These are excerpts. To read the whole article click the link below. PK made it all the way to the very end of the article without mentioning his man-crush, the Patriots, but then he had a slip...keep coming back Peter.

Here is Step 1 of Obsessive Patriots Fans Anonymous:

1. We admitted we were powerless over our insane obsession with Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and all things Patriots – that our lives had become unmanageable.

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http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/19/peter-king-monday-morning-quarterback-nfl-randy-moss-commencement

On Randy Moss, Equality and Commencement Speeches
How the Vikings went from ‘the biggest mistake they ever made’ to now honoring their former mercurial receiver, with the help of an old friend. Plus more on NFL team leadership progress, a stunning Colin Kaepernick stat and the wise words heard at college graduation ceremonies this year
By Peter King

My last column before three Mondays off—you will love the substitutes, so come back on June 26, July 3 and July 10 for great prose and information. Today is a surprising hodgepodge, followed by my annual section of commencement speeches from campuses around the country. (Theo Epstein had a gem at Yale.) Enjoy the column.

* * *

The Greatest Thing I Saw This Week


Longtime Vikings writer Sid Hartman interviewed Randy Moss, who will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this fall
Photo: Tom West/Minnesota Vikings

Look at this photo. Tom West, the longtime Vikings PR man, took it the other day in fellow PR man Bob Hagan’s office at the Vikings’ headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn.

It’s beautiful. Hartman, 97, the longtime Minnesota columnist and radio host who is still working every week, is on the left, interviewing Moss, 40, who was in town to be told his number was being retired, and he would be enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor.

The two have had an interesting relationship. When Moss was under fire as a Viking for playing hard when he felt like it, Hartman interviewed him, and Moss famously said, “I play when I want to play.” They clashed over that, though all Hartman was doing was quoting (and in effect excoriating) the best receiver in the game.

I talked to Moss about the photo, and asked him about the meaning of his meeting and his interview with the raspy, indefatigable Hartman.

“Respect your elders,” Moss said. “I love Sid.”

It was interesting to hear Moss talk about Hartman the day after he met him, and the day he was honored by the Vikings. If you recall, Moss was pretty ticked off when the Vikings dispatched him to Oakland after seven starry seasons in 2005. Moss had the best debut of any receiver in NFL history—he had 53 touchdown catches in his first four years.

When people thought he was a loafer in the twilight, at 30, he had the greatest season a wideout ever had, catching 23 touchdown passes at age 30 for New England in 2007. An amazing career, yet the petulance dogs him. He knows. And he’s matured about it all.

“All the flak I took, everything I dealt with coming from high school and college, and then for them to give this award, the Ring of Honor, I am speechless. I really am,” Moss told me. “It was such a great day. I am so honored. What it makes me realize is: I did something right.”

And Sid?

“When we talked, the conversation was so genuine,” Moss said. “I loved it, really. Good or bad, our relationship developed. Through everything, Sid showed me respect. To sum it up, I am speaking for a lot of the guys I played with here in Minnesota:

He earned his stripes. He earned our respect, by working, by being there. He’s done it, for so long, for so much of history. He’s seen so much. He’s old enough to be our great-grandfather.”

On Sunday morning from 9 to noon, Hartman hosted his weekly radio show on WCCO in Minneapolis. It’s been a community staple for more than 20 years. “People get out of church and turn on the radio to see what Sid’s saying,” Hagan said. “It’s been that way for years.”

Nice guest list this week: Moss, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau … and little old me. Hartman doesn’t hear as well as he used to, and sometimes the questions have to be re-asked to him. But he answers them. “Why,” I asked Hartman, “does someone your age who grew up in a different world than guys like Moss get along with them so well?”

“I can’t explain it,” Hartman said over the airwaves. “It’s just worked out from day one. The biggest mistake the Vikings ever made was trading Randy Moss.” Now Moss is back in the fold, sort of. Bygones have faded. And Hartman and Moss, 57 years apart, are left standing.

* * *

Unprecedented Equality in NFL Team Leadership

The Chargers’ Anthony Lynn is one of eight minority head coaches in the NFL
Photo: Denis Poroy/AP

John Wooten is 80 now. The 10-year NFL guard blocked for Jim Brown in Cleveland and, as the chair of the quality-advocacy Fritz Pollard Alliance for the past 14 years, fought for equal rights for minority coaches, scouts and front-office officials. He is the quintessential NFL lifetimer, a classic devotee of the game who, at the same time, who would consider his life diminished if he didn’t leave the game more egalitarian than he found it.

So after Washington president Bruce Allen named Doug Williams the team’s senior vice president of player personnel—the first African-American head of player acquisition in franchise history—Wooten had to be feeling some sense of pride. Not only had this franchise been the last team in pro football to integrate its roster (amazingly late, in 1962), but no minority had ever run the personnel side of the building in its 85-year history … until last week.

John Wooten
Photo: David Richard/AP

This is a historic day for the league, really. It’s a bit of an invented stat, but it’s true: The 32 NFL franchises now have a total of 15 minorities either coaching the team or running the personnel side of the team. Never in league annals have at least seven head coaches and general manager/personnel czars run teams. But this year there will be a total of 15 minorities coaching or running the personnel side. (It was 10 as recently as 2013.)

“It’s so gratifying,” Wooten said from his home in Texas over the weekend. “It tells me how far we’ve come as a league. I will never forget, years ago, when [Dallas president] Tex Schramm said to me, ‘You’re trying to tell us who to hire!’ I said, ‘No, Tex. We simply want a chance to interview for these jobs.’ And now, everyone is just trying to do what they can to make equal opportunity in coaching and the front office a reality.”

• The minority coaches (eight): Ron Rivera (Carolina), Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati), Hue Jackson (Cleveland), Vance Joseph (Denver), Jim Caldwell (Detroit), Anthony Lynn (Los Angeles Chargers), Todd Bowles (New York Jets), Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh).

• The personnel czars (seven): Ozzie Newsome (Baltimore), Sashi Brown (Cleveland), Rick Smith (Houston), Reggie McKenzie (Oakland), Chris Grier (Miami), Jerry Reese (New York Giants), Doug Williams (Washington).

Williams never thought he’d get the shot. But he grew up being told opportunities would come because of merit, not color, and that was reinforced by his coach at historically black Grambling, where Williams played quarterback. “Eddie Robinson never said, ‘You can do this because you’re black,’” said Williams. “He said, ‘If you’re ever going to get a chance, you’re going to get a chance in America.’ And here it is.”

* * *

Cool Story of the Week

Photo: AP Photo

Robert Klemko of The MMQB polled 51 players in the Denver Broncos locker room toward the end of the 2016 season for a team census. “What, exactly, are you trying to prove?” then-Bronco Russell Okung asked Klemko.

Nothing, and everything. We were trying to find out the demographic of one NFL team Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever the results were, they were. A few responses were eye-opening, like the voting pattern of the locker room in an election that had much at stake for the country.

Thirty-four players, a full 66.7 percent, told Klemko they had not voted in the 2016 election. That’s disturbing to me. But other points, about life and background and beliefs, made this a very interesting read. (Thanks to The MMQB’s graphics team, and to editor Gary Gramling, for their work on it.)

This also was curious: Of the 24 players on the team who received 10 or more college scholarship offers, 13 received college degrees. Of the 19 players who got five offers or fewer, 17 got their degrees. Not sure what that means … it could be coincidental—or it could be that the less privileged among the players worked harder on academics in college.

* * *

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Floyd is due in court on June 26 after violating the terms of his house arrest, testing positive for alcohol on June 11. Floyd says his positive alcohol test was due to drinking Kombucha tea.

* * *

Things I Think I Think

1. I think as teams dispersed from practices and camps this summer, and prepare to take four or five weeks off from this demanding life, I urge all of them to take it. The game has become waaaaay too life-dominating. You need time off, folks.

2. I think these are a few quick thoughts I want to get on the record:

a. This website is losing one of our stalwart reporters, Emily Kaplan, to a new job. (She would prefer to make the announcement about her destination, and I am going to let her, at the time of her choosing.) We are sad about that, of course, because Emily is one of the best young journalists covering pro football. She’s helped us raise our game with her doggedness and her tireless reporting, and I know she’s going to have a great career.

More about Emily to come in the near future. But I’m glad to have had the chance to work with her as her career takes off. Emily’s a great example of a young person in a changing business who tried everything—video, podcasts, audio reporting, columns—and wasn’t content to simply be a classic sportswriter. She’ll be missed.

b. Congrats to both the PR staffs of the Texans and Ravens for the victories in the annual Pro Football Writers of America awards in helping football media do our jobs. Both groups are terrific. I want to point out the first female PR czar to ever win this award, senior director of communications Amy Palcic of the Texans, has come a long way by the sweat of her brow to be one of the best in the business.

Eight years ago, she was in essence demoted in Cleveland over an incident with tight end Kellen Winslow, and she wouldn’t stand for it. She left the Browns, ended up landing in Houston, and was promoted to this job two years ago. Good things come to those who work—and who prepare.

c. In 2015, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) helped sponsor the Steve Gleason Act, a bill fashioned to help former Saint Steve Gleason making speech-generating devices easier to get and use for patients suffering from crushing disorders like ALS.

Scalise, from Metairie, site of the Saints’ training facility, is a huge Saints fan, often appearing at practices just to watch … he was there, in fact, in May to watch the team. That’s why the shooting of Scalise at a baseball practice last week hit the Saints’ franchise so hard, and why they sent—and continued to send—wishes, prayers and offers of owner Tom Benson’s plane to the family.

d. Kudos to the Dolphins, starting with owner Stephen Ross, in emphasizing voter registration with their players. A team spokesman said Friday that 90 percent of the players on the roster, helped by a team voter registration drive, are now registered to vote in general elections.

3. I think there’s a great lesson in Zach Strief, the Saints’ tackle, right now. Forward-thinking guy. I heard him on Albert Breer’s podcast this week. Strief on finding a post-career passion: “It’s been a series of guys, players who’ve been here who I respect highly, guys that I think the world of that are good guys—smart, intelligent, sharp—that have struggled with that transition.

It’s no different than if I came to you tomorrow and said, ‘Hey, Albert, sorry, it’s not your decision, but you can never be a reporter ever again, so figure something out.’ That’s a really tough reality for someone who has spent a long time doing one thing. It’s very difficult for guys mentally to deal with that, and I got to see that. I got to see some older players come back and say, ‘Hey, I’m struggling a little bit figuring out what I’m going to do.’

Or, ‘Hey, I’ve got some opportunities but I’m the intern, so I went from being a pro athlete to having a job that a 22-year-old with no work experience has.’ That’s tough for a 33-year-old man who’s grown accustomed to living his life a certain way. And so those realities hit home and I realized, hey, you need to be on the lookout for something.” Strief, his father-in-law and three other partners founded Port Orleans Brewing. (And no, I did not write about this just because it’s beer.)

4. I think I’m excited that we introduced a new feature at The MMQB last week. “The Exit Interview,” which will feature things learned and lessons passed on by prominent football players/coaches/front office people/media when they retire or lose their jobs. Our first episode: Bob McGinn, who, after 38 years covering the Packers, voluntarily left the beat for a new life in Michigan.

I always admired McGinn because of his work ethic, his brains, his fierce independence. He made me a better follower of football. Listen to his warning about the in-house nature of so much football writing and coverage these days: “Teams want to play the games and cover the games; they want to do both. All these team websites are just a pox on our business.

All the coverage is slanted. It’s all pro-team and the people who cover, who work for a network one way or another that is paying the league billions of dollars to broadcast games and be partners, everything they say I take with a grain of salt. It’s left all to beat writers and magazine guys apart from these teams and networks who have independence to dissect the game and look at things with an unbiased eye.” Strong words, and apt ones.

5. I think, however, there are some very good team-website features I’ve found. One is the inside-football reporting from former scout Bryan Broaddus on the Cowboys site. Check out his Wednesday practice report from minicamp. Two very interesting things:

First-round washout Jonathan Cooper spent the day on perhaps the best offensive line in football starting at left guard; that’s a eye-popper in itself. But also this from Broaddus’ practice report: “The one guy that is able to give Zack Martin trouble is Maliek Collins. It’s rare that you see Martin get knocked off balance against power, but that’s what Collins was able to do during the Team Period.” That’s good reporting.

6. I think, as an aside, this is what I think when I see that Maliek Collins is creating some havoc in drills at a Cowboys practice: I covered the Cowboys’ draft last year, and the team’s number one target as the first round went on (after the drafting of Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick) was Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.

Dallas was offering the 34th and 101st overall picks for a low-first-round pick. Seattle wanted Dallas’ 34th and 67th picks. Dallas balked. Seattle traded with Denver, and it’s Denver who got Lynch with the 26th pick in the first round. So if Dallas had traded 34 and 67, three things would have happened:

• The Cowboys would have picked Lynch and not Dak Prescott. Judging by Lynch’s uneven first camp and season, and the fact that he’s a slight underdog to beat out Trevor Siemian this year, it’s almost inarguable that Prescott with the 135th overall pick was a better choice than Lynch at 26.

• The Cowboys would not have picked Collins to fortify the then-weakest position group on the team—defensive line.

• The Cowboys would not have picked Jaylon Smith at 34. He’s the Notre Dame linebacker who would have been a top-five pick in the draft had he not suffered a bad knee injury in his final college game.

There’s still no guarantee he’ll be a good NFL player, but he’s an intriguing prospect who, if he makes it, could be the Cowboys’ post-Sean Lee defensive team leader. So … overall, sometimes the best decisions are the ones you don’t make.

7. I think there are two long-gone players, above all those who have been on the ballot for years, who I would like to see elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: wide receiver Cliff Branch of the Raiders and defensive lineman Joe Klecko of the Jets.

8. I think it was interesting to see that Pete Prisco of CBS Sports asked some Falcons the other day how they felt about the Patriots having 283 tiny diamonds on their Super Bowl rings this year. The meaning: 283, as in coming back from a 28-3 deficit to win Super Bowl 51. Prisco said he could tell the Falcons players didn’t like it. I say so what.

If I’m the Patriots, 283 is a tremendous point of pride, noting the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. When I heard the Patriots had 283 diamonds on each ring, I didn’t take it in any way as a slap in the face to the Falcons. I took it only as a “look what we did” memento. If the Falcons are upset about it, maybe they should be. Maybe they should be reminded that blowing a 28-3 lead in the third quarter of a Super Bowl just doesn’t get swept under the rug. It’s real.

9. I think this is what’s it’s come to for Josh Freeman, the former first-round pick of the Bucs who blew out his career by being a laissez-faire practice player and poor off-season preparer: He had a tryout for Montreal of the Canadian Football League the other day.

He’s not good enough to be in camp with a CFL team—he’s got to try out for a spot in training camp. I’m not trying to jump on Freeman, but he knows now he blew his best chance to be a starting NFL quarterback by not working hard enough when he had the chance.

Jared Goff on Rams offense: 'I've understood all of it and grasped all of it so far'
8:19 AM CT

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Sean McVay had canceled Thursday's final minicamp practice and still woke up at 4 in the morning that day.

The offseason program is over, but the Los Angeles Rams' rookie coach is finding it difficult to unplug. So, he'll force himself to. Before the team reconvenes for training camp in late July -- rookies report July 26, veterans follow July 28 -- McVay will do some traveling. He'll go to Cabo San Lucas on a family trip, spend some time in Europe with his girlfriend, and do his best to temporarily take his mind off his first season as the NFL's youngest head coach.

"I think it’s important to try to kind of just get refreshed, recharged; take better care of myself," McVay said. "I’m a little bit heavier than I’d like to be right now."

McVay called his first offseason program "a great learning experience," a description he may use for every stage this calendar year. Phase 1, McVay said, was about establishing an identity and having his players learn the system. Phase 2 was about improving techniques and mastering the system. Phase 3 was about coming together as a team.

"And the nice thing about it is we feel like we were able to accomplish that," McVay said from the team facility on Thursday. "By no means are we where we need to be for what we’re striving to accomplish, but I think in terms of what we were trying to get done in the offseason program, we felt like it was a successful offseason program."

Jared Goff is a quick study: Goff recently asked McVay how much of his offense has been installed, and McVay told him about 95 percent. "If that’s what we have in," Goff said, "I’d say I’ve understood all of it and grasped all of it so far." Goff added that he has learned this year's offense "much quicker" than he learned last year's, which he attributed to spending an entire season in the NFL and then having a full offseason to prepare. Goff, who is 22 and coming off a catastrophic rookie year, made several nice, downfield throws during 11-on-11 drills. But that was without pads or contact. It's extremely difficult to truly evaluate in a setting like that. What's important is that teammates notice more confidence, more leadership, more conviction in Goff. And that he is seemingly picking up the playbook quickly. The rest will sort itself out later.

Pass-catching group defining itself: It's hard to forecast exactly how the targets will be dispersed because one of the Rams' primary receivers, Tavon Austin, spent the offseason program recovering from wrist surgery. But aside from Robert Woods, the Rams' other primary receiver, it was Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee and Mike Thomas who seemed to get the most snaps with the first-team offense, with Nelson Spruce and Pharoh Cooper also seeing some time. It looks like Kupp, a third-round pick in this year's draft, has already established himself as a go-to slot receiver, while Higbee, a second-year tight end, may have a leg-up on Gerald Everett, this year's No. 44 overall pick. Thomas, barely used as a rookie, could establish himself as a deep threat, though the Rams would prefer it if Austin were the one to take on that role.

Jamon Brown getting his chance: It seemed early on that former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson was going to get a real chance to transition from left to right tackle. But the Rams quickly began using Brown with the first-team offense and ultimately traded Robinson. Interestingly enough, they chose to keep Rob Havenstein at right guard, even though he spent his first two years at right tackle. And they put Brown at right tackle, even though he spent most of his first two years as a guard. Brown, a third-round pick in 2015, was a tackle during his four-year career at Louisville and the Rams like what he brings there. He'll enter training camp as the starter. Brown said it's "kind of easy to just kind of knock the rust off and just get back to doing what I do" at tackle. "It's been going pretty good. I don't think it's been too much rust."

Nobody's worried about Aaron Donald: The Rams' superstar defensive tackle caused a stir when he skipped out on the three weeks that encompassed organized team activities. Donald remained in Pittsburgh and worked out on his own while hoping for a restructured contract. He returned for the mandatory minicamp, but steered clear of team activities. The Rams have said all the right things about working something out with Donald. It will be a difficult process, because he deserves to be paid among the game's best defensive players and because he is currently so affordable for these next two years. But nobody is worried about Donald's state of mind. He continues to work hard, and his role won't change under the new system. Said new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips: "The elite players like Aaron Donald, you say you’d like to have them practicing all the time. But as long as you have them in the fall, I think that’s when you want him.”

No serious injuries yet: Austin, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist in early May, spent most of the offseason program running routes and catching tennis balls off to the side. Robert Quinn, transitioning from defensive end to outside linebacker, sat out the minicamp after undergoing a surgical procedure to his right hand that McVay considered "minor." Linebacker Mark Barron, cornerback E.J. Gaines, running back Lance Dunbar and wide receiver Bradley Marquez also sat out the minicamp. And strong safety Maurice Alexander was only starting to come back from a hip injury by the time the offseason program ended. But McVay said that none of those ailments will keep those players from being ready by the start of training camp. The Rams expect everybody fully healthy by then, which is always a good start.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/...k-study-and-other-observations-from-rams-camp

I realized in a sick fashion while looking up Rev Ike's career, that the 1994 Los Angeles Rams finished in LA with a 4-12 record, and their first year back they were 4-12. Hopefully in the next 4 years we'll win a Super Bowl, like in St Louie!

Jake Ellenbogen's All-Time Rams Roster: Quarterbacks

In this renewed series Jake gives you a complete all-time Rams roster going through each position. Here we start at quarterback where there were will be one starter, two backups, and an honorable mention.

Starter: Kurt Warner

(50 starts, 35-15 record, 66.4 comp %, 14,447 yds, 102 TDs, 97.2 QB Rating w/ Rams)
(2x MVP, 3x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl Champion w/ Rams)
We all know the fairytale career of Kurt Warner. The one who bagged groceries dominated the NFL Europe League and the Arena League. The leader that went from being behind Brett Favre in Green Bay to going to the Rams and backing up Trent Green.

Warner may have had some luck in the form of Rodney Harrison's dirty hit that knocked Green out of the starting job in preseason, but Warner had paid his dues and when the time came he took over the job and ran away with it. Many may disagree with this choice, but the Rams only Super Bowl came from a team that was quarterbacked by Warner. Not just quarterbacked, but led in a way we had never seen, leading a team that truly changed the game by shattering records across the board including setting a new record for team offense points scored until the recent Patriots dynasty broke that.

The Rams were bad before this magical run with a magical quarterback, a phenomenal offensive mind and offensive weapons that would give defenses nightmares. It didn't end the way we all may have wanted, but there is no denying that Warner is a Rams legend and with his 32,344 passing yards, 65.5 completion percentage, 208 passing touchdowns and career 93.7 quarterback rating in 116 games as an NFL starter. It's easy to understand why this newly enshrined Pro Football Hall-of-Famer would be starting on my all-time Rams roster. Warner added two MVP awards, two All-Pro awards and four Pro Bowl team appearances to his resume of an impressive career.

No.2 QB: Norm Van Brocklin

(65 starts, 42-20-3 record, 53.3 comp %, 16,114 yds, 118 TDs, 74.7 QB Rating w/ Rams)
(1x MVP, 6x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 2x NFL Champion w/ Rams)
The Dutchman, as they called him, had one of the most prolific careers for an NFL quarterback. The crazy thing about Norm Van Brocklin was the fact he was drafted to a team that already had a legendary quarterback in Bob Waterfield. Can you even imagine that today? Waterfield was 29 years of age when the Rams made the gutsy selection of Van Brocklin. That's like if you took Aaron Rodgers and how much of a superstar he is today and drafted the top overall quarterback because you couldn't pass up on him.

Now, with that being said The Dutchman was picked in the fourth round of the draft due to concerns he would ultimately give up playing football. The Rams clearly grabbed the bull by the horns and pulled the trigger on an opportunity they felt they could not pass up. Rams Head coach Joe Stydahar had a plan and as crazy and diabolical as it gets, he platooned the rookie Van Brocklin with the star veteran Waterfield.

During this time they became the "Greatest Show on Grass". Stydahar turned out to be a genius with the way he utilized two would-be Hall of Famer's. The team set the crippling average of 38.8 points per game back in 1950 which has never been broken and in this day in age seeing the Greatest Show on Turf and the New England Patriots dynasty offense, I believe it will stand the test of time. Van Brocklin ended up going to six Pro Bowls and was able to end up winning two NFL Championships with the Rams. The Dutchman threw for 23,611 yards in his career to go along with a whopping 173 touchdowns through the air in 101 games started. To add to all of that his 554 passing yard record remains as the most yardage thrown for in a single-game.

No. 3 QB: Bob Waterfield

(57 starts, 14-8 record, 50.3 comp %, 11,849 yds, 97 TDs, 61.6 QB Rating w/ Rams)
(1x MVP, 2x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, 2x NFL Champion w/ Rams)
The only quarterback who has had his number retired by the Rams organization falls to third-string on my roster. This, however, is not a knock on Waterfield himself. It doesn't help that we are trying to narrow this down when talking about three Hall of Famer's. Now, Waterfield's stats do not pass the eye test at all seeing as he actually had more interceptions than touchdowns which in today's league would get you a spot on the wall of shame.

Do not let the stats deceive you. First off, he was 100% Rams and he proved that playing his whole entire career there and then when he stopped playing he coached the Rams. Today's game is completely different to when Waterfield was playing. Waterfield was one who single-handedly carried the Rams to wins in their seasons. Waterfield not only dominated with his arm, but he also dominated with his leg.

How dominant was Waterfield you may ask? So dominant, the Rams owner Dan Reeves decided to make his the highest paid player in the league in just his rookie season after leading his team in his rookie year to win a championship over the Washington Redskins. Again, the stats may not look pretty, but Waterfield is a Hall of Famer and a two-time NFL champion.

Honorable mention

Roman Gabriel

This is one of the tougher honorable mentions on this roster. Roman Gabriel was fantastic with the Rams, he isn't quite a Hall of Famer, but led the Rams to a 74-39-6 record as a starter in 119 games over a span of 11 years. Gabriel was, of course, a former MVP and thus had to be mentioned in this piece in some facet. It will likely hold him back that he never won a championship like the top three mentioned, but you know your team has had a nice rich history if an MVP at QB is an honorable mention. This is the pick I expect to receive plenty of disagreement on.

What are your thoughts Rams fans? Are you okay with this position group or do I need to make some shakeups? Let me know! Be sure to stay tuned for the next article in this when we tackle running backs.

LOOK: Rams fans already seem to hate the team's updated uniform combination
The minor modifications to the Rams uniforms are majorly unpopular with fans

If the Rams are looking for something to do between now and the start of training camp, they might want to consider redesigning their uniforms again because their fans already seem to hate the most recent changes that the team made. Back in March, the team announced that it would be making some minor modifications for the upcoming season. Most notably, the Rams said they would be getting rid of the color gold from both their helmets and their pants.

When the Rams originally announced the changes, the new look was unveiled in a series of illustrations. It wasn't until this week that fans actually got to see what the uniforms would look like on an actual player, and let's just say things didn't go well when the team unveiled the new look.

Here's a look at Connor Barwin modeling the uniform in a Facebook post that the Rams shared on Flag Day.

After the picture was posted on Facebook, the negative reaction was almost immediate.


ew image on Twitter

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Why the hell do the Rams have 3 different shades of blue on their uniform? Only they could mess up a damn uniform

4:00 PM - 14 Jun 2017

• 
  Dozens of fans shared their opinion about the new look on Facebook, and from what I can tell, almost all of them hated the new uniforms.

This guy clearly doesn't like the Rams' new look Facebook
"I'm sorry but the new temporary uniforms look ridiculous," one fan wrote. "The helmet, jersey, and pants are all completely different from each other. The Rams should have just stuck with the old unis until the complete redesign when the new stadium opens."

That guy's opinion seemed to be the general sentiment of every fan on the Rams' Facebook page.

"These uniforms are horrible," another fan wrote. "They look like the freshman football team where everything is hand me downs and nothing matches."


Another fan said that it looks like a toddler handled the redesign.

"This uniform concept looks like it was thrown together by a pre-schooler," the fan wrote.

Another fan simply wrote, "Trash."

I'm assuming he was referring to the uniforms and not the way the team played last year.


The Rams started wearing all-white uniforms at home in 2016, and you can see what that combination looked like last year.

Tavon Austin shows off the Rams' uniforms from 2016. USATSI
For the upcoming season, the gold stripe on the pants and the gold horns on the helmet have both been eliminated. Instead, the horns on the helmet will be white and the pants will only feature one giant blue stripe.

The reason the uniform is kind of weird looking this year is because the Rams are in the process are in a complete overhaul. Unfortunately though, they're not allowed to modify for their jersey top this year due to NFL rules. The team is hoping to unveil a new jersey top when the Rams' new stadium opens in 2020, which means Rams fans could be staring at uniforms they hate for the next three seasons (The team had originally planned to unveil the new uniform tops in 2019 when the new stadium was originally slated to open, but now, they'll likely delay the new look since the new stadium has been delayed).

The Rams chose to wear a blue and white helmet as a nod to their past. The team wore blue and white helmets from 1964 to 1972, a period that included the birth of the team's "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line.


Anyway, the small irony in all of this is that the fans did have some say in the uniform. Back in February, fans voted on the pants (one blue stripe or two) and the color of the facemask on the helmet (white or gray).

Of course, the one thing they didn't get to vote on was whether or not all the shades of blue would be the same.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/l...o-hate-the-teams-updated-uniform-combination/

Here's what happened to the white Ford Bronco from the O.J. Simpson chase

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/h...white-ford-bronco-from-the-o-j-simpson-chase/

It's hard to believe, but it's now been 23 years since the most famous car chase in American history.

Back on June 17, 1994, O.J. Simpson led Los Angeles police on a two-hour chase through Southern California that didn't end until the former NFLrunning back surrendered himself at his home in Brentwood.

An estimated 95 million people across the country watched some or all of the car chase, which gives you an idea of just how big the Simpson case was back then. (To put that viewership number in perspective, 111.3 million people watched Super Bowl LI.)

Of course, if you were watching the chase at home, you didn't actually get to see much of Simpson. What those 95 million viewers saw instead was 120 minutes of a white Ford Bronco being driven by Al Cowlings on Interstate 405 in Southern California.

Thanks to the chase, the white Bronco quickly became the most infamous car in America.

The white Bronco has become so ubiquitous in American culture that people still joke and talk about it to this day.

Believe it or not, 23 years after the chase, the white Bronco once owned by Cowlings is still in nearly perfect shape.

In an interview with ESPN.com's Darren Rovell, Simpson's former agent Mike Gilbert revealed where the car's been for the past 23 years and where it is now.

Shortly after the chase, a company in Minnesota offered to buy the car, but Cowlings ended up turning the deal down because of what the company wanted to do with the Bronco.

"We found out that the company was going to rent the vehicle to a company in L.A. called Grave Line Tours that visited famous graves," Gilbert said. "They were going to re-enact the chase with the Bronco and then take people to Nicole's grave. The trial hadn't taken place yet, and we didn't want people thinking anyone associated with O.J. did this."

After that deal fell through, Gilbert and two other men decided to buy the car from Cowlings for $75,000. After Gilbert's purchase, the car ended up sitting in a parking garage for the next 17 years (1995-2012), where it was rarely used.

According to Gilbert, there's only been 20 miles added to the odometer since the O.J. chase in 1994. Gilbert did get a few offers from people who wanted to buy the car -- one offer was as high as $275,000 -- but he turned them all down, because he couldn't justify selling one of the most famous cars in American history.

"After the limo that JFK was shot in, this is the second-most-viewed car in American history," Gilbert said.

After 17 years in storage, a man representing the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas found out about the Bronco and immediately wanted to use it in a memorabilia show. The two sides worked out a deal, and at some point in 2012, the Bronco went on display for the first time since O.J.'s chase.

The Bronco stayed in Vegas until last year, when Gilbert finally had it moved back to his garage in California.

For anyone out there hoping to see the Bronco one day, you might have a chance soon. Gilbert told ESPN that he's working out a deal with the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and that the Bronco will likely be put on display there.

The fact that the Bronco might go on display again this year is almost ironic, because this could also be the year that the man who made it famous could get released from jail. Simpson is scheduled to have a parole hearing in July and many legal experts believe that he actually has a chance of being released.

Simpson has been in jail since 2008 when he was convicted of several charges -- including kidnapping and armed robbery -- following an incident in Vegas. The Hall of Fame running back could spent as many as 33 years in jail if he doesn't get parole.

By the way, Simpson also owned a white Ford Bronco, but that wasn't the one involved in the chase. Simpson's Bronco was seen as a key piece of evidence after investigators found blood spats smeared on the "console, door, steering wheel and carpeting." As ESPN notes, Simpson's Bronco was destroyed shortly after the trial.

Anyway, if you're feeling nostalgic for the nationwide viewing event of the '90s, you can relive the O.J. Simpson chase below.

Click the YouTube button to watch a video over there if it doesn't work on this thread.
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https://nflspinzone.com/2017/06/18/los-angeles-rams-ranking-top-5-wide-receivers-team-history/

Los Angeles Rams: Ranking the top 5 wide receivers in team history
by Greg Archuleta

Los Angeles Rams wide receivers have flown under the radar compared to other positions in franchise history.

Los Angeles Rams wide receivers are in abundance on the 2017 summer roster. 12 Rams — all 27 years old or younger — currently are competing for roster spots. The good thing about coach Sean McVay’s offensive scheme is that it utilizes several recievers. But the coaching staff also is eager to discover a potential No. 1 wideout along the way.

The Rams long have had a tradition of standout defensive linemen, and, to a lesser extent, running backs. But the franchise also has enjoyed some standout pass-catchers.

Here is one perspective of the team’s all-time top 5 Rams wide receivers. Note that running backs are not included in this list.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N68xWgJGHJM

5. Henry Ellard (1983-93)

A clutch performer with great hands, Ellard is No. 3 all-time on both the Rams’ receptions and receiving yards lists. He became the first Ram in 36 years to lead the NFL in receiving yards in 1987 when he totaled 1,414 on 86 receptions.

Ellard led the team in receptions every year after his rookie season. The Rams went to the playoffs in six of his first seven years with the team. They lost in the NFC Championship Game twice during that span.

Ellard moved on to the Washington Redskins in 1994 and had sustained success with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He had 74 receptions for 1,397 yards and six touchdowns for Washington in 1994.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeY4bn-Hp-A

4. Torry Holt (1999-2008)

Holt ranks No. 2 to teammate Isaac Bruce in receptions (869), yards (12,660) and touchdowns (74). However, Holt’s season averages were higher than that of his teammate and was the primary target when the two played together.

Holt led the league twice in receiving yards. He had 1,696 receiving yards in 2003 (on 117 receptions and 12 touchdowns) and it 2000 (1,635 receiving yards on 82 catches and six touchdowns). The 19.9-yard average per reception in 2000 was the best of his career. He had eight consecutive seasons of 1,000-yard seasons, starting in 2000. Holt also set an NFL record with six consecutive seasons of 1,300 yards or more from 2000-05.

He was the lead receiver for much of the “Greatest Show on Turf” years. The only drawback on his resumé was the fact that he was not the primary receiver during the Rams’ championship season in 1999.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRiVlx6eu1w

3. Tom Fears (1948-56)

The nine-year NFL veteran set league records for receptions in back-to-back seasons in 1949 (77 receptions) and 1950 (84 receptions), and he led the Rams in receptions for three consecutive seasons (1948-1950).

Fears ranks sixth all-time in franchise history with 400 receptions but is the fourth-leading receiver. He’s No. 6 on the Rams’ receiving yards list with 5,397 yards, regardless of position. He’s also No. 6 in Rams career touchdown receptions with 38.

It didn’t hurt that Fears had quarterback Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brockin passing to him, helping kickstart a Hall of Fame career. Another significant statistic is that the Rams advanced to the NFL championship games in 1949 and 1950, the years in which he was rewriting the receptions record book.

Not bad for an 11th-round draft pick in 1945.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXnzNn8nKU

2. Isaac Bruce (1994-2007)

Mr. Reliable during the St. Louis years, Bruce is the clubhouse leader in catches (942), receiving yards (14,109) and touchdowns (84).

He had the greatest single season statistically for the Rams in 1995 when he had 119 receptions for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns — all astonishing totals. Unfortunately for Bruce, Detroit’s Herman Moore set an NFL record that season with 123 receptions, and San Francisco’s Jerry Rice set a league record with 1,848 receiving yards.

Bruce did lead the league in receiving yardage in 1996 with 1,338 receiving yards. In 2009, Bruce became the second wide receiver in NFL history to amass 15,000 receiving yards. He was a key figure in the Rams’ 1999 Super Bowl run with 77 receptions for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m48B1yWnoY

1. Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch (1949-57)

Hirsch may not have the longevity of Bruce, or the productivity of Holt. In fact, Hirsch ranks seventh on the franchise’s all-time catches list with 400. He ranks fourth in receiving yards with 6,299 and third in touchdowns with 53. As a bonus, Hirsch’s whopping 18.36 yards per catch provides a glimpse into his explosiveness.

The Rams already had Tom Fears, who led the NFL in receptions and receiving in 1949-50, when Hirsch was starting out. Amazingly, Hirsch also played defensive back for the Rams. But in 1951, Hirsch assumed the mantle of primary target from Fears and made an imprint in the NFL record books.

Hirsch had 66 receptions for a league-setting 1,495 yards with 17 touchdowns. Along with that, the yardage mark stood for 10 seasons. And his record-setting performance came during a season in which the Rams won the NFL Championship.

I realize that this should probably go on Off Topic but.... Nah - it's going here.

Our own @Selassie I turns 50 today. And as anyone over 50 knows, it's all down hill from here. So let's have a moment of silence in respect for youth gone under.......... OK.... That's enough of that shit.

I just wanted to wish one of my great friends here on ROD and in the real world, a very happy birthday. George and I finally got to actually meet a few years ago when we traveled to FL. And I can't think of anyone who would have kick started our vacation like he and his wonderful wife Cammy and son @Ramrasta . We cruised, we partied, smoked ribs for the Tampa tailgater, and just had a great time with them.

Happy Birthday George. Wish we could be there celebrating it with you. You could hear my obnoxious laugh again.
A really bad video of part of our cruise on the Intercostal. And no... I didn't say titties.
Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/jjVuPbYnJZo

Opening day in St Louis when we stuffed Lynch on fourth and one.

George photo bombing the lovelies after the Tampa game.

Shortly after arrival in St Louis with a few of you ROD freaks. Guess @CGI_Ram and his wife hadn't arrive yet.

Checking out the Arch

At the memorial for Rich Harter RIP Rich

I could add a bunch more and may just do that. But here's to you George. Have a great birthday and we'll get out there to see you guys again soon.

Rams All Access Event at the Coliseum –Video

Rams All Access 2017 kicked off at the LA Coliseum. Nick Hamilton reports from the event. Includes interviews with Kevin Demoff, Sean McVay, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Roger Goodell.

Watch Rams All Access Report

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ams-fun-their-player-contracts-2017-offseason

Rams get creative using nicknames, palindromes in players' contracts

Negotiations between the Los Angeles Rams and receiver Tavon Austin were nearly complete last summer when the real fun began. The sides had agreed to a four-year contract extension worth between $10 million and $11 million annually. Now it was time for Tony Pastoors, the Rams' senior assistant and lead contract negotiator, to work some magic.

When it was over, Austin's deal averaged exactly $10,555,501 per year.

Look at that number carefully.

See anything?

If you recognized it as a palindrome -- a sequence that reads the same forward or backward -- you win a prize.

The numbers were no accident. In recent years, the Rams have used palindromes as one of several ways to lighten up the otherwise gray world of NFL finance. Their bag of tricks includes submitting contract proposals via haiku and personalizing the titles of incentive clauses.

This quirky habit, one that earned mention in ESPN's roundup of 10 unusual contract clauses, originated with executive vice president/chief operating officer Kevin Demoff. The idea, Pastoors said in an interview last week, is to send players a simple message of humanity during a stressful and contentious moment.

"It's also just a fun thing to do," Pastoors said. "Football is supposed to be fun. It should be fun if you work in the NFL, and if you can't have fun, you're doing something wrong. This lets the players know that we put some thought into it rather than doing a basic minimum deal. It's a pretty simple way of having players think, 'Hey, someone thought of me as a person.'"

There are other examples of similar creativity across the NFL landscape. In 2015, for example, the New York Jets worked out an average salary of $14,024,212 in cornerback Darrelle Revis' new deal. As noted in the book "Crunching Numbers," by Jason Fitzgerald and Vijay Natarajan, the "24" stood for Revis' jersey number and the "212" for his area code in New York City.

The Rams, however, take it to a more intense level. Pastoors, who joined the franchise in 2010, estimated that about half of the approximately 1,000 contracts he's worked on include at least one element of personalization.

Defensive end Robert Quinn received a signing bonus of $4,776,774 as part of his new deal in 2014. Center John Sullivan's one-year contract this year is worth $999,999, including a base of $900,000 plus a roster bonus of $99,999. When cornerback Trumaine Johnson signed his rookie deal in 2012, his bonus was $671,176.

Often the goal can be achieved by manipulating base salary numbers. Austin's base was $1,111,111 in 2016. (His jersey number: 11.) The Rams made the math work with two randomly assembled base salaries in the final two years of the contract. Austin would earn $9,561,773 in 2020 and $9,222,024 in 2021. To complete their shenanigans for rookie deals, the Rams occasionally exceed the projected slot, Pastoors said -- but always in favor of the player.

"It'll cost us maybe $13 more," Pastoors said. "That $13 over four years is worth it to us."

As their reputation has grown, the Rams have found agents playing along and sending numeric suggestions of their own. Occasionally players themselves have offered possibilities.

In Los Angeles, of course, palindromes are only part of the fun. In naming incentive clauses, the Rams will dip into franchise history. Their contracts have included Vince Ferragamo or Norm Van Brocklin incentives. Punter Johnny Hekker wound up with a Johnny Kickball incentive, a play on Johnny Manziel's "Johnny Football" nickname, a review of the contract by ESPN sources revealed

Some player names do the work for them. A player like tight end Jared Cook, who signed with the Rams in 2013 and remained through 2015, might get "He went to Jared" for one of his incentives, a reference to the jewelry store's advertising slogan.

I know. I get it. By now, you're hammering at the Rams for focusing more on cute incentive titles and math tricks than winning. Indeed, the Rams haven't made the playoffs since 2004 -- the NFL's third-longest active drought -- and haven't had a winning season in 14 years.

If you're inclined to connect contract tomfoolery with winning percentage, my suggestion is to lighten up. The two exist independent of each other. It's OK to have a little fun now and then. We should all try it sometime.

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/s...imal-house-babylon-5-st-elsewhere-1202469695/



Stephen Furst, best known for getting his start in “Animal House,” has passed away due to complications with diabetes, Variety can confirm. He was 63 years old.

Furst died in his Moorpark, Calif. home on Friday. His sons Nathan and Griff Furst confirmed their father’s death on Facebook Saturday evening.

“Steve has a long list of earthly accomplishments,” began his boys. “He was known to the world as a brilliant and prolific actor and filmmaker, but to his family and many dear friends he was also a beloved husband, father, and kind friend whose memory will always be a blessing.”

Those other accomplishments include the National Lampoon spinoff “Delta House,” as well as starring roles on “Babylon 5” and “St. Elsewhere,” to name a few. In 2016, the actor made headlines for protesting the Academy’s rule change. Furst was also a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

“To truly honor him, do not cry for the loss of Stephen Furst,” requested Furst’s sons. “Rather, enjoy memories of all the times he made you snicker, laugh, or even snort to your own embarrassment. He intensely believed that laugher is the best therapy, and he would want us to practice that now.”

Furst’s wife Lorraine Wright also died in 2017.

I decided to go to a NFC West Troll Site that I go to at times to give other fans shyte (they give it back, so it's all good).
I know I am at the optimistic side of fans here, by adjusting my expectation of 9 wins this year. I think this team is better than any Fisher 7-9 team, with much better possibilities to have a more nimble, and explosive offense than Fisher could imagine. I think Gurley and Goff will benefit greatly by an improved Oline. Losing GRob and gaining Whittworth and Sullivan, with the best players playing..How could we not be dramatically improved on the Oline? Just having Woods, Kupp, and maybe Spruce as highly skilled route runners and Goff having an extra second or two of protection, our passing numbers should be radically improved. Get some first downs through the air, and Gurley is unleashed! This all may take a few games to come together, but we should start rolling offensively!

Phillips getting to craft the best 3-4 hybrid defense should be WAY fun to watch.

I tried to tell my friendly trolls this at the other site. They of course act as though nothing ever changes with the Rams. Same ole Sorry Assed Rams. The most doubtful are saying we win 2 games this year and the less trollish ones are saying 6 wins. They only want to call Goff a bust, and Gurley as a flash in the pan. They say Kupp is worhless-average because of the low competition he faced in college. Woods? never a number one WR, might be an ok #2 WR but simply average. They have the advantage of being negative and right the last few years, so they don't want to hear what we see/think. The thing about being negative, you will be right a lot of the time, especially wih Linehan, Spags, and Fisher in charge...

A lot of doubters out there, and this forum is a refuge from the haters! So who is right?

http://www.scout.com/nfl/rams/story/1754259-wade-phillips-to-use-3-4-scheme

https://www.google.com/amp/www.turf...hillips-defense-3-4-robert-quinn-aaron-donald

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000785275/article/phillips-switching-rams-base-defense-to-34-scheme?networkId=4595&site=.news&zone=story&zoneUrl=url%3Dstory&zoneKeys=s1%3Dstory&env=&pageKeyValues=prtnr%3Daround-the-league%3Bteam%3Dla%3Bconf%3Dnfc%3Bdvsn%3Dncw%3Bplyr%3Daaron_donald&p.ct=Around+the+NFL&p.adsm=false&p.tcm=%23fff&p.bgc1m=%230964bf&p.bgc2m=%23053a74&sr=amp

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/02/0...cos-3-4-defense-and-one-gap-equals-dominance/

Here are some links that have yet to be posted here but let us know what is to come in 2017.

The common theme from McVay is to be a smart coordinator who takes the players available and give them a chance to do what they do best while figuring out how to do that in an attacking scheme that exploits the oppositions weaknesses and simplifies assignments for talented players (and even those with limited skills). This is precisely why Bellicheat has found success (even when Brady was injured).

In terms of defensive greatness, too little is known (minus the in-depth links I just posted), about how Phillips took great players and made them even greater. Many think that the Broncos were successful because they had Pro Bowl talents and therefore discount how Phillips made each of them more successful because he put them in positions to succeed (much like Phil Jackson with the Lakers' championship teams).

With that said, let's consider the Rams' current roster. Aaron Donald will still be playing predominantly a 3 technique but the scheme allows flexibility to have him move to the best mismatch against the O-Line. Brockers is the unheralded two-gap guy who is so necessary in the 3/4 with his size, power, and mindset. Easley, Westbrooks, Fox, Thomas, Smart, Trinca-Passat, and Walker all have different skill sets that can plug into whatever playcall Wade needs to thwart the offense. Has anyone else noticed the plethora of linebackers the Rams drafted/acquired? Ogletree and Barron fit what Denver had with
Marshall/Tevathan in terms of inside LB's who can cover (though I suspect the two aren't as good at stacking and shedding in the run game). Quinn and Barwin are slotted to fill the Ware and Miller roles (again, a step down, but much better than the NFL average). Hager can help v the run but could be a liability in coverage. Ekuban fits the outside rush/contain role. Littleton and Forrest have untapped potential I will trust Phillips to develop. As for the secondary, there won't be a NO FLY ZONE in LA, but as McVay has mentioned, it will be better than most expect. Johnson may not be worth his franchise tag, but he is a bigger, physical corner that can play both press and zone effectively. Webster is a familiar CB to Wade but played behind the talent he had in Denver and unless Gaines can shake his injury bug, will provide competent if unspectacular play at the other corner. Nickell is aptly named and an underrated signing who can be backed by both Gaines and Joyner in a pinch. Speaking of Joyner, he's finally going to get the notoriety he deserves at the FS/Nickel Hybrid slot that has made the Honey Badger an impact player. While our new JJ is being groomed as his backup, Alexander is going to get the opportunity to take the next level step in his development as a SS. The versatility he learned at FS last year along w his true strength as a SS will make him a solid piece in the Phillips DB puzzle. While Christian and Davis are the depth behind them, the pre-season will determine whether or not they are in Wade's crosshairs for development or replacement. As a fan, I root for both of them due to their talents, but defer to Wade for their ultimate fates.

With all this said, while there are obvious definciencies in talent v the Broncos of the past couple years, we have the makings of a top 5 defense here (barring injuries to key starters, primarily Donald who is absolutely irreplaceable). Combine this with what I will eventually analyze once we've seen the new offense in pre-season, and I'm cautiously optimistic about a playoff team in LA this coming season.

Looked at the salary cap for the Rams today for the first time in a while. Tavon Austin once again jumps out with an almost 15 million cap hit for this season. Looked at his salary for this season and next and that number is 3.5 mil for this season, 3.0 for next. The rams could trade Tavon, reduce the cap hit for this season by 3 million, and would incur a 5 million cap hit for 2018. The cap hit for 2018 would be the same if he is released in 2018. The salaries for Tavon would be the cap hit for his new team, and those are not bad numbers. Would a draft pick or 2, 3 million in cap savings for this season, 3 million in cap savings next season be worth it? Maybe the rams could get a 4th and a 6th, similar to what they traded for Mark Barron a couple of years ago. Unlikely to happen, but with a new coaching staff you never know.

Inside the Rams Podcast With Vinny B –Audio

The NFL offseason is now officially underway, and Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is no longer a Ram. The team traded Robinson to the Lions in the final hours of the offseason program, and on the latest episode of “Inside The Rams,” host Ryan Kartje breaks down the team’s decision to cut ties with its one-time franchise left tackle. Later, SCNG NFL columnist Vinny Bonsignore talks to Rams offensive lineman Jamon Brown about filling Robinson’s opening at right tackle, and Rams beat writer Rich Hammond joins to discuss his overall impressions from mini-camp.

Listen to Inside the Rams

ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter breaks down the Rams’ front-office moves, Greg Robinson’s trade to the Lions and Philip Rivers’ decision to play for the next several years. Plus, Schefter discusses Odell Beckham Jr.’s contract.

Listen to Schefter Talk Rams

http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...nly-has-immediate-impact-potential-with-rams/

UDFA Aarion Penton suddenly has immediate impact potential with Rams

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill was suspended for the first two games of the 2017 season, which gives an opportunity Aarion Penton.

Hill, who was an undrafted free agent from the University of Oregon in 2016, will miss the first two games of the upcoming season due to substance-abuse suspension. The Rams did not draft a cornerback in the 2017 NFL Draft but did sign Penton as an undrafted free agent.

After the draft, this is what Rams head coach Sean McVay had to say about their defensive backs:

“I think when you look at just coming out of the minicamp, what we saw, I think there’s a handful of guys that showed they can play at the corner spot … You see guys like Troy Hill, Nickell Robey(-Coleman), they give us some depth. E.J. Gaines has played a lot of football.”

The Rams have Trumaine Johnson and Kayvon Webster as their two likely starting cornerbacks on the left and right side. Then, Robey-Coleman will presumably play the slot.

McVay mentioned that the defense will look different playing for their new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

The Rams are speculated to move slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner to safety, which means they do lack depth beyond Gaines.

Meanwhile, Hill played 100% of defensive snaps against the Giants, 95% against the Buccaneers and 65.7% against the Seahawks.

In their draft guide, Pro Football Focus ranked Penton ahead of UCLA’s Fabian Moreau, who was selected in the 3rd round.

Expect him to have a chance to fill many of the snaps that Hill won’t be able to during the first two weeks of the year if he makes the roster. And if he does make the roster and play well, Penton may have just suddenly stumbled into an opportunity for real NFL success next season.

Pressed for a 2017 prediction, Wade Phillips aims high

Posted by Mike Florio on June 16, 2017, 7:42 AM EDT

[profootballtalk.nbcsports.com]

The Rams had their annual all-access event on Thursday, where fans can plunk down an obscene amount of money to get up close and personal with current and former members of the organization. During the event, new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was pressed for his thoughts on how the 2017 edition of the team will fare.

“We’re going to win every game and the Super Bowl,” Phillips eventually said, jokingly, via Aiden Gonzalez of ESPN.com.

Said coach Sean McVay in response: “I can’t wait for that to be on Pro Football Talk.”

On Pro Football Talk it is, but we recognize that Phillips was simply having a little fun with the question. And we recognize that but for the gratuitous mention of PFT, the remark wouldn’t have even registered on our radar screen.

Register it did, which also provides a semi-plausible reason to remind you that Wade Phillips recently appeared on PFT Live to discuss among other things his new book, Son of Bum, and to drop in the code for the video.

Rams OTAs and Minicamp Progress Report –Video

Coach Sean McVay ended minicamp a day early to reward players for progress made during organized team activities and minicamp. The Times’ Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry wrap up the offseason workouts. (5:37)

Watch Rams Progress Report

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...aches-its-final-nadir/?utm_term=.c6179405716a

By Matt Bonesteel June 15 at 12:36 PM
traded tackle Greg Robinson to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2018, ESPN reported, and while that might not seem all that newsworthy on the surface, it’s notable for two reasons.

1. Robinson was the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft just three years ago.
2. He was the last player the Rams selected with the smorgasbord of picks they ultimately ended up with after the 2012 draft-selection swap they made with the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins landed Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III with that trade, sending the sixth overall pick and their second-round selection in the 2012 draft and first-rounders in 2013 and 2014 to the Rams. Eventually, the Rams made even more deals with those picks and ended up with eight players, three selected in the first round. It was a deal that could have changed the course of both franchises, in other words.

It didn’t. Griffin helped lead the Redskins to the playoffs and was named NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2012 but saw his career derailed by injuries. Washington has been back to the playoffs just once since then, and it was with Kirk Cousins (selected in the 2012 fourth round) at quarterback. The Rams, meanwhile, last had a winning record in 2003 and have gone 31-48-1 since the deal.

It was, ultimately, the most meaningless big trade of all time.

The Redskins received:

— 2012 No. 2 pick (Robert Griffin III: One incandescent season, then injuries. Currently team-less after a mostly sad season with the Browns in 2016.)

The Rams received, after making more deals involving the picks they got from Washington:

— 2012 No. 14 pick (DT Michael Brockers: Constant if unspectacular starter on the Rams’ defensive line. Signed contract extension last year.)

— 2012 No. 39 pick (CB Janoris Jenkins: NFL all-rookie team in 2012. Made the Pro Bowl last season, but it was for the Giants after leaving via free agency.)

— 2012 No. 50 pick (RB Isaiah Pead: Career never got off the ground, thanks in part to an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the 2014 preseason. Lost part of his left leg in November car crash.)

— 2012 No. 150 pick (G Rokevious Watkins: Played in four career NFL games.)

— 2013 No. 30 pick (LB Alec Ogletree: Apart from an injury-marred 2015 season, constant starter for the Rams)

— 2013 No. 92 pick (WR Stedman Bailey: 59 career catches over three seasons. Hasn’t played since 2015 after he was shot multiple times in November of that year. Is said to be attempting a comeback, though it likely won’t be for the Rams, who waived him in April.)

— 2013 No. 160 pick (RB Zac Stacy: Nearly rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie but was traded to the Jets after the Rams took Todd Gurley in 2015. Announced his retirement in February.)

— 2014 No. 2 pick (T Greg Robinson, traded to the Lions on Wednesday after he was benched twice in 2016.)

So, in summation, only two of the nine players involved in the 2012 Redskins-Rams draft-pick swap remain with the team that drafted them. Only four of the nine currently are on an NFL roster. The same number likely will never play in an NFL game again.

And you wonder why there are so few big NFL trades.

Trade of Greg Robinson illustrates a new way of thinking by the Rams

Guard Jamon Brown is a prime beneficiary of a new way of thinking on the part of the new Rams coaching staff. (Photo by David Crane/Southern California News Group)

By VINCENT BONSIGNORE

The writing was on the wall well before the Rams traded Greg Robinson to the Detroit Lions early Thursday morning for a sixth-round draft pick.

So we won’t give them too much credit for acting decisively and wisely in completing the trade, which puts to rest the inglorious three-year Rams career of a player of whom so much was expected after he was selected second overall in the 2014 draft and yet so little was delivered.

The former Auburn star was supposed to lock down the left tackle position for the Rams for the next decade and anchor a young, dominant offensive line.

But it didn’t take long to figure out Robinson simply wasn’t up to the task. And it took even less time for him to play his way out of the Rams’ present and future.

He was billed as a dominant run-blocker with the athletic ability and size to develop into a premier pass-rush protector. The former was never the case and the later never materialized. The fact the Rams could get a draft pick for him given all his underachieving is a coup, not that a sixth-round pick will ever make up for the major swing and miss they took drafting him.

All the more egregious given how current All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack was there for the taking at the time.

But what’s done is done.

In the bigger scheme of things, the Robinson trade, the domino effect that preceded it and the thought process and imagination behind it bodes well for the club moving forward.

There is a different vibe with these Rams under new coach Sean McVay, one that reaches above him into the general manager’s office, below him to his assistants and around him with the players.

“Aggressive,” is how Jamon Brown explained it from the player’s side.

Brown is the main beneficiary of the Robinson trade given the wide open path it clears for him to win the starting right tackle job. But he’s also a prime example of the new, aggressive approach from the Rams.

Although Brown played tackle in college at Louisville, he’s strictly been a guard in his first two seasons with the Rams. And he fully expected to continue that role this year. That is, until new Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer decided to give Brown some reps at right tackle during an Organized Team Activity practice last month.

“It was like, literally right there on the practice field,” Brown remembers, laughing. “Like, hey, take some reps at right tackle.”

To call it a whim would be underestimating Kromer and McVay. They knew Brown’s history as a tackle and had a pretty good idea he could at least provide average play at the position if given a chance. But there was some method to the madness in how Kroemer approached Brown about the possibility.

As in, right in the middle of a practice without any heads up.

“It’s OK to make guys uncomfortable sometimes this time of year,” Kromer explained.

And even more beneficial to see how they respond.

Brown immediately took to the position and was a mainstay with the first team the rest of OTA’s and minicamp, which concluded Wednesday when McVay canceled the final practice as a reward for a job well done this offseason.

“My thought process was just to show them I could be versatile, that I could play any position,” Brown said, “I knew new players were being brought in. Guys were being shuffled around. So I just wanted to make as positive an impression as possible.”

That’s exactly what happened, apparently.

“I guess coach was pleased,” Brown said, smiling.

That doesn’t mean Brown is guaranteed to be the starting right tackle when the Rams open the season against the Indianapolis Colts the first week of September. Or that Kroemer and McVay won’t ultimately decide to flip Rob Havenstein back to right tackle from right guard after making the switch from tackle to guard to start OTAs.

But with the left side of the line now solidified with two-time All-Pro tackle Andrew Whitworth coming over in free agency and Rodger Saffold at left guard, the Rams can now focus on getting the right side figured out.

“We’re still trying to sort all that out,” Kroemer said.

But even that speaks well to the new Rams’ way of doing things under McVay, which seems much more progressive, imaginative and inclusive compared to previous coach Jeff Fisher.

The willingness to remain open-minded about positions and roles rather than locking themselves into one way of looking at things is a refreshing change.

Just moving Havenstein to guard illustrates that. One look at the 6-foot-6, 322-pound Havenstein and you immediately think tackle given the height and size.

From McVay and Kromer’s vantage point, though, they saw a better athlete than others may have seen — which enables him to get on defenders quicker than most would have suspected — plus a bright mind to handle the intricacies of the position.

“I think he’s kind of one of the rare exceptions where he’s such a sharp guy, things do happen a little bit faster inside and he’s got better athleticism,” McVay said.

And it didn’t hurt that Havenstein had to clean up a bit before taking a stroll to the altar a few months ago, resulting in a bit of a body transformation any groom would be envious of.

“We always joke with him because he lost a little bit of weight because he got married this offseason,” McVay said. “So, he had to look good for that.”

Point being, McVay and his staff saw something in Havenstein others may have closed their minds to, whether it was because he didn’t fit the prototype or look the part or out of sheer stubbornness.

More importantly, they had the guts to act on their instincts and at least give it a shot, making no promises in the process while reminding players this remains a fluid situation.

“You have to be ready for anything,” Brown said. “ Nothing’s set in stone right now, given how far out we are from the actual season.”

As for Robinson, his time with the club was being measured in months almost from the moment McVay was hired and he and the Rams locked in on and ultimately reeled in Whitworth in free agency.

Whitworth coming aboard immediately displaced Robinson and sent him over to right tackle on essentially a tryout basis.

But given the Rams’ decision to decline Robinson’s fifth-year option for 2018, he would have needed a breakthrough year to put himself back on their long-range radar. And even that would not have guaranteed any sort of future with the team beyond this season.

If, say, Robinson actually held onto the starting job he could have been looking at the kind of $8 million or $11 million dollar deals fellow top-two pick tackles — and disappointments — Matt Kalil and Luke Joeckel got from the Panthers and Seahawks after fizzling out with the Vikings and Jaguars.

There is little chance the Rams would have ever paid him that kind of money, especially given the direction their cap is headed and the big-time players currently up for new contracts and raises.

Brown has a cap-friendly $800,000 contract for 2018, so if he can lock down the job he becomes an asset on the field and on the payroll.

Meanwhile, the Rams get a draft pick and $3.2 million in cap relief this year.

It’s not much, but it’s something.

And in the grand scheme of things, it speaks to a new way of doing things under McVay.

[www.ocregister.com]