Man this is my type of guy!!! Too Good!!!! :rolllaugh:

Login to view embedded media

The more I watch video clips of him the more impressed I am with him! I know he won't beat out Gurley (Nobody Can!) but he sure should make a great backup to Gurley and give him some much needed relief during the season!

"My name is LoyalRam, and it's been 10 minutes since my last coffee."

Ok, I'm an addict and I'm not quitting. I drink coffee, drink tea, use 5 hour energy's. I am an old MA student and it's my unalterable path in life to complete the degree and to be a a historical fiction writer. But I have found it to be more difficult to read this semester because I am tired all of the time. 5 Hour energy shots have been a lifesaver this semester, but the problem is the expense. I use at least 1-2 a day and a 10 pack is $17.98 each. WAY too expensive, so I am going to try super caffeinated coffee. Have you used any such coffees? I am trying Black Rifle CAF Medium Roast Coffee. The advertisements claim it has twice the amount of caffeine as a normal cup of coffee. The package is 12 oz ground coffee and is a 100% Arabica coffee. As I'm typing this FedEx delivered the coffee, so I am going to test taste it momentarily.

What is your favorite super charged coffee? (favorite by taste and caffeine only) I am open to even more highly charged coffee. The safe level for caffeine for my weight is around 625 mgs a day. 5 Hour Energy has about 200 mgs per bottle. Dunkin' Donuts Brewed coffee is about 120 mgs per 8 oz cup. I expect Black Rifle CAF to be 240 mgs for an 8oz cup of coffee. There are some freakishly caffeinated coffees that have 500-600 mgs for an 8 oz cup:shocked:. I also want a good flavor, so I am afraid to try these (@ $20 per bag), lol.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ms-in-good-shape-for-2019-compensatory-picks/

Patriots, Rams in good shape for 2019 compensatory picks
Posted by Michael David Smith on May 9, 2018


Getty Images

The deadline has passed for any free agent signings that will affect the awarding of compensatory picks in next year’s NFL draft, and the Patriots and Rams are the teams that look to be in the best shape for 2019 compensatory picks.

Both the Patriots and the Rams are likely to be awarded two third-round picks next year, according to OverTheCap.com. That’s the best haul of any team.

The Patriots are always smart about getting compensatory picks, which are awarded to teams that lose more free agents, and especially more expensive free agents, than they sign. It’s no surprise to see the atop the list of compensatory picks.

But the Rams’ presence at the top may surprise a lot of people, because the Rams made offseason headlines by attracting a lot of players. How can the Rams get so many compensatory picks after an offseason dominated by headlines about the Rams bringing in big-name players?

Because those big-name players weren’t the unrestricted free agents who count toward the compensatory pick formula. Players who arrive in trades, like Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, don’t count toward the compensatory pick formula. Nor do players who were cut by their previous teams, like Ndamukong Suh.

But players who leave your team as unrestricted free agents and sign big-money contracts with other teams do count toward the formula. The Rams lost two such players, Sammy Watkins and Trumaine Johnson, and that’s why they’re expected to get two third-round picks.

Other teams expected to get third-round compensatory picks next year include Washington (for losing Kirk Cousins), Minnesota (Case Keenum) and Carolina (Andrew Norwell).

The NFL doesn’t publish the full compensatory pick formula, and part of the formula relates to players’ performance during their first seasons with their new teams, so it’s possible that some of this could change before the compensatory picks are awarded for next year’s draft. But right now, the Patriots and Rams are looking good.

So now that we know whom we have going into camp, barring some unforeseen addition. It looks to be a solid group that will get the job done without much fan or media fare this season. Unless someone blows up and takes the job and runs wild with it.
So for me this is what I think I think (sorry had to go Peter King there LOL)!

Edge:
The starters to me will end up being Ebukam & Okoronkwo w/ next man up being a good role guy in Longacre and Thompson. I don't think it will take Okoronkwo long to over take Longacre due to his speed he offers and Longacre doesn't. But with his back injury I wonder if he will be able to contribute at a high level. Camp will give us that answer. Thompson I could see being replace by another teams surprise cut. He's just a JAG. I think with Ebukam & Okoronkwo we have two guys that can simply fly off the corners. Sickles & Price Can be replace at any point during camp or season imho.

Inside:
The starters will be Baron and Littleton. The next guy whom will get tons of snaps I think will be Kiser. Kiser I could see replacing Baron in short yardage, and a future starter in 2019. Littleton needs to show me he can be consistent every down, and I think he will over the season. It just may take a little time. Hager and Wilson are two players that can give us a few snaps without killing us but won't be starters.

In general Snead gave us a group of 3 at both spots that can play and this will help us down the stretch and into the playoffs. Its a lunch pail group on paper and I'm looking forward to seeing this group do a better job stoping the run and developing into a good group as a whole.

This thread will contain spoilers

All things MARVEL , past , present and future

MARVEL studios , along with Fox and Sony films

Rams come in at number 8 behind the Chargers...... LOL

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000931851/article/nfls-top-10-offenses-saints-patriots-stee
NFL's top 10 offenses: Saints, Patriots, Steelers top list
How does one judge the effectiveness of an offense? The [URL='https://ramsondemand.com/safari-reader://www.nfl.com/teams/jacksonvillejaguars/profile?team=JAX']Jaguars finished sixth -- above the Super Bowl champion Eagles -- in total yards last season. On the other hand, Jacksonville placed 19th in Football Outsiders' weighted offense metric and 14th in drive success rate, which measures the percentage of possessions that resulted in a first down or touchdown.

When the Jags jumped out to an early lead, hammered Leonard Fournette at the opposing defense and bolstered Blake Bortles with a dangerous play-action attack, they were a force to be reckoned with. Bortles averaged a sterling 8.0 yards per attempt with a 107.3 passer rating and a 12:1 TD-to-INT ratio when asked to nurse a lead last season.

When the Jaguars were tied or losing last year, conversely, Bortles' numbers plummeted to 6.5 yards per attempt, with a passer rating below 75.0 and nine touchdowns versus 12 interceptions.

Conventional team stats suggest Jacksonville's offense was on par with those in Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The game film and advanced metrics refute that notion, poking holes in a limited attack.

If the quarterback is running a truly dominant offense, he moves the chains with consistency in all situations, rather than requiring a strict formula for success. It's no surprise that the list below reads like a who's who of superstar quarterbacks, many enjoying a symbiotic relationship with a top-notch offensive mind dialing up the plays.

Now that free agency and the draft are giving way to OTAs and minicamps, let's examine the hierarchy of NFL offenses.

THE TOP FIVE
1) New Orleans Saints
Quarterback: A- | Drew Brees, Tom Savage, Taysom Hill, J.T. Barrett

The scouting report suggests Brees' declining arm strength is an issue downfield, yet he continues to be one of the most effective deep passers in the league. Buoyed by an explosive ground attack, he's a perennial MVP candidate until we see evidence to the contrary.

If there's a weakness on Asshole Face's offense, it's the depth chart at quarterback. After Deshaun Watson directed Houston to a five-game stretch as the highest-scoring unit in the league last October, Savage's offense finished 30th in Football Outsiders' weighted DVOA, a metric that reflects how the team was playing later in the season. If Brees goes down, the Saints can kiss their Super Bowl hopes goodbye.

Backfield: A+ | Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, Trey Edmunds, Jonathan Williams, Boston Scott, Zach Line

EDITOR'S NOTE: This piece was published before Mark Ingram was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Unseating Atlanta's Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as the NFL's most productive and well-rounded backfield tandem, Ingram and Kamara combined for more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns last year. Unlike previous iterations in New Orleans, there's no telegraphing of plays due to niche skill sets. A tackle-breaking inside runner, Ingram has improved his receiving ability enough to remain in the game on key passing downs. Although it's hard to find a bigger mismatch than Kamara in the receiving game, he's also a strong enough runner to move the chains against base defenses on early downs.

Receiving corps: B+ | Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr., Cameron Meredith, Brandon Coleman, Tommylee Lewis, Tre'Quan Smith, Austin Carr, Ben Watson (TE), Josh Hill (TE)

Thomas is a prototypical No. 1 "X" receiver, capable of drawing and beating double teams. He does his best work on third downs as Brees' go-to target. Even at age 33, Ginn has the rare speed to take the top off a defense as a deep threat. Signed away from the Bears, Meredith is a wild card returning from ACL surgery. If he regains 2016 form, this could be one of the best wide-receiver groups of the Payton-Brees era.

Kamara and the wideouts are strong enough to compensate for a lackluster cast of characters at tight end. The Saints made it a priority to upgrade on free-agent bust Coby Fleener, only to settle for the homecoming of Watson. Once among the most athletic tight ends in football, the 37-year-old is no longer a playmaking threat after the catch.

Offensive line: A- | Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Max Unger, Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Jermon Bushrod, Rick Leonard, Bryce Harris

More ink is spilled on the Cowboys' celebrated offensive line than all other blocking units combined. When this unit is healthy, though, it takes a back seat to no one. It all came together last season, with Peat moving inside to guard, Warford arriving to jump-start the running game and Ramczyk solidifying the pass protection at right tackle. Armstead has All-Pro potential on Brees' blind side.

2) New England Patriots
Quarterback: A | Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Danny Etling

The 2017 Patriots finished No. 1 across the board in weighted DVOA, drive success rate, yards per drive, points per drive and total offense. After placing second in the 2016 MVP race, Brady won the award last year, capping off an age-defying campaign with an incredible postseason run that featured the most passing yards in Super Bowl history.

To the surprise of the entire football cognoscenti, however, the draft came and went without an early-round replacement for traded wunderkind Jimmy Garoppolo. At this time a year ago, it was easy to believe the Patriots would remain a Super Bowl contender even if Brady went down with a major injury. The same can't be said with Hoyer holding the clipboard.

Backfield: B+ | Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Jeremy Hill, Mike Gillislee, James Develin

Michel replaces Dion Lewis, who was the offensive focal point in 2017 as one of the league's most efficient backs down the stretch. After falling out of favor late last season, White is a good bet to resurface as Brady's security blanket on passing downs. Burkhead is a handy backup, capable of handling any running or receiving role in addition to special teams duty. Is Hill the latest Bengals castoff to find new life in New England's backfield?

Receiving corps: A- | Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Braxton Berrios, Rob Gronkowski (TE), Dwayne Allen (TE), Troy Niklas (TE), Jacob Hollister (TE)

Gone are deep threat Brandin Cooks and playoff hero Danny Amendola, replaced by physical slot receiver Matthews and gadget weapon Patterson. Expect a greater impact from Edelman and Mitchell, a pair of Super Bowl LI stars who lost the 2017 season to knee injuries. Even if Cooks' presence outside the numbers and downfield is missed, this appears to be one of the league's deepest units, bolstered by Gronkowski's behemoth presence as the greatest tight end of all time.

Offensive line: B | Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle, Trent Brown, Antonio Garcia, Ted Karras

The question is who replaces Nate Solder, overpaid to stand guard on Eli Manning's blind side. If first-round pick Wynn isn't ready to step in, Cannon might have to flip sides, with former 49ers right tackle Brown joining the starting lineup. A 2017 third-round pick who missed his rookie season due to blood clots in his lungs, Garcia could be a dark-horse candidate at left tackle.

3) Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback: B+ | Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Mason Rudolph, Josh Dobbs

After contemplating retirement last offseason, Roethlisberger questioned his own future on the heels of a five-interception performance in early October. Just when it appeared that his career might be winding down, he turned his season around and played as well as any quarterback in December and January. It's fair to wonder if that hot streak will continue with Randy Fichtner calling plays for the first time.

How does a third-round rookie quarterback help Pittsburgh win now? Roethlisberger ought to know better than anyone, considering he's played a full 16-game season just three times in his 14-year career. If Rudolph can unseat Jones for the backup job, the Steelers are better prepared to withstand an injury to Roethlisberger.

Backfield: A | Le'Veon Bell, James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Stevan Ridley, Roosevelt Nix

Bell carried the offense through Roethlisberger's early-season slump last fall, but suffered a drop-off in efficiency from the heights of his magical 2016 season. While his Pittsburgh future is in question, he should provide All-Pro production for at least one more year. The Steelers have selected Conner and Samuels in back-to-back drafts, leaving them in better position to survive an injury or suspension.

Receiving corps: A- | Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Justin Hunter, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Vance McDonald (TE), Jesse James (TE), Xavier Grimble (TE)

Brown is the rare receiver dominant enough to make a legitimate run at MVP honors. The emergence of Smith-Schuster enabled the Steelers to trade malcontent deep threat Martavis Bryant, who has been replaced by second-round rookie James Washington. Don't sleep on McDonald, who bypassed James in the pecking order and hauled in 10 passes for 112 yards in the playoff loss to Jacksonville.

Offensive line: A- | Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, B.J. Finney, Chukwuma Okorafor, Matt Feiler, Jerald Hawkins

Who can boast a more stable offensive line than Pittsburgh? The starting five have played together for three seasons, excelling in pass protection and establishing rare synchronicity with Bell's trademark running style.

4) Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback: B+ | Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Garrett Grayson

For all of the consternation over Steve Sarkisian's play-calling, Ryan's offense finished second in drive success rate and yards per drive last season. With better interception luck and improvement in the red zone, the NFL's highest-paid player could find himself back in the MVP race. Schaub's physical skills began to deteriorate a half-decade ago. It's hard to believe he's still hanging on to the No. 2 job in Atlanta.

Backfield: A | Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Ito Smith

Ryan wasn't the only one missing Kyle Shanahan's mastery last season. Freeman and Coleman were relative afterthoughts in the passing game, as Sarkisian failed to take advantage of mismatches in space. Falcons fans might have just one more year to appreciate this talented tandem, with Coleman poised to reach free agency in 2019.

Receiving corps: A | Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Calvin Ridley, Justin Hardy, Russell Gage, Austin Hooper (TE), Logan Paulsen (TE), Eric Saubert (TE)

It's just as well that big-play threat Taylor Gabriel departed for Chicago. Sarkisian never could figure out how to maximize his speed the way Shanahan did in both Cleveland and Atlanta. Billed by many as the best receiver in the draft, rookie Ridley represents the potential for a major upgrade alongside Jones and Sanu. By the end of the 2018 season, this might be the consensus pick as the top receiving corps in football.

Offensive line: B | Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Brandon Fusco, Ryan Schraeder, Ty Sambrailo, Ben Garland, Wes Schweitzer, Austin Pasztor

Guard play was an issue last year, as Levitre missed three games and Schweitzer flunked his starting audition. Fusco's arrival should solidify the line, with Matthews and Schraeder holding down the bookends and Mack excelling in the pivot.

5) Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback: B+ | Philip Rivers, Geno Smith, Cardale Jones

Rivers' MVP campaign was gaining steam until a three-interception performance halted the Bolts' AFC West hopes in Week 15. He played some of the best ball of his career down the stretch, leading the Chargers to six wins in the final seven weeks. Rivers hasn't missed a game in 12 years, hopefully rendering Geno Smith's presence irrelevant.

Backfield: B | Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, Derek Watt

Gordon rushed for a career-high 1,105 yards, but managed to reach the century mark just twice behind an offensive line that didn't gel until late in the season. Although the undrafted Ekeler emerged as a weapon in the passing game, the Chargers don't have a proven three-down backup behind Gordon.

Receiving corps: A- | Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, Dylan Cantrell, Hunter Henry (TE), Virgil Green (TE), Sean McGrath(TE)

It's no coincidence that Rivers' aerial attack hit its stride once Henry replaced a declining Antonio Gates in the starting lineup. Heading into his third season, Henry has emerged as a top-five tight end. With Allen playing the lead role as the quintessential chain-mover, the collection of wideouts is deep, diverse and talented. Last year's No. 7 overall pick, Mike Williams, is a breakout candidate after a back issue limited him to just 11 receptions as a rookie.

Offensive line: B | Russell Okung, Dan Feeney, Mike Pouncey, Forrest Lamp, Joe Barksdale, Michael Schofield, Spencer Pulley, Scott Quessenberry

The Chargers allowed the fewest sacks in the league last season, due in large part to Rivers' pre-snap wizardry. If the pass protection was solid, the run blocking left a lot to be desired. The coaches expect that to change this year, with Pouncey solidifying the interior between promising second-year guards Feeney and Lamp.
[/URL]

THE NEXT FIVE
6) Green Bay Packers
Quarterback: A | Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, DeShone Kizer

Backfield: B | Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery, Devante Mays, Aaron Ripkowski

Receiving corps: B+ | Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Michael Clark, J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jimmy Graham (TE), Lance Kendricks (TE)

Offensive line: B | David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Justin McCray, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy, Cole Madison

7) Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback: A- | Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld

Backfield: B | Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement, Donnel Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood

Receiving corps: B+ | Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins, Markus Wheaton, Zach Ertz (TE), Dallas Goedert (TE), Richard Rodgers (TE)

Offensive line: A- | Jason Peters, Stefen Wisniewski, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Chance Warmack, Isaac Seumalo, Matt Pryor

8) Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback: B | Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Brandon Allen

Backfield: A- | Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Justin Davis, John Kelly, Sam Rogers

Receiving corps: B | Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas, Tyler Higbee (TE), Gerald Everett(TE)

Offensive line: B+ | Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Joseph Noteboom, Austin Blythe, Brian Allen, Darrell Williams, Jamil Demby

9) Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback: B | Kirk Cousins, Trevor Siemian, Kyle Sloter

Backfield: B | Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, Mack Brown, C.J. Ham

Receiving corps: A- | Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kendall Wright, Laquon Treadwell, Tavarres King, Kyle Rudolph (TE), David Morgan (TE), Tyler Conklin(TE)

Offensive line: B- | Riley Reiff, Nick Easton, Pat Elflein, Mike Remmers, Rashod Hill, Brian O'Neill, Danny Isidora, Tom Compton, Colby Gossett

10) Detroit Lions
Quarterback: B+ | Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock, Matt Cassel

Backfield: B- | LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Dwayne Washington, Zach Zenner, Nick Bawden

Receiving corps: B+ | Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay, T.J. Jones, Jace Billingsley, Luke Willson (TE), Michael Roberts (TE), Levine Toilolo (TE)

Offensive line: B | Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, T.J. Lang, Rick Wagner, Tyrell Crosby, Kenny Wiggins, Corey Robinson, Joe Dahl

* * * * *

OFFENSES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers.

Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.

https://sports.yahoo.com/kurt-warne...n-150518255.html?soc_src=hl-viewer&soc_trk=tw

Kurt Warner says he thought about coming back to play ... this season
Frank Schwab

Kurt Warner will turn 47 years old in June. His last NFL snap came at the end of the 2009 season.

You would think the time for Warner to consider an NFL comeback would have passed long ago, but you’d be wrong.

Appearing in the St. Louis Cardinals broadcast booth during Monday night’s game, Warner casually told a story about talking to an NFL coach about coming back to play this season (h/t to Patrick Daugherty of Rotoworld/NBC Sports).

“I was actually ready to, for this coming season, I actually talked to a coach and my wife said, ‘Go for it, I think it would be great,'” Warner said. “So I actually talked to a coach about possibly doing it if they needed someone, but then they went out and signed somebody. I don’t think they thought I was serious. So I think we’re completely done now.”

Since we all thought Warner was completely done long ago, that is a surprise.

Before we start giving all the qualifiers to Warner’s comments, let’s get it out of the way: We’re all thinking it was Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden — who seems to be collecting old free agents like he’s building a football ark — who he was talking to, right?

Now, just because Warner was talking to anyone doesn’t mean that it was ever a remote possibility. And since Warner admits it doesn’t seem he was taken seriously, who knows how far along this idea ever really got. I’m sure if you polled Pro Football Hall of Famers, they’ve all had fleeting fantasies of a comeback (it’s not even the first time Warner has floated a comeback possibility). They’re not wired to admit they can’t play anymore.

The conversation started during Warner’s appearance in the booth during the top of the third inning when he was asked if he missed playing.

“Oh my gosh, come on!” Warner said. “Anytime you play at this level and you step away from it, especially when you stay connected to it — I think that’s the hard part, is analyzing it and covering the games and doing that kind of stuff, anytime you’re around it … and especially since I feel really, really good. So I’m like ‘I think I could still play. I think I could still throw it.'”

Still, it’s funny to think about Warner coming back to play (and he has some extra time now that ESPN chose Jason Witten over him for the “Monday Night Football” gig). Sports Illustrated had a memorable cover touting Jim Brown’s comeback threat in 1983 when he was 47, so we’ve been down this road before.

Herschel Walker once said in his 50s he could still play in the NFL, and somewhere at this moment Terrell Owens is telling someone he can still be a productive NFL receiver. Warner, who was in St. Louis for a bobblehead night at the Cardinals game, did play really well his final season … even if that was almost a decade ago.

But no, we’re not going to see Warner on a football field again. Unless he gets the itch again next year at age 48 and someone actually takes him up on it.

“I don’t know if I would ever really do it, because it’s easy to sit up here and go, ‘I feel great, I can throw it in my backyard, I could still play in the NFL,'” Warner said on the broadcast. “I have too much respect for the game and those guys.

But there have been moments where I was like, I feel so good and I look at the state of the quarterbacks sometimes in the league and say, I think I could do it better than them if I could get back up to form and spend some time. I’m just hoping that one team, at some point, gives me another 7-on-7. Just give me 20 plays and let me see if I can still do it.”

With the close of the 2018 NFL Draft, 11 college prospects can now call themselves Los Angeles Rams.

After a draft haul that saw the franchise make moves to acquire 10 selections in Day 3 alone, the Rams were able to replenish depth at multiple positions — bringing in several new, dynamic playmakers.

And now that the big event has come and past, therams.com will be taking a look at each member of the club’s 2018 Draft Class.

The Rams added further depth to their defensive line by picking up Rutgers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day at No. 195 overall. The three-year starter finished his college career with 49 consecutive starts and 50 appearances, en route to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades.

Not only was he a dominant force on the field, but he was also a key figure for the Scarlet Knights in the locker room, earning the 2017 Homer Hazel Award given to the team’s most valuable player.

And though Joseph-Day was not invited to the NFL Combine, the defensive tackle made the most of every opportunity given at several college showcases. That tenacity and hard work are two of the things he hopes will carry him through his transition to the league.

Here is Sebastian Joseph-Day in his own words:

On what he thinks he brings to the Rams:

“I’m a hardworking guy that loves football. I’m excited to get out there and learn from two of the best D-linemen in the game. I just think I’m a hardworking guy, a driven guy that strives to get better each and every day.”

On his reaction when the Rams called to draft him:

“It was a dream come true. I had such a great time when I visited L.A. with the coaches, I felt like I meshed with the coaches so well together. It really did feel like home, it was crazy. I told all my family that when I got home. Obviously, I couldn’t express that information to anyone else. But when I saw that phone call, it was just a dream come true.”

On what college events he played in and how they helped him to get drafted

“A lot of my credit goes out to [former Rutgers’ head] coach Kyle Flood and [current Rutgers head] coach Chris Ash. I had two college coaches in my career. The way they prepared me mentally, physically and even in a spiritual aspect.”

[www.therams.com]

I have noticed after the first day of off season conditioning that Suh is no longer in any of the photos. Everyone else is photographed, Gurley, Goff, Brockers, Talib, Peters, Ramik, Shields, Cooks, and everyone but Suh, and of course Donald since he's not there. So has Suh asked not to have his photo taken, or is he camera shy? Just pondering.:jerkoff:

Hey guys,

So I just purchased my first ticket out to Cali to see my girl who's working out there for temp work. So amped to be in Rams/Lakers country FINALLY!! I'll be staying in Riverside, CA area and wanted to asked my brothers and sisters on here what are some things to do out in that vicinity? She and I agreed to take in my first Rams training camp (but not sure there will be any available that weekend ) and do anything fun within 1 hour drive. I'll be out west from June 1st till June 3rd. Any ideas or suggestions for her and I are greatly appreciated. For reference purposes, her and I are 25 and 27, respectively and looking to make it a fun-filled weekend.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

GO RAMS!!!

edit: I will be staying in Pasadena, sorry relying on her for this info lol.

With the close of the 2018 NFL Draft, 11 college prospects can now call themselves Los Angeles Rams.

After a draft haul that saw the franchise make moves to acquire 10 selections in Day 3 alone, the Rams were able to replenish depth at multiple positions — bringing in several new, dynamic playmakers.

And now that the big event has come and past, therams.com will be taking a look at each member of the club’s 2018 Draft Class.

The Rams brought in three new offensive linemen through the 2018 NFL Draft. After picking up left tackle Joseph Noteboom and center Brian Allen, L.A. rounded out the group by selecting Jamil Demby — a first-team FCS All-American tackle out of Maine.

Demby anchored the Black Bears offensive line for four seasons, appearing in 42 games throughout his college career. After an impressive showing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl, Demby left his mark on several scouts by proving himself against some of the top college prospects in the nation.

And while he spent the better part of his college career at left tackle, Demby is ready to demonstrate his versatility on the line, eager to fix “the little things,” and contribute wherever the Rams may need him.

Here is Jamil Demby in his own words:

On the contact he had with the Rams and if he thought they were a likely candidate to take him:

“Yes, they took me in for an official [top] 30 visit. It was just a great vibe, great atmosphere there. My ex-offensive coordinator [Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Liam Coen] from this past season was there. So, me and him were in contact and just on the visit, the O-Line coach showed a high interest. It was definitely all for me. It was a great vibe. A lot of positivity within the franchise.”

On his strengths and what he thinks he can improve on as he enters the NFL:

“I feel like my versatility, my knowledge for the game and my ability to compete and be dominate against no matter what the competition is. Having that mindset and I think just really what I need to fix are the little things to bring my game up. My fluid full body motion, going from the left to the right side on the offensive line and just the little technical things and I feel like I’ll be all set.”

On if he split time on the left and right side of the offensive line in college:

“I played, pretty much, all left tackle throughout my four years of college. So, I was just used to being on the left side. But throughout this process, I‘ve been working on my versatility and from a concept standpoint, I understand the game and had some great coaching.”

[www.therams.com]

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 Monday, May 7th about your Los Angeles Rams:

Projecting Top 100 NFL Rookies of 2018:

With the onset of rookie minicamps and offseason workouts, the players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft are finally getting acquainted with their new clubs and hoping to make their presence felt right away.

As these former prospects transition to the next level, the NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread is breaking down which rookies he believes will make the biggest impact in Year One. His top 100 list included two of the Rams latest additions, who came in at No. 80 and No. 87.

No. 80 — Micah Kiser, LB, Rams

No. 87 — Joseph Noteboom, OT, Rams

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart: Six new starters on defense

Free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft have come and past and moving forward, OTA’s and minicamps will begin to take place around the league. And as we get closer to the regular season, ESPN.com is analyzing the depth charts for all 32 teams.

Here’s a preview of the depth chart for the Rams — as broken down by Alden Gonzalez — beginning with offense:

OFFENSE

Quarterback (3): Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Brandon Allen

The Rams need to find out a little bit more about Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015 who has thrown 50 regular-season passes in the NFL. Mannion can be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Do the Rams like him as a long-term backup for Goff?

Running back (3): Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, John Kelly

Among running backs, only Le'Veon Bell took more snaps than Gurley last season. There isn't a whole lot of room for others to step on the field here, but Kelly, who was just taken in the sixth round out of Tennessee, has a chance to carve out a role as a pass-catching running back.

Wide receiver (5): Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Mike Thomas

No team ran more three-receiver sets than the Rams last season. Given the Cooks addition, that probably won't change in 2019. Coach Sean McVay loves his starting trio of wide receivers. Reynolds and Thomas profile as deep threats, but they're still developing.

This Weekend in Rams Social Media

This weekend, Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth posted an adorable video of his son Drew punting the football. In the tweet, Whitworth tagged his teammate Johnny Hekker saying, “Drew is calling you out!” to which the punter responded, “That’s a bomb! The kid has the genes to be an all time great.”

[www.therams.com]

Too 100 players of 2018. Seems kinda low for him. He was 32 last year. I wonder what changed.

Great article... I'm really pulling for him. I know it's a long shot, but how can we not pull for him? Just one team...just one! Invite him to camp and give him a shot! I really think he had talent. Had he been drafted by a team with a decent offense, I think he would have done very well.
'
http://www.nfl.com/labs/sidelines/stedm ... ailey.html



By Jeffri Chadiha | May 7, 2018Illustration by Dennis Padua
Stedman Bailey survived a volley of bullets -- and now, he's stopping at nothing to get back to the NFL.
MALIBU, Calif. -- Geno Smith closed his eyes and prayed for something positive before taking his next step inside Aventura Hospital and Medical Center outside Miami two and a half years ago. As soon as he edged into that crowded patient room, he saw Stedman Bailey lying prone on a stiff bed, surrounded by a group of loved ones that included Bailey's grandmother and Kayvon Webster, a close friend who played cornerback for the Denver Broncos at the time. An unknown assailant had shot Bailey twice in the head just days earlier, spraying 30 bullets into a rented SUV where four other people, including two children, had been discussing dinner plans. This was the first opportunity for Smith to assess the damage for himself.

Bailey laid motionless. A thick, white bandage covered his skull, and his eyes were swollen and closed, as if someone had just beaten him relentlessly with a baseball bat. There wasn't even the option of Bailey holding a conversation, as a tube inserted into his throat during his seven-hour surgery had damaged his vocal cords. "We would just tell him that if he could hear us, just wiggle a thumb," Webster said.

A multitude of nightmarish thoughts ran through Smith's mind as he stood over Bailey, including the possibility that his longtime pal might never walk again. They had grown up together in Miami, had known each other since junior high school and had become stars at West Virginia, with Bailey setting records as a wide receiver (including single-season marks for receiving yards and touchdown receptions and the career mark for touchdown catches) catching passes from Smith, the all-conference quarterback. When they entered the NFL in 2013 -- Smith was the New York Jets' second-round pick, while Bailey went in the third round to the St. Louis Rams -- they never imagined a day when the gun violence that too often plagued parts of Miami would catch up to them.

Smith kept pondering how such a tragedy could happen when Bailey's eyes slowly opened. As Bailey raised his right hand, Smith moved closer, leaning over to glean what his friend was trying to do. Bailey continued reaching his hand forward until it clutched Smith's right hand. What is he trying to tell me? Smith thought.

The next thing Smith knew, his buddy was playfully tugging at Smith's fingers until Smith instinctively followed that lead.

"He gave me our secret handshake," Smith said. "We've had one for a long time. And when I saw that, despite everything that was going on, it was a big sign. I knew he was going to be OK."
* * * * *
Bailey nearly lost his life on Nov. 24, 2015. What he's mostly thought about since that day is how he can save his career. In early April, as he walked his five-month-old German shepherd, King, across a narrow beach in Point Mugu State Park, Bailey talked constantly about returning to the NFL. He started going to that spot in Malibu months ago, after he missed church one Sunday morning and a friend suggested that beach as another option for reflection. It's been a sacred sanctuary ever since, a private space where Bailey can meditate while keeping his eyes on the prize he's coveted ever since he landed in that Miami hospital room.

At 27 years old, Bailey's mindset couldn't be any clearer: Somebody stole his dream from him, and he's determined to get it back. Even when doctors cringed at the notion, he told himself he was going to play football again, and that's exactly what he plans on doing.

"It's important to play (again) because it's something that I worked my whole life for, to make it to the big leagues," Bailey said. "I got a chance to taste it, to play for three years, and then a very unfortunate incident happened. But, just based off the odds that I've been able to overcome over these last couple years, it's been nothing short of a miracle. If it's healthy for me to go out there and play, then I'm definitely all in for it."

The "if" that Bailey mentioned is a huge one. It's the only question he knows he can't control in this process, the one that might lead to a team doctor deciding he's already played his last football game. Even though Bailey didn't suffer any brain damage in that shooting, head trauma has been a controversial topic in the NFL for nearly two decades. For Bailey to have a chance at returning to the league, somebody with a medical degree must believe he's not placing himself in harm's way.

Bailey already feels confident that he's taken every possible precaution -- he had a titanium plate inserted into his skull last October to protect his brain -- and he's never shown any issues related to head trauma. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, a Michigan-based neurologist who works as a consultant with the NFL Players Association, added that people too often misconstrue the fact that concussions involve the brain and not the skull.


Stedman Bailey works out at West Virginia's pro day in an effort to show he has what it takes to play in the NFL. (Sean McNamara/Times West Virginian)
"One of the most important aspects of this case is that the bullet didn't touch his brain," said Kutcher, who has not met Bailey. "Everything being equal, his brain came out OK, so there shouldn't be any additional risk of him playing football now than he had before the shooting. As long as the structure of his skull is intact, he should be fine."

Bailey also has pushed himself into spectacular shape. After losing nearly 30 pounds following the shooting, he's back to carrying 190 pounds on his 5-foot-10 frame, just four pounds shy of his playing weight in his last season with the Rams. Bailey works out relentlessly with former Rams teammates these days, and he participated in two college pro days in March (at Marshall and West Virginia). Essentially, there isn't anything he won't do to earn another opportunity in the league.

That combination of passion and potential has impressed plenty of people. After watching Bailey run sharp routes and display strong hands at West Virginia's pro day, Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen said, "He looks like the same old Stedman to me. We called him 'Steady B' because that's what he was -- steady. He still runs those smooth routes. He still has those same great hands. I would think somebody would give him a shot because he looks the same way he always has."

Added an AFC scout in attendance: "You wanted to see if he could still do the key stuff -- running the routes, catching the ball, (maintaining) his stamina, all the things you have to know before guys get to camp and start hitting. But he looked good to me. He didn't blow the 40 out of the water (this scout clocked Bailey at 4.62 seconds), but he ran well. I told our people that he had a good workout. He definitely did enough to stir up a conversation with some teams. After that, it's all about how people feel about the risk."

The other thing that caught the scout's eye at West Virginia's pro day was Bailey's behavior. One minute, he was off to the side, telling a running back how to tighten his routes coming out of the backfield. The next, Bailey was teaching a receiver how to catch the ball in a manner that prevented defenders from reaching it and knocking it out. He even made a point of continually boosting the confidence of the young Division II quarterback throwing him passes.

Bailey didn't hide his enthusiasm for being back in a place that enabled him to reach the pinnacle -- to this point -- of his football dreams.

"I'm a religious person, so I will ask God why would something like that happen to me?" Bailey said. "I'm not a gangbanger. You just have to understand that certain things happen in life that are out of our control. But the way you respond to it pretty much determines what kind of person you are. So I've just always been determined to just fight through all the adversity. I'm moving on and just looking forward to what's to come."
* * * * *
The people who know Bailey say it's not surprising that he's not bitter about what happened, or that he's so intent on returning to the NFL. A positive attitude and a single-minded nature are what earned him a spot in pro football in the first place. Growing up in Miramar, Florida, a suburb of Miami, he learned the value of being tough at an early age. He also never relented when things weren't going his way.

When the marquee in-state programs didn't want him -- Miami, Florida State and Florida all ignored him coming out of Miramar High -- Bailey set his sights on West Virginia. He even convinced Smith to come along with him, even though the four-star QB recruit was seriously thinking about attending Alabama. One day after high school practice, the team's coach told Smith and Bailey that a local radio station wanted to interview them to see about their college choices. When Smith followed Bailey to the microphone, the host informed him that Bailey had said both players were committing to the Mountaineers. It says something about Bailey's persuasiveness that Smith actually decided to attend West Virginia.

"I think Stedman really wanted me to go with him," Smith said.

What Bailey understood was that his chances for prosperity would improve greatly if he had his quarterback along for the ride. He wound up amassing 210 career receptions, 3,218 yards and 41 scores, then declared for the 2013 NFL Draft after his 25-touchdown junior season.

Bailey spent his first few years in the NFL trying to find a rhythm on some mediocre teams. In those three seasons, he totaled 59 receptions for 843 yards and scored four total touchdowns. Like a lot of Rams players in those days, he struggled to generate big numbers in the conservative offense favored by then-head coach Jeff Fisher. Bailey also was suspended twice -- he missed the first two games of the 2014 season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, while a positive test for marijuana resulted in a four-game suspension in 2015. Still, Bailey felt optimistic about his future in the league.

"He was on track to being a good, reliable wide receiver in the NFL, similar to what he was at West Virginia," said Rams general manager Les Snead. “He was one of those guys who you call quarterback-friendly. He ran good routes. He had strong hands. Quarterbacks liked throwing the ball to him because he was usually going to be open.”

Added former Rams and West Virginia teammate Tavon Austin: "He was making some plays. He had his slip-ups and he got humbled for that, but he was making his mark."

Bailey actually was serving his marijuana-related suspension when he was in Miami preparing for Thanksgiving. After renting a Chevy Tahoe that would be used for the drive to Atlanta to see his mother, he found himself sitting in front of a house in Miami Gardens where his friend, Terrance Gourdine, was inside changing clothes. Bailey sat in the passenger seat of the vehicle. His cousin, Antwan Reeves, was in the back with Reeves' 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. The rear hatch of the vehicle was open.

Bailey was posting pictures on Snapchat when an unidentified vehicle pulled behind them at around 8:45 p.m. Gunfire filled the air seconds later, with 30 rounds ripping through the back of the SUV. Reeves instinctively jumped to cover his children, as he felt shots piercing his shoulder, lower back and legs. One bullet caught Bailey on the back of his skull, behind his right ear, and exited just above his right eyebrow. Bailey doesn't know where the other bullet struck, but the first shot left him slumped across the front seat of the Tahoe.

"I got out of the car and opened the door, and he was just lying there unconscious," Reeves said. "I hit him in the chest to wake him up. This shows you how strong he is -- even though he'd been shot, he still wanted to look in the mirror and see his face."

Said Bailey: "I was hit twice and my cousin was hit 11 times. We both remained coherent through the whole time, which I can't say nothing but God had to be there with us. I didn't feel any pain, so I was really shocked when my cousin told me that I had been shot in the head. I'm sitting in the front seat not feeling anything. I'm just looking around, kind of dazed, but I remember being able to talk to my cousin and my two little cousins. They're panicking, going crazy, and I'm just trying to keep them calm and thinking, Let's do whatever we've got to do to make it to the hospital."

Gourdine raced to the car after hearing the gunfire and drove through every red light, pushing the SUV up to 100 mph, in order to reach nearby Jackson North Medical Center in roughly 10 minutes. Since there was no trauma unit at the facility, the group was transported to Aventura, which was about 10 minutes away, for treatment. Bailey was so clear-headed that he actually walked into the emergency room lobby, with blood covering his face, to fill out paperwork. Medical staff stretched Reeves across a gurney while his son -- neither child sustained an injury -- called his mother to explain what was happening.

"I remember seeing a bunch of the people (in the hospital) moving around very frantically, and that also helped me to realize that I was in a real situation," Bailey said. "This was not a drill. I really had been shot, and these people had to do whatever they could to keep me alive."

Reeves was in the most danger when he and Bailey arrived at Aventura, so he immediately went into surgery. Surgeons operated on Bailey the next day. Part of the procedure required doctors to slice bone fragments from the back of his skull in order to have enough material to mend the damage above his right eyebrow, which, as he said, "pretty much looked like a cracked or shattered egg." When Bailey saw photos of the operation later, he winced at the sight of his head cut open, with his brain exposed to the world.
Stedman
As hard as it is to believe, even in those early days, Bailey was thinking about how he might still play football.

"A couple of days after (the surgery), I was telling the doctors, I had to get back to St. Louis, because we got a game coming up," Bailey said. "That's just the kind of person that I am. It's something that I never imagined myself going through. However, just the fact that I was able to open my eyes, look around and see my family, that was big."

Bailey ultimately spent a month in that hospital, where security was so tight that Reeves said, "It was like Fort Knox in there; they even put our rooms under different names." After finally starting rehabilitation, Bailey went in with a simple mindset: He would take things one step at a time, but he wouldn't lose sight of the ultimate goal. Within two weeks, Bailey was walking. He was jogging after a month.

"If he had any down days, then they came when he was in the hospital, because I never saw them," Reeves said. "Once he got out, he was full-speed ahead. He always said that if he could walk, then he could run. And if he could run, then he could play again."

Still, Bailey did understand what he was up against with this goal of returning to the gridiron. When he started running routes with friends in nearby practice fields around Miami, he kept it fairly secretive. One day, he sat down to lunch with Reeves and informed his cousin of his plans. Reeves' response: "Are you crazy?"

Said Bailey: "I didn't really make it known to many people, including family, that I wanted to get back out there," Bailey said. "(That's) just because I know that if certain people get in your head to just say, 'Oh no, I don't think so,' it could have changed my whole mindset about actually trying to pursue playing again. So, I just kept it in the back of my mind, like, I know I'll be able to play again, and I just continued to work."

The hardest part for Bailey was the waiting. When he first discussed playing again with his neurologist, the doctor nearly gasped at the idea. He encouraged Bailey to wait at least a year, just to see how his skull healed. Bailey could sense that he was pushing a bit too hard early in the process, as well -- he struggled with his agility and stamina in some of those early workouts.

Bailey eventually accepted that he had to do something to bide his time during 2016. He worked with the Rams' assistant coaches during the offseason -- the team had put him on the reserve/non-football injury list during his recovery -- and, as Snead said, "our plan was to give him a bridge to go from being an NFL player to being in the real world." Bailey later returned to West Virginia in August to continue pursuing his bachelor's degree (he still needs to take two courses to finish) in multidisciplinary studies and work as a student assistant on Holgorsen's staff. Bailey found comfort in returning to a familiar place filled with so much support from former coaches. The players appreciated his insights -- he worked mostly with the receivers -- and marveled at how he didn't display any bitterness about the way his life had been turned upside down.

Bailey was even more optimistic the following fall. In October 2017, Dr. Arthur Desrosiers III -- a South Florida-based plastic surgeon who assisted in his emergency operation -- approached him with an idea that could help Bailey return to the field. The proposal involved inserting a titanium implant into Bailey's skull to help protect his head from more damage. The doctor ultimately made an incision across the top of Bailey's skull, from ear to ear, to create an opening for the plate. Desrosiers was so confident of the procedure that he jokingly told Bailey that he could probably survive another bullet to the head.

"He said it would be great for my everyday living, just to put a protective barrier over where I have some damage in my head," Bailey said. "I was kind of skeptical about having the procedure done, but still, in the back of my mind, I'm trying to play ball. He kind of hinted at that, saying, 'First and foremost, it'll be protective for your everyday living. And if you still wanted to play football, you should be able to go ahead and go out there.' When he said that, I really got excited."
* * * * *
That surgery was the miracle Bailey had been hoping to find. As much as he'd been working out before that point, he admitted that he "was still thinking about his Plan Bs for life." After that procedure, Bailey began to focus more on real opportunities to find his way in front of NFL decision makers. He knew he needed to showcase his talents for the entire league instead of hoping the Rams simply would give him his job back after the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 2016.

Bailey's first public workout came at Marshall after their head coach, John "Doc" Holliday, invited Bailey to the school's pro day to catch passes from Thundering Herd quarterback Chase Litton (Holliday recruited Bailey to West Virginia before leaving for Marshall). Bailey delivered an eye-catching performance -- he reportedly ran the 40 in 4.43 seconds -- and then prepared for his already-scheduled workout at West Virginia. His agent, Brian Fettner, pondered the possibility of trying to find Bailey a spot at Louisville's pro day, especially since Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson was a top prospect who would attract plenty of coaches and general managers. However, that pro day fell on the same morning as West Virginia's, and it only made sense for Bailey to return to a place where he'd always known success.

Now all Bailey can do is continue training while waiting for the phone to ring. A couple of weeks after the West Virginia pro day, he posted a message on Instagram saying that his agent had been hearing from some teams. Bailey's friends also have noticed that he's been a different guy since the shooting. He's more reflective, more appreciative of his blessings and more aware of how different his life could be if that bullet had entered his skull two centimeters to the left.


Bailey hauls in the ball at Marshall's pro day, which was his first public workout in his NFL comeback plan. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch)
"He's more focused than he was when he first came into the league," Reeves said. "He doesn't take anything for granted. The first opportunity he had (to be in the NFL), he probably didn't go as hard as he could've. This time, he's not leaving anything on the table."

Added Smith: "I see growth in him. Being a quarterback, I've always been in a leadership role, and I've always been able to give him some insights on things. But now I look at him and see the changes. He's engaged. He has a kid (5-year-old Stedman Jr.). And he's not bitter about what happened to him. That situation that happened to him wasn't his fault. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Bailey said there's no benefit in him holding onto hostility about the shooting: "I really just try to not even focus on that, but more so focus on getting myself together." He added that the FBI still has the case open. Reeves believes they found themselves in the middle of a turf battle.

"That shooting happened over by the Miami Dolphins' stadium," said Reeves, who was a corrections officer at the time and now works as a police officer in Atlanta. "There's been a gang war going on down there for years."

None of these things were on Bailey's mind as he strolled across the beach in Malibu. He wore a black T-shirt with the words "Positive Energee" stamped in gold lettering on the front -- that is the name of the apparel company he started -- and chuckled when his dog shimmied out of his collar before barking at a group of nearby visitors. King was growing so quickly that Bailey recently bought a bigger collar to accommodate him. Bailey figured he'd be running back to the pet store in the next day or two. This is how Bailey mostly fills his days now -- with workouts, down time with his family and trips to the ocean.

"The hardest part has been just trying to be patient," Bailey said. "I know how the league works. I know that it's a business, and that if you get away from it too long, you just become one of those guys that's forgotten. Two years have already gone by, so I've missed out on a bunch. But I just always told myself to keep going and see what can happen."

Bailey recognizes that his chances are slim because of that absence. When asked about the odds of Bailey returning to the league, one NFC general manager said it was "highly doubtful." Another NFC personnel director added that "it's an awesome story and something he should be proud of regardless of the outcome from here on out. All it takes is one team, but it's an uphill battle when you've been out for a long time and been through what he’s been through."

Snead -- who ultimately waived Bailey in June 2016 -- didn't want to gauge Bailey's chances, but he already thinks the receiver has accomplished plenty. "When that video of him at the pro day emerged on the internet, I remembered seeing him in that emergency room after he was shot," Snead said. "Just take football out of it. To go from that day to being able to run routes and catch balls at a pro day is something. No matter how this ends, it's going to be a happy ending."

Bailey has clung to that type of optimism throughout this process. He also hasn't forgotten what it felt like to get his first chance to play in the league. That was back in 2013, when his family held a draft-day party at his grandmother's home. As elated as Bailey was to receive that call from the Rams, he was equally thrilled to celebrate the realization of a dream with his friends.

The lingering memory of that day was of Bailey and his relatives rejoicing as they bounced between their home and Webster's (the South Florida defensive back went in the third round to Denver). Bailey also relished the news that the Jets had taken Smith in the second round. Bailey had flown to New York City at Smith's expense, to attend the opening night of the draft with his pal, who had been projected as a first-rounder. They watched that Thursday night go by without one team selecting the star quarterback. A day later, they all had new homes in the NFL, along with the belief that they were strong enough to see their dreams through to the end.

Stedman Bailey hasn't lost that same mix of determination and faith. The fact that he survived that shooting only tells him there's so much to still do -- that, in the end, he really will be OK.

"When I was a little kid, I remember telling my mom, 'One day, I'm going to buy you a house and this is how I'm going to do it,' " Bailey said. "I knew the odds are slim for guys being able to make it to the league. But I never paid attention to those numbers. I just feel like I owe it to myself to give it everything I've got now. The doctor told me what he told me, so if a team brings me in and they say, 'Let's see our physicians,' I might just run in there. Because I know I'm definitely ready to roll."

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/07/saints-release-coby-fleener/

Saints release Coby Fleener
Posted by Josh Alper on May 7, 2018


Getty Images

When the Saints signed tight end Coby Fleener as a free agent in 2016, the hope was that he’d become a favorite target for quarterback Drew Brees.

That never quite happened and now Fleener will be playing elsewhere in 2018. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that the Saints have released Fleener.

If the move is designated as a post-June 1 cut, the Saints will save $3 million against this year’s cap. If not, there will be $8.2 million in dead money this year.

Fleener had 72 catches for 926 yards and five touchdowns in 27 games for the Saints over the last two years. He also had a two-yard rushing touchdown during the 2016 season and ended the 2017 season on injured reserve due to a concussion.

The Saints signed Benjamin Watson as a free agent this offseason and have Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui at tight end as well.

Even though Tavon never found himself in a prominent statistical role in the offense, his contributions with his play fakes on jet sweeps were something that didn’t go unnoticed by me. That split second of hesitation by the back side linebacker or end allowed Gurley to burst through holes and take advantage in cut back runs. Now with Austin in Texas, does any player on our team have the ability to command the same respect and fear on the back side and how does the offense change without it.

In short, I don’t believe any of the current receivers have that ability to scare defenses. The person I believe who is the most equipped to inherit such a role is Pharoh Cooper. He has a good feel for the field and a little wiggle so shake defenders on a sweep, but if you believe he is the same athlete Tavon is then you haven’t watched a ton of football. Is he capable of running away with that seemingly minor role in our offense? Maybe.

I just want to open the discussion of how you think that role will be filled or does the offense change and eliminate that role all together.

These are excerpts. To read the whole article click the link below.
*****************************************************************
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/05/07/peter-king-sports-illustrated-nbc-mmqb

On Draft Fallout, Matt Ryan and MMQB Turning the Page
Peter King explains his recent decision to leave Sports Illustrated and his future plans for the Monday morning column at NBC Sports. Other sections include: answers to leftover questions from the draft; a Matt Ryan contract breakdown; why Mayfield-Pats buzz seems off; more
By Peter King



An emotional week for me: I told my staff at The MMQB and my bosses at Sports Illustrated that I’ll be leaving June 1—my 29-year anniversary of being hired by SI—and beginning a new job with NBC Sports in July.

This is an NFL column, and I’ll get to the news of the moment in a few paragraphs. But for the past 21 years, this has been a personal column too. You’ve gotten to know way too much about the softball and field hockey exploits of Laura and Mary Beth King. You’ve been with me through the deaths of one mother, two brothers and two dogs.

You’ve been with me through the joy of Laura’s wedding to her wife, Kim, and now through ridiculously cute photos of their son, Freddy. You’ve been with me through some opinions you hate, through over-Favring and excessive Bradying, through some bad poetry, through a Westin-lobby-near-fistfight, and even through a little bit of football thrown in there.

I’ll have some career thoughts in my last column here in the coming weeks. But I did want to take a moment to explain to you how I came to this decision, and what my future is, and about the exceedingly bright future of The MMQB.

First: I am not retiring. My column will continue in the digital space at NBC Sports, very likely with a new name, beginning in July. So I’ll continue to write a Monday column; it’s my first love. In addition, I’ll be doing what I’ve done for NBC the past couple of years: four to six feature stories for the “Football Night in America” pregame show.

I’ll be appearing with Mike Florio one morning per week on his “Pro Football Talk Live” radio show. I may be doing a few other things at NBC in the Olympic sphere or other places. My plan is for the Monday column to still be long and filled with football plus the strange detours of this strange brain. I’m not going to be writing a lot more than that. Some, but not a lot.

Second: This is not about any dissatisfaction with SI, or any worry about the future of a great franchise. I love the place. Always will. Sometimes it’s just time. I am 60. My dad died at 64. I had one brother die at 55, the other die at 64 just months into his retirement. I don’t want to continue the family trend.

A few weeks ago my wife, Ann, and I were on the train from New York to have dinner with friends in New Jersey. A few minutes from Montclair, I saw on my phone that Saints owner Tom Benson died. I was the only one on our staff who knew Benson even a little, so I knew it was up to me to write the deadline obit.

I sat outside the restaurant thumb-typing the obit on my phone. No complaints. That’s the life. The 24/7-ness of the job, though, has worn on me, as has some of the silly and invented stuff that populates the football media (e.g., 2019 mock drafts 360 days before the 2019 draft). The monster must be fed daily. Enough.

Now, SI boss Chris Stone offered me a chance to stay and just write “Monday Morning Quarterback” with no other responsibilities. It was a great offer. I was tempted. But there was something else at play.

At The MMQB,we’ve got a group of writers who are blossoming and ready to do more—Jenny Vrentas, Robert Klemko, Andy Benoit (three originals from when we started the site in 2013), Albert Breer, Tim Rohan, Jonathan Jones, Conor Orr, Jacob Feldman, Kalyn Kahler. Average age: 30. I got hired at the magazine a week shy of my 32nd birthday.

I think of the good things they’ve done already, the imaginative things, the smart things, and I know they’re so far ahead of where I was when I started. If I stay, their development gets stunted because I’m the 225-pound gorilla. It’s time for them too, and for a new generation of football writers. They deserve the spotlight I’ve been hogging. They’re ready. I’m really excited for them.

I’ve been an NBC part-timer since 2006. The network has treated me very well, and I like the football team (led by Sam Flood) and the digital team (led by Rick Cordella) there. I think it’s going to be a great fit. Look for me there—with a new Twitter handle I’ll figure out; I’ll miss @SI_PeterKing—in a couple of months.

There’s a lot of emotion coursing through me as I write this, early Sunday morning. I almost made it all the way through my talk to the staff Thursday afternoon without breaking, but when I got to our youngest staffer, 24-year-old Kalyn Kahler, it got tough. She came on staff three years ago, straight out of Northwestern, as my editorial assistant/office manager/fledgling writer, and she’s grown into a promising young multimedia presence.

She oversaw our Football in America series last fall, handles much of our social media, and has written some strong pieces for us. She never has a bad day. She never says, I’m too busy. When I got to Kalyn, it sort of all hit me. All these young people, all of these young women too, so many of these young people different from my generation, all ready. It’s just cool to see. So I choked up a bit.

I’ll have time to reflect on this wonderful life in my final column, but for now, I wanted you to know why I did what I did. I wanted you know what great hands you’ll be in, with such imaginative and vibrant young writers and an editing group led by Mark Mravic. This plunge into the unknown, while entirely different, is going to be energizing.

For now: Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives for so long. Onward.

DRAFT TRIBUTARIES
When I made my round of calls Friday and Saturday, I wanted to get a few questions answered on what actually happened on some of the mystery picks, trades, action and inaction that still hung out there. Quick answers to a few draft issues:

• The Dolphins do not have quarterback buyer’s remorse. Miami guaranteed $16.7 milion of quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s team-friendly deal in March, which meant the Dolphins were locked into him for 2018. That didn’t mean if somehow Baker Mayfield fell down the board that they wouldn’t have tried to nab him. But I can tell you they’re happy with the most versatile player in the draft—safety/corner/nickel/box linebacker Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama. This is Tannehill’s prove-it year. After missing 19 straight games due to injury, he’s got to play well and be sturdy to have a future in Miami, which is the way it should be.

• The Saints need Marcus Davenport to produce close to Bradley Chubb. The second-best pass-rusher in the draft cost New Orleans the 27th pick this year and a first-rounder next year. But say the Saints are a playoff team again, and pick in the 20s next year. I would ask: If you think a pass-rush prospect in a weak class for them is legit, wouldn’t he be worth two ones in the bottom third of the round? After Davenport, the next guy for the Saints might have been Boston College’s Harold Landry, and there wasn’t much excitement for him at 27.

• The Bills moved from 12 to seven in the first round to get Josh Allen, and they tried to move from 12 to 6. The Colts, at six, did a great job disguising their intentions, because the league thought GM Chris Ballard wanted Roquan Smith there. But the Colts’ research showed their quarterbacks being hit more than any other quarterbacks in football since 2012. So sure-fire guard starter Quenton Nelson had been locked in for a while at six, and Ballard got the last prospective early interior-line starter on their board at 37, Auburn guard Braden Smith.

Interesting that in his pre-draft press conference Ballard said the offensive and defensive lines are how they’ll build this team, and in the first two rounds, he took two guards and two defensive ends. Maybe those useless press conferences are worth something after all. Anyway, when the Bills called Ballard, he didn’t have much interest, because he wanted Nelson so bad as a shield for beaten Andrew Luck.

• Joe Flacco’s gotten the message. That’s what I hear. And he’s too smart not to have gotten it. Flacco, 33, understands the trade-up pick of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson means the Ravens have noticed his sub-.500 record and 82.4 passer rating in the past three years, regardless how much is his fault. The quarterback always takes major blame when an offense is lousy, and Baltimore’s has been bad—29th, 12th and 29th in passing yards in the past three seasons.

What’s more, the Ravens are a boring offense. They excite no one. They’re inefficient—and you can’t blame only Flacco, because the receiving group has been consistently disappointing too. When I saw this pick, I said I bet this is about more than dissatisfaction with Flacco. It’s about making the team exciting again in a market that has grown blasé, and throwing some change-ups with an electric quarterback. Flacco will get the first shot, and he may well play well enough to beat back Jackson. We’ll see.

• You know what amazed some teams in the league? Where the tackles were picked. Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey at nine to San Francisco, UCLA’s Kolton Miller at 15 to the Raiders. Said one GM: “The biggest gap of our grades between any two picks in the first round was Roquan Smith at eight and Mike McGlinchey at nine. That’s a premier player followed by a need pick of a good player.” Interesting. Those two tackles, in another year, could have gone 29 and 35 instead of nine and 15. But it’s a vital position, and there weren’t many tackles in the draft this year—and maybe none who can plug-and-play.

• The Niners were trying to trade right tackle Trent Brown all spring. New England got it done on draft weekend, acquiring a potential starter at a need position. The Niners just didn’t think Brown, a big masher, was a system fit for them in a zone-rushing offense. But until the Patriots stepped up, they couldn’t find a trading partner.

• Here’s what it come down to between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold: 2 3/8 inches.“Baker’s obviously an outlier at 6 feet and 5/8 inches tall,” Browns assistant GM Eliot Wolf said. “But would we be doing the right thing if we changed our board and picked a lesser player because he’s two inches taller?” I asked another draft-decider with a definite quarterback interest two questions:

How many teams in the league would he guess graded Darnold higher than Mayfield. (“Twenty.”) And who did he have number one among the passers? (“Mayfield. His tape was so good, there was no comparison to the others.”) Now all we need is two years, maybe more, to see if the Browns were right.

• Kentavius Street was a hot name on day three. Street, a North Carolina State defensive end prospect (lesser prospect than Bradley Chubb, obviously), is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in a private workout for the Giants a month ago. Amazing little story. The Falcons, Saints and Niners all liked him a lot. His college line coach until last season, Ryan Nielsen, took the Saints’ D-line job last year, and he told the Saints that ACL or no, Street would be a great pro player.

In the fourth round Atlanta had pick 126, New Orleans 127 and San Francisco 128. Atlanta considered him but took a running back, Ito Smith. The Saints considered him and took a tackle, Rick Leonard. The Niners picked Street, a gutsy move by GM John Lynch for a 2018 redshirt player. The Saints and Falcons could both have picked Street with their next choices. Those are the things that make GMs wince.

• The Titans jumped over New England for Rashaan Evans, but the Patriots weren’t going to take him at 23. New England’s not sure if Evans is a three-down linebacker. Tennessee thinks he is. So the Patriots likely wouldn’t have taken a player at 23 if they didn’t think he could be a full-time player. Now, New England did like Arkansas guard-center Frank Ragnow a lot, and he would have been a candidate at 23. But Georgia tackle Isaiah Wynn fills a hole at tackle, and gives the Patriots (with Trent Brown) legitimate competition at a position of need.

• Just my opinion, but …I do think if the Panthers passed on Maryland receiver D.J. Moore at 24, there’s a good chance Baltimore would have taken the local hero, Moore, over tight end Hayden Hurst at 25. As it was, Baltimore took tight ends at 25 and 89 (Hurst, Mark Andrews) and wideouts at 132 and 162 (Jaleel Scott, Jordan Lasley).

LET’S PUT TO BED THE PATRIOTS’ TRADEUP FOR BAKER MAYFIELD
This deal, thrown out as a possibility by Mayfield’s agent to Andrew Brandt after the draft, was certainly not possible if the Browns picked him, which happened, and almost certainly not if Mayfield fell to the Giants at number two. Cleveland never was going to trade the first pick. Let’s say Mayfield was there when the Giants picked.

The Patriots would have had to deal with Giants GM Dave Gettleman, who, in five previous drafts, had never traded a first-round pick—and now he was going to trade from two to 23, which was the Patriots’ first pick? And let’s say he would have. What would the compensation have been? I’d maintain it would have had to be all four New England picks in the first two rounds this year, plus next year’s first-round pick. Here’s how that would have looked on the draft-trade value chart, which some teams and use and other do not:

• Giants pick: number 2 overall. Value of Giants’ pick—2,600 points.

• Patriots picks: number 23 (760 points), 31 (600 points), 43 (470 points) and 63 (276 points), with a projected number one pick next year. Let’s say you gamble that the Patriots are picking 30th next year. That’s 620 points, devalued by about 20 percent because it’s a year down the road. Give next year’s first-round pick a value of 496 points. Total value of the five New England picks—2,602 points.

So it’s close. But would it have made any sense for the Giants to get a slew of picks but not the player of their draft dreams, Saquon Barkley? And would it have made sense for the Patriots, with needs at so many positions and an MVP quarterback apparently intending to play multiple seasons, to go without a pick after Mayfield until day three, and then to likely go without a pick next year in the top 50? Seems totally nonsensical.

THE MATT RYAN CONTRACT
Three thoughts on Ryan’s five-year, $150 million deal ($100 million guaranteed), making him the first $30-million-a-year player in NFL history:

• No one should care about guaranteed money for a star 33-year-old quarterback who’s always been healthy. As with the debate over how much guaranteed money Aaron Rodgers should get, it’s nonsensical. What real chance is there that Ryan will be cut anytime in the next four years? Name the last proven good quarterback who got big guaranteed money and later, because of injury, a team was dying to dump. Sam Bradford doesn’t count, because you couldn’t call him great during his rookie contract, and because the Rams didn’t want to dump him until after the guaranteed money ran out after year five.

In year three of his mega-deal, Andrew Luck is still very much wanted by the Colts despite a nagging shoulder injury. Point is, there’s maybe a three percent chance Ryan will suffer some kind of career-altering injury in the next three years that will render the guarantee a waste. Now, gigantic guarantees for other, less-valuable positions … I see why teams recoil at those. But I’d fight for every guaranteed dollar if I had the leverage.

• The per-year cap numbers are not killer to the Falcons. Mike Greenberg campaigned with me—on his “Get Up” ESPN show the other day—for a cap exemption for one player per team, because he said contracts like Ryan’s make it exceedingly hard to build championship teams. Let’s look at the cap over the next three years, using the increases of the past two years (a $12 million bump from 2016 to 2017, and a $10 million boost from 2017 to 2018) to judge how much Ryan’s deal will eat up for the Falcons:



Hard to summon much energy for the one-superstar exemption. In 2018, Atlanta will have $159.5 million to spend on the rest of the roster, minus Ryan. In 2016, Atlanta had $155.3 million to spend on the entire roster.

• In the end, it’s all monopoly money. Teams have been paying huge money to quarterbacks since the beginning of time. It’s all relative. Of course it’s better to have your young quarterback get very good very fast in his fixed-salary first contract. But it’s a fallacy to think you can’t build a great team around him if he’s making Ryan money.

THE NFL HAS TO STEP IN AND ACT ON THIS CHEERLEADER ISSUE
You remember something like what’s happening with the NFL and cheerleaders right now. Maybe you saw a car crash about to happen in an intersection and you couldn’t stop it, or a friend was about to make a terrible mistake taking the wrong job and you couldn’t stop it. That’s the story with cheerleaders right now.

The Washington Post reported that an attorney representing the NFL is willing to meet with a lawyer threatening to sue the league on behalf of former New Orleans and Miami cheerleaders who claim discrimination in employment and pay. The New York Times also reported last week that five Washington cheerleaders charged the team with having them pose topless for a photo session at which male sponsors and luxury seat ticket holders were present.

The Washington cheerleaders also claimed they had to go to a nightclub as personal escorts for some of the male team guests. On the “Today”show last Friday, two former team cheerleaders countered the Timesreport, saying they weren’t forced to do anything that was not voluntary.


The MMQB’s Kalyn Kahler, a former Northwestern cheerleader, is working on a story about cheerleaders—particularly the difference between those in college and pro football—and believes the women who are considered athletes in college are “male fantasies” in pro football. We’ll run Kahler’s story this week.

Her recommendation: “It’s time to rebrand these women as athletes, not sex symbols, so they can be treated with the respect they deserve. No more swimsuit calendars, online voting for your favorite cheerleader, or marketing the teams with creepy slogans like, ‘Football's Fabulous Females.’ NFL cheerleaders should be full-time employees or at the very least, better-paid part-time employees.

They should receive proper medical treatment for their injuries. They should have security guards to protect them when they mingle with fans at events and tailgates before the game. They should be allowed to use their last names, and use this job to build their own dance and entertainment careers.”

‘YOU KNOW THE KICKOFF IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR.’
Interesting story by Jenny Vrentas on the future of the kickoff, and the contributions of nine NFL special-teams coaches, from inside the NFL offices the other day.

It sounds very much like, in the NFL’s attempt to make players running down on kickoffs and players blocking for kick returns more concussion-averse, it could ramp up the chance for more long returns. Writes Vrentas: “The overall idea is to make the kickoff more like the punt, creating a play in which the players will be running with each other down the field, rather than running at each other full steam ahead.

The new formation and alignment in this play could also discourage use of bigger linemen, which can often result in dangerous, mismatched collisions with smaller players … At one point during Wednesday’s meeting, an injury reel of injuries sustained on kickoffs was played for the room. Some were of the run-of-the-mill, unavoidable variety, such as a returner breaking his foot.

But others were difficult to watch: free runners racing downfield and lighting up opponents who never saw them coming; bigger players mauling smaller ones; and one defensive back down on the turf, concussed, on a touchback.”

That’s where the disappearing-kickoff sentiment (expressed by the league’s Troy Vincent to Chiefs special-teams coach Dave Toub) comes into play. The NFL is desperate to make a dangerous game slightly less dangerous. I still believe that, some season soon, the NFL will just eliminate the play unless concussions are reduced drastically.

STAT OF THE WEEK
When Jason Witten retired Thursday to join the ESPN booth, he left the game as one of 12 tight ends in history to have 500 catches or more. Witten actually caught 652 balls more than 500, and he leaves the game as the fourth-leading receiver in NFL history. You can see the way the game has changed. Only two of the men on the list played in the first 75 years of NFL history; the other 10 all played at least parts of their career in this century.

The leading tight ends in NFL history, and there they rank on the all-time receptions list:



FACTOID THAT MAY INTEREST ONLY ME
Starting with Week 6 in his rookie year, 2003, Jason Witten played every Dallas Cowboys game until he retired last week. That’s 243 straight games.

Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Kellen Winslow, two of the toughest tight ends to play the game, played a total of 21 seasons.

Witten missed one game in 15 years.

Ditka and Winslow missed 37 games in 21 years.

PHOTO OP
Last November I did a TV story for NBC on how Jason Witten could play 14 straight years and never miss a game (which, at the time, was his streak). The thrust of the story was that Witten would spend six to 10 hours on most Mondays rehabbing and getting treatment. I met him at 7 a.m. at his home, the day after the Cowboys played in Atlanta, and followed him until about 3 p.m., when he finished a long massage that included a therapy known as cupping.

In between, I was the Cowboys’ facility in Frisco, Texas, witnessing Witten do pool therapy with a jet spray, dry needling with acupuncture needles, pressure sleeves on both sore legs, and a few other rehab-ish things. Walking down the hall to one of his sessions, I saw one of the biggest and most foreboding murals in this practice facility known as The Star. It’s Witten, from the time he lost his helmet on a play and kept running. Pretty impressive.

THINGS I THINK I THINK
1. I think I don’t know if Eric Reid has a collusion case. I really don’t care. I just know if he’s not signed and in an NFL training camp in July, as an above-average, healthy 26-year-old safety, the NFL deserves what it gets if and when Reid can one day haul them into court.

2. I think there obviously is no easy solution to the anthem dilemma the NFL faces when the league’s owners meet later this month to discuss how to address what players should do when the national anthem is played before games. But my solution is a bit of a split of the baby.

As much as I think it’s a player’s right to do what he wants during the anthem, the way to make this go away is to tell players who don’t want to stand to stay in the locker room until after the anthem is played. It’s not perfect, but it’s a better solution than making this an endlessly politicized issue.

3. I think I’d make this postscript to the Matt Ryan deal: Ten years ago this spring he arrived in Atlanta under extreme pressure, the franchise moving on from Mike Vick in a clearly divided city. The day before the draft, owner Arthur Blank told me: “We’re not starting a new chapter. We’re starting a new book.”

I went to mall on the north side of the city the day before the draft and much to my surprise after the Vick dogfight scandal scarred the team and the city, there were several young people wearing Vick jerseys. “These people won’t forget him,” said local sports anchor Gil Tyree. “He’s a messiah here.” And Tyree told me he didn’t think Ryan would ever be accepted.

I remember some on the team hankering for Glenn Dorsey, a defensive tackle, with the third pick, rather than Ryan. Talk about a tough spot to walk into. And Ryan still has work to do and a Super Bowl title to deliver, but I’d say he certainly has been accepted and is well-respected and well-liked, and greater Atlanta is glad he’s the quarterback.

4. I think I still cannot figure out for the life of me why Jerry Richardson doesn’t put a clause in his contract of sale for the Panthers to ensure the team remains in Charlotte. Maybe he will. Maybe we just haven’t been told everything about the negotiations.

But even if it meant sacrificing 10 or 15 percent of the sale, who on God’s green earth would care if one of the richest men in the Carolinas, who is in his 80s and can properly provide for the next 20 generations of Richardsons with the money he’ll pass down, earns a couple hundred million dollars more out of this sale? His reputation is already badly sullied because of the sexual harassment scandal that forced him to sell the team; what would his everlasting legacy be if eight years from now the Panthers move?

5. I think for the first couple of weeks in the 2018 season, I’ll be sure to find the third-team CBS game. I want to hear Bruce Arians with Greg Gumbel and Trent Green. Arians is witty and smart and not afraid to criticize—at least that’s the way he’s been with me since the day I met him. I truly hope the homogenization of TV analysts doesn’t get to Arians. If he stays real, he can be really good.

6. I think the smartest thing for the Seahawks to do with Shaquem Griffin right now is being done. It’s football only. At his rookie minicamp Griffin did his mandatory media interview and nothing else. He’s (justifiably) one of the most famous third-day draft picks in NFL history because of how he excelled playing with one hand at Central Florida.

But for him to have a chance to be an NFL player now, he’s got to be an NFL player. “It’s extremely important for that turn [to football] to occur,” Pete Carroll said. “It’s been a great story, and it will always be a great story. But right now he’s got work to do.” Seattle’s got Griffin working behind K.J. Wright at weakside linebacker, and of course he’ll be a star of special teams.

7. I think for 36-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to question the wisdom of drafting a quarterback in the third round when the quarterback of the future is certainly not on the roster already is … well, there are lots of words for it, but I think I’d pick “unintelligent.”

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NFLosophy/status/992801277859033089?tfw_creator=SI_PeterKing&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnfl%2F2018%2F05%2F07%2Fpeter-king-sports-illustrated-nbc-mmqb

8. I think I already feel for Sam Darnold. It’s so hard anyway to walk onto a team as a high-first-round rookie quarterback anyway, but I watched over the weekend as his every throw and move were micro-analyzed. It’s the kind of microscope that helped mess up Christian Hackenberg, but he was the 51st pick in the draft. Darnold’s the sure thing, the quarterback for the next 15 years. My advice to him: Read nothing, other than stuff provided by your coaches. Listen to no one, other than Todd Bowles, Jeremy Bates, John McCown and Teddy Bridgewater.

9. I think I love the “next step is the Super Bowl” confidence of Pat Mahomes with the Chiefs. There’s a reason why a year ago Andy Reid and John Dorsey fell in love with Mahomes and had to have him (they weren’t alone), and it’s not just his arm. It’s everything.

I just looked at dozens on pictures of the destruction from the lava flow.

Having just gone through a wicked hurricane that stuff hits close to home for me these days. Many of these people will lose everything as lava swallows their home entirely and reduces their life to ashes.

I can't imagine watching a wall of lava slowly coming into my neighborhood and randomly flying out of the ground. It's got to be a helpless and scary thing.

@Selassie I I hope you don't have any family or friends in that area!

I know, I know. Way too early to think about it, right? My personal opinion is that it's never too early to look to the future. So, that's what I'm going to do!

1 - Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.

3 - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa.

3 (compensatory pick for Watkins) - Lukas Denis, FS, Boston College.

3 (compensatory pick for Tru) - Olive Sagapolu, NT, Wisconsin.

4 - Chase Winovich, OLB, Michigan.

5 - Hjalte Froholdt, OG, Arkansas.

6 - Daniel Cooney, OT, University of San Diego.

Thoughts, comments, and critiques are more than welcome!