at least not last year. Goff could do this because the O line was great pass blocking for him.
I expect McVay is tweaking the offense to allow for some deep shots that we wouldn’t have taken last year because Watkins was no Cooks! Watkins only caught 2 long passes the whole year (by my count: SF and NYG games).

Gurley, like Faulk, can control games (Titans game & others).J Kelly, if given the chance by midseason, will not weaken the offense like Malcom Brown did last year---but will take time before Kelly is used significantly.

The only injuries (excepting, Goff) that would deter me from thinking NFCC at a minimum, would be along the O line. Noteboom can fill in for a few games, but it will be easy to take advantage of him in the run game. Blythe ain’t Brown. Saffold and Havenstein are smart, tough and great players for our system—we need them healthy in the playoffs.

What I don't like:
If Brockers goes down, who replaces him? And, the rookie NT behind Suh.....hmmmm. No injuries on the D line, please.

Around the NFC:
There are just toooo many good teams this year: Falcons, Eagles, Vikings, Saints, Panthers, maybe NYG and Cards get a lot better....I mean, every week will still be tough. But, AD and Suh are smart,tough, great and hard working dudes. They will destroy some O lines this year--Falcons and Vikings I don't think will hold up against them. Eagles and Saints could hold up, but their WRs strike ZERO fear into Wade's defense. That leaves the Panthers,and the ultimate wild card: Cam. Oh, I expect the Eagles to go 10-6 at best. Look at their schedule. The only thing about them that gives them a chance is that great O line and very good D line. Wentz and the QB position will be below last year.

What did I miss  ?
Oh, Rams to the Superbowl. Honestly, excepting the Patriots, no team that is predicted to go to the super bowl goes to the super bowl very often. So, 10-6 won't surprise---but, that will be because of injuries. If we get healthy, we can beat any team on the road in the playoffs---yes, even the Eagles!

PS In my opinion: this Rams team on paper would wipe out the 2001 Rams. Watch those 2001 games, the interior couldn't do jack against good D lines (see NYGs, Tampa et al). This Ram team is complete.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/02/nfl-rams-youngest-oldest-rosters-rankings/

Here's where the Rams rank among the NFL's youngest teams
By: Cameron DaSilva



The Los Angeles Rams made some significant changes to their roster this offseason, adding both young stars and established veterans. Aqib Talib and Ndamukong Suh have made their rounds in the NFL thus far and bring leadership to a young Rams squad.

On the other hand, Connor Barwin and Robert Quinn are both out, though they’ll be replaced by much younger, cheaper players. Marcus Peters and Brandin Cooks are also very young at just 25 and 24 years old, respectively.

But where do the Rams rank among the youngest teams in the league this season? Thanks to Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice, we know exactly where. Each year, Kempski finds the average age of each 53-man roster in the NFL.

From 2013-16, the Rams had the youngest team in the league. Last season, they ranked second. In 2018, they continued to get older, though they still have the fourth-youngest squad in football at an average of 25.5 years old.

In addition to being young, the Rams have a bunch of stars still under 30 years old. Just to name a few:

• Aaron Donald: 27
• Todd Gurley: 24
• Brandin Cooks: 24
• Jared Goff: 23
• Cooper Kupp: 25
• Marcus Peters: 25
• Robert Woods: 26

The Bengals (25.2) have the youngest roster, followed by the Browns (25.3) and the Cowboys (25.4). The Jaguars and Vikings also have an average age of 25.5, but the Rams must be just fractionally younger.

This is a testament to the roster building that Les Snead, Sean McVay and the entire front office have gone through. They’ve rid themselves of overpriced players like Trumaine Johnson and Alec Ogletree, as well as Sammy Watkins.

They’ve also built from within, keeping 10 of their 11 draft picks from this year. Despite not having a first- or second-round pick, the Rams still found value in the draft between Rounds 3 and 7.

This roster is built to last.

So yeah, 11-5 and a division title last year.
What have you done for me lately? The hype is ripe.

What do you feel defines a successful 2018 season when it's all over next February?

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My god...

He is now a commentator with the SEC Network. Watching the Mizzou game and he is on the broadcast.

Offense
QB: Goff, Mannion, Allen
RB: Gurley, Brown, Kelly, Davis
WR: Cooks, Woods, Kupp, Cooper, Thomas, Reynolds
TE: Higbee, Everett, Mundt
T: Whitworth, Havenstein, Noteboom
G: Saffold, Demby, Blythe
C: Sullivan, Allen

Defense
DE: Brockers, Franklin-Myers, Westbrooks
DT: Suh, Joseph-Day, Smart
LB: Barron, Littleton, Wilson, Lawler, Kiser, Ebukam, Hager, Longacre, Young, Easley
DB: Talib, Peters, Robey-Coleman, Shields, Hill, Countess, Christian, Joyner, Johnson lll, Johnson

Special Teams
K: GZ
P: Hekker
LS: McQuaide

Suspended: Brown

Exempt: Donald

IR: Okoronkwo, Fox, Peterson

After cuts and finalizing our roster comes to an end today I started to think about what is our biggest concern on this team now? I mean we have quality depth pieces now to go with our starters.

I’m thinking what could give us the biggest issues is QB depth.
I’ve been a big Mannion supporter in recent years but I’ve been very bisappointed this year and Allen looks terrible to.

I just seen Landry Jones just got cut, should we trade for RG3, McCarron just got traded. We need to find a solution to maintain us if Goff goes down in the coming year.

Jones just got bumped off the Steelers QB depth chart and they are loaded. Decent quality back up in Jones and he showed he can maintain during an injury to keep the team going.

Which do you think we are weakest at?

I do realize that there is 99.99999% chance that Suh will only be a Ram this season but I think he and AD (And, Brockers!) will wreck HAVOC to opposing offenses this season and I wish I could see the three of them playing together for at least 3 or 4 years! I know it is NOT going to happen but it sure would be nice!!!

https://247sports.com/ContentGaller...ACQ-07-10abg1d&vndid=5b58bd2ce4b0d6808a30e453

this would take care of the "insensitivity" issues. i think. unless gungans arent this color.

Rams helmet looks pretty good actually.

Wow. That's going to cost a bunch.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...h-agreement-trade-khalil-mack-oakland-raiders

Marquee Theater 5,000 or so back to back nights sold out.

Trendy or whatever name your adverb? They're bad fucking ass and I'm embracing (4) tickets each nights.

:rockon:
[GALLERY=media, 310]Screenshot_2018-08-31-23-56-11 by BatteringRambo posted Sep 1, 2018 at 2:32 AM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 311]Screenshot_2018-08-31-23-55-53 by BatteringRambo posted Sep 1, 2018 at 2:32 AM[/GALLERY]

woohoo, 2d season started 2nite
train

Surprise album, right? One of the dopest rap albums I've ever allowed my ears to absorb. Wow!!! Collectively, if this album, Kamikaze, doesn't rank upvery very high it's a shame, however not even 24 hours after release I know it will transpire endlessly.

DOPE AS FUCK! He redefined the rap artist(s) industry ;past, present and future. Boom!

[GALLERY=media, 303]Screenshot_2018-08-31-15-49-21-1 by BatteringRambo posted Aug 31, 2018 at 4:51 PM[/GALLERY]

Haven't seen anything yet so was wondering.

If McVay had not come in and changed Fisher’s losers into big winners last year, would AD have been inclined to stay with the Rams?

I wonder. In fact, I doubt it. AD wanted to win and it surely didn’t look like it was gonna happen with Fisher running things.

Sooooo...

Is this extension another spinoff benefit from the Sean McVay hire?

I have a follow up question. Did AD sign for less because he sees a bright future with McVay?

Last preseason game is over, and now it's on to Monday Night Football. The Rams SHOULD blow out the Raiders. The Raiders defense is cr@p with Khalil Mack, because teams can game plan around the young super star. How about without him?

The 2017 #1 Offense in the NFL is going against this Mack-less defense. HUGE Advantage, Rams.

The Raiders defense has Carr and beast mode, and it's possible that Gruden has coached that unit up...But they are going against a revamped defense that is ready to shut the doubters up. Without AD, the Rams 2018 defense with Suh, Brockers,Peters, Talib, Johnson, Joyner, and the rest, are better than the 2017 defense, imo....With Donald, our defense becomes historic, and I believe Donald will be in Oakland, Week One.

Yeah I know "on any given Sunday..." Well, it's Monday so STFU.:yess:

I know it’s just killing time til football starts for real but I saw this article about who might be the qb who breaks the 200 mil mark, of course there’s several factors at play but I thought it curious that our boy was listed like 10th most likely after Mayfield, Rosen, Darnold,Wilson, Mahomes, Watson, Luck, Wentz and of course Jimmy G. Then there’s the next group of Cam, Carr, Stafford and Cousins. THEN we get to Goff, Dak, Marcus and Jameis.
I try not to take these slights to heart but are we sure all these rookies are gonna hit? And Mahomes has exactly 1 game of experience.
Goff’s not going to get any respect now or if he wins the SB so I just need to get over it

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/...-nfl-preseason-game-at-aloha-stadium-in-2019/

L.A. Rams to play NFL preseason game at Aloha Stadium in 2019
By Ferd Lewis



NFL preseason football will return to Aloha Stadium in 2019 for the first time in 43 years, following a deal announced today between the Los Angeles Rams and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

“We want this to be Rams’ Country again,” said Jason Griffiths, Rams’ vice president for partnerships, told the HTA.

The announcement was made following a unanimous vote at the HTA’s monthly board meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center and attended by Rams’ officials.

The last NFL exhibition game played here came in 1976 when the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers drew 36,364 to Aloha Stadium.

Southern California is the HTA’s largest market for visitors and the deal will include promotional opportunities and “community outreach” beyond the game, officials said.

The deal follows in the footsteps of a partnership between the HTA and the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. The Clippers played two exhibitions at the Stan Sheriff Center last year with the Toronto Raptors. Next month the Clippers will play the Sydney Kings of Australia.

Earlier in the day the Aloha Stadium Authority gave stadium manager Scott Chan the go-ahead “to do all things necessary to effectuate the potential NFL game.”

He was scheduled to meet later today with Rams officials on use of the stadium.

The game will be the largest revenue generating game of the year for Aloha Stadium, the HTA was told.

I'm sure most of you, while using the restroom in grade school to using a public stall at Mickey D's or the theatre, have read peoples "scrawls on the walls". I have read some hilarious stuff. Here's a couple that have stuck with me.

"In days of old, when knights were bold,

and toilets weren't invented,

they laid their load,

beside the road, and walked away contented.



While sitting there doing my business, I noticed far down at the furtherst corner, a few lines. I had to bend way over to read it

"You are now at a 45 degree angle"