https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtba...most-valuable-sports-teams-2017/#4951ef214a05

Full List: The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2017
Kurt Badenhausen , FORBES STAFF

The cutoff to qualify among the world's most valuable sports franchises is higher than ever, up 18% this year to $1.75 billion. There are 36 franchises worth at least $1 billion that did not make the top 50. Credit soaring TV contracts for the rising franchise values, as well as labor deals with players that almost ensure profitability barring outrageous spending on payroll by an owner.

No sports league is as profitable as the NFL where the average team earned an operating profit (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $91 million and no one banked less than $26 million. The boffo profits helped 29 NFL teams rank among the 50 most valuable franchises (only the Bengals, Lions and Bills missed the cut). Other sports include eight MLB clubs and seven each from the NBA and European soccer.

The Dallas Cowboys lead for the second straight year at $4.2 billion. Jerry Jones' team unseated Real Madrid last year as the most valuable sports team. The Spanish soccer powerhouse had ranked No. 1 for three straight years.

Below is the full list of the most valuable teams across all sports (51 this year thanks to a tie at $1.75 billion between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim). Values are based on Forbes valuations done over the past year for NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, F1, soccer and Nascar (no NHL, F1 or Nascar teams made the top 50).

Rank, Team, Value, 1-Yr change (Sport)

1. Dallas Cowboys, $4.2 billion, 5% (NFL)

2. New York Yankees, $3.7 billion, 9% (MLB)

3. Manchester United, $3.69 billion, 11% (Soccer)

4. Barcelona, $3.64 billion, 2% (Soccer)

5. Real Madrid, $3.58 billion, -2% (Soccer)

6. New England Patriots, $3.4 billion, 6% (NFL)

7. New York Knicks, $3.3 billion, 10% (NBA)

8. New York Giants, $3.1 billion, 11% (NFL)

9. San Francisco 49ers, $3 billion, 11% (NFL)

9. Los Angeles Lakers, $3 billion, 11% (NBA)

11. Washington Redskins, $2.95 billion, 4% (NFL)

12. Los Angeles Rams, $2.9 billion, 100% (NFL)

13. New York Jets, $2.75 billion, 6% (NFL)

13. Los Angeles Dodgers, $2.75 billion, 10% (MLB)

15. Bayern Munich, $2.71 billion, 1% (Soccer)

16. Chicago Bears, $2.7 billion, 10% (NFL)

16. Boston Red Sox, $2.7 billion, 17% (MLB)

18. Chicago Cubs, $2.68 billion, 22% (MLB)

19. San Francisco Giants, $2.65 billion, 18% (MLB)

20. Houston Texans, $2.6 billion, 4% (NFL)

20. Golden State Warriors, $2.6 billion, 37% (NBA)

22. Philadelphia Eagles, $2.5 billion, 4% (NFL)

22. Chicago Bulls, $2.5 billion, 9% (NBA)

24. Denver Broncos, $2.4 billion, 24% (NFL)

25. Miami Dolphins, $2.38 billion, 28% (NFL)

26. Green Bay Packers, $2.35 billion, 21% (NFL)

27. Baltimore Ravens, $2.3 billion, 19% (NFL)

28. Pittsburgh Steelers, $2.25 billion, 18% (NFL)

29. Seattle Seahawks, $2.25 billion, 19% (NFL)

30. Minnesota Vikings, $2.2 billion, 38% (NFL)

30. Boston Celtics, $2.2 billion, 5% (NBA)

32. Indianapolis Colts, $2.18 billion, 16% (NFL)

33. Atlanta Falcons, $2.13 billion, 27% (NFL)

34. Oakland Raiders, $2.1 billion, 47% (NFL)

35. Manchester City, $2.083 billion, 8% (Soccer)

36. Los Angeles Chargers, $2.08 billion, 36% (NFL)

37. Carolina Panthers, $2.075 billion, 33% (NFL)

38. Arizona Cardinals, $2.025 billion, 31% (NFL)

39. Tennessee Titans, $2 billion, 34% (NFL)

39. Los Angeles Clippers, $2 billion, 0% (NBA)

39. New York Mets, $2 billion, 21% (MLB)

42. Jacksonville Jaguars, $1.95 billion, 32% (NFL)

43. Arsenal, $1.93 billion, -4% (Soccer)

44. Kansas City Chiefs, $1.88 billion, 23% (NFL)

45. Cleveland Browns, $1.85 billion, 23% (NFL)

46. Chelsea, $1.845 billion, 11% (Soccer)

47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $1.8 billion, 19% (NFL)

47. Brooklyn Nets, $1.8 billion, 6% (NBA)

47. St Louis Cardinals, $1.8 billion, 12% (MLB)

50. New Orleans Saints, $1.75 billion, 16% (NFL)

50. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, $1.75 billion, 31% (MLB)

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp.../11/megatron-playing-lions-anymore/103609210/

Megatron: Playing for Lions ‘wasn’t for me anymore’
The Detroit News

Former Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has hinted before that the team’s inability to contend for a Super Bowl played a role in his retirement following the 2015 season, along with injuries.

Last week, he took it a step further.

Johnson, in Italy last week for the Italian Bowl XXXVII, met with members of the Italian media, where he was asked about playing for the Lions, and the decision to retire.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU6y9Un3_ks

Johnson, again, hinted that one had something to do with the other.

“I mean, I thought about it,” Johnson said, when asked if he thought about changing teams. “Just like in basketball, you know, guys, they create these superteams. But it’s not quite like that in football where I had the freedom just to go.

“I was stuck in my contract with Detroit, and they told me, they would not release my contract, so I would have to come back to them. I didn’t see the chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time, and for the work I was putting in, it wasn’t worth my time to keep on beating my head against the wall … and not going anywhere.

“It’s the definition of insanity,” Johnson said with a chuckle.

When asked by the interpreter if that was why he retired, Johnson said, “Yep, and the body.”

“That’s everybody’s goal, when they come to the league, is to win a Super Bowl,” said Johnson, who delivered the game ball for the showdown between the Milano Rhinos and the Milano Seamen. “That’s the ultimate goal. … I wanted to win it, and like I said, I just didn’t see that opportunity (with the Lions).”

It appears to be the second time in three months Johnson has expressed some level of frustration publicly with the Lions. In May, he told the Detroit Free Press he didn't feel like he was treated fairly by the organization over bonus money after he decided to retire.

Johnson spent nine seasons in the NFL — all with the Lions — before retiring after the 2015 season with 11,619 career yards and 83 touchdowns. A six-time Pro Bowler, Johnson holds the single-season record for receiving yards (1,964), set in 2012.

Johnson said he has no plans to return to the NFL, as the game took “ too much of a toll on my body as I played.” He was asked about running back Marshawn Lynch, who retired from the Seahawks for one season before coming back with the Oakland Raiders.

Johnson, who was a “special guest” with the Raiders for OTAs in May, said Lynch was in “a great situation.”

“If I was to keep playing,” Johnson continued, “I’d have to play in Detroit, and it just wasn’t for me anymore.”

Johnson also talked about the transformation of Detroit since arriving as a rookie out of Georgia Tech in 2007.

“I was homesick, no doubt about it,” he said. “I’ve never been homesick before. I was there by myself, and my first impression of Detroit was very bad. You drive around the town, and you see a lot of boarded-up buildings. But since, a lot of money has been put into Detroit to revive it so … I still live there now, I’m about to move back home (to Georgia), but it’s still home. It’ll be home for me.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...lovsky-sides-with-megatron-in-latest-dust-up/

Dan Orlovsky, a backup quarterback who spent four seasons as Johnson’s teammate in two different stints with the Lions, wrote on Twitter today that Johnson always gave the Lions everything he had, even when they were 0-16.

“He is as classy, hard working and stand up as anyone that passed through our league ever,” Orlovsky wrote. “He was a part of some historically tough times. That would weigh and wear on anyone. Even Megatron.”

“Sports are fun when you win. Period. When your greatness is covered by your teams’ lack of it, it effects you immensely,” Orlovsky wrote. “He was once on a lifetime player. He should’ve been treated that way outside of $. If he feels he wasn’t, he’s probably right. . . . He should’ve been revered from top down.”

Washington article of what if? Please, we can get Cousins next year for nothing if we wanted to. Giving up Goff, Donald and a high draft pick would take us to a new level of stupidity.

https://riggosrag.com/2017/07/12/rams-potential-trade-partner-kirk-cousins-redskins/

How a zero-time Pro Bowler is about to become one of the NFL's highest paid players

Trumaine Johnson has never been to a Pro Bowl and never been an All Pro. (AP)

By Charles Robinson

A last-ditch contract extension between the Los Angeles Rams and franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson is not in the works, two sources familiar with negotiations have told Yahoo Sports. Johnson is now expected to hit free agency in 2018 – setting the stage for him to become one of the NFL’s most pursued defensive players on the open market.

NFL teams have until July 17 to sign franchise-tagged players to contract extensions. Following that deadline, teams can’t negotiate with tagged players until after the season’s conclusion. Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell are the other two players currently seeking contract extensions under the tag.

Johnson has already signed his second straight franchise tag, guaranteeing him $16.7 million this season. That alone is a rarity, with Charles Woodson representing the last cornerback to sign back-to-back tags, in 2004 and 2005. A third consecutive franchise tag would deliver Johnson the richest of two scenarios in 2018: a 144-percent raise over his 2017 salary (pushing his one-year number to $24.1 million) or the top-five average of the NFL’s highest paid position (quarterback).

As it stands, Johnson’s $16.7 million gives him the highest base salary of any cornerback in the NFL this season – albeit in a one-year scenario. But with NFL contracts continuing to explode for the highest tier players, he’ll be pursuing one of the richest defensive contracts in history next offseason, too.

That has created part of the difficulty between Johnson and the Rams. Just from a common-sense starting point in extensions pushed by franchise tags, Johnson’s basement for guaranteed money starts at roughly $41 million – which equates to the guaranteed total of the 2017 and 2018 franchise tags. That guaranteed figure alone would put Johnson in the top-five highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL. That’s staggering for a player who has never earned a Pro Bowl nod in his career, let alone a much more meaningful All Pro designation. But the market drives price tags, and Johnson has something else working in his favor: a fairly weak defensive free agent class next offseason.

The difference between Johnson and that group? The others could be removed from the 2018 free agent class via a franchise tag without absorbing a $24 million hammer.

[sports.yahoo.com]

Rams, Colts, Panthers undergoing offseason identity change

By Gregg Rosenthal

"That's horse---- what we just put out there!"

The lowest moment in a Rams season stuffed with disappointment resulted in former offensive coordinator Rob Boras raging at halftime of a blowout loss to the Falcons, for NFL Films to capture in "All or Nothing" for posterity.

"Now let's find out what we're about these next 30 minutes!" Boras seethed. "Are we going to respond or we going to put our heads down and pout? Who's f------ pissed?"

Running back Todd Gurley was the only man to answer, issuing a stream of invectives to no one in particular that he was tired of the "sorry-ass offense week after week." After the game, Gurley told reporters the Rams looked like a "middle school offense" and players were "going through the motions." Head coach Jeff Fisher was fired the next day.

Changing identity in the NFL can happen that fast. The Rams sought a transformation when they moved to Los Angeles, but the dreary offense was all too familiar. Fisher's teams didn't finish in the top 20 in points, yards or efficiency (according to Football Outsiders) once during his five seasons at the helm.

Enter Sean McVay, the precocious choice to take over as Rams coach and construct a professional offense for Gurley to thrive in. McVay may as well have "Opposite of Jeff Fisher" tattooed on his forehead. From McVay's motormouth press conferences to his versatile offensive approach, the young coach provides a facelift for an organization that desperately needs it.

And the Rams aren't alone in undergoing an extreme makeover this offseason -- the Panthers and Colts are making major renovations of their own. For these three teams, it's the season for natural selection: Adapt or die.

Let's take a closer look at the changing identities of three NFL franchises:

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay is the anti-Jeff Fisher

The Rams are seeking stability while installing their fourth different offense in as many seasons. As Gurley recently put it, they can't get any worse.

Sean McVay's approach in Washington was deceptively simple: Flood the field with capable pass catchers and allow Kirk Cousins to distribute the ball like a point guard to the best mismatch. The Redskins' scheme was loaded with short, high-percentage throws, along with creative ways to get receivers open deep. Their vertical passing game was among the league's best despite Cousins not having a huge arm.

Last year's No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff, has superior physical attributes to Cousins, but there's no telling whether Goff has the mental makeup to thrive as an NFL quarterback. McVay's hire was about giving Goff a fighting chance. Passing the football under Fisher was a reactive enterprise. The quarterback's job was to avoid losing, to be as aggressive as the score dictated, to wait for the overrated defense and running game to save the day. Fisher coached like he was running the 1985 Bears team he once played for.

These Rams don't have the personnel yet to dominate, but McVay allows them to modernize and be respectable. I witnessed Gurley being moved all around the formation during the team's June minicamp in an effort to unleash his receiving skills. Gurley joked recently to Sirius XM NFL Radio that he hoped the Rams offense would be more "Todd-friendly." Ironically, the key to that might be for the Rams to avoid being so Todd-centric. McVay won't send Gurley running into a brick wall on second-and-8.

Gurley's effusive praise of the team's new coaching staff could be interpreted through the lens of what last year's staff lacked, depending on your level of cynicism. Gurley has mentioned the staff's attention to detail, creating advantageous one-on-one matchups and evolving into situational masters.

McVay understands that the best offensive identity is to never stop evolving.

"We want to do a good job as coaches figuring out our players and then we'll adjust the system accordingly," McVay said in June. "We've got a lot of different things that we can do, but it's about figuring out what these guys do best. Having an identity and making sure that you have some complements off that identity."

Read Complete Article
[www.nfl.com]

Graziano: Rams Can Surprise As Early as This Year –Video

ESPN’s Dan Graziano sees upside in the Rams with hiring a new coach and defensive coordinator.

Watch Graziano Talk Rams Future

Can't stand the man but hope he is able to remain cancer free and healthy.
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-he-had-kidney-cancer-during-the-2016-season/

Bruce Arians reveals he had kidney cancer during the 2016 season
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 11, 2017

Getty Images

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has revealed that he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer, during the 2016 season.

Arians writes in his new book that he got the diagnosis in December and decided to coach the rest of the season. He had surgery to remove the cancer in February and says he’s now doing well and will be healthy enough to coach the team in 2017.

“Now I feel great,” Arians writes, via the Cardinals’ website. “My energy has returned. I’m told I’m cancer-free again. I’m ready for at least one more season of NFL football—maybe more.”

This is the third cancer diagnosis for Arians, who has previously had prostate cancer in 2007 and had cancerous cells scraped off his nose in 2013.

“Moving forward, I want to be a beacon of hope for others struggling with cancer,” Arians writes. “My fight is their fight. I’m not coaching for myself in 2017; I’m coaching for everyone who’s dealing with cancer. This is my charge.”

Fans of all teams will root for Arians in that fight.

Click the link below and scroll down to listen to podcast.
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http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/07/10/nfl-best-wide-receivers-antonio-brown-julio-jones-odell-beckham

The Top 10 Wide Receivers in Football
Sorting out who’s the best of the Big Three: Antonio, Julio and OBJ. Plus, Larry Fitzgerald’s incredible second act, why we’ll learn a whole lot about Dez Bryant in 2017 and much more
By Andy Benot and Gary Gramling

On this episode of the 10 Things Podcast, Andy and I discuss the very, very good receivers, 10 of them specifically, plus a few more that made our others receiving votes. As is the case on all these shows: come for the rankings, stay for Andy’s mind-blowing insights.

Number 10—3:26 - T. Y. Hilton(Colts)

Number 9—8:38 - Larry Fitzgerald(Cardinals)

Number 8—13:37 - Alshon Jeffery(Eagles)

Number 7—18:57 - Jordy Nelson(Packers)

Number 6—20:59 - Dez Bryant(Cowboys)

Number 5—24:55 - Mike Evans(Bucs)

Number 4—28:24 - A.J. Green(Bengals)

Number 3—33:43 - Odell Beckham Jr.(Giants)

Number 2—40:40 - Antonio Brown(Steelers)

Number 1—44:51 - Julio Jones(Falcons)

Looks like he is just copy/pasting other hacks for the most part. "Experts" indeed.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_550f555f-1341-566e-af11-de6491089de5.html

Tipsheet: Fear not, the Rams remain horrendous

• By Jeff Gordon St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden, left, and defensive end Calais Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


If you are concerned that the Los Angeles Rams will suddenly rise up and make you regret their departure from the STL, we have some good news for you:

Experts believe the Rams will be terrible again this season.

It takes a lot to lose year after year in the parity-driven NFL, but the Rams meet that challenge thanks to the debilitating effect of Kroenkeitis.


From the owner on down, no NFL franchise is consistently mismanaged as much as this one.

A Pro Football Focus study ranked the Rams as the 31st-most talented team, ahead of only the New York Jets, for ESPN.com:

Biggest strength: Aaron Donald just earned the top spot on PFF's Top 50 as the best player in the league heading into the season. He had 82 total pressures last season, by far the most of any interior defender.

Biggest weakness: The right side of the offensive line still looks weak, with no clear answer at right tackle.Jamon Brown played only 395 snaps in 2016, but still surrendered four sacks when lined up at guard. His prospects at tackle do not seem bright.

By the numbers: The Rams' season hinges on the development of second-year quarterback Jared Goff. He had a passer rating of just 37.4 under pressure last season, and he completed only 40.2 percent of such passes. His 39.4 PFF grade ranked 33rd out of 34 qualifiers.

ESPN.com Insiders also ranked NFL teams on their potential for the next three seasons -- and the Rams came in 28th:

Why they're here: I find it a bit hasty of people to write off Jared Goff 's NFL outlook following just seven starts, but his rookie season was certainly a little bumpy. Beyond being the No. 1 pick in the draft, Los Angeles mortgaged significant draft capital to acquire Goff. The positive? He's in good hands now with a revamped coaching staff led by offensive whiz Sean McVay. -- Field Yates.

Biggest worry: McVay and QB coach Matt LaFleur must determine if Goff's nightmare rookie season was just a part of the inevitable maturation process, or if he is destined to be an underachiever. I am a firm believer in a quarterback's success/failure being largely determined by how he is coached and how the team is built around him. The Rams will find out soon enough how well they have done at selecting a coach and building a team. -- Louis Riddick.

What could change for the better: The No. 25 ranking in QB outlook is 100 percent understandable and arguably could be optimistic based on the shaky first impression Goff made while posting an 0-7 starting record last season. However, there is also agreement in the league that McVay will dramatically upgrade the offensive scheming, which could realistically improve the long-term QB outlook -- whether or not Goff is part of the picture. (A McVay reunion with Kirk Cousins is another possibility down the line.) -- Mike Sando.

To read about the other 31 teams click the link below.
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https://www.profootballfocus.com/ne...r-and-which-young-player-could-take-his-place

Every team's best player, and which young player could take his place
BY SAM MONSON • JUL 10, 2017

Each year in the NFL, there are young players that have their eyes on moving up the pecking order. Whether it is just climbing up the depth chart to secure themselves a roster spot or becoming the true alpha dog on the team, everybody is looking to improve year-on-year and summit the mountain.

Heading into the 2017 season we look at the best player on each NFL team and the young guy who is most likely to take their place.


Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images


Best Player: Aaron Donald – DI

Logically, the best player in the NFL heading into the 2017 season, is also the best player on the Rams roster. Aaron Donald has been a human wrecking ball since entering the NFL and is one of the toughest players to block in the game. His speed and quickness off the ball is too much for offensive linemen to handle, and he has amassed 161 total pressures and 90 defensive stops over the past two seasons.



Young Contender: Jared Goff – QB

Make no mistake – Jared Goff’s rookie season was horrendous – but there was very little help surrounding him and his college production and grade was outstanding. In his final college season, he completed 68.5 percent of his passes under pressure and threw 31 touchdown passes when under duress.

Goff would need a huge leap in year two, but the talent is there for him to succeed at the NFL level. Once more though, the chances of any player surpassing Donald as long as he is with the Rams are minimal.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/09/pft-preseason-power-rankings-no-32-new-york-jets/

PFT preseason power rankings No. 32: New York Jets
Posted by Mike Florio on July 9, 2017

Getty Images

With training camps still a couple of weeks away and (fortunately) not many arrests or other misdeeds to fill the slow time, there’s a void that needs to be filled. So we’ll fill it with a look at each of the NFL’s franchises, ranked bottom to top based on where they’re currently perceived to be in relation to their 31 competitors at this stage of the season.

Feel free to complain in the comment about whether a team is ranked too high or too low. The first team could be ranked no lower; we start with the bottom of the barrel and dig upward.

Someone has to be last at the start of the season, and the Jets seem to be determined to be last at the end of the season. So we’ll go ahead and given them the distinction right now.

Biggest positive change: In an offseason without many of them for the Jets, the acquisition of cornerback Morris Claiborne stands out. Banged up and arguably misused in the Cowboys Cover-2 base defense that came after Claiborne was drafted, the former top-10 pick could become a difference maker in the Jets defense as a free-agent arrival. Or maybe not. Either way, there isn’t much to choose from by way of potentially positive changes.

Biggest negative change: Take your pick. The mass exodus of talented veteran players, from Nick Mangoldto Ryan Clady to Darrelle Revis to Erin Henderson to Brandon Marshall to David Harris to Eric Decker, will make it much harder for the team to compete in 2017.

Then again, chances are the Jets wouldn’t have been very competitive with them. So why not tear it down, earn the first pick in the draft, and take solace in the notion that 2018 will bring them one year closer to not having to deal with Tom Brady?

Coaching thermometer: It’s at least 200 degrees for Todd Bowles as he enters his third year. Although owner Woody Johnson (who’ll soon be handing the day-to-day reins to his brother but who surely will be involved in the big decisions) has said he’s looking only for improvement this season, improvement will be difficult with so many key players gone and so many unproven players in their place.

We’d like to crack a beer with . . . Matt Forte. It may take more than a few to get him going, but it would be great to hear what he really thinks about finishing his career with a franchise that clearly is in rebuilding mode, but that hasn’t cut him. Yet.

How they can prove us wrong: Most teams have at least semi-plausible hope this time of year. But not the Jets. It’s possible that they could avoid serious injuries throughout training camp and the preseason and slowly build confidence in September and then October, winning as many games as they lose.

The guy who can help make that happen the most is veteran quarterback Josh McCown, who played very well with the Bears in 2013 but who has had tough situations in Tampa three years ago (no offensive coordinator) and in Cleveland for each of the past two seasons.

If he can stay healthy and get help from Forte, a young receiving corps, and an offensive line firmly in flux, maybe the Jets can surprise us. Which, based on currently expectations, would mean winning more than four games.

I was wonder about John Sullivan's qualities when he was a Viking and before his back injury. I remember he was considered to be very good but, didn't remember specifics. I came across this article.

John Sullivan Cements Status as One of NFL's Top Underrated Stars with Extension
ZACH KRUSEAPRIL 7, 2015
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-of-nfls-top-underrated-stars-with-extension


Reinhold Matay/Associated Press
The Minnesota Vikings have ensured that one of the game's most underrated stars will anchor the middle of the club's offensive line for at least the next three seasons.

According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Vikings and All-Pro center John Sullivan agreed on a contract extension and pay raise, which will add an extra season to his current two-year deal and bump up his salary in each year through 2017:


✔@FieldYates
Source: the Vikings have signed C John Sullivan to 1-year extension through 2017. New base salaries over next 3 years: $7M, $5.5M, $5.5M 8:39 AM - 7 Apr 2015


The 29-year-old Sullivan also received a $1 million signing bonus. The extension adds a total of $8.5 million to the five-year deal he originally signed back in 2011, while increasing his cap number to $7.33 million next season.

The structure of Sullivan's new deal can be viewed below, via Spotrac:

John Sullivan: New Contract Structure
Base Signing Workout Cap Hit Dead Hit
2015 $5.9M $1.3M $100K $7.3M $2.3M
2016 $5.5M $333K $100K $5.8M $666K
2017 $5.5M $333K $100K $5.8M $333K
Source: Spotrac.com
Sullivan will now make $18 million over the next three seasons, which is still a bargain price for the Vikings.

Few have been better at the position since 2009, when Sullivan first took over the starting center job in Minnesota. He's started 93 of the last 96 games for the Vikings, all while steadily developing into one of the league's most dependable interior linemen.

In fact, "dominant" might be the better word.

According to Pro Football Focus, Sullivan has graded out as a site's top center in the league since 2011. His plus-81.7 mark is rivaled by only the New York Jets' Nick Mangold, who has a plus-79.0 grade over the last four seasons.

Sullivan finished as PFF's best center in 2012 and third-best in 2011 and 2013. He slipped to 12th last season but still managed positive marks as Minnesota's best offensive lineman.

The Vikings drafted Sullivan with the 187th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He eventually took over for longtime center Matt Birk in 2009, and after an up-and-down start to his career, Sullivan made a big leap in 2011.

He somehow does not have a Pro Bowl season, despite being one of the four best at the position during at least three different seasons. However, Sullivan was named a first-team All-Pro in 2012, when running back Adrian Peterson rushed for over 2,000 yards. He had a strong case to return to the All-Pro team in 2013 but was beaten out by Ryan Kalil and Alex Mack.

Last March, Matt Miller ranked Sullivan as the NFL's fourth-best center in Bleacher Report's "NFL 1000" series.

"Sullivan is one of the smarter centers in the NFL and does a great job running the Vikings’ line," Miller wrote. "He’s patient, shows great balance and has the strength to be a factor opening rushing lanes for Adrian Peterson, the game’s most athletic running back."

Miller gave him a grade of 88 out of 100.

Sullivan has never been dominant in the passing game—he allowed five sacks in 2013 and 20 total disruptions last season—but there's no questioning his abilities in the run game. Miller rated Sullivan's run-blocking abilities at 46 out of 50.

His year-by-year run-blocking grades on PFF also speak volumes:

John Sullivan: Road Grading Run Blocker
Run-Block Grade NFL Rank
2011 +22.2 3rd
2012 +25.7 2nd
2013 +16.9 4th
2014 +7.5 8th
Source: Pro Football Focus
The Vikings will now pay him a salary that lines up better with his production. Spotrac indicates that his yearly average ranks ninth among centers and his total contract value ranks 10th.

But unless there is a significant dip in performance in the coming years—centers typically age well—Sullivan will still be considered a bargain for the Vikings through the 2017 season.

The one worry might be paying an older player (he will be 30 in August) who isn't great in the passing game, especially with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater likely to assume more and more control of the offense.

That concern is certainly small, though, and Sullivan has rarely been considered a liability in pass protection.

The more important aspect of this move for the Vikings is locking up the anchor of their offensive line and rewarding a player who paid his dues and earned the comfort of a raise.

Minnesota is still attempting to rebound up front after an injury-filled and disastrous 2014 season. Having Sullivan under contract for at least the next three years can only help as the Vikings search for answers at other problem areas in front of Bridgewater.

And while the overall impact may be negligible, there's something to be said about an organization taking care of its own. Sullivan outperformed his original contract extension from 2011, so the Vikings made the effort to further compensate a valuable employee.

A premier run-blocker and a criminally underrated all-around player, Sullivan remains one of the game's most overlooked interior stars.

Minnesota will now have his services in the middle of its offensive line through the 2017 season.

Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report.

Follow @zachkrus
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Sullivan could be the key that unlocks both Todd Gurley's and Jared Goff's potential this year. Former Rams OC Tim Barnes wasn't a big hole opener nor pass anchor. As a matter of fact defenses seemed to come up the middle without much resistance all to often. Sullivan will anchor the middle of the Rams starting offensive line of RT Brown, RG Havenstein, OC Sullivan LG Saffold LT Whitworth. If Sullivan can get back to near pre-injury status opening holes for Gurley like he did for Peterson he can get Rams running game going. A good job in pass protection can help Goff settle in the pocket and show off his arm talent.

I just got back from a trip to the UK, where I spent 4 days in Edinburgh and 4 in London.

Edinburgh: 10/10, would go again and live there. Weird that the sun doesn't totally go down until after midnight this time of year, but the fact that the city is built around the perfectly-preserved history of Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle makes for a spectacular experience. See the 1 O'clock Gun, climb Arthur's Seat, and EAT HAGGIS, BECAUSE IT'S DELICIOUS.

London: 8/10, would be better if it wasn't coming right after Edinburgh, which blew my socks off. Good food, beautiful monuments, SO MUCH to do, wicked expensive. Go up in the London Eye, walk through Westminster Abbey to see all the dead awesome people, enjoy the marching band concert that is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham, and get ready for some great cask ales. Warm and flat? More like "cool and delicious." Oh, and spend the five quid on an Oyster Card, it makes traveling by the Tube much easier... and god help you if you have to jump on the Victoria Line during rush hour on your way to the airport.

What was your latest trip, and how was it awesome?

These are excerpts. To read the whole article click the link below. One mention of the Rams but the Patriots butt-kissing remains intact.
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http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/07/10/...inals-guest-monday-morning-qb-nfl-andy-benoit

On Tutors, Problems and One of the Ugliest Gigs in Football
Our guest MMQB columnist talks X’s and O’s—and dollars and cents—with Arizona’s David Johnson. Plus more with New England’s new cornerback, Atlanta’s near hero and the square-peg Packer adept at plugging holes
by Andy Benoit


Cardinals running back David Johnson made first-team All-Pro last season after rushing for 1,239 yards and compiling 879 yards receiving
Photo: Ralph Freso/Getty Images

Peter King is on a well-deserved vacation. So off the bench I come. In this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback, we’ll hear from Patriots corner Stephon Gilmore on his new team and growing family. We’ll chat with the game’s most underrated defensive lineman, Green Bay’s Mike Daniels, and get his take on why fans notice Ndamukong Suh more than him.

Atlanta’s Robert Alford will also tell us what it feels like to have made an iconic Super Bowl play only to have it diminished in defeat, and you might be surprised who helped Alford become the NFL’s most improved cornerback last season.

But we start with the most dynamic running back in the NFC and why he’s interested in Le’Veon Bell’s contract negotiations with Pittsburgh.

* * *

David Johnson Has a Looming Problem

Let’s be honest: intelligence is rarely emphasized when discussing running backs. It’s not because they’re dumb. Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb. It’s just that, more than any position save for maybe a man-to-man cover corner, a running back is regarded for his physical traits. Can he break tackles? Make defenders miss? In traffic, can he locate space and then accelerate?

Cardinals third-year star David Johnson, who is as rich in these traits as anyone in football, understands. A lot of running “comes from instincts, especially in the heat of the battle, heat of the game, where you don’t have time to think,” Johnson told me over the phone recently. “It’s all reaction.” But a player still must put himself in the right position to react.

Johnson does consistently. When he speaks, his football IQ shines through. He explains, in fine detail, how different defensive fronts impact where his eyes go on running plays. He points out that, because of his receiving prowess, he must also read coverages. Those reads differ based on where he lines up. And sometimes his routes are determined by the read.

Amidst this talk, Johnson and I got into a discussion about what he describes as Arizona’s “bread and butter” run play. Twenty-three double, they call it. An inside zone run with two tight ends aligned side by side. There are various double-team blocks across the board, depending on the defense’s structure. And, the real kicker: Larry Fitzgerald.

The 14th-year receiver motions down, behind the tight ends, and is responsible for blocking one of the second level defenders (either a linebacker or a safety, again depending on the defense’s structure). Johnson described the nuances of this play in a quote long enough to exhaust a person scrolling through it.

That description mentioned several things I heard a few weeks ago sitting in on the Rams’ offensive coaches meetings for my 24 Hours with Sean McVay story. Most notably, the importance of the runner keeping his shoulders square.

Even if the back is bouncing an inside zone run to the outside, staying square is vital because it influences defenders in ways that give linemen easier blocks. Blockers obviously help a ballcarrier, but a ballcarrier must also help his blockers.

I asked Johnson if, growing up, he would he have believed that one day he’d be in the NFL and running a bread and butter play that hinged on the blocks he gets from, of all people, superstar wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald?

“It’s definitely hard to believe,” says Johnson. “Every time we’re in practice, every time I see him do what he does, it’s mesmerizing. Sometime I catch myself daydreaming watching him, not really paying attention to what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Fitzgerald, of course, has plenty of receiving habits for Johnson, perhaps the game’s best pass-catching back, to emulate. Johnson is a bona fide weapon from anywhere in the formation, be it out of the backfield, in the slot or out wide.

“I’m just trying to do better than last year,” Johnson says. “Trying to get 1,000 (yards) receiving, 1,000 rushing. I was close last year.”

I ask him where he ranks himself among NFL backs. He said: “I’m definitely going to have to say I feel like I should be number one. If there’s a player in the NFL who doesn’t feel that way, they definitely should not be in the NFL. I feel like I should be number one, especially with the season I had last year, helping out the team. And I still have a lot of room to improve.”

The only other player with Johnson’s diversity of skills is Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell, who this spring was slapped with a $12.1 million franchise tag and has one week remaining to figure out a long-term deal with the Steelers. Johnson, of course, has an interest in these negotiations. Bell’s contract will help set the top end of the running back market. Johnson’s deal expires after the 2018 season.

“I hope he gets the deal he deserves,” Johnson says. “I hope it’s going to be the type of deal that cornerbacks get and quarterbacks get.”

There are problems with Johnson’s situation, which he’s aware of but doesn’t fret about. For starters, he’s simply underpaid. Arguably the most valuable non-quarterback offensive player in football, he has a 2017 salary (including prepaid bonuses) of almost $800,000.

In 2018, his salary is just south of $900K. Johnson is worth about 15 times that much. But such is the nature of a rookie contract. Teams who can find stars in the mid-rounds of the draft (Johnson was a third-rounder) gain a huge financial advantage. The player’s second contract eventually corrects things.

But this brings us to the second part of Johnson’s problem: he’ll be 27 when negotiating that second contract. For a running back, that’s the back half of middle age. A 27-year-old at any other position is presumed to have five or six years left in his prime. Teams negotiating with Johnson will try to argue that he’ll hit the infamous running back wall at 30, like so many before him.

Johnson doesn’t have as much tread on the tires as most backs, but that won’t stop teams from at least initially trying to negotiate this way. They may want to discuss money commensurate with a three- to four-year deal. A running back’s value can get minimized on paper.

“That is so true,” Johnson says. “I feel like, especially now, with the running backs we have in this league, we’re going to definitely change the mentality of the running back and those contract deals.

We’re going to definitely make it (understood) that running backs are more important than you’d think. Everyone thinks it’s a passing league, but I think running backs are starting to show up and show out and prove that you need a good one to be a capable team.”

* * *

Stephon Gilmore: Personal and Professional

After five years with the Bills, cornerback Stephon Gilmore signed a free-agent deal with the Patriots this offseason
Photo: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Imagine one day signing a five-year, $65 million contract with the world champion Patriots and having it be the second biggest thing to happen to you that day. That’s the reality for former Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Immediately after signing with the Patriots on March 10, the free agent raced to the airport and caught a flight to Charlotte, where he and his wife Gabrielle make their offseason home. (Gilmore grew up about a half hour away in Rock Hill, S.C.) Gabrielle was in labor with their second child (first daughter), who, coincidentally, would be named Gisele.

“I got there at the easy part when she’s pushing and had been numbed with the epidural,” Gilmore said. “I wasn’t there when she was in pain; I was there when she was about to push.”

And has she noted the convenience of your timing?

“Oh yeah, she’ll always remember that,” Gilmore laughs. “Luckily her mom was there. She’s a nurse so she took care of her and she was okay. I got back just in time so it wasn’t too bad.”

Merging football life and personal life is nothing to Gilmore. When he and Gabrielle married in July 2014, among the wedding’s groomsmen were Alshon Jeffery, Melvin Ingram and Jadeveon Clowney.

Add the groom and you have one wedding with four South Carolina Gamecocks turned full-fledged NFL stars. (In describing his wedding party to me, Gilmore listed everyone and then explained, “Melvin, Alshon and Jadeveon are still in the league.” Thank you, Stephon.)

Gilmore earned the Patriots payday because he’s a lanky, physical man-to-man corner. That fits New England’s system. In Buffalo, he played a lot of Quarters coverage, which is a matchup zone—emphasis on the matchup part—in Rex Ryan’s defense.

“When we were running Cover 4 (i.e. Quarters), it was pretty much man,” Gilmore says. “I mean, that’s how we played it. My technique wouldn’t change, just my leverage would change sometimes, depending on the coverage.”

Gilmore played only on the defensive right side in Buffalo. In recent years, the Patriots have matched up their corners. Malcolm Butler, whom Gilmore may have been signed to replace but is back for at least one more year, has traveled with the opponent’s quickest receiver.

Logan Ryan, who left for Tennessee in free agency, has traveled with the bigger, more physical receiver. Presumably, Gilmore will assume Ryan’s duties, though part of what got Ryan paid in Tennessee is his ability to cover the slot.

In Buffalo, “I didn’t play the slot much,” Gilmore says. He believes he can, though. “I’m pretty sure playing outside is harder. I’ll do whatever the coaches want me to do.”

It’s unusual to hear someone argue that covering the slot is easier than covering the perimeter. But on the perimeter, “nobody is out there, you’re on an island most of the time,” says Gilmore. “You are responsible for that third of the field, especially in man-to-man.

In the slot, you have to be a little quicker, but now they’re putting bigger receivers in there. You’re closer to the line and closer to the 10 players on the field and you can use that to your advantage.”

The Patriots, of course, can never be counted on to do what you expect, so it’s possible their cornerback roles will shift. Gilmore says it hasn’t been decided yet.

Or maybe it has and he’s just being mum. Though he’s only been in Foxboro for four months, Gilmore has nearly mastered The Patriot Way. “I don’t want to tell too many of my tricks,” he says. Knowing he won’t be willing to compare Bill Belichick and Rex Ryan on the record, I instead ask how many times he’s been asked to compare the two.

“Too many times,” he laughs. “They’re two different guys. Two different personalities. That’s all I can say. Two great coaches.”

* * *

Mike Daniels is Ndamukong Suh With Uglier Job

Mike Daniels has started every game for the Packers since the beginning of the 2014 season
Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Green Bay’s Mike Daniels could very well be the NFL’s most improved defensive lineman over the past three seasons.

“It’s funny you say that, about me improving at every stage of my career,” Daniels said over the phone from his home in New Jersey. “My kids and my cousins just got done playing Madden, and obviously they want to play as the Packers. That’s the team that they all root for.

And they came downstairs screaming, ‘Pop! Pop!’ or ‘Mike! Mike!’ I’m like, ‘What is it?” They say to me, ‘On the game they just said you get better every year!’ I think that’s awesome that people take notice of that. I take pride in my craft, man.”

The NFL is in the golden age of interior defensive linemen. The defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end positions are stacked. Daniels falls into this group, though not necessarily into one division or the other. The Packers are unique. Instead of playing a 4-3 or a 3-4, defensive coordinator Dom Capers plays variations of both.

And because he likes to play with extra defensive backs, he often settles for what amounts to a 2-4 front in nickel. Capers will play this lightened nickel package even if the offense is in its usual running down personnel. The only way this can work is if your defensive linemen do the dirty work.

“You ask the casual fan, he’d say ‘Oh yeah, Ndamukong Suh’s way better than Mike Daniels,’” Daniels says. “But when you look at schemes, he and I have two different jobs. What Suh does is going to get seen more. What I do, it doesn’t really get seen. You have to look at the amount of double-team blocks (that Packers defensive linemen face).”

Suh’s Dolphins play a 4-3, one-gap scheme. Suh is tremendous at fighting double-teams, which he sees frequently. But, bigger picture, Miami’s scheme allows for him to penetrate. When Suh makes a play, it jumps out on television. Daniels’s assignments tend to be more nuanced. His plays stand out on film, but TV camera angles don’t always capture it.

I ask Daniels if he’ll allow me to put words into his mouth. Before he can answer, I proceed. “I get the sense you’d enjoy playing 3-technique on the weak side in a 4-3 scheme,” I say. This is known as an “under front 3-tech,” a position that shoots the gap and draws a lot of one-on-one blocks.

“Coming out, people said to me ‘you’re a natural 4-3 under front 3-tech,’” Daniels replies. “That’s where other big-name defensive tackles are. But I don’t care. I’m a pretty good square peg in a 3-4 round hole.”

Daniels, who is very loquacious, doesn’t say much more on the subject. “Politics and scheme, those are the two things I don’t talk about,” he explains.

His diplomacy is not surprising. For one, though it’s never talked about, Mike McCarthy, not Belichick, is the NFL’s most paranoid coach when it comes to trade secrets. Daniels doesn’t acknowledge this, but I’ve bumped into it several times pursuing Packers projects over the years.

Two, Daniels is one of those old-school guys who exhorts the virtues of lining up and just knocking your opponent into the dirt. Guys like that don’t publicly yearn for a more glamorous role.

Guys like that do, however, harbor small grudges and use them as fuel. Daniels brought up the challenges of his road. He grew up in South Jersey but did not even receive a scholarship offer from nearby Temple. In fact, the only major university to do so was Iowa. Daniels went there and didn’t start until late in his career.

He stood out, but with concerns about his size, he fell to the fourth round of the draft. Then he didn’t play much early in his NFL career. That’s not uncommon for young Packers defensive linemen, but so what?

I say to Daniels, okay, fair points all, but what’s also true: lately, football people have recognized you as one of the game’s best. And, even better, you got a four-year, $42 million extension in December 2015. So why do you still care about all that old stuff?

“You never forget where you come from,” he says. “A person without a past does not have a future. You would be extremely foolish to relax. Or get complacent because you’ve had a minor amount of success.

Because in the grand scheme of things, there’s a lot more to life. There’s a lot more you can do. There’s a lot of greater things that can be done in this world. And to get complacent because you met one goal? Well I think that’s very foolish.”

* * *

Robert Alford’s Well-Known Tutor


Robert Alford’s pick-six in Super Bowl 51 was the first thrown by Tom Brady in a postseason game
Photo: Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

The NFL’s most improved cornerback over the course of last season was Atlanta’s Robert Alford. After Desmond Trufant tore his pectoral in Week 9, Alford, an up-and-down fringe starter for much of his four-year career, assumed Trufant’s duties and began traveling with No. 1 receivers. In the elevated role Alford didn’t just survive, he thrived.

This included covering the slot, which he hadn’t done much before. The Falcons, having stumbled upon a second No. 1 corner, wisely locked him up in December with a four-year, $38 million extension.

I recently asked Alford what was behind his 2016 improvement.

“It was more film study,” he said. “Everyone wanted to say when Tru went down that my game elevated. But I felt like my game was improving as the season went on, whether he was there or if he wasn’t there. I didn’t feel like that was a big thing that played a part in it, in me improving each and every week. I just went with that mindset.”

NFL players don’t grow as a film student on their own. Like anything else, it’s something they’re taught. I asked Alford who taught him. “My DB coach Marquand Manuel,” he said. “I also had a friend named Ryan Clark.”

You mean the former Steelers safety?

“Correct.”

Interesting. The most improved cover corner in football attributes much of his progress to what he’s learned from a retired safety.

“(Robert) is giving me too much credit,” Clark told me, “because I don’t play football; he does.” Clark, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, works with a handful of NFL players, watching their tape and providing feedback, and when possible, training with the guy.

Tracy Porter, Clark’s former Washington teammate, was his first pupil. Included in today’s group are Giants safety Landon Collins and Bills first-round rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White.

“There are so many different training facilities and different people doing this type of work now I decided if I was going to work with DBs, I’d work on it as a whole. Some guy that went to school for kinesiology and got his masters in something else and went to school to learn how to train people doesn’t understand the intricacies of playing the defensive back position.”


Ryan Clark retired after the 2014 season following a 13-year career with the Giants, Steelers and Redskins
Photo: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The arrangements are often made through Performance Enhance Professionals, a training facility in Arizona (the same place Steelers linebacker James Harrison trains, Clark points out). In Alford’s case, the connection went way back. Alford’s older brother, Fred Booker, was Clark’s teammate at LSU. Alford knew Clark before either man reached the NFL.

“It’s probably more informal than you think,” Clark says. “These guys are like my little brothers. Like my friends. It’s about so much more than just training them, about so much more than their success at football. Although it is huge.

I enjoy when they play well. When I’m sitting at press row at the Super Bowl and Robert Alford is picking off the greatest quarterback of all time for a pick-six, it felt good to be there. It felt good to feel like I had some part in that journey.”

It's not surprising that Clark would bring up Alford’s Super Bowl pick-six. I had asked Alford if there was a single play that best illustrated his growth as a student of the game. That’s the one he identified.

On that play, the Patriots were in a three-receiver bunch, with the receivers crisscrossing on their releases at the snap. This tactic, which naturally defeats coverages like the man-to-man that Atlanta played more down the stretch, is a staple of New England’s.

On this play, Alford recognized that his receiver, Julian Edelman, was running a crossing route. The Falcons had an extra free defender, safety Keanu Neal, in the shallow middle of the field.

Instead of trying to fight through all the congestion and chase Edelman, Alford let him go, knowing that Neal was there to pick him up. Now Alford was the free defender, which allowed him to read Brady and jump his throw to Danny Amendola.

Had the Falcons held on and won, this would have been the defining play of Super Bowl 51. Instead, it’s a footnote. A bitter footnote?

“I’m happy with it,” Alford said. “Not everyone gets to pick off Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Not everyone is able to get to the Super Bowl and get an interception. But I’m moving on. As you said, we didn’t win it.”

Alford also can’t help but remember that this same sequence nearly played out again later in the game. But this time, Alford failed to catch the interception.

“I wish I could’ve gotten that second one back,” he said. “I wish I could’ve gotten my head around in time and snagged that one. Maybe the game would’ve turned out differently.”

It’ll be interesting to see Alford’s role in 2017. Trufant is back now and, judging from the five-year, $69 million contract they gave him this offseason, the Falcons see him as their No. 1 corner. Alford undoubtedly will start, but where will he primarily line up?

“I have no idea. Like Coach (Dan) Quinn said, going into training camp, it’s a competition. For everyone. No one has a spot. So we won’t know that until after the last preseason game. But I would love to be inside in our nickel coverage.”

That’s where Alford played in Super Bowl 51, against the league’s shiftiest slot receiver, Edelman. It’ll be lost in history, but it’s evident on film: Alford won the battle against Edelman that day. The Falcons likely now have a premium slot corner.

* * *

“I like to say it’s the Lovie Curse. Because since he left, (the Bears have struggled). He got fired being 10-6. I think they fire him either way. Even if we go to the playoffs, I think they fire him. I don’t think the GM liked the way he coached the football team.

The guy’s a winner. I love playing for him. I don’t know what the identity of that team is. They sign (Mike) Glennon, then they draft a kid No. 2. I don’t know what (they’re doing). It’s confusing.”

—Brian Urlacher, on CBS Sports Radio's Tiki and Tierney Show, on the identity and struggles of his former team.

“A lot of people kill Eli—and I’ve been one to look back and kind of have fun with it a few times, too—but he always has this face. People are like, ‘Why is he always looking like that?’ And I truly believe it’s because he’s always thinking. Like he is one of the smartest guys I’ve been around. And I’ve been around some smart quarterbacks. [Ryan] Fitzpatrick, extremely smart. Even Jay Cutler, extremely smart. Eli Manning, I’ve never seen anything like this guy. His brain never stops.”

—New Giants receiver Brandon Marshall, on quarterback Eli Manning. Marshall recently shared a video on Instagram of the two studying film together over FaceTime.

* * *

Stat of the Week

There have been 79 quarterbacks drafted with a top-20 pick since 1970. Only one of those QBs, Peyton Manning, has been name first-team All-Pro more than once. And only five others have earned the honor even once: Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, Jim Kelly, Bert Jones and Terry Bradshaw.

And an additional note on another top-20 drafted QB: Carson Wentz attempted a total of 612 passes in four years at North Dakota State. In 2016 with Philadelphia, he attempted 607.

* * *

Factoid That May Interest Only Me

Having an effective play-action scheme doesn't necessarily mean you need an effective running game. A stat to chew on: The top five teams in yards per pass on play-action snaps last season were Washington, Atlanta, San Diego, New England and Minnesota. Those same five teams’ ranking in yards per rush: 9th, 5th, 26th, 25th and 32nd.

* * *

Things I Think I Think

1. I think so what if Dak Prescott used a high-tech printer to forge his own autograph. (So far, this has only been alleged.) Is it wrong? Sure. Does it matter? No. Autograph culture is weird. Certain people get worshipped so much that they can add value to an artifact simply by writing their name on it. Unless an autograph is a personal gift you received, there’s a certain phoniness to the whole thing anyway.

1a. I say this as someone who grew up collecting autographs. I had a knack for purchasing the signatures of soon-to-be disgraced athlete. Hanging on my wall: a signed photo of Barry Bonds before the steroid allegations; a signed photo of Michael Vick before dog-fighting; a signed photo of Kobe Bryant before Colorado;

a signed photo of Brett Favre before Jenn Sterger and the Jets; and a signed photo of Tiger Woods before Thanksgiving 2009. Strangely, these are pretty much all of the autographs I own. I wouldn’t buy Prescott’s autograph now; I like the young man and want him to stay on top.

2. I think Michael Bennett’s assertion that 49ers second-year pro DeForest Buckner will soon be a defensive MVP is reasonable. Buckner has a great frame and played with much better leverage in the second half of last season. My guess is he’ll play Bennett’s role in San Francisco’s new Seahawks-style scheme. That means snaps as a 5-technique on running downs and 3-technique on passing downs.

3. I think Albert Breer said it best: Derek Carr’s contract is evolutionary, not revolutionary. The Raiders were wise to get it done when they did.

3a. I also think Carr will be better in 2017 than he was in 2016. He was a markedly sharper quarterback over the second half of last season.

4. I think Zach Orr was tremendous as Baltimore’s linebacker last year and it’d be great to see him have a long, fruitful career. But something about his efforts to return after retiring from a congenital neck and spine condition doesn’t feel right.

The Ravens have seen a player defy some doctors’ orders and return after a life-changing injury before: tight end Dennis Pitta, who had fractured his hip twice in 2013-14. After sitting out 2015, Pitta caught 86 passes last season but recently re-injured the hip, ending his career for good and, probably (though hopefully not) creating more challenges for his long-term day-to-day life.

5. I think Aaron Rodgers is still the most difficult quarterback in football to reconcile. I was watching film the other night with one of my research guys, Allan Uy. What kept standing out was how often Rodgers left wide open receivers on the field. And these weren’t receivers who got open just because Rodgers extended the play.

They got open within the context of the play’s design. And they were getting open because the play call was beating the coverage concept. Which means that Rodgers, reading the coverage, should have anticipated them being open. Rodgers leaves throws on the field almost every game.

Other players who do this tend to be backups or fall out of the league (see Kaepernick, Colin; or Griffin, Robert). The difference? Rodgers stillmakes plays, even on the snaps where he misses plays. He is a unique talent and an impossible QB to classify.

6. I think Eric Decker is just a role player. He can be highly productive in the right role and scheme. (He was at his best working the slot for the Jets.) But he doesn’t change the makeup of Tennessee’s passing game.

7. I think I used to believe that Kirk Cousins would be with Washington long-term. But hearing informed people around league talk, I now think Cousins will eventually be a 49er (after 2017).

8. I think the Lions got it right with their new uniforms. And I love that they brought back the throwbacks with the simple blue jersey, silver helmet, no logo or outlining.

9. I think the Patriots are the most improved Super Bowl champion I’ve ever seen. How often does a high-scoring club remake its offense after winning the title and come away even more dangerous than before?

10. I think Peter King should be both institutionalized but also given a bronze statue outside of SI’s offices for writing this column each week. I’ll be recovering from it until Labor Day.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...asts-lose-viagra-cialis-as-major-advertisers/

NFL broadcasts lose Viagra, Cialis as major advertisers
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 10, 2017

Getty Images

TV ad sales for NFL games have been flaccid this offseason, and erectile dysfunction drugs are part of the reason.

Advertising Age reports that the makers of both Viagra and Cialis have declined to buy any advertisements on NFL games for the coming season. That’s a massive change for two products that were once among the top advertisers on NFL games.

The reason is apparently less about the NFL’s ratings decline last season than about pharmaceutical patents: Both Viagra and Cialis will soon be available as generic drugs, and therefore their makers no longer feel the need to advertise the name brands.

That’s bad news for the NFL’s network partners: Last season, the makers of Viagra and Cialis spent more than $50 million airing commercials during NFL games.

"2017 Defensive Personnel"


Since we have just over 2 weeks and some spare change left until the Rams report to their 2017 training camp, so I put together a "all in one stop" presentation of the defensive personnel.
( A Total of 41 Players )

When you take a closer look at what new defensive coordinator "Wade Phillips" has to work with, there are several question marks to ponder about outside of the core players in the projected starting lineup.

Wade will get a different "view" from some of his initial observations when he reviewed countless hours of 2016 game film and what he witnessed in person from the OTA's and mini-camps.

The long time grand master "defensive wizard" for the first time, will be evaluating his Rams players up close and personal when they're actually wearing pads and initiating "full contact" during training camp. Then Wade will get even a more intimate look at how the defensive personnel fits his version of the 3-4 when they Tango in the the preseason.

Unless "offensive guru" Sean McVay pulls off some incredible "magic act" with the offense, it's more than apparent that the 2017 Rams are only going to go as far as their defense can carry them. As of today, the defense is clearly the strength of this team as the offense tries to finds it's way under the guidance of their new shepherd.

When viewing the Rams defensive "position groupings" up close, there are concerns with some of the projected backups since they have limited starting snaps in their resumes. How smooth will the veterans and young depth players transition to Wade's version of the 3-4? When there are a some injuries to key starters, will the inexperienced subs on the depth chart be able to step in and perform up to a satisfactory level?

The defense is lightly sprinkled with some very good players but the overall "depth" doesn't have many quality NFL snaps to call this a deep unit. This group as a whole is expected to be well coached under Wade and his staff but to assume the young subs are going to be plug and play solid reserves, would be more in line of wishful thinking.

I'm not telling anybody what they don't already know but some of these players won't be as good of a scheme fit in Wade's system as he originally might have believed. When trying to project how Wade's best players will perform in training camp and preseason, clearly will be predicated on several different variables and unseen intangibles.

Some of the veterans might be ascending or descending players depending on their recent history. Some of the younger players will excel beyond what was expected, while others will quickly fall down the depth chart. Some of the second and third year players will take a step forward and some of them will take a back seat.

Everyone knows that significant factors like durability, health, experience and a players ability to retain information above the neck and take it to the field, will change the dynamics of how Wade and his staff sort out and rank his final personnel groupings. Surely he has strong idea of who the projected favorites are on the depth chart but there will be some unexpected surprises like there is every new NFL season.

We all know that some of these players on the roster can quickly be waived early in training camp but I went ahead and listed all of the defensive players on the current roster. I only listed the last 3 years of statistics for veteran players to gauge their most recent Data & Trends.


“Our goal is not to just be good, it’s to be great, and then be the best”






Rams 2017 Roster Preview "Defensive Personnel"




2016 DEFENSE (Points Allowed 394 Rank #23) (Avg YPG 337.0 Rank #9)
________________(Pass YPG 233.2 Rank #10) (Rush YPG 103.8 Rank #16)


2017 Rams
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

OLB\Edge #94 Robert QUINN 6'4 265 (6 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 27

2016 Total Snaps 370) Tackles+Assists 10) (Sacks 4)___ Forced Fumbles 2
2015 Total Snaps 336) Tackles+Assists 21) (Sacks 5)___ Forced Fumbles 3
2014 Total Snaps 737) Tackles+Assists 48) (Sacks 10.5)_Forced Fumbles 5

Summary: This is a "Make or Break" season for one of the most important pieces on the Rams defense. Quinn has not been durable for the last 2 years and in that time he's accrued a total of only 9 sacks. When healthy, he's a pass rushing menace and a "havoc" causing turnover machine. Quinn needs to play close to 700 snaps in 2017 to have the kind of impact expected of him this year. If Quinn breaks down again in 2017, it's doubtful that he will be suiting up as a Ram in 2018.


OLB\DE #98 Conner BARWIN 6'4 254 (8 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 30

2016 Total Snaps_ 709)_Tackles+Assists 34) Sacks_ 5) Forced Fumbles 1
2015 Total Snaps 1,052) Tackles+Assists 54) Sacks_ 7) Forced Fumbles 1
2014 Total Snaps 1,008) Tackles+Assists 64) Sacks 14) Forced Fumbles 2

Summary: Barwin's lack of production in 2016 along with his cap number pushed the 30 year old veteran out the door in Philly. Now that he's back in a "Familiar 3-4 Scheme" and a new change of scenery, he has a strong chance to put up some big numbers in 2017. Conner is on the back end of his prime years but he's been very durable over the last 3 seasons. Even though he's likely lost half a step, it wouldn't be a big surprise to some if Barwin winds up being the MVP on defense this season. This might just end up being one of the most underrated UFA signings for any NFL team this off-season.


OLB\DE #70 Morgan FOX 6'3 245 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 22

2016 Total Snaps 75) Tackles+Assists 5) Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 1

Summary: In 2016 Fox played in 4 games his rookie year after spending 13 of the first 14 weeks on the Rams practice squad. Getting the majority of his snaps in the last 3 games of the season, he recorded 5 tackles (3 solo) forcing one forced fumble and recovering one fumble. Heading into his 2nd season as a professional, Morgan should be one of the early favorites to make the team as a backup OLB/Edge. On the other hand, he might not fit well in Phillips' scheme and could find his way on the practice if he hasn't improved in his second season .


OLB/DE #50 Samson EBUKAM 6'2 233 (Rookie Drafted 4th rnd No.125) AGE 22

E.WASH Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 188) Sacks 24) Tackles For Loss 44) INT 1) Forced Fumbles 2

Summary: 2016 Started all 14 games at “buck” defensive end, finishing with a team-high 9 1/2 sacks. He had totals of 71 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight quarterback hurries, two passes broken up and an interception. He ranked 37th in FCS and third in the league with an average of 0.68 sacks per game. He had a monster game versus Richmond (12/10/16) in the FCS Playoffs quarterfinals in which he had eight tackles, a pair of sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. Was also one of the team captains for EWU. Rookie profiles usually have sparkle & glitter but expecting much from Ebukam in 2017 isn't very realistic at this time. Until we get some feedback in camp and see him perform in the preseason, he has a long way to go to work his way up the depth chart.


OLB\DE #51 Ejuan PRICE 5'11 241 (Rookie Drafted 7th rnd No.234) AGE 24

PITT Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 143) Sacks 29.5) Tackles For Loss 53) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 4

Summary: 2016: Price enjoyed the finest season of his Pitt career and established himself among the most disruptive defensive linemen in the nation. Considered an undersized defensive end, Price's impact was immeasurable as a run stopper and pass rusher. Ranked second nationally and first in the ACC with an average of 1.8 tackles for loss per game. Was seventh in the country and third in the ACC with an average of 1.0 sacks per contest. More than half of his total tackles went for a loss. 2016 compiled 45 tackles, 23 TFL's, 13 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. Also had three forced fumbles. This late round rookie is likely a practice squad candidate unless he blows up in camp and the preseason. http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1146


OLB\LB #60 Kevin DAVIS 6'2 235 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 23

COL.ST Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 257) Sacks 7) Tackles For Loss 27) INT 2) Forced Fumbles 4

Summary: The Colorado State linebacker (5th year senior) was named second-team All-Mountain West. Davis was in on 110 tackles as a senior, including 66 unassisted stops, 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He also intercepted a pass. Athletic and smooth in his movements. Steps downhill with good balance and gathers himself in a tackle-ready position. Can flow and mirror a running back's change of direction. In the NFL he's best suited to play on the outside because he lacks anchor strength and physicality to play MLB. Davis is probably a Practice Squad nominee unless he surprises like rookie LB Cory Littleton did in 2016. Kevin did get a little OTA praise from LB coach Joe Berry but that was without pads and physical contact.


OLB\DE #57 Cassanova MCKINZY 6'2 257 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 24

AUBURN Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 258) Sacks 8.5) Tackles For Loss 28.5) INT 2) FF 3

Summary: Added to the Rams practice squad (12/20/17). Released by the Buccaneers (8/22/16). Entered the NFL as an UDFA signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5/2/16). The linebacker/edge has spent time on the Rams practice squad as well as the Buccaneers training camp roster. Started 37 games at Auburn, recording 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Named second-team All-SEC as a senior in 2015, where he notched 74 tackles and 5.0 sacks. started 12 games as a junior, tallying 91 tackles, 11 TFL and one interception. Led the team with 75 tackles as a sophomore, adding two sacks. In the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, he led the Tigers with nine total tackles. This 2nd year pro is another long shot for the 53 but with a name like Cassanova? maybe he charms his way on the roster with a Hollywood performance in the preseason.


OLB\DE #53 Carlos THOMPSON 6'5 253 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Injured
2015 Total Snaps 22) SP Teams Tackles 2) Sacks 0) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: Thompson spent the entire 2016 season on injured reserve. Signed by the Texans as a college free agent (5/8/15). Released from Houston (8/30/16) Signed with the Rams as a free agent (4/5/17) Played in two career games with the Texans before being placed on injured reserve on 9/30/15. He's been injury prone in both college and the NFL. He's well off the radar because of his lack of durability and only two special teams tackles on his resume in 2 years.


2017 Rams
INSIDE LINEBACKERS

ILB/LB #52 Alec OGLETREE 6'2 242 (4 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 1,090) Tackles+Assists 136) Sacks 0) INT 2) Forced Fumbles 1
2015 Total Snaps__263) Tackles+Assists_ 42) Sacks 2) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0
2014 Total Snaps__978) Tackles+Assists 111) Sacks 0) INT 2) Forced Fumbles 4

Summary: In 2016 Ogletree transitioned fairly well to his new position at middle linebacker. He tallied 136 tackles with 2 interceptions and one forced fumble. He's still learning the nuances of the ILB position but should be much better prepared having a full season of experience under his belt. If Alec has another solid season on the inside, he will no doubt be the next in line for a big pay day. He's only 25 years old and if he starts fast out of the gate in 2017, the Rams front office might try to offer him a contract before the season gets too far along.


ILB/LB #26 Mark BARRON 6'1 220 (5 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 27

2016 Total Snaps 1,087) Tackles+Assists 117) Sacks 1) INT 2) Forced Fumbles 0
2015 Total Snaps__ 918) Tackles+Assists 113) Sacks 1) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 3
2014 Total Snaps__ 639) Tackles+Assists_ 72) Sacks 3) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Barron started 16 games at linebacker and finished second on the team with a career-high 117 tackles. VS Seattle (9/18) Led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo). At Tampa Bay (9/25) Tallied 9 tackles (6 solo) and picked off QB Jameis Winston. At Arizona (10/2) Recorded (8 solo) tackles with another INT for his second of the season. VS Carolina (11/6) Led the team with (9 solo) tackles and sacked Panthers QB Cam Newton for a loss of eight yards. At New Orleans (11/27) Led the Rams with a season-high 14 tackles (10 solo) with one quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble. At Seattle (12/15) recorded 7 tackles (6 solo). Next year Barron counts 10 million against the cap so he needs to have a big season or he might end up a 2018 salary cap casualty.


ILB/LB #59 Josh FORREST 6'3 249 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 90) Tackles+Assists 6) Sacks 0) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Forrest saw action in 10 games over his rookie campaign. He saw significant action on special teams getting 156 total snaps. From the Rams' fifth to ninth games last season, Forrest played 44 percent, 26 percent, 2 percent, 19 percent and 7 percent of the defensive snaps. Josh earned playing time as the Rams 3rd linebacker getting a total of 90 snaps of experience at the position before being placed on injured reserve in Week 12. He registered 6 tackles (3 solo) with one pass defensed and recovered one fumble. He racked up another 4 tackles on special teams. If Forrest picks up where he left off in 2016 before his injury, he will be in the linebacker rotation sooner than later.


ILB/LB #58 Corry LITTLETON 6'3 226 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 23

2016 Total Snaps 122) Tackles+Assists 10) Sacks 0) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: Littleton played in all 16 games on special teams and got some snaps on defense. Had 324 total snaps on special teams with 9 tackles. He tallied 122 snaps on defense. Recipient of the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award as the club’s top rookie. VS New York Giants (10/23) Recorded a two special teams tackles. At New England (11/27) He registered a career-high 6 tackles (2 solo) and added one special teams tackle. VS Arizona (1/1) Led the team with two special teams tackles. Last years unforeseen rookie surprise player will need to take his game to another level or he could be quickly forgotten under the new coaching regime.


ILB/LB #54 Bryce HAGER 6'1 234 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 11) Tackles+Assists 6) Sacks ) INT 0) Forced Fumbles 0
2015 (SP Teams only Total Snaps 327) Tackles+Assists 5)

Summary: In 2016 Hager served as a major contributor on special teams getting 338 total snaps and got some limited snaps playing linebacker. At Arizona (10/2) Recorded two special teams tackles. At Detroit (10/16) Saw action at linebacker and recorded a tackle on special teams. VS New York Giants (10/23) Recorded two special teams tackles. At Seattle (12/15) Got limited snaps at linebacker and recorded his first pass defensed of his career. VS San Francisco (12/26) Racked up his 10th special teams tackle of the season. Bryce is a blue collar player and more often than not, those type of players tend to fight their way onto a 53 man roster. He's not a roster lock but he will make it tough to cut him.


ILB/LB #55 Nicholas GRIGSBY 6'0 218 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 25

Summary: Grigsby appeared in six games on special teams as a rookie getting 130 total snaps. He spent the first 11 weeks of the season on the practice squad. He made his NFL debut playing on special teams At New Orleans (11/27). He didn't register any tackles his rookie season. With the added LB's from the new coaching regime, Grigsby will need to elevate his play to another level if he's going to stick around this year.


"OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS" (edge) Ranking & Summary

1) OLB\LB #94 R.QUINN 6'4 265 (AGE 27) If he stays healthy should be a force
2) OLB\LB #98 C.BARWIN 6'4 254 (AGE 30) Veteran is primed for a big season
3) OLB\LB #70 M.FOX 6'3 245 (AGE 22) Flashed in the last 2 games of 2016
4) OLB\LB #50 S.EBUKAM 6'2 233 (AGE 22) Rookie with high motor could surprise

5) OLB\LB #51 E.PRICE 5'11 241 (AGE 24) UDFA is a short & stocky cannon ball
6) OLB\LB #60 K.DAVIS 6'2 235 (AGE 23) Fluid athlete needs to add strength
7) OLB\DE #57 C.MCKINZY 6'1 257 (AGE 24) Ourlads lists this long-shot at LDE?
8) OLB\LB #53 C.THOMPSON 6'5 253 (25) "Injury prone" can he stay on the field?

"INSIDE LINEBACKERS" Ranking

1) ILB\LB #52 A.OGLETREE 6'2 242 (AGE 25) Stud LB starting his 2nd year in the middle
2) ILB\LB #26 M.BARRON 6'1 220 (AGE 27) Moving from OLB to ILB in Phillips' 3-4 scheme
3) ILB\LB #59 J.FORREST 6'3 249 (AGE 25) Was coming on before injury in rookie season

4) ILB\LB #58 C.LITTLETON 6'3 226 (AGE 23) UDFA selected as MVP of 2016 rookie class
5) ILB\LB #54 B.HAGER 6'1 234 (AGE 25) Blue collar type player & valuable on SP Teams
6) ILB\LB #55 N.GRIGSBY 6'0 218 (AGE 25) UDFA got some SP Teams snaps late in 2016


2017 Rams
DEFENSIVE LINE DT\DL

DT\DL #99 Aaron DONALD 6'1 285 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 829) Tackles+Assists 47) Sacks_8) Forced Fumbles 2
2015 Total Snaps 915) Tackles+Assists 69) Sacks 11) Forced Fumbles 0
2014 Total Snaps 648) Tackles+Assists 47) Sacks_ 9) Forced Fumbles 2

Summary: Donald’s 2016 season flew under the radar a lot last year thanks to how bad the Rams were in their first season back in Los Angeles, but also because he didn’t quite generate the obvious stats to back up his consistent dominance. "Only" eight sacks is good enough for most interior pass-rushers, but a player like Donald would need to be pushing 20 to fairly reflect the consistent impact he has on games. Donald notched 82 total QB pressures (sacks, hits and hurries), which was the third-highest figure in the entire league, despite playing almost all of his snaps inside as a legitimate defensive tackle, and not on the perimeter where pressure comes easier. Donald generates pressure at a greater rate than any other interior defender in the league, and when he does so, it tends to be decisive pressure that makes a legitimate impact on the game. Don’t be fooled by his sack total and think that he was merely okay this past year. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...otas-amid-negotiations-for-contract-extension


DE\DL #93 Ethan WESTBROOKS 6'3 267 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 533) Tackles+Assists 24) (Sacks 2) Forced Fumbles 0
2015 Total Snaps 275) Tackles+Assists 19) (Sacks 2) Forced Fumbles 1
2014 Total Snaps_ 87) Tackles+Assists_ 5) (Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Westbrooks saw action in every game while making two starts at defensive end. Posted career-highs in tackles (24), solo tackles (18), passes defensed (2), and scored his first touchdown of his career at Tampa Bay (9/25) after recovering a fumble 77 yards to the end zone. Also racked up 3 tackles (2 solo), and three quarterback pressures against QB Winston. At Arizona (10/2) Recorded 1 solo tackle and pressured the quarterback three times. VS Buffalo (10/9) Started his second consecutive game at defensive end and sacked quarterback Tyrod Taylor for a five yard loss. Recorded (2 solo) tackles, had one pass defensed, and pressured the quarterback four times. VS New York Giants (10/23) Registered 2 solo tackles, with two hits on QB Eli Manning. VS Atlanta (12/11) Recorded 3 solo tackles pressured and hit QB Matt Ryan once. VS Seattle (12/15) Recorded 3 tackles (2 solo) and notched his second sack of the season and added one QB pressure. VS Arizona (1/1) Recorded (2 solo) tackles. Westbrooks' snap counts have gone up each year but his talent level has been no more than a solid rotational player.


DE\DL #96 Matt LONGACRE 6'3 261 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 157) Tackles+Assists_ 6 (Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 0
2015 Total Snaps 138) Tackles+Assists 11 (Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Longacre played in a career-high six games, recording 6 tackles (4 solo). At Arizona (10/2) Recorded 2 solo tackles and three quarterback pressures. VS Buffalo (10/9) Recorded 1 solo tackle. At Detroit (10/16) Played on special teams assisting on 3 tackles and getting 1 solo tackle on the defense. Also added one quarterback hit on the day. At New England (12/4) Registered 2 assisted tackles and one quarterback pressure. Matt has been a scrappy, high motor player that will again be in the mix fighting for a roster spot. He's shown some flashes the last 2 seasons but most of his 2 year career he's been on the practice squad or inactive list. He will need to prove himself as a good fit in Phillips 3-4 scheme. As it looks today, Longacre appears to have a good shot at making the 53.


DE\DL #66 AJ JEFFERSON 6'2 280 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 24

MISS.ST Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 125) Sacks 12.5) Tackles For Loss 35) Forced Fumbles 6

Summary: Jefferson, who went undrafted out of Mississippi State, produced 12.5 sacks and 35 TFLs throughout four collegiate seasons. The SEC product will have a difficult time trying to crack the Rams' 53-man roster.


2017 Rams
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE NT\DL

NT\DL #90 Michael BROCKERS 6'5 322 (5 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 419) Tackles+Assists 19) Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 0
2015 Total Snaps 691) Tackles+Assists 44) Sacks 3) Forced Fumbles 0
2014 Total Snaps 581) Tackles+Assists 32) Sacks 2) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Brockers played in 14 of 16 games while missing 2 due to injuries. At San Francisco (9/12) Recorded two solo tackles. At Arizona (10/2) Recorded 2 more solo tackles. At New England (12/4) Registered 4 tackles (3 solo) and added two quarterback hits. In 2016, Los Angeles Rams DT Michael Brockers was one-of-six interior defenders who played more than 400 snaps and did not miss a tackle. Brockers’ run defense grade of 79.5 was 19th best among 117 interior defenders. He also earned a 71.9 pass rush grade, which was ranked 35th out of 118 interior defenders. Both of Brockers’ two highest graded seasons have come during years in which he logged the two lowest total snaps so far during his career. After a career-low grade in 2013, he has risen his overall PFF grade each of the past three seasons. https://www.profootballfocus.com/pr...-grade-on-the-rise-for-third-straight-season/


NT\DL #91 Dominque EASLEY 6'2 288 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 471) Tackles+Assists 35) Sacks 3.5) Forced Fumbles 2
2015 Total Snaps 273) Tackles+Assists 15) Sacks_ 2) Forced Fumbles 0
2014 Total Snaps 262) Tackles+Assists 10) Sacks _1) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: In 2016 Easley played in all 16 games and set career-highs in games played (16), tackles (35) and sacks (3.5) At San Francisco (9/12) Made his Rams debut in the club’s season opener recording 2 solo tackles and forced RB Sean Draughn to fumble. At Arizona (10/2) Registered two tackles (1 solo) and recorded his second forced fumble of the season. VS Buffalo (10/9) Recorded a season-high five tackles (two solo)...split a sack with DT Aaron Donald. VS Carolina (11/6) had 1 solo tackle and added three quarterback pressures. VS Miami (11/20) Notched 2.0 sacks, marked first career multi-sack game with 4 tackles (two solo). In addition had one quarterback pressure and one quarterback hit. VS San Francisco (12/24) Registered five tackles (4 solo) and recorded one sack for a loss of five yards. Also added two quarterback pressures and one quarterback hit. Easley was a gem for the Rams last year and managed to stay healthy in 2016. If he stays healthy again and has another productive season, he will get a big contract offer from some team in 2018.

NT\DT #92 Tanzel SMART 6'1 296 (Rookie Drafted 6th rnd No.189) AGE 22

Tulane Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 183) Sacks 9.5) Tackles For Loss 39.5) Forced Fumbles 3

Summary: In 2016 Smart started all 12 games as a senior...earned invite to participate in 2017 Reese's Senior Bowl...claimed All-American Athletic Conference First Team honors as voted on by the league coaches and media for a second consecutive season...named to the All-Louisiana College Football Teams first team as voted on by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for the second year in a row...ranked fourth in the conference in tackles for loss with 18.5 (1.54 per game) and eighth in sacks at 5.5 (0.46 per game). Tanzel could be a sleeper and will be given his share of chances because the Rams lack depth at the NT position. http://tulanegreenwave.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1693


NT\DL #71 Mike PURCELL 6'3 303 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 279) Tackles+Assists 26) (Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 1
2015 Total Snaps 288) Tackles+Assists 15) (Sacks 1) Forced Fumbles 0
2014 Total Snaps_ 28) Tackles+Assists_ 1) (Sacks 0) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: Purcell signed with the 49ers in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming. On 02/27/17 new SF (GM) John Lynch tendered Purcell a one year (ERFA) contract but less than a week later on 05/02/17 waived him. Purcell played mostly on the interior line in 25 total games and started in 8 games. In his 3 years at SF he registered 42 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. The Rams are thin at NT and that alone gives Purcell a strong chance to join the final 53.


NT\DL #62 L.Trinca-Pasat 6'1 290 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

Summary: Spent the 2016 season on the Rams injured reserve. Signed as a UDFA 05/07/152015 and made the Rams practice squad. Added to the Rams active roster from the practice squad (12/15/15) Started all 38 games over his final three seasons for Iowa. Three-time Academic All-Big Ten. Second team All-Big Ten by league coaches. Was a team captain at Iowa and named Most Valuable Player receiving the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award. Trinca-Pasat will have to show he's durable and make a big splash in preseason because right now, he's low on the totem pole heading into camp.


NT\DL #67 Omarius BRYANT 6'3 310 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 22

WKU Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 67) Sacks 11.5) Tackles For Loss 19.5) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: Bryant enjoyed a steady career progression as the season carried along. He finished the year with 30 tackles (17 solo) and 3.5 for loss with 1.5 sacks. Bryant tallied four or more tackles from his interior lineman position in five of the 13 games he appeared in (Vanderbilt, Indiana, LSU, Southern Miss and USF) while drawing two starts, at Indiana and at LSU. He graded out as the top player in the 2015 Miami Beach Bowl, per Pro Football Focus, and also added two hurries in the season's final two games. Before WKU: Bryant came to The Hill from Southwest Mississippi Community College where he played for coach Tucker Peavy. Bryant was an All-MACJC 1st Team All-South Selection after leading the Bears in tackles as a sophomore with 86 total tackles from his interior line position. Former Hilltoper has a big hill to climb to make the Rams roster.
http://www.wkusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=319


DT\DE #70 Casey SAYLES 6'4 286 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 21

OHIO Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 110) Sacks 9.5) Tackles For Loss 39.5) Forced Fumbles 0

Summary: Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline called Ohio DT Casey Sayles one of his favorite no-name prospects. "He’s a blue collar player who gets the most from his ability. "I’m told his quickness and explosion stood out in pro day drills." The 6-foot-2, 288-pounder registered 32 tackles (6.5 for loss), five sacks and three passes defended in 14 games played during the past season. For this solid output, he was named third-team All-MAC at the end of the 2016 campaign. Sayles is far down the depth chart so the practice squad is more of a realistic spot for him until proven different.
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/138121/casey-sayles


"DEFENSIVE LINEMAN" NT\DT\LDE Ranking & Summary

1)DT\DL #99 A.DONALD 6'1 285 (AGE 26) On a pace to wear HOF yellow jacket
2)NT\DL #90 M.BROCKERS 6'5 322 (AGE 26) Man in the middle gets better each year
3)NT\DL #91 D.EASLEY 6'2 288 (AGE 25) Produced last year can he avoid injuries again?
4)DE\DL #93 E.WESTBROOKS 6'3 267 (AGE 26) 4th season will the former UDFA shine bright?
5)DE\DL #96 M.LONGACRE 6'3 261 (AGE 25) Scrappy player with high motor is in the mix

6)NT\DL #71 M.PURCELL 6'3 303 (AGE 26) 4th yr pro adds depth has a legit shot at the 53
7)NT\DL #92 T.SMART 6'1 296 (AGE 22) Rookie has to prove himself or will get a redshirt
8)NT\DL #62 L.Tri-Pasat 6'1 290 (AGE 25) Can the injury bitten longshot stay healthy?
9)DE\DL #66 A.JEFFERSON 6'2 280 (AGE 24) Not on anyones radar as of yet
10NT\DL #67 O.BRYANT 6'3 310 (AGE 22) Rams need NT depth but UDFA is a huge longshot
11DT\DL #70 C.SAYLES 6'4 286 (AGE 21) Another camp body unless he shocks us all


2017 Rams
CORNERBACKS

CB #22 Trumaine JOHNSON 6'2 204 (5 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 27

2016 Total Snaps 953) Tackles+Assists 57) INT 1) Pass Def 11) Sacks 0) FF 0
2015 Total Snaps 905) Tackles+Assists 71) INT 7) Pass Def 17) Sacks 0) FF 0
2014 Total Snaps 433) Tackles+Assists 36) INT 3) Pass Def_ 6) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: In 2016 Johnson started in 14 games and registered 57 tackles (47 solo) while recovering two fumbles with 11 passes defensed. He had a down year compared to his 2015 season and will be playing on his second franchise tag in as many seasons. This is likely his last season as a Ram unless something unexpected happens from now until the start of the 2018 free agency period.


CB #21 Kayvon WEBSTER 5'10 195 (4 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total_ Snaps 59) Tackles+Assists_ 4) INT 0) Pass Def_ 1) Sacks 0) FF 0
2015 Total_ Snaps 69) Tackles+Assists_ 2) INT 0) Pass Def_ 2) Sacks 0) FF 0
2014 Total Snaps 130) Tackles+Assists 23) INT 0) Pass Def_ 2) Sacks 0) FF 0
2013 Total Snaps 479) Tackles+Assists 41) INT 1) Pass Def 10) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: From a statistical standpoint, this isn't a franchise-changing signing considering Webster notched just eight combined tackles last season and has one interception in his career. Webster’s main contributions came on special teams.“I just had to kind of take a back seat and just learn and just handle my job as it came on special teams or wherever that may be,” he said. “You get a play here or a play there. I just had to make sure I’m on top of my game.” Webster said he learned leadership from Denver’s winning culture and improved his skills by observing and playing alongside Talib and Harris, both Pro Bowl selections the last three seasons. “Their attention to detail is really sharp,” he said. Webster, the only Rams player who has played in a Super Bowl, aims to set a similar example. “I know what I’m capable of,” he said, “and I’m just ready to come help the Rams get to the next level.” http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-kayvon-webster-20170321-story.html


CB #33 EJ GAINES 5'10 190 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 614) Tackles+Assists 56) INT 0) Pass Def_ 7) Sacks 0) FF 1
2015 Injured
2014 Total Snaps 877) Tackles+Assists 36) INT 2) Pass Def 15) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: In 2016 Gaines started at cornerback in 10-of-11 games he played and finished with 56 tackles (47 solo) and recorded seven passes defensed. At Arizona (10/2) Made season debut at cornerback and recorded seven tackles (six solo) with two passes defensed. At Detroit (10/16) Made second consecutive start at cornerback and recorded five tackles (four solo) VS. New York Giants (10/23) Started at right cornerback recorded 4 tackles (four solo) registered two passes defensed vs. Carolina (11/6) Recorded 6 solo tackles and one pass defensed. At New York Jets (11/13) Tallied 5 tackles (4 solo) At New Orleans (11/27): Recorded a season-high 10 tackles (6 solo) VS San Francisco (12/26) Made his ninth start of the season at cornerback and recorded seven solo tackles and notched his first forced fumble of his career. Gaines will get his chances to unseat penciled starter Kayvon Webster but he will need to regain his rookie form and prove he can remain healthy.


CB #23 Nickell R-COLEMAN 5'7 170 (4 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 572) Tackles+Assists 35) INT 2) Pass Def 7) Sacks 0) FF 1
2015 Total Snaps 672) Tackles+Assists 44) INT 0) Pass Def 4) Sacks 1) FF 0
2014 Total Snaps 641) Tackles+Assists 47) INT 0) Pass Def 8) Sacks 1) FF 0

Summary: In 2016 Coleman played in 16 games for the fourth-straight season and finished the season with 35 tackles (32 solo), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as well as two interceptions with one returned 41 yards for touchdown at Los Angeles (10/9). It's a homecoming for Robey-Coleman, who played his college ball at USC. Before signing with Rams, Robey-Coleman had also drawn interest from the Chargers, Steelers, Titans and Vikings. The slot corner will provide depth behind Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines and Kayvon Webster. Per PFF: Last season Nickell Robey-Coleman allowed a passer rating of 74.86 in the slot; 2nd best for slot CBs just behind Chris Harris Jr.


CB #35 Michael JORDAN 6'1 200 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 24

2016 Total Snaps 177) Tackles+Assists 20) INT 0) Sacks 0) Pass Def 2) FF 0

Summary: In 2016 Jordan saw action in five games in his rookie campaign, started two at cornerback. He racked up 20 tackles (15 solo) and recorded three passes defensed. At New England (12/4) Made NFL debut at cornerback and recorded 8 tackles (5 solo) with 1 passes defensed. VS Atlanta (12/11): Made first career NFL start at cornerback registering 3 solo tackles and one pass defensed. AT Seattle (12/15) Collected seven tackles (five solo). VS Arizona (1/1) registered 2 solo tackles. Jordan has a full year of experience and if he takes a jump in his second season he could quickly climb up the depth chart with a solid camp and preseason.


CB #24 Blake COUNTESS 5'9 187 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 23

2016 Total Snaps 141) Tackles+Assists 20) INT 0) Pass Def 0) Sacks 1) FF 0

Summary: In his 2016 Countess played in five games, started two after spending the first nine weeks on the practice squad. VS San Francisco (12/24) Made his first career start at cornerback and finished second on the team with a career-high 11 tackles (eight solo) and recorded his first career sack. VS Arizona (1/1) Started at cornerback and compiled nine tackles (four solo), with one quarterback hit and added one special teams tackle. Countess got some needed experience in his rookie year and could be a dark horse in the secondary.


CB #32 Troy HILL 5'10 182 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 Total Snaps 336) Tackles+Assists 40) INT 0) Pass Def 2) Sacks 0) FF 0
2015 Total Snaps_ 23) Tackles+Assists_ 3) INT 0) Pass Def 0) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: In 2016 Hill saw action in 12 contests and started three at cornerback. He spent three weeks on the practice squad and finished with 40 tackles (35 solo) and two passes defensed while playing a significant role on special teams. Last season Hill had more shaky moments than good ones but proved to be a good reserve that got some needed starting snaps. He's been suspended for the first two games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s policy and program for substance abuse. Hill is eligible to participate in preseason practices and games. He must sit out the regular season opener against Indianapolis and week 2 vs Washington before he is eligible to return in Week 3. His suspension means he won't count against the Rams 53 to start the season so this buys the team time if they're not happy with the cornerback depth after the firt 2 regular season games.


CB #34 Aarion PENTON 5'9 190 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 22

MISSOURI Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 153) INT 10) Pass Def 31) Sacks 0) FF 2

Summary: Played in all 12 games during his senior season, earning 11 starts and totaling 43 tackles (35 solo) with a career-best and SEC-high five interceptions and a team-best 12 pass break-ups. His five interceptions were the most by a Mizzou player since EJ Gaines had five in 2013. Finished his Mizzou career tied for seventh all-time with 10 career interceptions. Penton is a far down the depth chart and he will need a E.J Gaines type of rookie performance have a chance at making the 53.


CB #36 Dominique HATFIELD 5'10 170 (Rookie UDFA) AGE 22

UTAH Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 108) INT 6) Pass Def 13) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: 2016–Played in the last nine regular-season games with six starts … missed the first three games with an injury … 30 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups … five tackles and a pass breakup against USC … four tackles and a pass breakup vs. UCLA … four tackles at Oregon State and Colorado. 2015–Played in the last 12 games with 11 starts … third (tied) in the Pac-12 in interceptions (4) and interceptions per game (0.33) … six passes defended (4 interceptions, 2 pass breakups) … 33 total tackles (1.5 TFL) … 46-yard interception return for a touchdown and have five tackles (1.0 TFL) against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Hatfield is way down the depth chart and more likely to be fighting for a practice squad spot. https://www.utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=708


CB #47 Kevin PETERSON 5'10 181 (UDFA 1 Season in the NFL) AGE 23

OKLA ST Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 143) INT 5) Pass Def 23) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: Passing through the 2016 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, Peterson landed with the Chicago Bears. Unable to stick past cuts, the Los Angeles Rams picked him up at the end of last season on a Reserve/Future deal. Peterson capped off his career at Oklahoma State with two very productive seasons in 2014 and 2015, though in his final game struggled badly against Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell. This is his 2nd season as a pro but his chances of making the 53 are very slim.


2017 Rams
SAFETIES

SS #31 Mo ALEXANDER 6'1 220 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 919) Tackles+Assists 50) INT 2) Pass Def 4) Sacks 1) FF 0
2015 Total Snaps 420) Tackles+Assists 34) INT 0) Pass Def 1) Sacks 2) FF 0
2014 SP Teams Total Snaps 135) SP Teams Tackles+Assists 4)

Summary: Per PFF: Alexander played nothing but special teams as a rookie in 2014. The next season, he got his shot on defense in Week 7 and ended up playing in every game to finish out the year. The Rams moved him all over the place; he spent 43 percent of his snaps as a free safety, and he struggled. Jump to 2016 and Alexander found his rhythm as the team’s starting FS, playing over 75 percent of his snaps there. He displayed great coverage skills, as he was targeted once of every 32.4 coverage snaps (the fourth-best rate of 92 qualified safeties) PFF named him one of the most improved players in 2016 finishing the season with a final grade of 83.4.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-most-improved-defensive-players-by-position-last-season


DB #20 Lamarcus JOYNER 5'8 184 (3 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 26

2016 Total Snaps 700) Tackles+Assists 66) INT 0) Pass Def 5) Sacks 1) FF 1
2015 Total Snaps 729) Tackles+Assists 68) INT 0) Pass Def 6) Sacks 2) FF 0
2014 Total Snaps 251) Tackles+Assists 40) INT 0) Pass Def 2) Sacks 1) FF 0

Summary: Lamarcus Joyner started 27 straight games at safety for the Florida State Seminoles, before switching to cornerback in his senior season (2013) after a change in defensive coordinators. Joyner has seen 80.7 percent of his snaps come in the Los Angeles Rams defense’s nickel package, and has only played 26 snaps in the Rams’ base defense over the last two seasons. In the last two seasons, Joyner has seen 14 pass attempts on go routes thrown into his coverage, and has given up one catch for a total of 20 yards. His 78.3 overall coverage grade in 2016 was the highest of his three-year pro career. Joyner’s 26 total defensive stops were second-most among 118 CBs and would have tied him for 12th-most among safeties in 2016. Joyner will get every chance to win the starting FS spot in Wade's defense and his college experience at FS should help his confidence making the pro transistion. https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-rams-turn-to-joyner-for-free-safety-role-in-new-defense


FS #38 Cody DAVIS 6'1 204 (4 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 28

2016 Total Snaps 273) Tackles+Assists 10) INT 1) Pass Def 3) Sacks 0) FF 0
2015 Total Snaps _13) Tackles+Assists _0) INT 0) Pass Def 0) Sacks 0) FF 0
2014 Total Snaps _16) Tackles+Assists _9) INT 0) Pass Def 0) Sacks 0) FF 0

Summary: 2016 Davis played in 15 games and started four tallying a career-high 10 tackles (4 solo) and got his first career interception. He added another 8 tackles on special teams. At Tampa Bay (9/25) he got his first career NFL start. In his 4 seasons as a pro, Davis has been a solid piece on Fassel's special teams units. The Rams safeties as a unit don't have a lot of starting snaps so this gives Cody a better than average shot at finding his way back on the 53.


FS #43 John JOHNSON 6'0 208 (Rookie Drafted 3rd rnd No.91) AGE 22

BOSTON COL: Career Stats: Tackles+Assists 167) INT 6) Pass Def 14) Sacks 2.5) FF 2

Summary: Johnson played safety and slot cornerback in college, versatility that could help him as he competes for a spot in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. The Rams lack proven quality depth at safety and cornerback. With the departure of T.J. McDonald and Lamarcus Joyner moving from cornerback to free safety, Maurice Alexander and Cody Davis are the only safeties with significant experience. Last season for BC Johnson intercepted three passes, broke up nine others and made 77 tackles. He finished his final career game with 12 tackles (11 solo) with 2 passes defensed vs Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl. Johnson will get some strong looks in the preseason but the rookie 3rd rounder will have some growing pains before Wade trusts him on game days. He isn't expected to win a starting safety spot anytime soon but he should get some regular season snaps at some point in the first half of the season. He probably will start on Fassel's special teams units right out of the gate.


SS #41 Marqui CHRISTIAN 5'11 194 (1 Season in the NFL) AGE 22

2016 Rookie Total Snaps 3 plus another 113 on SP Teams) Tackles+Assists 3) INT 0) Pass Def 0) Sacks 0) FF 0
2015 Senior @ MSU DivII: Tackles+Assists 95) INT 0) Pass Def 3) TFL 2) Sacks 1) FF 2

Summary: Acquired via waivers by the Rams (9/28/16). Was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 5th round (167th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft. Released by the Cardinals (9/27/16). 2016 SEASON: Christian played in 10 games in his rookie season before being placed on injured/reserve on 12/19/16. He finished the year with three special teams tackles. 2015 Senior safety Marqui Christian dominated play with his aggressive and hard-hitting mentality over the last four seasons at Midwestern State. For that grit and determination, Christian was recognized for the Cliff Harris Award as the top defensive player in the country representing Division II, Division III and the NAIA by the Little Rock Touchdown Club.


SS #27 Isaiah JOHNSON 6'1 213 (2 Seasons in the NFL) AGE 25

2016 SP Teams Total Snaps 41) SP Teams Tackles+Assists 1)


Summary: In 2016 Johnson saw action in two games on special teams and recorded one tackle. He was a UDFA for the Lions in 2015 and played in six games on Detroits special teams recording one tackle. Promted to Rams active roster (12/20/16) Signed to Rams practice squad (10/1/16). Released by the Lions (9/3/16). Isaiah is long shot that's not expected to make much of a push but he does have 2 seasons in the pro's to give him an edge.

"SAFETIES" Ranking & Summary

1) SS #31 M.ALEXANDER 6'1 220 (AGE 26) Showed he was a legit starter in 2016
2) DB #20 L.JOYNER 5'8 184 (AGE 26) Will get his fair shot as the starting FS
3) FS #38 C.DAVIS 6'1 204 (AGE 28) Got some starting snaps last yr & did okay

4) FS #43 J.JOHNSON 6'0 208 (AGE 22) Rookie will get a big look in preseason
5) SS #41 M.CHRISTIAN 5'11 194 (AGE 22) Former Cardinal had some flashes last yr
6) SS #27 I.JOHNSON 6'1 213 (AGE 25) Longshot not expected to make a big push

"CORNERBACKS" Ranking

1) CB #22 T.JOHNSON 6'2 204 (AGE 27) Most expen$ive cornerback in the NFL$
2) CB #21 K.WEBSTER 5'10 195 (AGE 26) Unproven starter followed Wade to LA
3) CB #33 E.GAINES 5'10 190 (AGE 25) No more injury excuses for the young vet
4) CB #23 N.R-COLEMAN 5'7 170 (AGE 25) Feisty & little plays bigger than his size

5) CB #35 M.JORDAN 6'1 200 (AGE 24) 2nd season could be the difference for M.J
6) CB #24 B.COUNTESS 5'9 187 (AGE 23) Dark horse could be a secondary surprise
7) CB #32 T.HILL 5'10 182 (AGE 25) 4 game suspension buys the Rams more time?

8) CB #34 A.PENTON 5'9 188 (AGE 22) Another Mizzou surprise like Gaines in 2014?
9) CB #47 K.PETERSON 5'10 181 (AGE 23) Rams liked something from his game tape?
10 CB #36 D.HATFIELD 5'10 170 (AGE 22) UDFA unknown longshot to make the team


I hope all of you deserving Rams fans enjoyed this "all in one stop"
Defensive Personnel presentation.

Yes, we're really running out of stories to post. Training camp can't come soon enough.
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...rmer-nfl-players-to-do-battle-on-family-feud/

Current, former NFL players to do battle on Family Feud
Posted by Mike Florio on July 9, 2017

Getty Images

Rarely will I mention in this space any TV programming not appearing on the NBC family of networks. This is one of those rare circumstances.

Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on ABC, five current NFL players will take on five former NFL players on Celebrity Family Feud.

The current players include Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, Browns tackle Joe Thomas, and Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The team of former players, all Hall of Famers, consists of running back Marshall Faulk, receiver Andre Reed, tackle Anthony Muñoz, linebacker Derrick Brooks, and defensive back Rod Woodson.

They’ll be squaring off for up to $25,000 (c’mon, ABC; this isn’t 1976) that will go to charity. The current players will donate winnings to Professional Athletes Foundation, and the former players are playing for Active Minds.

Gurley, Goff, Austin, Quinn...

Sure, we can add other players to this list, but I don't think anyone would argue these guys are considered top players on our roster and we did not see elite play from them in 2016.

Gurley is just one season removed from being among "the top RB's" in the league.

Goff, drafted #1 overall, just finished his rookie season.

Austin has shown flashes of brilliance, albeit far too infrequent, in an offense that rarely showed flashes of anything.

Quinn just turned 27, after 2 injury plagued seasons, remains in his prime and just 2 seasons removed from top player status in the whole league.

Point being... we sucked last year. But, our best players didn't contribute much. That's a whole lot of team-performance upside sitting there.

Todd Gurley has 'been loving' Sean McVay's offense

By Jeremy Bergman NFL.com

Todd Gurley's first season in Hollywood was next to nightmarish.

After a promising rookie campaign, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year saw his yards per carry average dip to 3.2 and barely saw any opportunities to break big runs behind an ineffective offensive line. It also didn't help that the Rams quarterbacks were the least feared signal-callers west of Florham Park, inspiring opposing linebackers and safeties to crowd the box and limit Gurley's options.

But with new coach Sean McVay at the helm, Gurley is rejuvenated with hopes that his second go-around in the Coliseum will bear better results.

"I hope so," Gurley said, when asked by Zig Fracassi on SiriusXM NFL Radio if he expects Los Angeles' offense to be more "Gurley-friendly" in 2017. "Yeah, Coach. Tell Coach we want it Todd-friendly."

Gurley added that he has "definitely been loving" McVay's style of offense, which for now has the back focusing on daily preparation and being a "situational master." NFL Network's Gregg Rosenthal noted during minicamp that the Rams were moving the third-year back all around the offensive formation: in motion out of the backfield, outside the hashes, etc.

Inspiring the tailback this offseason is the development of second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who had shown in minicamp to be a more than competent option at QB.

"Oh, he's been getting better. Obviously, he didn't go No. 1 for no reason. He has the talent, and he's just been getting better," Gurley gushed. "He definitely had a great OTAs, great minicamp. Coaches have been doing a good job with him. Just his preparation, him being there all day, he's been great so far, man, so I'm definitely looking forward to it."

The running back's comments this summer are a far cry from what Gurley was saying just seven months ago about the state of L.A.'s attack. Following the Rams' loss to Atlanta in Week 14 -- a defeat that proved career-fatal for then-coach Jeff Fisher -- Gurley mused that his unit looked like a "middle school offense out there." In January, he told NFL Network's Rich Eisen that the Rams' 4-12 campaign was "like a nightmare."

It's still summer, and nary a Ram has yet to put on pads. But it sounds as if Gurley has already graduated from last year's middle-school nightmare to a professional dream.

After all, as Gurley puts it, "It can't get any worse than it did last year."

[www.nfl.com]

First, I was one of the happiest honks around when we won the battle with Miami over bringing Fish to the Rams.

Next phase, I continued to sing his praises during the darkening days, all the while questioning silently if maybe I was wrong all along...

Then came the "can't find the flag" fiasco in NE, and I was officially off his bandwagon and pulling for ED to get his way. I even became bitter at all the jack he earned while he steered this canoe of an offense against the other jet engine speedboats of the NFL.

Now, after watching the Amazon "All or Nothing" series, I have experienced closure on the matter. Those little side comments to other coaches (completely unscripted, as opposed to Hard Knocks) gave me further insight into who he is and what he was about. As with most things in life, things are not as good nor bad as they seem. People are not as good and bad as they seem. He was not perfect, but he had a lot of outstanding qualities.

Although I don't feel badly for him, given how well-paid he was, I sure do come out the other side wondering how things would have been different if he had SB fully healthy as when he signed up for this gig.

Again, closure. I can now open the new chapter and hope that McVay is 1/2 the guy he seems to be in the early going.

Go Rams!

Voice of the Rams: J.B. Long Talks Rams –Audio

ESPNLA Rams Voice J.B. Long is in studio talking about what he saw in Lonzo Ball when he called one of his games at UCLA. What are J.B.’s expectations for the Rams this upcoming season? J.B. talks about the transition of Jarred Goff from being on the bench to taking over as starting QB.

Listen To Long Talk Rams

(Rams Talk Begins at 4:50)

His receivers dropped 16 on 128 catchable passes according to PFF.
He has the 2nd highest adjusted completion percentage among all QB's. 54.6 % --> 67.3 %. There is a
+12.7 % difference. No wonder Sean McVay was turning his head in disgust as soon as Les Snead said "for the love of god we need pass catchers." For those of you wondering when this happened, it was the last episode on ALL or Nothing Season 2.