https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...players-to-clear-snow-off-field-before-kicks/

NFL adds rule making it a 15-yard penalty for non-players to clear snow off field before kicks
The Colts would not have made it to overtime last year if they had been correctly penalized

The Bills and Colts played one heck of a weird football game last year, with the two questionably talented teams engaging in slow-motion battle in a Buffalo-area blizzard. Snow was dumping so hard before the game you couldn't seewhat was actually happening on the field, and the footage captured from the game was marvelous.

The game went completely off the rails, with Buffalo eventually winning in overtime. The game only went to the extra period because longtime Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri buried a knuckleballing extra point after Colts players and game-day personnel helped clear the field for his kick.

Should the same situation unfold in 2018, the Colts would be assessed a penalty, according to a change to the 2018 NFL rulebook. As noted by the helpful striped gents at Football Zebras, the NFL added a provision making it illegal for non-players to clear snow off the field prior to any kind of kick.

"It is impermissible for the grounds crew or other team personnel to clear away snow for a Try, field goal, punt, or kickoff," the rule now reads. "Officials should try to prevent this as soon as they see someone coming out on the field, thus avoiding the need to call a penalty."

The rule also notes that "players may help clear snow, using only their hands and feet (no towels, etc.)."

If you go back and look at the extra point in question, you see both happen. Originally, with 1:16 left on the clock and the Colts trailing 7-6, the players are all kicking snow everywhere, trying to open up a spot for kicking the long extra point. It's pretty hilarious to watch.

But what you don't see among the players kicking and right before the kick is that the Colts called timeout and sent a bunch of members of their game-day staff -- mostly grounds crew type folks, I believe -- onto the field in order to help clear out the spot where Vinatieri was going to kick.


via NFL Broadcast / NFL.com

Football Zebras helpfully points out this was already against the rules in the NFL's game-day operations manual, but there previously wasn't anything in place to actually punish anyone for engaging in the snow-clearing behavior. At best, you would have to warn the group on the field or warn the sideline before actually punishing the team.

At the time, the officials did all they could, sprinting over and chasing the group off the field.




Perhaps this was the rare savvy in-game decision by Chuck Pagano? More than likely it was just a desperate move designed to try and make the kick easier for Vinatieri. It certainly worked, with the Colts kicker waffling one in to tie things up and send the game to overtime.

(Quick aside: this is a perfect example of how gambling on football makes things more interesting and runs counterintuitive to rooting for a team. The Colts tied the game up but it actually hurt anyone who bet on the Colts, who were underdogs in this game. The Bills would score a walk-off touchdown in overtime, covering the spread. The under certainly hit though!)

Now, however, sending anyone off the sideline and onto the field in order to clear out snow wouldn't have the same result. Instead, the Colts would be penalized 15 yards and Vinatieri would be staring down a field goal even he probably wouldn't be able to bury in that kind of snowstorm.

I used to think I sleep poorly... I still don't feel I sleep great, but surprised when I ask this question how many people actually get less sleep per day than I do.

I wear a fitness band, so my ability to calculate is pretty good.

I average 6:20 per night right now.

How about you?

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20..._medium=recirc&utm_campaign=rail-most-popular

5 Rams players who could make their first Pro Bowl in 2018

The Los Angeles Rams sent seven players to the Pro Bowl last season, which was second-most in the NFL. The group was led by Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley, while all three of the Rams’ special teams players made the trip to Orlando, too.

We all know just how many talented players Los Angeles has on the roster entering 2018, but which ones have a chance to make their first Pro Bowl appearances next season? There are quite a few possibilities.

WR Brandin Cooks

In each of the past three years, Cooks has recorded at least 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Antonio Brown is the only other player to match those numbers, which shows just how good Cooks has been despite playing for two different teams.

To be quite honest, it’s a bit surprising that Cooks hasn’t yet made the Pro Bowl despite being so consistent. Could 2018 be the year he breaks through? There’s a great chance of that happening, even with all of the weapons the Rams have on offense.

Although he’s going to be the primary deep threat, which should lead to at least eight-plus touchdowns, he’s also going to get a high volume of touches on short and intermediate crossers, as well as screen passes.

The biggest obstacle for Cooks to make the Pro Bowl is the talent around him in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. There simply may not be enough targets to go around.

DT Michael Brockers

Brockers is arguably the most overlooked player on the Rams’ roster, especially with the arrival of Ndamukong Suh. However, he’s a fantastic player himself, even without the help of other defensive linemen around him.

He was selfless last season moving from nose tackle to defensive end, bookending the Rams’ defensive line with Aaron Donald. In 15 starts last season, Brockers had 4.5 sacks, a career-high 55 tackles and four passes defensed.

He was a force up front, taking on right tackles and tight ends on a play-by-play basis. While Brockers isn’t going to stuff the stat sheet, he is going to have a big impact on just about every game. The lack of double-digit sacks and eye-popping numbers could be what keeps him out of the Pro Bowl again.

S Lamarcus Joyner

Had he not gotten hurt, Joyner very easily could have made his first Pro Bowl last season. He was Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked safety after pulling down three interceptions (one pick-six) and recording 49 tackles in just 12 games.

Joyner flies under the radar a bit out in L.A. and will likely continue to do so with the Rams’ cornerbacks garnering so much of the attention this season. However, he’s undoubtedly one of the best defensive backs in the NFL, boasting the ability to play deep, in the slot or cover tight ends.

What’s working against Joyner is the depth at safety in the NFC. In addition to studs like Harrison Smith and Earl Thomas, Joyner also has to compete with Adrian Amos, Glover Quin, Landon Collins, Keanu Neal and Marcus Williams.

TE Gerald Everett

The tight end position carries a steep learning curve from college to the pros, which Everett learned last season. Although he made a handful of big plays for the Rams, he saw his playing time decrease as the season went on, partly because of his lack of blocking skills.

In Sean McVay’s offense, one would believe he could become a Jordan Reed-type player, who thrived in Washington during McVay’s tenure. He has a similar skill set with great receiving skills, he just needs to be more consistent.

Coaches have raved about his progress this offseason, so perhaps a breakout is coming. The Rams have a bevy of weapons on offense and their tight ends didn’t exactly dominate last season, but Everett has potential.

LG Rodger Saffold

There’s no denying Andrew Whitworth’s rock-solid play in 2017, but the guy next to him had a great season, too. Saffold was Pro Football Focus’ seventh-ranked guard in the NFL last year, which just goes to show how important he was for the Rams in 2017.

He was particularly good blocking in the running game, ranking third in that department among guards and sixth for all offensive linemen.

Guard is a difficult position to quantify and gain popularity for in the NFL, which is why the most well-known players often get the nod in the Pro Bowl. The Rams are still a team that hasn’t gained national popularity – as evidenced by their disappointing jersey sales – which could prevent Saffold from making it in 2018.

Make no mistake, however: He deserves to make a Pro Bowl soon.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/07/07/more-talk-that-cowboys-could-trade-for-earl-thomas/

More talk that Cowboys could trade for Earl Thomas

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is not happy with his contract, and there has been talk all offseason that he could get dealt to the Cowboys. That talk is not going away.

The latest comments come from Bryan Broaddus, a writer for the Cowboys’ website, who said on 105.3 The Fan that there’s still a possibility Thomas could end up in Dallas.

“The Cowboys have to look at their situation at safety and figure out is this going to be good enough? Are we able to compete for a division? To get in the playoffs? Could Earl Thomas be a guy, could he be a difference maker?,” Broaddus said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I feel like that the Earl Thomas situation still is in play. It’s just a matter of where Seattle is going to be. I don’t believe Earl Thomas is going to sit out games for Seattle. I really, really don’t. You’re talking about a guy that makes over $10 million. Players just don’t leave those checks on the field just for principal, for that reason. I think that Seattle is going to have to figure out something. The Cowboys are going to have to figure out something. And maybe they do work something out there.”

Reports came out during the draft that the Cowboys and Seahawks discussed a trade, but that the Cowboys wouldn’t give up the second-round pick the Seahawks were seeking. That still sounds like too steep a price, but perhaps something could be worked out to get Thomas in Dallas.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/23974003/ranking-nfl-backfields-2018-projections

Ranking all 32 NFL backfields: Projections and 2018 outlook

The running back position is not what it used to be.

With NFL teams passing more than ever and backs expected to catch and pass-protect, focus has shifted from workhorses to committees.

Here is my ranking of all 32 backfields, with stat projections and what to expect from each unit in 2018.

1. New Orleans Saints
Top three backs: Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Terrance West

Projected unit stats: 386 carries, 1,721 yards, 16 TDs; 122 receptions, 1,080 yards, 5 TDs

Outlook: Ingram's four-game suspension to begin the 2018 season is not enough to knock New Orleans from the top spot. Led by Ingram and Kamara, the Saints' backfield paced the league in rushing yards (2,011), yards per carry (5.10), receptions (143), receiving yards (1,254) and total touchdowns (26) last season. New Orleans backs have flourished in the passing game during the Drew Brees/Asshole Face era, ranking first in the league in receptions (1,339), receiving yards (10,187) and touchdown catches (67) over the past decade. West and intriguing sixth-round pick Boston Scott are the favorites for No. 3 duties and could make some noise while Ingram is sidelined.


2. Los Angeles Rams
Top three backs: Todd Gurley II, John Kelly, Malcolm Brown

Projected unit stats: 374 carries, 1,636 yards, 13 TDs; 75 receptions, 660 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Gurley was arguably the league's best running back last season. He paced all backs in scrimmage yards (2,093) and touchdowns (19), while averaging 4.7 YPC (10th) and 12.3 yards per reception (second). Gurley was on the field for more than 80 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps when he was active, and that number doesn't figure to change much in 2018 with Brown and intriguing rookie Kelly, a sixth-round pick, next up on the depth chart.


3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Top three backs: Le'Veon Bell, James Conner, Jaylen Samuels

Projected unit stats: 379 carries, 1,610 yards, 12 TDs; 88 receptions, 704 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Bell is the ultimate workhorse. Counting only the weeks he was active over the past two seasons, he was on the field for 92 percent of the Steelers' snaps, ran a route on 85 percent of the pass plays and was responsible for 82 percent of the designed runs and 20 percent of the targets. Last season, Bell easily paced the position in carries (321), rushing yards (1,291) and receptions (85). Assuming his holdout ends prior to Week 1, Bell will be a good bet to eclipse 1,200 scrimmage yards for the fifth time in six seasons. Second-year back Conner and rookie H-back Samuels will pick up the scraps.


4. Atlanta Falcons
Top three backs: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Ito Smith

Projected unit stats: 384 carries, 1,600 yards, 13 TDs; 86 receptions, 767 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: If this experiment was instead focused on backfield duos, you'd be hard-pressed to rank Atlanta outside the top two. Since teaming up in 2015, Freeman and Coleman have combined for 1,049 carries for 4,540 yards and 43 touchdowns to go with 223 catches for 2,091 yards and 12 scores. That works out to an outstanding 4.3 YPC and 9.4 YPR. Freeman, who signed a contract extension last August, will continue to lead the Atlanta backfield, but Coleman, who's entering a contract year, will mix in with 10 to 12 touches per game.


5. Dallas Cowboys
Top three backs: Ezekiel Elliott, Tavon Austin, Rod Smith

Projected unit stats: 398 carries, 1,730 yards, 14 TDs; 73 receptions, 634 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Since Elliott arrived in 2016, the Dallas backfield ranks first in the NFL in rushing attempts (839), first in rushing yards (3,757), fifth in rushing touchdowns (30) and third in yards per carry (4.5). On the other hand, Cowboys backs haven't done much as receivers, ranking near the bottom in most categories, including dead last in touchdown catches over the past three years (four) and decade (12). Elliott is the feature back here, but Dallas traded for Austin in April, and he's expected to handle change-of-pace and some receiving duties. Believe it or not, Austin's 6.7 YPC since entering the league in 2013 is best among all backs with at least 100 carries.


6. Arizona Cardinals
Top three backs: David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan

Projected unit stats: 357 carries, 1,449 yards, 11 TDs; 101 receptions, 929 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: Johnson is back after missing all but one game in 2017 due to a wrist injury. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2016 campaign, ranking first among all backs in snaps (906), touches (373), scrimmage yards (2,118), touchdowns (20), receptions (80) and receiving yards (879), while also ranking in the top 10 in most rushing categories. Arizona's running-backs unit was the only one in the league that failed to account for a single touchdown reception last season, something unlikely to repeat itself with Johnson on the field. A rare workhorse, Johnson was on the field for 83 percent of Arizona's offensive snaps in 2016, and we should expect a similar workload this season. Edmonds and the speedy Logan are mid-round picks over the past two years who will compete for change-of-pace duties.


7. Tennessee Titans
Top three backs: Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, Akrum Wadley

Projected unit stats: 363 carries, 1,545 yards, 11 TDs; 72 receptions, 601 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: A former Patriot, Lewis led the NFL in yards after contact per attempt (2.6) last season, while Henry finished third (2.5). Both finished in the top five in Pro Football Focus' elusive rating. This has the makings of a potentially lethal duo, but it's hard to rank them much higher for several reasons. For starters, Henry is an effective rusher but a liability as a receiver and pass-blocker. Lewis will handle a heavy chunk of those duties, but his issue is durability. The 27-year-old appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the first time in his career in 2017 after managing only 38 of a possible 96 games during his first six seasons. Expect Henry to handle more of the early-down and short-yardage duties, with Lewis thriving as a receiver and change-of-pace rusher.


8. Cleveland Browns
Top three backs: Duke Johnson Jr., Nick Chubb, Carlos Hyde

Projected unit stats: 341 carries, 1,424 yards, 11 TDs; 83 receptions, 715 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Browns running backs ranked dead last in the league with 293 carries last season, but that's a figure likely to rise after the team signed Hyde, drafted Chubb in the second round and signed Johnson to a three-year extension. Led by Johnson, Cleveland backs combined for 109 catches and 923 receiving yards last season, both of which ranked third in the league. Hyde is a liability as a pass-blocker and receiver, but he won't be asked to do that much. He had been an effective rusher prior to an underwhelming 2017 campaign. In fact, even including last season, Hyde's 2.0 YAC ranks fourth among 20 backs with 600-plus carries since he entered the league in 2014. Hyde and Chubb will compete for the bulk of the carries, with Johnson sticking to his change-of-pace and passing-down gig.


9. Kansas City Chiefs
Top three backs: Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware, Damien Williams

Projected unit stats: 312 carries, 1,312 yards, 11 TDs; 79 receptions, 645 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: The Chiefs landed a gem in Hunt in the third round of last year's draft. The Toledo product rocketed his way to a league-high 1,327 rushing yards while also adding 455 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns. It was an impressive achievement for any rookie, let alone one operating in Andy Reid's low-volume rush offense, but averaging 4.9 YPC (sixth best) certainly helped his cause. Though Hunt has emerged as the team's feature back, Ware (career 4.6 YPC) is back from a knee injury that cost him all of 2017. He and Damien Williams, Charcandrick West and Kerwynn Williams will compete for change-of-pace touches.


10. New England Patriots
Top three backs: Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead

Projected unit stats: 393 carries, 1,672 yards, 15 TDs; 105 receptions, 870 yards, 5 TDs

Outlook: The Patriots are known for their committee approach, but we very well could see a bit of a change in 2018 after Bill Belichick & Co. spent a first-round pick on Michel. Passing-down specialist White, versatile Burkhead and one of Jeremy Hill or Mike Gillislee also figure to mix in, but considering the team's success with Burkhead and Dion Lewis last season, it's fair to expect Michel will see an opportunity for significant touches. Patriots backs have averaged a pedestrian 4.1 YPC over the past three seasons, but they were at 4.4 last season. The unit combined for a league-high nine touchdown receptions in 2017, and it ranks first with 23 over the past three seasons. Belichick's sum-of-the-parts approach has worked fairly well, so we should expect another strong season from his backfield in 2018.


11. Buffalo Bills
Top three backs: LeSean McCoy, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet

Projected unit stats: 378 carries, 1,631 yards, 11 TDs; 88 receptions, 686 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Believe it or not, Bills running backs have led the NFL with a 4.6 YPC over the past three seasons. The soon-to-be-30 McCoy's efficiency dipped last season (4.0 YPC), but only Bell exceeded his 287 carries, and McCoy caught 59 passes, his most since 2010. Buffalo added near-replacement-level veteran Ivory as McCoy's primary backup, while Cadet figures to chip in on passing downs after showing well in a small sample last season. I might be guilty of some veteran deference here, but McCoy's elusiveness and workhorse role keep Buffalo near the top 10.


12. New York Giants
Top three backs: Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Stewart, Wayne Gallman

Projected unit stats: 366 carries, 1,562 yards, 10 TDs; 82 receptions, 693 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: If Barkley lives up to the pedigree that comes with being selected No. 2 overall, then yes, this ranking will prove too low. Of course, he has yet to play an NFL down, which is why New York comes in behind backfields with proven standouts. Similar to the likes of Bell, Gurley and Johnson, Barkley is expected to immediately step into an every-down, workhorse role, figuring to be on the field for at least three-quarters of offensive snaps. His explosive playmaking ability and receiving prowess supply him with maximum statistical upside. Stewart was signed away from Carolina as a backup option, but he doesn't bring much to the table as a rusher (3.4 YPC last season) or receiver (16 catches over the past two seasons).


13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Top three backs: Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon, Corey Grant

Projected unit stats: 425 carries, 1,688 yards, 14 TDs; 89 receptions, 723 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Jacksonville committed to a run-heavy offense last season, and the new game plan led to a league-high 464 rushing attempts. Only Saints backs exceeded the Jags' 1,928 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. The backfield was led by Fournette, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft, who had the sixth-most touches in the league (304) despite missing three games. Fournette's rushing efficiency was not particularly good (3.9 YPC, 1.6 YAC), and he averaged an ugly 3.3 YPC over his final 200 carries of the season. Fournette remains the team's feature back with Yeldon (30-plus receptions each of the past three seasons) and Grant (6.1 career YPC) mixing in.


14. Minnesota Vikings
Top three backs: Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, Mack Brown

Projected unit stats: 375 carries, 1,563 yards, 11 TDs; 80 receptions, 703 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Cook was on the field for 69 percent of Minnesota's offensive snaps and handled 73 percent of the team's designed runs and 13 percent of the targets prior to tearing an ACL in Week 4 last season. Those are workhorse numbers for the 2017 second-round pick, who produced while on the field. Cook averaged 4.8 YPC (eighth best in the league) on 74 attempts. With Jerick McKinnon gone, Cook's feature-back role is secure heading into his second season. Murray is a competent, albeit unspectacular, backup, having failed to eclipse 4.0 YPC in a season since 2014.


15. Chicago Bears
Top three backs: Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Benny Cunningham

Projected unit stats: 332 carries, 1,400 yards, 10 TDs; 97 receptions, 773 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Howard and Cohen form one of the league's most intriguing young duos, but there's a reason why the two recent mid-round picks aren't ranked higher here. Howard has been a great rusher since entering the league in 2016, ranking fifth in carries (528) and third in rushing yards (2,435), but he's not well-rounded. While Howard's efficiency dropped from "elite" as a rookie to "solid" in 2017, he has been one of the league's worst receiving backs (5.4 career yards per target) so far. Cohen was an explosive playmaker as a rookie, but a deeper look shows a 1.3 YAC (second worst at the position) and a shaky 5.26 yards per target. At 5-foot-6, 190 pounds, Cohen simply isn't built for anything more than a change-of-pace role. There are some red flags here, but also massive upside, especially in new coach Matt Nagy's offense.


16. Carolina Panthers
Top three backs: Christian McCaffrey, C.J. Anderson, Cameron Artis-Payne

Projected unit stats: 326 carries, 1,340 yards, 9 TDs; 94 receptions, 809 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: This backfield has belonged to DeAngelo Williams and/or Jonathan Stewart each of the past 10 seasons, but both are now gone, and the team seems ready to turn it over to McCaffrey, the eighth overall pick in 2017. The Stanford product struggled badly as a rusher on 117 rookie-season attempts (3.7 YPC, 1.4 YAC) but dominated as a receiver. He led all backs in targets (110) and ranked in the top five in receptions (80), yards (651) and touchdown catches (five). McCaffrey is expected to handle more carries in his second season, but Anderson will be involved plenty on early downs. Since entering the league in 2013, Anderson's 4.4 YPC ranks fifth and his 2.0 YAC ranks sixth among 28 backs with 600-plus carries.


17. Los Angeles Chargers
Top three backs: Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson

Projected unit stats: 381 carries, 1,516 yards, 8 TDs; 90 receptions, 772 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Coach Anthony Lynn said at the combine earlier this year that he planned to add a back to give Gordon some additional relief this season. So much for that? With only undersized Ekeler and seventh-round lottery ticket Jackson in the mix, it appears Gordon will again operate as a workhorse. And that's what Gordon has been over the past two years, ranking in the top 10 at the position in snaps, carries and pass routes for both seasons. Gordon plays a massive role and is a solid pass-catcher (9.0 YPR over the past two seasons), but his shaky rushing efficiency -- he has never eclipsed 3.9 YPC -- suggests he's probably overrated. Still, he'll be the guy leading this unit.


18. Philadelphia Eagles
Top three backs: Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement

Projected unit stats: 376 carries, 1,614 yards, 9 TDs; 74 receptions, 610 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: The Eagles leaned heavily -- and successfully -- on a committee last season, with LeGarrette Blount leading the way in snaps (337) and carries (173). Ajayi joined the team in Week 9 and, including three playoff games, handled 39 percent of the backfield snaps during his 10 games. Blount is gone, but Sproles is back after missing all but three games due to injury last season. Ajayi is expected to be the first man up in rushing situations, especially considering that his 2.4 YAC since entering the league is best among all backs with 500-plus carries during the span. Sproles is now 35, but he could still be the primary back on passing downs. Clement was a solid find as an undrafted free agent last season who will see some snaps.


19. Washington Redskins
Top three backs: Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine

Projected unit stats: 344 carries, 1,464 yards, 10 TDs; 84 receptions, 713 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: After striking out on Perine in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, the Redskins went ahead and scooped up Guice in the second round this April. The LSU product was considered a fringe first-round talent by most and is expected to handle a heavy chunk of the team's early-down and goal-line work. That will allow Thompson to return to his ideal role as a change-of-pace back and receiving specialist. Despite missing six games over the past two seasons, Thompson ranks seventh at the position with 859 receiving yards. He has been effective as a rusher as well; his 5.2 YPC over the past three seasons is No. 1 in the NFL among backs with 150-plus attempts. If Guice proves legit, this backfield duo could be one of the league's best.


20. Detroit Lions
Top three backs: Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, LeGarrette Blount

Projected unit stats: 333 carries, 1,366 yards, 9 TDs; 91 receptions, 733 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: Lions running backs averaged a league-worst 3.3 yards per carry last season. In fact, the unit ranks dead last in the category over the past three seasons (3.5) and past decade (3.8). With the hire of new coach Matt Patricia, the franchise made an effort this offseason to fix its rushing woes by signing super-efficient rusher Blount and selecting potential three-down back Johnson in the second round of April's draft. Blount is perhaps the league's most underrated back, having averaged 2.3 yards after contact per attempt over the past decade -- No. 1 among 76 backs with 550-plus carries. Riddick is one of the game's best receiving backs; he ranks either first or second at the position in targets (235), receptions (186), receiving yards (1,512) and touchdown catches (10) over the past three seasons. Expect all three backs to play a significant role, and former second-round pick Ameer Abdullah could also be involved.


21. Cincinnati Bengals
Top three backs: Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard, Mark Walton

Projected unit stats: 335 carries, 1,337 yards, 8 TDs; 88 receptions, 733 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Mixon is expected to enter his second season as the team's feature back, but he'll need to improve drastically after an inefficient rookie year. Mixon averaged 3.5 YPC (1.7 YAC) and ranked last in PFF's elusive rating. Bernard helps the team's ranking, as he's a terrific receiver and blocker and underrated as a rusher (career 4.2 YPC). He has ranked no lower than 17th at the position in receiving yards during his five pro seasons. Walton, a fourth-round pick out of Miami this year, is a name to watch if Mixon stumbles.


22. Seattle Seahawks
Top three backs: Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise

Projected unit stats: 332 carries, 1,396 yards, 9 TDs; 65 receptions, 571 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Seattle backs totaled a league-worst 994 yards and one touchdown on the ground last season. That was certainly a major reason why the team selected Penny in the first round of April's draft. It shouldn't take long for the reigning FBS leader in rushing yards to take over as the clear lead back as the team returns to a more run-oriented scheme. Carson was a gem find in the seventh round of last year's draft and provides depth. Prosise has massive upside, but injury woes have him competing with J.D. McKissic for occasional passing-down work.


23. Oakland Raiders
Top three backs: Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, DeAndre Washington

Projected unit stats: 368 carries, 1,530 yards, 12 TDs; 84 receptions, 648 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Despite all the hype surrounding his return last season, Lynch somewhat quietly put together a solid campaign. He averaged 4.30 yards per carry, 2.47 yards after contact (fifth best), ended up fourth in PFF's elusive rating and was strong in pass protection. He's back for more in what is expected to be a run-first offense under coach Jon Gruden and coordinator Greg Olson, but Lynch is now 32 years old, and Oakland inexplicably signed Martin. The former Buc is averaging 2.93 YPC over the past two seasons, ranking in the bottom five of the category both years. Washington and Jalen Richard also could contribute.


24. Green Bay Packers
Top three backs: Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery, Aaron Jones

Projected unit stats: 341 carries, 1,443 yards, 10 TDs; 85 receptions, 710 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: Williams, a 2017 fourth-round pick, is expected to be the first man up. His rushing efficiency was weak with 3.63 yards per carry -- hardly a surprise after an underwhelming final season at BYU -- but he thrived as a receiver with 10.5 yards per reception and as a pass-blocker. Jones was the opposite, posting the position's second-best YPC with 5.53 but struggling as a receiver with 2.4 yards per reception and as a blocker. Converted wide receiver Montgomery was the feature back early, but he struggled with injuries and rushing efficiency. This is one of the toughest depth charts to sort out, as there is a wide range of possible outcomes for snaps and effectiveness.


25. Baltimore Ravens
Top three backs: Alex Collins, Kenneth Dixon, Javorius Allen

Projected unit stats: 396 carries, 1,664 yards, 10 TDs; 99 receptions, 724 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: It looks like it'll be a three-headed backfield attack in 2018. Collins, a 2016 fifth-round pick who was cut by Seattle after one season, enjoyed a breakout 2017 campaign in Baltimore. Despite not playing a lead-back role until midseason, Collins finished in the top 15 at the position in carries (212), rushing yards (973), rushing touchdowns (six), yards per carry (4.59) and yards after catch (2.11). Collins deferred most receiving work to Allen, who doesn't offer much as a rusher but has quietly finished in the top 15 among backs in receptions in both of his full NFL seasons. The wild card is Dixon, who impressed on 118 touches as a rookie in 2016 but has missed 20 of 32 career games due to injuries and suspension. This could be a formidable trio, but Collins and Dixon still have much to prove.


26. New York Jets
Top three backs: Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire

Projected unit stats: 361 carries, 1,513 yards, 9 TDs; 89 receptions, 698 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: The Jets also are likely to lean on a committee. Crowell helps replace the retired Matt Forte after spending the first four seasons of his career in Cleveland. Crowell has never finished a season worse than 27th at the position in rushing yards -- top 20 in each of the past two seasons -- and is averaging a healthy 4.47 yards per carry over his past two campaigns. Complementing Crowell will be Powell, who has averaged at least 4.27 YPC each of the past four seasons, and second-year player McGuire, who generated 492 yards on 105 rookie-season touches.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top three backs: Ronald Jones II, Charles Sims, Peyton Barber

Projected unit stats: 364 carries, 1,512 yards, 7 TDs; 71 receptions, 591 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: After six years on the Doug Martin roller coaster, the Bucs moved on and replaced him with Jones in the second round of April's draft. The former USC standout is an explosive playmaker with the ability to contribute in all phases, but his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame suggests he won't be called on for workhorse duties. Instead, expect passing-down specialist Sims (career 9.0 yards per reception), Barber (3.92 yards per carry last season) and perhaps Jacquizz Rodgers to factor in.


28. Miami Dolphins
Top three backs: Kenyan Drake, Frank Gore, Kalen Ballage

Projected unit stats: 330 carries, 1,379 yards, 8 TDs; 72 receptions, 554 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Drake has registered only 166 carries since being drafted in the third round of 2016, but his career 5.0 yards per carry supplies plenty of reason for optimism. He enjoyed a mini breakout down the stretch last season, pacing the league with 444 rushing yards once promoted to a full-time role in Week 13. He's expected to get the first shot at lead-back duties, but 35-year-old Gore, who is averaging 3.80 YPC over the past three seasons, also will be involved. Fourth-round rookie Ballage has generated some hype, but he'll need to dramatically improve on ugly efficiency at Arizona State.


29. San Francisco 49ers
Top three backs: Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Kyle Juszczyk

Projected unit stats: 363 carries, 1,468 yards, 12 TDs; 119 receptions, 970 yards, 4 TDs

Outlook: The 49ers moved on from Carlos Hyde and replaced him with McKinnon. Hyde ranked second at the position in snaps (755) and seventh in touches (299), while Niners backs last season combined for 163 targets, which was only seven behind New Orleans for most in the league. It's fair to expect McKinnon to be handed a similarly massive role in 2018, but there are major concerns about his effectiveness. McKinnon has never eclipsed 159 carries in a single season and is averaging 3.59 yards per carry (worst at the position) and 1.50 yards after catch (second worst) over the past two seasons. Breida and Joe Williams will push for snaps and fullback Juszczyk also will play a significant role.


30. Denver Broncos
Top three backs: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, De'Angelo Henderson

Projected unit stats: 392 carries, 1,596 yards, 10 TDs; 93 receptions, 760 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Denver's backfield has a new look. Booker, a 2016 fourth-round pick, could enter Week 1 as the default starter and figures to play a role this season, but it's unlikely he emerges into anything more than a complementary/passing-down back after averaging 3.60 yards per carry (1.84 yards after catch) on his first 253 carries. Instead, look for all-time FBS rushing leader Freeman to handle a hefty chunk of carries, though he's unlikely to do much as a receiver. Second-year player Henderson will be a name to watch if either Freeman or Booker stumbles.


31. Houston Texans
Top three backs: Lamar Miller, D'Onta Foreman, Alfred Blue

Projected unit stats: 381 carries, 1,511 yards, 9 TDs; 55 receptions, 435 yards, 2 TDs

Outlook: Bill O'Brien's run-heavy offense has ranked No. 1 in the league with 1,236 rushing attempts over the past three seasons. Assuming that continues, Miller won't be short on carries early on, but we can't be sure he holds on to the job after two years of ugly efficiency. He finished ahead of only Joe Mixon in PFF's elusive rating last season after finishing third to last in 2016. He posted a career-low 3.73 yards per carry in 2017 and played fewer snaps than Blue in Weeks 15 through 17. If a changing of the guard is on tap, Foreman is the man to watch. The 2017 third-round pick looked solid on 140 snaps before tearing an Achilles tendon last season. He's a major question mark but offers this group some upside.


32. Indianapolis Colts
Top three backs: Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines

Projected unit stats: 351 carries, 1,407 yards, 9 TDs; 82 receptions, 683 yards, 3 TDs

Outlook: Frank Gore was not re-signed, leaving Indianapolis with more questions than answers at running back. Mack, a 2017 fourth-round pick, was solid as a rookie with 2.25 yards after catch and 10.7 yards per reception, but he profiles as a committee back and is recovering from shoulder surgery. Hines and Wilkins were both 2018 mid-round draft picks. Hines is undersized, but he offers explosive upside as a change-of-pace option. Wilkins is perhaps the most intriguing name here, as he most closely resembles a three-down back and was efficient at Ole Miss. Veteran Robert Turbin could factor in when he returns from a four-game suspension.

So I've watched these highlights about 50 times and every time this play comes up I get so confused. Maybe someone can help me out.
Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/KhJBmOm9HZQ

He had a clean lane to tackle Cooper. He could have stuck him pretty good. But it was like he forgot which side of ball he was on. I could be wrong but his job is to tackle the returner, no?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Daily Dose: Rams with 5th-Best Sack Differential in 2017
This offseason, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here’s a look at what’s out there for Friday, July 6th, about your Los Angeles Rams:

Rams with 5th-Best Sack Differential in 2017

A key part of the Los Angeles Rams' success in 2017 was thanks to a revamped offensive line with the additions of veteran C John Sullivan and LT Andrew Whitworth. Last season, Jared Goff was sacked 25 times in 15 games compared to 26 times in just seven games in 2016.

The rest at therams.com;

https://www.therams.com/news/daily-dose-rams-with-5th-best-sack-differential-in-2017

Cory Littleton proved to be a playmaker last season, intercepting a pass and getting a sack against the Titans. Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- If Los Angeles Rams linebackers coach Joe Barry had his way, he would have started coaching Cory Littleton more than two years ago.

Barry, a former assistant with the Washington Redskins, implored the Redskins to select Littleton in the 2016 draft.

"When we were in Washington we loved him," Barry said. "I was on the table the entire third day of the draft to draft him."

But with more pressing needs, the Redskins passed on Littleton, who made several positions moves in four seasons at the University of Washington, which reflected in a draft grade that labeled him as an in-between player without a real spot in the NFL.

The other 31 teams passed on Littleton in the draft, too, leaving Littleton, a San Diego native, to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Rams.

"He made the decision," Barry said, "And I was like, 'Dang! What a bummer.'"

Barry may have lost out on Littleton in the draft and free agency, but united with him in Los Angeles a year later when he accepted a position on coach Sean McVay's staff.

Now as the Rams prepare for the 2018 season, Littleton, 24, has gone from an undrafted player to a penciled-in starter at inside linebacker on a defense that includes All-Pros Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters.

"It's been a progression," Littleton said. "Just trying to get better every day."

Littleton's ascension up the depth chart was made possible after a series of offseason roster moves.

In the first year deploying defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, the Rams ranked 19th in total defense, giving up the 12th-fewest points and generating the fifth-most turnovers, as they clinched the NFC West for the first time since 2003.

But they also ranked 28th against the run, allowing an average of 122.4 yards rushing.

In an effort to better field the 3-4 and provide some salary-cap flexibility, the Rams traded outside linebacker Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphinsand inside linebacker Alec Ogletree -- who last season signed a four-year, $42-million extension -- to the New York Giants.

Ogletree's departure cleared a path for Littleton to win the starting job.

"I'm just competing to try to secure it," Littleton said. "I have a lot of tough competition and I'm just going to do my best to try to keep it."

The choice to part ways with Ogletree, a cornerstone of the locker room and the team's leading tackler the last two seasons, was made somewhat easier by the promise Littleton showed last season.

"When he played last year, he's the type of guy where you're creating certain packages just to get him on the field when you've got two really good players inside like Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron," McVay said. "Cory's made plays over the course of his career when he's gotten opportunities."

Last season, Littleton recorded 36 tackles, forced two fumbles, and in a Week 16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, proved himself as a playmaker.

Starting in place of Barron, who was sidelined because of an injury, Littleton intercepted the first pass of his career, shocking quarterback Marcus Mariota on his opening drive. The turnover resulted in a touchdown. Later, Littleton recorded his first career sack when he took down Mariota in the red zone. The Rams went on to clinch the NFC West with a 27-23 victory.

"I came in and just tried to perform to the best of my ability," Littleton said.

At that point in the season, Littleton, also a standout on special teams, had already made an impression on the first-year coaching staff. But his performance against the Titans helped solidify their thought that he could become a full-time starter.

"Cory has unbelievable awareness and instincts," Barry said. "The things that Cory has been able to work on, and as a coach you can coach a player into doing things better, you can get him to use his hands better, you can get him to get in the weight room and get bigger, fast and stronger ... he's worked on those things."

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Littleton arrived at the training facility for the offseason program having gained about 10 pounds, and it was then that coaches notified him that he would be switched from the "Mo" linebacker, the weak side linebacker in a 3-4, to "Mike," or the strong side.

"There isn't a whole lot of difference," Phillips said of the transition between positions.

But there is added responsibility. At the Mike position, Littleton becomes responsible for relaying the calls from Phillips heard through the earpiece in his helmet to teammates.

The level of communication is something that has taken some adjustment for Littleton, who is admittedly a man of few words.

"Very few," Littleton said. "Very. Few."

Phillips was pleased with his progress through the nine-week offseason program, as Littleton competed against fourth-year pro Bryce Hager and rookie Micah Kiser, a fifth-round pick, at the position.

But there is still room for evaluation throughout training camp, given players did not wear pads through the offseason workouts, making it challenging to gauge Littleton's effectiveness against the run.

He's done a good job of relaying the signals," Phillips said. "You know, it's harder for inside linebackers in the running game to show themselves with no pads on. He's obviously got coverage skills, and he actually can rush the passer really well from inside, so those are the kind of two things he's doing well, and I think he holds up in the run game too."

Like a spot in the NFL, Littleton knows there are no guarantees that he will be the starter when the season opens in September.

But after enduring the journey from undrafted free agent to practicing as a starter, he's willing to put in the work to close the deal.

"I'm just competing to try to secure it," Littleton said. "I have a lot of tough competition and I'm just going to do my best to try to keep it."

[tv5.espn.com]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/07/06/cave-rescues-q-how-thai-situation-happened/764227002/

Thailand cave rescue: Why can't they drill from above, other questions you want answered

Time is running out for the 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a cave. Rescuers are poised to help, but a safe exit is more precarious than it may seem.USA TODAY

The 12 boys and their coach who are trapped in an underground cave in Thailand have riveted attention on efforts to rescue them. Authorities describe the situation as a race against time to avoid death.

As cave experts from around the world converge on Tham Luang Nang Non cave, the inevitable monsoon rains of northern Thailand have made the rescue efforts increasingly grim. A former Thai navy seal diver died during the rescue effort Thursday after running out of oxygen while attempting to deliver air tanks.

USA TODAY, through interviews and research, compiled this list of questions and answers to address why the mission is so difficult:

If rescuers know where the boys are, can't a drill be used to open a hole from above and hoist the boys out?
The spot where the boys and their coach are is about a half-mile down, through mostly solid rock. The mountain terrain above the cave is heavy jungle, with few access roads.

Forrest Wilson, the chief diving officer for the National Cave Rescue Commission and who has 50 years of cave diving experience, including several rescues, said drilling into the cave from above is not impossible. But the maps of the cave are not accurate enough to get a good fix on exactly where to drill.

"It will take a long time to drill through a half a kilometer of cave," Wilson said. "I don't think there's time."

Isn't there a way, using modern technology, that rescuers could get a more accurate fix from above on where the boys are?
Yes, there is. It's called a radio cave locator and it's basically a beacon that transmits a radio wave from within the cave and lets people on the outside know precisely where the beacon – and the trapped people – are located.

It's unclear if authorities in Thailand are using such a beacon — or if it is making any difference to the rescue effort. Since drilling through such heavy rock would take weeks, having a precise location is probably a moot point.

That's a big cave. Why are rescuers so worried about oxygen?
Ventilation from the surface is poor. There's simply not enough air going into the cave space to sustain 12 boys and an adult for a long period of time. Rescue workers are trying to run an oxygen line from the mouth of the cave to the chamber where the trapped people are, but that's about three miles.

The oxygen level in the cave is estimated to be about 15 percent and decreasing (normal oxygen level is about 21 percent.) A low oxygen level means simple tasks like thinking and basic physical exertion become gradually more exhausting.

Can't the water from the cave simply be pumped out?
Not all of it. Heavy industrial pumps are pumping water out of the cave around the clock, and authorities on Friday estimated they have pumped out more than 35 million gallons in the past week. But seeing as how a cave is a huge water repository, the millions of gallons being pumped out amounts to proverbial drops in a bucket.

In about four months, Thailand's dry season would naturally deplete the water in the cave. But rescue workers don't believe that the boys can hold on that long, considering oxygen levels and other concerns.

So, what is the best chance to get the trapped people out?
Find a back entrance to the cave. "A cave as large as the one they're in is bound to have a back entrance," Wilson said. "There would be no problem if they found one. They could put harnesses on the kids and pull them out."

But finding that back cave entrance in such heavy jungle is extremely difficult. The entrance would likely be a simple hole in the ground, commonly called a "chimney" that would hopefully go straight down to a cavern near where the boys are. But the entrance hole for such a chimney would be hard to spot because of the forest. "There are people walking all over that jungle right now trying to find it," Wilson said.

Can't the boys just swim out with the help of expert divers?
Sure, but it is very risky. The boys and their coach have been trapped for nearly two weeks and they are getting weaker. Most do not know how to swim. Authorities, however, are increasingly thinking that this may be the best course at this point, since heavy rain is expected Sunday. Thailand's Navy Seal Commode said Friday that such an operation would be a daring and risky operation, but that it may be the only chance.

"That would be a heck of a job," Wilson said. "The kids are not in good shape to be swimming out. It's a five-hour swim job. It's scary."

How often do people get trapped like this in caves in the U.S. and other countries? Is this rescue more difficult than others?
The Thai rescue operation is probably more treacherous than others because of the sheer size of the cave, the oncoming monsoon season, and the isolated area. Wilson said that in his many years as a diver, "I've never done one as extensive" as the Thai attempted rescue.

In the late 1970s, Wilson and others rescued a group of college students in Kentucky under somewhat similar circumstances. The students went into a dry cave that, after a heavy rain, became filled with enough water to block their way out. Eventually, all of the students were rescued after divers kept them well stocked with blankets and food.

Is there any way to prevent these kinds of cave incidents from happening?
One of the best defenses that cave explorers can be armed with is knowledge of the upcoming weather: If it looks like it may rain, it is not a good idea to go deep into a cave.

But preventing cave exploration, even on rainy days, is unlikely.

"That would be like telling people, 'Don't drink and drive,'" Wilson said. "People are going to do it, even if it's risky."

https://www.sportsline.com/insiders...ds-showcase-which-teams-the-pros-are-backing/

The New England Patriots are the oddsmakers' pick to win Super Bowl 53. But that's not who the majority of the public is backing.

In fact, the Pats aren't even in the top 10.

Two teams have been dominating the play at William Hill US sportsbooks, and not only are they in the same conference, they're in the same division.

And it's not the Vikings and Packers.

The San Francisco 49ers have been the team of choice so far. According to William Hill, a whopping 10 percent of all dollars spent on the Super Bowl winner have gone to the Niners.

TEAM % DOLLARS WAGERED
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 10%
LOS ANGELES RAMS 9%
GREEN BAY PACKERS 6%
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 6%
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 6%
OAKLAND RAIDERS 6%
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 5%
ATLANTA FALCONS 5%
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 4%
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 4%

The team started last season 1-9 before Jimmy Garoppolo became the team's starter. The squad won its final five games, and the team inked the QB to a huge deal in February while stealing Richard Sherman from the Seahawks, sparking huge optimism in the season ahead.

The Los Angeles Rams are the other team being big-time backed. The Rams went 11-5 last year, just one year after going 4-12, thanks in large part to the emergence of QB Jared Goff and RB Todd Gurley. L.A. ranked in the top 10 in total offense and defense -- then had a terrific offseason, including the signing of star DT Ndamukong Suh to play alongside bruising All-Pro Aaron Donald, along with WR Brandin Cookies and defensive backs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib.

Four other teams have garnered six percent of the money wagered to win it all: the Packers, Vikings, Patriots and Raiders.

The Niners and Rams also lead the way in the total number of tickets, each at eight percent.

TEAM % TICKETS SOLD
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 8%
LOS ANGELES RAMS 8%
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 7%
GREEN BAY PACKERS 6%
OAKLAND RAIDERS 6%
DALLAS COWBOYS 4%
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 4%
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 4%
DENVER BRONCOS 4%
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4%

Generally, when the percentage of dollars spent is higher than the percentage number of tickets, that means the professionals are backing those teams.

So who are the sharps backing? Based on these numbers, it would be the Patriots. Tom Brady and Co. are getting six percent of the dollars but no more than three percent of the tickets, presenting a biggest gap between the percentages.

The Saints, Falcons (the Super Bowl is in Atlanta) and Niners are also on the higher end of the scale, each getting at least two percent more in cash than the number of tickets would indicate. On the other end of the spectrum, the Vikings are the top contending team the pros are fading, with seven percent of total tickets but six percent of the cash wagered.

Seven rookie officials added for upcoming season https://es.pn/2KBTcJg
via @ESPN App http://es.pn/app

The Ram Mount Rushmore thread gave me an idea when one of you guys joked about the Cleveland Browns.

Once I looked up their all-time roster it became clear that despite their decades long ineptitude, the Brownies actually have some of the best players in the history of the league.

So the question is, which of the 32 teams actually has a Mount Rushmore that you would never pack sandwiches and drag your kids to see?

Post your entries, and be sure to vote in my fun new poll!

:lifting:illowfight:
:rant:“Are we there yet?”

California government sounds almost as dysfunctional as the state I live in. But I'm all on board for this law. I hope to god this spreads nationally very quickly. I would sign up for directv again if I wasn't forced to go through their shit phone support for everything..

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/california-online-cancellation-law-benefits-041214118.html

A new California law that went into effect on July 1 will make it much easier for people to cancel subscriptions online. Since the bill, sponsored by State Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), includes all services that have paying customers in the state, it will also benefit dissatisfied customers in many places outside California.

The legislation, California Senate Bill No. 313, covers “any business that makes an automatic renewal or continuous service offer to a consumer in this state,” so that includes a very wide range of services, including newspapers and magazines, subscription boxes, streaming services and more. Not only that, but if you made the subscription online, the law stipulates that you are also allowed to cancel it online. In other words, you can no longer be forced to call a customer service phone number to stop the service, a task that is usually much more frustrating and time-consuming than signing up in the first place.

The bill also requires more transparency in how companies present promotional offers. For example, if they lure in users with a free trial or gift, then they also need to include a “clear and conspicuous explanation” in the offer of how much customers will be charged after the trial ends or if the pricing will change. It also needs to tell you how to cancel (and actually allow you to do so) before you are charged.

If you sign up for a subscription at a promotional or discounted price that is only valid for a certain amount of time, the company must get your consent again before charging your debit or credit card when the price returns to its normal rate.

According to Nieman Lab, many news organizations in California are already making changes to their systems to comply with the new law.

You're welcome!!!

Especially sweet for two reasons.

London has not been a fun visit, there are no good memories of Rams games in the UK. So it was nice to see that ugliness stop. They gave away the Giants game with turnovers, including a pick-6 and another INT in Giants territory. And I never want to see highlights of the game where they got smashed by the Evil Empire. That was a difficult game to watch. The Rams scored on the first drive and spent the rest of the day watching the Patriots score 6 TD's and a FG.

And Arians. Watch him walk across the field for the post game handshake. Thazt is a lovely thing to see!

Enjoy!

Login to view embedded media

All four of Cooks, Suh, Talib, and Peters could be described as elite.

All 4 are substantial upgrades at their respective positions (yes, that includes Cooks).

But it seems kinda tricky to try to handicap which one will take this hypothetical prize. I think it could go any of four different ways, tbh.

It wouldn’t surprise me if each player raises his respective unit into the league’s best. That’s really saying something, huh?

Irv Pankey joins Jake Ellenbogen for Throwback Thursday;

https://www.spreaker.com/user/9887359/dtrpodcasttbt101

Login to view embedded media https://www.therams.com/video/todd-gurley-reacts-to-his-top-100-ranking

I thought this was a cool way to see the list, if you hadn’t seen it displayed this way.

————

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ambyteam-breakdown-of-top-100-players-of-2018

The complete list of the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 has finally been unveiled. Below is a list of which players from each team (starting with clubs with the most selections):

Los Angeles Rams

» RB Todd Gurley (No. 6)

» DT Aaron Donald (No. 7)

» QB Jared Goff (No. 38)

» CB Aqib Talib (No. 53)

» DT Ndamukong Suh (No. 61)

» CB Marcus Peters (No. 79)

» OT Andrew Whitworth (No. 87)

Minnesota Vikings

» DE Everson Griffen (No. 19)

» WR Adam Thielen (No. 36)

» S Harrison Smith (No. 46)

» CB Xavier Rhodes (No. 55)

» WR Stefon Diggs (No. 65)

» DT Linval Joseph (No. 83)

» QB Kirk Cousins (No. 94)

Jacksonville Jaguars

» DT Calais Campbell (No. 14)

» CB Jalen Ramsey (No. 17)

» CB A.J. Bouye (No. 35)

» RB Leonard Fournette (No. 58)

» OLB Telvin Smith (No. 67)

» DE Yannick Ngakoue (No. 88)

Green Bay Packers

» QB Aaron Rodgers (No. 10)

» WR Davante Adams (No. 45)

» TE Jimmy Graham (No. 89)

» OT David Bakhtiari (No. 91)

» DT Mike Daniels (No. 93)

» S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (No. 100)

New Orleans Saints

» QB Drew Brees (No. 8)

» RB Alvin Kamara (No. 20)

» DE Cameron Jordan (No. 26)

» RB Mark Ingram (No. 43)

» WR Michael Thomas (No. 81)

» CB Marshon Lattimore (No. 82)

Pittsburgh Steelers

» WR Antonio Brown (No. 2)

» RB Le'Veon Bell (No. 5)

» QB Ben Roethlisberger (No. 18)

» OG David DeCastro (No. 44)

» ILB Ryan Shazier (No. 47)

» DT Cameron Heyward (No. 48)

Los Angeles Chargers

» DE Joey Bosa (No. 37)

» WR Keenan Allen (No. 41)

» QB Philip Rivers (No. 56)

» CB Casey Hayward (No. 59)

» DE Melvin Ingram (No. 76)

Philadelphia Eagles

» QB Carson Wentz (No. 3)

» TE Zach Ertz (No. 68)

» DT Fletcher Cox (No. 69)

» OT Lane Johnson (No. 95)

» S Malcolm Jenkins (No. 96)

Seattle Seahawks

» QB Russell Wilson (No. 11)

» ILB Bobby Wagner (No. 21)

» S Earl Thomas (No. 42)

» S Kam Chancellor (No. 75)

» WR Doug Baldwin (No. 99)

Dallas Cowboys

» DE Demarcus Lawrence (No. 34)

» OT Tyron Smith (No. 39)

» RB Ezekiel Elliott (No. 54)

» OG Zack Martin (No. 71)

Houston Texans

» WR DeAndre Hopkins (No. 13)

» DE Jadeveon Clowney (No. 32)

» QB Deshaun Watson (No. 50)

» DE J.J. Watt (No. 84)

Tennessee Titans

» DT Jurrell Casey (No. 66)

» TE Delanie Walker (No. 72)

» OT Taylor Lewan (No. 78)

» S Kevin Byard (No. 80)

Denver Broncos

» DE Von Miller (No. 9)

» QB Case Keenum (No. 51)

» CB Chris Harris Jr. (No. 86)

Arizona Cardinals

» CB Patrick Peterson (No. 23)

» WR Larry Fitzgerald (No. 27)

» DE Chandler Jones (No. 28)

Kansas City Chiefs

» TE Travis Kelce (No. 24)

» RB Kareem Hunt (No. 33)

» WR Tyreek Hill (No. 40)

Atlanta Falcons

» WR Julio Jones (No. 4)

» QB Matt Ryan (No. 29)

» RB Devonta Freeman (No. 70)

Carolina Panthers

» ILB Luke Kuechly (No. 12)

» QB Cam Newton (No. 25)

» OLB Thomas Davis (No. 73)

Oakland Raiders

» DE Khalil Mack (No. 16)

» QB Derek Carr (No. 60)

» DE Bruce Irvin (No. 85)

San Francisco 49ers

» CB Richard Sherman (No. 64)

» QB Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 90)

Cincinnati Bengals

» WR A.J. Green (No. 22)

» DT Geno Atkins (No. 63)

Buffalo Bills

» RB LeSean McCoy (No. 30)

» S Micah Hyde (No. 62)

Cleveland Browns

» WR Jarvis Landry (No. 52)

» RB Carlos Hyde (No. 97)

New York Giants

» WR Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 77)

» S Landon Collins (No. 92)

Detroit Lions

» QB Matthew Stafford (No. 31)

» CB Darius Slay (No. 49)

New England Patriots

» QB Tom Brady (No. 1)

» TE Rob Gronkowski (No. 15)

Miami Dolphins

» DE Cameron Wake (No. 74)

Baltimore Ravens

» LB C.J. Mosley (No. 98)

Washington Redskins

» OT Trent Williams (No. 57)

Yeah, it wouldn't be the 32 teams in the USA now enjoying vacations, it would be the new semi-pro farm league teams with each being affiliated with an NFL club... We'd be celebrating our Albuquerque Rams kicking tail on the Toledo 49ers......

What does RG Jamon Brown's two-game suspension mean for the Rams?

July 4, 2018

| By:

Jake Ellenbogen




Yesterday, the NFL announced the suspension of Jamon Brown which will last two games after he violated the league's substance abuse policy. The question now remains: what is next for the Rams?


With Brown missing the first two games it actually breaks up a group of five men that played next to each-other 16 out of 17 games last year. Brown's suspension, however, will open the door for the Rams to do a multitude of different things in his place. The first thing is one of the more interesting things...


Shuffling of the offensive line. No, I'm not talking about the right side with Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold or even the center position held down by John Sullivan. I'm talking about the potential of moving Rob Havenstein from the right tackle position and kicking him inside at right guard. This is the first option which would allow the Rams to then move 3rd-round selection Joseph Noteboom in at right tackle and allow him to get some playing team to start his rookie year. Yes, Noteboom was not brought in to start but this is simply an opportunity I don't believe the Rams should pass up. Havenstein played guard while Brown played tackle for a bit in camp and while the Rams did switch the two back to their respective positions, it would be interesting to see Havenstein kick inside again.


Another option would be to place Noteboom in at guard and I don't think this is the best option at all. I think he needs to grow into his body more and while he's athletic, I don't believe he has the bulk inside to play guard. Nothing like killing your rookie's confidence early then to play him out of position and watch him struggle because of it. However, if the Rams do want to play a rookie at guard they could and should consider the potential of Jamil Demby. Demby, like Noteboom, was a Senior Bowl standout and has shown the ability to win consistently inside. He's the most natural fit, in this case, otherwise, you could look at potentially getting the rookie fourth-round pick Brian Allen some work or even backup center Austin Blythe.


While many tend to look at the bad in this (and of course, it's not great that a potential franchise guard in a contract year was suspended for substance abuse) it's important to have the mindset of next-man-up. The Rams will be fine no matter where they go and it's only two games at that. Overall, it should be exciting to see what the Rams do with this opportunity, whether they feel the need to have the rookies battle it out or place a veteran like Blythe in, remains a mystery but it's a storyline that should excite big-time Rams fans this summer.

Hi, I'm from western Ny.... and my friends and myself are taking a motorcycle ride across the country sometime in the next couple of years... and one of our stops is LA. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for famous or historical Rock Clubs that are still open? Must see's and such....There are 8 of us on motorcycles and none of us has been to Los Angeles ever. Any suggestions or info would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks, Go Rams.......

If there are any tax pros on board, I have a quick question for you regarding a sizeable monetary gift. Please message me for details.

Thanks

The Downtown Rams Podcast 100th Episode feat. Kayvon Webster, Joe Curley & Blaine Grisak
July 4, 2018 | By:Jake Ellenbogen

We've officially hit the century mark. The Downtown Rams Podcast first aired back on May 5th, 2017 and since the podcast has grown at a constant pace. We appreciate every one of you that tune in weekly to our show. We will continue to pump out podcasts for your listening pleasure.

As for the 100th episode. I brought on friends of the podcast. Former co-host Blaine Grisak, Ventura County Star Reporter Joe Curley, and former Rams CB Kayvon Webster. In this episode we went live, Kayvon joined the show at the 58:07 mark. We talked about everything from the Rams to the Lakers to the NFL as a whole. Check out the new episode below:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/downtownrams/downtown-rams-100th-episode-live

So I just changed the women’s bathroom sign at work. What y’awlz think and have you done something similar?

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton