Oh Sammy, Sammy.


https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/bradford-already-hurt.275578/


Read the last post....:rolllaugh:

On fs1 Monday 7:00 pm
The story of the the la rams by nfl films I just stumbled on it sorry for short notice

Looks like I got my numbers crossed up! I had QB Allen at #9 and Perez as #8! So everything I have written from Sunday's camp that references Perez, strike his name and insert Allen.

WOW, I feel so ashamed for this. I was so sure of myself. Perez is not much more than a camp body at this point as I didn't watch him but was watching Allen, who I now feel is a legitimate contender for the #2 spot against Mannion.

So sorry for the mistake.

I personally love the Rams preseason. Last year you could tell from the game against the Raiders that our offense would be pretty good.

Now that the Rams are really good, it will be even more fun watching the depth - LB will be a really great watch, even in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

But most importantly, once the first game happens, that means from that point on there's basically a Rams game every week until the end of December!

Today is the day that my wife and I are basically forced to put my sweet boy Chibbs down. I’ve never had to anything like this before and it’s conpletely fucking eating away at me. In less than 2 hours, he will be gone.

He is a 2 year old Pitbull, and up until the last 2 months, has been the sweetest dog I’ve ever known. I know all owners say that, but he was such a sweet, protective animal.

About two months ago, he started will following strangers to him around staring at them, but never more. Then he started adding growing and eventually snarling. I figured, he was doing his job, he didn’t know them and my kids were outside, he was making sure they knew that if they stepped out of line, they would deal with him. Hell I was almost proud of him. Then 3 weeks ago a neighbors lab was walking the road we live on(we live in the country, down gravel roads, everyone has several acres and the dogs just kinda explore, never a big deal.) Well, Chibbs went after the dog and had him pinned down in the corner of the barn. He didn’t bite him but wouldn’t let him move. The dog has pissed all over the place and was shaking out of so much fear. We easily pulled Chibbs away and he went about his business, again, I thought he was simply setting boundaries with this dog so he knew.

Then 2 weeks ago, he began going after the horses. Biting at their legs and chasing them. Not in a playful way either. This wasn’t such a shock to me, he’s never really been a fan of theirs but he has always stayed out of their pasture. He decided enough was enough I guess and he made his move.

The final straw came Thursday. A 10 year old boy was walking our road, his father has family on the road and was working the land a bit. The boy was just exploring a bit. Chibbs saw him on the road and went sprinting from about 200 yards away and went after the boy, he didn’t bite him, but he was snarling and barking and growling. Circling the boy in what I assume was an attempt to get him from the back. I wasn’t home, but my mother in law was there and got him back and disciplined him. She said that after that happened, he gave her a look that made her very uneasy, like a “touch me again bitch” kind of a look.

When myself, my wife or my children are around, he is sill our sweet baby. But I knew we needed to talk to someone. I called the vet and explained what was happening and asked for advice. She almost immediately said that this isn’t that uncommon, but unfortunately we don’t have a small dog, we have a 90 lb pit. She said her recommendation is going to be putting him down. But she wanted us to speak with a. Behavior Specialist before we made any decisions.

After we spoke to her and explained what had all happened she confirmed that it is most likely a territorial dominance thing. That’s why to this point he hadn’t bitten anyone but he has been letting them know who’s boss. She said that it’s not really reversible and will only get worse, that unfortunately the responsible thing to do would be to have him down before he takes it to the next level and that re-homing him isn’t an option at this point either.

I feel I failed him somewhere along the way. I’m not sure how to feel about it all. Beyond sad, maybe a little angry. Part of me completely understands and part of me feels like I’m giving up too soon. I’m sorry for such a long post, I just needed to vent this out a little bit. Thank you to all who took the time to listen.

I will miss you buddy!

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-day-4-of-training-camp

10 Observations from Day 4 of Training Camp

1) Pads.

The Rams went through their first padded practice of the year on Sunday afternoon, which brought up the energy for the fourth consecutive day of practice. Football season always starts to actually feel like it’s approaching when you can hear the sound of pads popping on the field.

2) During the individual portion of practice, wide receiver Robert Woods made a nice catch on the left sideline on a pass from quarterback Jared Goff. It was one of those plays where the catch was made against air, so take it with a grain of salt. But it was still a nice display

3) After individual drills, Los Angeles moved on to half-field drills with the offense and defense going against one another. The first play was a 4-on-3 scenario, with Goff hitting running back Todd Gurley deep down the seam with what would’ve been a touchdown pass.

4) Los Angeles had the starting defense up first in 11-on-11 drills and safety John Johnson had the first pad-popping hit of camp. The safety came up and had a nice thud on running back Justin Davis to stuff a run.

5) Safety Isaiah Johnson also had a nice thudearly on in team drills. He came up to hit tight end Gerald Everett, who caught a pass in the flat from quarterback Brandon Allen off of play action. Johnson was right there to make a play for what would’ve been a tackle for loss.

6) Cory Littleton appears to be developing wellinto his role of middle linebacker and defensive signal-caller. He crashed down hard inside to hit an inside blocking tight end during 11-on-11 drills, disrupting a run. And a few plays later, he set the edge well on the defense’s right, forcing an end around to cut back inside where another defensive player was waiting for a thud.

7) Later in practice, Everett made an outstanding catch in the end zone for a touchdown. The tight end went up over a defensive player to make the catch at the front corner of the end zone, using his strong hands to pull the ball in. He secured the ball, maintaining possession as he also got two feet in for a touchdown. The pass came from Allen.

8) During a two-minute drill, cornerback Marcus Peters nearly intercepted Goff in a ones-vs-ones situation. With Goff facing some pressure while releasing a pass, Peters jumped a route, got his hands on the ball at a high point, but couldn’t reel it in as he came back to the ground. As head coach Sean McVay often says, Peters is certainly someone whose presence the offense can feel on a play-to-play basis.

9) Goff, however, did connect with wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a pass in the middle of the field to end that segment of practice. Goff did well to step up in the pocket and hit Kupp coming out of his break on his route over the middle. The way the field was set up at the time, the play likely would’ve ended as a touchdown.

10) Finally, cornerback Kevin Peterson — now sporting No. 25 — made a pair of strong plays, one of which came at the end of practice. Earlier in the session, he nearly intercepted Allen on a pass in 11-on-11. He had nice coverage on his receiver on the defense’s right, leapt, and got his hands on the ball. He just couldn’t reel it in.

He got his interception later, though, making a pick six to end a period. Peterson undercut a route, made the pick on the defense’s left sideline, and had no one in his path on the way to the end zone. It was a nice practice for the Oklahoma State product who intercepted a pair of passes in Week 17 last year.

Great day at camp today. High's in the upper 80's, clear skies and cold brew!

Bleachers were about 3/4 full, good crowd. The Rams are really catering to the fan base. Fred Dryer was there as part of the Rams Legends, signing autographs.

I staked out a location along the fence line with the field that had the video replay screen (thanks Steve from Rams Fan United for the tip). I was right at the goal line, perfect spot to shoot up the field with my camera. Only problem when the 11x11 started, the offense was going the other direction. So run down to the far end, find no room, go up in the bleachers and do the best I can. Then they decide to switch directions again, go back towards where I started. But you guys don't want to hear about my travels so let's move on.

QB Perez got to work in rotation with Allen and Goff as Mannion was a no show. Now I'm not a pro scout or even a Cub Scout any longer but as I watched Perez do the same drills as the other QB's, I didn't see any significant difference in his technique vs. Goff's vs. Allen. So during drills all three looked good but Goff just seemed to be more confident with his throws.

So moving forward to some passing drills, Goff had the first interception of the day. Margui Christian jumped the out route. Can't remember who the receiver was.

Perez also had a interception during 11x11. I think it was Troy Hill but it sure looked like he was the intended receiver.

Bottom line for the QB position; Goff is very confident with his position, Allen actually was a little more off than Perez but didn't throw any picks. Perez is still in the running for a PS position. Today was big for him with Mannion being out.

As far as LB goes. Scales and Kiser were in together for a few series during 7x7. On one pass play Kiser followed the wrong man which left his assigned receiver uncovered and open for the completion. What was interesting is that right after that play, both players jogged off the field and went to go work special teams on the other field.

Didn't get much focus on other LB's but maybe when I look at some of my 300+ photos my memory may be jolted.

The big thing for me was Noteboom and Demby, 70 and 64. They of course were part of the 2's and lined up at the beginning with Demby at RG and Noteboom at RT. Then at some point they switched positions similar to the experiment last year with Big Rob and Brown. Noteboom looked good at RT going against Smart and I think Sebastian-Day. When they switched position, I flet Noteboom actually played better at guard! He is a big kid and seemed to be very difficult to move off of his position.

I was asked if Noteboom was starting material. I would say yes with an *. He may very well get the start ar RG during Browns suspension. Who knows after that.

There was a small skirmish during 11x11 with the 1's. Nothing big but I thought it was a little early in camp for that to happen. Can only mean one thing to me, these guys are hungry to play and hit. And hit they did! With the exception of tackling, everything else a go. Blocking, rubs, the whole 9 yards.

Speaking of rubs. Remember that rub play down at the goal line where we would have two receivers staked to either side? Both would go on a slant in at the snap with the first receiver taking his cover man with him and then causing the second cover man to get blocked out? Guess who was running through that a couple of times at speed and some walk throughs? Cooks was being the second receiver or the one to be targeted. Josh Reynolds was the lead receiver.

That's as much as I can recall right now. I'm sure some other twitter or whatever report can give you more and may cause me to recall.

Till next time, which is tomorrow but @bubbaramfan and I will be meeting up for the first time this camp so who knows how much football will be watched.

Thanks, I'll post my pictures later.

Dale

Just wanted to start a planning thread for the MC game against the Chiefs. I've heard a few peeps say they are going. Hoping we can all get together and have some fun while in town. Also, would be nice if folks knew what areas everyone was staying in.

We are flying in @ 5:15pm on Saturday the 17th. Fly back out @ 9am Wednesday the 21st. I've been researching "What is the best area to stay in" The general consensus seems to be..

1. Polanco
2. Condesa
3. Roma

After looking at quite a few reviews I think we're leaning towards Polanco. But before we book if anyone has any other ideas/reviews/thoughts... we'd appreciate the info! I'm seeing some really nice places for well under $100 a night. Such as this 2 bdr apt for $95 a night located in Polanco....

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15361532?l ... s=YXx9mVV9

Lot's of cheaper options in all 3 areas too! Also, all 3 neighborhoods are within 1-2 miles of each other

Another aspect of the trip that's HUGE to me is transportation to and from the game. Getting to the game doesn't seem like a huge deal. Getting out however, might be. The game should end between 10:15-11:00pm. The Metro closes at Midnight. I've been wondering if we can hire a van for a round trip charter. If folks might be interested in that. I've read that Taxi's and Uber can be a problem with the max exodus when the game ends. I know it is around the coliseum too.

Any thoughts or ideas please throw them out here to discuss! Or shoot me a text or call!

Greg
714 510-7693

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/29/nfl-los-angeles-rams-national-anthem-sean-mcvay/

When the Los Angeles Rams transitioned from Jeff Fisher to Sean McVay, a lot changed. There were major adjustments made on the field, in the locker room and on the coaching staff, all of which led to the team’s first playoff berth since 2004.

It was a necessary move for the Rams to make, but not everything was completely scrapped from Fisher’s reign as head coach. The cohesiveness and unity of the team during the playing of the national anthem remained.

Fisher had a strict policy for how players and coaches would arrange themselves on the sideline pre-game. It’s something he implemented long before the protests during the anthem began, and McVay didn’t change a thing when he took over as head coach.

Here’s how Fisher described the arrangement last September:

“Defense is on the left, offense is on the right and all the players are standing side by side on the sideline. Your helmets are tucked under your arm, and if you left your helmet on the bench then your hand is over your heart. Trainers, doctors and other staffers are behind the players and I’m behind them.”


Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

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With player protests against inequality and police brutality becoming a big talking point in the NFL now – and with the league and Players Association unable to implement a policy that both sides agree on – McVay was asked how Los Angeles will handle protests this year. After all, players can be fined for showing any sort of protest during the anthem, aside from staying in the locker room.

McVay says the Rams plan to stand the same way they did last season, continuing to use Fisher’s model.

“Really when it first came out, what we talked about was, ‘Hey we have a mutual respect and understanding for everybody’s individual beliefs,’” McVay said. “This is how we’ve operated organizationally in the past and really it goes back to what Coach Fisher had implemented in terms of how they handle the national anthem. And I said, ‘If there’s anybody that feels differently. Certainly, we want to listen and understand where you’re coming from. We just don’t want to be caught off guard.’”

So it sounds like the Rams plan to stand for the anthem, though McVay didn’t touch on whether players would be fined for not showing “respect for the flag and the anthem.” That decision will come from someone above McVay’s pay grade than, but he’s open to hearing everyone’s opinion.

“We’ve kind of already had those conversations and guys have been great. But it kind of goes back to our theme about that clear open and honest communication and that way nobody is ever caught off guard,” he added. “But we’re also not afraid to try to listen and understand what everybody has in terms of their individual opinions or beliefs with regards to handling that matter.”

McVay said he doesn’t “anticipate any issues” with regards to how players will handle their potential protests. He plans to address the team about it again before their first playoff game against the Ravens on Aug. 9, but it sounds like everyone is on the same page.


(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Up to this point, no player has expressed any concerns about how the Rams will approach this delicate situation.

“No, they’ve been great. Has been good communication,” McVay said. “That’s what you appreciate about these guys and I think as we get closer to that Baltimore date if anything comes up, then whichever player that is, if that’s the case, we’ll have a great conversation and then we’ll decide what’s the best way to handle it out of respect for everybody involved.”

For a 32-year-old coach entering his second season leading a team, he’s done a great job taking everything in stride – from uniting the locker room and his players, to overcoming Aaron Donald’s absence the past two training camps.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-training-camp-20180728-story.html

Rams might have a leg up again with Zuerlein back

The first kicked ball sailed through the uprights. So did the next four, before one from nearly 50 yards just missed wide left.

It took all of three minutes during a field goal drill, but Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein showed during Saturday’s practice at UC Irvine that his surgically repaired back and right leg are sound.

That qualified as a huge benchmark for Zuerlein and for a Rams team that is in the preseason Super Bowl conversation.

“Went well and had fun,” Zuerlein said after kicking in a competitive situation for the first time since December surgery.

Zuerlein, a seventh-year pro, is arguably as important to the Rams’ success as any of the team’s stars on offense.

Despite being sidelined for the final two-regular season games and a playoff loss last season, Zuerlein scored a league-leading 158 points for a team that averaged a league-best 29.9 points a game and won the NFC West.

The kicker known as Legatron, Greg the Leg and Mr. Automatic made 38 of 40 field-goal attempts. He kicked seven field goals in a 35-30 victory at Dallas.

Coach Sean McVay said it “looked like the old Greg,” after watching him Saturday.

“I don’t think anybody really realizes, myself included, how much pain he was really fighting through and the production he was able to have last year,” McVay said. “So I know that’s a big weight off him.”

The Rams re-signed kicker Sam Ficken as an insurance policy in case Zuerlein falters. But Zuerlein appears on track to return at full strength after being held out of most organized-team activities and then attempting a few kicks in noncompetitive situations during minicamp.

“I feel ready to go,” said Zuerlein, who carries a salary-cap number of about $3.6 million according to overthecap.com. “It’s process to get my kicking form back to where I need for games, but physically, I feel good.

“The craft right now is not ideally where you want it to be to hit the ball perfectly every time. But that’s what camp’s for, to get ready for the regular season.”

Zuerlein, punter Johnny Hekker and kick returner Pharoh Cooper all were voted to the Pro Bowl last season. Long snapper Jake McQuaide also was selected.

Zuerlein’s reliability makes it easier for McVay the play-caller because Zuerlein can be called upon once the Rams’ cross an opponent’s 45-yard line. Zuerlein made six of seven attempts from 50 yards or farther last season.

“You certainly want to try and finish those drives with touchdowns,” McVay said, “but when you have a guy like Greg that can hit from so far out consistently, it certainly is something that makes you feel good.”

i know I'm talking out of pure hopes for this coming season but hear me out.....if your a defense playing against the rams....how to you stop them???? defensive coordinator says....lets put 8 guys inn the box we have to stop gurley......we attack downfield with cooks woods and kupp......DC...OK FORGET THE 8 GUYS IN THE BOX.....we have to stop cooks from getting behind the defense....lets go nickel or dime package and cover their wideouts.....rams respond by throwing short passes to gurley or hitting tight ends up the seam.......i really can't understand who or how you can stop our offense.....its almost a pick your poison...do you let gurley run all over you and let the rams control the game and have to score on the defense(ill get to our defense later).....or do you let goff rip them apart with deep balls to woods and cooks and short 8-10 yard passes to kupp....i think our offense will be lightyears ahead of last year because of cooks(who i like more then sammy watkins) and another year in the system......now lets look to our defense.....alot of people are saying how the losses of olgetree and quinn are gonna hurt us.....i think it will help...listen i loved tree....he was a hard worker....never gave up....and took over the middle linebacker spot when laurentis moved on.....but he couldn't tackle....was a bit too small....and was horrid in the run game......quinn I'm gonna miss i was a huge fan of his and i understand we couldn't pay him what he was making...i get its a business but i believe in our rookies along with barron will create a better linebacking core then people will give us credit for.....i have faith in wade phillips....that being said......what will the offensive game plan be against the rams defense....O.C....OK WERE GONNA ESTABLISH THE RUN......wow donald and suh clog up the lanes where are we gonna run too.....LETS RUN THE SIDELINES AND TRY TO GET THE EDGE....well our fast young linebackers beat them there and its no running game for them......now its the 2nd QT and rams are leading 17-3......lets pass.....lets attack.....ummmm.....talib? peters? NRC? joyner? shit who do we attack.....meanwhile the QB is tryna make a decision here comes suh and donald for the sack!!!!!!!!!!!

i know this is a bit of wishful thinking but I'm exciting to see how teams attack us on both sides of the ball.....i feel like we have made our weaknesses into strengths and I'm very excited for the season......if you have ideas on how to attack our team id love to see them.....maybe I'm just overly excited but i don't see many weak spots on this team

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-day-3-of-training-camp

10 Observations from Day 3 of Training Camp

1) Los Angeles began the session with special teams and Johnny Hekker launching a number of punts. Hekker was routinely making his kicks at least 45 yards, working to move the ball in a number of different directions. During the offseason program, special teams coordinator John Fassel said one of Hekker’s goals for 2018 was to get better at directional punts.

2) As head coach Sean McVay said would be the case, many of the Rams veteran players received practice off. Among others, the list included the Rams’ longtime veteran offensive linemen — Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, and John Sullivan — along with defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers, and cornerback Aqib Talib. With his heavy use rate, running back Todd Gurley also received a vet day.

3) During individual drills, the tight ends came over to work with the offensive line on a pair of sleds. Most linemen and tight ends worked in pairs to push the two-man sleds. But others went solo to get in some good work.

4) On the defensive field, safeties spent time working on deep drops and interceptions. On one throw, safety John Johnson showed his considerable vertical, leaping up to make a pick. The play came against air, so take that for what it’s worth. But the raw athleticism is real.

5) McVay often talks about the need to maximize each moment during practice because there’s limited time. On Saturday, Los Angeles did that by splitting a field in half and running two-on-two, or three-on-three drills with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and the secondary. During that period, quarterback Jared Goff connected with wideout Brandin Cooks on a deep ball down the left side of the field.

6) The first 11-on-11 period of the day started with a nice touch pass from Goff to wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The Eastern Washington product caught the pass one handed over the middle of the field on a crossing route.

7) With many of the veterans resting on the offensive line, rookies Joe Noteboom and Jamil Demby received an opportunity for some extended reps. On one play in 11-on-11, Noteboom and Demby made a solid double-team block at the point of attack to spring running back Justin Davis for a solid five-to-six-yard run. The rookie duo slapped hands after the run in recognition of solid teamwork.

8) One reason Los Angeles wanted to re-sign slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman this offseason was his ability to always be in position to stuff quick screens and swing passes in the flat. Robey-Coleman displayed that ability on Saturday, when wideout Pharoh Cooper received a swing pass from quarterback Sean Mannion and the slot corner out of USC was right there to make a play. He didn’t, of course, since the Rams weren’t in pads. But it was clear that he would have.

9) With McVay making Saturday’s practice a bit of a lighter session, some reserves got more time in 11-on-11 than they normally would. Quarterback Brandon Allen was able to take advantage of the opportunity, making a nice downfield completion to wide receiver Fred Brown off play action during a period.

10) Finally, it was nice to see kicker Greg Zuerlein nail four of his field-goal attempts during the later stages of practice. It was the first time Zuerlein’s kicked in an open practice during camp. Zuerlein — who was placed on injured reserve with a back injury requiring surgery after the Week 15 victory over Seattle — hit his longest field goal of the day from 45-yards out. In his daily press conference, McVay said Zuerlein “looked like the old Greg” with the successful kicks.

I'm talking about current Rams. I have to say that many of my favorite Rams are not on the List. Love you Todd, but man, you are a boring interview. Almost as bad is Jared "I'm just tryin' to get comfortable" Goff. Donald is ok. My ranking:

1. Michael Brockers: I was charmed when Brockers gave his first presser after moving from DT to DE, and gently chided reporters about his change of status. He is a smart interview.

2. Marcus Peters: Peters could be number one on this list because of the element of danger about him. He won't give the political answer, hence my slight breathlessness whenever he answers a question.

3. Johnny Hekker: I don't know what happened with Hekk. He is funny in a quirky sort of way and used to have a "What the Hekk" show for Rams.com when the team was in St Louis. Don't think badly of me when I say that he probably had that Midwest, homogeneous white guy appeal that they no longer wanted. I think Dani was replaced for similar reasons. The LA market has a much more multi-ethnic demo, which maybe his look and humor was thought be out of place? Hekk is a funny guy whenever he is given any time to speak or interview others.

4.Andrew Whittworth: Whit is straight up smart, whose thoughts are fun to hear.

5. Aqib Talib: He's got a little no-nonsense way of answering of questions, about himself. But he has learned some political lingo, and may drop into the Goff & Gurley range because of it...

6. Rodger Saffold: smart dude.

7. Pharoh Cooper & Cooper Kupp: Pharoh has a dazzling smile and a fun personality, while Kupp has an earnest quality that I like to hear expressed.

I usually pull for the Underdog so I am wondering if ANYONE thinks QB Luis Perez has any chance to make the Rams final roster (Active or PS).

I was hanging out with a buddy the other day and he proclaimed:

"Rams have a 2 year window" (raider fan)

I'm just curious if any of you agree with that sentiment.

I fully believe we have a much larger window of winning opened. 2 years seems to me like a supreme underestimate.

I believe that Saffold's contract comes up after this year or next. We all remember his injury riddled first couple years with the team. He was rejected by the Raiders after a physical in 2014, which really seemed like buyers remorse to me. We signed him for like 11 million less than the Raiders deal, and I am quite sure the Rams have been extremely happy with his performance. The Rams had no worries about him in the second deal, because they were assured, if memory serves, that both shoulders were repaired and no residual issues should occur.
And none occurred according to my old man's memory. He is (or will be soon) 30 years old, which isn't that old for an Olineman. I think he is VERY valuable to the teams next 4 years, and therefore I'd give him a good deal to stay. How about you guys?

In a way, this Rams team seems less real than it did not too long ago..
A couple years ago, the Rams were undeniably real. All of the losing, the previous decade of dysfunction, every scar and wrinkle, was in 3-D, in your face, super mega ultra HD.
The Rams seemed so damn tangible, you could almost smell Fishers moustache coming through your crappy stream from some shady link you shouldn't have clicked...
The Rams of today seem harder to grasp. Like some kind of dream that I know I will have to wake up from...
Ok, I know, wtf badnews.

Sean McVay is too perfect. Seriously, if he was a rivals HC, I would probably start hating the guy before too long. It would be entirely out of jealousy.
Jared Goff straight up looked like the Natural last season. We all know what we saw out of him over the season. The narrative that he isnt legit exists as way to make sense of how the Rams could just suddenly have such A great young HC annnd a great young QB? Surely not! It must be some sort of trick, its all McVay...
Todd Gurley is young and is currently the best weapon in the game. MVP caliber. How did the Rams f*** that up? They didn't. He is a happy Ram for his prime. Unbelievable.
Aaron Donald is the best defensive player in football.
The whole damn roster is LOADED you guys!!!! I mean for fucks sake look at it!!!
New stadium is a fantasy land...
Pinch me. No, don't.
This is a fairytale team and they do not come around often and for some fans out there, they never do.

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/...n-more-than-they-thought-in-peters-and-talib/

The Rams may have gotten even more than they thought in Peters and Talib

IRVINE – It’s only been a few months together, this Rams’ super cornerback grouping of Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. A handful of OTA’s and a minicamp and now three days of training camp in Irvine.

But already some conclusions can be drawn.

The teaming of Peters and Talib as a pair of bookend lockdown cornerbacks has the potential to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers. Primarily through their immaculate fundamentals and elite athletic ability, which allows them to smother opposing wide receivers with airtight coverage. But also a mutual and uncanny understanding of their position that fuels them with the requisite wisdom and confidence to brazenly take chances a less confident contemporary wouldn’t dare think of, let alone attempt.

One way or another they are going to win the battle. Be it by running stride for stride with their assigned wide receiver and eliminating them from the play, or by brashly and cunningly luring a quarterback into false security only to emerge as ball-hawking thieves.

As Rams quarterback Jared Goff put it: “They don’t just go by the book on every single play. There’s a little bit of feel here and there. That’s what makes that position and those players really good.”

Peters has 19 regular-season interceptions and 55 passes defended across his first three NFL seasons, the most in the NFL in both categories. Talib, now entering his 12th season, gave up just 250 receiving yards in 2017 per Pro Football Focus and has not allowed a pass completion of more than 32 yards over the last two seasons.

Pair all that brilliance together, as the Rams did by trading for Peters and Talib last offseason, and the potential for something special seems inevitable.

“It’s definitely got a chance to cause some issues for some teams,” said Goff.

But another, more surprising conclusion can be drawn during their early stages of training camp. Talib and Peters seem joined at the hip. Where you see one, you are bound to see the other. They are training camp roommates, which means long conversations deep into the night covering football and life and the art of playing one of the most challenging positions in all of sports.

“Yeah, definitely,” Talib said. “I know the defense and he’s learning the defense. So, at night he’ll ask me any questions when he’s watching the tape and all of that. So, we’re good.”

They ride together to practice in a shared golf cart – of course, Talib, the older of the two, gets driving privileges. They are never far from each other on the field, be it while getting a cardio workout in riding adjourning stationary bikes or during stretching periods or individual position drills or talking things out on the sideline after 11 on 11 or 7 on 7 work.

“I guess we’re both new here. So, we’re feeling our way through it together,” Talib said.

True.

But there is more to it than just that.

Turns out Talib, now entering the twilight of his career, has willingly pulled Peters under his wing with the intent on imparting as much knowledge as he can, for as long as he can, on his young pupil.

And Peters, the son of a high school football coach and carrying a high degree of respect and appreciation for football and the players that preceded him, is eagerly soaking up as much as he can.

“Man I can learn a lot,” Peters said. “He’s playing what, his 11th year. So he’s played a whole lot of ball, Me, I’m just going into my fourth year so I can learn a lot from him. And for as much time as we have together, I’m just going to keep soaking it all in.

That it isn’t forced on Talib’s part and is willingly accepted on Peters makes it all so natural. What could have been contrived is absolutely genuine. The realness with which Talib came at Peters is a tip of the cap to how older players took his younger self under their wings years ago. And Peters, wise enough beyond his years to understand the older Talib now graciously returning the favor by mentoring him, is embracing the process.

“See, I just think that’s what OG’s did, back in the day. You feel me? So I understand and I appreciate it” Peters said. “When he was in Tampa Bay, his OG was Ronde Barber. And then when he started making his way up in the game he became an OG. He did an excellent job in Denver, helping Chris Harris. And now here, with me.”

Nevertheless, it says a little bit about Talib that he’s so willing to share knowledge with Peters. And even more so about Peters, who eagerly hangs on every word. It doesn’t always work that way in today’s world, in which the insatiable quest for success sometimes overpowers the natural tendency to help. Or, worse, renders us suspicious of a helping hand to begin with.

Somewhat refreshing, then, when two proud, elite professionals can share in one another the kind of mutual respect that makes the imparting of knowledge so easy and the acceptance of it even easier.

Peter’s ability to do the latter was immediately obvious to Talib, who’s been blown away by his young teammate’s obvious love for the game and eagerness to listen and learn even more.

“I don’t think people talk about that enough,” Talib said. “That guys love football. He reminds me of myself. I love football and that’s what people don’t talk about enough. His work ethic and how much he loves the game. If you love it that much, you’ll get the job done. That’s why he plays the way he plays because he loves it.”

Three days into training camp, it’s obvious the Rams cornerback tandem appears as good as predicted. But the Rams seem to have gotten even more in pairing Peters and Talib together than they originally thought.

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-day-2-of-training-camp

10 Observations from Day 2 of Training Camp

1) Friday’s session was closed to Rams season ticket holders, but Crawford Field at UC Irvine was still packed. There was plenty of energy following the big announcement that Los Angeles has changed its primary “color” uniform to the iconic royal blue and yellow for the next two seasons.

2) Rams Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater was in attendance for Friday’s practice. He spent some time talking with the defensive linemen before the session began, particularly defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. “It’s great, obviously, to have them around, be able to pick their brains, be able to talk to them, interact with them,” Suh would say of the interaction after practice.

3) With such a large crowd, fans got audibly excited when quarterback Jared Goff hit wide receiver Brandin Cooks with a deep pass down the left sideline. It was a nice ball, but it should’ve been — the offense was going against air. Those are the plays that should work, and in this case they did.

4) The defensive line spent a good portion of individual drills practicing ripping the ball out from a ballcarrier. Players partnered up, with one playing the part of running back with the other tasked to create a takeaway running up from behind. On one of Suh’s reps, he punched the ball out so hard that it landed in a hospitality tent. Sources say Suh is a pretty strong guy.

5) During one-on-one drills, cornerback Kevin Peterson nearly picked off quarterback Sean Mannion on a short out route. Peterson read the route perfectly and got his hands on the ball, but just didn’t complete the catch.

6) Also in one-on-ones, wide receiver Robert Woods made a nice move to shake cornerback Marcus Peters and then made a nice catch in the middle of the field. That’s not easy to do with an elite man coverage player like Peters.

7) Later in the session, Goff connected with tight end Gerald Everett on a ball deep over the middle. Everett had to stretch out to make the catch, which was fit into a tight window to evade double coverage. Everett has flashed a bit over the first two days of camp, making a number of receptions on the first- and second-team offense.

8) During 11-on-11, Cooks made a nice catchover the middle that also drew some cheers from the crowd. This one was a bit more impressive since Cooks had some competition aside from the air — Peters was draped all over him. An “iron sharpens iron” situation, to be sure.

9) Head coach Sean McVay is known for using different tempos to try to keep a defense off guard. With that in mind, the offense did get in some no-huddle work during the second 11-on-11 segment of the day. Goff connected with wideout Robert Woods on a deep crossing route for what would’ve been at least a 20-yard gain.

10) Finally, linebacker Ramik Wilson has flashed over the first two days, consistently getting his hands on the ball. On Friday, Wilson nearly picked off two passes in the flat during separate 11-on-11 drills. Wilson has received the bulk of playing time at inside linebacker alongside linebacker Cory Littleton early in camp.

How are you hoding up, brother? You guys safe up there?

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It's still painful to think what could have been, but on a positive note, maybe having one of these guys at left tackle would have been just enough to push the Rams to one winning season and we'd all be arguing whether or not Jeff Fisher deserves to be fired for going 8-8 last year, now that he has Sam Bradford back healthy again.